Pike perch is a predator that lives in fresh water bodies. He has tasty, healthy meat. Therefore, many people like to catch zander. Moreover, this is an exciting activity. But getting it without knowing the preferences of the fish is difficult.
Meeting point with pike perch
You can catch pike perch all year round, but its behavior changes in different seasons. At the beginning of winter, the predator stays aground, where many small fish live. Fishing in shallow rivers will be successful for about three weeks. In small reservoirs - a month. Can peck at any time of the day.
Closer to February, the pike perch sinks to the bottom. There is more oxygen. In shallow bodies of water, which are very freezing, he can even refuse food. It is better to go out on the ice with a fishing rod from evening to morning.
In the last month of winter, the predator becomes more energetic, his appetite improves. At river mouths, holes, biting may not stop day and night.
Selection of gear
Zander is a strong fish. The predator resists to the last and is never easy. Therefore, the tackle must be chosen strong. It is better to take a hard, long rod, from 0.5 to 1 m. A nod from the spring will allow you to correctly control the bait when fishing with a balancer, spinner, or jig.
You can take any reel, the main thing is that there is a lot of fishing line in it. The best option for its thickness is 0.25 mm. The use of monofilaments is not prohibited, but only for winter fishing and with a polymer coating, 0.18 mm thick.
Complementary feeding and bait
Zander does not have a particularly favorite bait. However, experienced fishermen lure the predator to the place where there are many fry, attracting it with crushed vegetable bait. It creates a nutrient zone in the water. The pike perch is guided by it.
Lures:
- spoon,
- jig,
- balancers,
- silicone fish.
Bait options:
- ruff,
- perch,
- roach,
- fish pieces.
In winter, pike perch will go to the fisherman faster if you catch pieces of fish together with the bait.
Effective winter fishing methods
There are many options. When choosing the most suitable, it is important to take into account the experience of the fisherman, the conditions of the area. Many people prefer to catch pike perch on sprat. You can buy it in the store. It is better to choose a small one, up to 5 cm. Salty will not work. All you need is fresh frozen.
Tackle:
- Durable fishing rod with spring-loaded nod from 50 cm.
- Inertial coil.
- Fishing line with a diameter of 30-35 mm.
- Spoon, jig, or triple hook with a bead.
- Sinker.
Fishermen with a long experience of catching zander, using a triple hook, do not load the tackle with jig and bait. The predator goes well on the tulle and quickly clings to the tee.
Fishing features
- A sinker is attached to the end of the line. Slightly higher, a line leash is tied, 5 cm long, on which a tee sits.
- A tulle is set across the triple hook.
- The bait sinks to the bottom.
- You can leave it motionless, or twitch it once every 2 minutes.
Most people prefer to hunt walleye using a spoon. This option is relevant in winter and summer. For winter fishing, you need a strong rod, up to 40 cm long, with a light reel at the end of the handle. This option will allow you to feel even a weak bite. It is better to take a narrow spinner. Copper is suitable, up to 12 cm in length, with colored lead solders. The lure sinks to the very bottom, periodically rises to 30 cm and then goes down again.
In winter, fishing with a 10 to 12 cm balancer is more successful. This is a metal bait in the shape of a fish. It is hooked to the fishing line, horizontally, creating the appearance of a living fry. The tackle used is the same as when fishing with a spoon. The movement of the balancer underwater should resemble the natural behavior of a fish. Then the pike perch will definitely be interested.
There are fans of fishing with ratlin. This is the same wobbler, only it does not have a blade. Looks like a flat fish. The peculiarity is that ratlin always keeps at the same depth, and attracts predators with the noise made by a bell or balls. Weight from 8 to 20 g. Average size 5 cm.
If fishing with a jig is more attractive, then you will have to paint it with phosphoric paint and look for a sample from 15 to 20 mm. This is due to the impressive size of the pike perch. Pieces of fish, as well as bloodworms, will come off as bait. Lowering the tackle into the hole, they should be slowly wiggled. It is permissible to hit the bottom with a jig 2-3 times in order to attract the attention of the pike perch.
Many people catch pike perch with live bait, and not only in summer, but also in winter. Crucian carp, dace, or roach should be planted under the dorsal fin. So the fish will live longer and will lure the pike perch faster. The fishing rod is suitable for winter, strong, up to 0.5 m. Thick fishing line in the reel should be in reserve.
It is important to take your hook with you. It will make it easier to remove the pike perch from the hole. It is always interesting to hunt a predator. It is given only to dexterous fishermen. As a reward for their efforts, they receive not only tasty, healthy meat, but also a lot of positive emotions. Therefore, having studied the intricacies of catching pike perch, it is better to consolidate the knowledge gained by watching a video on this topic on the Internet.
