The most common fish when fishing on the first ice is roach. She is omnipresent, gluttonous and capricious. The high taste of roach explains its popularity among different categories of fishermen.
A caught roach looks like a silver ingot. The average weight is 0.3−0.5 kg. Found at the boundaries of strong and weak currents. The roach is omnivorous, its main food is insect larvae, mollusks, worms, and aquatic vegetation.
The fisherman needs to know what gear and jigs to use for roach in winter so that this beautiful fish will delight you with its bites.
Tackle for catching roach in winter
Winter fishing is the cheapest to purchase gear; anyone can afford it. The simplest tackle is a winter float rod; it is the basis for all other fishing gear.
Comprises:
- fishing rod - includes a whip and a handle. A whip (rod) 20-30 cm long is inserted into one end of the handle. The handle itself must have a device for installation on ice;
- reels - micro-type reels are used; in winter fishing they only store fishing line;
- fishing line - ordinary fishing line with a thickness of 0.05 to 0.15 mm. Only in the presence of large fish is it increased to 0.18 mm;
- float - light and sensitive, up to 25 mm in size, the upper part is painted red for easy observation of the bite;
- hook N3−3.5 with a particularly sharp sting.
A winter float rod can provide a catch even in the dead of winter, especially if you bait a suitable hole. Hooking the fish is done only by a rod; it is fished with a special fishing line, which is handled by hand.
The second gear for fishing from ice is a nodding rod for fishing with a jig in winter. This fishing rod has a special system - a nod and jigs for winter fishing. The nod is a bite alarm attached to a fishing rod. It is made of plastic, rubber or steel and is up to 10-15 cm long. The nod must retain its functionality in any frost.
Stationary fishing with a nod and a float
In the middle of nowhere, jigs are actively used in rigging fishing rods for roaches in a standing position. As already mentioned, the best jigs for roach in the dead of winter are small and inconspicuous. The fish should not feel the weight of the bait when biting. This is achieved by the small size of baits and the correct setup of winter roach gear. Installation options are collected depending on the preferences of the fish.
At one time the roach takes better from the bottom, at another time it takes better on the plastic suspension above it. Stand-up fishing in the middle of nowhere involves searching for a working rig, selecting the color and length of the suspension leash.
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How to choose jigs for roach
The most catchy jigs for roach for winter fishing are:
- pellet - a weight with a soldered hook;
- "bug";
- "triangular";
- "Ural";
- "ant".
Jigs for catching roach in winter are small in size, usually from 3 to 5-7 mm. The coloring is always bright and is designed to attract fish from a distance and are equipped with different baits.
As you know, roaches are especially active on the first ice. Fishermen, in addition to jigs with attachments, also use jigs without attachments, the so-called reelless jigs. Their names speak for themselves:
- “devil” is ordinary;
- "devil" compound;
- "ant";
- "butterfly".
- “goat” - has a double hook;
- “jellyfish” is a small jig with one hook.
Read: Mormyshka devil
To successfully catch fish, you need to understand its diet. The main delicacy is mormysh - an amphipod crustacean. This is where the name of this part of the winter fishing gear comes from. In summer it is found on plants, and in winter, due to lack of oxygen, it attaches to the bottom of the ice. When moving, all living creatures create vibrations in the water, which are caught by fish.
Mothless
Not everyone can catch roach in the middle of nowhere with a reelless jig. And all due to the fact that beginners without moths are trying to transfer their bait-based experience to bait-free tactics. The moth attracts fish based on their curiosity rather than food interests. The reelless bait is designed for more active fish that show aggression or simple interest in the bait. Therefore, hatching on holes is more suitable for bait fishing. Tactics are, first of all, active search, experimentation with play, shape and color. Some models that worked great in the past no longer work.
Nailballs
Catchable jigs for roach in the middle of nowhere for baitless baits that allow slower retrieval with interruptions and pauses. These are primarily small nozzles with a shifted center of gravity (urals, nymphs, bananas), as well as studs with balls or cubes. For some reason, unlike other nozzles, nail balls work even with very slow, intermittent play. With such a jig you can fish with slow drops or pauses, without frantic dribbling. For great depths in the wilderness, heavy devils, single or in tandem, are better suited. An article about fishing for roach without bait.
The slower you can make the game without crashing, the better. Tactics involve constant movement and selection of working baits today. It is also worth experimenting with the game. It is often possible to provoke a roach to bite by changing the game or changing its pace.
Devils
Main aspects of tactics:
- Movement and constant search.
- Alternate the type of bait, game, speed and tempo of the retrieve until a working option is found today.
- Experiments with the color of beads on hooks (colors of beads on nail balls).
- Return to catchable holes after the bite stops and pause for 30-60 minutes.
