Winter fishing attracts the attention of an increasing number of fishermen. Every year, during the winter, thousands of people go to the pond to sit with a fishing rod near the hole and enjoy their favorite pastime. Avid fishermen go fishing in winter, regardless of the weather, be it minus forty frost or strong wind.
In the twenty-first century, there is everything for comfortable winter fishing, from warm clothes to a fishing rod. But before you buy a fishing rod, you need to find out what criteria it must meet and how to equip it for various methods and types of fishing.
The fishing rod must meet the following parameters:
- Ease. Heavy fishing rods make your hand very tired.
- Flexible whip.
- Strength.
- Good quality material.
- Lifetime.
There are different types of fishing in winter and each of them has its own special type of equipment. This article will detail rigging methods for some species.
Features of winter fishing rod equipment
Rigging a fishing rod is a serious matter and must be approached responsibly so as not to make a mistake and ruin your vacation. So, how to properly equip a fishing rod for fishing:
On the jig
Jigs are a hook combined with a weight of a unique design. You can fish using bait; bloodworms, maggots, etc. are suitable. You can also use a jig without bait, simply baiting the fish with its movement.
Fish are attracted due to the fact that the jig has a bright color and is coated with reflective metal, for example:
- Silver.
- Chromium.
- Brass.
- Copper.
- Tungsten.
It is very easy to equip for this method. To do this you need:
- Wind a thin line onto the spool of the urn. The size of the fishing line should be approximately 0.8 mm, if there is no current, then a fishing line of 1.12 mm will do, but no more.
- It is better to tie the jig directly to the fishing line, without using a leash insert. This is a requirement in order not to complicate the tackle with knots.
- Secure the nod to the edge of the fishing rod so that it becomes its continuation. The nod here is a spring element and a latch. You can make it yourself, or you can just buy it.
Important! The flexibility of the nod and the weight of the jig must be combined.
With the help of a jig you can catch various fish, such as:
- Perch.
- Podleschik.
- Roach.
- crucian carp
For the spinner
Spoons that bring a lot of catch are usually homemade. But in the store you can also choose a model that will be the key to successful fishing. In any case, this bait can always be upgraded. This tackle differs from the jig in that it is coarser, because the spinner weighs more than most jigs.
The equipment instructions are the same as in the case of jigs, only there are a few differences. For example, the fact that in this case a larger fishing line of 0.12-0.2mm is used. A more rigid nod is needed, or you can simply replace it with a fishing rod with a flexible whip.
With such a bait you can catch small fish, which are on the jig fishing list, or you can use larger ones, for example:
- Burbot
- Pike perch.
- Pike.
To the balancer
Balancers are also a kind of spinner, they differ in their shape. The balancers are made in the shape of a small fish. The results show that they produce larger catches than regular spoons. The equipment instructions are no different from those proposed for lure fishing.
There are two types of balancers:
- Soft wool ponytail.
- Rigid plastic tail.
Plastic ones are considered the best, they are much more catchy and can be used to play in a way that will attract large predators, such as pike.
A few tips to help you choose the right balancer:
- When choosing a balancer, you need to take into account the depth and size of the reservoir where you will be fishing. For greater depths, take heavy models so that they sink easier. For shallow depths, smaller balancers are appropriate.
- The best balancers have a soldered hook. Then the fish will definitely not fall off the bait.
- The color of the balancer is selected depending on what kind of fish is found in the pond. For example, if fishing is supposed to be for pike, then the color should resemble the color of perch, since it is the natural food of pike. In cloudy weather, it is better to take brightly colored balancers so that they are visible to the fish and attract its attention. Red, golden, yellow, and silver colors work well.
- A balancer that is characterized by active play will be effective. The more active the game, the greater the chance of attracting the attention of prey.
Among the numerous models of this bait, the balancers distinguished themselves:
- Rapala.
- Kuusamo.
