“Does it bite?” "Yah. In the morning, three “grass” caught on and that’s it. No fish." You look into the fish tank, and there are three pike about one and a half kilograms lying in a coma. Quite a satisfactory catch for this section of the reservoir. If you wanted a “five”, you had to move behind the toe. Even if I had to trample a couple of kilometers through the kitchens. However, the depths there are different, the bottom topography and snags are different. But he didn’t speak out loud. For what? If a fisherman only came to rinse the lure, but doesn’t want to think, change something, or examine it, then the flag is in his hands. But it became somewhat annoying. Some kind of neglect was shown to the fish. But that same “grass” pike has brought so much pleasure to more than one generation of fishermen. Some people began their fishing careers by catching a white nut. For some people, in fact, they can only see a trophy worth ten on TV; there is no trophy in the home pond. And for others, even one and a half rubles is a joy for the table.
So what kind of fish is this - grass pike?
There are different opinions among fishermen. Some people are sure that the “grass fish” is the kindergarten generation of pike. Another will state that there are two subspecies - bottom (deep) pike and shallow-water pike. Still others will say that the predator got its name because it is found among aquatic vegetation and does not grow larger than 2-2.5 kg.
All categories of fishermen are partly right. You just need to add a little to what was stated and justify why this happened.
In the future I will express purely my opinion. It is based on information learned somewhere and personal observations. Everything described will apply to common pike. I’m not familiar with the Amur fish, I only know what happens and how it happens from other fishermen.
Let's start in order.
“Grass” and “bottom” (deep) pikes: differences and who they are
And this is one species - Esox lucius, or common pike. Not different races and subspecies. “Travyanka” and “bottom” names are purely folk. There is no need to look for special differences. Yes, in size, proportions of head and body, physiology and biochemistry (possibly), in habits, in all this there are some differences. However, all this is connected with the environment and age-related changes. You need to understand that at each stage of life, the pike’s needs for full growth and development change. You can even talk about age distribution by niche.
By the way, calling pike “bottom” is somewhat incorrect. The epithet “deep” is more appropriate. At least that's what I think.
So. For example, let’s take a vast reservoir with a maximum depth of 15 meters and a very noticeable bottom topography. The reservoir is practically stagnant, which means that in the summer there is a thermocline.
Stage 1
The pike laid eggs in shallow water. The fry hatched. During the first stages, it feeds from the yolk sac. Next, move on to microorganisms, aquatic insects, and worms. Next, growing up, are young fish. Where is the comfort zone for the younger generation of pike? The coastline is densely overgrown with vegetation. Here there are optimal temperature and oxygen conditions, places of shelter, and food supply in abundance. And this is a depth of, say, up to 1.5-2 meters. That is, typical spawning areas.
Stage 2
But the young are growing up. The coastal shallow waters are no longer able to maintain conditions for full development and growth. As they grow up, shrews need not just a fry, but a full-fledged fish. Even despite the fact that part of the generation died for a number of reasons (disease, the tooth of a large predator, cannibalism of relatives), there are not enough food items. As a result, you have to go lower down the terrain. However, the size of the pike is not yet capable of ensuring safety at depths. It is necessary to adhere to thickets of aquatic vegetation and existing snags.
Let's designate this depth as about 5 meters. Here, plants such as elodea are also able to photosynthesize and grow. At the same time, creating shelter for both the pike itself and its prey. For some time, no longer children live there. Of course, they raid shallow waters and explore the horizons of the reservoir.
To what size can the grass pike grow under these conditions (it lives directly in the grass thickets)? It is customary to indicate a maximum of 2-2.5 kg. However, the statement is completely false. If there are optimal conditions for growing to trophy size, there are no obstacles. What are these conditions:
- Abundance of shelters.
- Plenty of forage fish.
- Optimal abiotic conditions.
- Lack of big competition. Both species and interspecific.
- There is no prerequisite for total destruction.
