Installation of nets under ice

very popular among amateur and professional fishermen. The popularity of this type of fishing is growing every year. Currently, many millions of people prefer this exciting activity. In winter, thousands of fishing lovers go to rivers, lakes, ponds and reservoirs, and there is no force that would keep them in the warmth and comfort of home. A true winter angler always looks forward to the season when he can walk on hard water at dawn, drill the first hole, feel a cautious bite, feel the weight on the line. Winter fishing is fascinating and inviting. Her attraction cannot be expressed in words. Its true essence is deep. Only those who fish can comprehend it, for whom it is not just an activity, but a way of life!

Content

• 1 Features of winter fishing 1.1 Selecting an area for winter fishing

Pike

In the first ice, pike lives near dumps and edges. Actively responds to the spinner. When fishing, the following baits are used: pieces of worm, perch eye and bloodworms. A small balancer may also be involved. It attracts attention well, even a large pike can bite. And fishing will become more fun. Winter fishing with live bait and bait is also popular. The ice has not yet reached the required thickness, so drilling through it is not difficult, and the pike is very active. By the way, it is best to collect live bait in the same reservoir.

Pike perch are also biting well at this time. In search of food, it moves long distances, exploring new territories. The video tells about winter fishing on the first ice for pike perch.

In winter, catch pike perch on the first ice, Bulgarians!

In winter, you need to catch roach in active search mode. A fishing rod with a nod and a jig is suitable for this.

Features of winter fishing

Winter fishing

- This is fishing that involves anglers going out or going out onto the ice of reservoirs.
It would be more correct to call it ice fishing
.
It is no coincidence that in German this type of fishing is called Eisangeln (literally, Eis means ice and Angeln means fishing). Winter fishing
This is understandable, since in Germany ice in winter is very rare. And without ice, it’s just fishing in open water in cooler times. In our country, the words “winter fishing” mean fishing from ice, so winter in Russia presupposes the presence of this very ice on the reservoir. Although in recent years the expression “winter spinning” has also come into use - a rather exotic type of fishing for us.

Winter fishing is such an exciting activity that a person only needs to visit it once or twice, experience all the delights of this wonderful vacation, and that’s it. Winter fishing is a “disease”, and an incurable one!

How eagerly winter fishing enthusiasts await the start of the next season. In recent years, the weather seems to be specifically testing their nerves. Winter in the central zone comes only in December. And then a holiday comes for winter fishing lovers!

Choosing a site for winter fishing

The choice of place for fishing depends on the following: what kind of fish we need to catch. For example, pike prefers places with grass, and pike perch, in turn, avoids such places, and likes to hide behind heavy snags, stones, etc. So, information about the lifestyle and habits of the fish is not superfluous.

In winter, on ice, you can choose any point in the reservoir as a place for fishing - this is a special advantage of fishing in winter. At the same time, at this time, the underwater world, unfortunately, is closed to the fisherman, and this greatly complicates and complicates the search. Since the warm weather, a true fishing enthusiast has been looking closely at those areas where he is lucky enough to fish on ice. Vegetation in the water, current speed, depth, vector of deflected jets, shallows, rifts, islands, bottom structure (clay, sand, stones, pebbles, boulders) - everything is of interest to him, any information will be used in winter.

In certain places of the reservoir there are thickets of reeds, reeds, and horsetail. Aquatic inhabitants perceive them differently. Reeds can scare fish with their noise, and they almost never enter such places. Reeds are another matter. Among its thickets live pikes, roaches, perches and other fish - some sit out in search of prey, others hide in a safe place.

But the fish are most interested in horsetails. At the beginning of winter days, it often happens that among the thickets of horsetail, which cover large areas of the reservoir, many perches of various sizes accumulate. Horsetails also attract other fish, perhaps due to the fact that the water in such places has special properties due to alkali, and in winter there is more air in such thickets, as it penetrates the hollow stems of the plant and enriches the water. Those fish that have any damage, abrasions, scratches, enter the horsetail thickets as if they were in a hospital. In general, horsetails are a guarantee that there are fish in the reservoir. At the same time, this is a signal to the fisherman about danger, because the ice in the grass area is often less durable than in other places in the reservoir, so you need to approach reeds, horsetails, and various bushes very carefully, checking every step with an ice pick.

