What you need for winter fishing for beginners

DIY winter fishing rod. Method No. 1

This method is distinguished by its ease of manufacture, as well as the use of available materials for this.
The main condition is desire and a little skill in using a simple instrument. If there is no desire and no skills, it is better to abandon this idea and go to a fishing store and buy a finished product. To make a fishing rod with your own hands, you need to have: high-density foam plastic and a thin metal plate, as well as:

• nichrome wire;
• threads;
• a needle;
• lighter;
• X-ray film (you can use an unnecessary picture);
• file;
• Super glue;
• pliers;
• sandpaper.

Manufacturing technology for such a fishing rod

Take a piece of dense foam. Its dimensions must correspond to the size of the fishing net float or take such a float as a basis.

Using a file, a groove is made for the fishing line, about 2.5 mm wide. After this, the cut site is sanded with sandpaper to eliminate the possibility of the fishing line getting caught on the structure.

After these operations you should get something like this.

The next stage is making the whip. The material is an old telescopic fishing rod that has fallen into disrepair.

A metal strip about 4mm wide and about 25-30cm long is cut out of the elbow of this fishing rod. It is necessary to cut using metal scissors. To avoid injuring yourself, the cut areas are treated with a file and sandpaper. One end should be sharpened to keep it sharp. This can be done using a file.

The sharp end of the workpiece pierces the foam blank through and through. The sharp end of the whip will be the front end. The metal blank, with its rear end (blunt), should be hidden in the foam.

At the next stage, they are engaged in the manufacture of the front passage ring. It is made from nichrome wire. To make the ring look like a ring, nichrome wire is wound around an object of suitable diameter. This can be a nail about 3mm thick or an ampoule from a gel pen. The result should be what is seen in the photo, only without the rubber gasket.

After this, the end of the whip is smeared with super glue. Then a guide ring is applied to the end and wound with regular thread

The fastening must be reliable.

Particular attention should be paid to making the nod. If you find an X-ray film somewhere, or rather an X-ray image, then you can start making it

A thin strip is cut out of the film, at one end of which a roundness is formed, larger than the width of the segment. To cut the nod, you can use regular scissors.

You need to make a hole at the end of the nod so that the fishing line can be passed through it. This is done with a heated needle. After the hole is made, the area is treated with fine sandpaper to eliminate sagging.

The next step is to put two cambrics on the whip. They should dress tightly. The material can be a nipple or wire insulation. With the help of these cambrics, the nod is attached to the whip. The result is an adjustable design that can change the flexibility of the nod. This is necessary in order to adapt to certain fishing conditions.

After installing the nod, it must be adjusted so that the edge of the nod protrudes beyond the cambric (rear) by 5 mm, after which it bends upward. After this, the nod is glued to the rear cambric, but before this the gluing points need to be degreased.

At the final stage, a fishing line is wound onto the foam base along the groove. It should be passed through the nod hole. After this, the bait is attached to the fishing line, which indicates the gear is ready for use.

Having carefully studied the manufacturing technology, we can conclude that it is possible to get a simple but excellent fishing rod for winter fishing. To consolidate this information, we suggest watching a video.

Do-it-yourself winter fishing gear - useful tips

Hello, winter fishing lovers! After a lull in January, fish begin to slowly become more active from the end of February - beginning of March. Along with perch and pike, pike perch, roach, ruff, and bream can also be caught on the fishing rod at this time.

For those who are just beginning to discover the delights of ice fishing, we invite you to familiarize yourself with simple but relevant tips and tricks regarding the correct choice and arrangement of a fishing spot, as well as facilitating the fishing process itself.

I. Tricks regarding choosing a location for a hole and its arrangement

1.

When choosing a fishing spot, the presence of wind and its direction must be taken into account. You need to take a position so that the wind blows at your back.

This way you freeze much less.

2.

Having drilled a hole, you need to “protect” it - cover it on the leeward side with a thick layer of snow.

This is necessary in order to protect the fishing line from the formation of “beards”

3.

When fishing, water often leaks out of the hole.

To avoid sitting in a puddle, trample your feet a little in the area of ​​the spill. Then the snow will be compressed and quickly turn into ice.

4.

If fishing is carried out with small fishing rods, there is a danger that your potential prey will drag the tackle into the hole, under the ice. Accordingly, it becomes difficult to go anywhere.

To safely leave such a fishing rod, use the circle from the rod. Simply place it over the hole of the hole and pass the fishing line through the cutout in it.

This simple technique will allow you to leave the fishing spot at any time without fear that the fish will “steal” the tackle.

5.

Winter fish need to be fed. But this must be done in such a way as to only tease the appetite of underwater inhabitants and prevent them from overeating.

A good option for this would be to “feed” not the hole where you are currently fishing, but the neighboring one, located a little higher upstream.

6.

Choosing the right place for a breakout is one of the important factors of successful fishing. You need to choose an area of ​​ice in the reservoir that does not have a large number of drilled holes nearby.

If there are too many holes, the fish will most likely leave such a place.

II. Tricks for using an ice drill

1.

During the process of breaking holes, the ice drill is often covered with ice. It is especially unpleasant when ice build-ups form at the junction of the upper and lower parts of the instrument.

If such a nuisance occurs and the screw of the folding mechanism binds the ice, preventing you from folding the ice screw, you should not try to knock it down with any improvised objects. You just need to lower it into the hole for a while. The water in it, as is known, is above zero temperature, so the ice will quickly melt and release the screw connection.

After such a simple operation, unscrewing and assembling the ice auger will not be difficult.

There is another way to get rid of ice that has formed outside or inside the folding mechanism of the ice auger. If you need to leave, but you can’t put away the ice screw, use the leftover tea from the thermos. Hot liquid is perfect for emergency defrosting.

Even a little hot or warm water can solve this problem. Pour the remaining liquid from the thermos onto the problem area and the ice will melt, freeing the connecting screw.

Now you can unscrew the ice screw without much effort. If the drink was sweet, do not forget to rinse and dry the connecting screw and the parts of the ice ax that were poured with tea at home.

2.

Every fisherman is faced with the need to replace ice ax blades. The most common reason for their dullness is contact with bottom soil (when holes are made in an area of ​​a reservoir with shallow depth). In this case, grains of sand, small pebbles and other particles very quickly deprive even high-quality and expensive knives of their original sharpness.

The process of replacing ice ax blades is not difficult at all. To do this, you only need a Phillips screwdriver and a new set of knives.

However, there is one trick. To prevent the threaded connections from sticking in the future, wrap the threads of the FUM fastening screws with tape used in plumbing work for sealing.

Another advantage of wrapping the threads of screws with FUM tape is that it acts as an additional sealant for the connection, so with it, spontaneous unscrewing of the fasteners is almost impossible.

You just need to remember that FUM tape is a disposable item. After the connecting screws are unscrewed, they will need to be re-wound.

III. Tips for drinking tea while ice fishing

A thermos with tea is an important and mandatory piece of equipment for everyone who is interested in both summer and winter fishing. You need to prepare tea immediately before going out, pouring the finished drink into a heated thermos (to do this, pour a little boiling water into it, and pour it out after a couple of minutes) - this way it will stay hot longer.

Models with simple screw-on lids retain heat best, while lids with buttons are the worst. In addition, size is also important: large volume thermoses retain heat longer.

In winter – in contrast to the summer rule “drink as often as possible, but in small portions” – you should adhere to a different strategy: during the entire fishing trip (the road does not count), you should have one or two tea parties on the reservoir.

