When and where to catch roach
Feeder equipment is used to hunt for fish of various sizes and is successfully caught with:
- crucian carp;
- bream and bream;
- blue;
- tench;
- perch;
- carp
But the most popular fishing for roach is with a picker and feeder, which lives in large quantities in many reservoirs and actively responds to bait and bait offered by anglers almost all year round.
The roach feeds not only in the bottom layer, but also moves throughout the daylight hours in the water column from bottom to top. The English donka shows good results when catching this fish both on lakes and on rivers with rapid currents.
After the ice melts, feeders uncover their rods, because catching roach in early spring on a feeder is a “gourmet dish” for fans of bottom gear. Delicate equipment, flexible and sensitive feeders and pickers give a lot of positive emotions, which anglers miss during the long and cold winter.
Roaches do not grow to large sizes, but specimens of 300–400 grams stubbornly resist when fished and to bring them into the landing net requires both experience and skill.
The main competitor of the feeder is considered to be float tackle, but it is less catchy, as it has limitations on:
- casting distance;
- length of leashes;
- catchability in strong currents;
- the baits and baits used.
But feeder gear is used in the most difficult conditions and with its help rich catches are quite possible.
Advantages over the same float tackle:
- targeted feed supply to a given point;
- constant supplementary feeding;
- using leashes of arbitrary length and thickness;
- casting distances;
- conducting tempo fishing.
There are also advantages in choosing a location on the shore of a reservoir, because the feeder station is installed at an arbitrary point and does not require a flat coastline or comfortable conditions that floaters need.
Finding a roach fishing spot
It is better to look for roach in areas with a good current. Properly prepared bait will create a trail, which, with a good current, will quickly spread over a large water area and collect all the roach at one fishing point.
It is better to choose not very shallow places; the depth at the fishing point should be 1.5-3 meters. Use a marker float or jig probing and dragging method to determine the topography and nature of the bottom.
Otherwise, there are no more tips. The roach fits in almost any place (but a place that is too shallow can scare off the roach with constant impacts of the feeder equipment on the water, and the absence of a current will slow down the fish’s reaction to point feeding).
Fishing tactics
When catching roach on a feeder, you should take into account that this is a passing fish and attracting it to a given point is more difficult than holding it with the help of properly selected bait.
At the beginning of the session, the angler selects promising places with a hard bottom and makes a starting feeding. The bait “gathers dust”, indicating a “beacon” for fish, and with each subsequent cast, new portions of food attract fish to the bottom layer.
To select a promising location, it is not necessary to cast the tackle over a super long distance, because even in the immediate vicinity of the shore, roach is available in the required quantity.
In the spring, when the water is just warming up, coastal areas should be explored first, although at other times of the year aquatic inhabitants look for insects and other food near reeds or trees hanging over the water.
Catching roach in late autumn on a picker or feeder is also an exciting activity and decent catches, which are even filmed, happen very often. When starting fishing, it is advisable to select several points at different distances and fish them in search of fish.
In spring and autumn there is no need for large volumes of bait, the main thing is that with the help of a feeder it is regularly supplied to the fishing spot and stimulates the interest of the fish, provoking it to bite.
You don’t need to think that roach is not as cunning as carp, bream, or even crucian carp; to catch it, you also need to make a lot of effort, use special baits, small hooks and attractive baits.
If the nearby points do not bring the desired result, move to long distances, look for fish and this will bring the desired results. A pause in the bite, when large roach are being caught, means that it is time to move to a new point, and not wait until the fish comes for another portion of food.
To ensure accuracy of casting at a given distance, after selecting a point, the fishing line is inserted into a clip and this prevents accidental mistakes. When fishing for carp or grass carp on a feeder, clipping is undesirable, because when biting, the trophy will pull the rod off the stand and you should respond to it in a timely manner.
Roach does not create such problems and when fishing for it, clipping helps to keep the same distance regardless of the strength of the wind, current or other factors, and the fish is simply not able to pull the rod.
Some fishermen use marker rubber to record the required distance. This decision has the right to life, but it is more like reinsurance in case a trophy fish is accidentally caught on the hook.
When purposefully fishing for roach on a feeder, no additional reinsurance is required and clipping is sufficient to fix the fishing distance.
Bait for roach
We already have a great guide on how to properly prepare bait for roach. There you can read about recipes for fishing in cold water in spring and autumn and for catching roach in the heat in summer.
Don't forget about flavoring. This component greatly influences the calling of large individuals to the fishing point.
One of the most important points when preparing or purchasing ready-made bait for roaches is the dust component. At home, this can be semolina or crushed pea cereal (recipes for preparing peas for fishing), chaff and cake. They spread well with the current, create turbidity and this really attracts roaches. True, along with large roach, flocks of small fish will also approach the fishing spot. To separate the large from the small, you will have to sacrifice the dust composition. And focus on the large faction.
