Bersh and pike perch. Features of winter fishing

Fishing rod for pike perch and bersh

As you know, the mouth of pike perch is noticeably impenetrable, which often leads to these predators getting off their hooks.
Therefore, sometimes fishermen, in addition to one energetic hook, make an additional hook, just in case. And this is not at all an unnecessary action. But for a hard, reliable hooking, you need a fishing rod with a strong, fast action whip, that is, also hard. Usually these are carbon fiber products, but composite whips will be more reliable, as they are quite viscous and resistant to frost. For winter fishing for pike perch and bersh, it is better to use a nod, since fishing often does not consist of classic lures, but almost like fishing for roach - “with a riser”. This means that the fishing rod can stand at the hole on legs, while the bite will be on a stationary bait with a sprat planted on it. And this method of fishing is becoming more and more common, especially when pike perch and bersh bite poorly. And this is typical for the period of December-January, that is, the wilderness.

For fishing with stationary bait, it is best to use a retractable leash with a luminous jig. The leash is tied 10-12 cm above the sinker. Nods are usually used in the form of a bright silicone tube, spring-loaded with a red ball at the end. These nods well indicate a bite when fishing with a riser. In addition, clever fishermen have successfully begun to use feeder bells to sound bites on such stationary gear. You just need to pinch the bell on the nod guard. It is better to select an open type reel with a reliable stopper. In order not to get confused with a long fishing line when fishing at great depths, especially when moving gear from hole to hole, it is better to use a spinning reel. It is advisable to choose a reel adapted to winter temperatures.

Jigs for catching bersh

During the warm time of winter thaws and warming, bershas emerge more and more often on spits and shallower places near the pits, at least on good days with even pressure, when bershas are most active. And here sometimes a heavy jig . Not so long ago, the most common jigs were the Uralka . They are still used in this fishing, but often in the form of luminous jigs. Alternative options have also appeared that replace the jig. “heel” because of their shape . Equipped with sharp and durable Japanese Shiran or Gamakatsu hooks, these jigs are very catchy baits, especially when sprat are hooked on them.

Hooks are usually light-colored , which is another element attractive to predators. Most often, bersha jigs are equipped with hooks No. 4-3 of international numbering. In addition, the bait is reeled from hairs . And this also active part of the bait can carry other payloads. The wool is impregnated with various attractants for predatory fish, which very effectively attracts bersh. Usually these are syrups for cold water with the smell of fish, crayfish, caviar and other elements that have one thing in common - animal origin . Often, even ordinary fish oil serves as a kind of attractant that works quite efficiently and effectively.

In addition, local fishermen quite realistically use bait... This is somewhat unusual, but they, living on the banks of the river, can lay out bait in promising places every day, so that later they can come and successfully catch bersh with a jig. And the bait consists of chopped sprat and other small fish, for example, bleak, which bershi and pike-perch love. Chopped worms are also widely used.

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The rods used are special and most often these are trolling rods with carbon whips , which provide a rigid, reliable hook, and this is needed specifically in catching pike perch and bersh with their hard mouth. Such rods are simply called “flying rods” .

Lures for catching bersh in April

Fishing for bersh from the ice in April uses natural and artificial baits. Large worms, live bait, and dead fish are used as bait of animal origin for catching bersh in April. Sprat occupies a special place here; it is the most attractive bait for fishing for bersh or pike perch. Vertical and oscillating spoons, balancers and silicone baits are used as artificial baits when fishing in Bersha April.

Fishing for bersh in April using a spinning rod in open water is carried out using rotating and oscillating spoons, wobblers, silicone baits and foam fish. The length of the latter should not exceed 8 centimeters, and for installation it is best to use a “lentil” type sinker flattened on the sides.

Spoons for winter fishing for bersh

Catching bersh from the ice in April is done with spoons up to 6 centimeters long; such baits have a narrow body and a slanted shape. It should be noted that for catching bersh, pike perch spoons 5-6 centimeters long will be appropriate. Depending on the speed of the current and the depth at the fishing spot, the average weight of the spoon is about 20 grams.

Good results when catching bersh from ice are shown by spinners with a soldered single hook.

To increase the effectiveness of the spoon, you can attach a piece of fish up to 5 centimeters long to the hook, but feathering from threads will not bring much effect. It is recommended to select the color of the bait for catching bersh taking into account the fishing depth, fish activity and weather conditions. To catch bersh at depth, it is recommended to use light or two-color baits; the fish reacts quite well to baits of gold and silver color.

Fishing for bersh in April from the ice is also possible using jigs with a slightly curved lower part and oscillating spoons. As an example of a winter spinner for catching bersh, you can specify the Vandal model from the manufacturer Eco Pro, and among spinners, the two-color Kastmaster spinner from Acme shows a good result.

Balancers for catching bersh

Catching bersh from the ice in April is possible with balance beams from 5 to 7 centimeters long and weighing from 15 grams. The size and weight of the balancer, like other baits, is selected depending on the fishing conditions. These baits should also be light in color. When fishing for bersh at a depth of over 5 meters, it is recommended to use balancers with a bright, acidic color.

Lures with phosphorus coloring that glow in the dark are available for sale. Such baits are especially relevant when fishing for bersh at a depth of over 10-13 meters. As a starting option, anglers can try the Classic 5 balancer from Lucky John.

Silicone baits for catching bersh in April

Silicone baits for catching bersh will be relevant both when fishing from ice and in open water using a spinning rod. It is recommended to give preference to modern baits made of “edible” silicone. To increase the effectiveness of silicone bait, fishermen use attractants with an animal odor.