The logic here is simple: if you often open a thermos in the cold, the tea will cool down very quickly. One or two teas at a low temperature is enough to drink really hot tea and really warm up. But after the third and subsequent opening of the thermos, there will most likely be just warm water left in it, which will not help in any way in the cold.

That's all. Thanks for your attention and happy biting!

Source

Selection of fishing gear

Despite its apparent simplicity, without properly selected and well-functioning equipment, winter fishing for novice anglers can turn into complete disappointment. An undoubted advantage of fishing gear for winter fishing is its low cost compared to summer gear.

Ice fishing rods can be divided into three main categories:

• for fishing with a jig;
• on the float;
• on a spinner.

The type and size of lures for winter fishing directly depends on the type of fish that is intended to be caught. The diameter of the fishing line is selected taking into account the size of the intended prey and can range from 0.04 to 0.40 mm. For fishing from under the ice, only animal baits are used, which can be purchased in specialized stores.

Fishing with a jig

A jig is a small piece of processed heavy metal with a hook soldered into it. Sometimes fishing is done with a stationary jig, but, as a rule, the angler performs certain manipulations with the rod, which causes the bait to move in the water column, imitating various invertebrates that the fish feed on. Jigs come in a variety of shapes, colors and sizes depending on:

• depth of the reservoir;
• current forces;
• preferences of fish in a particular body of water.

Various animal baits are attached to the jig hook:

• bloodworm;
• burdock;
• maggot.

The movement of the jig is carried out using a nod, which is attached to the tip of the rod's whip and is a thin strip of elastic metal or lavsan. The nod not only helps to give the jig the necessary movements, but also signals a fish bite.

The most common type of fishing rod for jig fishing is the “balalaika,” which consists of a foam body with a built-in plastic reel and flexible whip. This fishing rod for winter fishing has proven itself in catching a wide variety of fish and has a number of undeniable advantages:

• has low weight;
• fits well in the hand;
• functions perfectly in conditions of negative temperatures;
• allows you to quickly change the fishing depth.

Leading sports anglers at jig fishing competitions use only this type of rod. The diameter of the fishing line used for this fishing ranges from 0.04 to 0.18 mm.

Float rod

The equipment of a winter float fishing rod consists of:

• hook;
• sinker;
• float

Unlike summer float fishing, in which the float is on the surface of the water, in winter the float is submerged several centimeters under water. This is done so that it does not freeze and well registers even the most cautious fish bite. The carrying capacity of the float usually does not exceed 2 grams.

The main sinker is located a meter from the small sinker, which is located 5 centimeters from the hook with the nozzle. This gear setting does not alarm the fish. There are no special requirements for float rods, since most of the fishing day they lie on the ice and serve mainly for storing fishing line.

The overwhelming majority of fishermen use fishing rods called “fillies” for such fishing, which are easy to use and particularly inexpensive. The size of the hook depends on the type of fish that the angler intends to catch. For bream, hook No. 14 (according to the international classification) is perfect; for roach and silver bream it is better to use smaller hooks, for example, No. 16-18. The diameter of the monofilament line depends on the size of the intended fish and can range from 0.10 to 0.18 mm.

Fishing with lures

Lure fishing is one of the most difficult types of fishing, as it involves constantly moving around a body of water in search of active fish. Predatory fish are caught using lures. The most common trophies when fishing with a spoon are:

• perch;
• pike;
• zander.

To lure perch, light rods made of cork or polystyrene are used, equipped with a hard carbon fiber whip, thanks to which the sensitivity of the rod is significantly increased and all touches of the fish to the bait become noticeable. When fishing for perch, it is better to use fluorocarbon fishing line with a diameter of 0.12−0.16 mm.

To catch predators such as pike and pike perch, you need to use powerful rods equipped with a reel that will allow you to easily fight even a very large trophy. When fishing this way, you need to use fishing lines no thinner than 0.25 mm, and if the bet is on pike, then the use of metal leashes becomes mandatory.

At the moment, the fishing market offers a huge selection of all kinds of spinners of various configurations, sizes and colors. However, experienced fishermen believe that the most catchy lures are made by hand.

Fishing rod for winter fishing

A fishing rod is the most important attribute of any fishing, including winter fishing. A winter fishing rod is a unique device for fishing because it is very small in size. It can fit into a regular pocket, which cannot be said about a summer fishing rod.

At the same time, there are several designs that differ in the type of equipment. There are the most famous and popular designs that make sense to talk about.

Mormuscular

This type of fishing rod for winter fishing is lightweight. They come in both baitless (like jigs) and for fishing with baits.

The winter fishing rod consists of:

• From fishing line, thickness from 0.06 mm to 0.14 mm.
• Jigs.
• From a sinker, with a diverter installation.

When using bloodworms as a bait, a “balalaika” type fishing rod is used, when the handle and reel are one piece. In addition, the fishing rod is equipped with a whip and a nod; this fishing rod is distinguished by both its light weight and small size. If the fishing rod is not intended for fishing with bait, then its size and weight can be even smaller; such fishing rods do not have a reel, which makes the design as light as possible.

Live bait

Live bait fishing rods are divided into two types:

1. Gears, which are used for catching predatory fish. The design of the girder includes a stand, a reel and a flag. As a rule, you can catch fish of any size with such gear.
2. Live baits are fishing rods with legs that are used to catch small-sized fish.

The vents also come in different designs. For example:

• Changeling priest.
• Priest on the platform.
• Subglacial vent.
• Zherlitsa on legs.

Live baits always have one design, which includes such elements as:

• A bright nod.
• Legs.
• Pen.
• Coil.
• Equipment.
• Whip, 40 cm long.

To assemble a fishing rod for live bait fishing, you need:

1. Attach the reel to the handle.
2. Attach the legs at the end of the handle.
3. Attach the whip.
4. Wear a nod.
5. Wind the line onto the reel.
6. Thread the fishing line through the ring.
7. Mount the equipment.

Deliveries

Postavushka is a tackle for passive fishing in winter. Such tackle can be used as live bait, float tackle, as well as tackle for catching predatory fish such as pike perch, rotan and others.

The supply consists of:

• From a nod.
• From a reel.
• From the equipment.
• From the legs.
• From a whip.

To use such gear for catching pike perch, for example, it is enough to install a swivel at the end of the main line, then mount a lead with a hook, and also attach a jig - a head with a large jig.

To catch rotan, you will need to attach a fishing line with a spoon to which the bait is attached. In addition, they make a diverting leash with a hook on which the bait is attached.

Float

A float fishing rod for winter fishing is a hybrid of a jig and a fishing rod. It must have legs for installing gear on ice. This tackle does not require bait to be played, since bites are determined by the float.

A float rod for winter fishing consists of:

1. From a sinker.
2. From fishing line of the required thickness.
3. From the hook.
4. From a float that must be submerged in water.

Current fishing gear

This type of gear consists of:

1. From the equipment.
2. From a nod.
3. From the legs.
4. From a whip.
5. From the rod.
6. From loading so that the fishing rod does not tip over.

A fishing line with a diameter of 0.18 to 0.25 mm is wound onto a reel. Alternatively, you can use a feeder instead of a sinker. The fishing method depends on the weight of the sinker: if the weight is large, then fishing is carried out from the bottom, and if it is small, then in the water column on the current.

Fishing rods for trolling

Fishing rods for trolling can be light or heavy, for light lures or for heavy lures. For perch fishing, such fishing rods consist of a reel, handle, nod and whip. To use heavier baits, more powerful fishing rods equipped with powerful reels are used. Moreover, you don’t have to install a nod on such fishing rods, it all depends on the preferences of the fisherman.