For lovers of jig fishing
The equipment of a winter fishing rod for roach in this case depends on what fishing technique the angler will use. The key feature of the reelless reel is the absence of any bait, so the installation of such equipment requires special delicacy. For those who want to acquire a simple fishing rod with a nod, you will need:
How to equip a winter fishing rod for roach if the angler prefers to fish with a jig with bait? In order for you to enjoy your catch, you should be prepared for the fact that conditions may differ significantly in different parts of the reservoir. In this case you will have to take into account:
- the shape of the jig (very often the capricious roach may simply not like the usual “pellet”);
- thickness of the fishing line (the optimal option, as already noted, is the range of 0.06–0.10 mm);
- color of the jig (it is recommended to use a dark one in shallow waters, and a light one at depth).
Tips for fisherman: To what depth to lower live bait in winter - Features of choice
Don’t forget about the weight of the artificial bait, because the nod to the fishing rod is selected taking this parameter into account.
In addition to standard ones, you can use other options for winter fishing rods - “filly” or “balalaika”. The most widespread is the latter, consisting of a reel that simultaneously serves as both a handle and a whip. Its center of gravity is slightly shifted, so the influence of the fishing rod itself on the game is minimal. The main difference between the “filly” is the absence of a coil and other moving parts. The fishing line is wound directly onto the body, which is very convenient, especially in severe frost.
Summer fishing for peaceful fish has won many hearts. Fishing with a float rig is considered a classic; fishing of this type is carried out using two types of rods: Bolognese and fly rods. The first option has guide rings along the entire length of the blank and can be used as a tool for catching large fish. The second one does not have any, and the advantage lies in lightness and mobility.
Winter float rod
Many people use a float rod for winter fishing for the first time. As practice shows, a float rod shows good results when fishing in winter. The requirements for such fishing rods are not very high. All you need is a flexible whip and a light fishing rod.
There are three types of float rods for winter fishing:
- With open coil
- With closed coil
"Filly"
Many fishermen prefer the “filly”, thanks to the durable material from which it is made, it will last for many years. But there are people who prefer fishing rods with reels because they are more convenient and there is no need to wind the line on the reel, as is the case with the “filly”.
Additional parameters that can help you choose a float rod for winter fishing:
Float.
You can choose any float, the main thing is that it fulfills its natural task, giving a signal when the fish bites. You can choose any color for the float, as well as any shape. There are many types of floats, here are some of them:
- Cone. The name speaks for itself.
- Barrel. Similar to a cone, only it is rounded and larger.
- Cigar. Slightly extended float.
- Double. A float on top, to which another float is attached.
The float must be selected depending on the depth and current of the reservoir. Place a float in the hole 5-10cm below the water level to prevent it from freezing.
Fishing line.
For winter fishing, it is advisable to use a new, soft, not wrinkled fishing line. It is best to use the thinnest line possible. It happens that a fisherman sits without a catch, and then changes the fishing line to a thinner one and the fish begins to bite well. It is recommended to take fishing line from the most well-known companies.
With a nod and a balance
This method of using artificial bait in the form of a fry or fish equipped with hooks is suitable for catching large predators, including perch, pike and pike perch . Fishing with balance beams refutes the idea of fishing as a monotonous pastime involving primitive gear. Winter fishing from holes using a fishing rod with a nod and a balance requires skill in controlling the bait and certain knowledge about the design of the fishing rod, the depth and topography of the reservoir, and fish habits.
Among fishermen, balancers unite into a kind of caste that exclusively recognizes this type of fishing in winter as the richest in trophies. The search for large predators in winter stimulates the activity of fishermen, because after sitting all day at one hole, a predator cannot be caught, so for them, the success of fishing is determined by choosing the right place - before determining the location of the fish, they have to drill several holes.
Did you know? In China and Japan, cormorants were once used to catch fish: due to a special collar, the bird could not swallow it and was forced to bring the fish to its owner.
You will need a set of fishing rods, which must be prepared and set up in advance. The tactics of using a balancer will require a minimum set of gear of three fishing rods and a variety of bait, each of them is checked in the first holes.
