Fishing for trout on girders in winter: how to make the equipment correctly, how to install it

Pros and cons of fishing

Fishing for rainbow trout on girders has the following advantages:

ease of fishing;
no need to purchase expensive artificial baits;
the opportunity to catch quite a lot of fish;
paid reservoirs have an established recreation infrastructure.

Fishing for iris on paid sites has the following disadvantages:

restriction on the number of girders, which exists on most paysites;
the difficulty of determining the horizon on which the fish is holding;
the need to fine-tune the rigs, since the trout spits out the bait if it doesn’t like something.

Fishing methods

Unlike the summer period, trout fishing in winter involves the use of a wide variety of gear and methods:

balance;
vertical spinners;
float rod;
girders;
jig;
fishing rod

There are also more original methods that are used by fishermen in certain regions. As you can see, the range of gear is impressive. All directions can be divided into passive and active. Each angler chooses what he likes and gives the best result.

Passive ones involve waiting for the fish to come out at a specific point in the reservoir. Active ones require the angler to constantly move across the ice in search of trout. Both have the right to life, and adherents of one direction or another end up with a catch.

Spinner and balancer

This is an active trend in trout fishing. However, it is not advisable to use artificial bait on every platform. It is better to go with spoons and balancers to reservoirs where large trout are bred, the weight of which often exceeds 3 kg. In such ponds it is easier to catch large fish, and there will be more bites than where the bulk of the predator is no more than 1–1.5 kg in size.

You can always ask the administrator about the size and quantity of fish in the reservoir. Any body of water that respects itself and its guests keeps statistics of released and caught fish, and also knows the weight of purchased and released lots.

Places for fishing on paid platforms

Trout can be found anywhere in a body of water. During the deep winter period, aerators are installed on some pay zones to enrich the water with oxygen, since this fish is very sensitive to the oxygen content in the water. Fishing near aerators is more promising, although it is believed that fish living away from these devices are more active. If the bottom of the reservoir has a pronounced relief, then knowing its features, you can optimize the fishing process.

The difficulty lies in determining the horizon on which the iris rests. If, when fishing with artificial bait, the angler has the opportunity to consistently fish all layers of water, then the bait on a permanently installed girder may end up outside the trout’s habitat.

Typically, trout do not stay near the bottom, but in half-water, but with a large depth of the reservoir, determining the desired horizon is not easy. Therefore, as a rule, fishermen combine fishing with active gear with fishing with girders and baitfish. Using artificial bait, they determine the horizon that is promising for fishing and release the girders to the required depth.

Varieties

As already mentioned, trout, unlike pike, spits out the bait at the slightest suspicion, so the line should come off the line so that the fish does not feel resistance. In this regard, in addition to the classic girders on the platform, other designs are used, namely:

stand on a stand.
The basis of such equipment is a fishing rod, which can be used to catch trout in an active way. The fishing rod is fixed on a special stand. Such gear needs to be monitored, and as soon as the end of the rod goes down, you need to hook;
shifter.
This kind of gear is easy to make yourself. The zherlitsa reacts sensitively to bites, and the line comes off very easily, so there may be cases of fish hooking themselves;
at American girl The spool is located under water, so the line comes off very easily.
But such gear has not caught on here, firstly, due to its high cost, secondly, because of the complexity of the design, which greatly complicates the installation process, and thirdly, because of the inconvenience of use at low temperatures.
Read also: Fatty fish: list, health benefits

Types of gear and their assembly

When planning to catch trout on ice girders, it is important to take into account the lifestyle of the fish. As you know, trout are most often found half a meter from the bottom. In addition, the characteristics of the grip leave imprints on fishing. The trout grabs its prey immediately, without clenching its jaws.

For this reason, the flag technique cannot be used, and pauses are not allowed during winter trout fishing. The fish must be hooked immediately or after the pull reaches 40 cm; if the equipment resists, the spotted ones immediately throw out the bait.

For example, if you put flags and leave them unattended for a long period, but the predator that pecked at them is not detected, as a result of which it calmly leaves. The success of any fishing lies in the correct fishing rod.