To properly assemble trolling tackle, you must:

1. Attach the bait to the tackle.
2. Take a container of water.
3. Carry out wiring.

If the tackle is heavily loaded, then you need to take a more powerful rod, and if your hand does not feel the play of the bait, then you will have to take a lighter model.

Winter fishing rod size

The size of the fishing rod for winter fishing does not have a significant impact on the fishing process. At the same time, most sizes are within the “reasonable” range. The optimal length of the fishing rod is about 20-30 centimeters. In any case, the choice of rod length depends on the fishing conditions and is chosen solely by the angler.

When catching small fish, it is better to arm yourself with a light, small fishing rod, since you will have to sit in one place for a long time. If there are large fish in the pond, then it is better to take a longer fishing rod. As a rule, large fish are caught standing and regularly move around the body of water in search of fish.

Coil size

The reel is an equally important element of a winter fishing rod. Reels with an open reel are considered the most convenient, since you can always find out how much line is left on the reel. As a rule, the diameter of the coil is no more than 65 mm. For a winter fishing rod, a regular inertial reel is suitable.

Which is better, reel or reel?

Many, especially novice fishermen, ask the question: what is better - a reel or a reel? Each of the devices has its pros and cons. If you have to fish at a significant depth, then without a reel this process will turn out to be quite difficult and not convenient. If fishing is carried out in the shallows, when little fishing line is used, then you can get by with a reel.

Choosing a fishing line for a winter fishing rod

There must be a supply of fishing line. If you use a reel, it is easy to create a reserve of fishing line for the tackle. Depending on the intensity of the bite, the fishing line may be thin or not very thin. If the fish is active, then it may not be alarmed by hard tackle with a thick line, and if the fish does not take the bait willingly, then tackle with a thin line is necessary.

Whip

The whip is necessary in order to play with the bait, and in case of a bite, make a hook, and then pull the fish out of the water. In cases of jig fishing, the nature of the whip plays a very important role.

Purchased models fail quite quickly because they are made from low-quality materials. Most anglers buy a fiberglass whip separately. Some fishermen make their own whips from various light alloys, if possible.

Nod

The design of the nod plays a decisive role in the fishing process. In this regard, experienced fishermen experiment for a long time, selecting a suitable nod for a fishing rod.

There are several nod designs:

• Metal nods. These are hard nods that will be needed for fishing at depth and in currents.
• Spring nods. Suitable for catching large fish.
• Balance nods. This type of nod has bearings in its design, which refuse to work in contact with water and frost. But they can be used in conditions where there is a heated tent.

A set of winter fishing gear for the novice winter fisherman.

Float for fishing in still waters

One of the most popular floats for catching crucian carp, roach, and tench in standing waters is a model called an antenna. Our grandfathers also made similar parts from goose feathers and successfully caught fish with them.

The advantages of these floats include minimal resistance in the water column when biting

This is especially important when the fish are wary. She tries the bait and throws it, t

K. feels resistance. However, a quill pen cannot be thrown far. To eliminate this drawback, it is necessary to use other materials.

Today you can make a float antenna from plastic tubes of different colors, which are intended for drinking cocktails. The bright color will be especially visible on dark water when there are ripples or slight disturbances on the surface.

To make it you will need a tube, a lighter, pliers, a needle, small lead pellets:

1. First, one end of the tube is slightly heated in the flame of a lighter, and then squeezed with pliers. Thanks to this, the lower part of the float is designed.
2. A thin hole is made in the flattened plastic using a heated needle. Through it the float will be attached to the fishing line.
3. After this, the float must be loaded, for which lead balls are used. Their diameter should be slightly smaller than the internal cross-section of the tube. The number of pellets for loading depends on their mass and the properties of the tube itself. For this reason, the work is done in water. It is also necessary to take into account the weight of the sinker that will be installed on the fishing line.
4. This model is also good because it allows you to use gear for night fishing. To make the float visible in the dark, you should purchase so-called fireflies at a fishing store. They come in different thicknesses, so you need to choose the closest diameter to the inner hole of the tube. First, the firefly breaks in several places and shakes sharply. When a uniform glow is observed, it is inserted into the top of the float and secured with a strip of adhesive tape or tape.

Winter spinners

The most common materials for making a spinner with your own hands are brass and tin. There are 3 types of gear that can be easily made at home:

1. Hesitating.
2. Turntables.
3. Balancers.

The first type is especially good for catching pike. They are made of iron plates on which hooks are attached. There are several budget ways:

1. The most common method is to cut a tablespoon from the handle. To improve catchability, it is recommended to bend the handle slightly. Using a drill you need to make holes for the hooks. If you cut a small piece of metal from the handle, then after processing it will look like bleak, which pikes love.
2. From teaspoons you can make an almost complete copy of the Devon spoon. This allows you to install the bait more firmly so that it does not get lost while fishing.
3. An unusual bimetallic spoon can be made from several metals, such as copper and steel. First you need to take 2 similar pieces of metal, in which holes for rivets are already made. The parts need to be carefully riveted and processed. By stamping, the future lure must be given the desired shape.

The rotating type is made of 2 parts - a petal and a base. When an angler plays with the tackle, the petal rotates near the base, luring fish. Manufacturing process:

1. The petal pinwheel is made from round or oval-shaped pieces of metal. The ends of the parts need to be carefully processed, given an elongated shape and slightly twisted. The hook is secured from below; a sinker must be installed above it so that the spoon rotates freely.
2. Turntables with turbines come in different shapes and types. They are made with 2, 6 and 8 blades that rotate around the base. Petals can be made from any soft material.

Balance baits are a bit like live fish. The balancer is made from a 6-7 cm pipe, to the ends of which hooks are attached. To make a rewinder sensitive and balanced, you need to cast a special mold from plaster, install hooks in it and fill the mold with molten iron. After the material has hardened, you need to treat the surface and paint the bait.

"Winter" fish

In winter, not all the fish are caught as in summer. For example, carp and carp will bite in rare cases and not everywhere. And the bite of other fish will be worse than in summer. This is due to the fact that under the ice the fish tries to move less in order to spend less energy in cold water, which is not so rich in food. Only burbot is more active in winter - it even spawns in December-January. But it is not the main catch of the fisherman.

The main trophy in winter is perch. It is widespread everywhere, can be caught on almost everything, and for a beginner it will be the best fish on which to hone your skills. Roach and silver bream are also good to catch. If perch is a predator, and usually its bite is sporadic, then carp fish must feed continuously to maintain metabolism, and their bite is almost constant. However, large cyprinids, such as bream, carp, chub, ide, and asp, do not bite in winter and are half asleep. You can often catch them simply by accident.

More difficult fishing is for large predators. Burbot is one of them. However, you have to catch it at night, in the dark. Not everyone will like to be on the ice in the severe frost of the night, and even in the wind in a snowstorm. The other two fish species are pike and pike perch. Pike bites on spoons and balancers, but it is most effective to catch them on jigs. The bait is usually roach, which is caught right there, or purchased at a live bait store. Pike perch is a rare fishing trophy. Caught with spinners and balancers. Catching it is quite difficult and requires high-quality gear and the ability to use it.

Among other types of fish that are well caught in winter, we can mention the ruffe. In some places the ruff is positioned so that you can’t pierce it with a finger, all over the bottom. And the soup made from it is simply delicious! True, it is not recommended to eat the fish itself - there are too many scales and bones. A rotan, a fish that came to us from China at the beginning of the last century, also bites in winter. Fishing for rotan can be productive, however, with the arrival of long winter nights, it goes into hibernation, and from the beginning of January it can be impossible to catch it.