Most often, bersha is caught using a twister-type silicone bait with a length of 5 to 7 centimeters, but in some conditions it can take larger bait.

Vibrating tails and silicone worms are also suitable for catching bersh. The color of the bait is selected in the same way; green and brown silicone shows good results when catching bersh. Fishing for bersh in April at great depths will be very effective with luminous silicone baits.

When choosing a silicone bait for catching bersh, pay attention to the G-Tail Grub 3″ 007 Ebimiso SP model from Reins and Easy Shiner 95FT from Kosadaka. The easiest way to install silicone bait is on the basis of a jig head.

The weight of the jig head, depending on the conditions for catching bersh in April, ranges from 20 to 55 grams.

Spoons for catching bersh

Fishing for bersh in April with a spinning rod is carried out using small oscillating and rotating spoons. Jig spinners with a flat sinker are especially popular. It is recommended to take spinners with a long blade of the “long” or “comet” type, size No. 3-5 according to the Meps classification.

The size of the spoon for catching bersh is 5-6 centimeters, but sometimes bersh can grab a larger bait. Depending on the fishing conditions, lures with bright or natural colors are suitable. As a recommendation, we can point out the following models of spinners: Kastmaster SW138-G from Acme, Aglia Longue 5S from Mepps.

Wobblers for catching bersh

Fishing for bersh in April using a spinning rod is possible using wobblers of the minnow, crank, and shad groups up to 8 centimeters long. The working depth of the wobbler when fishing for bersh in April ranges from 4 to 6 meters. The color of the wobbler is best matched to the color of the fish’s prey; as an example, we can point out the Kurado XD NT model from Kosadaka, which looks like a fish fry.

Choosing a fishing spot

The search for a promising place for fishing for bersha is carried out taking into account the peculiarities of fish behavior during the freeze-up period. Areas where bursh is not found should be excluded:

• Shallow water;
• Shallow river bays up to 3 meters;
• The bottom surface is covered with a thick ball of silt;
• Areas with lush, decaying vegetation.

Signs of promising places for catching bersh from ice:

• Areas with sandy or rocky bottom;
• Landfills at a depth of 4 meters;
• Channel edges;
• Changes in depth along the river bed;
• Middle current;
• The presence of snags and other bottom accumulations;
• Bottom springs.

The discovered concentration of narrow-bodied small fish is also a sign of a promising fishing spot. In such areas, the likelihood of catching a large bersh increases, which, after reaching sexual maturity, becomes a typical predator.

To quickly search for fish on a short winter day, you should use a fishing echo sounder. If you plan to go fishing for a long time (more than a day), you can use bait. Pieces of sprat, chopped worms or bloodworms are added to the clay, and balls the size of a tennis ball are formed. The bait is thrown on the eve of fishing. In the morning you can start fishing the feeding area.

Equipment for catching bersh with sprat

There are several options for equipping a winter fishing rod for catching bersh with sprat. The equipment can be used as a retractable leash, equipment with a jig and a hook with a long shank, equipment with a jig head, and a loaded equipment is also suitable. Some fishermen use spinners for vertical fishing and balancers to catch bersh with sprat. In this case, the sprat here is an additional stimulating factor for the attack of the bersh.

Equipment with diverting leash

This is a fairly simple rig and even a novice angler can tie it without any problems. Spinning and bottom fishing use similar equipment.

For the rig you will need a heavy sinker, a leader and hooks. As already mentioned, this type of rig is very easy to knit. A sinker is tied to the end of the fishing line, which will lie at the bottom. Next, at a distance of 15 to 20 centimeters from the sinker, tie a leash with a hook. Usually the weight of the sinker is about 15-20 grams, but you can select a more accurate weight directly on the pond, since depending on the depth and strength of the current at the fishing site, the weight of the sinker can change up or down.

The shape of the sinker does not play a special role; you can use any large sinker you have. Most often, a drop-shaped or pear-shaped lead sinker is used. It should be noted that some fishermen replace the bottom sinker with a heavy jig head or jig, but this option is unacceptable not only because of its low efficiency, but also because of the frequent snags on the edge of the hole that occur when removing gear from the water.

The length of the leash depends on the fishing conditions; usually when fishing for bersh with sprat, they take a leash made of monofilament with a length of 5 to 20 centimeters. A short leash preserves the sensitivity of the tackle, regardless of which side the bursh approaches the sprat from. If the thickness of the main line is 0.35 millimeters, the diameter of the leader can be the same, but you can take 0.3 millimeters.

Hooks

The rig uses a single, double or triple hook.

On a single hook, the sprat is placed along the body, and the hook should be approximately half the length of the bait. According to reviews from anglers, the most catchy and popular option is considered to be a triple hook with an eye of different colors, which is attached to the fore-end, and the sprat is placed across the body.

The hooks on the leash can be replaced with a plastic jig with a long hook shank, the main thing is that it has a fluorescent coloring. The size of the jig hook is selected according to the size of the bait, so after placing the sprat on the hook, it should be located approximately in the middle of the fish.

Equipment on a jig head, jig or loaded tackle

In essence, this equipment is a winter version of jig equipment, only instead of silicone bait, natural bait in the form of sprat is used. In this case, you will need large jigs, again with a fluorescent coating or painted in a bright lemon color.

Such jigs are made of lead and in most cases have a cone-shaped shape. Catching bersh with a sprat with a jig head involves using a large jig head in the shape of a heel.

