Some fishermen who like feeder fishing don’t even realize that they can use this method in the winter. Today, a winter ice feeder is not only popular, but it also allows you to successfully fish for bream, roach, silver bream and other fish. This method is used where it is necessary to catch fish in a strong or medium current.
Feeder in winter
Fishing with an ice feeder is especially successful in reservoirs with constant or variable currents. Classic stationary feeders are of little use in this case, and the behavior of fish on a river is always characterized by its increased mobility compared to reservoirs or lakes.
Note! The main thing that distinguishes a winter feeder from a summer fishing rod is the sensitive tip. Of course, the size of the rod is also different, shorter. In combination with additional requirements for fishing rod equipment and special winter bait, an ice feeder can give good results.
The fact is that to fish with stationary feeders, the fisherman has to drill several holes: for feeders - upstream, and for fishing rods - downstream. When fishing with a winter feeder from the ice, one hole is enough. Reels are used of a small inertia-free type with a tuned clutch.
The main elements of equipment for winter feeder fishing:
- a short rod on which a reel is attached;
- whip 15−20 cm long;
- support for placing a fishing rod on ice;
- brightly colored nod;
- fishing line with a leash at the end;
- small hook;
One or two feeders, the weight of which will not allow them to be used not only in still water, but also in currents.
All of the above is a repetition of the summer version of the feeder tackle in the winter version, but without a rod equipped with rings. An under-ice feeder is used in cases where classic winter gear does not give the desired result.
Fishing with a feeder is convenient and enjoyable; no other fishing rods will be needed, they will simply remain to the side. A long and bright whip signals a bite, and fishing with a reel is more convenient than fiddling with the line with your hands.
When an angler is confident in the operation of the clutch, he can easily fish a trophy of any size out of the water. Even for those who come to ice fishing for the first time, this tackle will only bring pleasure.
Winter ice feeder equipment
Feeder installation
Equipment for a winter feeder can be mounted by analogy with any feeder equipment. Two types of feeder installation are most often used:
- Asymmetrical loop;
- Gardner's paternoster.
An asymmetrical loop is a little more difficult to knit than a paternoster, but more sensitive. It is preferable when fishing for small fish and in weak currents or in its absence. The Gardner loop is easier to install and knits much faster.
Considering that the winter feeder is a lighter version of the summer one, all elements of the winter equipment should be more delicate, and the loops and leashes should be somewhat shorter. Feeder installation methods are shown below.
Asymmetrical loop
Paternoster. Gardner's loop
Winter feeder
The feeder for the winter ice feeder is lighter and more compact than the summer feeder. Even in the presence of a current, the length of the fishing line on which it presses is much shorter, and its diameter is thinner - which means less load. In winter, much less bait is used, so the volume of the feeder is less capacious.
How to make a winter feeder
Anyone who has decided to make an under-ice feeder with their own hands can first view various models of this equipment on fishing websites. The main types of gear used in the feeder are a reel and fishing line with hooks.
Small and cautious fish will not bite on coarse tackle, but too thin tackle often lets you down.
It is necessary to make gear that will be equally good on lakes and on the river. A long fishing rod, convenient in summer, is not used. To properly equip the feeder, short winter fishing rods with whips at the end are more suitable.
To catch small fish, it is important to use a sensitive flexible whip, but the tip for pike perch with feeder tackle only works well if it is quite rigid and elastic.
fishing line
The main diameter of the fishing line, which is used when installing on an under-ice feeder: 0.16 mm. For catching bream it is a bit thin, in this case you can only use it as a short leash on the hook. To catch small and cautious fish, you will need a thinner fishing line, 0.12 mm or thinner, but you need to pay attention to its quality when purchasing.
When using feeder ice fishing, it is better to use soft types of fishing line that resist abrasion well. Most often, a monofilament thread made of nylon with a maximum thickness of 0.18 mm is taken. It can also be used for a leash, but with a thickness of no more than 0.12 mm.
An excellent line option for catching small specimens is Team Salmo Micron. Winter fishing for pike requires a special leash at the end of the fishing line, which is made of metal wire or based on strong monofilament. In addition, you need live bait for pike.
Rod
It’s hardly worth buying a special fishing rod for winter fishing; making one with your own hands is very simple. Many old winter fishing rods with the shortest length are suitable for this. It is important that the rod has a good reel holder and a comfortable handle that does not freeze in the cold and does not slip in the hand.
Sometimes fishermen equip rods for winter feeders with special legs on which they can conveniently install the tackle above the hole. Others simply use pieces of ice to build a small slide with a depression in the middle, which is also an excellent support for a short fishing rod and reel.
