Catching catfish in May. Zhor of spring catfish.

Where to find catfish in the spring

When fishing for catfish in the spring, success largely depends on knowledge of the fish’s habitats. She begins activity near the hole in which she hibernated:

• In shallow, sun-warmed areas;
• Near trees that have fallen into the water;
• In areas with snags and overgrowth;
• On deep changes;
• In holes that begin on the shallows and enter the channel at the other end;
• On the edges of river channels and river fairways;
• Downstream beyond the locks and dams;
• In non-silted areas in clean, clear water.

To more accurately determine the location, you should stand in silence: if you hear periodic bursts and see a funnel characteristic of a catfish, be sure that you are at the target.

Catching catfish in April

Catfish fishing in early spring begins in mid-April, provided that the water has already warmed up to 10 °C. To determine the temperature, it is not necessary to have a thermometer - water is 3-4 °C colder than the outside air.

At this time, you can fish with almost all baits, but only daytime fishing is effective, night fishing does not give results.

During this period, catfish are characterized by wariness, so they do not swim far from the holes; in rare cases, if the day turns out to be very warm, they are likely to be in the shallows.

When to catch catfish

The subtleties of catching catfish in the spring are that during this period the catfish does not bite at night, therefore, in order to catch a catfish you should count on daytime fishing. It should be noted that spring fishing consists of two important periods - the beginning of the bite and the pre-spawning feast.

The beginning of the bite

The catfish begins to bite as soon as the water in the reservoir warms up to an average of +10 degrees. When the water warms up to this temperature, the catfish emerges from its state of winter torpor and goes in search of food. This period begins around mid-April, depending on the region.

It is important to know! To determine the water temperature in a pond, it is permissible to use a simple rule. In the spring, as the air temperature rises, the water temperature also rises, but it is always 4 degrees lower than the air temperature.

Despite the great desire to profit from something, the catfish shows considerable caution, reluctantly leaving the wintering hole. Therefore, during this period you should catch catfish in wintering pits using a boat.

As a general rule, you shouldn't expect a record catch in mid-April. Mostly fishermen leave with nothing, but some fishermen can still be lucky and the fish will definitely bite.

Pre-spawning zhor

The next stage of spring catfish fishing begins when the water temperature reaches 12 degrees and begins to gradually increase. This period begins around the beginning of May, when the catfish begins to more actively seek food for itself. The more the water temperature rises, the more active the catfish becomes, the more food it needs.

This period begins with the fact that the catfish leaves the wintering hole and begins to actively move around the reservoir in search of food. In early May, catfish appear much more often on the shallows, where there is always more food.

Large individuals prefer to feed on reaches where there is a weak current and a lot of shells.

When the water warms up to a temperature of +16 degrees and slightly higher, the spawning period of the catfish begins. During this period, you should also not count on successful fishing. This period falls in mid-May. For the next one and a half to two weeks, the catfish spawns and practically does not think about food.

Having spawned, the catfish rests for some time and then begins to actively feed, replenishing its tired body with nutrients.

CATFISHING IN SPRING! REFERENCE (signs) when catfish bite in SPRING!

Habits of catfish in spring

The behavior of fish has seasonal differences. Her preferences are different in the spring months.

1. April:

• Not very active at night;
• Lives near holes in which it hibernated and in deep places;
• It is hungry, so it will covet all baits, especially at the beginning of activity.

1. First half of May:

• Comes out of holes and is visible in shallow waters;
• Pre-spawning zhor is characteristic;
• It hunts mainly at night, but is also active during the day.

1. Second half of May:

• goes to spawn, but does not bite;
• After spawning it is passive.

Article on topic: Hooks for catfish

Catching catfish in the spring on a donk

It should be remembered that in spring this freshwater giant is passive at night, so daytime fishing is preferable.

Depending on the water temperature, there are three periods in its behavior.