You can put a whole sprat or its pieces on the hook. A whole sprat is placed along the body, and in such a way that the hook coming out of the sprat’s body is approximately in the middle. If for some reason a rig with a jig or jig head is not suitable for you, then you can take a rig that is connected to a “Cheburashka” type sinker of the appropriate weight for the fishing conditions through a small winding ring.

Equipment

There are many options for rigs for fishing pike perch and bersh for sprat. Each fisherman uses the method that is most suitable in specific conditions, allows him to solve the assigned problems, and is also based on personal preferences and experience.

Basic option

The simplest equipment for sprat fishing is based on the use of a regular jig head with an open single hook, which is rigidly soldered into a lead sinker. It looks like this: 1. A jig head is attached to the main line;

Advice! You can tie the jig head directly or use an American fastener.

2. The weight and length of the jig head hook are selected according to the fishing conditions - current strength, depth, expected size of the predator;

3. The sprat is placed on the hook. You can use a whole fish or attach part of a fry.

In strong places, it is advisable to use jig heads whose hook has wire protection. This allows you to avoid snags by fishing a promising area where bass and pike perch like to stand.

In some situations, it makes sense to try a hinged mount on an eared sinker. In this case, equipment for catching pike perch in winter acquires a greater degree of freedom, allowing you to vary animation techniques, increasing pauses and reducing the amplitude of bait throws.

Mormyshka

Fishing with a jig differs little from the option presented above. Instead of a jig head, heavy jigs are used, allowing you to fish in currents and great depths. In this case, the tackle becomes lighter than in the first case, which increases the effectiveness of fishing for passive and apathetic fish.

A jig for sprat fishing should be heavy.

The best jigs for fishing with sprat are various interpretations of the cone, elongated drops, weighted likenesses of bananas and uralok. As a rule, a piece of sprat is placed on the hook of such bait; the whole fish either does not fit or completely ruins the game.

Most often, jigs are used on deep lakes where there is no current. And this bait is also relevant in reservoirs in areas with medium depths and uneven bottom topography away from the channel flow in calm water, where there are no fast jets.

There is an option to use a jig on a retractable leash. This is a combination of the two snap-ins discussed above. In this case, the main weight is concentrated on the jig head, and the jig is attached to the fishing line using a short branch. This solution is suitable for fishing in riverbed areas, where a decent weight is needed in order to “finish” it to the bottom.

How to catch burbot on a donk

The fishing technology is quite simple. Having determined the burbot path, bottom mounts are installed along its trajectory, equipping the fishing line with bite alarms. When placed, live bait or other bait is pressed as close to the bottom as possible. The activity of the predator is inconsistent and is manifested by periods of its emergence, which can be up to five or seven times during a dark period of time. Burbot bites are specific and not aggressive.

When fishing with a large number of baits, anglers practice checking gear after a certain equal amount of time, as they say, according to a schedule and regardless of the alarm being triggered, thereby eliminating the possibility of simple gear in case of a missed bite. The caught fish does not offer much resistance. As a rule, a hook deeply swallowed with bait rarely leaves a chance for a predator to escape and almost always becomes a guaranteed trophy for the fisherman, even regardless of its size. An exception may be cases where the bait is pulled into a cramp, which becomes the cause of isolated failures.

How to choose gear for catching pike perch?

When choosing gear, you need to remember that pike perch is a strong predator. It is large and has a lot of mass.

In order to prevent damage to gear during fishing, you need to purchase high-quality equipment:

• hook. The main condition is durable steel. You can choose either single or double hook. The tip must be perfectly sharp;
• rod The required length is from 50 cm to 100 cm. But it is better to choose 70 cm. The tackle must be durable, capable of not deteriorating under the heavy weight of the catch. You will need a hard whip that will be able to pierce the hard palate of the fish;
• coil. Fishing for pike perch in the winter season is characterized by “work” at depth. Therefore, the reel is required so that 40 meters of fishing line can be wound on it;
• carbine. Some experienced fishermen do not use this part. They attach the bait to the fishing line, tying it in a knot. When choosing several baits, “American” is suitable. Leashes can scare away predators, so many lovers of quiet hunting do not include them in the list of required gear;
• nod. Sometimes part of the equipment is made from a spring. It gives the necessary sensitivity. A hard nod will not work - you may miss a bite with it;
• fishing line You will need a monofilament type of fishing line, the thickness of which should be in the range of 0.2 - 0.3 mm. Wicker is not suitable due to possible loss of flexibility in severe frost.

Special types of equipment

To make pike perch fishing successful, special types of equipment are used.

Namely:

1. Vertical glitter. This type includes an additional bait - a spinner. In this case, the dead fish is used to attract a predator by smell. It is recommended to choose a fishing rod with a length of 70 cm. It should have a sharp whip, as well as a spinning reel. You will need monofilament fishing line with a length of at least 40 meters. Its thickness should be 0.3 mm.
2. Zherlitsa. This method requires the presence of the correct equipment, which depends on the speed of water movement. The vent must be secured using a 0.4 mm fishing line. After that comes a sinker that can slide. It is secured with a silicone stopper. This detail is capable of adjusting the length of the fishing line to the hook. There is only one requirement for choosing a hook - the material of manufacture is high-quality steel.
3. Postavusha. One of the types of zherlitsa. The postavusha is equipped with a sprat. To equip the tackle, you need to attach a jig to the fishing line. After that, tie the leash at a distance of 40 cm. Then comes the hook with the sprat.

