Features of catching catfish in winter. How to catch catfish in winter: Fisher Go

Catfish is one of the ten most heat-loving freshwater fish, so the ability to catch it in winter raises deep doubts among many. But some fishermen claim that they have repeatedly, and therefore not by chance, managed to lift the mustachioed giants onto the ice even in mid-January. Tales? It’s unlikely, because to confirm their words they show photos in which they hold decent catfish in their hands, standing over the hole. And behind me is a white snow-covered background and trees covered with frost.

Of course, in our age of high technology, such a picture can be easily created using a graphic editor, but why would a fishing enthusiast need this? A real fisherman will not waste time on such nonsense; he devotes every free minute to his favorite pastime. Let's try to figure out whether catfishing is possible in winter. And to do this, let’s get to know this secretive river resident and his way of life.

Catfish pits

It’s no secret that for many anglers, “hunting” for catfish is considered a true summer activity. Of course, catching catfish using natural bait is a great pleasure on a quiet summer evening. But there is a certain part of fishermen whose opinions are similar: it is preferable to catch catfish with a spinning rod at a time when most of the fishermen have put down their gear until spring.

This opinion arose for a reason: a decrease in air temperature, and, consequently, water in reservoirs, has a beneficial effect on the concentration of catfish in pits, and therefore in specific places in the reservoir there is a massive accumulation of sleeping fish. So, when casting a silicone bait into catfish pits, the fish begins to intensively and reflexively grab the bait .

Features of behavior

Whether it is possible to catch catfish in winter is a subject of constant doubt among anglers. And I must say that these doubts are completely justified. Moreover, during the cold season, such fish are in a state of extreme peace and relaxation. Simply put, they are sleeping, and waking them up and stirring them up can be very difficult. Catfish go into wintering pits, which makes it very difficult to find and attract prey.

Their habits are quite predictable - maintaining a strict diet, lack of interest in nutrition. There is almost no bite. And it may even seem that winter fishing for catfish is completely devoid of prospects. But experienced fishermen still know how to overcome the difficulties that arise. True, even they are aware that in January and February there will be no fish to bite with rare exceptions, for example, in relatively warm reservoirs.

How to catch catfish in winter?

Fishing in winter is especially pleasant because it is an inherently unique time of year. Particular attention should be paid to catching catfish in winter, because this type of fishing is very unique. As you know, in winter the catfish sleeps, so it is possible to catch it only with a fishing rod. In most cases, during the winter, catfish gather in a group so that this time of year is as comfortable as possible for them. The main difficulty in catching catfish in winter is finding a place where catfish can live. And this requires some knowledge and skills.

How to catch catfish in winter?

First of all, you need to prepare samoder. What it is? These are three large iron hooks. They, together with the sinker, are attached to a thick fishing line or rope. Three hooks are the best option;
As soon as the fisherman gets to the lake, he should start searching for a fishing spot. Where do catfish live in winter? This fish sleeps exclusively in holes, and you need to look for them in reservoirs. You won’t be able to find places where catfish gather at random. What to do? The search for such a place should begin in the summer. The deepest places are ideal for the accumulation of catfish;
The next step is to create the hole. There is no need to make the hole just huge. The ideal option is three catfish heads (medium size). You don't want to punch a huge hole. First of all, it is quite dangerous for the fisherman himself;
Let's get started with fishing. We throw the sauger to the bottom (this will be the so-called test cast). Attention and sensitivity are the main qualities that must be applied during the first cast. As soon as you feel that the anchor has definitely fallen to the bottom, we carefully hook it. The first cast (test) will most likely not bring any results. However, you should not think that all fishing is lost. You should continue to send the Samoder to the bottom. However, at the moment when a fisherman hooks a fisherman, one must take into account the fact that not one fish, but several at once can fall on him;
Patience is the main quality in winter fishing. If this is your first time fishing in winter, you should not be nervous; you should not immediately abandon the fishing spot after several casts. The main thing is to know that it is under the hole that there is a hole in which catfish can essentially exist;
If the fisherman feels the weight of the fish in the area of the fisherman, he should not rush, and should not make unnecessary sudden movements. The winter period is characterized by the fact that each catfish is in hibernation. The average withdrawal rate of the samoder is an ideal option. In this case, there is no need to rush, since the catfish may wake up and try to devote maximum effort to resistance. On the contrary, some fishermen take too long to remove fish from the lake. Under its own weight, the catfish can move away from the tackle without any problems;
If, when the catfish approaches the hole, the fisherman sees the head, he should pierce the fish’s head as quickly as possible with a sharp object (example: the same hook) and pull it out onto the ice. Only speed, only quick actions solve all the problems of getting fish from the lake.