Equipment supplied for trout from fishing rods

The simplest supply is a fishing rod equipped with special spacers so that the fish cannot drag it under the ice. Typically, up to 3 fishing rods are allowed at the same time on paid platforms, as a result of which they will be in the field of view. The simplest option is to make a crossbar from several rulers. To do this, take two rulers and make a hole in the center through which the rod whip is passed. They also make a cut in the hole for the fishing line. The tackle can be installed near the hole or above it, so that the whip is in the water.

In order for the fish to hook itself, it is recommended to fix the reel. It is important to remember that trout is a very cautious fish; if the line starts to unwind at some point, it will drop the hook with bait. Usually, nods are installed on fishing rods and at the moment of biting it bends.

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American girls

Another popular option is American trout lures in winter, with the spool in the water. The advantage is that it is easy to unwind so that the fish does not feel resistance. The disadvantage of this design is the price - they are expensive and impractical for harsh Russian winters.

It is extremely inconvenient to use American rigs in harsh climatic conditions, since you have to take off your gloves to adjust all the screws and working depth. In addition, if it freezes into ice, it is unlikely to be removed without damage. There are a large number of small parts that are extremely inconvenient to use.

Special winter stands

If necessary, you can make a stand for the fishing rod yourself. This option is great for fishermen who use universal gear. Thanks to such stands, you can go active fishing and use lures; if you wish, you can put the fishing rod on the stand and watch calmly.

In specialized stores you can find stands specially designed for this purpose. This method of fishing is popular in the West and in America, since there are restrictions on the number of gear - one. However, winter trout fishing rods in this case are universal and equipped with everything necessary for fishing.

Supplies with easy line release

For long-term installations, they mainly use trout rigs with inertia-free releases. This type of stand for winter fishing can be made independently, in the literal sense of the word - on your knee. To do this you will need a piece of plastic pipe, knitting needles, a piece of wood, and wire.

It is easy to reel in line from such reels; the fish does not feel any resistance. In the process of biting, the trout calmly moves away, swallowing the bait at this time, and when the line unwinds completely, it hooks itself.

It is not recommended to make a large supply of fishing line, as is done when fishing for pike. 6 meters plus the amount of fishing line taking into account the depth of the reservoir is quite enough.

Regular checkboxes

Quite often, fishermen use ordinary flags as supplies. The only modification to this method is that a winter fishing rod is installed on the trout, the reel is securely fixed, which prevents the line from unwinding, and the trout will hook on its own. The principle of operation is the same as in the previous versions, the only thing is that there is no fishing rod.

For those who go out to fish not for a few hours on a platter, but go for a long time on the shore of the lake, ordinary flags will not work. This is due to the fact that the trout will not be detected after it bites or breaks away after some time. At the moment when the resistance of the fishing line begins to be felt, the predator spits out the hook. You can fix the reel - in this case, the prey is caught at the edge of the mouth, which is not always reliable.

Correct installation of gear

The effectiveness of winter trout fishing directly depends on how well the place is chosen for this purpose. If a fisherman does not know exactly where trout are found, then he can’t count on catching fish. The holes for the vent are prepared at a distance of 5 meters from each other. If the depth at which the fish are found is large, then the distance can be increased.

The girders are checked every 40 minutes. If there is no bite for a long period of time, then you should change the place. For trout, you need to use small girders and balancers, about 4 cm, no more. Balancers are equipped with silver or green vents. As practice shows, bright beads are more effective at attracting the attention of predators.

Read how to effectively fish for trout with spoons and how to choose the right bait.

Device

Most often, fishermen use classic girders with a platform and a signaling flag, because they are easy to buy, they are inexpensive, and installation is simple. The vent itself and its equipment includes:

Base. The base or platform is made of plastic and has a round shape. A stand with a reel and a bite alarm with a flag are attached to the platform. A radial slot is made in the base to allow fishing line to pass through.
Coil. The coil is located on the stand and is attached to it using a bracket. The coil requires:
to have the largest possible diameter.

Expert opinion

Knipovich Nikolai Mikhailovich

Zoologist, hydrobiologist. I am interested in fishing at a professional level.

Healthy! Some anglers paint half the reel in some color that contrasts with the main background. This makes it possible to see from afar how the reel unwinds.

