What does the saberfish hunt for?
Like all carp fish, sabrefish feed all year round except during the spawning period. Its main diet consists of:
- phyto- and zooplankton;
- earth and water worms;
- larvae of various insects;
- insects;
- small crustaceans and molluscs;
- fish fry;
Being a non-predatory fish, after 3 years of age the sabrefish turns into a predator and begins to hunt small fish: bleak, perch, smelt, etc. The sabrefish feeds around the clock, constantly moving around the reservoir in schools and changing depth.
Features of searching for sabrefish and choosing a fishing location
The river saber mainly lives in the lower reaches of large rivers, although there are sedentary individuals living throughout the entire river. The further north you go, the density of this fish is much less and it is not entirely easy to catch it there. At the same time, it mainly stays in deep places with strong currents.
But the elastic for fishing this fish is more applicable only in small places up to approximately 2-3 m. It is precisely these places that shoals of sabrefish prefer most for schooling hunting for their food. Therefore, in the lower reaches of rivers you can catch saberfish using an elastic band throughout the warm period of the year.
For all lovers of this exciting fish, the most long-awaited thing is the spring run of sabrefish.
Starting in early spring, shoals of sabrefish move upstream to spawn. Depending on spring weather conditions, this period may fall at different times. On a note!
Generally, the chekhon feeding time falls in April and this period lasts about two weeks. Rising over vast distances and ending up in many tributaries of large rivers, this fish prefers to feed on sand spits, underwater islands, rifts and other small places far from the shore. As a rule, such areas are located on a large current. It is in such places that the rubber band needs to be installed. Depending on the weather, any fish caught may move to different layers of the reservoir. And sabrefish are no exception - the warmer the weather, the higher the level of saber feeding will be.
Photo 1. A quiet place on the river is ideal for fishing.
Where to catch saberfish
Chekhon prefers to stay in open water. Her favorite places are:
- deep sections of rivers and reservoirs with slow flow;
- places of intersection of the main and reverse currents;
- small deep-sea creeks;
- pits with a rocky bottom or covered with driftwood;
- floodplains and flood lakes during spawning;
- river rapids;
- deep areas of lakes not covered with algae;
The choice of place for fishing largely depends on the time of year and day. The best bite for this voracious fish occurs in the spring before spawning. This time falls at the beginning of May, when, after winter stagnation, hungry flocks of saberfish emerge from the depths to the surface. During this period it can be caught in huge quantities. Staying away from the shore in areas free from algae, the fish is practically not afraid of anything, and if it starts to bite, the bite will continue until the last of the school is caught.
After spawning, the activity of saberfish slows down significantly, but does not stop. At dawn, at sunset and at night, she continues to peck all summer with average intensity, without changing her permanent habitats and her habits.
In the autumn , until the cold weather, the bite continues, but already at the first frost, the fish become numb and, having gathered in schools, go to winter. But sometimes during thaws, sabrefish come out to hunt sedentary fry.
Catching sabrefish with an elastic band and how it differs in design and execution from crucian carp
Here’s the trick: the bite of sabrefish can clearly depend on the time of year, time of day, climatic features on a particular day; it can be caught either from the surface or from the bottom, or it can actively feed all day in the middle layers of water, which means There is a need to choose the right gear for successful fishing.
In addition, sometimes sabrefish bite perfectly from the shore (for example, many catch this fish from the pier), and sometimes you can only “get” it with a spinning cast or a donka (with a rubber shock absorber, a simpler name has taken root among fishermen - elastic), which you can put it at least 45-70 meters from the shore.
And if you have accurately determined that there is fish, selected tackle and bait, then saberfish will definitely be in your cage, since this fish is a schooling fish, and under favorable conditions for all participants in the process (in about an hour or two) you can catch several kilograms of this fish, which looks great dried or dried.
So, we have already decided that sabrefish are excellently caught from spring to autumn, only during the spawning period there is a certain lull in its biting. But after spawning, the fish “recovers” again, gradually returning to an active search for food and a standard lifestyle, delighting the fisherman with its bite.
- Areas of fast and slow jets
- At places with differences in depth
- In places of rafting of timber and flooded snags
- Often overlooks sand spits and shallows, areas with aquatic vegetation
- During the period of mass flight of insects, saberfish comes to the shore (5-20 meters from the coastline) and feeds in the surface layers.
Chekhon is a cautious fish, so when fishing near the coastline or from a boat, you need to be as quiet as possible and not let the waves blow too much, although with active biting these nuances are often lost sight of.