Feeder
When ice fishing on a feeder, you should not use large summer feeders. With their excessive size, they can scare away cautious fish; moreover, the consumption of bait in winter is much less than in summer. During ice fishing, it is easier to achieve overfeeding. The baskets at the feeders should be small, otherwise the fish, having had enough, will lose all interest in the bait on the hook.
Small feeders are quite suitable, the weight of which ranges from 15 to 40 grams. If large summer feeders are used when fishing on a winter feeder, then their baskets can be cut in half, due to which the bait load lowered into the hole will be significantly reduced.
A little secret! Experienced fishermen prefer plastic feeders that have small holes or no holes at all. It is easy to stuff food into them with your fingers, and the washing out of the bait by the current occurs very slowly.
Currently, the winter feeder is very popular, industrialists quickly took note of this fact and began to produce enough small-sized feeders, from which you can always choose the best option.
How the tackle works
The under-ice feeder works almost exactly the same as the summer version.
The whole process is carried out as follows:
- The equipment is unwound, and then the feeder is attached to it.
- Next, the feeder is filled with pre-prepared treats and lowered into the hole. It is very important to hold the leash.
- After the feeder reaches the bottom, you will need to tighten the fishing line so that the guard bends at the required angle.
The most important thing is not to miss the bite; it will be felt as a frequent twitching of the nod or a sharp weakening of the element. Having made the hook, you can start fishing.
Important! If no bites were noticeable for 15 minutes, then you need to take out the feeder and add a new treat.
There are anglers whose fishing begins with the fact that they actively feed one place where further fishing will be carried out, by throwing several feeders at once. Sometimes this gives results. Although it is better not to practice this in the wilderness.
It should be noted that if you are fishing with several gears at the same time, then the distance between them should be at least one and a half meters in order to avoid overlapping of the line when pulling out the fish.
Many fishermen who are going to fish with a feeder in the winter for the first time do not even know what kind of fish might get caught on it. In fact, the most important thing is that at least someone gets caught. Although it is often possible to catch chub, dace, silver bream, roach, sop, bream and many others. It is interesting that there are fish that are not caught on the feeder, but that actively bite, eating the bait. We are talking about the “snotty” ruff, perches and minnows.
Suitable accessories
It is much easier to prepare for fishing with an ice feeder if you use an arsenal of summer fishing gear when making it. The main equipment of the ice feeder is the same fishing line, reel and hooks that were purchased for summer fishing. With this fishing method, there is no need to buy any fancy jigs or synthetic baits.
Of course, you shouldn’t install a large reel on a small fishing rod, since in this case the entire balancing of the tackle will be disrupted, and the fisherman will lose the feeling of confidence and dexterity at critical moments of fishing. The best option would be a small but reliable reel, which was used in the summer for small fish. The main thing is that the friction is adjusted well and there is no looseness or play in the handle and spool device.
Installation of equipment
I used a paternoster, tried on-line, but in vertical fishing such an installation turned out to be not practical, from my arsenal of feeders I found what in my opinion is an ideal feeder, small size R2, weight 5 grams from the Feeder Sport company, prepared leashes with 0.08 Preston fishing line Reflo Power, hooks used number 16.
We recommend: Homemade equipment and equipment installations when fishing with a feeder
Lures
Fishing in winter is carried out with the same bait as in summer, but preference in ice fishing should still be given to animal bait - in cold water it is hardly possible to catch fish with bread or something of plant origin.
The most common baits for ice fishing on a feeder are:
- worms;
- maggots;
- bloodworm;
- corn kernels;
- dough balls.
For particularly fastidious inhabitants of the reservoir, you can use sandwiches made from worms and maggots, between which there is a bloodworm on the hook. It is worth completely abandoning combinations of baits, baits that combine food of animal and vegetarian origin. This does not give any tangible result; it is not worth wasting even time on the test.
Baits
During periods when the water temperature is quite low, it is advisable to use bait of animal origin, such as:
- bloodworm;
- worm;
- maggot.
Naturally, you can’t get a worm in winter, but bloodworms are enough, which are used in winter for any fishing conditions. Bloodworm is a universal winter bait, because the fish does not take any other bait, although it is very difficult to find suitable bait during this period. As a rule, bloodworms are added to any bait prepared before fishing. The use of bait of animal origin is a prerequisite for successful winter fishing.
It is better to put several fatty larvae on the hook, which are able to attract winter bream, roach, silver bream and other fish of decent size.
If it is possible to acquire a worm, then fishing can be no less productive. But the worm needs to be grown in certain conditions, and many fishermen are simply not ready for this.
