Pike fishing in March with a spinning rod is interesting because of its excitement and prospects. This toothy beast attracts not only its impressive size, but also its cunning and ability to lie in ambush for a long time, waiting for its potential victim. Medium and small specimens are caught in shallow areas of the reservoir, but large specimens are found only at depth. This predator has fairly good vision and a sensitive lateral line that detects even the lowest frequency vibrations of its prey.
To catch pike in March, you need a high-quality spinning rod, a set of catchy baits and knowledge of its behavioral characteristics during this period of spring.
How does pike behave in March?
Considering that different regions of Russia have their own climate and weather conditions, there is no certainty in the behavior of the predator in March. In the northern regions, where winter has not yet passed the baton to spring, pike are in their usual state. But in areas with a warm climate, fishing with summer gear begins in full swing. In the middle zone in March, as it should be, the ice gradually melts, the water becomes enriched with oxygen, and all living things awaken.
As soon as warm weather sets in, the predator becomes more active and begins to rush around the reservoir in search of food. During this period, he simply develops a brutal appetite, he rushes at almost everything that is edible. He needs to accumulate enough strength and energy to prepare for the spawn.
The optimal water temperature varies between +3–5 degrees. But there are reservoirs where fish go to spawn even before the ice melts. Depending on the climate, pike spawning can be massive and not last long, or it can be long-lasting, stretching out over a single week. Regardless of the conditions, the predator chooses shallow areas of the reservoir to breed its offspring. This is a coastal zone overgrown with last year's vegetation. If pike is found in empty reservoirs, without grass or reeds, then the spawning place will be coastal stones and sand.
Sexual maturity in the predator occurs at the age of 3–4 years. First, young pike are sent to shallow water to breed, then larger ones, and lastly, very large specimens. The peak of spawning is observed when the water warms up from 7–8 degrees.
Ice fishing with artificial bait
For those who do not want to bother with live baits and baits, and prefer more sporty active fishing, we can recommend fishing with artificial baits. The priority for pike has always been balancers and rattlins . They allow you to fish a large area from one hole and find an active predator. Spinners are much less effective.
Note: Fishing for pike with live bait in March is always more effective than with artificial bait, both in open water and from ice. But fishing with active baits allows you to quickly understand where you can catch pike in an unfamiliar body of water.
The search for fish in March begins with drilling the area. There is no need to drill holes close - they should be at a distance of 10 to 20 meters from each other . If the water is more turbid, they drill more often. Then they start playing with bait. They fish while standing; if there is no bite in 3-5 minutes, they change the hole. It can be useful to go around the old holes after 2-3 hours. Where there were no fish, they could appear. They catch the entire daylight hours from dawn, fortunately, in the spring it is long. At night, pike bite poorly, so you can safely go home at night.
The size of the bait should be at least 6-7 centimeters in length - this is the kind of fish that pike is interested in. Be sure to equip them with leashes. It doesn’t have to be very long—ten-centimeter ones will be enough. A fishing rod must be taken with a reel, hard, with a length of 60 to 80 cm. It is convenient for them to spot fish, and a hard whip gives the correct play of the balancer and rattle. The reel will allow you to quickly deal with a predator at any depth. There is no need to fine-tune the fishing line - set it from 0.3 to 0.5 mm.
Rules and prohibitions for pike fishing in March
In accordance with the new regulation, in many regions of Russia there is a ban on pike fishing from January 15 to February 28.
Therefore, it is possible to hunt pike in March. But given the constant changes in fishing rules, before going to the reservoir, it is worth familiarizing yourself with the information regarding a specific region. But in Belarus the ban on pike fishing begins on March 1 and ends on March 31. Therefore, local lovers of active recreation are forced to miss the predator’s bite in early spring.
Features of behavior
In early spring, the seasons change. The cold winter is replaced by a warm spring. Gradually, the reservoirs open up, the water warms up under the warm sun, the snow begins to melt in the upper reaches of the rivers and the water level gradually rises. All this leaves an imprint on the behavior of pike and the characteristics of fishing for predators.
The toothy beast goes to spawn when the water temperature reaches only 3–6 degrees. In some cases, this happens even under the ice. Spawning occurs in shallow water in calm areas without current. Fish eggs mature quickly. Within a few weeks, when the water warms up to 8–10 degrees, the first juvenile predator is born.
For reference! Such early spawning ensures the survival of pike. By the time the juveniles of peaceful fish hatch, the fry of the predator will already be stronger and will be able to feed fully.
For the reason described above, pre-spawning pike fishing in March is short-term. You need to catch the period of fish activity. Every year the weather can be different, so you need to focus on fishing conditions when choosing the optimal fishing method.
Where to look for pike in March
Depending on the type of reservoir, the principles of searching for promising fishing spots vary significantly. It is important to know not only how the March predator behaves, but also where there is a high probability of finding it.