How to choose and where to get sprat for fishing

Fishing with sprat in winter is especially common in the Volga reservoirs. There, local fishermen catch it using a spider near hydraulic structures. This is the main food for pike perch; bait in the form of small fish is always relevant. The predator rushes at her almost immediately as soon as she comes into his field of vision. The attractive factor here is both the smell and the silvery scales of the sprat.

To attract a predator to the sprat in winter, it is necessary to use fresh bait for each recast of the tackle. Small fish are not able to withstand sudden changes in temperature, losing their attractiveness to predators.

Stocking up on sprat for ice fishing is quite problematic. In winter, it bites mainly in the dark, and frosts during this period are much stronger than during the day. Therefore, you need to be prepared for such severe tests. It is better to go out to the pond for small fish in the worst weather, when a strong wind is blowing and the temperature has dropped very low. In such conditions, the sprat exhibits stable activity, and bites are quite frequent.

The best option for catching bait for pike perch is the little one. They catch with this simple trap until the reservoir is covered with ice. The caught prey is packaged at home in bags, up to 25 pieces in one, and placed in the freezer. The most catchy baits are considered to be 4–5 cm long.

You can buy sprat in the store, preferably fresh, and at home put it in bags and freeze it. The bait is defrosted directly on the pond, the minimum number of fish is 50 pieces. Often, during active biting, 150–200 fish are consumed. Freezing the remaining sprat a second time is pointless, it will be soft and unpresentable, and a predator in the water won’t even notice it.

Advantages of catching pike perch with sprat in winter:

• availability;
• catchability;
• versatility of use;
• attractive appearance;
• ease of fishing;
• pleasant aroma;
• plausibility of the predator's main food;
• excellent irritant.

You can catch pike perch using sprat in winter not only on the first and last ice, but also during the deep winter. This small silver fish works where other baits are powerless, even spoons and balancers. Pike perch and other representatives of the predatory category of fish also bite on it.

Pike perch baits for vertical fishing

You need to attach the sprat carefully, trying to damage the fish’s body as little as possible.
When fishing, the bait is given additional mobility by movements of the rod. With live fish, the game is made less sweeping, since the live bait attracts the predator with its own movements. The main baits used for this fishing method are the following:

• Heavy jigs - narrow and heavy oscillating spoons weighing 20-30 grams;
• Winter vertical spinners;
• Balda;
• Silicone baits – twisters, vibrotails – mounted on regular jig heads or collapsible Cheburashka sinkers with offset hooks. The weight of the head, as with jig fishing for pike perch, is selected taking into account the current and depth at the fishing site. So, for holes up to 10 meters deep, jig heads weighing 18-22 grams are used. For more serious depths and places with a noticeable current, sinkers weighing up to 30-40 and in some cases up to 50 grams are used.
• Sinking wobblers – shads, minnows, crankbaits;
• Live bait - bleak, verkhovka, sprat.

For vertical fishing with live bait, use equipment consisting of:

• 60-70 centimeter piece of fluorocarbon fishing line with a thickness of 0.3 mm;
• tied at the end with a “baldashka” (a sinker with a soldered-in large single hook);
• 10 cm leash with a large single hook. Tie such a leash 30 cm above the “baldaveshka”;
• A winding ring tied at the end of the rig and designed to attach it to the main fishing line.

On a note! Most often, fishing for pike perch with sprat is practiced when there is no bleak or high water. With the right choice of place and time, fishing with live bait will become effective and fun.

Pike perch is a very picky fish, so you should be careful when choosing bait. When going fishing, it is better to have several types of bait with you, because the culinary preferences of fish are constantly changing.

Practice has shown that in this type of fishing, such as catching pike perch vertically from a boat, bait plays a major role. The design of the rod or the type of reel is not so important here, but the bait must irritate the predator and force itself to attack. Otherwise there will be no result.

The most common baits for this type of pike perch fishing are:

• live bait (including dead bait);
• heavy spinners of the "kas" type;
• heavy pike perch jig of the Uralka type;
• oscillating spoons;
• foam and silicone fish

Silicone and foam rubber baits give good results when using dragging tactics. Their movements remind the predator of a wounded fish clumsily moving along the surface of the bottom, which in itself awakens his hunting passion.

Winter fishing for bersh with a jig and jig head

Previously, large jigs, the so-called “Uralki,” were most often used to catch bersh. We also used various massive “Droplets” and other elongated lead baits. They also catch successfully in our time. But as an alternative there are new baits. These are jig heads, in particular such a lead jig head as “Heel”. Although these are mainly summer baits, they quite naturally fit into winter fishing conditions. Lures made on Japanese Siran hooks, which are analogues of the famous GAMAKATSU, are considered quite effective. It is better to choose a hook by color in favor of a light, shiny one. The numbers of hooks for bersh are selected empirically for fishing areas where bersh of a certain size predominate, but more often it is No. 4-3 of the international numbering or No. 8.5-9 of our calculation. Various “lures” are additionally wound onto the hook to lure bersh in the form of hairs and threads impregnated with some composition, for example, syrup for fishing in cold water with the smell of mackerel, red caviar, crayfish, even ordinary fish oil. This works on two fronts. Firstly, threads with short tips hanging from the hook play their own game, complementing the game of the jig head. The color of the threads or hairs is usually red. And secondly, the smell of attractants of animal origin also attracts predators.

You can take a regular fishing rod for winter fishing, and small fishing rods with a carbon whip also work well. These are the so-called fly rods, for example, WAKASAGI rods. They are very light and durable, able to withstand the weight of a large pike perch if it suddenly grabs the bait instead of a bersh.