Remember the films of Alexey Shanin about pike fishing in the Krasnodar estuaries. According to information, the depth there is about 2.5 meters. The pond is densely overgrown with vegetation. Pike up to 8 kg. "Travyanka"? Of course, since he lives his whole life among grasses.
photo from the portal spinmedia.ru
But let's continue.
Stage 3
Just below 5 meters depth in the summer, a thermocline layer is formed. Some pike definitely fall under the thermocline. And, judging by the information from ichthyologists, the pike may no longer rise higher. In summer, the transition of temperature layers is a stress that should be avoided. And in winter, if there is a satisfactory oxygen regime, she has enough nutrition.
But what about going out to spawn? Since there are no temperature layers observed during the spawning period, there is no hindrance to those ready to lay eggs and fertilize them to move to shallow waters.
I once read the reports of one ichthyologist (I won’t lie, I don’t remember his last name), but while conducting research, he discovered that the deep-sea pike living under the thermocline is capable of spawning there. Should we believe in the veracity of such information or not? Don't know.
I understand perfectly well that the distribution of pike described above into “grass” and “deep” is greatly compressed. The process is more complex. However, this is how I see the main phases of the distribution of pikes among niches in a reservoir. Correct me if I'm wrong.
Features of fishing for grass pike in quiet creeks and bays
> What to catch > Pike > Features of fishing for grass pike in quiet creeks and bays
Grass is the name given to pike that hunt in grassy thickets.
Usually this is a medium-sized pike weighing from 1.5 to 5 kg. And in any body of water the number of such pikes is always quite large. And an angler who knows how to hold a spinning rod in his hands, knows the peculiarities of pike behavior and understands pike baits will definitely not be left without a catch. So, in almost most reservoirs, fishing for grass pike
is a very promising business. Therefore, the conversation will focus on the places where it is best to catch grass pike.
Grass pike is an excellent option to get hooked on spinning fishing and make it the most exciting hobby of your life. As a rule, fishing for grass pike
, is much more exciting than
catching deep-water pike
, catfish, pike perch, as well as other predators. Grass fishing is more interesting and exciting, and many beginners, when they pick up a spinning rod for the first time, begin to gain their fishing experience from grass fishing.
The name of this predator is well deserved, since it is in the grass that one should begin searching for it. You should know that pike do not like places with strong currents and you should not look for them there, as well as in sections of rivers where there are reverse currents. Quiet backwaters are the most ideal place where the grass weed likes to stay, and the quieter the water, the greater the chances of meeting a grass weed. Therefore, fishing for grass pike in quiet backwaters
always promising. Of course, grass pike can also be found in fairly strong currents, but only in places where there are thickets of grass, and only where there are no backwaters, riffles and stones.
Also, when searching for grass, you need to pay attention to the bottom topography. Coastal thickets of aquatic plants, driftwood, snags, various bushes against the background of a sandy bottom and other fairly noticeable things on a muddy or flat sandy bottom are excellent ambush sites for grass predators. However, attention should be paid to snags and driftwood only as a last resort. The chances of finding a predator in the grass are much higher. However, on a muddy or sandy background, in addition to bushes, driftwood or snags that are located among the shoots of algae are very promising. In bays and creeks of rivers, there are often large areas overgrown with young shoots of nettle. If a more mature bush is found, then it may well serve as an ambush site for the grass pike.
Rocky and concrete edges are also very good places to ambush grass grass, but on the condition that there are thickets of aquatic grass nearby. Of course, it is impossible to say that one place is very good and another is just good, or not quite good. After all, each body of water has its own unique characteristics. However, we can say with confidence that logs, stones, snags, in muddy, dark places are promising for searching for bottom pikes. And fishing for grass pike
in such places it is unlikely to be promising. The main rule for grass is that there must be suitable places for ambush, which means there must be thickets of aquatic grass. And if the angler finds a couple of bushes, one of which is large and the second is smaller, then most likely there is a grass pike in this place.
