Why crucian carp bite poorly and how to attract fish

What affects the activity of crucian carp

There are many factors that have a negative impact on the behavior of crucian carp. Ichthyology helps to reveal the main reasons for the lack of a bite on a given day, which would seem to be the ideal time for catching a trophy specimen.

Continuous, subtle processes take place in reservoirs, which true connoisseurs of successful fishing should know about:

1. Atmosphere pressure . Crucian carp does not tolerate pressure changes very well, especially for large individuals.
2. Temperature fluctuations . An increase in temperature always has a positive effect on the activity of cyprinids.
3. Changes in wind direction and strength . This factor influences the temperature regime of the reservoir, as well as changes in the direction and amplitude of the waves. In windy weather, gas exchange between the upper layers of the reservoir increases.
4. Cloudiness . Influences the determination of the fishing location. When the sky is overcast with clouds, crucian carp gather in shallow water, hiding in the water thickets.
5. Precipitation . Light rains, filling the water with oxygen, activate the bite, awakening the fish’s appetite.
6. Water transparency . The most favorable are reservoirs with an average degree of transparency. In very turbid conditions the fish may not notice the bait, but in very clear water they will be extremely cautious.
7. Changing phases of the moon . Under the influence of the Moon, life processes in fish can both intensify and decrease, which significantly affects the bite. As a rule, the new moon is considered the most favorable time for catching crucian carp. During the full moon, fishing can also delight you with abundant bites, especially at night. At this time, the Moon intensively illuminates the water surface, opening up a view of baits and lures for the fish.
8. Spawning period . During spawning, crucian carp fishing does not live up to expectations and is considered ineffective.

Did you know? The pinnacle of the silver crucian's unpretentiousness and adaptability to various environmental conditions can be considered its presence in a hot spring on Lake Baikal in 1949.
The water temperature reached +47°C.

Why doesn't the crucian carp bite?

Very often, lengthy gatherings, preparing gear and preparing bait become more exciting than fishing itself. Already at the actual fishing spot, many are disappointed. There are several main factors influencing fish behavior that should be taken into account before heading to a river or pond.

Video: what to do if crucian carp doesn’t bite

Time

In order for the fishing to be as successful as possible, you need to figure out what time of day the crucian carp is most inclined to bite.

Learn how to catch goldfish.

Changes in the fish’s mood and tendency to bite look like this:

• morning time is the most suitable, since it is at this time that the fish begin to search for food and respond well to bait;
• daily bites of crucian carp can be significantly reduced;
• Fish activity during lunchtime can be observed quite rarely;
• evening time awakens the appetite, crucian carp begins to behave more actively, especially before sunset;
• At night the bite is infrequent, but it is at this time of day that you can most often catch large trophy fish.

Depending on the season, the time of day for effective fishing may also differ:

1. Basic rules for fishing on a spring day . The first bites begin no earlier than 7 am. At this time of year, the water is still quite cold, and crucian carp still continue to gather at depth. As soon as the water begins to warm up a little, the fish rise to warmer shallow areas in search of food. A good bite can last all day, but as soon as the water temperature drops, the crucian carp will go deeper again. At the end of May, effective fishing can begin earlier, at sunrise, and continue until sunset.
2. Catching crucian carp on a summer day . The first bites can be observed already at early dawn. The most successful hours for fishing for crucian carp in summer are considered to be the first 2–3 hours after sunrise. Fishing at night can also be relevant, since in the dark, in search of food, crucian carp come as close to the shore as possible.
3. Autumn day . As the water temperature drops, the fish again switches to a diurnal diet. Fishing in the morning and evening practically does not bring results, just like at night. A relatively good bite can be expected in the daytime.
4. The best time for fishing is winter . The most active bite is observed from midnight to three o'clock in the morning. As a rule, quite large representatives of the species can be caught during this time period.

Fishing for crucian carp on a river and a pond can differ significantly. Since the depth of the pond is much less than the depth of the natural reservoir, the water in the former warms up much faster.