In winter, catfish sleep and this is the main advantage of every fisherman. The more times the samoder is lowered to the bottom, the greater the likelihood that the fish begins to wake up.

Winter fishing for catfish is very attractive to many fishermen. This is truly a good way to spend your time. The main thing is to do everything right, and you will succeed.

Silicone as the best bait

Silicone baits for catching catfish in winter can also be used to catch pike perch .
With the help of weighted lead heads, even in conditions of strong current, a silicone bait has every chance of being effective near the bottom. The streamlined shape of silicone baits allows for high-quality long-distance casts. Using silicone baits, you can successfully catch catfish in the winter, when there is severe frost and natural baits do not show energy and effectiveness. In winter, it is better to take silicone fish with you in sizes from 10 to 17 centimeters for catfish , since using large silicone baits in the winter is impractical, bites do not happen. However, in the summer, it is the large giant Twisters, the length of which can reach 28 centimeters, that are considered the best.

Color preferences when choosing a bait can be decided quite simply: when fishing in muddy water, it is advisable to use neon yellow silicone baits, while clean and transparent river water allows baits of green, golden and silver shades to best appear.

Excellent results in catching catfish in the winter season are shown by baits with sparkles, which remind catfish of the reflections of fish scales. At night, phosphorescent baits are popular . Before throwing such baits, they need to be saturated with the light of a flashlight. Thus, fishing even in complete darkness will be effective.

Hook up

Among the lead heads, we must pay tribute to the so-called Stand-Up, the fore-end of which is directed at an angle of 45 degrees relative to the plane. It is worth paying attention to the fact that with the help of this important quality the number of effective hooks increases significantly.

Based on the current and depth of the reservoir , fishing can be done with heads, the weight of which ranges from 15-35 grams. In the case when the river current is too intense, it is better to place a sinker in front of the lead head, for example, an “Olive” weighing 15-30 grams. This way, you can secure additional weight on the main line using rubber stoppers.

“Olives” are good when catching catfish because they, like a sled, slide along the surface of the bottom of a reservoir, raising the turbidity of silt. It is the dregs, in turn, that serves as an excellent element for attracting the attention of catfish.

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Regardless of which lead head is used in catching catfish, the hook must be sharp so that it can pierce the catfish’s mouth. In this regard, fishing with lead heads can be accompanied by equipment in the form of high-quality hooks.

Catfish fishing method

Lead heads, where the hooks are located at an angle of 45 degrees, have proven to be excellent for catching catfish in winter. Their weight should be from 15 to 35 grams. In areas with moderate currents, heads of various shapes and weights can be used. In places where the current is strong, it is recommended to use a head whose weight is at least 20 grams, and its shape should be similar to an olive. Many fishermen say that in winter you can’t catch catfish without silicone bait.

Using bottom rigs and submerged floats in winter

The colder the water, the closer to the bottom the fish stay. At the bottom she also finds her food, since in cold weather something edible is rarely found in the water column and on its surface. It is clear that catfish also stay almost exclusively at the bottom. The best equipment for fishing from the shore is a rig with a submerged float. This float is put on the leash of the tackle; it lifts the bait and allows you to present it seductively at the very bottom. With this rig I use heavy lead weights or rocks tied to fairly thin line. This arrangement of bottom gear has two important advantages. Firstly, the heavy weight holds the bait securely on the river bottom. Secondly, due to its weight, the catfish that grabs the bait hooks itself during the first jerk.

The worm is considered the #1 bait for catfish. This bait works great in winter too. I put up to a dozen worms on the hook; this bunch plays great in the water and, combined with its natural smell, is a real treat for the catfish. You can additionally moisten the worms with some attractive attractant.

Live fish is one of the catchable bait options for winter catfish. In this case, it is important to offer the predator prey that would behave actively in cold water. For example, these are asp, pike perch, bream, rudd or crucian carp. I attach live bait to a two-hook rig. After the gear is delivered and the live bait is lowered to the bottom, the fishing rods are placed in the holders. The slack of the lines must be adjusted and the reel brakes must be tightened. This promotes self-hooking of the catfish after the first bite.