Lure
When using an ice feeder, two types of bait are used: porridge and dry mixtures. Dry mixtures are prepared right at the fishing spot, and porridges are cooked in advance. When diluting dry mixtures, it is recommended to take water directly from the reservoir. After everything is thoroughly mixed, the food supply is kept in the bosom, where it will remain warm and soft.
To prepare a good porridge, you should take millet cereal as a basis with the addition of flavorings and taste enzymes. For each fish during winter fishing, there are known compositions of suitable baits, which can be found on fishing websites.
Feeder equipment for winter fishing
Winter feeder fishing does not require a large amount of food in the fishing area, so the capacity of the feeder feeder should be minimal. The weight of the structure depends on the current and depth at the fishing site and rarely exceeds 50 grams. Some fishermen use anti-twist tubes to prevent the equipment from getting tangled. By and large, you can do without this detail, forming a double loop.
In the cold season, the fish is sluggish, so the length of the leash should not be short. The optimal value would be from 40 to 50cm. The diameter of the fishing line is taken based on the weight of the prey. If it does not exceed 0.5 kg, then it is quite possible to get by with a thickness of 0.12 mm.
For bloodworms and maggots, you must use hooks of the minimum size. The thin wire does not weigh down the bait, and the fish calmly sucks it in with a push of water. If you use a worm as bait, then you need a hook with a long shank and serrations - this will prevent the bait from slipping.
>> Feeder equipment options.
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Best Recipes
Bait recipes for an ice feeder necessarily consist of a base and additives. The base provides stickiness to the composition and gives it a small cloud of food in the water. Most often, the base consists of cereals and various baked goods. But additives should always be crumbly.
Good additives when fishing for bream are cereal grains, pearl barley, peas or canned corn. But peas and millet are the most cherished delicacy for bream.
One of the best recipes has received recognition from most fishermen:
- Half of the bait consists of ground breadcrumbs;
- Bran is added to it in a content of up to 20%;
- about 15% - cake;
- 10% - semolina;
- 10% - crushed rolled oats;
- the rest is bait for winter fishing from the store.
The composition of this bait is so reliable that even on days of bad bite, the fisherman does not return home without a catch. You can easily prepare everything at home and use it in feeders in small portions as needed.
Winter bream is excellently caught on the feeder
Photo: Vladimir Kosenkov.
For a resident of the capital, the Moscow River is a real gift. Due to the anthropogenic factor, it does not freeze even in severe frosts and gives us an excellent opportunity to fish in open water in winter.
In addition, water is released from the Moscow River at the end of November, setting a “winter” level, which allows you to catch fish from distances that are difficult to catch in summer.
Such distances can be channel edges, channel ditches and other “distances”, which during the period of “summer” water level are at a distance of 60–70 meters.
Read the material “How to catch bream at night”
The main trophies of such fishing are bream and beautiful Moskvoretsky roach. Both species reach decent sizes here.
This is due to the fact that after fishing, most fishermen release their catch, since the safety of eating it is highly questionable. Although every now and then you hear stories about how delicious the fish in the Moscow River is and that all the horror stories about its unsuitability are nonsense.
I will express my opinion on this matter.
Knowing what flows into the river from embankments, from warm drains, wastewater treatment plants and seeing the garbage that sometimes gets caught on a hook, I cannot take home the fish I catch. The river arouses my purely sporting interest, and in summer and winter it allows me to hone my skills, pick up keys to fish in different periods and improve my fishing level...
Read the material “On the Shores of Open Water”
There are nuances in winter fishing with a feeder that distinguish it from summer fishing. I'll tell you everything in order.
If you are determined to plunge into the world of winter feeder, then first of all you should think about the right choice of clothing. You will definitely need a high-quality and warm winter suit that is not able to absorb or let in external moisture, but must breathe.
Be sure to decide on the choice of thermal underwear, preferably two sets that you will put on one another.
Thermal underwear must remove moisture from the skin, otherwise after transferring all your belongings to the fishing spot, you will begin to feel discomfort.
Read the material “Choosing thermal underwear for fishing”
It is also important to choose special thermal socks that help remove moisture from your feet and keep them warm.
And of course, you need warm boots made of EVA material that remain soft even in severe frost. The right choice of clothing is the first thing your journey into the winter feeder should begin with, because you will have to sit still in the cold for a long time.
Next, we begin the search for a promising location. It is important to understand here that the Moscow River, although it does not freeze in winter, has a water temperature similar to unheated reservoirs in late autumn.
This means that the fish, following their instincts, rushes into wintering pits or other sections of the river with considerable depth.
| Photo: Vladimir Kosenkov. |
Such places are well known in the fishing community, but they can always be found on the depth map, which are presented on the Internet.
