How to catch crucian carp in winter using a float
As already described above, crucian carp bite almost all the time, but the peaks of the bite occur during the thaw period. In winter, the crucian bite is most intense from early morning until lunch. And it is precisely to obtain greater excitement and pleasure that float rods are used.
The physiology of crucian carp is designed in such a way that in order to survive severe cold, it must sink into a layer of silt up to 70 cm. And most reservoirs do not have such a layer of silt, so the fish stop for the winter in snags and pits. But there it can be attacked by a predator, this forces the fish to constantly move, which means expending energy and feeding accordingly. The most active months for catching crucian carp on a float are December and January. The best depth is about 1-3 meters. And of course, preference is given to anomalies at the bottom.
There are also reservoirs where the bite on one hole stops after 10-15 minutes. But sometimes noise helps activate the fish. Of course, you don’t need to make too much noise so as not to scare away the fish. It is best to drill a couple of holes at a short distance, since the crucian carp will not leave the baited area. It is also worth paying attention to the slightly silted bottom, with slight differences in depth.
Catching crucian carp in winter with a float has several disagreements among fishermen regarding bait. Some say that bait is completely unnecessary, others say the opposite. The first claim that in winter the fish will only react to the bait that is “slipped under its nose.” And this bait can only be bloodworms. Vegetable baits will be appropriate only in reservoirs without fry, as they very quickly attract small roaches, which completely discourages the crucian carp from biting.
Gear for catching crucian carp in winter using a float rod must be well balanced and suitable for the fishing conditions. Beginners, of course, start buying ready-made and equipped fishing rods in fishing stores. This is precisely their first and main mistake. Such gear is often not made of very high quality and disappoints fishermen.
High sensitivity of the fishing rod is simply necessary; you can’t live without it in winter. The optimal hook size is approximately No. 2.5–4 with a very sharp sting, very thin and preferably matching the color of the bait. You don’t need a thick fishing line at all; 0.07–0.1 mm will be enough; when catching large crucian carp, a fishing line of 0.12–0.13 mm is used. The small and sensitive olive float responds best to careful bites. Well, you shouldn’t forget the whip either, it softens the sharp jerks of the fish quite well. As a sinker, everything here is completely different from the summer; you only need one pellet, which is placed about 15 centimeters above the hook. The float is adjusted so that the bait is at the very bottom or is 2-5 centimeters from it.
Catching crucian carp with a float in winter brings very good results when hooking 2-3 bloodworms. Of course, crucian carp does not refuse worms and maggots, but when using such baits, bites occur much less frequently. The hook should be done immediately after you notice that the float has begun to rise slightly above the water. In winter, crucian carp bite upward and the float is shipped so that it is 2-3 centimeters under water.
Homemade bait
This is where methods for making bait with your own hands come to our aid. In it you can choose a unique and individual set that will suit a given situation best.
We recommend reading: Catching perch with a balance beam in winter
Homemade bait for crucian carp in winter does not differ much in composition from other baits for carp-type fish. The main thing to remember is that crucian carp is not a particularly voracious fish; if you overdo it with bait, it will simply refuse your bait, having eaten in advance.
For an effective mixture, you need to include the following elements:
- semolina;
- millet;
- cereals.
The smaller the component, the more productive the bait will be. Some fishermen add egg powder or milk, but such an element will only be justified if the pond is devoid of small fish, in particular roach.
Catching crucian carp in winter with a jig
Crucian carp belongs to the fish of the carp family. It densely populated the water bodies of our homeland. And thanks to small requests, crucian carp can be found in reservoirs that, at first glance, are unsuitable for fish to live.
The favorite places for fish are small rivers with a lot of vegetation and swampy lakes. Even when the reservoir is completely covered with ice, and there is almost no oxygen in the water, crucian carp simply hibernate and are able to survive even in the most extreme conditions.
Some fishermen believe that catching crucian carp with a jig is a waste of time and does not bring a catch. But this is not at all true; if you choose the right gear, choose a fishing spot and know some secrets, you can catch much more fish than with a float.