Bite alarm - flag. The bite alarm is made from a clock spring. At its end there is a flag made of waterproof red fabric.
Fishing line. Monofilament with a diameter of 0.3-0.35 mm is used as the main line for catching iris. At least 10 meters of fishing line is wound onto the reel.
Sinker. A sliding “olive” of the minimum possible weight is used as a sinker.
Leash. A leash 50 cm long is made of fluorocarbon with a diameter of 0.2-0.3 mm. Its thickness depends on the size of the intended prey.
Hook. The hooks used are single hooks made of thick wire, size No. 6-No. 2 according to the international classification.

How to make it yourself

Most often, classic type vents are made. They are wind-resistant and protect the hole from freezing, although their compactness when assembled leaves much to be desired. You can make such a girder as follows:

Using a hacksaw to cut out a platform from plywood or foam plastic. It doesn't have to be round.
A slot is made in the platform for the fishing line.
A stand is made from a metal corner or tube and secured to the platform with screws or rivets.
A bracket is made from a bicycle spoke.
The reel is mounted on a bracket to the stand.
The reel is made from an empty fishing line spool.
A bite alarm is made from elastic wire or a clock spring.
A flag made of red fabric is glued to its end.
Wind the line onto the reel.
Place a sinker on the line.
Attach a swivel with a clasp to the free end of the fishing line.
A leash is made by tying a hook to it with a clinch knot.
Attach the leash to the main fishing line.

Expert opinion

Knipovich Nikolai Mikhailovich

Zoologist, hydrobiologist. I am interested in fishing at a professional level.

Attention! The vent must be collapsible. It is advisable to store all its parts, namely: a platform, a stand with a reel, a bite alarm, a leash, in separate bags.

How to install correctly

Correct installation of the vent is carried out as follows:

They drill a hole.
They clear it of sludge.
Measure the depth, preferably using a special depth gauge.
Assembling the girder.
The required amount of fishing line is measured, which, in the opinion of the fisherman, will be optimal for catching trout.
The fishing line is fixed on the reel with a bite alarm.
They set the bait.
Lower the equipment into the hole.
Lightly sprinkle the hole with snow.
Place the vent on the hole.

How to fish

Trout fishing in winter is a very emotional activity, especially when landing. The trout bite is very active, often occurring without preliminary poking the bait, and therefore is almost always unexpected for the angler.

A hooked fish behaves very violently, rushing around, shaking its head, and making sharp stretches. She rarely gets off, since the hook holds well in her fleshy mouth. But the fish desperately resists until the very end, so line breaks often occur, including due to its rubbing against the edges of the hole.

Getting caught fish into a hole is often not at all easy, especially if its diameter is less than 130 millimeters.

It seems that the sensible thing to do in such a situation would be to slowly fish out the predator in order to tire it out and calmly lead it to the hole. However, trout is a schooling fish, such behavior can scare away the rest of the fish, the school will leave the fishing zone and you will have to wait a very long time for the next bite.

Therefore, it is recommended to equip the fishing rod with a strong fishing line of the minimum possible diameter, selected for the likely weight of the possible trophy. The trout landing itself should be short and tough, so that the fish does not have time to come to its senses and does not make a lot of noise. A strong fishing line will withstand the first tug of a predator and allow you to force the action.

Trout fishing tactics and techniques

In our country, owners of paid fishing grounds allow fishing with a small number of gear, including active fishing gear, while abroad you can often use only one gear. Therefore, the girders must be arranged rationally. Trout constantly moves around the reservoir and you can catch it almost anywhere. If possible, you need to focus on other anglers.

Iris can be caught in two ways:

put out the zherlits and go to show off;
Constantly watch the girders.

With the second fishing method, the chances of catching an iris on a girder are small, since it rarely catches itself. But you can catch fish with artificial bait, which is much more interesting.

The tactics for catching trout on girders is to constantly rearrange the gear and change the depth of release. It is also necessary to try different baits, since the food preferences of the iris are unpredictable.

Expert opinion

Knipovich Nikolai Mikhailovich

Zoologist, hydrobiologist. I am interested in fishing at a professional level.