There is an immutable rule, which, admittedly, is not very convenient for fishermen. The more inaccessible the area of the reservoir, the more grass is concentrated there. Abundant thickets of aquatic grass, where there are many snags, are much more promising than lonely islands of algae. And the more difficult the fishing there, the higher the chances of pike bites. And if you decide to fish in such places, then you need to solve the problem with hooks. And it can be solved quite simply. Probably most spinning anglers are familiar with “non-hook” spinning rods, or at least have heard of them. Silicone, foam rubber and other types of baits are equipped with hooks in such a way that the possibility of snagging is minimal, and does not affect the quality of the hook.
There are two main methods, silicone and foam rubber. The first is using a jig head, the second is inserting a hook into an artificial fish. With this approach, the risk of getting caught can be minimized.
This is done simply, the bait is pierced through with a hook, but the sting does not come out; it must remain in the body of the bait (silicone or foam fish). Thus, the bait does not have the opportunity to catch on anything, but at the moment of grip the pike will run into the tip of the hook. Therefore, fishing for grass pike
in places where the likelihood of snagging is high, it is quite possible to catch an obstacle without much risk. But there is a problem with trolling, due to the fact that the only way to minimize the risk of snagging is the correct placement of the tackle, good knowledge of the bottom topography and fishing skills in hard-to-reach places. Some spinning anglers bend their hooks slightly, but this may affect the quality of the hook.
The most crucial moment comes during fishing. The main thing to remember is that the toothy predator is very greedy, stubborn and proud. And for pike fishing in the grass to be successful, you need to be able to play on its passion and greed.
The first wiring should be carried out along the border of clean water and grass. This is where the grass pike is most often found. First, you need to pass the bait several times with even wiring, and if there are no bites, the next stage is step-by-step wiring. Next, you need to give the bait the appearance of a wounded fish. In this case, you need to work more not with the reel, but with the tip of the rod. Thus, we fish the entire overgrown area. And if there is a pike in this place, then it will definitely grab the bait. You can also use the “vibrating tail-twister” tandem; pike often react to an interesting object, associating this with the fact that a perch is chasing small things under its nose.
With such tactics, the spinner will not be left without a catch if he selects correctly. If you pass the bait under the nose of the grass, it will certainly grab it. Even if she is full. However, various feints with bait activate the pike even more.
One of them is to plant the bait on the branches of aquatic plants, and then with a smooth turn of the reel, move the bait from there and ensure its free fall. It is guaranteed that if a predator sees such a picture, it will rush to the bait without hesitation. It can be seen in the wall of algae that some of the aquatic grass is spread out in the form of a carpet of shoots, and against this there are bushes of different heights. It is mainly in such bushes that the grass pike lurks. Using uniform wiring, you need to walk several times from different sides of the bush. But if this does not result in any action from the pike, then you need to place the bait on one of the branches of this bush, and then pull it from there. As the bait falls, you can pick it up with the end of the spinning rod, but you should not use the reel. As a rule, the spoon simply does not have time to reach the bottom; the pike grabs it earlier.
If several similar falls were made, but the pike did not react to them, then it is better to change the place of fishing. And there, one by one, catch promising bushes. If the bite is good, then an experienced angler can catch from 10 to 20 grasses without any problems!
Happy fishing!
Published: 06/05/2016
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Pike "grass" in other bodies of water
Above we consider a stagnant body of water with great depths. In large rivers the distribution process is approximately the same. Fish also live there in coastal shallow-water vegetation, in mid-level niches, and deep (bottom) fairway pike.
As for small lakes and ponds. The complete absence of large “grass” or their small quantity is a response to many factors:
- Competition.
- Feeding capacity of the reservoir. Here is the calorie content of the object, its quantity, type and size.
- Serious fluctuations in temperature and oxygen conditions. For example, in summer the temperature is high, and in winter there is great freezing.
- Lack of space to grow to a serious size. Both in depth and in breadth.