We advise you to find out what types of crucian carp there are.

The bite in such reservoirs will always be more active. But when fishing on a pond, you should not expect to catch a really large crucian carp, since in closed reservoirs the weight of the fish rarely exceeds the weight of 300 g.

Weather

Among the many factors influencing the successful bite of crucian carp are weather conditions.

The most common reasons that negatively affect the appetite of fish are:

• increase in air temperature above +27°C;
• sharp fluctuations in atmospheric pressure;
• windy weather;
• sudden changes in air temperature;
• sultry summer heat.

Relatively good fishing can be found in cloudy, windy weather. With even a little skill and the right gear and bait, you can catch a couple of good crucian carp. But in very hot weather or with a sudden change in weather, you may not expect a bite .
Depending on the change in oxygen concentration in the water, the pressure on the swim bladder of the crucian carp changes, as a result of which it either goes to depth or swims in the upper layers of the reservoir. In such weather, it is impossible to predict the behavior of the fish; it can ignore both bottom baits and refuse baits in the upper layers of the pond. You will be interested to know how to catch crucian carp in windy weather.

If we consider the behavior of crucian carp in rainy weather, it should be noted that the chances of catching a good catch at this time are quite high. A small shallow wave on the water and drizzling rain help saturate the water with oxygen. Its concentration increases sharply, which has a positive effect on the fish’s appetite, and, consequently, on its activity. Fishing in strong winds is rarely successful. Large waves scare away crucian carp. In addition, difficulties arise when working with float tackle and timely reaction to a bite.

Bait and groundbait

One of the many reasons for the lack of bite can be incorrectly selected baits and baits.

Important! There is an opinion among fishermen that when the water temperature is below +20

°
C the best bite happens on an animal bait.
If the water is higher than the specified temperature, then bait of plant origin should be used. The main mistakes made by anglers when fishing for representatives of the carp family include:

1. The use of protein baits on hot summer days . At such a time, the fish have not yet reached a stable state after spawning and are more inclined to bite on baits and baits based on plant material with the addition of sweetish flavors.
2. Using unsuitable, sour or expired bait . In the summer, it is better to give preference to purchased mixtures or compositions that are prepared immediately before fishing. Spoiled bait may not only not work, but can also scare away potential catches.
3. An incorrectly selected bait is also one of the reasons for unsuccessful fishing . When preparing for fishing, you should think through all sorts of options for working baits, not limiting yourself to one type of bait.
4. The use of bait and baits that the fish have not encountered before . There are times when crucian carp completely ignores any attempts to somehow interest him. In such cases, it is necessary to use bait obtained exclusively from the reservoir where fishing takes place. Very often, fish get used to a certain type of food and respond with a bite only to the familiar smell and taste.

Difference in fishing tactics

On the river

River crucian carp is much more active than lake carp, it is more interesting to catch, it actively resists when fished and bites more noticeably. It is found in creeks, near vegetation, and migrates a lot, so in order to find it, you will have to wander along the river bank.

In summer, many insects enter the river along with the tributaries and from the trees on the banks; river crucian carp also readily bites on such bait.

Usually its biting on the river is active only in the mornings and evenings, but in places where there are many active competitors in the search for food (bleaks, tracks, etc.) it may not stop active biting during the day.

On the pond

Here crucian carp can stay in one place for a long time, and that’s where it should be caught. If on a river it avoids the stormy current in the middle of the channel, then in ponds and lakes it can go to the middle of the reservoir if there is vegetation there. Then it is better to catch it using long feeder casts or from a boat.

It has been noticed that lake crucian carp in summer gives more preference to plant foods. He is inactive and less timid, but he also does not like noise on the shore.

It is on ponds that it is easier to use regular bait; it is not carried away by the current.

Fishing at night and during the day

The peculiarities of daytime fishing have already been mentioned; it happens at dawn and evening hours. In early spring, crucian carp may begin to bite at all by noon, when the water warms up. But at night in spring or autumn, as a rule, he does not bite.