Victoria Leshchenko

I've been working hard in the fishing tackle department for the past six years. I can help you assemble almost any gear.

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Depending on the area, other types of fish may also be caught. However, if you don’t know specifically, you need to tune in specifically to catching these.

The best homemade products for winter fishing, manufacturing examples

A lot of homemade products have been invented that differ in complexity of manufacture, weight, and cost. Every fan of ice fishing wants their DIY winter fishing gear to be simple, affordable and effective. Therefore, we will dwell on several options that any angler can implement.

Creating a rewinder for 10-15 minutes

Using baitless jigs such as “devil”, “goat”, “uralka” or “nymph” allows you to catch roach, bream or perch without baiting small bloodworms in the cold. But to give these lures a believable action, a light and sensitive rod is required. It can be done in 10-15 minutes if you prepare all the necessary parts in advance.

1. A small handle can easily be made from a champagne cork or a piece of foam, giving it the desired shape.
   The handle will also serve as a kind of reel for storing a supply of fishing line. Photo 1. Cork reel handle.

Helpful advice! It is necessary to make a small groove on the handle so that the fishing line does not fly off the fishing rod on its own. This can be done with a utility knife and sandpaper.

1. A transverse through hole is drilled approximately 1 cm from the edge. Its diameter depends on the thickness of the whip.
2. A plastic rod, a lollipop straw, the tip of an old telescopic fishing rod, etc. can be used as a whip.
   Photo 2. A whip made from a plastic knitting needle of a children's umbrella.

   Photo 3. The whip is inserted into the cork-handle.

3. A nod made of a PET bottle or X-ray film is mounted to the whip using a cambric.
   Another piece of insulation is glued on top to allow the fishing line to pass through. A hole is made at the end of the nod or a cambric is glued. Photo 4. Film nod.
4. All that remains is to adjust the operation of the tackle by winding a fishing line of 0.08-0.12 mm and tying a jig. The approximate weight of such a fishing rod will be 10-20 g. Due to the simplicity and low cost of manufacturing, you can make several different models for existing jigs.

How to “ride” a filly?

The unusual name of this winter fishing rod attracts the interest of novice anglers. Filly is the general name for a whole layer of tackle for float fishing, which has an unusual handle shape. It allows you not only to hold the whip and store a supply of fishing line, but also to give the fishing rod a stable position on the ice.

1. The most time-consuming and difficult task in making a filly will be cutting out the handle. The material used is rigid foam. Processing is carried out using a stationery knife, file, sandpaper. In the classic version, there should be a protrusion at the top of the handle for winding fishing line, and two wide legs at the bottom. A longitudinal hole is made in the end part to a depth of 20-30 mm for the whip.
2. The role of a whip can be played by a standard purchased product, the tip of an old spinning rod, a feeder, or just a juniper twig.
3. The nod is made in case the angler has to move away from the hole or wants to play a little with the bait in the upper layers of the water. A guard made from a PET bottle, X-ray or steel plate is suitable for this purpose. A high-voltage automotive wire or several cambrics are used as a holder.

The advantage of the filly is its high degree of buoyancy. Even if he misses a bite, the fisherman will not lose his gear. The handle will play the role of a rescue buoy.

Tackle for lure fishing and balancer

Here you will need a good fishing rod. Its length will greatly depend on how they will fish: sitting or standing. For standing fishing, the fishing rod is held in the hand near the hip and looks slightly forward and down. Its length should reach the ice or almost the ice. Therefore, a length of 60-90 cm is needed here, depending on the height of the fisherman and preferences. For sitting fishing, you can get by with a shorter fishing rod, 50-60 cm. Fishing with a shorter one is undesirable, because a number of lures require a fairly amplitude strong toss, which cannot be made short.

It is advisable to purchase a pair of telescopic fishing rods in the store. When folded, they should easily fit into the fisherman’s luggage. For them, you can purchase special tubes into which a fishing rod and reel fit. There is no damage to the fishing rod in the tube, and most importantly, there is no need to remove the spoon or balancer from it. Also in the tube, the fishing rod easily fits into a pocket along with the bait and does not cling to the suit. This is very convenient when moving from hole to hole.

Victoria Leshchenko

I've been working hard in the fishing tackle department for the past six years. I can help you assemble almost any gear.

Ask a Question

The fishing rod must be equipped with rings and a reel. The rings should not be the smallest so that they can be cleared of ice when frozen.

If the rings have ceramic inserts, you cannot remove ice from them by tapping! Therefore, if there is no special winter cord, but just a fishing line, it is advisable to install simple rings without inserts.

The coil should have a simple design so that it is not afraid of falling into water and then freezing in the air. The most reliable are small plastic wire reels, but some prefer winter inertia-free and multipliers. You should not use reels that are too large and heavy in winter fishing, as this tires the angler and affects the sensitivity of the gear. The bite is usually felt in the hand; a heavy reel will greatly blur this feeling. It is not necessary to put a nod on a winter rod; it is easier to use the top tulip ring without a nod.

The fishing line for lure fishing or balancer is used 0.15-0.25 mm. When fishing for perch, a thin line is quite enough. When fishing for pike perch, use a thicker one. It is better to use black feeder line. It is clearly visible on white snow and there is less chance of tearing it. For a jig, you can’t find a very thin black line, but for a spinner, you can choose something of greater thickness.

For pike, be sure to use a leash. You can use fluoric, tungsten or wire. Flyer and wire are durable, but affect the performance of the bait. Tungsten is flexible, but constantly curls into rings. A long leash is not needed - a length of 10 cm is enough to save the bait from being torn off by the teeth of a pike.

Attaching the bait directly to the fishing line is possible, but not advisable. This is done only for some types of spinners that do not have an eye, but only a hole in the body. In other cases, use a small fastener. It is tied to a fishing line, and the bait is attached to it. The fisherman has the opportunity to easily change the spoon or balance depending on the bite.

Spinner or balancer? Choosing a bait size

For a beginner, a balancer will be much easier to master than a spinner. The fact is that the spinner game is quite complicated. For many types of spinners, it is important to maintain a clear interval between throws. Some are picky about the amplitude - a little higher or a little lower, and the spinner will already go astray. Some fish only well in a certain depth range. Sometimes it happens that it is very important to choose the thickness of the fishing line for a spinner. The balancer has no such disadvantages. He will show his game both at great depth and in shallow water, although at depth it will be somewhat slower.

But the spinner also has its advantages. It perfectly helps to provoke passive fish, to provoke a bite from a perch standing under the hole, which does not want to take anything. In shallow water, almost all lures play well - these are the conditions in which most fishermen fish. Therefore, it is advisable to fish with balancers, but also have a couple of spinners in your box, just in case.

The size of the bait will depend on the type of fish they are going to catch and the depth at which they are fishing. For any balancer or spinner, the manufacturer usually indicates the working depth. This is where they should be used. Sometimes the thickness of the fishing line is also indicated. If you are catching perch, preference should be given to the smallest spoons and balancers. At greater depths, large baits work more often - sometimes the bait weighs heavier than the caught fish. However, the principle of minimalism is the most correct here - the thinner the line and the smaller the bait, the greater the chances of catching fish.

Additional accessories for lure fishing

In addition to an ice auger and a scoop, the fisherman will need a detacher. Quite often during the game the bait clings to the grass, especially the balancers. They can be expensive, so it is advisable to remove them from there. Even the simplest fishing hook is capable of releasing the lure from the hook in 80% of cases, even if it is caught in a strong fishing net or stuck in the reinforcement of a reinforced concrete pile at the bottom.