- Feeding is constant and little by little, with dusty bait.
Uralochki and ants
Features of catching roach in winter with a jig
Catching roach in winter is an opportunity to settle in places where you can’t get close in summer.
On the first ice, fish should be fished at depths of up to three meters. She tries to stay in the remaining vegetation. Roach also moves around the water area, but has its own favorite places. These are tributaries flowing into the lake. Fish is searched for by the number of holes.
When entering the ice, the angler drills a hole and begins to fish. It takes about ten minutes to find out if there are fish here. If a school is discovered and there are bites, then you also need to find out where the concentration of fish is greatest. A larger number of holes are drilled and the most catchy one is selected.
You need to behave a little differently in small bodies of water, usually overgrown with reeds. By its appearance you can determine the depth, because the reed grows no more than one and a half to two meters. It would be good to drill a hole in the reeds themselves.
The color of the jig can make a difference and should be changed. On the first ice, after this individual you need to take a “Uralka”, “ant”, “nymph”. It is better to choose dark colors. Ideally, you need to have several wormless jigs and jigs for attaching bloodworms.
In the wilderness, this species practically does not feed and reacts poorly to various baits. At this time, anglers use feeding and the smallest jigs.
Fishing tactics
In December, individuals are caught at depths. The ice is already completely covering the lakes and the fish are moving to deep places where there is food. Roach especially likes to be at changes in depth, in holes, near cliffs. Throughout the month, it shows high activity, but like all fish, it does not tolerate weather changes well. At high pressure and unstable temperature, a good bite is impossible. As soon as all this stabilizes, the fish feed again.
To improve the bite, some fishermen decorate the tackle with various beads, cambrics, and chains. Roach is very inquisitive; by combining the colors of different devices, you can significantly increase interest in the bait. Individuals prefer bright colors.
The most common tactics for catching this species are as follows. Having discovered the area where the fish should be, several holes are made. Then these holes are constantly and daily fed and sometimes the catch is decent. But gradually the fish begins to be capricious and cautious. The fishermen go to another place.
Fishing technique
When fishing for roach in winter, the techniques differ from those in summer. An experienced angler is a master of the game with artificial bait. After all, the play of the tackle depends on its shape, flow, and elasticity of the nod. The work is done with a relaxed hand, the movements themselves are done only with the hand.
Some techniques for winter roach fishing:
- the tackle is thrown to the bottom, trying to hit it or raise mud;
This can attract fish, then slowly vibrating with a nod, they lift it up 30-40 cm. Now they quickly lower it back to the bottom, the length of the pauses between these cycles is 3-4 seconds;
- slowly lowering the hook to the bottom, stretch it from side to side by 2-3 cm, then begin to lift it, stopping for 2-3 seconds;
If the water is clear, then bending over the hole, you can see the hook and the movements assigned to it. Hooking is done only with a fishing rod; fishing is done by hand. Having made the hook, the fishing line is picked up with the left hand, the fishing rod is placed on the ice, and fishing begins.
Everything is simpler here than in summer. Fish do not have such activity and strength. Slowly, fingering the fishing line with your hands, the prey is brought to the hole. Now the main thing is not to give any slack in the line. Otherwise there may be a fish escape.
If the catch is large and cannot go into the hole, then it is reddened. This is a very important moment. Radiation must be done in the area of the front fins quickly and decisively.
Like any fishing, winter fishing begins with the search for prey. If in half an hour the nod has not wavered, then you need to change the place. And in order to know where to go, you need to study the habits of fish in winter.
Techniques and tactics of fishing with a jig with a nozzle
You can often hear that the main tactic when catching roach is to wait, that you shouldn’t run around and look for fish, they say, it’s not a perch. This is partly true, but only if a float rod or a nodding rod is used for fishing, but in a standing position. One of the most important aspects of catching roach in this case is bait, and each fisherman has his own bait.
Fishing begins by feeding a series of holes at different depths and different distances from each other. Then the holes are allowed to rest for some time and fishing begins. As a rule, not all of them work, but only a couple of holes. They provide almost all the fish. But you shouldn’t forget about the other holes; you should fish them periodically.
When fishing with a jig, it’s not a sin to run around. Everyone knows that in the absence of a bite in a reservoir, the migration of fishermen begins in a couple of hours. At some point they accumulate on a small patch. This means that someone attacked a cluster of roach, and the rest pulled up. If you are a beginner fisherman, then the best thing to do is go where everyone is fishing. And you certainly shouldn’t drill holes for catching roach where there are pike traps.