But in the summer, during the hot season, he can go out in search of food only at sunset. The water is getting cooler, there are fewer predators around – it’s time to swim in the pond.

Usually at this time large crucian carp come out into the open spaces and during the day they sleep somewhere in a shelter. You can catch it at this time with a regular float rod - at night crucian carp of any size without fear approaches the very shore.

How to make crucian carp bite

The opinion that anyone can catch crucian carp is more than erroneous. Sometimes even experienced fishermen with decent trophy catches to their name are faced with a lack of bite.

Did you know? The largest crucian carp was caught in the Pskov region and weighed 5.5 kg. This trophy fish was 54 cm long and was caught on a float rod.

There are several ways to attract fish:

1. Provide proper feeding of fish . The main task of the manipulation is to deliver complementary food to the working area, while trying not to overfeed the fish. The mixtures should be administered carefully, in limited quantities, at approximately equal time intervals.
2. Carry several types of bait with you . During fishing in one day, crucian carp can change their taste preferences several times. The wider the arsenal of baits and lures, the greater the chances of success.
3. Add flavoring to the bait . Crucian carp react most actively to the smell of garlic, anise and unrefined sunflower oil.
4. Change the fishing location . If you notice a bite from competing fishermen on a pond, you should think about changing the location. Perhaps the chosen place has a different topography, and on this day the crucian carp prefers a different depth.
5. Change the depth of bait delivery . Very often, when it gets colder or the water gradually warms up, fish can move deeper from the upper layers of the reservoir or, conversely, look for places with a shallow bottom in order to warm up. You should immediately respond to such nuances and change the fishing depth.
6. Add a small amount of material to the bait, which will later be used as a bait . This can increase the number of bites several times.

The most important thing is to correctly assess the situation; for this you need to take a closer look at the gear and lures of fishermen who, in your opinion, are more successful in fishing than you.

Basic mistakes when fishing for crucian carp

The idea that only beginners make mistakes is incorrect. It happens that even experienced fishermen make simple mistakes that are not difficult to eliminate. There are a number of nuances that everyone who wants to catch a hefty catch should know about.

• The most common mistakes in catching crucian carp are:
• incorrectly chosen location for fishing;
• noisy behavior;
• inappropriate time of day;
• incorrect choice of bait due to seasonal preferences of fish;
• rough and very noticeable tackle.

Important! The reason for a bad bite is very often an incorrectly selected depth of immersion of the nozzle. Crucian carp mainly feed from the bottom and when the hook with the bait is higher, they do not pay the slightest attention to it.

Why doesn't crucian carp bite in July?

Two reasons explain the low activity of crucian carp in July:

1. Hot weather.
2. Active water bloom.

High air temperatures quickly warm up the upper layers of water, which leads to its depletion of oxygen. Under these conditions, the fish feels uncomfortable and goes deeper or buries itself in the mud. You can only get fish at this time of year in the early morning, when the water has cooled and become enriched with oxygen. There is a chance to catch crucian carp in the late evening, not long before complete darkness. Active water bloom reduces the oxygen level in the water, but also provides the opportunity for crucian carp to get food without making much effort. It can feed while standing still, not paying attention to the bait offered to it.

Features of catching crucian carp at different times of the year

At different times of the year, fishing for crucian carp will differ in some nuances. Let's look at the features of catching this fish in different seasons.

Fishing in winter

Winter fishing for crucian carp begins with the arrival of the first severe frosts and the formation of good ice cover on reservoirs. In February, during the thaw, you can also enjoy quite frisky bites.

In order for the fishing to be successful, several nuances should be taken into account:

• The most suitable for winter fishing are reservoirs with a sandy bottom;
• in ponds with muddy and peaty bottoms, crucian carp are not caught in winter, with the exception of schools lying in settled grass and silt;
• you can expect a good bite in reservoirs with predatory fish;
• Wintering holes and small edges are considered successful for fishing.