- Accessibility for humans. Poaching, the influence of our livelihoods and, whatever one may say, mass visits by amateur fishermen.
Now you’re fidgeting in your chair, but you can’t discount the influence of fishing enthusiasts. Judge for yourself.
What is the largest fish that is removed from the reservoir? Of course the largest. Knocking out a population of “mothers” from a quarry, lake or pond takes a couple of seasons. Smaller individuals remain for reproduction. They subsequently make up 99% of the population of this reservoir. Even if there are conditions to grow larger. Why? In a relatively small volume of water, there is simply no chance for “grass” to grow to a size of 5 kilograms or more. Here you have a grass pike with a maximum size of 2 kg. And thank Neptune that it is still found. It may happen that only the one from which the permitted minimum size for catch begins will remain. I'm not kidding. On forums you sometimes read anglers complaining that pike more than half a meter in length cannot be found.
Grass pike. Catching pike in overgrown reservoirs.
Nowadays, there are more and more fishermen, so in order to survive, the fish have to adapt.
Whoever hunts it: animals, fishermen with fishing rods and nets, and even poachers with their barbaric methods.
Underwater hunters are not far behind, always choosing the largest individuals. The fish are now having a very hard time, and the situation is not helped even by the fact that reservoirs are usually quite far from populated areas.
What should the poor fish do? What is the best way to catch pike? If the reservoir has great depth and holes at the bottom, then the fish moves there. She especially likes quiet places with large snags. For example, at the bottom of a reservoir there is a blockage of tree trunks.
Under this rubble, predatory fish are located with great comfort, and practically nothing can be done to get them out of there.
Both sports gear and various poaching devices are powerless here. But in this way, fish can only hide in large reservoirs and rivers, and in small reservoirs 1.5-2 m deep, the same pike has nowhere to go.
Where is the pike hiding?
In small but vast bodies of water like floodplains or estuaries, and even in ordinary wide, shallow lakes, fish have learned to escape in reeds, the thickets of which serve as an ideal refuge for them.
The thickets of this plant are very convenient for any fish: their stems do not form continuous “walls,” so it is not difficult for the inhabitants of reservoirs to hide between them.
In addition, inside reed thickets there are often small areas with clean water, and predatory fish like to hide in them. Yes, these are the same grass pikes that prefer the dense thickets of a reservoir.
Just imagine: a pike is sitting in the reeds, the fry are cracking and spitting on everyone, and above the fishermen are scratching their heads in bewilderment - where have all the fish gone? Many fishermen try to catch pike in running water, without even trying to climb into the dense reed “forests”.
A little about tactics for catching pike in sparse reeds.
I learned this tactic, and the next time, after failure on the canals, I went straight into the reeds. Fishing in “windows” always gave me good results - I never returned home without a big pike.
How to catch pike in reeds.
First, let's talk about the gear. The most important requirement for it is reliability. It must withstand a heavy load - sometimes the pike has to be literally torn out of the reed thickets. A large pike can bite on the bait - I once caught one, in a very small window there was a healthy fish, 6-7 kg.
Coping with such a pike is problematic even in channels, not to mention the reed jungle. Therefore, you don’t need to give the fish the opportunity to come to its senses, hook it and drag it with all your might into the boat. This is why you need strong and reliable gear.
As an epilogue
Whatever one may say, most spinning anglers have to put up with catching the most ordinary medium-sized beetle. It’s a shame, of course, for my colleagues. I believe that everyone wants to hunt for the only “ten” in their life. But take my word for it. You can get a thrill from fishing even from a kilogram pike. Ultralight spinning rod, thin braided line, small size bait. Casting under the reeds. A couple of empty wires, but on the third... Spinning in an arc, the squeal of the clutch, the fish's gorgeous movements to the side, candles. Even the grass pike is worthy of respect for its minutes of struggle. And differences from bottom pike will be revealed only in size.
NHNCH
There is no such thing as too much information