The surest sign of the right place is high competition on the shore among fellow hobbyists. However, this sign is suitable for any fishing.
It is important to remember that in winter you should look for bream and large bream only in and near deep places. Never at this time of year will bream enter the shallow water area, where you will most likely be content with only roach or silver bream.
Read the material “Night Sight”
I will share my experience in preparing and preparing groundbait. The first thing to start with is the fraction size, aroma and color.
In my opinion, it is important that the bait be as finely ground as possible, which is confirmed by the experience of a huge number of fishing trips on the Moscow River in winter. The fact is that in winter bream are of little interest to the plant food particles that make up the bait mixture, but at the same time it is important to create the correct mechanics of the bait on the bottom so that it spreads over it in an even layer, is inactive and only gives off its aromatics.
In addition, any large particle, if the fish is interested in it and eats it during a period of low metabolism, can saturate it.
Read the material “Bait for bream”
This means that the bream, having come to the bait spot and having eaten several large food particles, may simply stop feeding, but will continue to stand at the point, not allowing other fish to approach.
That is why I punch all my bait through a 2 mm sieve before adding water or aromatics, cutting off all the medium and large fractions.
There are several opinions about the aroma of the mixture.
Some people believe that a strong or incorrectly selected flavor can “kill” fishing at the very beginning, so the bait should not have any additional flavor other than its natural one. This is partly true, but not on the Moscow River. Experience suggests that the success of feeder fishing in winter largely depends on the correct aromatics.
Read the material “Bream fishing during the day”
I mix my mixtures without water, using pure aromatics, and have never regretted it. Yes, I make very strong-smelling bait and I believe that this allows me to concentrate fish from different areas as much as possible, provided that in cold water odors spread very slowly.
I would like to note that not all smells will be to the taste of winter bream. For myself, I have come up with a number of confidently working fragrances that are worth taking note of.
These are coriander, dill, chocolate, biscuit, coffee and vanilla. Many commercial flavors combine these odors in different proportions, so they can be safely used in the preparation of bait.
| It is better to do the bait little by little so that it does not have time to freeze. Photo: Vladimir Kosenkov. |
As for the taste of the bait, in my opinion, in winter it is useful to add a little salt to the finished mixture. It helps the bait not to freeze at subzero temperatures, which is very important, since the ice that can form inside gives positive buoyancy, which is absolutely not needed.
As for other flavoring additives, I’ll highlight the same coriander, which bream really appreciates in cold water. But it’s better to grind the coriander yourself - this way its aroma and taste will be more intense.
In addition, you can add a little mixture of ground peppers to the bait, giving it a more interesting taste and aroma. But it is important to remember that fruit scents hardly work in winter, I tried them, but the result was weak.
Read the material “In autumn with exclusive attachments”
You should pay close attention to the color of the finished bait. Under no circumstances should you use light-colored bait of yellow and red color.
The result when using light baits is always worse. The finished bait should have a color range from wet sand to coal black. You shouldn’t go to extremes, but you definitely need to darken the mixture. For this, either special paint or dark mixtures are used, of which there are quite a lot on the market today.
Now a little about the degree of moisture in the food. The goal is to make the food on the bottom minimally active, but not waterlogged.
To do this, moisture should be added to the food in several stages, each time allowing the food to absorb it as much as possible. As a result, each particle will be saturated with aromas and moisture, but the food itself will remain “working”, will not be plasticine or mushy, it will simply turn out to be as inert and heavy as possible.
This is exactly what large Moskvoretsky bream needs in winter.
Read the material “Trying the other way around”
I’ll say a few words about the use of a live component, that is, about the choice of baits and animal additives in bait.
In winter, bream, like other fish, switches to animal food, since there is almost no plant food, and animal food contains more nutrition. Bloodworms become the main species at this time.
When traveling with a winter feeder, I always take the freshest large bloodworms and half a kilo of small ones. You can take small or more, but I’m already used to keeping it to half a kilo, since according to sports rules you can’t take more than this volume.
| To pre-create a “spot” of bait on the river bottom, you usually need two rods: a powerful one for casting heavy bait feeders and a sensitive one for catching and working with small feeders. Before starting fishing, the fisherman sets the same casting distance on both rods (for example, by unwinding the required amount of line on the shore), and then inserts the line into a clip on the reel, securing the line from further reeling. After this, following a landmark on the other bank, a heavy feeder is used to cast and unload 5–10 large feeders with bait at one point. Photo: Vladimir Kosenkov. |
As for the maggot, it must also be with you. Yes, it doesn’t always work in winter, sometimes you may not get a bite from it, but sometimes it can “shoot” as a bait and an additive to bait.