The best game for roach is a smooth, uniform rise of the jig from the bottom with swaying. High-frequency perch shaking would be unnecessary here . Often, a smooth lowering of the jig works, and it is absolutely uniform, without “playing.” In search of feeding fish, you should fish all water horizons - fish can be caught both at the very bottom and half a meter from it, and closer to spring even at the upper edge of the ice.
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Roach fishing can also be successful in the channels of the reservoir where there is a slight current. Here the roach usually stays under the steep bank, on the edge bordering the channel pit. Fishing in channels is especially successful during the period of last ice, when the fish prepares for spawning, moving to the mouths of tributaries of the Volga. More often, such a move happens in ducts. During the “dead winter” period, it is better to look for large roach closer to the Volga bed, on deep edges with a moderate current.
The most successful jigs for catching roach. Parking and feeding areas for large roaches. Jigs for catching roach at depth.
Winter fishing for roach is sometimes no less successful on spits and shallow waters 2.5-4 meters deep on flat plateaus not far from the pit. Typically, such roach outings occur in “Sorozhka weather,” that is, on a quiet morning with mild frost or during a thaw, when large and soft snow falls, swirling, over the expanses of the reservoir and the atmospheric pressure does not change for several days.
Roach fishing can also be successful in the channels of the reservoir where there is a slight current. Here the roach usually stays under the steep bank, on the edge bordering the channel pit. Fishing in channels is especially successful during the period of last ice, when the fish prepares for spawning, moving to the mouths of tributaries of the Volga. More often, such a move happens in ducts. During the “dead winter” period, it is better to look for large roach closer to the Volga bed, on deep edges with a moderate current.
- earthworms;
- dough;
- cake;
- caddisfly;
- and, of course, bloodworms.
How to tease a roach with no bait
A nozzleless (also known as a reelless) is not a simple piece of equipment. The reason lies in the selection of the movement of this jig. It is believed that it imitates the movement of aquatic larvae and crustaceans. You have to work with your hands all the time while fishing, which is very tiring. Roach and perch show interest in the reeler at approximately 300 vibrations per minute.
Rules for setting the game:
- the hand should be on top of the fishing rod, the index finger rests on the reel;
- the butt of the pen is held in the fingers like a pencil.
It is necessary that the end of the nod flutters with a high frequency but low amplitude. Almost stood in one place. The tip of the nod should not move more than 1-2 mm. The tackle itself almost touches the bottom, but sometimes a bite occurs when ascending or descending.
Read: Techniques for winter fishing with a reelless bait
What bait to use
To have a good catch at all times of the year, you definitely need to feed the fish. If at the beginning of the appearance of ice the fish rush to bait and lures, then in the middle of winter the situation changes to the opposite. All water inhabitants become lethargic and unwilling to feed.
Firstly, the food should not scare the fish. Therefore, bait for winter fishing should be small and color match the place where the fish is located.
Secondly, there is no need to offer flavored bait to the fish. The fact is that in cold water, odors are poorly captured by the inhabitants. An area of increased odor appears around the abandoned food and the fish does not even approach this place. Moreover, in winter, the bait should be higher in calories - add dried maggots or bloodworms.
The simplest recipe for catching roach with a jig is a mixture of equal parts semolina and milk powder. Everything is prepared at the fishing spot. The mixture is diluted with water from a reservoir to a thick mass and no more than a tablespoon is dropped into the hole.
Second recipe: 0.5 kg of breadcrumbs, a tablespoon of cake, 150 g of oat flakes and a glass of food for aquarium fish. All this is crushed and two tablespoons are poured into the hole.
Read: What to feed perch in winter
Fishing technique with a jig in winter and summer
In winter, roaches become more passive and slow, so it is necessary to immediately make several holes upon arrival at the reservoir, in different places not far from each other, and feed them. Then you should start catching them one by one.
Playing with a jig in the hole should not be overly active (such a game is more suitable for perch), otherwise it may scare away the roach, which is slow at this time of year. A good tactic would be to slowly and smoothly tap the bottom with a jig, raising a little mud. To do this, you need to lower the jig to the bottom and wait for a while. Then lift it literally a couple of centimeters and make several smooth and slow movements, and then put the bait back on the bottom, repeating the steps periodically.
If there is not one bite on one hole within twenty minutes, change it to the next one.
A winter fishing rod, when fishing for roach, can be used in the summer, for fishing from a boat or a vertical platform, as well as from boats, barges and other devices standing on the water. The fishing technique is approximately the same as in winter, except that playing with a jig in the summer should be more active and performed in the middle and upper layers of water.
Tungsten jigs, set consists of five pieces. Sinking buoyancy, suitable for winter fishing. Made in the shape of a spherical drop. The packaging items include jigs of different weights, colors, lengths and shapes.
How to make a jig for roach with your own hands
Many fishermen make jigs at home. For this purpose, cuttings of various non-ferrous materials and their alloys are suitable.