In addition, it is advisable to have wire cutters in case the hook gets caught in the fabric of the suit. It is better to buy a new tee than to spoil an expensive fishing suit. A surgical clamp will also be required so that the hook can be released from the fish's mouth. And, finally, a box for spinners, balancers, spare tees, fasteners, etc. It should be convenient and have many compartments. It is desirable that each bait lies in its own cell and does not deteriorate or rub against others.

Advantages of using homemade products for winter fishing

Existing and homemade gear can be divided into several groups, which differ in their use. The first group includes products that copy foreign gear and expensive semi-automatic winter electric fishing rods. But to produce such items you need experience, since making a winter fishing rod with your own hands is not easy.

The second group includes homemade products that have already been tested by experience. In addition, it includes girders, homemade baits of various types, and unusual fishing methods.

The third group includes accessories, such as fishing rod legs, cicadas, and useful little things for. They are different devices that allow:

Save your bait by making a special container for it. Increase the amount of gear you can take with you

This is important because the fishing result largely depends on the jig. Professional fishermen take with them more than 10 different models

Any of them can work well at one time and, conversely, not attract fish at another.

Tips from experienced ice fishing enthusiasts

When going to a winter pond, it is better to adhere to some rules. For example:

• At the moment you can buy a camera for winter fishing. According to some fishermen, this is a very useful thing. It will help you find out exactly where the fish are. It's like an echo sounder, but here you can see with your own eyes what kind of fish is in the area of ​​the hole.
• Automatic tents have proven themselves well in conditions where you often move from hole to hole. If such a problem is not foreseen, then it is better to take a frame tent as it is more reliable.
• You should always take several fishing rods with you to catch different types of fish.
• When purchasing a tent, you should give preference to a design with windows. It is easy to ventilate, and there is always enough illumination and you don’t have to think about how to provide yourself with normal light.

Homemade products for fishing for carp

Another inhabitant of the underwater depths, popular among fans of quiet hunting with a fishing rod, is the carp. Easy-to-make fishing crafts made from available materials will help you outwit and catch it. The easiest option to implement is a float tackle.

To make it you will need to take:

• Telescopic fishing rod with a reliable rod with a plug-in or inertial-type reel,
• Strong fishing line, the thickness of which must be at least 0.4 mm,
• It is recommended to install a float designed for a fly rod,
• Loads like "olives"
• Hook.

The finished structure is assembled in a few minutes. All its components must be connected with maximum strength. The weight of carp usually reaches 4 kg or more. This strong inhabitant of the underwater depths can easily break the hook or break the gear.

In reservoirs with calm currents, a bottom version of the gear can be installed. You can even use the “trick”, known to everyone since childhood, which has become the prototype of the feeder that is popular these days. To carry out this option, you will need a strong fishing rod, a fishing line, the length of which can reach 100 m, a float and several hooks at once. It is most convenient to use a bell as a bite alarm. Such homemade products help the fisherman become the owner of a significant catch and, without being constantly on the shore, control the gear.

Where is the best place to buy gear for winter fishing?

It is best to buy gear in official stores, but the choice there is not always wide. And the price is steep, it’s easier to fight the price, it will be much less for fishing gear purchased in an online store. And there is a wider choice there. But there will still be a larger assortment on the market, although the prices will be slightly higher. Let's look at the advantages and disadvantages of each of the places suitable for purchasing gear, so that each of you can figure out where it is better to buy gear for winter fishing.

I’ll probably put online stores first, since that’s where I most often buy what I need. And so, the main advantage of buying gear in an online store is the price. It may be several times less than the market price. But there are two significant disadvantages. The first is the risk that you will be deceived; unscrupulous suppliers may send a defective product or not send it at all. But you can fight this. Just trust trusted stores, read reviews from real people and listen to the wishes of your colleagues and friends.

Second place goes to the well-known and favorite place for many fishermen to buy gear, the market. The market has everything, and what is not available will be brought to you to order. The prices there are not exorbitant, but a little higher than on the Internet. But you will be able to inspect the purchase, touch it, try it on if necessary, and independently analyze its suitability for fishing. After all, it’s better to hold a lure in your hands and wave it in front of the seller’s nose than to just see it in a picture.

And I will give third place to official stores. This is the place with the most expensive gear and equipment. The range of branded stores is also quite wide, but still limited to goods from one manufacturer. Sometimes this is good, and sometimes it is very bad. The main advantage of purchasing from such stores is the quality guarantee and direct delivery from the manufacturer. Well, the downside, as I mentioned above, is the price.

In any case, you will have to decide where it is better to buy gear for winter fishing. Be guided by your own desires and capabilities. If you don’t have a lot of money, then the best place to buy is an online store. If money for you is just numbers and the main thing is quality, then feel free to go to official stores. Well, the middle ground between them is the market, which has pleased and will always delight fishermen with interesting homemade products from sellers and factory-made gear at an affordable price.

DIY spinner

It’s not at all difficult to make a rotating spoon yourself, if you have at least some skills in working with tools and materials. To make it you will need:

• regular paper clip;
• tee (hook);
• metal plate, 0.5-1 mm thick;
• not a big bead;
• a piece of sheet lead;
• tools: file, pliers, needle files, scissors.

First, on a piece of cardboard you need to draw the shape of a petal for the future bait, after which the drawing is transferred to the metal. Take scissors and carefully cut out a petal from a piece of metal. After this, the cut petal is processed with a file so that there are no burrs. Two holes are drilled along the edges of the petal (one on each edge) and processed with needle files. The places where the holes are drilled must be bent 90 degrees in relation to the petal. Then you need to take the wire and straighten it, and at one of its ends you need to form a loop and secure the tee.

After this, a petal and a bead are put on the same wire, after which a loop is again formed at the end of the wire to attach the fishing line. Moreover, the loop must be made so that it does not interfere with the free rotation of the petal.

The spinner requires adjustment through additional loading. A lead weight is placed between the tee and the petal. Again, everything needs to be calculated correctly so that the load does not interfere with the rotation of the petal. The last stage is painting the petal.

Super catchy spoon with your own hands in 15 minutes.

Watch this video on YouTube

Feeder for feeding fish from a boat

For those who regularly fish from a boat, it will be useful to have a simple but effective feeder. It will come in handy if you have to fish on a river where there is a current. To do this you will need the following elements:

• a piece of plastic sewer pipe;
• two fasteners;
• lead;
• electric drill;
• rope, rivets;
• loop and lock.

A piece of pipe up to 30 cm long is taken and plugs are installed on both sides. One of them is installed solidly, and the other is installed in such a way that it can be easily removed. After this, holes are drilled over the entire surface. A rope is attached to the plug that opens. To prevent the plug from opening on its own, a lock or latch of any design is installed.

On the reverse side, where the plug is rigidly fixed, weights should be secured.

The feeder is lowered to the bottom on a rope and remains there until the end of fishing. Thanks to the drilled holes, the bait is slowly washed out of the feeder, which allows you to keep the fish at the fishing point.

DIY feeder for fishing from a boat. Feeders for fishing from the boat with their hands.

Watch this video on YouTube

Feeder for feeding fish from a boat

If you prefer to fish from a boat, then you will definitely be intrigued by this very simple and inexpensive fish feeder. It will serve as an excellent replacement for casting bait by hand, especially if fishing is in the current.

To make it you will need:

• a piece of sewer plastic pipe;
• two plugs for it;
• lead;
• electric drill;
• rope, rivets;
• loop and lock.

A piece of pipe about 30 cm long is fitted with plugs on both sides, one firmly and tightly, the other like a window in a house on a hinge.

We drill holes along the entire surface of the feeder.

