The behavior of crucian carp in winter is even more unpredictable than in summer. It can burrow into the mud and hibernate, or it can actively search for food. The composition of the bottom is very important, since if the layer of silt allows it, then it will dig food in it. But it will feed in sandy reservoirs all winter. Next, we’ll look in detail at how crucian carp fishing works on the first ice.
Before going to a particular body of water, it is better to find out from local residents whether something is caught there or not, or look for information on the Internet.
It is also worth noting that in the northern regions, hibernation can occur immediately after the formation of the first ice (but mostly this does not happen), while in the south crucian carp is the main trophy for many fishermen for the entire winter period. The weather there is such that first ice can occur several times a season.
Crucian carp is very sensitive to weather changes. Precipitation, changes in temperature, pressure - all this negatively affects the activity of fish. It is most difficult to catch it during severe frost, snowfall or rain. The opposite effect occurs during periods of thaw, then the crucian carp begins to rise from the depths and holes, moves closer to the surface and shallow water, closer to the algae.
Cold and clear days also have a good effect on the intensity of the bite.
Biting calendars do not work in winter; it all depends on the specific body of water and weather conditions. If the first ice comes suddenly (sometimes overnight), then successful fishing should not wait several days (on average 4-5). Immediately after the ice forms, the pike begins to become active, so there will be no movement of crucian carp in search of food at this time. The exception is reservoirs where there are no large predators, and the size of crucian carp is quite large. Fishing places.
Preparation
Before preparing to fish for crucian carp, you need to determine whether it is in a particular body of water. This can be done through word of mouth or through special forums. But even if fishing goes well in the summer, this does not mean that everything will be just as successful on the first ice. The fact is that when the water temperature drops, the fish will try to burrow into the silt, but this will not be possible if the layer is insufficient or, especially, the bottom is hard; in reservoirs that fall under the latter characteristics, the bite will continue all winter.
The crucian carp will be found mainly at depth, so you will have to look for it in holes or in snags. When it warms up, it will rise and go into shallow water. In the southern regions, with constant changes of ice to open water, it will be possible to catch it in the same way as in the fall, in the reeds and at the border of vegetation and open water.
Fishing in a pond works better than in other bodies of water, but preferably at a depth (no more than 4 m). You need to find such holes in the summer. You will have to be quiet, especially if the fish gets closer to shallow water. On ponds and lakes with a large layer of silt, fish will not be caught; such reservoirs can be identified by the abundant vegetation along the banks (bushes, trees), where active fishing occurs before the spring gathering. Crucian carp behave very energetically in reservoirs where warm water is discharged; there they bite regardless of the time of year.
The water temperature there is higher, as is the oxygen saturation.
Lakes are selected with a sandy or clay bottom. In such places it feeds all winter. Found mainly in pits. It looks for food in the same places, so with proper feeding, the flock can be easily lured to a certain territory.
We recommend that you read additionally: You should choose small rivers with a calm flow. In deeper waters, fishing can also be active, but finding fish there is more problematic due to the vastness of the territory. It is worth looking in creeks where there is practically no current. In large ones, it is worth looking for the confluence of streams; parking lots are mainly located there due to the large influx of oxygen. The choice of location occurs in the same way as in ponds and lakes: at the edges of reed thickets, in windows of vegetation, at depth in snags.
How to catch crucian carp in winter: on the first ice, in the dead of winter and on the last ice
Crucian carp is usually caught in the summer in spring or autumn. Many people believe that with the arrival of winter, this fish lies at the bottom of the reservoir and does not show much activity, but in reality everything looks somewhat different. Experienced fishermen claim that catching crucian carp on the first ice is possible on lakes and rivers, but in the middle of winter it can be caught in reservoirs with a small current, where the water is enriched with oxygen. In our article we will talk about how to catch crucian carp in winter from ice, where to find this fish, what to catch, what equipment to use.
In winter, crucian carp are excellently caught and the bite is almost independent of the weather. According to numerous observations, it is best to hunt for this fish during a thaw. With the onset of cloudy weather, the activity of the inhabitants of reservoirs sharply decreases. Fishing for crucian carp from ice will not bring the desired result during snowfall.
With the arrival of winter, the described fish can be searched for in the deepest parts of the reservoir. In such places, the water almost never freezes; here the fish consider themselves absolutely safe. If you find a school of crucian carp, you can catch several large specimens from one hole. Successful crucian carp fishing in winter can also occur in other places:
- Areas with sandy or clay bottom;
- The presence of food in the water (can be determined by the presence of other fish, such as perch or pike, roach, bleak);
- Snags and creeks.