Choosing a site for winter fishing

“Piglet” - a relatively shallow place among impressive depths - always attracts fish. Scavengers, perches, and large-sized roaches visit such shallows from time to time; one even wonders how they ended up there. Fishing can be done both directly on the “patch” and on the approaches to it. “Fish trails” really do exist. At some times it is a ditch on an underwater plain, and at other times, on the contrary, it is something like an embankment or shaft that stretches under water in some direction. It happens that such a “path” is guessed by the vegetation, but it also happens that there is no visible vegetation on the bottom, but the fish, nevertheless, do not lose their path and even move along it according to the schedule.

If the hook takes out any greenery from the bottom, the fisherman better inspect it carefully. If it is elodea, then you can leave the hole: as a rule, only small perch and brushes, weighing no more than 20-30 grams, are pecked.

The places where the sandy strip ends and the one covered with pebbles begins are noteworthy; various bugs, larvae, etc. huddle among it - fish of various species can live here. Many fish are also attracted by riffles, just like in the summer. Below the rapids, where the depth begins and sometimes goes into ledges, you can often find large fish. At the border where the reverse and forward flow of water intersect, it is convenient to fish with a small jig: there is no current, but fish, nevertheless, can be found.

Search methods used in an unfamiliar body of water may depend on many factors: the time that can be spent fishing, the size of the reservoir and its depth, what kind of fish is preferable for fishing, the absence or presence of various devices, etc.

What is more advisable: searching for fish or waiting for its approach? This is a personal matter for the fisherman: there is no point in recommending an inspection of a large hole to someone who wants to sit and just relax in the fresh air. Such a fisherman chooses a quiet place for himself, drills several holes, feeds and patiently waits for a bite. It happens that patience is rewarded, and the catch of such a fisherman exceeds the catch of a restless fisherman who has tried many holes over the same period of time.

Drilling more than one hole in a meter of ice without checking the first for the presence of fish is advisable only in situations where there is confidence that the work will not be in vain. This approach requires either good knowledge of the reservoir, or, if the reservoir is unfamiliar, the ability to identify fishing spots based on the external environment.

Carrying out a search with depth measurements, or using any signs (openings, cracks, grass) to determine the location of anomalies in the bottom of the reservoir. And only if such a place is found, it is checked whether there is fish. You can do this in the following ways:

• The first is to quickly go through the holes with search gear, with further clarification of the fishing methods and the gear used, based on the results of the passage. For example, intensified fishing of the selected horizon, where bites are especially active or, on the contrary, searching for other bottom topography.
• The second method is much more reliable, but requires more time, which will be spent on feeding the most successful holes and waiting for the fish to come for feeding. In this case, there is a risk of wasting part or all of the complementary food in vain. So it makes sense to feed only those holes in which the presence of fish is very likely to be guessed.
• A search method in which a fisherman with ready-made gear “runs” after the intended prey is usually called running fishing. At the same time, an impressive number of holes are fished, with short delays at each. This tactic helps in checking a large area, since time is spent only on fishing and drilling a hole.

Principle of operation

The unusual appearance may scare off a conservative fisherman, but in fact it is very convenient to work with it. According to reviews from experienced fishermen, it is convenient and practical to use. The entire network installation process is as follows:

• A hole is drilled in the place where one of the ends of the network should be. Since the size of the device is small, you can use a regular ice ax. The main thing is that the size of the hole is sufficient for subsequent pulling of the net.
• A cord for pulling is attached to the mount at the back. It is necessary to choose a lightweight, durable cord with minimal icing potential so that it is not overloaded again.
• Then you need to immerse it in the hole and turn it horizontally in the direction of pulling the net. Since the buoyancy of the product is positive, it will immediately be pressed against the ice from the bottom side. The only thing is that you need to turn it with the bulbs up so that the beam of light can be seen through the ice.
• The required amount of cord for pulling is measured and the device is set sailing.

When the entire measured torpedo cord goes under the ice , you need to pull it and thus stop it. The second light will light up. By moving in the direction of movement of the device along the light spot on the ice, you can quite easily determine its location. Due to the current or uneven ice, it may stray slightly from its original course, so it is advisable to monitor it from the very beginning.