On the river
The search for predators in early spring should be carried out near steep banks. It can fall on the hook at the end of the wiring. If the reservoir is not wide, then it is more effective to cast baits all the way to the opposite bank. When fishing for pike, you shouldn’t relax; a bite can happen right away. You shouldn’t expect to meet a predator in a strong current; in March it doesn’t have much strength to resist the current.
On small rivers, where the channel is narrow and winding, hunting is also carried out from the bank. Areas with reeds, creeks, and snags often turn out to be promising. Small and medium-sized pike often live here.
On the lake
In deep reservoirs, the predator stays in the shallows along the coastline in March. On small lakes you can count on a rich catch under the shore and underwater mounds.
On the ponds
In reservoirs where the depth does not exceed 4 meters, the water warms up very quickly, creating favorable conditions for the awakening of underwater inhabitants. In a pond, pike begin spawning earlier than their river and lake counterparts.
Fishing tactics
When there is a sufficient amount of live bait in the bucket or cane, you can begin the exciting stage of catching pike. First of all, it is important to properly place the bait on the hook. In order not to damage the vital organs of small fish, fishermen most often use two mounting options: attaching it by the lip, or pinning it by the dorsal fin. After this, the required fishing depth is set and a smooth cast of the equipment is made. Typically, a horizon within 20-40 cm from the bottom surface is selected for fishing.
All that remains is to monitor the movement of the float and prevent the baitfish from approaching bushes or snags. After the pike bites, there is no need to rush to hook. A characteristic feature of the toothy predator is that it holds the bait in its mouth for some time after the attack. And the hook does not always end up in the predator’s mouth. Therefore, you should wait until the pike pulls the float to the side again. This will be the signal to hook. Once hooked, the fish tries with all its might to free itself. They use sudden head movements, jumping out of the water, and moving in different directions. Often, thanks to active actions, the pike gains the desired freedom. The fisherman needs to try to constantly keep the line tensioned, avoiding sagging. Then the chances of successful fishing will increase significantly. After bringing the fish ashore, you should not fall into euphoria. You need to carefully remove the hook from the toothy mouth. For this, it is useful to have a yawner and an extractor with you. It is best to store prey on a kukan.
Spring fishing for pike with live bait remains the most effective way of fishing. This type of fishing was suggested to man by Mother Nature. Natural bait will always outperform the most modern wobblers, twisters and spinners. It is important to collect reliable gear and find the place where the predator is hiding. Then you will be able to experience all the delights of fighting a large pike.
How to catch pike in March using a spinning rod in open water
Fishing in March in open water occurs exclusively with spinning gear with a small cast. The form is chosen based on fishing conditions and bait. If you plan to hunt from the shore, then to cast over long distances, a rod 2.2–3.2 m long is sufficient. If you use a spinning rod in March from a boat, then use sticks 1.4–2.7 m long. Since it is a predator is able to provide quite serious resistance, then the chosen rod should “work out” all its attempts to get off the hook.
The spinning rod is equipped with a spinning reel, but with a sensitive clutch made of reliable materials and mechanisms. The optimal number of bearings is 7 pieces, the minimum is 3 pieces. The most convenient in terms of catching fish is a multiplier. It has a controlled descent of the line against the background of emerging overloads, as well as decent traction parameters.
To catch pike in the spring using a spinning rod, it is preferable to use dark green/gray cords. And one more thing - the presence of a leash. This can be a string with a length of 15 cm. And equipment with a catchable bait is already mounted on it. Alternatively, the leader can be made of fluorocarbon, it all depends on the preference of the angler.
Having found a promising place, they proceed directly to fishing. If hunting is carried out from the shore, then the tackle is thrown at an angle of 45 degrees relative to the coastline. If fishing takes place in shallow bays, then this requirement is optional; the bait can be thrown at any angle. For coastal fishing, it is worth providing waders and a wading suit. This approach will allow you to be as close as possible to the location of the predator.
There are several types of wiring, including:
- Uniform slow, ideal for beginner anglers.
- Snatch/twitching. It involves simultaneously twitching the tip of the spinning rod and winding the cord using a reel. This type of wiring is very effective against spring predators, due to the effective play of the bait.
- Stepped with short stops and nods in different directions due to the tip of the spinning rod. The wiring speed can be varied. When the bait is in the shallowest water, the rod is pointed upward to make a nod.
If the predator does not react in any way to the proposed bait, then it is worth changing the tactics, the technique of holding the bait, try replacing it with another, making pauses longer and more frequent. If there is no pike biting in March at the chosen place, you should look for a more promising one.
For the March predator, which is not yet as active as in the fall, it is more effective to do the retrieve slowly, with long stops. Often it is during the pause that most of the bites occur.
During the fishing process, you should be on your guard; pike can be unpredictable, throwing in different directions. She can jump out of the water, shake her head violently, trying to get rid of the hook as quickly as possible. To minimize such loads, engage the clutch and release the cord. When bringing the prey to the shore, you need to use a landing net that will not allow it to escape.
Techniques for catching pike with a spinning rod in March
There are many techniques for catching pike, but only the most effective ones are mentioned. For active pike:
- three quick turns pause 3 seconds,
- uniform fast wiring,
- 2 – 3 quick turns, a sharp small jerk with the spinning rod.