1. The beginning of biting on donka is 9-11°C;
2. An improvement in the daytime bite is characteristic: 12 – 15°C;
3. Spawning lull, no fishing 16-19°C.

The best bite for catfish in the spring is on a donka from a boat using a kwok (a device that, when in contact with water, creates a characteristic sound), causing fish to float up from the holes. Catching catfish in the spring on a donk from the shore is most effective with tackle and a rod. You can also achieve a good catch by replacing it with a reel, which is distinguished by its compactness. In this case, the optimal thickness of the fishing line is 0.7, and the leashes are 0.6 mm. Attach them 20-25 cm from each other after a sinker weighing at least 50 grams.

The spring catch will be most likely if you cast not one, but several bottoms; equipping the rod with small bells helps to track the bite.

Fishing methods and gear

The method of fishing also depends on the choice of gear. The following accessories are used for fishing on the river:

• trolling and casting spinning rods,
• float rod,
• almost all types of donks, but without using an elastic band,
• kwok.

Using donkey

This fishing method has been used since ancient times. In the modern era, hooks have faded into the background, replaced by fishing rods and reels. But the fishing tactics and equipment of the donkey remained the same.

Assembly technology does not affect the type of gear chosen. The only thing that can change is the use of nylon cord instead of fishing line. Therefore everything remains the same.

Every novice angler can personally equip a fishing tool for catching catfish on a donk from the shore in the spring:

1. Take a leash equipped with a large hook and attach it to the end of the working cord.
2. The weight is attached 40 cm above the leash. It is preferable to use a heavy olive-shaped sliding type sinker with a stopper.
3. Next, the bait is threaded onto the hook. All the gear is thrown into a certain area of ​​the reservoir.

Some catfish hunters can place about 5 donks with an interval of 10 m. They are equipped with signaling devices and are well fixed into the ground. An ordinary bell will serve as an excellent signal.

Float rod

A float rod for catching catfish is used extremely rarely, but in a certain situation it can become a fairly effective tool. For example:

1. Fishing in a shallow river. Experienced fishermen know that in shallow water it makes no sense to use kwok. Even from a boat it will become impossible to make a long cast. In such moments, it is better to fish with a float rod.
2. It is also impossible to carry out wiring in the reeds, since this is fraught with snagging.
3. There may be a snag under the shore, therefore, using a donkey, you can incur a lot of problems by breaking the tackle.

Fishing attachment

When starting fishing, you need to know what catfish bite on. He has a good sense of smell and sensitivity, so you should use bait with a scent, preferably a little spoiled and capable of moving.

The attachments are very varied:

• Available in fishing areas - frogs, small pike, pike perch, shell entrails, crayfish.
• Insects – mole crickets, locusts.
• Earthworms, caterpillars, leeches.
• Pieces of poultry, liver, fried brisket.
• Pork – sliced ​​meat, liver.
• Mice.
• Artificial - vibrating tails, twisters, silicone worms, artificial mice, wobblers, etc.

Article on the topic: Catching catfish with a line

The baits must be large, determined based on the desired size of the catch, and must have a ratio with the handle, 1:4, 1:8. There is a direct relationship between the size of the catch and the size of the bait. If you put a small worm on each hook, ruffs and minnows will eat them. Remember how a catfish bites - sharply, without pauses, pulling to the bottom.

Bottom tackle - design

The design of such gear has always been one of the simplest. Its main components are the rod itself, the reel, the leash, a piece of fishing line with a weight and hooks.

fishing line

A thick fishing line is used that is capable of not breaking when catching large predators. It is wound onto a spool (reel), and a sinker with leads and hooks is attached to the end. The most suitable fishing line is from 0.35 to 0.5 mm.

Sinker selection

If the water current in the fishing area is strong, then you need to use a heavier sinker. It will be easier to cast it further from the shore. Such weights do not get stuck in the bottom silt. They do not interfere when an angler hooks and pulls out a fish. Sinkers in the shape of a cylinder or ball quickly fall into the silt, sink deep into it, raising the turbidity and scaring away the prey.