For catching crucian carp with a jig, any winter fishing rod is suitable, the main thing is that it has a nod. Since fish are most often hooked by hand, and the fisherman is not far from the hole, long whips are unnecessary; 5 centimeters is enough. Nods must be selected based on the weight of the jig. The main thing is that it is sensitive, since crucian carp is a very cautious fish and its bite is not always noticeable.
Catching crucian carp in winter with a jig requires thin gear, so you should not use a fishing line thicker than 0.1 mm. But thin fishing line should be used not only to prevent scaring away the fish, but also to make it easier to control light jigs. The main thing is to give preference to high-quality fishing lines from trusted manufacturers so that they have sufficient strength.
For fishing to be successful, you need to know some subtleties and secrets:
- It is best to choose warm days without wind for fishing. If there is severe frost and snowstorm outside, the crucian carp will refuse to bite.
- The best place for catching crucian carp with a jig is slow water with a large layer of silt at the bottom. In winter, crucian carp is found at shallow depths; sometimes it is useless to look for it at a depth of more than 3 meters.
And if you choose the right gear and fishing location, then consider that the fishing was a success. Well, in order to ensure such fishing, you need to prepare for it in advance, it is advisable to find a map of the reservoir in the summer or autumn, collect as much information about it as possible, and maybe buy an echo sounder. If you listen to these tips, then you are guaranteed a catch.
Before you go fishing, you need to take with you not only a map of the reservoir, you should also not forget:
- rod with a nod;
- several jigs;
- bait and groundbait.
For a little more information about this, read the article on what to take with you on winter fishing.
To catch crucian carp with a jig, it is necessary to use very strong rods and fishing line, since crucian carp exhibits quite a lot of resistance when fishing. Don’t forget that there is an opportunity to catch a big crucian carp. In order to provoke the crucian carp to bite, you need to play with the jig without sudden jerks and take short breaks. It is thanks to this fishing technique that crucian carp bite quite well and often.
Jigs for crucian carp
If you plan to catch crucian carp in a familiar body of water, then choosing jigs for crucian carp is not difficult, because you know about the preferences of the fish. Well, if you are on a completely unfamiliar body of water, then you can’t do without advice on choosing a jig. If you plan to catch crucian carp in winter from the bottom, then you need to give preference to jigs such as disk, drop, and bug. These forms of jigs are considered the most catchy, but a lot also depends on the color. Choosing a color requires an experienced approach. Try fishing with light-colored jigs, and if there are no bites, change them to darker ones.
Playing with a jig during winter fishing for crucian carp
Crucian carp that feeds at the bottom will peck at a stationary jig “on the rise”. Smaller crucian carp, which feed in the bottom layers of water, respond well to slow and smooth play with a jig, with a small amplitude and short pauses. If the crucian carp is passive, then sometimes it can be provoked by frequent and sharp play of the jig at the very bottom. You can also lower the jig to the very bottom and tap it several times, then take a short pause and make one of the transactions described above.
Tackle for winter crucian fishing
Fishing for crucian carp in winter can be done with several types of gear. It is caught using jigs and float tackle. It’s not difficult, all you need to do is put bait on the hook, lower it to the bottom and wait for a bite. If the fish refuses to bite for a long time, then you can try to move the bait with a fishing rod.
Every fisherman has his favorite spots. If you have such places, then choosing gear will not be difficult. After all, you will know what gear is suitable for fishing in certain conditions. Often, difficulties with choosing and making gear arise when fishing in an unfamiliar body of water. And here you can’t do without the advice of experienced fishermen.
Since crucian carp are most often caught from the bottom, jigs should be selected in the shape of a disk or a drop. They perform best when fishing and you should start with them. But fishing success depends not only on the shape of the jig; color also plays an important role. Start fishing the pond using silver or golden jigs; if there are no results, then move on to darker colors. But under different fishing conditions, a classic pellet or Uralka can help out. You have to choose a jig only experimentally.
The fish bite in winter is quite unstable. Very often I had to deal with the fact that in the morning crucian carp took light jigs, and at lunch they preferred dark ones. It’s worth constantly experimenting and not sitting still. In addition to gear for winter fishing for crucian carp, how you present the bait is also important. And a good catch will be ensured if you follow all the recommendations.