So, we have already noticed that sabrefish can be successfully caught using a variety of gear, but we will briefly look at how to catch “saber fish” with an elastic band. In principle, a rubber band for sabrefish is not much different from a regular rubber band, which is designed for catching the same crucian carp, for example, but there are still differences
Differences between rubber bands for catching sabrefish and the same gear for crucian carp
The shock absorber itself (elastic band) is used with a larger diameter, since fishing is carried out in a more aggressive environment (current force, heavier tackle, etc.)
As a rule, at least 4-6 hooks are placed on the donk, on which it is advisable to put either a piece of cambric, or a twister, or just a few sparkles from tinsel, although you can do without “decorations”.
Fishing with a rubber band is done by constantly twitching the tackle so that the hooks play. A bite can occur on several hooks at once.
The main line is about 0.3mm, leashes are required, for which lines 0.15-0.2mm are suitable.
, length 20-40 centimeters; a sufficient weight is used to hold the tackle in place, a cord with a piece of foam plastic or an empty plastic bottle is mounted to the weight so that it is visible at what distance and where the tackle is located, and it is easier to remove it from the boat when the fishing comes to an end.
In most cases, maggots are used as bait (you can fish without it), which can be bred directly while fishing if the weather permits and the fishing lasts more than 2-3 days. Hooking as such is not required when fishing for sabrefish, the fish in the rapids attack the hooks decisively, and besides, the very twitching of the tackle creates the effect of hooking - there are strikes, but they are insignificant and do not affect further bite.
What does the saberfish bite on?
Taking into account the omnivorous nature of sabrefish, you can catch it with almost anything – from maggots on a float rod to live bait or small silicone baits and twisters on a spinning rod. It happens that this fish bites on a bare hook tied with red thread. The most preferred and popular baits when fishing for saberfish are:
- maggot
- red (dung) worm
- insects (grasshopper, dragonfly, large fly, bee)
- insect larvae and caterpillars
- juvenile fish
The best way to catch sabrefish is with maggots . Fly larvae attract fish with their smell and contrast well at depth. In addition, it is convenient to attach the maggot, and when biting, you can leave it for 2-3 casts without changing it. The dung worm is a universal bait, so it is also successfully used for catching saberfish.
In May, the first insects emerge, the larvae of which developed at the bottom. They make up a significant part of the sabrefish’s diet, so it pays special attention to any insects. It is better to use live bait as bait in late summer and autumn, when the fish begin to eat before wintering, and the number of insects has decreased significantly.
Chekhon on the Volga
In the Lower Volga, the saberfish is considered an ordinary aquatic inhabitant; it often appears in a fisherman’s cage. It is caught with fry, with all kinds of spoons, various artificial baits, and baits, which make up the majority of its food supply.
Several decades ago, in central Russia, this type of fish was perceived as something exotic and unusual. Most likely, this is due to the construction of hydraulic structures in Soviet times, which became a kind of obstacle to the passage of anadromous and semi-anadromous aquatic inhabitants.
Chekhon belongs to the category of semi-anadromous fish; it migrates from one water area to another during the spawning period.
The saberfish is also valued as a commercial fish; its size ranges from 200 to 500 grams, and this is provided that it is caught using an amateur version of the tackle. Trophy specimens can reach 50–60 cm with a weight of 1–1.2 kg.
Finding a promising place on the Volga is not an easy task; it is better to ask a knowledgeable person so as not to waste extra time studying the area.
On the Volga, the spawning period for sabrefish begins earlier, in April. This factor will be especially relevant when planning future fishing trips.
Catching sabrefish with an elastic band in the fall
At the beginning of the autumn season, the saber fish moves throughout the entire area of a particular reservoir. For greater efficiency, it is recommended to fish from a floating craft, using a special type of gear, in particular a donkey with a rubber shock absorber.
The peak of saber activity is observed at the onset of the first frost, when flocks become as numerous as possible.
In the second half of autumn, saberfish move to winter shelters. A well-fed place will help attract and retain the flock for a while. The bait mixture must be high in calories and emit a specific odor that is attractive to the object being fished.
High-quality bait is the key to a high-quality and quantitative catch. A baited spot will keep a flock of hungry saberfish , and the angler will quickly replenish his fish tank, the bites will come one after another. Here, it is important not to overfeed the prey, otherwise the bite will soon stop.
The choice of bait mixture and the method of its preparation should be based on the location of the individual at the moment (in which horizon it lives). Don’t forget to add the type of bait you intend to hunt to your complementary food.
To ensure that the bait mixture quickly sinks to the bottom of the reservoir, it is effective to add clay.
The best tackle for catching sabrefish
The elastic band is ideal for fishing in places with a hard bottom and free from aquatic vegetation.
It is precisely these places that the saberfish prefers for its hunting. In the spring , when saber fish eats everything, fishermen everywhere use a rubber band to catch it. Being a universal tackle, this donka is also used for catching crucian carp, roach, silver bream, perch and other freshwater fish. They say that our lazy fishermen came up with it so as not to constantly bother with throwing and pulling out gear. Nowhere in foreign publications about fishing is such gear described.