Important! How to behave when bitten? You should not expect that the trout will take the bait in its mouth, taste it, and then, having swallowed it, begin to move away, as the pike does. As soon as the iris winds 30-40 centimeters of fishing line, you should cut sharply.

Fishing for prey should be done carefully, without forcing the process, but also without giving in to slack. Trout have fleshy lips, and the hook, as a rule, is held firmly in them, but a strong fish can break the line, and if there are snags on the bottom, then it will most likely rush into them and it will be extremely difficult to get it out.

Those who are used to catching perch, pike perch and pike have no idea how strong rainbow trout are. Therefore, the hook should always be at hand, and a hole with a diameter of 130 mm may be too small to easily bring prey into it. In addition, fish of different sizes often live in the same body of water, and among the pre-kilo fish there may be “five”, for which the fisherman must be prepared – both morally and technically.

Tackle for trout fishing with spinning rod

The most interesting tackle for trout fishing is a spinning rod. There is no need for special skill here; it is enough to select all the elements of the equipment correctly and competently. Spinning fishing is an interesting and exciting activity because it is very simple and effective.

As for experienced fishermen, they have long ago decided on their gear and are armed with several rods for various purposes and designed for trout fishing in any conditions. As for beginning spinning anglers who decide to master this tackle, the answer is ambiguous. Still, despite its ease of use, each fishing trip is fraught with certain secrets that are revealed as you gain experience. Therefore, to begin with, it makes sense to purchase a fishing rod after consulting with an experienced, familiar spinning player. Although everything is relative and everyone, even an experienced fisherman, has his own fishing rod to which he is accustomed. But this does not mean at all that another angler will like such a rod.

Rod

This element of gear is selected depending on the specific fishing conditions. If you are using a rod for fishing from a clean shore, you can take a blank about 3 meters long. If there are thickets on the shore, then a long rod creates certain inconveniences. And when fishing from a boat, you can only use a short rod, since there is no need for long casts, especially when trolling.

If fishing is carried out on the same body of water, then problems with determining the length should not arise. If fishing is done in various, unfamiliar bodies of water, then you should take a rod 2.4 m long. It may well be suitable for various conditions, although not 100%.

Spinning test

As a rule, trout are caught with bait weighing about 7 g and no more. This means that the test of the rod should be in the range of 0-7 g or 2-7 g. In extreme cases, up to 10 g. Rods with such a test are ultralight rods. The action of the blank can be fast, although with such a rod you need to be able to catch fish such as trout. The fact is that the trout seriously resists, and a rigid rod is not able to fully extinguish its jerks.

A rigid spinning rod allows you to better control the wiring process. If you take a slow action rod, it will allow you to cast a small bait further, but it does not have the sensitivity that a fast action rod has.

When fishing for trout, the sensitivity of the rod is very important, so it is better to buy high-quality, but cheap blanks. Naturally, you can also find quite expensive models, but not every angler can afford them.

Therefore, you need to choose something in between, but it’s better not to take cheap rods. Fishing is interesting because you have the opportunity to enjoy catching this interesting fish. Interest in fishing will disappear as soon as the stick breaks into several pieces.

fishing line

An equally important element of gear that directly affects sensitivity. A braided line can very quickly transfer a bite to the tip of the rod. In addition, it is more reliable than monofilament, therefore, you can equip the tackle with a thinner fishing line

This is very important when casting light-weight lures. The thinner the line, the farther you can cast the ultralight bait

Line diameter

If monofilament fishing line is used, then its diameter should not exceed 0.18 mm, and when choosing braid, you can choose a diameter of 0.12 mm, but not less.

Coil

When choosing a reel, you should take into account the action of the rod. If a rigid rod is used, then the reel must have a reliable, high-quality clutch. This is necessary so that the reel also participates in the process of landing fish, otherwise it will be difficult to cope with trout. At the same time, the friction brake must be adjusted to a certain weight of the fish, taking into account the thickness of the fishing line. Then the powerful jerks of suitable specimens will be smoothed out. As for small specimens, there are no particular problems when catching them.

In order for the fish to get closer to the angler faster, you should choose a reel with a high gear ratio. These characteristics correspond to reels with a gear ratio of 5:1.

Trout fishing. Choosing gear.

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