The main equipment for winter fishing for crucian carp is the usual summer float equipment, as well as a winter fishing rod equipped with a reel, nod, line and jig. Some fishermen make equipment for crucian carp with their own hands, others buy it in a store. Winter tackle for a float fishing rod can be wound on a special reel or reel. Next, we take the bait, put it on the hook, lower the bait to the bottom and wait for a bite. If there is no crucian bite, then you can attract fish by moving the bait.
Experts say that crucian carp on first ice is best caught using a winter fishing rod with a jig. The most effective are baits made in the form of a droplet or a disk. Training materials show that to attract the attention of the fish in question, one jig shape will not be enough; you need to choose the right color and action of the bait.
They start fishing using golden or silver baits; if there is no positive result, they hang a dark-colored jig on the fishing line. Old fishermen teach young people, they argue that a catchy bait for one body of water may be completely useless in another place.
There are a huge number of models of winter fishing rods for crucian carp. If float tackle is used for fishing, then there are no special requirements for it. If winter fishing for crucian carp is carried out using a special winter fishing rod, then such a device should be light and durable, have a flexible, sensitive tip that will absorb jerks when fishing.
Photo 1. Filly with a float.
Some fishermen catch crucian carp in the pond in winter using a “filly”. The handle of this fishing rod is made of frost-resistant products and has a durable and reliable whip. Other crucian carp hunters use their own gear or use a simple store-bought “balalaika”.
A line for fishing in winter must remain flexible at any water temperature. To catch small specimens, a thread section of 0.1 millimeter is sufficient. A thick fishing line will scare away the fish and reduce the number of bites. When purchasing a thread, the main emphasis is on the quality of the material, strength and flexibility.
In winter, the fish in question prefers good high-calorie food of animal origin, but hungry individuals can also find plant bait at the bottom. For winter fishing for crucian carp, the following types of baits are used:
Bloodworms are considered the most common and desired food for crucian carp; they constantly look for such food at the bottom of the reservoir. In addition to natural bait, inhabitants of the depths eagerly bite on artificial bait with flavorings. It is recommended to attach a bunch of bloodworms to the hook, which will camouflage the point.
A dung worm is also considered a traditional bait for catching crucian carp in winter, but at this time of year it is almost unavailable, and it costs much more than bloodworms. You need to stock up on worms in the summer; they are placed in a special box and installed in the cellar or basement.
Photo 2. Homemade fishing rod with a nod.
How to make the most catchy bait. Experts recommend using a sandwich as a bait (first, a bloodworm is attached, then a maggot, and then a bloodworm again). Some fishermen make a special bait for crucian carp from meat cut into small pieces and fried (canned food can also be used for this purpose). The broth that remains after cooking the meat can be fed to fish or added to vegetable baits (bread or dough). The smell of such baits arouses increased interest in crucian carp.
A good catch can be obtained by using bait for crucian carp in winter. The fragrant mixture will attract fish and turn them into captured prey. It is best to use a DIY composition. The main filler here is breadcrumbs. To give the bait a special flavor, crushed cookies are used instead of crackers; sugar improves the taste of the mixture. The binding of all components of the composition is carried out using semolina.
You can feed the crucian carp with the following mixture:
- crackers - 1 part;
- semolina - 1 part;
- wheat chaff - 1 part;
- sunflower seeds and crushed cookies no more than 0.5 parts.
Photo 3. Branded bait collected both crucian carp and roach.
All components are thoroughly mixed, if desired, add a small amount of vanilla and cinnamon (for aroma). At home, the bait is stored dry and soaked at the fishing site. After absorbing the moisture, the bait is rolled into balls the size of a walnut and 1-2 pieces are dropped into the hole. When the bite weakens, add a small amount of the mixture to the hole in the ice. It is recommended to make some of the balls hard so that they can sink to the bottom of the reservoir, the second part should crumble in the top layer of soil.
As auxiliary additives you can use:
- powdered milk;
- food bloodworms or pieces of worm;
- toasted flax or hemp seeds;
- cocoa powder;
- garlic juice
According to experts, the ideal fishing option would be to catch crucian carp on first ice in sunny weather during a thaw. If you use a regular winter fishing rod, do not touch the bottom of the pond with the jig, the fish don’t like it.