If it has gone too far to the side or for some reason it is not possible to drill a hole above it, the torpedo can simply be pulled out using a cord and launched again. The design allows this, the main thing is to do it carefully and not break the wire cord. When a torpedo is located, a second hole is drilled slightly behind or above it. Through it you get the torpedo, and with it the cord. To do this as accurately as possible, you need to pour a bucket of water onto the ice, so it will become more transparent and the light source will be better visible.

As you can see, the process of pulling the cord is reduced significantly, labor costs are minimal, and efficiency is higher. What previously took several hours can now be done alone in an hour.

Tackle for winter fishing

Winter fishing

traditionally loved in Russia. During the winter frosts, the ice of almost every body of water is covered with figures of fishermen who do not leave their shelter until dark in an effort to catch a large fish. Many people point out that it is impossible to use ordinary fishing rods for such fishing; their length of several meters is completely unsuitable for ice fishing. We need a different fishing technology and different gear. And even other bait, and other methods of bait. Any good fishing store will offer fishing fans comfortable gear, a huge selection of winter lures, and a catalog of wobblers, where you can choose everything you need for successful ice fishing.

Fishing rod for winter jig fishing

Balalaika
There are many options for fishing rods for jig fishing, including lightweight ones. The most famous fishing rod is called the balalaika, as it is very similar in appearance to this musical instrument. A fishing rod for fishing with a jig should be selected based on its ease of placement in the hand, lightness, and material. The material of the fishing rod must be non-thermal conductive, since fishing with a jig often occurs when holding the tackle with your bare hand.

Fishing rod

Usually it looks like a short light whip no more than 200 mm long. Amateur fishing rods, as a rule, have a massive design that does not allow winter drifting snow to carry them away if the fisherman places the tackle near the hole. The fishing rod usually has supports for mounting on the ice. Most often they are made in the form of thin plastic flyers, although other lightweight material can be used.

fishing line

For this gear, you need to choose fishing lines that are as thin as for a winter float fishing rod. If you plan to fish for large predatory fish, then the cross-section of the fishing line can be increased, but you should remember that this will lead to a deterioration in the performance of the jig.

Nod

For its manufacture the following can be used:

• wild boar bristles;
• plastic;
• spring steel;
• rubber, etc.

Its main property is the ability to subtly respond to the slightest movements of the fishing line in any frost. It can be replaceable or adjustable. Its task is not only to signal when a fish is biting, but also to ensure that the bait plays.

Mormyshka

It is an indispensable attribute of a winter fishing rod with a nod. The imagination of fishermen has invented many forms and names: “ovsinka”, “pellet”, “droplet”, “Ural”, “plate”, “nymph”, “dreissena”, various “witches”, “devils” and many others. At the moment, the development of this universal bait is proceeding in several directions, but two main ones can be distinguished: in some cases, the jig works with an attachment, in others - without it. Each direction has its own fishing technique and tactics.

Float rod for winter fishing

Winter fishing with a float
A winter float fishing rod does not need a long rod, since it is only needed to hook a pecked fish and weaken its first impulses when fishing. And for this, a short fishing rod is also suitable, quite elastic and flexible, with a length of 30 to 40 cm.

A modern winter fishing rod has a thin and flexible whip, conical in shape, and a small hollow handle. Its design can be solid or collapsible.

Vinyl plastic, bamboo or juniper are used to make the whip, and wood, cork, plastic or foam is used to make the handle. Fishing rods are foldable, which is very convenient for carrying. They are made from aluminum tubes and plastic, equipped with a cork handle.

The fishing rod should be different:

• strength;
• ease;
• elasticity;
• flexibility when hooking fish, but not excessive.

The reels are attached to the fishing rod, and there is a loop on the top that allows you to secure the line while fishing.

Lines for winter fishing rods must meet high requirements. When preparing for fishing, you need to choose the forest:

• thin,
• unnoticeable;
• durable;
• having no nodes.

For winter fishing you need a lightweight, easily visible in the water and highly sensitive float. Winter floats usually have a well-streamlined cone-shaped or cylindrical shape. To make them, cork, plastic, tree bark, and pieces of goose feather are used. The colors for painting them are chosen to be bright, contrasting, and applied in transverse rings along the entire length. When fishing, the float should be upside down with its flat base.