The reel is of great importance in catching bersh. Its diameter must be at least 50 mm. It's better if it's bigger. It will work faster, which is important when a school of predator is found and after catching the fish you need to quickly return the bait to its previous position, that is, to the bottom where the bershi hunt.

The reel design is preferable to a trigger one, which makes it possible to quickly release the line. If a reel with a friction clutch is used, then this is even better. Such options allow the use of relatively thin fishing line with the least risk of its breakage. To equip the reel, a fishing line with a diameter of 0.2 mm is used. But it is advisable to have in stock several reels with fishing lines of different thicknesses, as they say, for all occasions. Nobody knows how the fishing will turn out, what if the pike perch “tramples”? He needs a thicker forest...

The leash on the main line is placed with a diameter of 0.18 mm. It is better to use monofilament fishing line both as the main line and for the leash, otherwise the most hopeless “beards” are possible with braided line.

A nod is also necessary when fishing for bersh, indicating a bite, and also playing the role of a bait activator, as when catching any other fish with a jig. The nods can be metal in the form of a cone, where the narrowing occurs at the tip of the nod, as well as from various modern composite materials, or ready-made silicone nods-tubes can be taken.

The difference between bersh and pike perch

Bersh and pike perch are similar in many ways, but there are significant differences between them. First of all, this concerns their appearance. Externally, bersha can be distinguished from pike perch by the following characteristics:

1. Lack of fangs. All the teeth in the predator's mouth are approximately the same size.
2. Darker and more distinct stripes on the sides of the fish.
3. The eyes of the bersh are larger than those of the pike perch.
4. Bersh has larger scales than pike perch.
5. Smaller size. Bershi rarely reach a weight of 2 kilograms, while pike perch can grow up to 15 kg.

These two predators also differ in their habitat: bersha can only be found in rivers of the Caspian and Black Sea basins, while pike perch also lives in reservoirs of Siberia and the north-west of the country.

Bersh is more omnivorous compared to pike perch, which feeds exclusively on fish, and you can also catch bersh using a worm and bloodworms.

Bersh and pike perch differ in their habitats, the first always lives in rivers or reservoirs, but in riverbed areas, the second can live in both running and standing water. Bersh require cleaner water than pike perch.

In addition, bersh is always a schooling fish, and pike perch, especially large ones, often prefer to lead a solitary lifestyle.

TOP of the most catchy baits for bersha.

We have talked about bersh, its species differences from pike perch, its behavioral characteristics and its most likely habitats many times on our website. There are several articles, the meaning of which is aimed specifically at catching this fish, for example, this one - Bersh fish. The difference between bersh and pike perch.

But it turned out that in all these ichthyological excerpts and observations of naturalists, simple information is not enough for beginners, namely, what is the best way to catch bersh, so as not to buy extra scrap metal in fishing stores? In connection with frequently arising questions from beginning bersh fishermen, and requests to clearly show their favorite bersh baits, it was decided to create a TOP of “pieces of iron” that have been proven over the years.

Despite all the newfangled trends and the information that often pops up on fishing grounds that bersh “go crazy” from amphipods and rattlins, “my” bersh turn out to be more conservative and I give the first place in the TOP of the most catchy baits to mormoblesses, since it is They are more likely than others to “match” even the most capricious predator.

There are many, many shapes, sizes and weights of Mormobles. When the bait is properly balanced, most of them catch fish, although... From the whole variety of these jig+spoon hybrids, several especially catchy ones can be distinguished.

Here are photos of my (noname) -

(view from above)

(side view)

Second model...(top view)-

(side view)

And the third model, very similar to the previous one, only narrowed -

The third model is painted with light-accumulating paint, but recently on the Volga-Kama Reservoir, for some reason, Bersh has become more wary of phosphorus baits, so there is exactly the same one in two metals -

It makes no sense to consider the animation of Mormoblesses in this material, since everything was described in great detail here - Animation of Mormoblesses.

The second bait that is worth paying attention to is the “Seed” jig -

It is better if it is made of two crowns of different metals, for example, the top is nickel silver, the bottom is brass or copper. The jig is very catchy and performs well in all types of animation, except for tosses.

The third place in the TOP was the old, good, once first and main one - “Fang”.

This bait is as old as the world. In our area, our grandfathers and great-grandfathers used this form of jig to catch bersh and pike perch, but nevertheless, it is relevant to this day.

An honorable fourth place is occupied by phosphorus jigs, such as: “Dolphin” -

and "Largo" -

There was a time, 10-15 years ago, when successful fishing was not at all possible without them. But everything flows, everything changes, and now these jigs work from time to time, sometimes taking the palm from all the above-listed baits, working perfectly using the method of bleeding or rolling along the bottom.

The method of animating jigs and the mentioned method of rolling/pitching were discussed at the beginning of this article - ​Catching pike perch in winter. Part 2 (lure animation)

As the reader noticed, both jigs and jigs, which are shown in the photo, are mounted on separate leashes with an additional jig -

The need for a leading, very light, most often plastic jig is due to the fact that sometimes the bersh flatly refuses to take the main bait, preferring a jig moving in the current on a branch leash. At these moments, the predator does not need any animation; fishing occurs with a standing fishing rod. The fish stays for a long time at the main bait lying on the bottom, and reacts to the movement of the leader, which is located just above the bottom.

For those who are interested in details about this, the specifics are here - ​Winter fishing for pike perch and bersh using a retractable leash.