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Catfish fishing spot

It is believed that the most effective places for catching catfish are the fields between the groins (half-ponds). Catfish can find excellent shelter and a laid table in these places of the reservoir. The favorite stopping place for catfish in winter is the washed out front part of the semi-dam. You can also discover and make a pleasant surprise for yourself if you try to catch a catfish on the edge of the riverbed, where it is also very likely to land to hunt prey.

At twilight, the catfish goes to the inner part of the semi-dam and approaches the stone embankment for subsequent capture of prey. The following places on a body of water are excellent for catching catfish: entrances to ports, mouths of backwaters. In this place the fish also stands on the edge of the river bed . Note that only large catfish can be located in the riverbed itself.

You should also not ignore underwater natural obstacles, snags, etc., since catfish, like a real cunning and predatory fish, can ambush their prey.

If you have ever caught catfish with a quok, and also used natural baits, then most likely you have observed on the echo sounder monitor a catfish rising to the surface of the water behind the bait. Be sure to remember places like this! However, in winter, catfish are more likely to be caught on artificial bait.

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If you are fishing from a boat , and also have an echo sounder with you, then as a guideline for successfully catching catfish, you can consider the places where small fish accumulate - potential victims of catfish. Remember the truth: if there is a concentration of forage fish, it means that there is a catfish or several “mustached” representatives of the fish world nearby.

Choosing a fishing spot

The best option is a place between dams. Catfish are often found here, as there is plenty of food for them here. As a rule, the fish wait for the fry at the front of the dam.

After the sun sets, the catfish move to the inside of the dam. Sometimes the catfish is located in snags - here it hunts for small fish.

When catching catfish with a quok, you can observe the following situation - the fish is behind the bait on the surface of the water. You need to remember this place. If you are interested in this method of fishing, we recommend that you read the article “Making a quok and going for catfish.”

If you are fishing from a boat, a concentration of small fish can act as a landmark.

After all, she is the potential victim of catfish. Remember: where there are a lot of small fish, catfish will definitely appear.

Tips and interesting facts

When choosing jig heads, it is better to give preference to Stand Up models, in which the hook shank is directed at an angle of 45° in relation to the plane. Thanks to this arrangement, the number of successful hooks is much higher.
When catching catfish in winter, the angler will need a lot of patience and perseverance, so if possible, try to choose clothes made from modern materials that allow you to stay in the cold for a long time.
Regardless of the chosen method of catching catfish in winter, the bait should be presented in close proximity to the fish itself, so that the catfish must see the bait to attack.

What to fish with

These fish eat anything that is in front of their whiskers and fits into their mouth. Not only various fish and insects, but also birds, frogs and rodents were found in the stomachs of large catfish. They can eat crayfish and crabs.

The diet of catfish usually depends on their size.

Small catfish (up to one meter) usually feed on:

invertebrates such as snails, insect larvae;
small crustaceans;
everything edible that can be found at the bottom, including dead fish, birds, rodents.

Large catfish (more than a meter) eat everything and actively hunt large fish, birds, rodents, crayfish and crabs.

Lures for bottom fishing

Suitable for fishing are live and dead fish from the family of carp, perch and other species that live in its reservoir.

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Fish scraps, dead fish, and large bunches of manure worms work best.

Try using dead squid or octopuses that are not fresh (with a slight odor), you can try catching them with the liver.

Many catfish prefer large baits, bait with bunches of worms or several carcasses.

Spinning baits

It makes sense to catch catfish with artificial bait only in bodies of water where there are a lot of other fish and it is constantly included in its diet.

The size of the bait must be selected based on the size of the expected prey. Lures should be large in size based on the size of the prey, but not more than 30 cm.

The color of artificial baits does not matter when catching catfish; it practically does not use vision for prey, but uses other senses.

When fishing with artificial bait, you should use the following tactics. If the catfish is active, it likes to rise from the bottom to the upper layers of water and look for its prey there. Therefore, fishing must begin from the surface, gradually descending to the bottom.

To lift catfish from the bottom, a special device, a quok, is often used. By hitting it on the surface of the water, it imitates the sounds of fish and other living creatures feeding from the surface, causing interest in large catfish and causing them to rise from the bottom.

Catfish baits

Fishermen have confirmed that fish such as catfish are best lured using artificial bait. The most preferable are silicone baits, which are made heavy by attaching a particle of lead to them. The color of such baits improves the visibility of fish, thereby focusing attention on their location. So, for example, if the water in which catfish live is quite cloudy, then it is best to use bright yellow bait. For clear water, silver or green baits are suitable. Additionally, fishermen can use phosphorous baits, which can glow at night, thereby indicating the catfish to food. The size of the bait should not be more than 20 cm. Otherwise, the catfish will not be able to swallow it, and, therefore, will not swim to the fishing spot.