For inactive pike:
- uniform slow wiring,
- three slow turns, pause 5 s.,
- one slow revolution, pause 2 s.
Accessories
For comfortable fishing you may need:
- backpack for storing baits and other gear,
- special vessel for storing various baits,
- if possible, a boat for fishing in hard-to-reach places,
- good long rubber boots,
- waterproof overalls (if required) for fishing while entering the water.
Dear fishermen, if you choose everything correctly, the trophy will not be long in coming. All you need is patience and desire. Read also: The best recipe for fried pike caviar
Working lures for March pike
In March, before the start of spawning, the fertile organs of the predator are enlarged, and she is of little interest in large prey. It is often possible to catch it in March using small baits, 3–5 cm in size. Wobblers, spinners and silicone products are especially effective during this period. It is very important here not to make mistakes with the size, color and wiring.
You should select the color of the bait according to the same recommendations as for summer ones. If hunting is carried out on sunny days, it is important to use models of dark colors or natural ones. Towards evening, pike respond well to spinners and wobblers of shiny golden colors, as well as white/yellow silicone. If fishing takes place in cloudy weather, then you can attract the attention of a predator with bright/shiny models.
Wobblers
It is more effective to use artificial baits for catching pike in March with a high-quality game of your own. One of the best pike wobblers is the Strike Pro Mustang Minnow 35F. It shows good results when fishing immediately after the ice melts, in thawed areas. The bait has decent performance characteristics, it is easy to control, even a beginner can handle it. On a regular retrieve, the wobbler shows a sweeping action. Shows itself well in casting and twitching.
Another win-win option is the ZipBaits Rigge 35F wobbler. It is also very popular during the warm season. The bait stands out for its spectacular action, which is found only in wobblers from the Rigge line. You can catch spring pike using other suitable baits, for example, perch, asp, etc.
Spoons
Since fish are not particularly active in March, oscillating spoons are used. Among the popular ones, we can note the Mepps Syclops 00 and 0 bait, the length of which is 4 and 5 cm. Thanks to the curvature of the spinner, an interesting game is observed, and at any stage of the retrieve, which attracts the toothy beast. It can be safely used in reservoirs with calm water and in rivers.
The Acme Kastmaster 7 g spinner, 45 mm long, is also included in the category of the best for March predator. The main advantage is its versatility; it can be used throughout the year. They catch perch, asp, and pike perch with it.
Silicone baits
From the huge arsenal of silicone products for the spring predator, you should choose twisters and vibrotails. The optimal length of baits is up to 7 cm. They are equally effective when used both with jig heads and with a large hook.
Considering the lethargy of the predator at the beginning of spring, using an offset hook is of little use. If the fish does not press the bait hard enough, then when it hits the sting, it will immediately try to leave. The best time to catch pike is on a spinning rod in early and mid-March using edible silicone. The main thing is to choose the right form and game.
Fishing from ice on girders
The most productive pike fishing in March is with live bait. Therefore, it is optimal to catch pike from ice on girders. And you can catch live bait right away in March without any problems. Small perch, ruff or roach, which also become active in the spring, are perfect. Traditionally, a small jig with a bloodworm or a float rod is used to catch live bait. In a number of reservoirs, roaches are excellently caught using semolina and dough, even better than using animal baits. For those who don’t want to bother with live bait, there is the opportunity to buy them secondhand or in fishing stores.
Note: when purchasing, you should pay attention to the activity of the fish so that they do not fall asleep when arriving at the pond. Live bait from the net, as a rule, has damaged scales and is less viable, especially roach. It is preferable to buy live bait from a hook.
The live bait is carefully removed from the hook and placed in a bucket or can. It is convenient to put the live bait in a bucket, on which they sit right there, placing a small piece of plywood or a piece of polystyrene on top. Then, when they have caught enough, they go and set up girders. The permissible number of girders per fisherman is regulated by fishing rules. As a rule, it is either five pieces or ten.
It is best to place girders on dumps or shallows. There is no point in installing them at great depths - at this time the pike is actively looking for food, going to shallower areas where it is easier for it to look for prey. It is necessary to set the depth of release of live bait so that it does not reach the bottom 20-30 cm . This will make it easier for the pike to find it. There is no need to grind with live bait. The usual food of pike is fish 5-10 times lighter than it. Therefore, to catch one-kilogram pike, you can use live bait weighing 100-200 grams.
How to attach live bait is up to everyone to decide for themselves. There are three main ways - by the lips, by the upper fin, by the rear fin. On every body of water, one of these techniques will be more effective. Live bait rigs are often used to tie live bait to a hook. The pike usually grabs the prey crosswise, then turns the fish around in its mouth and swallows it from the head. In still water, the method of attaching it by the back works well; in currents, by the lips or rear fin. The hook is set either with a tee or a two-size double - the small hook is used to hook a live bait, and the large hook is used to hook a predator. Hook size for pike - N1-N8. It's better to take a larger one.