Fishing rod
Roaches are caught mainly at short distances, up to 60 meters, so for fishing on a still body of water, a rod with a length of 3.6-3.9 with a weight of up to 90 grams is selected. When fishing on a river with a strong current, use a rod with a weight of up to 120 or even 150 grams, it all depends on the expected weight of the feeders that are used in the rigs.
A heavy river rod is inconvenient for fast fishing, as a result of which it is used only when there is an urgent need for it. For short distances, it is enough to take a picker with a dough of up to 60 grams, and use feeders of the appropriate weight.
Specific models of rods are presented in fishing stores; as for manufacturers, Drennan, Preston, Daiwa are known in the best way in the feeder world. Our Volzhanka-type fishing rods are inferior in quality to branded models, but they have advantages and are relatively low in cost.
As practice shows, it is better to immediately purchase a high-quality feeder or picker so that it will last for several seasons. Changing equipment is a normal process for every fishing enthusiast, but savings should not be forgotten either.
It is more difficult for a novice feeder to immediately choose the most convenient form, so it is better to consult with experienced fishermen and make the right choice. Most fans of feeder fishing have several rods of varying lengths and power in their arsenal, which allows them to have convenient equipment in any situation.
Homemade bait for catching roach on a feeder
A large section of the site about feeder fishing, where you will find a lot of useful information about feeder fishing.
Soil and clay from the reservoir are necessary in order to darken the bait and introduce odors familiar to roaches into it. It is no secret that fish are caught well with the bait that is found in its pond. The use of black soil and river sand brings good results. The bait can be colored by cocoa or dyes.
You need to start feeding roach before you start fishing. First, you can throw some bait into the fishing current without using a feeder. Then feed continuously, after about ten minutes. Properly prepared bait for roach should not immediately fall to the bottom, and the time it takes for the bait to fall out of the feeder trough should be about five minutes.
Coil
Roach fishing is carried out at short and medium distances, so there is no need to use a reel with a large spool and a size of 3000-4000 will be enough to ensure comfort during the session.
Those who want to reel out tackle faster take reels with larger spools, but they are heavier, and with frequent recasts they increase physical stress. In this kind of roach fishing, the requirements for the reel are less stringent than in carp fishing, so the angler should be guided by his own preferences.
Line or cord
When catching cautious fish, such as roach, you need sensitive gear that allows you to clearly see the bite. There are no “steam locomotives” on roach, this is not trophy carp fishing, and to register sluggish and weak bites, it is recommended to use a cord rather than a monofilament line.
The stretchability of the fishing line is a negative factor, and the greater the distance, the longer the monofilament base stretches. A thin cord with a diameter of 0.1 - 0.12 mm does not frighten wary fish, especially if you choose a color that increases camouflage. In a current, a thin base is also more advantageous, because it does not create strong resistance, which allows you to use less heavy feeders.
The weight of the feeder plays a big role in increasing the sensitivity of the gear, and it is advisable to reduce it as much as possible. In this case, there is a direct relationship between the thickness of the base, the weight of the feeders used and the sensitivity of the entire gear. The non-stretchable cord instantly detects the bite and all that remains is to hook the fish and deliver it to the shore.
Nozzles and baits for roach
In the summer, roaches happily bite on worms, maggots, dough, green peas, corn, etc. At the same time, you need to remember that in summer it may give preference to plant baits, but will not refuse baits of animal origin. It is better to flavor the attachments of plant origin, for example, with dill, garlic, etc.
From the above, the conclusion suggests itself that baits such as a worm, maggot and bloodworm are universal and can be used for catching roach all year round. As for late autumn, when the water is very cold, the priority will be to use bloodworms, which the roach never refuses.
Leashes
But it is advisable to knit leashes for catching roach from fluorocarbon fishing line, which has the maximum possible camouflage. Of all the leader materials now available to feeder anglers, fluorocarbon (or fluorocarbon) line is the least noticeable in clear water.
The invention of fluorocarbon is associated with military developments, but manufacturers of fishing equipment quickly appreciated all the advantages of the progressive material and found the opportunity to use it for the manufacture of fishing line and leader materials.
Monoline is stronger than fluorocarbon line, but even thicker fluorocarbon benefits due to the fact that it is invisible in water. When fishing for roach on monofilament leashes, its thickness is 0.08-0.12 mm, but fluorocarbon 0.14-0.16 will be less noticeable even in absolutely clear water .
Another advantage of fluor is its rigidity and abrasion resistance. When fishing on a silty bottom, these factors are not critical, but when fishing on a complex bottom surface with shells and stones, the abrasive properties of the leader material play an important role.
In feeder fishing, high consumption of leashes is common and there is no point in saving on this. But in competition conditions, when every minute counts, saving time on tying leashes helps to win prizes, and in this regard, fluorocarbon leash materials provide advantages.