Catching crucian carp in winter has a certain command character. If you are not fishing alone, then choosing bait and tackle, as well as finding a fishing spot will be much easier. Solo fishermen on unfamiliar waters have little chance of failure.
The classic baits used for crucian carp are bloodworms and maggots. Below we will talk in more detail about them. Sometimes crucian carp, of course, can bite on the dough, but very rarely, and not in all reservoirs.
Winter fishing rod for crucian carp
Today, fishermen are constantly remaking fishing rods and there are a lot of models. If you plan to catch crucian carp with a float, then there are no special requirements for choosing a fishing rod. All that a winter fishing rod for crucian carp should have is: lightness, strength and flexibility of the tip. The flexible tip is needed to hook and absorb the jerks of the fish when playing.
The simplest and lightest fishing rod for crucian carp is the “filly”. One can only envy the reliability of such a fishing rod. And made from durable frost-resistant materials, the whip will serve you for many years. But some people prefer to use “balalaikas” or simple rods with an open reel. Choosing a rod is an individual matter.
Fishing line for crucian carp in winter
Ice fishing line should remain soft under all temperature conditions. If you plan to catch small crucian carp, then a 0.1 mm fishing line will be enough for you. There is no need for a thicker line, as a thick fishing line has a negative impact on the fish’s bite. Many times I have encountered a situation where the bite of crucian carp was activated by using a thinner fishing line. Of course, the thinner the line, the better quality it should be. It is best to give preference to well-known manufacturers who make fishing lines conscientiously.
Bait for crucian carp in winter
To lure crucian carp to the hole, you need to use noticeable and nutritious bait. In order for it to come out exactly like this, it must be made from the following products:
- It is best to use breadcrumbs as a bait filler (base).
- Crackers can be replaced with cookies, as they also have a flavor. In order to add flavor, you can use sugar in the bait.
- It is best to use wheat bran as the base component for bait.
- I recommend using semolina as a binding component.
- Sunflower seeds roasted and ground in a meat grinder will be an excellent flavoring agent for bait.
- Cinnamon and vanilla can be good flavorings.
In order for you to get excellent bait for crucian carp, you need to mix all these components in the following proportions: take 1 part of breadcrumbs, semolina and chaffed wheat, and add 0.5 parts of cookies and sunflower seeds. Vanilla and cinnamon are optional, but not more than 20 grams. Do not wet the bait at home; it is better to dilute it with water at the fishing site. After the mixture has absorbed moisture, you can roll it into small balls. By throwing such bait into the hole, you can attract fish to you.
The following components have proven themselves to be excellent additives:
- roasted hemp or flax seeds (their smell is great for attracting crucian carp)
- powdered milk that attracts fish when dissolved
- pieces of worms or bloodworms (this is the main part of the diet of crucian carp).
You can use other elements that are similar in properties to the previous ones. In general, whatever you find at home. The main thing is to grind the components well, they can be:
- garlic,
- dill seeds (grated),
- anise seeds (some use extract),
- cocoa powder.
Not only breadcrumbs can be used as the basis for bait; cake and other grains work great.
It is better to start complementary feeding with a small number of balls; for starters, five pieces will be enough. It is better to make half of them hard so that they break when they hit the bottom, and some softer so that they collapse upon contact with water. You should not overfeed the fish, so it is not advisable to use bait often.
Tips for beginners on proper complementary feeding
- It is easy to overfeed crucian carp, which is highly undesirable. If he is fed up, he is unlikely to be interested in bait.
- In unfamiliar fishing areas, you should try feeding crucian carp with various mixtures in order to determine its taste preferences.
- It is important not to make mistakes with moistening the bait. The bait balls should break on the bottom, concentrating on a small area and forming a feeding table.
- The composition of crucian bait should include those components that will act as bait. The crucian carp gets used to the taste and grabs the bait more willingly.
- In overgrown reservoirs, mixtures with high-calorie ingredients such as cut worms, bloodworms, cake, honey and halva are preferable.
- What bait to use in spring
- Detailed review of Lucky John Ballist
- How to store bait?
- Garland for winter fishing