Many people do not know how to catch crucian carp in winter, because this matter has its own nuances. The nozzle must be placed on the bottom very carefully so that it does not raise silt and create an impact. The best fishing on the first ice is considered to be a small amplitude of vibrations, and the jig should be raised no more than 25 centimeters from the bottom. At the top point of the rise, take a short pause of 4 to 6 seconds. At this time, the fish should bite.
In some cases, the crucian carp takes the bait without playing with a nod when lowering the jig. It is difficult to notice when a fish bites, because the bite is indicated by a slight bend in the tip of the rod. This should serve as a signal to hook.
We figured out how to catch crucian carp with a jig, now we will describe the technique of fishing with float tackle. For winter fishing, a weight is fixed at the end of the fishing line, and a leash with a hook is tied seven centimeters above. This is necessary so that the weight lies neatly on the bottom, and the nozzle is in the visibility zone of the fish. The float is adjusted so that it sinks into the water as slowly as possible.
The crucian carp does not bite on the float tackle as actively as on the jig, so the fisherman must take care of the safety of the bait. To achieve maximum effect, you must use a thin hook with a long shank.
The usual period of time for catching crucian carp is from spring to autumn. However, you can successfully catch this fish even with the onset of cold weather - from the ice. Experienced fishermen say that you can enjoy catching crucian carp like on the first ice.
On the ponds
To fish in such reservoirs, you need to know its features, bottom topography, silt layer, presence of vegetation and other types of fish. It often happens that in those places where crucian carp hibernate, on the first ice it can be actively caught before wintering, and vice versa, where it feeds all season, at the beginning of winter it may not show any signs of life at all.
In most ponds, some crucian carp are actively looking for food in small schools, while another part, larger in size, stands in pits. In small bodies of water it is better to look for them rather than try to feed them. As a last resort, throw a small pinch of bloodworms into the hole. It’s better to drill in a checkerboard pattern from shallow to deep, this way you’ll quickly find a school or camp in a hole.
Fishing for crucian carp is a constant search for promising places, bait and groundbait, especially if this place has never been visited before. There are no specific fishing rules for any body of water.
Reservoirs and lakes
On the first ice you should do everything almost the same as on ponds. It’s better to focus on an active search, but you also need to check the holes and flooded snags. You have to constantly move and search along the coastline or on uneven bottoms. To collect actively feeding fish, you can use bait, preferably dark in color, matching the color of the bottom and without unnecessary odors. A semi-active fishing method, when holes are drilled 10–20 meters apart, is the most promising tactic on the first ice. You don’t need to do a lot of them, spend 20 minutes on each one and, if there are no results, move on and do new ones.
Sometimes the crucian carp stands scattered at a great distance, in this case this tactic will also work, the bite will take place little by little, 2 - 3 individuals, then it’s worth moving to the next place and trying again, but in this case there will not always be a transition to long distances, sometimes A couple of meters is enough. Types of winter gear.
Selection of equipment
The pickiness of crucian carp applies not only to the selection of bait and groundbait. The selection of equipment is also important. When going fishing, you need to take different equipped fishing rods with you (different jigs or hooks, their landing height, fishing line thickness).
During the period of the first ice and before its disappearance in the spring, feeding occurs very actively, and the fish loses its vigilance. At this time, large lures, jigs and baits are used; the thickness of the fishing line will also not cause problems.
In the middle of winter, it is necessary to select thinner gear due to the clarity of the water and the wariness of the fish, but at the same time they must be strong enough. It is better to take fluorocarbon, it survives very well constant friction with ice, which cannot be avoided during winter fishing.
Often they use homemade tackle, which is similar in design to a girder, only much simpler. In its appearance it resembles a cross (that’s what it’s called). The cross itself is located on the hole, clinging to the edges with two ends of a piece of wood; from it, a fishing line with a weight and a hook goes into the water, tied to one of the ends of the cross, which hangs over the hole.
When biting, the entire structure rotates, the end with the fishing line goes into the water, and the opposite one rises up, indicating the catch. This is a passive tackle, so you can install a lot of them, periodically checking and changing the bait.
You can fish with standard winter fishing rods with nods, or with a float.
Float equipment
For it you will need a standard winter fishing rod, fishing line with a thickness of 0.1 - 0.2 mm. To increase the chances of a catch, you can tie a heavy jig to the end of the fishing line and a light jig on top, or just a hook. You can attach it either to a leash or to the main fishing line. The fact is that crucian carp can take bait both from the bottom and from a certain distance from it (10 - 15 cm to start with, but most likely you will have to experiment).
After each bite, the bait must be changed; the crucian carp will not take it a second time. After it disappears, it’s generally better to change it for something else, since the cautious fish won’t try it next time.