Good to know! The smoothness of the shape of the sinker is especially important if the depth of the reservoir is shallow. After all, it must fall to the bottom silently, otherwise the catch will be zero. The weights must be attached to a strong fishing line in a sliding, hanging or blind way.

Leash

The leash should be thinner than the donkey line. The length is 0.5 m.

There are five main methods of attaching leashes to fishing line:

1. Loop in a loop. On the main line, several loops are made according to the number of leashes. Then the loop of the leash is threaded into the loop of the line and tightened.
2. Stringing buttons. On the forest, buttons are strung according to the number of leashes. It is necessary to tie a knot before and after the button. A loop of the leash is pulled through the button and pulled tightly.
3. Cut loop. Very large loops are made on the forest. Then they are cut closer to one edge, at a height of 5-6 mm from the nodule. It turns out to be a leash. A hook is already tied to it.
4. Insulating tape. Tubes are made from small pieces of insulating tape and used to attach leashes to the line. Loops are made before and after each tube. A loop is also made at the end of the leash and tightened around the tube.
5. Carbine. The leashes are attached to the line using a store-bought removable carabiner.

Features of catching catfish with bottom tackle

Bottom tackle is a combination of fishing line (cord) with a sinker and leashes with hooks. The peculiarities of fishing with the help of such a device are that it is done without the use of a fishing rod and is carried out mainly on boats. The tackle is held directly in the hand and equipped with a sinker weighing from 30 grams and a powerful hook. In addition, it is advisable to have two fishermen in the boat, since the method is not safe and requires caution, especially when catching a large specimen.

According to fishermen, fishing with bottom gear is the most convenient fishing technique.

How to assemble bottom tackle with your own hands

Donka, “zakidushka” or elastic band is a simple device for catching fish, consisting of a weight, fishing line, rubber shock absorber, reel and leashes with hooks. The use of bottom gear for fishing for bream is one of the most effective and productive techniques that allows you to get a decent catch. Today you can buy tackle at any fishing market, but experienced fishermen prefer to make the donka with their own hands, “for themselves.”

We advise you to learn how to cook millet to feed bream when fishing on a feeder.

Rod

Bottom tackle for bream is equipped with several basic elements, among which one of the main ones is the rod. The main requirements for the device are its length, on which the distance of casting the bait will depend, and the test - the ability of the blank to act with different weights. For bottom fishing, experts advise using rods with feeders that have the required length, excellent flexibility, and the ability to cast long distances up to 150 m.

In addition, the choice of fishing rod will depend on the size of the reservoir. For long distance casting, using long rods is an excellent option. The “golden mean” is considered to be gear with a length of 3500 cm and a test weight of 40–80 g. The most unsuccessful option for bottom fishing are telescopic fishing rods, characterized by poor flexibility, the inability to change sensitivity, and a limited range of up to 60 m. The only advantage of such gear compared to feeder is its low cost.

We recommend reading about the features of fishing for carp.

Coil

There are no special requirements for the reel, since the main time of the fishing process will be spent waiting for a bite, and not spent on numerous casts of the tackle. You can use almost any, even budget, inertia-free version of the reel. The main thing is that the described device reels in the fishing line efficiently and does not provide resistance during its free descent at the moment of casting.

If you plan to use the gear for a long time and your financial capabilities allow it, experts advise choosing a high-quality reel made from durable, wear-resistant materials, which will subsequently allow you to catch not only bream and crucian carp, but also roach and silver bream.

fishing line

In the process of rigging a donkey, many novice fishermen have a choice between fishing line or braided cord. To clarify this issue, it is worth exploring what the main differences between them are. The fishing line is a classic nylon thread, which is characterized by a certain stretchability and thickness. Of course, the thicker the line, the heavier the weight it can support. For catching bream, it is recommended to use a thickness of 0.25–0.4 mm, but the final choice will depend on fishing conditions, the depth of the reservoir and the speed of the current. If the current is slow, the line should be thick.

