Roach fishing in Astrakhan: fishing in the spring, in April, rules, gear, video, bait where, when, what to catch?

The beginning of ice melting on reservoirs leads to a change in the behavior of all fish species; silver bream, roach and roach begin to behave much more actively. In Astrakhan, the activation of roach and the beginning of its fishing will mark the beginning of the spring season. This is a fascinating process that attracts many, since there are no universal gear or techniques for it: to get a good catch, a person has to improvise, focusing on the behavior of the prey.

Roach behavior in spring

In the spring, the migration of the roach in the Caspian Sea begins: it will soon begin to spawn, so the fish begins to actively move into the rivers - the Volga, Terek and Ural.

To get a good catch, you need to know the peculiarities of its spring behavior and the sequence of movement:

At the beginning of spring , fish move along river beds and can only be found in these places. The peak of the bite will begin a little later, but experienced fishermen prefer to catch roach at this stage, since it is believed that it has the most delicious meat while moving along the riverbed, not far from the surface of the river bottom.
Gradually, large schools emerge from river beds and fill the meadows that were flooded with water at this time. This period can be considered the most favorable for fishing; during it the most active bite is observed.

Astrakhan varieties of roach

The maximum weight of the roach is 0.8 kg, and the length is no more than 20; although some individuals grow up to 30 cm and weigh slightly more than the rest of their relatives.

A number of varieties of this breed live in Astrakhan, differing in weight, size, appearance and places where they can be found:

The “local” species lives only in the waters of the Volga, while it stays in the river throughout the entire season and does not swim into the Caspian Sea.
The Caspian variety differs from other species in its larger size; it is the main prey for local residents of the Caspian seaside, including the villages of Tishkovo or Vyshka. Only isolated individuals swim closer to the city; it is virtually impossible to catch one here.
The “speckled” variety is an individual specimen characterized by its large size; You can catch them only during the beginning of spawning. One of the distinctive features of such fish is the eggs, which adhere in large quantities to the scales.
The “rolling” variety are marine fish that swim out of the sea in the spring and rush to the nearest rivers. They stay in their waters throughout the entire spawning period, and after its completion they return to their native places in the Caspian Sea.

Vobla fish

This is a fish of the carp family, which is found only in the Caspian Sea and at the mouth of the Volga River, as well as in small rivers flowing into the Volga. In appearance it is more similar to a roach, but experts can easily distinguish these fish. The roach is characterized by the presence of gray fins with black edging and silver eyes with dark spots on the iris. Vobla can grow up to 30 cm in length, weighing about 800 g.

Tackle for catching roach in spring

Example of equipment for roach
For spring roach fishing in Astrakhan, two types of equipment are used:

Donka.
An ordinary float rod.

Regardless of the type of tackle chosen, it will need to be prepared in a special way, and the success of fishing will also depend on the correct time and place of fishing.

Bottom tackle for catching roach in spring

The donka is the most preferable option for novice fishermen, since when using it, preliminary preparation of the gear can be eliminated.

The equipment is quite simple and includes:

Monoline with a diameter of no more than 0.2 mm.
Hooks No. 4-5 according to the domestic classification, quantity - 4 pieces.
A load with an average weight of 100 g.

Some fishermen use feeder gear, the test value of which does not exceed 60 g. His equipment looks the same, but a feeder is added to it. This option will be effective if fishing takes place during a period with active biting, which allows you to make long casts: the prey immediately begins to attack the hook with bait, before it has yet reached the bottom surface.

Float tackle for catching roach in spring

An example of rigging a float rod on a roach.
Float gear is effective during floods and when fishing in river areas with rapid currents.

The length of the fishing rod must be at least 6 meters; the equipment of the fishing rod includes:

Line thickness from 0.18 to 0.2 mm.
Any float model that can work with a sinker weighing 3-4 g.
Hook No. 4-6 according to the domestic classification, depending on what type of roach will be caught.

For fishing, it is recommended to organize a blind rig for a float rod; it will look like this :

Initially, a loop is knitted at the end of the working line; it is necessary for fastening to the connector or rope located at the end of the tackle.
The fishing line is cut after selecting the required length, to which an additional 50 cm must be added.
The float is installed and the cambrics are put on.
install sinkers directly at the fishing spot in order to correctly determine the depth. Only the antenna should be above the surface of the water, and the body of the float itself should be submerged. It is better to use about 2-3 pellets, with one sinker placed as close as possible to the float so that it serves as a backup.
After determining the location of the sinkers, they will need to be crimped, and the fishing line above them will need to be flattened using pliers. After this, the sinkers are manually moved up to the undamaged section of the fishing line; The extra 50 cm of cord remaining below is simply cut off.
When preparing the equipment , you should make sure that the position of the weights has been chosen correctly: the pellet should be at a distance of 10 to 25 cm from the float, a distance of 20 cm is maintained between it and the second weight. The third pellet is placed exactly 60 cm from the pod. In this case, it is always possible to shift the second sinker and position it closer to the sub-groove; such changes in equipment are sometimes necessary when fishing in conditions of increased windiness.
At the end of the working line you need to organize a small loop, which can be useful for installing a float using the “loop-to-loop” technique.