When fishing this way, the float must be under water, so it will not freeze, at a depth of up to 5 cm below the water line. Its color should be bright, clearly visible in dark water. The appearance of the bite may vary. The crucian carp can suddenly drag the bait away, or it can slightly test it at first, while the float will jerk upward. This kind of fishing is only suitable for reservoirs without any current at all. Fishing with a nod.
When fishing this way, it is necessary to pay very serious attention to the correct loading of the nod. With it, neat bites are very clearly visible. In the middle of winter, crucian carp becomes more lethargic and bites inactively, often throwing the bait if it feels its weight and the slightest resistance.
This is why a properly configured, flexible nod is so important. Both waiting tactics and active play are suitable. In this case, you can sharply lower the bait directly to the bottom to lift the silt from the bottom and slowly raise the hook to a height of 15 cm.
For a successful fishing outcome, it is worth taking with you both types of equipment, with different numbers of hooks and jigs, adjusted to different depths. Drill several holes and throw the bait approximately in the middle so that it works on everything at once. Place fishing rods in them and check which one will get the best bites; this method will significantly reduce the time for selecting the right equipment. Bottom gear.
Such equipment is chosen when fishing on rivers, since their fishing is much stronger, and the fish here are not so careful, so rough execution will not scare them.
One of the most common equipment is the “yoke”. This structure consists of a sinker through which a wire is passed, at the ends of which two short leashes (5 - 7 cm) with hooks are tied. You can attach both the same and different baits, which will speed up the selection of the more suitable one.
The choice may also fall on other species suitable for a certain type of river. Instead of weights, you can use small feeders; the main thing is the correct selection of bait and, when fishing on the river, its consistency.
In the southern regions, where reservoirs are often uncovered from ice during the winter, and some are not covered with it at all, a feeder is actively used. When using it, the selection of baits differs from the choice for other winter gear. The fact is that when casting, most standard winter baits (dough, bread, etc.) will fall off the hook either when flying or when they hit the water.
What to fish with
Fishing for crucian carp in winter is carried out with classic nodding or float rods. Fishermen use jigs and bare hooks, and use various baits, mainly of animal origin. Some "penguins" feed the holes to activate the bite.
Tackle for winter crucian fishing
The gear for hunting this representative of the ichthyofauna is light. The fish is cautious, carefully tries the bait, and behaves suspiciously towards everything unfamiliar. A set for fishing crucian carp in winter consists of a fishing rod, fishing line and bait.
A winter fishing rod for crucian carp should be light. Its length can be 30–50 mm. You can use regular “balalaikas” or “fillies”. Some fishermen make their own rods, turning the body out of compressed foam, and use the tip of a summer float rod made of fiberglass or carbon fiber as a whip.
The fishing rod is equipped with a small reel, on which you need to wind about 10 meters of monofilament fishing line with a thickness of 0.08–0.14 mm.
The thinner the thread, the more invisible the tackle will be and the better the bite, but the likelihood of the bait breaking while fishing increases.
A nod is installed on the whip. It is better to take an inexpensive lavsan gatehouse, adjustable in length. Some fishermen make them themselves from a plastic bottle, x-ray film, boar bristle, clock spring and other materials.
We recommend reading: What affects the carp bite and when is the best time to catch
When fishing with winter float rods, it is not necessary to use a guard, since the fish bite is recorded by the float. It is advisable to install a light bite alarm that will not alert the fish when it tries to bait the bait.
Video about winter fishing for crucian carp on the lake. Uelgi in the Chelyabinsk region
Bait and groundbait
When fishing with jigs, small models weighing up to 0.3 grams are used. Shots, droplets, ants, nymphs and uralks have proven themselves well; in some reservoirs the fish take on goats and devils.
When determining the color of the jig, it is necessary to take into account the nature of the bottom, lighting, and weather factors. The universal and most catchy colors are black, gold and silver. Sometimes bright light green, yellow and orange shades or fluorescent colors work.
Among the natural baits in winter, it is recommended to use bait of animal origin:
- bloodworm;
- small earthworm;
- burdock moth larva;
- maggot;
- Amphipod.
Bloodworms are the best bait. You can put one or a bunch of larvae on the hook.
For reference: On some reservoirs, crucian carp respond to plant baits in winter. The best of these attachments is dough with the addition of honey.