A rope is connected to the opening lid, and a lock is attached to it from the inside. Weights are installed outside the pipe near the cover.

The feeder, pre-filled with bait, is carefully lowered into the selected fishing spot with the lid down due to the weights attached to it, and with a slight tug of the rope the unwanted spot is emptied. The whole place is baited and you can fish.

Secrets of creating tackle for carp

Carp is one of the most common inhabitants of water bodies in central Russia. In many areas there are fisheries with carp ponds and lakes for paid fishing. But even if you go to their well-maintained shore, an experienced fisherman will definitely take with him the equipment he made himself. These fishing homemade products often become a more reliable guarantee of getting a big catch than the best examples of gear from leading manufacturers.

When performing such “crafts”, the simplest objects present in any private household are used.

For example, every expert takes with him a self-created balalaika (postavushu) when fishing for cunning and cautious carp. To make it you will need to take:

• A sinker with a small hole, the weight of which is about 150 g,
• A small piece of foam
• A piece of plastic or plastic, about 4 square meters in area. cm,
• Strong nylon thread,
• A fishing line, the thickness of which is about 0.4 mm,
• Hook,
• Knife,
• Carbine,
• Electrical tape.

When assembling such fishing tackle with your own hands, foam is used as a “beacon” showing the place where the tackle is thrown. A fishing line of the required length is attached to it using electrical tape and nylon thread. A sinker is attached to its opposite end. The hook is attached to a sufficiently long leash.

Ideally, fishing homemade products are used, installed in several places. The length of the fishing line and the weight of the load are determined depending on the characteristics of the riverbed and bottom of the reservoir, current and other factors.

When going out to fish for carp, various baits can be used. Experienced fishermen call soaked peas one of the most convenient among them. The plastic clamp will allow you to control the bite.

Installation of the working part

The installation of a winter fishing rod, of course, is carried out simultaneously with the loading of the nod or float. Therefore, I recommend that you read the articles at the links above. These processes are inseparable. For a more accurate perception, the topics of loading and installation itself are separated into separate articles.

This was done specifically so that fishermen pay special attention to the correct loading of the nod or float. It is this moment that separates the catchy tackle from the rough log. What to hang under the nod or float is a second question, although no less important. We will analyze it further.

You shouldn’t look for one universal model of equipment - different fishing conditions require your own fishing rod options. For anglers, one day is enough to set up a couple of fishing rods. Avid ice fishermen usually store in boxes several fishing rods with different equipment, already finely tuned to different conditions. When they come fishing and draw conclusions about what is currently happening under the ice, they simply take the necessary gear and fish, without having to set up equipment on the pond and without wasting time on it.

Fishing rods

For stand-up fishing, any design of winter fishing rods that is convenient for the angler is suitable:

• Standard fishing rods with reel and handle;
• Winter balalaikas or axleless fishing rods;
• fillies;
• Homemade fishing rods of various designs.

In stand-up fishing from the bottom, the rod itself performs a secondary function of storing the fishing line, more important is the correct equipment. The factory whips will fit; there is no need to change them, as on fishing rods for sports jigs. Convenience and simplicity, speed of deployment and assembly for transition are important here. From the point of view of tactics and equipment, it makes no difference which fishing rod to choose for winter fishing. It is more important to properly configure its working part.

fishing line

To properly equip a winter fishing rod, you should not adjust the diameter of the fishing line. In the fishing community, there is an opinion that the thinner the line, the better the bite. However, if you look into the details, this statement is not entirely true. Undoubtedly, a thin line on a fishing rod is needed for the correct play of a small jig at depth. In this case, even 0.01 mm of diameter has an effect.

However, when fishing with fishing rods while standing, the game is not played. There is a lot of fuss with the thin monofilaments used by athletes for jigs (from 0.05 to 0.1 mm). You have to work extremely carefully with such a thin web - the slightest mistake leads to breakage of the equipment.

In amateur winter fishing, especially with intense biting, this approach does not work. Here it is better to move towards reliability and simplicity. The minimum sufficient diameter for fishing rods is 0.1 mm, for small fish or reservoirs with high fishing pressure.

The most commonly used line thickness is 0.12-0.14 mm, this is sufficient for most cases. You need to choose the fishing line manufacturer carefully. There are hundreds of different options on the market now. For stand-up fishing, it is better to use a special winter monofilament or fluorocarbon, without memory, with resistance to frost and microdamage. An article about fishing line for winter fishing rods.

Drop with phosphorus spot

Floats and nods

Floats and nods when fishing with a riser are selected depending on the weight of the working equipment. For fishing in still water at shallow depths, thin rod rigs are used, respectively, with small ball floats or soft Mylar nods. For depth you will need heavier fishing rods, large or composite floats and appropriate nods.

The configuration of the guard or nod itself is secondary - what is more important is fine-tuning the winter fishing rod to the weight of the equipment (this has already been discussed, links to articles are above). There is no such variety of floats for winter, unlike summer options. However, the designs of winter floats also have their own nuances.

Hooks and jigs

1. It doesn’t matter what you fish with – a nod or a float. You can include both a jig and a hook in your fishing rod rig. And also both. It all depends on the fishing conditions. In some places it bites better on a jig, in other bodies of water – on a hook with a pad and a sinker. The general trend is to reduce the size of hooks in winter. You can’t put a small bloodworm on a thick forend.
2. The fish feed little; in the dead of winter, even large specimens often prefer small hooks or jigs with one or two bloodworms, rather than huge pieces or bunches (except rotan). For stand-up fishing, regular jigs for bait fishing are used. The configuration of the jig is selected depending on the installation and the required equipment.
3. The general requirement is proper suspension, horizontal or at an angle. When the jig is at the bottom, the hook with bait should not bury itself in the silt, but rise above it. Phosphorous baits perform well on suspensions, giving fish an attack point in poor visibility conditions.

Feeder made from a plastic bottle

When fishing on a feeder, snags very often occur, and as a result, the loss of an expensive feeder. Many fishermen, for fear of losing their feeder, refuse to fish in promising places. In order not to be afraid of losing it, you need to learn how to make this consumable yourself.

So, a feeder for a feeder made from a plastic bottle:

1. To make such a feeder, it is advisable to take a green plastic bottle, then cut off the bottom and neck.
2. The resulting workpiece should be cut into fragments measuring 6x13 cm.
3. The existing blanks are rolled into a cylinder with an overlap of up to 1 cm and fastened with a stationery stapler.
4. A piece of sheet lead of a certain mass is attached to the side surface where the feeder is fastened. You need to attach a loop of paper clip to a piece of lead.
5. Take a soldering iron and make holes in a checkerboard pattern around the entire perimeter of the feeder.
6. A swivel is inserted into the loop.

The feeder is ready for use. As can be seen from the technology, losing such a feeder will not be so offensive, since its cost is cheap, and you can make a huge number of them.

Do-it-yourself feeder from a plastic bottle.feeder fishing,

Watch this video on YouTube

Therefore, in order not to spend extra money on fishing, it is better to spend a little time and strain your imagination, especially since there is a sufficient amount of used materials that may well be useful on the farm. In addition, no expensive equipment or tools are required; a simple set in the form of a soldering iron and a stapler is sufficient. As practice shows, the result will always be the same, and the costs will be an order of magnitude less.

20.05.2017

How to make winter fishing gear with your own hands

For successful fishing, the main thing is good gear, which of course you can buy. We talked about buying gear above, but here I want to look at how to make winter fishing gear with your own hands. After all, it is not always possible to find what you need and you have to upgrade purchased equipment, and sometimes completely redo it.