Did you know? The world record holder for casting a rod was the German fisherman Walter Kimmerow, who managed to cast a tackle weighing 30 g over a distance of 176 m.

Read The best trolling wobblers and how to make the right choice

As for braided cord, it costs more than fishing line, but is more convenient to use. Braid has no “memory”, is not prone to stretching, is convenient for casting, and greatly simplifies hooking prey. The optimal solution for catching even the most nimble and hefty bream is a cord with a thickness of 0.2–0.28 mm.

Hooks

To catch bream, it is recommended to equip the donk with hooks that meet the following requirements:

• sharpness and the ability not to become dull over a long period;
• thickness and dimensions. The smaller the bait, the smaller and thinner the hook should be.

Pay attention to the description of the ruff fish.

The main principle of selecting hooks is to find one that will best suit the approximate size of the prey. A very small hook can attract only small fish, while a large and thick hook can scare away the bream. It is best to have several types of hooks in your arsenal and use different ones, depending on the situation.

How to catch catfish on a donk from the shore (2 options and fishing technique)

1. Fishing technique using coastal bottom tackle with a rod during the pre-spawning period.

Catching catfish using this technique gives good results in the spring , especially in May, during the pre-spawning period, when the water temperature in the reservoir is at least +16°C.

• Determine the location. During this period, this is easy to do, since the catfish actively moves in shallow waters.
• Place the rod on a strong support and tie it to a stake driven into the ground.
• Loosen the reel clutch to avoid line breakage in case of a possible jerk.
• Provide your gear with an audible bite indicator in the form of a bell or an electronic alarm.
• Use enzyme-based baits or a feeder with a combined animal and plant composition in a ratio of 70% to 30%.
• Wait for the bite; as soon as it happens, hook it immediately.
• Start fishing.

1. Classic fishing technique without a rod.

Article on the topic: Catching catfish with kwok

This technique is very effective when catching large specimens and consists of the following steps.

• In warm, pre-storm cloudy weather, secure several classic donks on the shore using carved homemade spears stuck in the sand. Rogatins, with this technique, also perform the function of a reel.
• Make the tackle from a greenish cord and provide it with a float to control the bait.
• Secure the butt of the tackle with a carabiner to the tree trunk
• Thread the bait in a bunch. You should have several different baits in your arsenal.
• Throw the tackle and pull towards you until the slack in the cord is eliminated and a depth of 2 meters is reached.
• After casting, attach any available bite alarm.
• Put on gloves and, having noticed a bite, start pulling out - if the fish suddenly moves away, lower the line a little and then hold it, trying to reduce resistance and fatigue.
• Drag the catch closer to the shore and take it into the landing net.
• A large specimen should be taken under the gills with a hook and stunned.

The table shows the equipment for both techniques.

Features of seasonal fishing in spring, summer, and autumn

Spring

Donka is an important tackle when fishing in the spring. Especially in May, you can get a positive effect from catching catfish with a quok. The coolest places for catching catfish are the exits from the pits where the fish spent the winter.

In the spring, in the afternoon, after the water has already warmed up, the best time for catching catfish begins, which begins to intensively ply through the warm reservoir

The coolest places for catching catfish are the exits from the pits where the fish spent the winter. In the spring, in the afternoon, after the water has already warmed up, the best time for catching catfish begins, which begins to intensively cruise through a warm body of water.

Summer

Summer fishing for the “master of the pools” is a very exciting activity, since it is at this time of year that the best bite occurs.
Fishermen do not notice either time or fatigue. There are a number of effective ways to catch catfish in the summer. At this time of year, it lives both in the depths and visits the shallows on the rifts. The choice of place to catch catfish in summer is varied. But the main location remains proven quiet pools. You can see them in the evening, when the heat subsides, how they cut through the surface of the water, creating noisy splashes.