The size of this tackle is chosen depending on the fishing conditions: for calm waters - a small float, for rapids - a larger one.

Winter fishing rod

Winter fishing rod for trolling
A winter fishing rod for trolling is chosen depending on the height of the fisherman, but within the range of 50-70 cm. Tackle intended for winter trolling is essentially no different from summer fishing. Some anglers use a regular short spinning rod for winter fishing.

A winter fishing rod for trolling can be divided into four main components: rod, reel, spoon and line.

For winter predator fishing, choose the same strong fishing rod as for summer fishing. In addition, it should be light in weight, and also equipped with a good, easy-to-run reel that holds a sufficient supply of fishing line.

When choosing a fishing rod for winter fishing, you should remember about guide rings. The winter version usually contains no more than three. Due to the rather large load when trolling, high demands are placed on the quality of the guide rings.

The reel is almost never used in this type of fishing; its task is to store the fishing line.

The fishing line for catching predators is durable and of high quality. For winter fishing you need very little, 30 meters is usually enough. You shouldn’t skimp when buying it, because the winnings can be quite significant. Choosing a high-quality fishing line allows you to reduce its thickness by at least 0.1 mm. The basic rule for choosing a fishing line: the diameter is selected in accordance with the weight of the spoon so that it easily pulls the fishing line without leaving bends or rings. In winter, it is worth abandoning braids, as they quickly lose their plasticity due to freezing.

The most important part of a winter fishing rod for trolling is the spoon. Its quality is determined by several conditions:

• its shape should allow it to imitate the movements of live bait when playing, provoking the predator to attack;
• its color should be attractive, visible from a great distance;
• its size should correspond to the size of the prey.

Depending on the size of the spinners, there is some general classification. Spinners are divided into:

1. Small - from 20 to 30 millimeters;
2. Medium - from 30 to 50 millimeters;
3. Large ones - from 50 to 90 millimeters.

Depending on the weight, the spoon is divided into light, medium and heavy. The nature of the game of spinners allows them to be divided into diving, oscillating and falling. In the water, the spoon behaves differently depending on its shape and balance.

Perch, pike perch, pike and chub are caught with a winter fishing rod; on northern rivers, grayling and some other species of fish are caught.

Zherlitsy

Classic winter vest

Winter girder
To make a stand for a winter girder, use an aluminum corner or tubes. To make a spool holder, a bicycle spoke or the same corner is suitable. All bends are made rectangular. You can make your own reel from foam or wood, or purchase a factory-made one. It should be 5-10 cm in diameter and 1-3 cm thick.

Half of the reel of the winter fishing line should be painted, this will allow you to notice the winding of the fishing line, and also to hook a predator in time.

To make a winter guardhouse, springy steel wire is used. Its lower end is bent so that it can be inserted into the hole located at the bottom of the rack. The upper curved end should securely lock the reel, preventing it from triggering falsely due to jerking of the baitfish.

To make a winter flag, a waterproof synthetic fabric with preferably melted edges is used. The flag can be sewn to the gatehouse or glued with waterproof glue.

When fishing, the girder stand is fixed in the ice crumbs left after drilling a hole. In frosty weather, water is poured over the crumbs to set the ice. It will securely secure the winter rack.

Having planted the bait, the fishing line is unwound into the hole to the required depth. The guard of the girder is wound by a reel. A bite from a predator will lead to the fishing line being reeled in, which means the guard will be thrown off. This moment should not be missed!

This option for making a winter girder has a drawback - it is not very reliable in the ice crumbs. A predator can pull out the entire fishing line and, due to poor fastening, pull the girder into the hole, so it is better to fasten the girder stand in a hole made using a brace with a drill of a suitable size. In addition, such a winter hole allows the hole to freeze, so it has to be covered with snow.

Another type of winter zherlitsa

The base of this winter ice rack is a foam plastic (necessarily made of hard material) or plywood circle with a diameter of 20 cm. The size must be selected so that it is 5 cm larger than the diameter of the ice screw. We make the coil similarly to the previous version. A bolt can be used to secure the coil.

A guard is attached to the base of the vent with a self-tapping screw. The self-tapping screw should have a wide head, for example, like a “bug” for metal profiles. In the case of a foam base, the self-tapping screw should be lubricated with glue. To make a winter guardhouse, you can use spring wire or a similar material. When transporting, the guard is placed along the base of the trap; when catching a predator, it is wound by the reel.