Store-bought ice fishing gear is not always suitable for anglers, and there are several reasons for this. Some people simply don’t want to shell out a lot of money for simple gear. Others are not satisfied with the design of the gear. And of course, some people just like to make things. Combining all these factors, anglers come up with new designs, some of them are universal, and some are ideally suited for fishing in a particular body of water.

Beginners have a habit of choosing gear based on its appearance. And this habit is very bad. Very often, a beautiful tackle may simply not catch, or may fail at the most crucial moment. And no matter how expensive and beautiful your gear is, there will always be a local fisherman with a piece of branch in his hands who will catch a lot of fish, but you won’t. Very often, store-bought tackle will need to be modified for a specific body of water, and sometimes it will have to be made from scratch. We will talk below about how to make winter fishing gear with your own hands for a specific type of fish.

Homemade gear for catching bream in winter

This fish is known for its caution and strong resistance when landing. Therefore, homemade gear for catching bream must be very sensitive, but at the same time durable. Such symbiosis is not easy to achieve, but it is possible.

All you need to make such equipment is a little patience and one right hand (it’s just that people with two left hands rarely manage to make something worthwhile at home). Well, it’s better to see once than to hear a hundred times. So better watch the video:

Tackle for carp fishing in winter

Who among the fishermen does not dream of catching carp, and catching this fish is much more interesting in the winter than in the summer, and even with homemade gear it’s absolutely wonderful. Carp is a very strong fish and the tackle must be strong. Don’t forget that there is a high probability of catching a fairly large specimen, and if the tackle fails you when fishing, it will be completely annoying, so the reliability of the tackle should be above all else.

Wobbler from a home workshop

Store-bought wobblers are certainly not bad: very colorful, streamlined, completely imitating a small fish and its movements in the water, but they have one big drawback - the high price.

Therefore, many people prefer to make them themselves at home, especially since the process itself does not require special equipment and is quite exciting in itself.

Making wobblers:

1. First of all, we draw on paper a sketch of what we want to do. Regardless of the material used to make the wobbler, it must be made of two symmetrical halves to pass a steel wire amplifier inside it.
2. Wobblers can be made from foam plastic. It is easy to process, but less durable than plastic or wood. Having decided on the material, we cut out the blanks.
3. We make fastenings for the ring and tee hooks from thin stainless wire, install them in grooves pre-cut in the halves of the wobbler body, and fasten them with glue. After the glue has dried, we make a cut for the front blade and secure it firmly with glue.
4. Then we ship the wobbler. There are many options here - everyone does this procedure specifically based on their personal preferences. That is, we customize it for ourselves.
5. Fill the remaining empty spaces on the surface of the wobbler with epoxy resin and grind. You can now begin the creative process of priming and then painting the wobbler. There is nothing holding back your imagination here.

Availability of basic equipment

Basic equipment will allow you to conduct fishing at the proper level. Otherwise, fishing may not take place at all or may turn out to be very difficult, which will certainly lead to negative emotions. What is the main equipment?

Ice pick

This is a tool that you simply cannot do without when fishing and it is better not to go out on the ice at all. As a rule, with the help of this simple device, fishermen check the thickness of the ice. This is especially important if the body of water is unfamiliar.

Old holes covered with snow pose a great danger to anglers. With the help of a pick, such places can be easily identified. This tool comes in different sizes and weights. This makes it possible to select the pick individually.

You can make a similar tool for a fisherman yourself.

Ice drill

This tool greatly facilitates fishing, especially if the ice is thick enough. There are a huge number of models on the market, both domestic and foreign manufacturers. As a rule, most fishermen prefer imported samples. They have the best quality knives and more.

Unfortunately, it is not possible to make an ice auger at home, although it can be assembled from spare parts.

Fishing box

A fishing box is a universal device that can replace several elements. Basically, fishermen use it as a container for storing caught fish, for storing fishing gear and bait. In addition, he can hide several sandwiches. And sitting on it near the hole with a fishing rod in your hands is just as possible. The main requirements for this product are:

• Strength.
• Ease.

A winter fishing enthusiast can always be recognized by his fishing box.

Scoop

Also a necessary device. It’s not very comfortable to pick out crushed ice from a hole with your bare hands, especially in the cold, and even in windy weather. And here a scoop, made like a kitchen colander, will be an indispensable thing. You can make a scoop yourself by using a kitchen scoop, or you can buy one. You should choose from lightweight designs and those with a wooden handle. If the bailer accidentally falls into the water, it will always remain afloat.

Hook

A very useful thing when catching large fish. Without it, it is unlikely that it will be possible to fish it out of the hole, especially if the individual is larger in size. It’s not difficult to make such a device yourself; all you need is a piece of wire on which to place a wooden handle.

Feeder

Fish can be at any depth. To feed it and collect it at one point, in the area of ​​the hole, a feeder of any design will be useful. It is enough to tie a fishing line or rope of the required thickness and length to it.

Classification

To begin with, let’s just outline the general picture and review the winter fishing rods that are currently used in fishing. Let us immediately clarify that many winter fishing gear can be similar to each other and built on the same types of fishing rods, but, at the same time, differ in equipment, and, as follows from this, in their functional focus.

By fishing directions

Based on the above, we will carry out the initial classification according to fishing directions:

1. Jig tackle. These ice fishing rods are used to catch predatory and peaceful fish in still or slow-moving water.
2. Float rods, or floats. They are mainly used in lakes and reservoirs for peaceful fish.
3. Postavushi. Fishing rods for passive fishing of peaceful and predatory fish in still waters. Unlike floaters, visualization of bites occurs by guards and nods.
4. Live bait fishing rods, or live bait. Used for active fishing of various predators.
5. Zherlitsy. A type of live bait for passive fishing. Unlike fishing rods, they do not have a fishing rod as such.
6. Fishing rods for the current. Specially equipped fishing rods for catching peaceful fish on rivers with medium and strong currents.
7. Fishing rods for trolling, or lures. Gear for catching predators with artificial bait.

Often anglers give some of the above gear some versatility. This is usually observed among beginners when an insufficient number of fishing rods for winter fishing have been purchased or manufactured, and they are forced to re-equip the existing ones.

Advice! For the convenience of winter fishing, try to have gear for all occasions.

Types of fishing rods

Before moving on to a description of the equipment of the listed fishing rods, it is necessary to describe the types of fishing rods that are, in principle, used for ice fishing. Winter gear is built on the basis of the following common fishing rods:

1. Balalaikas. This is the name given to fishing rods in which the reel and handle are one piece. To wind the fishing line onto the bobbin, you need to unscrew the safety screw and remove the spool. In this case, the fishing line is first threaded into the entrance hole from the outside, then tied to the reel. After installing the spool into the reel, the final winding of the fishing line occurs.

1. Fishing rods with handles and legs. These are the most common types of fishing rods for winter fishing. They differ in the design and size of the reels and overall dimensions, which allows them to be used in different types of gear.

1. Fishing rod for trolling, or lure. Of course, there is a lot of fishing gear for winter fishing, including those you can use to shine. They can be built on a previous model of fishing rod, but for serious fishing for pike perch or large pike, it is better to have a special tool. Most often this is a form short to 70 centimeters, which is equipped with a large inertial, small inertial or multiplier reel.

Other types of winter fishing rods, although they have external features, can be classified in one of the listed groups in terms of functionality. The exception is girders, which do not have a fishing rod at all, and therefore are not considered in this chapter.

