Pike is considered one of the most interesting inhabitants of Russian reservoirs. But most importantly, she is always a welcome trophy.
Short description
Pike lives in almost all lakes and rivers, with the exception of some eastern and northern regions. She keeps, as a rule, in those places where it is easier for her to watch for prey, for example, near boulders and snags, near washed banks and at reeds. Pike grows fast, faster than many other fish. She is voracious and omnivorous, feeds on any inhabitants of her reservoir, not disdaining even pike juveniles. This predator reaches almost one and a half meters in length and up to thirty-five kilograms in weight.
In addition, she has excellent appetite, sometimes swallowing prey in half its size. Pike is caught all year round. And although some believe that in the summer she pecks worse, this is not entirely true. This bait fishing is extremely exciting this season.
But another thing is winter fishing. Pike fishing at this time is not comparable to any other silent hunt. Her bites are so diverse that even experienced professionals are sometimes surprised. Especially popular is winter fishing for pike with vents.
Seasonal Features
This predator is the best representative of our reservoirs in terms of the persistence of its fishing. You can fish for this toothy prey all year round, as it is always active and regularly eats. Even during the spawning period, unlike many other fish, it is quite easy prey. But the most popular is pike fishing in the winter. Tackles and lures for winter fishing should be strong and catchy.
In spring, this fish gathers in places of its spawning. Most often it is the headwaters, tributaries, spills. The time of spring zhor depends on when spawning begins. Pike spawn when spring ice still remains on the banks in some places. After its completion, the fish "rests" nearby for about fifteen days. As a rule, these are shallows with a weak course, but rich in food and vegetation.
At this time, the spring zhor of this predator begins, which, however, is not as exciting as winter fishing. Catching pike during this period lasts throughout its sliding to the main habitat. Predators are kept, as a rule, near the channels along which their prey descends. In summer, pike is usually found in snags or in the grass. Her zhor becomes more capricious and shorter, having large breaks. The most active time for biting is early morning or late evening. At night, the pike keeps close to the shore. It can be caught in shallow rifts.
Experienced hunters believe that fishing in the summer is the most uninteresting and not as exciting as winter fishing. The search for pike, the equipment of gear during this period, although they matter, but the main factor affecting the catch is the “mood” of prey.
And when the foliage begins, the season of hunting for large specimens begins. The most catchy in the autumn is considered such a tackle as a jig. At the same time, the dimensions of the used baits should be several times larger than those used in spring or summer.
October is the best month for spinning. The predator, following fodder fish, moves to deep places. At the same time, any kind of fishing brings results - trolling, jigging, large swings or turntables.
Unforgettable winter fishing
To the pike in those regions where the first ice was established, it is best to go with spinners and a balancer. During this period, the predator is better to catch from under the ice. Winter fishing for pike with zergilits is also well characterized. Where there is still no ice, the predator continues to be caught on any jig bait.
In general, winter fishing for pike largely depends on the temperature of the water. With an increase in the thickness of the ice, this fish goes farther and deeper into the depths, where it is warmer. The warmer the water, the more active it is.
With the onset of winter, according to the first ice, pike can still be found both near the coast and in deeper places. Whereas in the dead of winter the predator slides closer to river beds or to deep lake pits.
Where to look for pike
Unfortunately, the bottom topography is not always known, so fishermen have to drill holes at random. Therefore, to make winter fishing for pike as effective as possible, experienced hunters make ten, and sometimes even more, ditches. At the same time, each of them needs to be caught for no more than three to four minutes. And if there is no bite, immediately go to the next hole.
Pike activity in the cold is markedly reduced. However, this is typical of most fish in our reservoirs. This pike rarely moves this season, most often it just stands somewhere in the thicket. In addition to grassy vegetation, this predator can be caught in the snag or along the edges of deep holes, near stones and other shelters.