It is not necessary to feed the crucian carp. It does not migrate across the water area, so it does not need to be kept at the fishing point. The main thing is to find a promising area and carefully examine it. Bait can be used to further attract the attention of the fish. Use any universal summer or winter mixtures. The presence of live food (mormysh, bloodworms) additionally attracts fish, often increasing its appetite.
Ride
The gear is intended for fishing on rivers. In general, you can catch any white fish with it, not just crucian carp. Choose familiar, deep places.
The equipment used is rough and durable. The reel must be voluminous, since fishing is carried out at great depths. A thick fishing line is selected in length for a specific fishing spot, a sliding weight weighing up to 20 grams is threaded into it, and at the end its movement is limited by a stop bead. Below it you can attach a swivel, and to it a leash with a hook, or you can also attach it to the main fishing line.
Pokatka is a passive tackle, so you can install several fishing rods at once, while the bait must be thrown upstream.
A gear very similar to this is called a descender (“harvester”). Also used in currents. There are many types of installation. The equipment, as in the previous version, will require strong equipment. Instead of a load, you can use a feeder, a sliding or tightly tied load. It looks very similar to a feeder; more often than not, several hooks on leashes are used; they can be installed below the load or both above and below it.
When playing, the fish must be carefully pulled out both from the water and from the hole. Since in a current, even small individuals exhibit strong resistance, mainly due to the force of the current. Jigs.
Necessary baits
As in the case of bait and bait, here it is also necessary to constantly select the desired option; during the day there may be several changes in preferences. It is better to have with you a full set of all kinds of baits (“pellet”, “drop”, “devil”, “goat”, “uralka”, “lentil”, “boat”, “barrel”, “bug”, “ant”, “ oatmeal").
During the freeze-up period and before the arrival of spring, when crucian carp begins to become active, it may give preference to larger and coarser baits. And in the middle of winter, small baits and strong thin fishing line, preferably fluorocarbon, work better. Tungsten jigs are very suitable in this case; they are small and also, due to the properties of the metal, quite heavy. When fishing at night, you can use phosphorus jigs.
In general, options that are simpler in shape and color (black, silver, gold droplets and pellets) perform better. The difference is in depth, the greater it is, the brighter the jig should be; in light weather, darker ones work better. The game, as well as the bait, must be constantly alternated, using both an active jig and a jig hanging motionless or lying on the bottom.
It has been noted that the optimal angle of the hook soldered into the jig is 35-40 degrees. It must be small and durable.
A rod for jig fishing is usually 40-45 cm with a soft tip.
If there are no bites for a long time, then you need to raise the jig to the very top and smoothly lower it to the bottom, simulating a free fall of the bait. Fishing should be done slowly and very smoothly, so as not to tear the lip of the crucian carp. Pull it out of the hole with your hands by the gills; the fishing line used is very thin and can break. It requires special care; it must be cleared of frozen ice, just like the hole, so that there are no snags or cuts.
It is better to cover holes drilled nearby and not used as unnecessary, as the light from them will frighten and distract the crucian carp.
Fishing tactics
The crucian carp only sees the bait and, having tasted it, swallows it or holds it in its mouth, savoring it. Large jigs, but not tungsten ones, are more suitable here than others. It must be with a strong hook and on a strong fishing line. Since most anglers fish in tents, the comfort under the shelter is different and the temperature is higher. In recent years, when catching crucian carp, they began to use thin braided fishing line; here the crucian carp has almost no chance, and only by tearing the lip can the fish be freed.
There are specimens much larger than in summer
Mothless
This species performs well with a more active search for food for crucian carp (on the first ice and by spring). You should start with small and darker options and gradually try others if the first ones are not suitable, since there are no special ones for crucian carp.
When fishing with a reelless bait, no bait is used, so the fish must be attracted by the game. It should be neat and smooth with periodic pauses, hovering a few centimeters above the bottom and lowering into the silt to raise the turbidity.
The fish will take the bait very carefully and smoothly, so the main thing is not to miss the bite and hook it in time, otherwise the crucian carp will simply spit out the hook.
Catching crucian carp on the first ice is not such an easy task, but with the right approach it will bring a lot of emotions. If you liked the article, share your opinion in the comments.
Time and weather
Traditionally, ice appears in central Russia in late November – early December. December is the main month for catching crucian carp on the first ice. In cloudy weather, crucian carp bite better , and the bite can be stable throughout the day. Night fishing can be very effective, and in the dark the likelihood of catching trophy specimens increases. In clear weather, it is better to catch crucian carp immediately after dawn and before sunset. A thaw for catching crucian carp is the optimal weather conditions; in cold weather it bites much worse.