Tackle and equipment for fishing in winter are as follows:

• float rod or jig;
• invisible thin line up to 0.12 mm;
• hook number 2.5;
• The load on the float tackle should be light.

Before you start fishing, prepare your tackle well. The float should sink slowly; sometimes a plastic or metal nod is used instead. When selecting a jig, it is better to choose a black ant, a pellet with a diameter of 4 mm, or a small lentil.

Familiarize yourself with the features of catching crucian carp using corn.

Bloodworms should be used as bait. The nozzle should not lie on the bottom, but only lightly touch it, being 2–3 cm from its surface.

Spring fishing

Hunting for trophy crucian carp in the spring can begin from the first days of ice melting from the river. At this time, the water is actively saturated with oxygen, aquatic plants resume their growth, and small inhabitants of reservoirs come to life. The fish begins to actively feed and move around in search of food. Fishing with float tackle is not relevant at this time; the best results can be achieved when fishing with an elastic band.

This is a fairly simple tackle that can be assembled in a few simple steps:

1. Tie a weight to a short length of rope.
2. Attach a piece of aircraft model rubber at least 5 m long to the load (maximum length can reach 20 m).
3. Fix from 5 to 7 leashes with a length of 10 to 30 cm on a five-meter piece of fishing line. Attach hooks numbered 5, 6 or 7 to the leashes.
4. As a fishing rod, you can take a small spinning rod with a reel or a board for winding fishing line. The thickness of the main line can vary from 0.4 to 0.5 mm.

This type of gear works well both from the shore and from a boat. Spring bites can be expected in shallow, quickly warming areas of the reservoir.

Also read about how to prepare wheat for crucian carp fishing.

It is better to choose bait of animal origin as bait at this time:

• bloodworm;
• maggot;
• earthworms and dung worms.

In early May, crucian carp begin to spawn. It lasts from 4 to 7 days, the duration depends on weather conditions, the depth of the reservoir and its features. At this time, the bite stops; after the specified period of time, the bite is possible, but the fish that will be caught are small and spawned.

Fishing in summer

Summer is considered the best time to catch crucian carp. Active biting can begin at sunrise and last almost until midnight. The crucian carp rests for 3–4 hours at lunchtime. At this time, it is better to use a float rod; large fish can be caught before sunrise. The “elastic band” remains relevant in shallow water; you can still catch heavy crucian carp with such tackle. An important factor for successful fishing in the summer is abundant complementary feeding.

Let's take a closer look at the most effective baits for crucian carp

Nozzles of animal origin:

• The best bait is a worm. Fishermen all over the world will confirm this. Almost all fish love this bait. The most popular are dung worms, they are sold in fishing stores. There are also earthen, subleaf, white and dung. Please note when buying worms, they should not be dry, this indicates their staleness. In this case, the bait will be inactive and will not attract crucian carp.
• Almost all fish are also caught using maggots. This bait lures crucian carp well and sits well on the hook. In fishing stores it is cleaned, colored and flavored.
• Bloodworms are not always used; they are mainly used in winter or autumn. But this bait is loved by capricious fish.

Plant based attachments:

• Peas can be used as separately cooked grains, or you can buy green peas at the store. Adding vanilla flavoring will have a good effect.
• Corn can be used either boiled or canned from a jar. To enhance the smell of the grains, you can add honey.
• Boiled pearl barley with the addition of unrefined vegetable oil is also excellent.
• Boiled potatoes are perfect for bait, the main thing is not to overcook them. It should be boiled in slightly salted water and cut into small squares.
• The dough can be prepared using water or eggs, with flour. Any flavorings can be added. If you add cotton wool to the dough, the bait will not fly off the hook. The dough also includes semolina; it is more convenient to apply it to a hook using a plastic syringe.

If there is no bite, try changing the bait or changing the fishing location. And be sure to always take a landing net with you when fishing, because you need to be prepared to catch a large specimen. It's so nice to catch a trophy fish. We wish you to have many such moments in your life!

Porridge, preferably semolina or millet, preferably boiled in milk.