During the winter period, sleep is not very active. This allows fishermen to freely lure it to the fishing spot and hang bait on the hook that the fish can feast on. The main factor for successful catfishing in winter is the temperature of the reservoir in which the catfish is hiding at the bottom.

Catfishing is currently prohibited. However, poaching methods of catching such fish can be seen quite often today. People simply do not overdo this activity, catching fish for their own purposes and needs.

If you first familiarize yourself with the information that a fisherman may need, you can catch enough catfish in winter to enjoy the delicious meat of such fish. Winter fishing for catfish cannot be carried out anywhere in the reservoir, so you need to prepare for such a complex process in the summer.

Catching catfish in winter

Catching catfish in winter gives a real fisherman a special thrill, because winter fishing for catfish is something special, combining both great patience and extraordinary dexterity. It’s winter, frost, drifting snow, but a true amateur fisherman in his dreams sees an ice hole, his gear and, finally, a big fish struggling on the ice. Strange as it may sound, you need to prepare for winter fishing in the summer; more precisely, you need to select a place for winter fishing in the warm season. This cautious fish has the character of a fighter; when hooked, the large catfish strongly resists. There is no consensus on whether it is worth trying to catch catfish in winter. Some anglers are sure that catfish are in a state of hibernation in winter, while others have the opposite opinion and successfully catch them. Winter, they believe, is the best time to catch strong and big fish. It is known from practice that catfish fish are long-lived, grow quite quickly and sometimes reach a weight of up to 300 kilograms.

In late autumn, when the air and water temperatures correspondingly drop, catfish gradually move into holes. Catfish overwinter in deep holes, standing, gathering several individuals in one hole. However, they react instantly to a bait floating past the “winter apartment”, aggressively, reflexively grabs the bait, and at such a moment it can be hooked.

Catfish are most active at dusk, but in heavy snowfall, in cloudy weather, as fishing experts assure, a catfish can be hooked during the day. Experienced fishermen know that in winter catfish are more easily provoked to artificial bait. That's why many people catch catfish using jigs.

The old "grandfather" method

This method, of course, is not sports. The main equipment is a special drill for drilling a hole, and the so-called samoder for catching catfish, which is a device of three hooks with a sinker attached to a rope or thick fishing line.

Experienced fishermen understand that catching catfish in winter is possible in semi-dams or areas of a reservoir near washed-out banks. The difficulty of winter fishing for catfish is finding a hole where catfish spend the winter. Experts identify these places in the summer, keeping in mind that catfish choose the deepest holes. Next, a hole of the appropriate diameter is cut. Then a test cast of the samoder is made to the bottom. This operation requires special sensitivity of sensations. You can hook not only one fish, but several at once. Of course, the fisherman must have extraordinary patience. Sooner or later the fish will be caught if the hole is located above the fish station. It is necessary to pull out the catch carefully, but without slowing down, because the fish will “come to its senses” and fall off under its own weight. For insurance purposes, sluggish fish on the surface must be pierced with a sharp hook and pulled out onto the ice. In a fit of excitement, one should not forget about common sense and legislation, that is, the catch should be within reason, no more than a person needs for consumption. It should be remembered that the legislation provides for environmental protection measures.

Tackle

Taking into account the peculiarities of the seasonal migration of this fish, it is much more difficult to catch it with a simple spinning rod than with a donk. In any case, a large predatory individual is very stubborn and persistent, often trying to free itself, making sharp jerks and maneuvers. Therefore, it is imperative to use first-class fishing gear and only very high-quality, highly durable gear. The choice of a specific device is determined solely by the convenience of fishing.

An attractive bait game without a light rod is unthinkable. Therefore, we have to prepare a sophisticated compromise, not forgetting about maintaining its strength. At the preparation stage, an ice pick will come in handy, since the wider the hole, the more convenient it is to act. The bagorik is also worth having with you.

Old-fashioned way

It is better to determine where the catfish holes are in the summer. The deeper the hole, the more fish will live in it.

First, you have to cut a hole in the ice. Then throw the equipment into it with a self-propelled gun. If you cut the hole correctly, the effect will be immediate.

It is necessary to pull out the sauger carefully, as several fish may be caught on it at once. At the same time, there is no need to slow down, the catfish will slide off! To be on the safe side, pierce the catfish on the surface with a hook.