I want to emphasize that the TOP above the indicated baits is conditional. These observations and methods of fishing may not coincide with someone’s authoritative opinion, in addition, during any fishing, castling of baits can occur and the momrobles that work more often than others will end up on the reels, while the “Dolphin” will catch not only bersh, but also pike perch. Everything is relative! The only thing that does not change is that these baits work great for bersh, moreover, having at least 40% of what is shown in the photo and having read the material about the presentation of baits, you will definitely catch bersh.

We could put an end to this, but since my tactics of finding and catching bersh are always connected with two nearby fishing rods (one fishing rod with a leader, the other with a spinner), then I simply have to mention the spinners with which I attract bersh to the holes from more distant distances, about spinners that are capable of cutting off small things, as well as about spinners that turn out to be “to the taste” of a capricious predator. True, no matter how hard I tried, I was unable to systematize the work of spinners and identify clear favorites, so I will simply list those baits that (IMHO) should definitely be in the arsenal.

Little Cleo -

This spoon performs very well in small currents with animation, which consists of a smooth rise from the very bottom with a high-amplitude but soft swaying.

Swedish pimple (Swedish pimple) -

One of its kind, one of the unique spinners that some anglers cannot catch, while others cannot imagine fishing without it. The spoon works in any conditions... there is a current, there is no current - it doesn’t matter! The main thing is that the bait reaches the bottom. The “Swedish Pimple” catches fish well on almost all types of fishing, except for sharp twitches. If the angler has correctly selected the animation of the spinner for the activity conditions of bersh or pike perch, then the piece of iron will “work” productively all day.

Spoons with a chain.

In this case - "Nautilus"

and “Finnish rhombus” -

Lures of this type can be very useful in case of whims of the bersh. Namely, in those moments when the fish reacts only to the trembling of the tee. This, you know, very short twitch of the fishing rod, in which the spoon practically stands still, and the tee flies up from inertia and slowly falls. Although there can be much more variations here... and smooth jigging from the very bottom with a rise, and pauses up to a minute when the tee is simply dangling in the current, and bleeding with sagging to the bottom.

Now we can put an end to it. Again, I repeat, I have been catching bersh (and pike perch) with all these baits for quite a long time. This is a kind of minimum catch set, which, it seems to me, is necessary for a beginner before his first time on the ice. The rest will be purchased as needed.

NHNCH!

Features of equipment for catching pike perch using sprat in winter

The success of fishing will depend on the correct equipment. By selecting the necessary components of winter tackle for pike perch and sprat and, guided by your knowledge of the reservoir and fishing techniques, you can achieve good results.

• Rod. It must be strong to withstand the resistance of the fish during fishing. An important condition in the rod is the shock absorption of the whip for a powerful hook. The rigidity of the tackle will be a positive thing, especially during the period of breaking through the jaws of a predator. With soft tackle you can catch prey, which is uncharacteristic for an angler.
• Hooks. Their sting must be sharp and of high quality.
• Coil. It is better to select a large one without any mechanism, which will allow you to wind it only on your hand. This will allow you to determine the topography of the reservoir.
• Nod. Made of steel and similar to a plate. Has high sensitivity. With its help, the bite is determined. Upon contact with a pike perch, it detects the slightest movement of the tackle.
• Fishing line. It is better to choose 0.35 mm monofilament line. In rare cases, fishermen use braided cord, but it freezes in the cold. In addition, the braided line forms knots, which makes fishing difficult.
• Leash. Using a knot, the bait is attached to the tackle, and the fishing line remains free.

Video: catching pike perch with sprat - gear

Fishing for pike perch in winter using sprat is carried out with four types of gear. Each of them uses its own fishing rod and equipment.

Flashing. This type involves artificial baits such as spoons or silicone. The sprat attracts the toothy hunter to the bait with its smell. The contents of the gear include a 70 cm fishing rod with a strong whip and a cork handle that does not freeze in the cold and a light reel (preferably inertia-free) with a small spool. The line is approximately 0.3 mm. (monofilament).

Zherlitsa. The use of a girdle when catching pike perch in winter using sprat depends on the correct equipment. In case of strong or insignificant current, the installation of the girder is carried out using a 0.3-0.4 mm fishing line, which is put on a sliding sinker. A silicone stopper is placed under the weight, with which you can change the distance of the line segment to the hook. At the end, a hook is tied, the type of which is determined by the desire of the fisherman.

Video: catching pike perch and bersh in winter using sprat and zherlitsa

https://youtube.com/watch?v=oDx95yP2o5E

Mormyshka. Fishing is done using a fishing rod about 1 meter long. The fishing process usually takes place sitting or standing. The fishing rod is equipped with large allowance rings and an inertial reel with a brake. If the jig is heavy, then the sprat is attached to the head or tail. When baited on several hooks, it is baited on several hooks. Jigs for pike perch in winter using sprat are a good solution for catching this predator.

Postavusha. In principle, this is a type of girder, only it is equipped with dead fish, and it is also suitable for catching pike perch using sprat in winter. The gear is constructed in this way: a jig is tied to the fishing line, then a small leash with a hook is tied at 30-40 cm, into which the sprat is attached.

Video: catching pike perch in winter using sprat using a lead from the ice

https://youtube.com/watch?v=EQEV7t5_wcU

Features of fishing

Fishing for bersh with sprat in winter, unlike fishing with balance beams, vertical spoons and other specialized baits, is relatively easy to learn, does not require serious financial costs, and at the same time is extremely productive.