The length of the leash is variable and varies from 15-20 cm to one and a half meters and above. When fishing in the current, the leashes are made longer, and when the bite is inactive, they are lengthened even more, and this often gives the desired results.
In a pond with stagnant water, the feed is not carried away by the current away from the feeder, and to ensure the location of the hook with the nozzle near the feeder, the leashes are made shorter.
There are no strict recommendations regarding the length of the leash, and this factor is determined empirically.
Do not rely only on the fact that someone has successfully fished with leashes a meter or one and a half long, because the conditions are different on each fishing trip, and roach is a timid fish and it is advisable to put it to sleep.
Inconspicuous leader material and a long leader help camouflage the equipment, and the likelihood of a bite increases significantly. The leash should be changed after it begins to curl and loses its physical properties.
Hooks
The hook for roach is selected with a spatula, small and sharp, since when the bait touches the lips, the fish should be hooked. The hook size when fishing in clear water is number 16-18 according to the European classification; if conditions allow and the baits are larger than bloodworms or maggots, larger hooks number 14-12 are used.
Few people take into account that roach responds well to canned corn and this is one of the best baits for this fish. We are more accustomed to the fact that bream or crucian carp bite well on sweet corn, but large roach also like this bait, so with its help you can significantly increase your catch.
Another thing is that you don’t need to fish with sweet corn right away, but only after the place is fed and the fish come to it.
Initially, bloodworms, worms and maggots are used as bait, because animal baits are preferable for roach at any time of the year. After the fish becomes active and lingers near the food, the bait is enlarged in order to enlarge the catch, and in most cases this is successful.
Pressed canned corn is also added to the bait so that the fish get used to its aroma and are not afraid of the bait.
An important point is the color of the hook, because it has been noticed that roach reacts more actively to light and red hooks and takes the bait more confidently. A box with hooks does not take up much space in your arsenal, so you need to have some choice.
In some cases, red hooks work better, but there are fishing situations when golden or white ones become catchy, so it’s better to take several varieties with you and decide on the spot which one works best on this day and on this body of water.
Fishing at different times of the year
Beginners believe that fishing is basically the same at any time. Of course, there are some nuances, but they are not so significant. In fact, there are differences, what they are – we’ll talk about this further.
Fishing in spring
It is advisable to catch roach a couple of days before spawning, when it readily swims to the bait. Typically this period occurs in mid-May. At this point, you can choose bloodworms, maggots, worms and the like from bait. As for baits, these can be porridge with “animal” additives that are used as bait. Considering that the water has not yet warmed up, you should look for fish at the bottom.
Summer fishing
With the arrival of summer, roaches can be seen in shallow water. If we talk about bait, it is better to give preference to plant-based ones, although river inhabitants can also peck at animals. The active bite lasts all summer, so you can fish to your heart’s content.
Autumn fishing
You can fish with a feeder in the fall, just like with any other gear. However, you need to understand that with the arrival of September the bite begins to wane. At this time, it is better to choose animal baits. Maggots, worms, etc. should also be added to the bait.
Feeders
The choice of feeder for roach depends on the fishing distance, the viscosity of the food and the activity of the fish. The starting feeding is done using 5-10 large feeders, and then fishing is carried out at an active pace and with each cast of the tackle, a new portion of food is sent into the water.
On the river, metal mesh feeders are more convenient, creating little resistance to the flow and at the same time quickly “giving away” the bait. It is more convenient to hammer in a metal mesh and the current is less likely to carry away a splashed-down feeder. Such feeders have a covered bottom area and they descend in the water column in a certain way.
The presence of lugs ensures good contact with the bottom and helps keep the feeder at a given point.
At long distances, bullet feeders that have a ball-shaped weight at the bottom and have excellent aerodynamic properties are effective.
Important! When roach are actively biting, less food-intensive feeders are chosen, and sometimes they are not even clogged with bait. The activity of the fish indicates that there is enough food at the point, and you really wouldn’t want to overfeed it.
Installation of equipment
When choosing equipment for catching roach, take into account the fact that self-cutting rigs are useless. A small fish is not able to lift or move a heavy feeder, so hooking the angler is necessary in any case.
The feeder is not involved in hooking the fish, and this responsibility falls on the shoulders of the fisherman. The installation should be such that the quiver tip of the rod instantly reacts to a bite and signals the angler about his further actions.
Sensitive equipment are:
- Gardner loop;
- paternoster;
- sliding installation.
We recommend using a Gardner loop, which is knitted directly on the main cord. To make such an installation it will take only a few minutes, so there is no point in preparing it in advance, even when fishing with a cord.
The installation is reliable and sensitive even in strong currents, and this is its advantage over other feeder installations. And in cases where you have to fish in a reservoir with a muddy bottom, the installation of a Gardner loop, or a paternoster very similar to it, is simply irreplaceable.
When knitting a Gardner installation, a swivel with a quick release is inserted into the loop, allowing, if necessary, to quickly change feeders without tying up the equipment.