Roach tackle

You can catch roach with any gear. These can be bottom fishing rods or ordinary float rods, but at least 6-7 meters long due to the flood. It is unlikely that you will be able to catch even a single fish with a shorter float rod. You can use any fishing line, because during a flood, when the water is cloudy, a thick fishing line will not be able to alert the fish. The most suitable diameter is 0.25 mm, or even more. Hooks are selected No. 4, 5, 6 on the domestic scale. You can install up to 4 hooks on one tackle, although this will lead to inconvenience in use.

When using bottom gear or a feeder, you need to make sure that the rod test is at least 100 g. This is due to the fact that you have to use feeders weighing up to 100 g, since fishing is carried out in the current. If you use smaller weights, the tackle will be carried away by the current. You can also install at least 4 hooks on the bottom tackle to ensure effective fishing. It is advisable to use hooks with a long shank, which will guarantee a better hook and therefore minimize the number of fish escapes.

What do they use to catch roach in Astrakhan?

Spring roach fishing in Astrakhan is very popular not only among local residents; during this part of the season, many fishermen from other regions come here and real tournaments and competitions are organized. Every person is interested in the secret of the most effective bait, but there is no universal option that would be equally catchy every year.

When fishing with feeder gear, their feeders can be filled with the following baits:

Bait for catching roach in spring

Examples of bait placement
Usually roach prefers the same bait as roach, so you can use your experience of catching this fish. There are no universal recipes, so it is recommended to experiment with different options to determine the most effective baits.

Local fishermen usually use the following species:

Earthworms and dungworms are the most common variant that often attracts roach.
Maggot.
Tails from small twisters are the most popular artificial bait, which roach is often confused with a worm.
Canned corn grains are rarely used as independent bait; a combination with worms or maggots is more common.
Shrimp pieces.

The main components in bait for roach

In bait mixtures for catching roach, approximately the same products are used as in roach. The only difference is that during active roach fishing, almost all formulations are suitable, but for roach, sometimes you have to select products and dose them correctly.

One of the main components in bait is millet. It is cooked until half cooked so that the grains remain intact but soft. Almost any bulk powder is compatible with millet. This is a universal base to which you can add flour, crackers, store-bought bait, bran, corn grits, and egg.

Moreover, boiled pearl barley, wheat, and sweet corn go well with millet. Thanks to this product, the fisherman has many options for preparing mixtures.

Another valuable product in bait is pearl barley. But since pearl barley grains are quite large, they should be added in much smaller quantities than millet, so as not to overfeed the fish. If we mix pearl barley and millet, then the amount of pearl barley should be several times less. About the same as in Salapin porridge, where barley is 2 times less than millet.

The next important component is ground roasted seeds. This is an excellent flavoring and high-calorie product for fish. It is added to bait when fishing with all types of gear. Ground seeds are useful in well-heated water, when odors quickly spread in the water. It is better to grind the seeds in a coffee grinder or meat grinder, adding a little sunflower oil. This gentle mode for knives will protect them from damage and dulling.

If you don’t have time to prepare the seeds, you can use ground flour instead. The main thing is that it has a pronounced smell of seeds. There is no point in using expired, odorless flour.

Another main component of roach bait is breadcrumbs. It is better that they are white and always fresh. This is another versatile ingredient that can be mixed with any cooked cereal. Rusks produce a cloud of turbidity, onto which schools of roach gather.

Peas ground in a meat grinder have a very pleasant smell. This high-calorie product also goes well with crackers, flour and store-bought bait. In cold weather, very little is needed, but in warmer weather it can be used in sufficient quantity.

Moreover, it can be prepared like mastyrka and placed in springs. White bream and roach will definitely want to appreciate it. When preparing mastyrka, for 2 cups of peas you need 1 cup of semolina and 4-5 cups of water. Add semolina at the end of cooking. Mix the whole mixture thoroughly with a pusher, much like we prepare mashed potatoes. If the mass is too viscous, add a little boiled water. The result should be a yellow bun with a pleasant pea taste and smell.

Some fishermen add roasted peanuts, crushed in a coffee grinder, to their bait. The result is a mush that smells very tasty and has a high calorie value. It is convenient to roast peanuts in the microwave. Simply place the grains on a plate and cook in the oven for 4 minutes. Then you should stir the nuts and set them again for the same time. We fry the seeds in the same way.

It is very useful to add biscuit and vanilla cookies to the mixture. It is ground in a meat grinder and added to bait during mixing. What are the valuable qualities of cookies? Firstly, it is quite high in calories and nutritious. Secondly, when fresh, cookies have a very pleasant sweet-vanilla smell, to which fish react positively.