Several manufacturing methods are used:
- cutting out a shape from a piece of metal, sanding it and soldering a hook;
- using soldering, you can connect two colored metal plates and solder a hook into them;
- using forging, they process a piece of lead and solder the hook;
Next, you should paint the product with any enamel paint.
Read: DIY jigs
What to pay attention to
When choosing a jig for catching roach, the following criteria are taken into account:
- Fishing season;
- Depth;
- Presence and strength of current;
- Weather;
- Illumination;
- Fish activity.
Tips for fisherman: Winter fishing with a reelless roach perch - What is the difference, pros and cons
Also, in addition to these criteria, the specific features of individual reservoirs are taken into account, in which fish can, contrary to all recommendations, be successfully caught using bait of a certain model, while ignoring all others.
In winter, roaches are caught using small and medium-sized bait and reelless jigs of the following models:
- "Uralka";
- "Nymph";
- "Ant";
- "A drop";
- "Pellet";
- "Ovsinka";
- "Goat";
- "Bug."
For fishing in reservoirs with depths above 4-5 m, larger tungsten baits of colors weighing 0.3-0.4 g are used. For fishing in smaller lakes, ponds, small rivers, where the depth at the fishing site does not exceed 3- 3.5 meters, use small attachments and reelless lead and tungsten jigs weighing 0.1-0.2 g.
The choice of jig color depends on the period of ice fishing, depth and light:
There are several methods for making bait, including casting and soldering. The second method is more preferable, since it makes it possible to give the factory weight a variety of shapes. The modification is made if the jig for some reason does not satisfy the angler.
How to properly catch roach in the fall using a jig
A fishing rod 5-6 meters long with an attached nod is an excellent tackle for fishing in the fall. Now the fish feeds on living organisms and goes deeper. Jigs such as “ant”, “uralka”, “pellet” are suitable. It’s even better to take a “drop” and put red dots on it - you get a “ladybug”.
The tackle should be lowered to the bottom, then slowly lifted, released, slowly moving it. Also move to the side, drag along the bottom. You should know that sudden jumps of the hook will frighten the prey. All movements must be smooth. A large individual pays more attention to passive play.
Preparing gear for roach: about the fishing rod
With the onset of the first winter frosts and subsequent freezing, the roach feeds quite actively and, accordingly, is well caught with winter gear. These include various jig tackle - attached and unattached. On the first ice, roach can be caught well in old summer places. Where she fed in the summer, the approach is now much more convenient, because you can get anywhere on the ice.
A small fish, whose weight usually does not exceed 150 g, bites so actively during the season that this completely compensates for its small size. Roach is found in clean waters. Sometimes the winter bite is superior to summer fishing.
The main thing in winter fishing with jigs is the correct selection of tackle and bait. Most often, roach is caught using a jig, including a reelless one. When choosing a fishing rod for jig fishing, you should give preference to the one that “fits in your hand” - after all, you will have to work with this tackle for a long time.
The vast majority of fishermen choose sports fishing rods - the so-called “balalaikas”. They fit perfectly in the palm of your hand, are almost weightless and allow you to reproduce a game that is attractive to fish.
When choosing a fishing rod for stand-up fishing, the shape and weight do not play such an important role; the main requirement here is a well-functioning reel for winding up the fishing line.
Blitz tips
- To increase the effectiveness of a reelless jig, antennae should be attached to the fore-end, which will move when retrieved. Colored threads 0.5 cm long are suitable for this.
- Sometimes larger specimens like colorless ones; they are also coated with feminine varnish. This is especially suitable for the “ant” type.
- When catching roach with a jig, you must constantly conduct experiments, changing the action of the bait.
- Some anglers use markers that quickly change color.
- To catch roach more successfully in winter, you need experience. Only he will be able to distinguish a bite from a hook.
Uralka
A jig with a voluminous body of an interesting shape, which is also called Ural or uralochka . One of the best roach jigs for reelless fishing. It also attracts perch and bream well. Often, when fishing with the Uralka, real roach-perch battles unfold under the hole for the right to dine on this bait.
additional elements must be located on its hook - sections of cambrics, beads, and so on. The advantage of this jig is that, thanks to its massive body, its play is difficult to spoil. You can put any “decorations” on the hook to make this bait more attractive to roaches, and not be afraid that it will become worse in animation.
The Uralka is best suited for catching roach on the first ice ; it shoots less often at the end of the winter season.
Dribbling works best when it comes to dribbling . But in general, the Uralka attracts roaches well in a variety of animations - from rising or falling without play and smooth swaying to trembling and oscillations at a super-fast pace. Here it is important to choose a wiring that suits one or another mood of the roach.