Some tips
Winter fishing for pike is characterized by the fact that this toothy inhabitant of the underwater world does not feed often, usually once or twice a day. Therefore, getting on her feeding is rather difficult, since the hunter’s so-desired prey goes at different times at the “fattening season”. A relatively active bite is observed in it either during the period of warming, or in the first ice. And if you believe it, then on cloudy days, when there are low clouds, winter fishing for pike is much better than on clear frosty days. At the same time, it can pass around the clock.
Another important characteristic that you need to pay attention to is the diameter of the hole. Winter fishing for pikes on vents also depends on it. Successful fishing is due to the correctly selected size of the ice drill, since a large predator from the hole with a small diameter can not be pulled out. Therefore, if the fishermen know that there are many large individuals in the pond, a larger ice drill will be needed. In addition, in order to pull out a pike it was more convenient, it is necessary to take a hook for fishing with you.
Another nuance: in sunny weather, you need to hide the hole from the sun, dusting it with snow. It is believed that the predator sees well from under the infusion. And if there is no snow on the pond, then you need to fill in an additional layer of water. And then the ice will not be shiny and transparent, but frosted.
Fishing time
The nibble of this fish depends on weather conditions and fishing time. In order for it to be “fruitful,” you need to carefully monitor the weather. Like most underwater inhabitants, the coolest winter fishing for pike is the end of November and the beginning of January. In the dead of winter, it simply stiffens and therefore stands motionless. But if an unexpected thaw occurs in this season or a south-west wind blows, then it can perk up and begin to peck actively.
On the pike with the vents
This tackle for catching a toothy predator in winter is not as elegant as, for example, for a similar hunt for zander. There are certain requirements for it. For example, a coil needs to be selected so that it scrolls freely. Therefore, it must be worn on the axis with a sleeve made of a material that will not freeze to it. You need to install it ten centimeters higher from the ice level.
The reel itself should be wide, and the line should be wound so that the sides are left free: this prevents overlap.
In addition, winter fishing for pike by vents does not welcome quick release. The leashes should be tungsten so that the toothy prey could not bite them. The length of the fishing line must be selected based on the depth of the reservoir.
Where to put the girders
They should not be placed above the pits, but on slopes or at medium depths with a flat bottom. Winter fishing for pike by vents, involving the fishing of large specimens, occurs somewhat differently. Since trophy individuals — single individuals — dwell at the depths, it is much better not to place them where there is a bite.
Better to cover other, more suitable places. At the same time, it is not worthwhile to rearrange the girders in the deaf earth. But since the pike rarely eats at this time, it is quite difficult to guess the day and time of the bite. Sometimes it happens that the zhor attacks simultaneously all the fish that lives in the pond, then again stops for a long time. And no matter what the fisherman does, no matter how hard he tries, there will be no more biting that day.
Often the option of arranging the female fans in a checkerboard pattern works. When a shy fish begins to rush about, frightened by the stamping of feet and the sounds of an ice drill, then at that time it may well stumble on a hanging bait.
On a spoon
On the first ice, winter fishing for pike is good especially for large spinners, while somewhere by mid-January, smaller ones are catching. However, in any case, they should be characterized by a narrow shape with a length of forty to eighty millimeters and a gold, shiny silver and matte color.
The spinner for the spinner needs to be taken harder. At the same time, it is necessary to use a fishing line, not a braid, so that moisture freezes less on it. Pike prefers a simple spinner game. Therefore, you need to lift it slowly, taking small breaks.
Experienced fishermen use this technique: raising weak dregs at the bottom, they lead the lure up. Having lifted a little, they make a jerk, then shake it several times with five-second pauses. A climb follows, and the whole cycle repeats. With a smooth day, the bait can be allowed to swim freely at a height of ten or fifteen centimeters from the ground.
Regardless of what the pike is caught in the winter - for a lancer, a spinner and a balancer - you need to be prepared that this strong fish can break loose by tearing a fishing line or tearing a fishing rod out of its hands.