The main advantages of fishing for sprat are:

• does not require a large set of diverse baits,
• variability of equipment,
• availability and cheapness of gear,
• simplicity of fishing technique,
• opportunity to catch passive fish.

The equipment begins to show results from the very first day of winter. With the onset of wilderness, its effectiveness does not decrease. On the contrary, the sprat works when the bersh and pike perch completely refuse to take classic baits, spoons, wasps, balance beams, helicopters and others.

At shallow depths a jig is used, at greater depths a jig head is used.

Another important feature of sprat is that this bait can be used in different types of winter gear. In addition to the common jig head with an open, hard-soldered single hook, they are caught using stationary baits, using combinations of vertical spinners and heavy jigs, attaching fish to rigs and other devices.

On the first ice

For all fishermen, first ice is associated with a good bite, ease of fishing, and the opportunity to return home with an impressive catch. That’s why most “penguins” prefer to catch pike perch with sprat in winter using a balance beam and a spinner. This does not require bait, and there is no need to constantly refresh it.

However, not all fishermen use this approach. Those who do not have a sufficient arsenal of baits, for various reasons, still fish with sprat. To do this, it is enough to have a set of jig heads of different weights and sizes, and in terms of productivity the method is not inferior to classic lures.

Tackle

All gear for catching pike perch can be divided into three types:

• spinners;
• fishing rods with bait;
• girders for fry.

Next we will talk about them in more detail.

Blesnilniki

The most popular method of catching pike perch in winter is trolling. The fishing rods used in this method must meet the requirements of strength, mobility and versatility in terms of bait.

The winter lure can be equipped with a nod, or can be used without it

A fishing rod for pike perch for trolling from ice in a plumb line consists of the following elements:

• handles, which should be “warm”, made of cork or neoprene;
• long whip (from 30 to 50 centimeters);
• pass rings;
• reel seat.

Important! In order to have the opportunity to compete with a large trophy, it is advisable to equip the fishing rod with a spinning or multiplier type reel with a precisely adjustable drag.

Lures are equipped with monofilament lines with a diameter of 0.25–0.30 millimeters. The thickness depends not only on the size of the intended trophy, but also on the weight of the bait. A light wobbler or balancer will not straighten a fishing line that is too thick, and a thin line may break during vigorous play or on a hook.

The bait is mounted on the end of the fishing line directly or through a leash in case of likelihood of a pike bite.

The technique of trolling differs depending on the bait used and the fishing point. On a lake without a current, they play smoothly, tossing the bait, and hold it as it descends.

On the flow of the river they play more sharply; the water flow itself makes the game wide and measured.

Fishing rods for baits

The second group of gear consists of fishing rods, which are used to fish with various baits: bloodworms, worms, sprat and even fry. They are equipped on the basis of inexpensive fishing rods with handles and are equipped with informative nods, visible from a great distance.

Such bright nods are visible from afar, the fisherman will not miss a bite

Fishing rods are equipped in different ways, but the main option is with a jig and an additional hanging leash. At the same time, a large pike perch jig is tied to the end of the fishing line, and a short leash of 10–20 centimeters is attached 30–40 centimeters above it.

The size of the jig is chosen depending on the current. In a quiet place they place a smaller bait, on the current so that it holds the rig at one point.

Pike-perch jigs for fishing in currents amaze with their large size

A worm or sprat is put on the jig, and a fry of the top swimmer or bleak is placed on the leash. Install 5-7 fishing rods at once within reach.

The fishing technique is reminiscent of using a regular jig fishing rod. The angler makes several short steps, repeating five to ten times, then sets the fishing rod. After working with one tackle, they move on to another, bypassing all the supplies.

Attention! If there is no bite, change the installation location and refresh the bait.

Zherlitsy

They also catch fanged predators with live bait. At the same time, they try to use narrow-bodied fry, taking into account the size of the pike perch mouth, such as:

• bleak,
• Verkhovka,
• gudgeon,
• ruff,
• perch,
• roach,
• dace.

Depending on the presence and strength of the current, the type of equipment changes. On a standing pond, installation is classic. The following are mounted sequentially on the fishing line from top to bottom:

• silicone stopper;
• sliding weight;
• second stopper;
• hook.

During the current, two types of gear are used:

• with an end sinker and a lead, attached 30-50 centimeters above the load;
• with additional floats on the end leash to lift live bait above the bottom.

Installation of a pike perch pole in the current with an additional leash. The use of swivels saves the tackle from overlaps

The girders are placed at the most characteristic points of the reservoir:

• on the edges;
• in snag;
• on the perimeters of local pits and tubercles.

Attention! Anglers also practice catching pike perch on girders at night. At the same time, sometimes they check the gear at dawn.

Selection of baits

1. Vegetable Peas - steamed is best, but canned will also work. For self-cooking you need:

• 1 cup of peas pour 500 ml of water;
• bring to a boil and cook and watch carefully so that it does not boil, otherwise the soft base will not sit on the hook.

Beans – preference should be given to red ones.

Corn – canned corn is ideal; in some areas, pike perch bite better on a mixture of corn and peas.

Porridge – preference should be given to barley, pearl barley and millet

For proper preparation you need:

• 1 glass of cereal and 2 glasses of water;
• bring to a boil and cook for an additional 3-5 minutes, stirring constantly;
• add salt and sugar, make small balls from the resulting mass.

Pasta - the choice should be made on large sizes and cooked until half cooked, but they are more suitable for bottom fishing.

Spring

• canned peas;
• porridge, and in each body of water, fish may give preference to different types.