In addition, it never hurts to try adding maggot trimmings to the feed, which produces a very attractive turbidity at the bottom.
I introduce small bloodworms into the food in portions, feeding it to the point with “plugs”, somewhere in the middle of the feeder, covering it on both sides with bait.
Read the material “Catchy homemade products”
Tactically, it would be correct to give plenty of small bloodworms to the point during the starting feeding and then add them to the feed in order to activate the fish in the fishing zone. I add maggots to the food when experiments begin, if the standard system begins to not work.
By the way, it is also useful to provide trimmings of small bloodworms, which can be turned into a kind of soup with special scissors. This supplement is very effective.
To summarize, you definitely need to have everything with you, namely small and large bloodworms and maggots, which you will always need.
Read the material “Capital fishermen”
I would like to talk in more detail about the search for a promising point on the Moscow River in winter.
As I already said, low winter water levels make it possible to reach distances inaccessible in summer. Thus, when fishing for bream, I first of all look for the edge, and the one whose lower part will be at a depth of five meters or more.
Usually the edge, being a sharp change in the bottom topography and a difference in depth, serves as a promising place for catching winter bream. Sometimes you have to fish on the edges of the riverbed, almost inaccessible in summer.
| The bait feeder looks like a mesh cylinder without a bottom. Photo: Vladimir Kosenkov. |
A marker weight will help in finding the point; you need to throw it as deep as possible and, dragging it along the bottom towards the shore, use it to determine the location of an edge or other interesting manifestation on the bottom. A lot of articles have already been written about this and a video has been shot, so I won’t go into detail.
However, I will say that in addition to dragging the load along the bottom, you also need to check yourself by making control casts and using a stopwatch to time the time the load falls to the bottom throughout the entire intended ascent - from its beginning to reaching a flat area at the top point.
Sometimes, while dragging a load along the bottom, we can bump into something and mistake it for an edge, although it could be a local bump, a stone or a tire that fell from a ship in the summer. That is why it is worth checking the time the load falls to the bottom, so as not to make a mistake when choosing a fishing point.
Read the material “Fishing Arms Race”
Separately, I would like to talk about what gear is used when fishing with a feeder in winter.
In fact, their set is not much different from the standard one, however, most often you will need rods with a length of 3.9–4.2 m, since relatively long casts are expected.
Rods of this length have one important advantage. If you have to fish behind a very steep edge, then in case of a fish bite, an extended rod and your hands raised up will help. Sometimes this is the only way to get the fish over the edge.
Often this is not enough, and you need to stand on tiptoes or even climb onto the platform with your feet, since there are places where the difference in depth is very serious, and it is possible to fish only at such a point. It is for these reasons that you prepare the longest rods possible.
Read the material “Building an effective bait”
A reel is also selected to match the rod, which should facilitate long casting and reel out a significant amount of line per turn to make it easier to retrieve it from a long distance.
It’s worth taking a closer look at the choice of main fishing line. I think it’s clear that fishing with a braided line in the cold is an unpromising activity, and sometimes simply impossible.
I tried to soak the cord with different oils, silicones and other things - all in vain: the cord freezes, it is impossible to catch. That is why the winter feeder is only a monofilament line.
| A spacious fish tank will allow the fish to be released into the river undamaged. Photo: Vladimir Kosenkov. |
It is selected based on its two characteristics: breaking load and elongation. A good feeder line should have low elongation, high rigidity and withstand heavy loads.
My choice fell on fishing lines with a diameter of 0.24 to 0.28 mm. These diameters cover almost all possible cases.
I don’t use a shock leader, so my fishing in winter is mostly done with a fishing line with a diameter of 0.26 mm. A breaking load of 5.5 kg allows you to work with feeders up to 90–100 g, which is quite enough.
Read the material “In search of bream”
The main working feeders are 56–70 g, less often -80 g, but subject to fishing at very deep depths and long distances.
Let's move on to rigs, leashes and hooks.
There are also plenty of subtleties here that I hasten to share.
I have already written in my articles that I use only inline editing, since I am an athlete. Now I have started to use an inline much more often with a branch under the feeder, which is 5-6 cm. In essence, we get a sliding, most sensitive paternoster, which, in the event of a break in the main line, allows the fish to free themselves from the feeder and survive.
Read the material “Thinking about the knife”
As for the choice of leash lines, we will talk about maximum thinning and elongation. Working leashes for catching bream with a feeder in winter, in my experience, are fishing lines with a thickness of 0.08 mm to 0.1 mm and a length of 1 to 1.2 m. This is explained by the high caution of the fish, its low activity and relatively clear water.