A hole 5-6 mm in diameter is made in the center of the base of the girder, which is connected to the edge of the base with a cut for winding the fishing line.

The difference between a winter girder of this manufacturing method and the previous one is the elimination of cases of fishing gear falling through the ice. In addition, thanks to the base, the hole is protected from freezing. The advantage of this version of the winter girder is the simplicity and speed of installation, because there is no assembly and disassembly stage. A minor drawback is that the line is bent at a right angle in the center of the base, which can make it somewhat difficult to unwind.

Ice fishing equipment

Accessories

Accessories for winter fishing
Preparation for winter fishing is carried out more carefully than for summer fishing. Therefore, it will simply be impossible to do without some accessories.

For example, in frosty winter the hole constantly freezes, and is also periodically covered with snow. To prevent snow and pieces of ice from interfering with fishing, they must be regularly removed from the hole. You can do this with a handful, but for greater convenience it is worth using a scoop - a special accessory designed to clear the already small space of the hole from various interfering objects, such as snow or ice.

In winter fishing, ice fishing is often accompanied by situations where a catchy spoon or jig gets caught on something on the bottom. If you can’t quickly release the tackle, an accessory called a release can come to the rescue. It is attached to the fishing line and helps to quickly release your favorite tackle, avoiding its loss.

A special accessory for winter fishing is a fishing box. This is generally an indispensable accessory for winter fishing, because it simultaneously performs several functions: a comfortable stool, a place to store various fishing gear and a place to store food and drink.

In general, winter fishing is impossible without such an accessory as a fishing drill for ice - an ice auger. Since ancient times, an ice pick has been used to cut holes, but this old-fashioned method has long been outdated, since it is quite labor-intensive and also scares away the fish. Modern fishermen widely use auger ice screws, which have proven themselves well and have stood the test of time. With the help of such ice drills you can not only cut ice perfectly, but also immediately remove ice crumbs from the hole. Recently, motorized drills powered by batteries or gasoline have become increasingly popular.

In addition to the already described accessories used by fishermen, there are others that are characteristic of different areas. There are many of them, and they all help simplify and make life easier for fishermen. Most often, fishermen use:

A fish scaler is an accessory for cleaning fish. A kitchen or regular camping knife is not suitable for cleaning fresh fish, so craftsmen came up with such a special accessory. A fish scaler helps make the process of cleaning fish easier and shorter in time.

Extractor - a device for removing a fishing hook from the throat of a fish. It allows you not to damage the fish itself, and also not to break the tackle.

A gapper is a spring-based device that allows you to keep the mouth of a predatory fish open while removing the tackle.

Leskovdevatel – an accessory whose name already says it all. With its help, the fishing line is threaded through the narrow holes of gear and hooks, and the whole process takes much less time thanks to this wonderful device.

Bait containers - wooden boxes used by many fishermen to store animal baits - worms, bloodworms, jigs, caddis fly larvae, etc. With the help of such drawers, the nozzles are protected from heating in summer and from cooling in winter. Lids must have holes for air. Plastic models are more practical, but in winter they protect the nozzles from the cold worse than wooden ones.

A wind shield is the simplest shelter for winter fishing that serves as protection from the wind. It is a structure of three slats, which are covered with light fabric. Using a pick or an ice drill, holes are made in the ice into which the ends of the slats are inserted. A more practical version of such protection, used by some fishermen, is a tent with a cut-out bottom.

In addition, fishermen use other accessories: steelyards for weighing the catch, spoons for casting, bait, beads, anchors, compasses, thermoses, flashlights, binoculars.

Equipment

Lingerie

Equipment for winter fishing
In the autumn-winter period, when the weather is low in temperature, you should give preference to flannel or woolen underwear. It is worn directly on the naked body, as it allows evaporation to pass through, and therefore dries quickly. If woolen underwear causes skin irritation, you should wear thin cotton underneath. For those suffering from radiculitis, it is recommended to use special therapeutic chlorine underwear. Recently, thermal underwear has become increasingly popular.

Socks

Experienced fishermen prefer to choose wool socks, which retain warmth even after getting wet. Sometimes fur stockings can be an excellent replacement for wool socks. They are indispensable if rubber boots are often worn. In addition, fur stockings make it easy to put on and take off boots, especially if you wear nylon women's stockings on top.