In essence, a rubber band is an ordinary donkey with the addition of a rubber shock absorber, which allows you to reel in the catch and change the bait without pulling out the main gear. A distinctive feature of this gear is its simplicity and ease of use. Even a beginner who has no idea about the rules of hooking and fishing for fish can catch fish with it.
Fishing with a rubber band: we make tackle for catching bream, crucian carp, sabrefish.
Catching carp - video review of fishing methods.
8 ways to put a bloodworm on a hook.
The best time to fish with a rubber band
It is effective to use bottom tackle for live bait with a rubber shock absorber from the beginning of spring until the onset of cold weather. The tackle shows especially good results in the pre-spawning period, at the end of May. It all depends on the area where saber hunting is planned, on its natural features.
You should know that during the spawning season, fish gather in large schools . If it coincides that the bottom tackle will be located near the habitat of such a “school”, then the catch will amount to not a single dozen saberfish. Fishing during the mating season is practically fruitless, but at the beginning of summer, fish activity gains momentum.
How to make an elastic band
The design of the elastic band is quite simple, so you can easily make it yourself. For this you will need:
- main line 0.3-0.35 mm thick, 40-50 m long;
- fishing line for leashes with a thickness of 0.25-0.3 mm;
- several swivels (for each leash);
- elastic band 15-25 m long;
- lead or other weight 0.5-1 kg with a swivel;
- a piece of strong rope (about 1 m for securing the load);
- set of hooks (5-6 pcs.) No. 6-8;
- winding rings or small carabiners (2 pcs each);
- electronic bite alarm or bell;
- Motviltse;
- large float or buoy (optional);
A piece of rope is tied to the load through a swivel. The ends of the elastic are formed into loops with a double knot, one of which is connected to the rope through a carabiner or winding ring, and the other is attached to the main fishing line through a swivel.
Next, leashes 30-50 cm long are made, onto which hooks are tied. On the working section of the main fishing line (5-6 m from the beginning, tied to the rope), 5-6 loops are made for attaching leashes, which are attached using the “loop-to-loop” method or through a swivel. The finished tackle is wound on a reel. If the leashes are tightly secured, it is recommended to put pieces of cambric or nipple rubber on the hooks to avoid unexpected snags and damage. But it is better to tie leashes to already abandoned tackle, extending the working part of the main fishing line.
Some fishermen additionally attach a safety line to the sinker. This helps to get it out if the rubber band breaks. Such insurance is thrown along with the main gear.
Gum equipment
The elastic band is a regular donk using a rubber shock absorber and a large number of hooks. To make an elastic band, the following components are needed:
How to catch more fish?
I have been active fishing for quite some time and have found many ways to improve the bite. And here are the most effective:
- Bite activator. Attracts fish in cold and warm water with the help of pheromones included in the composition and stimulates its appetite. It’s a pity that Rosprirodnadzor wants to impose a ban on its sale.
- More sensitive gear. Reviews and instructions for other types of gear can be found on the pages of my website.
- Lures using pheromones.
You can get the rest of the secrets of successful fishing for free by reading our other articles on the site.
- reel;
- main line with a diameter of 0.4;
- working line with a diameter of 0.35 for insertion with leads;
- safety line with a diameter of 0.5-0.6;
- elastic band 20 meters long;
- leader line with a diameter of 0.2-0.25 mm;
- hooks No. 6 in the amount of 5 pcs.;
- sinker weighing 500 grams;
- swivels with fasteners 3 pieces.
The figure shows a diagram of a tackle with an elastic band. Depending on the intensity of the bite, it is recommended to use from 2 to 5 leashes. Their recommended length is about 30-40 cm, and the distance between the leashes should be 10 cm greater than the length of the two leashes, so that during the fishing process the leashes do not overlap each other.
The insert with leads at both ends should have swivels with fasteners for easy installation of the gear. The elastic band itself should be of very high quality and reliable. Otherwise, when it breaks and shoots at the fisherman, injury to the hands cannot be avoided.
The procedure for mounting the gear is as follows:
- We attach an elastic band to the weight through a swivel. Some anglers at this stage insert 1 meter of rope for ease of casting the tackle.
- Next, after throwing the load with the elastic band, we attach the working part with leashes to its end.
- Next we attach the main fishing line.
In order to get used gear after fishing, you must use a safety line, one end of which is attached to the load before casting, and the other is secured on the bank upstream.
If you have a boat, you can use another option: attach a float to the second end of the control line, and after fishing, use it to lift the tackle into the boat.