Summer

• beans;
• steamed peas;
• corn, preferably not canned, but fresh;
• pearl barley;
• dough and bread.

Autumn

• pearl barley;
• corn;
• canned peas.

2. Animals

• caterpillars;
• bloodworm;
• worms, preference should be given to dung worms;
• maggots;
• leeches;
• frogs;
• small fish, gudgeon or crucian carp are good, it is advisable to fish in the body of water where fishing takes place.

Spring and summer

• bloodworm;
• maggots;
• leeches;
• red worms;
• small frogs;
• caterpillars.

Autumn

• worms;
• fry.

3. Artificial

Vibrotail is a popular bait for spinning fishing. The choice must be made on a green or yellow tint. Model size is about 10-15 cm.

A jig head is a good option for catching bershi and pike perch; preference should be given to oblong or round shapes. When connecting the silicone bait, the hook should come out in the area of ​​the fins.

Spinner - iron bait should be the color of the fry or yellow. Have an oblong shape measuring 10-12 cm.

Balancer - you need to choose an oblong or flat shape; the chances of finding a large predator increase in the case of a large angle of inclination. The size should be 5-9 cm. Searching for larger fish involves choosing a heavier bait.

Wobbler - it is better to choose floating models in the water column so that it does not touch the bottom. It was yellow in color with blue stripes, and its shape created active movements. A suitable size for fishing would be 6-8 cm.

Spring

• spinner, if there is shallow depth and weak current, preference should be given to light types. If the depth is solid with a strong current, then heavy;
• balancer, they must be easily pulled and lowered smoothly;
• vibrotail, before the spawning period the fish bites well if the bait has the appearance of a gudgeon.

Summer

• wobbler, different models are chosen for night and daytime. At night, give preference to a model weighing up to 7 grams. and immersion depth up to 1.5 m;
• spoon.

Autumn

• balance;
• wobbler – use models with a diving depth of 4-5 meters;
• vibrotail - in autumn, the predator is better caught using light green or brown colors;
• jig head - preferably banana-shaped, round or oval.

Up

How to plant a sprat?

Well, we caught the sprat and prepared the fishing rod. Now you can go fishing. The first question that immediately arises in the process of fishing for many fishermen is: “how to attach a sprat?”

Schemes for planting sprat

The moment is relevant, because there are many ways to attach live bait. For sprat, the more suitable method is to attach it by the tail so that its head is facing the predator; the method of attaching it in a semicircle is more suitable. When choosing a bait, remember that the fish should not be large - preferably no more than 5 centimeters, the freshness of the bait does not play a special role, the main thing is that it is strong and does not fall apart, because then the number of bites will be small.

Tackle for catching bersh in winter

You need a fishing rod with a large inertial reel. Diameter of at least 100 mm. This is explained by the need for frequent movements when actively searching for fish. When deep-sea fishing, reeling in the fishing line is especially problematic. Rewinding on a small fishing line takes a long time. And this needs to be done as quickly as possible, since it is much more difficult to reel in icy fishing line.

Some anglers act radically and completely abandon the reel. Moving from hole to hole, they wrap the fishing line around their elbow.

But not everyone likes this method, and it requires special skills. The fishing line clings to clothes and ice, and to deal with this you need to be quite dexterous.

Nod

A sensitive nod is an important part of the gear when fishing with bersha. This fish bites barely noticeably. A good nod option is a metal plate converging into a cone. This design is moderately elastic and sensitive.

fishing line

A diameter of 0.2 mm is enough. A thinner line will be inconvenient. Firstly, it hurts your hands, especially in cold weather. Secondly, it is confusing.

To make the tackle more sensitive, braided fishing line is often used.

The inextensibility of this fishing line is an important advantage, but it also has significant disadvantages.

A thick fishing line is not needed, but a thin one will get tangled even worse than monofilament. In addition, a good braid costs a lot of money.

Equipment

It is better to take a drop-shaped jig made of white double metal. A good combination includes copper and stainless steel. If you wish, you can buy a fluorescent jig. It works great at great depths where darkness reigns.

Some fishermen are not limited to just one jig. The second is placed 20 cm above the first. It should be smaller in size. In order for the game of both baits to converge, it is better to attach the jig to the main fishing line - this way the sensitivity will be better, and, therefore, the hooking will be more accurate.

The small additional jig is tied first. The free end of the fishing line is threaded through the hole in the jig and the main line is tied at the required distance. The selection of bait must be done in such a way that the jig is gradually carried away by the current.

Alternative options can also be used.

Useful tips for increasing your catch:

• When using a jig, two baits are often used simultaneously. The main jig is attached to the end of the fishing line, and the additional one is tied 15-20 cm higher. It should be smaller and lighter than the bottom one. For simultaneous play, the top jig is tied directly to the fishing line, without using a leash. • It is worth using a leash when fishing with standing tackle, so that the hook with bait floats freely in the water column, caught by the current. Moreover, its length can reach a meter. • Finnish models with a short chain – “lure baits” – have proven themselves to be good catching lures. • To catch bersh from ice, you can use small perch balancers 30-40 mm long. • Some anglers do without a reel, simply winding the line around their elbow. But this method is not very convenient - the fishing line easily gets tangled and often clings to bulky winter clothes.

The small bersh is valued not only for its active bite, but also for its taste - its meat is much tastier than that of pike perch. The only drawback is that due to the similar lifestyle of these two fish, it is not always possible to specifically catch bersha. But knowing the intricacies of predator behavior will allow the angler to catch a sufficient amount of this tasty fish and get real pleasure from the fishing process.