Outerwear

The fisherman's outerwear should be light, durable, waterproof, heat- and cold-resistant, and does not interfere with the evaporation of moisture from the surface of the body, that is, “breathable.”

It is better to avoid long fur coats due to their heaviness. Preference should be given to a more comfortable light tanned sheepskin coat with long sleeves and a fur collar. The length of the short fur coat should not be much above the knees, it should be loose at the shoulders and chest, and the sleeve length should reach almost to the tips of the thumbs, but so that if necessary, the edges can be tucked. A short fur coat is chosen for its comfort and good heat retention, as well as for freedom of movement. However, if it gets wet, it should be dried carefully at some distance from the fire.

If you are seriously interested in fishing, you should also take the choice of outerwear seriously. Experienced fishermen prefer branded equipment designed specifically for any fishing conditions. Many companies develop outerwear for fishermen.

There are even special overalls that can serve as a life jacket in certain circumstances. This overalls can hold a person weighing up to 100 kg on the water thanks to a special gasket and a special insulating layer inside.

Shoes

For winter fishing, many anglers choose handmade felt boots. They are distinguished by their softness, lightness and excellent ability to retain heat. However, it is better not to wear such felt boots without high galoshes. Yes, and the galoshes will have to be glued from soft rubber so that they fit tightly.

Choosing ordinary small galoshes is not advisable, since snow quickly fills them and they fall off easily. In general, you can’t do without galoshes, otherwise your felt boots will quickly get wet on wet ice. They can only be replaced with shoe covers made of waterproof fabric, but in this case it will be inconvenient to move around. Replacing galoshes with shoe covers only makes sense when fishing without significant movements.

Some fishermen make their own winter stockings, allowing their felt boots to become waterproof.

More comfortable polar boots can replace felt boots. They consist of two layers of rubber separated by a layer of wool fabric. These boots allow you to fish from ice in 30°C frost. They are not afraid of water coming out from under the snow on the ice. Polar boots have a significant advantage over felt boots.

Mittens

One of the main conditions for successful fishing is sensitive hands, so even in severe frost it is very important to maintain contact with the tackle.

You can achieve complete preservation of hand freedom, including finger movements, by using woolen wristbands that cover the wrist and half of the hand, or by using cotton gloves with the thumb and forefinger cut off in half. It is precisely because in winter they allow you to easily attach bloodworms and catch them with a jig. But in any case, you need to be very careful not to freeze your fingers, because this is very easy to do.

Some fishermen refuse mittens altogether, especially knitted gloves with cut off fingertips: they do not retain heat well, and also get wet quickly, especially during intensive fishing. The choice of experienced fishermen are mittens that fall freely from the hands with the slightest shaking of the hands. To prevent them from falling into the snow, they are fastened together using a long braid hung around the neck under the collar. For winter fishing you need warm mittens, so they are made from fluffy hare, fox or wolf fur, covered with cloth or soft dense fabric on top. Canvas mittens are used less often: they are less comfortable, as they restrict movement, but they are durable and dry quickly. In mild frosts, you can use cotton or leather gloves to allow your hands to remain mobile.

Neoprene gloves are more comfortable. They have very good durability and water resistance thanks to the rubberized outer layer.

Installation of nets under ice

Tips for installing nets under ice:

With the help of a Finnish winch, you can install several nets directly from one ice hole, orienting them in different directions.

If you have already gained experience working with a winch specially designed for installing nets under ice, and you do not have any problems, then you can safely pull the net right behind the winch, because This device can withstand a network length of 30 meters. It should be taken into account that the fishing net should not cling to the teeth of the winch.

If you cannot quickly find the winch under the ice, then make a hook about two meters long from steel wire and use it to try to hook the winch or its cable.

Instructions for installing nets under ice : (1) Take the Finnish net winch out of the package and put its handle in the working position. To do this, move it 180 degrees and secure it with a special hook-spring, which is located on one of the axes.

(2) There is a small hook on the other axis of the net winch. Attach an additional, not thick, but strong rope to it. It will help you in the future to pull the winch out from under the ice and at the same time will serve as a safety net.