Fishing technique
Having chosen a suitable place, you should decide on the casting location.
If the bank is overgrown, it must be cleared of vegetation so that it does not interfere with the free movement of the gear. It is better to use several rubber bands at the same time. The tackle is installed by transporting it to the desired location by boat or by swimming, as well as by hand-throwing. In order to throw the elastic band, you need to lay it out on the open bank, avoiding twisting. Casting is done by throwing the load to the intended location. Each fisherman has his own method of casting. Having cast the tackle, you need to pull out the main line, attach the leashes and attach the bait.
After the tackle has been delivered to the place, it needs to be pulled slightly towards you so that the fishing line is in constant tension. You can attach the fishing line to a pre-installed horn or peg. A bell or bite alarm is installed on a stretched fishing line.
To attract the attention of the fish, you can make small twitches on the main line. When biting, a hook is made, for which the main line is pulled towards itself with a sharp movement and released. After this, the tackle is pulled smoothly, but with tension, to the shore. The sabrefish are very playful, so they attack immediately and for sure, without savoring the bait. Having grabbed it, the fish immediately tries to go deeper or against the current. To avoid derailment, you need to hold it without letting go of the tackle.
In general , there is nothing difficult about catching sabrefish with an elastic band. The main thing is to find a cool place and you can start filling your fish tank. And for this process to be effective and not disappointing, do not forget that:
- When going fishing for sabrefish, you should not limit yourself to one type of bait, as this fish often changes its preferences.
- The worm should be inserted completely so that its ends do not hang down, otherwise the saberfish will simply remove it from the hook.
- When fishing with live bait, you should not use dead fish - sabrefish almost never bite on it.
- A poor-quality or rotten rubber band used as a shock absorber may break and cause injury.
How to prepare a rubber donk for catching sabrefish?
So, let’s immediately note that the proposed tackle is affordable and can be easily prepared for fishing by an angler of any level. The main advantage of the gear is its compactness, which facilitates the transportation process. In addition, it is worth noting the high efficiency and ease of operation.
The main element of the tackle is an elastic band, its length is selected individually, it all depends on the distance at which the sabrefish will be caught
It is important to know that 1 m of elastic stretches by 2-3 meters, so for fishing at a distance of 30-35 meters it is enough to use 8-10 meters of fishing elastic. A meter of nylon cord is attached to one edge of the elastic through a plastic button, to which a load weighing 0.8-1.3 kg is fixed.
The elastic bottom is equipped with a fishing line with a cross-section of 0.3 mm; it is enough to wind 45-50 meters on the reel or spool of the reel. To make leashes, fishing line with a cross-section of 0.18 or 0.2 mm is used, the length of leashes is 15-20 cm, their number can reach up to 10 pieces. It is recommended to keep a distance of at least half a meter between leashes, but not more than 0.7 meters. Hooks No. 4-5 with a short shank and a sharp sting are attached to the leashes. The main fishing line is connected to the elastic band through a plastic button. It is not recommended to use metal rings for connections, since they quickly fray the fishing elastic.
Important! When choosing an elastic band, you should pay attention to its quality; the option under consideration must have a smooth and uniform surface; abrasions and roughness are not acceptable
It is more convenient to transport the tackle by boat; after the load is lowered to the bottom, at the required distance from the shore, the donkey is installed on the shore, in order to have time to notice bites in a timely manner, the fishing line should be passed through a stick 60-70 meters long, which is installed next to the donka
Read Trolling for beginners and choosing gear
A piece of lead is attached to the main line; it is important to get some slack in the line
For catching saberfish, various types of bait of animal origin are suitable: grasshoppers, worms, gadflies, maggots, large flies. If the choice is made on worms, then they should be placed in such a way that they do not hang from the hook by more than 3-5 mm. Large sabrefish can be caught with great success using fry.
The saberfish does not create any particular problems for the angler when fishing, but if the bite is not noticed in a timely manner, then most often the fish manages to quickly free itself from the hook. Therefore, as soon as the line begins to sag or tighten, you should make a sharp hook and immediately begin fishing. With a good bite, it is often possible to catch 3-4 fish at a time using an elastic band. It is recommended to store the caught fish in a cage, which is lowered into the water, preferably in a place where it is not exposed to direct sunlight.
Catching sabrefish is very interesting, since the fish is active almost throughout the daylight hours. Of course, early in the morning and late in the evening, bites occur more often and, as a rule, they are much more confident. Provided that it is possible to find a stopping place for sabrefish, the catch is guaranteed to be rich. The fisherman will not be bored on the shore; as soon as the hooks with baits are at the fishing points, the bite literally immediately follows. There are even cases when sabrefish bite occurs at the moment the tackle is released.
That's all. Happy fishing and good trophies!