You can get these cookies for a very small price. It is enough to buy it broken at the market or in a supermarket, but it must be fresh.

If we talk about store-bought mixtures, then all roach baits, some bream and universal ones, are suitable for catching roach. In cold water, low-calorie formulations are suitable, and for warmer water, bait is used, which includes biscuits, coconut flakes and crackers. In some cases, it is better to use bulk additives, which are sold in small bags of 200-250 grams. They are mixed with breadcrumbs and added to millet or pearl barley. The result is a very aromatic and nutritious mass.

As for the animal components: worms, bloodworms and maggots, they are added to the mixture in early spring, when the bite is not so active. Standard “roach” portions are used, when a ball the size of a tangerine contains 3-4 maggots, or several medium-sized chopped worms. Bloodworms are also used in small quantities.

Where to catch roach in spring in Astrakhan?

The roach's only habitat is the Caspian Sea basin; with the onset of spring, it returns to its birthplace - the Volga and other nearby rivers - to lay eggs.

You can count on a good catch in the following places:

Volga and other rivers flowing into the Caspian Sea . In these places, fish are caught for consumption, since they will have the most delicious meat. However, it is necessary to catch the beginning of its migration, and also take into account that the prey moves exclusively against the current.
Tributaries of the Volga. Here the fish appear a little later, when most of the schools have already managed to leave the sea.
Flooded meadows and fields. In these places there is usually an active bite, but fishing is carried out for the most part only for the sake of recreation and sporting interest.

When to catch roach in spring in Astrakhan?

To successfully catch the Astrakhan roach, it is necessary to correctly determine the moment of its movement into the rivers; theoretically, it can occur from the end of February to the beginning of April, depending on the temperature and weather conditions in the current year. Usually the ice lasts until mid-March, so the main migration begins during this period, and the bite reaches its peak closer to the first days of April.

In April, the roach is very active and attacks virtually any type of plant and animal bait, but it should be remembered that it is during this month that the ban on catching it is also in force.

It should also be taken into account that mining has two peaks of activity:

In early April, the water in the rivers has not yet warmed up enough, and the prey tries to move, being near the bottom surface. During this period, it is more convenient to catch it with spinning rods or donks.
In the last days of April or early May, the water warms up sufficiently if the air temperature reaches +25°C. The fish go to spawn and can be caught in all rivers and adjacent reservoirs.

Fishing Features

It is recommended to familiarize yourself with and take into account the following features of April roach fishing in Astrakhan:

Roach is a schooling fish , so the bite can decrease or become active depending on the passage of the school along a certain section of the river. If there are no bites for a long time, you should try changing the bait.
The bite begins at sunrise and continues until dusk; in the dark, the roach is passive and does not respond to bait.
Many local fishermen prefer to fish in shallow waters . In these areas, more prey is found, but the risk of fishing line snags also increases.
The average weight of the Astrakhan roach varies from 200 to 500 grams. With frequent lifting of the tackle, the likelihood of bites from the silver bream increases.
You can fish with several bottom gear at once , but their number should be no more than two, since even in this case the fisherman will actually have no time to rest.
When spending the night on the shore, you should not forget about the April frosts that are typical for this region, so it is recommended to have appropriate equipment with you.

This breed has one interesting feature: when the mass movement begins, the body of the fish begins to warm up. After fishing for the first prey, you should hold the fish in your hands to determine its temperature and understand whether it was an individual or a whole school passing through the river section. In a similar way, local residents make forecasts regarding the expected bite.

Fishing for roach in Astrakhan in April

April roach fishing is distinguished by its ease due to the large amount of prey and the glutton that begins before spawning. For these reasons, fish actively bite on virtually any bait and bait, and fishermen are given real freedom: they can use float rods, donks, feeder gear or spinning rods. The most popular bait at this time of year is red worms ; you can buy them at virtually any city market.

It is important to remember that in April bans on roach fishing begin to apply due to the approaching spawning season. It is recommended to find out the current dates for the selected fishing location in advance, so as not to encounter unforeseen problems and troubles during fishing.

Selecting gear for fishing roach

You can catch roach using various types of bait, since this fish is an omnivore. However, it bites best in April on worms and maggots. As for the gear, a float rod, elastic band, feeder, and this gear are suitable.

Note that desperate resistance should not be expected from the roach, therefore, regardless of the tackle, the equipment should be light. It is recommended to attach at least three leashes to the main line at a distance of 15-25 cm, one from the other.

The best results can be obtained when catching roach with a dung worm; an earthworm is also suitable. Let us note that in April the roach is not particularly active. Large fish can be caught by placing a small piece of shrimp on the hook.

During the fishing process, it is recommended to use bait, this will keep the school of fish in the selected section of the river. Please note that from April 20 the ban on fishing from a boat begins; from this date you can only fish from the shore. As for bait, a suitable option is for feeding roach, the main composition of which necessarily includes chopped worms and a little crushed halva.