(3) Then attach the ratchet spring, which is located on the right side of the winch body for installing nets under ice, and check its operation. To do this, pull the traction rope slightly. The sound of the ratchet will help you locate the winch under the ice.

(4) When the winch is ready for use, lower it under the ice, first making a hole of such a diameter that the winch will fit through. You can lower the winch under the ice using a pick or an ice saw. To do this, try using the tip of an ice pick to pry the winch by the hole located at the end of the handle and push it under the ice. Using a pick, guide the winch at the network installation site.

(5) The winch is now ready for installation. You can start pulling the orange rope wound around the drum. At the same time, you will hear the sound of the ratchet and know the direction of movement of the winch. If the ice is not covered with snow, then this can be seen. Your movements with the device will occur simultaneously and in one direction - to the direction where you directed the winch to install the net under the ice. The length of the rope on the drum is 150 meters, so you can stretch about 60 meters under the ice. The rattle sound is clearly audible even when the ice is quite thick.

(6) When the winch for installing the net under the ice is in the right place, and the orange rope on the drum runs out, its end, attached to the ring, will slide off the drum and linger on the end of the handle. The sharp teeth will detach from the ice, and using an ice drill or ice saw you will need to make a hole through which you can reach the desired end of the rope and pull it to the surface.

(6) After the rope is secured and the fishing net is installed under the ice, you need to lift the winch out of the hole. You can also use an additional rope to return the winch back to the original hole (in this case it will move easily under the ice) or make a new hole of the required diameter.

IMPORTANT! If the winch deviates when moving while installing the net under the ice, try slightly changing the angle of the handle. The correct direction of movement of the winch can be checked at home on the floor. Remember that the teeth can scratch the floor if used carelessly.

Secrets of winter fishing

Secrets of winter fishing
Winter fishing is a rather extreme way of relaxation. The fisherman sits in the cold for a long time, and not everyone can stand it. And only experience allows you to almost accurately identify fishing spots. Usually winter fishing begins with drilling holes and feeding. This is followed by alternate fishing - the holes with the best bite are selected. Experienced fishermen easily determine places for drilling holes and select suitable gear.

Finding a place for winter fishing is not easy for a novice fisherman. It is necessary to know the habits of fish and the structure of the reservoir. Luck alone is not enough, so let's figure out where it is better to find places where prey accumulates.

First you need to decide what kind of fish you expect to catch. Pike like to attack from reed thickets, pike perch - from behind large stones and snags. Therefore, before going out on the ice, it is worth studying the features of winter fishing, as well as learning as much as possible about the life and hunting of predatory and carnivorous fish.

It is necessary to have information about different types of fishing gear for ice fishing. This will help the novice fisherman gain invaluable knowledge and experience. You also need to take care of clothing, accessories and safety items.

The Dangers of Ice Fishing

Dangers of winter fishing
Winter fishing also involves the need to take a number of precautions to avoid falling through the ice. Swimming in cold water is fraught with all sorts of consequences and is dangerous not only for health, but sometimes for life.

The fisherman should be especially careful on the young, still thin, first ice and on the thick, already loose last ice, at the end of winter - beginning of spring. Autumn ice is stronger than spring ice, but you should not go out on it before the thickness reaches 5-6 cm. You must have skis, but you cannot tie them to your feet. The fastenings must be such that, if necessary, the skis can be easily reset. It is recommended to follow the trail. It is imperative to inspect and probe with an ice pick the places near grass, bushes, hummocks, snags, etc. sticking out of the water. Here the ice is often very weak. During the first ice and at the end of winter they do not go fishing alone.

If you still fall through the ice. The main thing is not to panic and try to throw off heavy things - a drill, a box. Then you need to rest against the edges of the ice with your hands or a stick, turn flat and crawl onto the ice. You need to get out in the direction from which you came. Once you are out of the water, you should never stop until you get to a warm place to warm up! You should also change clothes as soon as possible.

You cannot hesitate to help someone who has failed. But you need to approach it very carefully. It’s better to crawl up and give a pole or throw a rope. Groups may not gather on either the first or last ice. Fishing should be done intelligently, without unnecessary risk.

To get out on the ice on your own, a winter angler must always wear a self-rescue kit in the form of a rope and hand grips that will allow you to cling to the ice with frozen hands.