And only then can you choose the right gear that is suitable for a particular body of water. For this you will need:
- rod for heavy bait (20–30 g) and deep-water fishing for pike perch and pike;
- lightweight tackle for medium bait (10–20 g) at shallow and medium depths;
- ultra-light fishing rod for medium and small perch for balance weight up to 15 g.
The thicker the ice, the more difficult it is to find perch, because with icing the fish moves away from the shore and hides in the depths under snags. When a school is found, fishing will be successful. But don’t be upset if the bite stops after the first or second fish caught. In this case, fill the hole with snow to return to it after a while.
Selection of equipment
It should be remembered that large fish behave very actively when fishing and weigh enough to break the whip and tear the fishing line, so the gear must be durable, and the materials must be resistant to frost. Make sure that parts remain elastic at low temperatures. Light rod options are universal for reconnaissance, but for a real, significant catch, you should use a more substantial rod.
Important! When a braided line gets wet, it freezes in the cold and loses its elasticity. It should only be used for leashes.
It is assembled from the following gear:
- Fishing rod. An elongated, flexible rod, a type of miniature spinning rod 25–60 cm long, is suitable for use under a balancer. The stores offer a wide selection to suit every taste and meet all requirements. It is advisable to choose a longer handle; cork would be the ideal material. Make sure that the rod clearly conveys the bite and the sound of the lowering balancer immediately after the swing, so it should bend slightly.
- Whip. It should be elastic, hard enough to cut through the fish’s mouth when hooking, if your goal is large specimens. To get them out of the hole, the whip must withstand the tension. When using a balancer, select the whip according to its weight - it should bend slightly. A soft whip is useful for perch; in this case, its careful bites will be transmitted directly to the hand. The most suitable materials are graphite or carbon fiber. It is necessary to have movable rings to allow the coil to be balanced. The length for a whip for a large perch will be 20–30 cm.
- Coil. It should be roomy, its diameter is 50–70 mm, with a reliable stopper and a light drum that rotates without difficulty. Ready-made medium and light weight fishing rods from the store are already equipped with a reel or reel. Some fishermen refuse to use it in order to lighten the weight of the rod - if fishing occurs near the surface, then there is enough line on the reel. At average depths, reserves exceed 5–10 m, so it is more convenient to use a fishing rod and reel. In this case, it is better to choose one that does not require lubrication in the winter - an open-type inertial coil, since you will need to monitor the rest of the line, and if moisture gets inside, it is easy to remove it. Some people use small multipliers, but this is not convenient for everyone, because the winter line often weakens and falls in rings, which makes fishing difficult, especially if you have a small balancer.
- Nod. It becomes a significant element of signaling in this type of fishing, but only for perch on a small balancer - the bite of pike and pike perch is felt by hand. Its correct selection helps to immediately respond to a bite and make a good retrieve, which will affect the size of the catch. The nod should maintain sensitivity, lightness and strength, while being quite rigid; as a rule, metal springs and plates are used. Experienced fishermen often make these themselves from nipple rubber, lavsan, thin plastic, aluminum wire and clock mechanism springs. To catch sleepy perch, the fishing line is boiled down to get the so-called nod-snot. But remember that an overly elastic nod will disrupt the performance of the bait, and there is no point in using a weak one together with a heavy bait. Of interest to beginners are ready-made balance nods or silicone tubes. Be sure to stock up on a variety of ice fishing nods to accommodate changing fishing conditions and fine-tune your rod.
- Balance. It should not be presented in a single copy in the arsenal for winter fishing. Collect a collection of different sizes, which must have a characteristic shape of a bait in the form of a fish from a local reservoir, different widths of tails and their materials (wool, plastic, silicone) are presented to determine the weight and variety of the game. The color of the balancers is variable, but two basic ones are required - bright green with dark stripes, similar in color to a perch, and silver with blue streaks, similar to a roach. To catch perch, you should use balancers measuring 2-4 cm, pike perch - 5-6 cm, pike - more than 5 cm. Keep in mind that the deeper the reservoir, the larger the balancer should be chosen.