To successfully fish with such thin leaders in my rig, I use a beaded rubber shock absorber between the main line and the leader. The shock absorber with a diameter of 0.6 mm works reliably when playing even very large fish, and there has never been a case where it broke.
| To perform power casting, the rest is equipped with a durable shock leader. Photo: Vladimir Kosenkov. |
Why are such thin leashes used?
Everything is very simple: bream at this time is extremely inactive and cautious, the water becomes very clear even by Moskvoretsky standards. In such a situation, the most natural presentation on a minimally noticeable leash plays a key role.
From experience I can say that leashes with a larger diameter work noticeably worse.
Read the material “Picker works well on small rivers in the Moscow region”
When it comes to hooks, you should also follow the path of minimalism. My working hooks in winter are No. 16–18 (according to the European classification), with a long shank and a wide hook. These hook shapes allow you to naturally present the bait and confidently carry out hooks.
I believe that this classic hook shape is most effective when fishing for bream. The most important thing, I repeat, is not to be afraid to use very small hooks, because in combination with a shock absorber and proper operation of the rod, they perfectly hold bream weighing over 2.5 kg.
I always start my fishing trips with a 1.2 m long leash, with a No. 18 hook, and then I look at the circumstances. But I usually don’t change anything, since this combination almost always works effectively.
Read the material “Crucian carp bites before freeze-up”
In conclusion, I encourage every feeder fishing fan to try fishing in winter on an ice-free reservoir.
Even if there is no Moscow River in your region, I am sure that you can always find ice-free rivers or ponds. Having tried this kind of fishing once, you will definitely go again to develop your skills in the winter feeder, since the winter in central Russia is long.
Vladimir Kosenkov December 29, 2021 at 14:05
How to fish in winter with an ice feeder
Only on ice can you find out how active the fish is that day and what its attitude is to the bait. The very first bites and luck allow you to decide on hooks and other elements of feeder fishing.
Hooks
To begin with, hook sizes range from 14 to 18. In this case, you will definitely have to take into account the shape and size of the nozzle. After all, even if the fisherman is in a tent, his hands are cold, and it becomes difficult to handle a very small hook. This applies to putting another bait on it, removing the hook from the fish’s mouth.
When choosing a hook, you need to take into account all of the above factors. A small hook with a short shank will cause a lot of inconvenience, but this can be compensated by a more intense bite. When the entire hook is hidden in the bait, even very cautious fish behave more decisively.
Supporters of winter fishing with a feeder prefer ordinary hooks to any jig.
When choosing hooks, you need to consider both their size and weight. The mass of the hook is directly related to the under-ice current. When the flow is strong, heavier hooks are used, due to which they will be pressed to the bottom and remain in place. If the current is weak, barely noticeable, then you need to use hooks of the lightest design. The final selection of hooks is made during the fishing process by varying their size and weight.
Leash length
Like the hook, the optimal length of the feeder leash is selected during the fishing process. First of all, it is determined by the following factors:
- fish activity on the day of fishing;
- the force of water flow;
- nozzle size;
- the weight of the nozzle.
To begin with, use leashes about 40 centimeters long, but when the bite is active, shorten it, which makes it easier to handle the hook and bait with frozen hands.
The role of the gatekeeper
A winter feeder requires a good rod guard, which is primarily designed to contain the current. When the angle of immersion of the fishing line with the hook is selected correctly, the fisherman feels even the weakest bite.
Most fishermen make the most sensitive guards with their own hands at home. The main thing here is that the fishing line should slide over all parts of the guard without the slightest resistance and move freely. Fishermen with more experience tend to use nods made of spring wire, which is very sensitive to water flow.
Fishing tactics
Tactically correct fishing would begin with finding a fishing spot on the river. Most often, towards the sun, it comes out onto horizontal areas of the bottom adjacent to the edges of deep water.
A very good reference point for starting fishing is a place on the ice where there are many holes drilled in previous days. It was here that there was a good bite, and the fish were already half fed. If there is no bite in such a place, look for concentrations of fish. To do this, drill holes in different places in the reservoir. When you come to the first ice, examine places near coastal thickets or the mouth of a stream on which a reservoir is formed.
The search for fish in the moving water of the river is conducted somewhat differently. Here, depth measurement primarily plays a role. If the fish does not bite in shallow water, then you should look for it in depth. Just don’t waste a lot of time remaining sitting in the same place without a bite.
It’s a completely different matter if the fisherman has an echo sounder. This modern equipment allows you to see schools of fish and easily determine the most suitable places to catch them.