Catfish bite well, both in the morning and in the evening. But it is best caught at night in the summer. A tasty bait for catfish at this time is a piece of fish or a frog. But in each river it bites differently, even in a special way.

Fishing with several bottom fishing rods is the most successful option. You can put different baits on all the hooks. It is better to cast for a frog closer to the shore. You can cast it further away with live bait and crawlers.

Autumn

Catching catfish in the fall is a simple, but at the same time very exciting activity. Catching catfish is not particularly difficult, since when the temperature drops and in cloudy weather, it begins to feed at an accelerated rate, without leaving its permanent places of deployment.

However, in the fall it is more difficult to guess the habitat of the catfish than in the summer or spring. Determining such a place is possible by observing the habitat of fish such as carp, bream, and chub. Where there is a clear concentration of these fish, catfish may also be present. It turned out that catfish actively bite in the fall during the day than at night. The fishing location also affects the bite - it will be better to bite in holes than in shallow water. A particularly good time for fishing is early morning. Maintaining silence is a sure guarantee of successful fishing, since catfish are a particularly sensitive fish to extraneous, unfamiliar noises.

Read Fishing for asp

What is the key to success in catfishing? The first is to fish in the right place, the second is to fish at the right time of day, taking into account the greatest activity of the fish and the tendency to feed, the third is to catch catfish with the right tackle and with the right bait. All these three correctness will ultimately lead to a simple algorithm - catch catfish in pits, mainly at night and preferably with bottom gear.

Fishing for catfish

It is considered the most difficult process, requiring caution and patience. Step-by-step instruction:

• Wear thick, durable gloves to protect against injury.
• Make the fish tired by gently shaking it from side to side without loosening the line.
• If the fish lies on the bottom, tap the rod, getting scared, it will certainly float up.
• Having noticed the fish turning belly up, start dragging it to the shore.
• Hook the hook onto the gills and pull it out of the water.

Knowledge of such simple subtleties will certainly bear fruit and have a positive impact on the results of fishing; you will be able to make the dream of any fisherman come true - to catch a large catfish, which will become a source of pride for you.

Types of gear and how to collect them

Despite the extensive use of gear when fishing for catfish, the choice and assembly of equipment plays a huge role.

Spinning fishing:

• You need to choose a spinning rod from 2.5 to 3 m. It will be more convenient to fish from the shore in long sizes, and from a boat in small sizes. The material used to make them must be very durable; the catfish is a rather large fish. Fiberglass or glass carbon with a test exposure of 50 to 90 g, or even more, is suitable;
• It is better to use a cartoon or inertial coil. But the second option will be more difficult to fish out, and the likelihood of failure is greater;
• fishing line or braid. The difference is almost imperceptible. The main thing is that its length should be at least 200 m, and the tensile strength should be able to pull out a fish of the intended weight. Since in some reservoirs catfish sizes have been recorded reaching a weight of up to 400 kg and a length of 4–6 m;
• The bait on the spinning rod is mainly used: spinners - spinners, deep - wobblers, jig baits in the form of various fish, toads, crustaceans. The size of any nozzle should not be less than 15 cm.

Most fishermen catch catfish using a spinning rod, without excluding the possibility of catching other predators.

Fishing with bottom equipment:

This type of gear is fished from the shore and consists of the following parts:

• reel;
• fishing line or cord;
• bell;
• hook.
• a stick is attached to the reel or reel, which is driven into the bank;
• a fishing line of at least 0.5 mm, length (30–60 m) is attached to it, with casting calculated;
• a tee is attached at the end of the equipment;
• on one side of the tee a load of 0.2 kg is attached, taking into account the current. With a leash 1 m long;
• on the other hand, the bait, the length of the leash should be 1-1.5 m;
• A bell or other type of signaling device is attached near the reel.

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