- Fishing line. It must withstand heavy balancers, so the optimal diameter would be 0.14–0.16 mm or more. For balancers larger than 5 cm, you will need a larger diameter - 0.2 mm, up to 6 cm - 0.25 mm, and a size of 9 cm will require a fishing line diameter of 0.35 mm. When purchasing balancers, pay attention to the recommended diameter. Color depends on local conditions. For fishing in peat excavations and ponds with a muddy bottom, dark or brown is suitable. Fishing near sandbanks and beaches requires light or clear line.
Installation
Installation of a fishing rod rig with a nod and a balancer involves following the instructions step by step:
- Decide on the desired weight of the prey and, based on it, select the rod of the right size.
- Wind the fishing line onto the reel taking into account double the length of the depth of the fishing spot and leave a margin of 2-3 m in case of a break.
- Install a whip if you plan to catch perch. Attach the desired type of nod: for perch, a silicone tube or rubber nipple is suitable; for pike or pike perch, use a nod made of a clock spring.
- Pass the line through the nod. Attach an American-type fastener to the fishing line, to which attach removable balancers.
- If the balancer model does not have a tee, attach it yourself, but without weighing down the tackle, otherwise it will outweigh the action of the bait.
- When you go pike fishing, install a leash made of braided fishing line; its size should be within 10–15 cm.
Video: Installation of fishing rod equipment with a nod and a balancer
Equipment methods depending on the fishing location
There are many ways to equip a fishing rod for winter fishing; this article will discuss the most effective and most used ones.
For fishing in the current
Instructions for implementation:
- Load the float so that under the thrust of the sinker it slowly falls down.
- Place the leash and the movable stopper so that it is above the sinker. Leash size 5-35cm.
- Start fishing from the bottom, and if no bite is observed, then raise the leash higher.
Important! The weight of the movable stopper should be less than the load capacity of the float.
For fishing closer to the bottom
In winter, places near the bottom are usually home to a lot of fish, so when you come fishing, you should first try this method.
So:
- Check the load capacity of the float. It should sink, so it should be slightly less than the weight of the sinker.
- Make sure that only the hook touches the bottom.
- The equipment should not float on the pond at all. You should not make a large distance between the sinker and the hook.
During the thaw period
Loading the equipment during the thaw period is carried out in the same way as for summer equipment. As a rule, during a thaw, the fish rises from the bottom a little higher, so the equipment should be raised by about 40-50 cm.
If fishing is carried out with a hook, then you need to take small wire ones on which bloodworms are attached. If you use a jig, then you should take a model with a small diameter. The color of the jig can be black, copper or silver.
Bad tent for ice fishing
Are you going out on the ice without a tent? Recklessly. If you are not going to actively search for fish, but intend to fish in a specific, proven place, you need a special tent. My model assembles in one minute (it opens like an umbrella).
Winter tents do not have a bottom and are attached to the ice using special pegs that are screwed into the ice like a drill. If you light a candle in it or use special burners, then after 15-20 minutes you can remove the top layer of clothing and fish in very comfortable conditions.
Reviews
I've been using a balancer from Rapal for several years now, and the catch with it is wonderful. Grade:
Michael
To check the carrying capacity of the float, I use a bath and recommend it to everyone. Grade:
Dmitriy
I can't imagine my life without fishing. I tried all the rigging methods. Grade:
Victor
The current method is also great for fishing in still water. Verified. Grade:
Alexei
NEVER use plastic whips, they break terribly in the cold. Grade:
Basil
Plastic tails on balancers are not always better. For example, from my own experience I was convinced that at shallow depths it is better to use soft balancers. Grade:
Gregory
I advise you to buy rods with a wooden handle, just the thing for winter fishing. Grade:
Tolik
I made the fishing rod myself, from bamboo and foam. I've been happy for 2 years now. Grade:
Alexander
My “filly” has been serving me for 7 long years, I only change fishing lines. Grade:
Konstantin
Last winter, using a regular spoon, I caught more than 30 pike. Maybe just happy)). Grade:
Eldar