Fishing technique
The technique of fishing with a feeder is not much different from summer fishing. When the fish is sufficiently fed, it begins to actively take the bait, and this becomes noticeable in the behavior of the guard. Its small twitches are a signal to get ready, but when the guard begins to decisively bend downward, you need to strike.
Video about winter feeder:
In winter, the fish on the hook is not as active as in summer; its jerks and movements to the side are much weaker. But to fish for large specimens, you can’t do without an adjusted clutch.
Only when the head of a large fish appears in the hole can you use a special hook, which is inserted into the gill slit from below, to throw it onto the ice. If the trophy is small and the fishing line is reliable, a little effort with a fishing rod is enough to pull it onto the ice.
Tackle: device and features
When fishing with an ice feeder, the greatest attention is paid to the gear itself. The rod here is standard, which can be used for any other types of winter fishing. The main thing is that the design includes a reliable coil.
If it jams, then it must be replaced and a new one installed, since if a fairly large fish bites, the leash may break.
The winter feeder should be equipped with a suitable guard, the main function of which is to control the flow. If you choose the right angle of immersion of the fishing line with bait and bait, you will be able to feel even the slightest bite.
The guard is not so difficult to make with your own hands, but they do it in such a way that all its components can ensure the free movement of the fishing line. Experienced fishermen prefer nods made on the basis of a steel spring. It allows you to set the sensitivity of the gear depending on the speed of the current.
The fishing line for ice feeder fishing is soft so that it has excellent abrasion resistance. Ideally, a monofilament nylon thread is suitable, the thickness of which will be a maximum of 0.18 mm. To make leashes, use even thinner fishing line - its thickness is selected to be no more than 0.12 mm.
The feeder allows you to catch only peaceful species of fish, so you can use small hooks. The tackle itself involves the use of a feeder, the mass of which, when filled, should be quite sufficient to stay in the current.
The length of the leash is selected depending on how fast the current in the reservoir is: it can range from 2 to 70 cm. It is advisable to have all such leashes on hand when going fishing.
The manufacturing technology of feeder gear for ice fishing consists of a number of steps:
- At the end of the main fishing line, a loop is constructed through which the leash will be attached;
- Above it, another loop is made to install the feeder;
- The feeding box is installed;
- Attach a leash to which the hook is tied.
What types of fish to catch
Not all the fish that bite in a given river or reservoir in the summer will be caught on a winter feeder. Main types of fish for winter fishing:
- silver bream;
- dace;
- bream;
- chubs;
- roach;
- crucian carp, carp
In an unfamiliar body of water, you should not independently identify the presence of this or that type of fish. It is enough to talk with the fishermen who visit these places constantly; they are very sociable people for the most part and never make big secrets out of little things.
Features of fishing in winter
Often in winter it is not so easy to find a fish site: it is possible that this will require drilling a large number of holes. If you have several fishing rods, you can use one to make the feeder itself, and drill a few more holes a little further downstream.
Fishing rods are already thrown into them without a feeder, but with bait, since the food washed out of the feeder will be directed there.
The feeder must be filled regularly so that it does not have time to empty. Moreover, fresh complementary foods will additionally emit an attractive smell for fish.
Which echo sounder to choose
Echo sounders for ice fishing have their own characteristics. They must have good scanning parameters at shallow depths, be compact and not afraid of low temperatures. It is better to buy a product from a company that specializes in equipment for winter fishing. Many fishermen prefer Praktik echo sounders for feeder fishing.
From the shore, wireless echo sounders are usually used, when the signal is transmitted from the sensor to the monitor by radio waves, but for feeder fishing, a float version with a wire is quite suitable.
Important points in choosing an echo sounder are the size of the reservoir and its average depth.
Preparation
When the place is determined, you need to prepare it for fishing. Since winter feeder fishing in its classic form involves the use of one fishing rod, you only need to make two holes. They should be at a distance of 1.5-2 meters from each other, along the shore. The hole that is located upstream is intended for feeding, and the one below is intended for fishing. If the ice is very thick, the working hole is made at an angle to the current. This makes it easier to fish out and protects the fishing line from being cut on the edge of the ice.
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What to take with you when fishing on a feeder in winter
In winter, dressing appropriately is critical. The best option is to wear thermal underwear, thermal socks, and a windproof and waterproof winter jacket with pockets. It is very important to wear suitable shoes. It is better to use boots with a special foot liner. In such shoes you will be comfortable even in severe frost. The boots do not allow moisture to pass through and your feet will be dry and not cold.
Gloves with Velcro sockets will be very useful. When it is necessary to place bait on a hook or perform other delicate operations, the bells are unfastened. After this they are fastened again. This convenient glove configuration will allow you to fish comfortably and your fingers will not freeze.