Choosing and making gear with your own hands

Types of gear for winter fishing are divided into seven types according to fishing directions:

1. Jig tackle. For all types of fish in still or slow water.
2. Float rods. On lakes and reservoirs for non-predatory fish.
3. Postavushi. For passive fishing of all types of fish in still water. Visualization of bites is carried out by guards and nods.
4. Live bait fishing rods. For active fishing of predatory fish.
5. Zherlitsy. A type of live bait for passive fishing that does not have a fishing rod.
6. Fishing rods for the current. For catching non-predatory fish on rivers with medium and strong currents.
7. Fishing rods for trolling. For catching predatory fish using artificial bait.

Winter fishing rod size

The average length of a fishing rod is 25-30 cm.

The length is determined by:

• type of fish;
• fishing method: the fisherman will walk or sit.

Small fish require a short rod. Small fish are usually caught while sitting; swinging a long rod is inconvenient. Large fish are caught standing up and people walk after them; in this case, you need to take a longer fishing rod.

Types of fishing rods

The design of winter fishing rods is based on fishing rods:

1. Balalaikas. The reel is one piece with the handle. To wind the fishing line onto the bobbin, you need to unscrew the safety screw and remove the spool. The fishing line is first threaded through the hole from the outside, then tied to the reel. The spool is installed in the reel and the final winding of the fishing line is carried out.
2. Fishing rods with handles and legs. They differ in design, coil size and overall dimensions. Used with different types of gear for small fish.
3. Fishing rod for trolling. A blank up to 70 cm long, which is equipped with a large inertial, small inertial or multiplier reel. Suitable for lure fishing for large predatory fish.

Balalaika

Blesnilka

Fishing rod with legs

Choosing a fishing line for a winter fishing rod

Requirements for winter fishing line:

1. Small thickness. The optimal values ​​are 0.08-0.12 mm for regular fishing line and 0.18 mm for fluorocarbon. To lure large, strong predatory fish, a fishing line with a diameter of 0.2-0.4 mm is useful. The thin line is invisible in clear water and works well with small baits. Many people use fluorocarbon fishing line, which is ideal for the role of both main and leader (it is almost invisible in the water, but there are also disadvantages, such as poor wear resistance and tensile strength).
2. Strength. This requirement argues against the use of fluorocarbon. This line is almost invisible in the water, but has low wear resistance and tensile strength, that is, it is not suitable for large fish.
3. Lack of memory. For winter fishing, only monofilament lines are suitable, since their types form spirals when stored on the reel, which leads to poor bite control.
4. Abrasion resistance. This property is important, since the fishing line constantly rubs against the edge of the ice and can break. To prevent this from happening, it must have a diameter of 0.2-0.4 mm.

Coil dimensions

The diameter of the reel drum should be 60-70 mm. The drum should be chosen open; it can clearly see how much fishing line is left.

Whip

The whip will help you not to miss the resisting fish immediately after hooking. Its second function is to complicate the game of a jig or spinner.

As a rule, the fishing rod is equipped with a whip, but this option is rarely of high quality. It is better to buy it separately, choosing fiberglass models. You can also make a whip yourself from light titanium alloys.

Nod

Types of nods:

1. Metal. Used for fishing in the current or at depth.
2. Spring. Suitable for large fish.
3. Balanced. Not suitable for winter fishing, as the oil in the bearings may freeze.

Spinnig

Fishing with a spinning rod in winter is possible in the absence of continuous ice cover, in thaws, and in mild weather.

Disadvantages of this type of fishing:

• hands are cold;
• the braided cord and rings of the fishing rod quickly freeze;
• because of the crust of ice or snowdrifts, you cannot fish where there are probably fish;
• the fish is lethargic and does not respond well to bait.

It is better to opt for a fishing rod made of composite material, since carbon fiber behaves unpredictably in the cold. The reel should be chosen inertialess. The overrunning clutch, which is responsible for the reverse stopper, freezes, so it is better to abandon models with it.

Fishing with a spinning rod in winter is carried out with a jig; for this method it is necessary to choose a braided fishing line. This thread freezes over, unlike monofilament, so you need to use anti-cold impregnations.

A foam fish is considered a catchable jig bait. Silicone baits are also used: worms with slugs and twisters with vibrotails.

Wiring technique:

• classic step;
• smooth dragging along the bottom;
• slow retrieve with bait hanging.

Float tackle

Float tackle is a hybrid of a jig and a float. It is equipped with legs for installation on ice. There is no need to play with bait: the bite is determined by the float.

Equipment composition:

• sinker;
• fishing line;
• hook;
• float.

Mormuscular

Jig fishing lines are the thinnest - from 0.06 to 0.14 millimeters. In addition to the fishing line and jig, the tackle includes a sinker with a retractable mounting. When fishing for bloodworms, a balalaika rod with a whip and a nod is used; it is small and light, without a reel. Fishing rods for reelless fishing are lighter than regular ones.

The video from the Fishing Pro channel describes the intricacies of winter fishing and jig fishing tactics:

For fishing with the current

For fishing with currents, a fishing rod on legs with a handle and an open reel is suitable. You will need up to 50 meters of fishing line 0.18-0.20 mm. To prevent the tackle from tipping over, a lead weight is inserted into its handle.

You must select one of the following equipment:

• paternoster;
• Gardner loop;
• inline;
• helicopter.

Winter donka

Donka is fished in winter from the ice in a hole, without casting.

Advantages of winter donka:

• no need to constantly monitor the fishing rod;
• the equipment is not carried away by the current from the fishing spot and does not lift from the bottom;
• The nozzle is located next to the bait.

In cold water, the fish's metabolism is slowed down; there is no need to feed it generously. In donkey bait, the bait is served next to the hook, and the likelihood of a bite increases.

Structurally, the winter donka consists of:

• fishing rod;
• nod;
• spools of fishing line;
• rigging.

There may be no reel in the design, but it increases the usability of the fishing rod.

The nod should be flexible, accurately responding to the smallest touches of the fish.

It may consist of:

• lavsan;
• plastic;
• metal

The diameter of the main line for winter bottom tackle for peaceful fish is chosen to be 0.16-0.20 mm, the diameter of the leader line is 0.1-0.14 mm.

The hooks need to be thin and sharp, so they need to be sharpened after every 2-3 fish caught. Sizes – 12-18 according to the European classification.

Hook color:

• matte black;
• golden;
• red;
• blue.

Hooks with a nozzle are always in the bottom layer, and when the bottom bites, self-hatching occurs. If the angler sees a bite, then to be sure he hooks the fish. But even if the attention of a winter fishing enthusiast is distracted and he does not have time to hook, the fish is caught on its own under the weight of the main sinker.

Live bait

There are two types of live bait fishing rods:

• girders;
• live bait.

The fishing rods are equipped with reel stands and flags and are suitable for catching large fish.

Types of girders:

• changeling;
• on the platform;
• under-ice;
• with legs.

Live baits are fishing rods with legs, suitable for small specimens, and, unlike the bait, they have a one-piece design.

Their components:

• nod of bright color;
• legs;
• pen;
• coil;
• equipment;
• whip.

Deliveries

The stand is used for passive fishing and is installed directly on the ice.

Comprises:

• nod;
• coils;
• equipment;
• legs;
• whip.

For glitter

The fishing line used for trolling is monofilament with a thickness of 0.14 to 0.28 mm.

The thickness of the thread depends on:

• bait weight;
• probable trophy;
• fishing depths.

The following are used as baits for trolling in winter:

• vertical spinners;
• amphipods;
• balancers;
• silicone on jig heads;
• rattlin wobblers.

A multiplier or inertia-free reel will allow:

• quickly reel in and collect tackle;
• Use the clutch to pull out large fish.