In general, it’s worth dressing properly once and spending at least 4-5 hours ice fishing. If you don't freeze, you will realize that low temperatures are not a problem.
Naturally, for winter fishing it is better to take a thermos with a hot drink - tea or coffee. There are often pauses when it seems that the bite has died down or has not yet begun. At such moments, the fisherman needs some kind of recharge and positive emotions. A hot drink will lift your spirits and add vigor. After a few cups, you will try with renewed vigor to persuade the fish to bite.
Methods for installing feeder gear for bream
Gardner's loop or paternoster
It works great on areas of the bottom where there are drops and unevenness, and as mentioned earlier, bream likes to stand on gentle edges. This tackle is also suitable for fishing on muddy bottoms. Installing feeder gear for bream is not tricky, which is another condition for the popularity of the equipment.
First, we make a small double loop on the main fishing line (in the case of braided lines, a triple one), attach the leash to it, then after 15 cm we knit a loop (twist), 10 cm long. Using a carabiner, we attach the feeder to the same loop. In order to prevent the tackle from getting tangled, the length of the loop to which the feeder is attached should be at least 5 cm less than the lead outlet. To reduce the number of overlaps, the first ten centimeters of the leash will be twisted. The length of the habit is 0.3-1 m. If the bite is active then 0.3 m, if passive then 70-100 mm. Suitable for fishing in still water and in the current.
Feeder equipment for bream method
There are two ways to install equipment: blind and inline method. The inline method rig is a more common installation method due to the fact that it better transmits the signal to the quiver pit. The gear is assembled like this: take a piece of fishing line, make a double loop at one end and mount a swivel on it. Then we pass a stopper through the second end (can be made from a bead, a vinyl tube, or a silicone stopper). The limiter is needed so that the feeder does not damage the bundle. Then we pass the fishing line through the body of the feeder, then we put a limiter and make a loop; you can use a swivel instead of a loop. As a result, the length of this feeder rig for bream should be 35-40 cm. We attach the edge with the loop to the main fishing line, and attach a short 10 cm leash to the swivel. A blind rig is suitable for those who are used to fishing with several rods at once, as it is self-cutting. We pass the main line through the feeder, then we tie a swivel to it and tighten the line so that half of it fits into the tube of the feeder. The swivels initially need to be selected so that they can be threaded into the feeder and firmly fixed in it (they can be pulled out only by using force). You can also immediately select a feeder with fastenings for fishing line. The length of the bait is 5-7 cm. Excellent for fishing in still waters, but it can also be used in weak currents.
Symmetrical loop
If you are fishing on hard ground, this type of loop is preferable to a paternoster and is also a self-hooking rig. Feeder tackle for bream, a symmetrical loop, is made like this: take a piece of rigid feeder line 0.25-0.27 mm thick, at least 100 mm long, fold it in half, and holding it with your fingers, twist it in one direction, making a twist 5-10 cm long. Then we pass a swivel with a fastener through the free end, and we will hook the feeder onto it. Afterwards we make an indent of 25-30 cm and mount the second knot, then again we make a twist of 10-15 cm, attach a swivel to it at one edge or mount a figure eight loop. To this loop we knit a hook 30-100 cm long, and to reduce tangling of the tackle, the first 10 cm can be twisted. The length of the habit is 0.3-100 mm, depending on the intensity of the bite. Can be fished in still water and in the current.
Read: Do-it-yourself bait for grass carp
Asymmetrical loop
- It has a number of advantages over symmetry:
- When casting, the feeder does not overlap with the bait.
- More sensitive and allows for better hooking.
Unfortunately, loops are not advisable for casting over the longest distances, since the tackle will get tangled quite often.
Feeder gear for bream helicopter and two knots
A good option for long-distance fishing. The tackle works on both hard and muddy bottoms. When fishing in the current, it is worth considering that the peculiarity of this equipment is that it lifts the bait from the bottom into the water column, and the bream has its lips positioned in such a way that it is easier for it to feed from the bottom. If the current is weak, then this is not significant, but if the current is stronger, it is worth using heavy baits or loading the hook with a shot. When installing, we take a piece of fishing line 120 cm long and fold it in half. Then we thread the swivel with the clasp, this is the mount for the feeder, move the swivel to the middle, step back 10-15 cm from it and make a figure eight, step back another 1-2 cm from the figure eight and make a knot again. Between the first and second knots we knit a leash 80-100 cm long, then at the end of the tackle we make a fastening for the main fishing line, you can use a swivel for these purposes
It is important that the leash is 15 cm longer than the equipment, and its length is usually 50-70 cm
