Catching grayling on spinning. Part 1

The grayling belongs to the salmon family, so it differs from other representatives of our rivers by its beauty and strength, therefore it is a great luck to catch it.

Interesting fish and the fact that you can catch it on a different tackle, so there are many fans of grayling fishing in Russia. I catch it in two ways: float rod and spinning, and it is about spinning fishing will be discussed in this article. It should be clarified that everything described below about catching grayling is based on my personal experience. Therefore, fishing, as a rule, take place on small rivers, sometimes and even forest streams, respectively, large specimens to catch rarely, mostly it is sports size grayling from 150 to 350 grams. Snasti correspond to ultralight class. If we talk about tackle, then in the first part of the article will be appropriate to determine what to catch and what to catch.

Choice of tackle

1. Spinning

So, the characteristic features of “haryuzovy” spinning. Roughly speaking, here perfectly fit spinning “trout” structure. The best option here are spinning spinnings Regular Fast (medium-fast) string. Thus we have something between fast and slow line, which is just to our advantage – confident work of spinning with all types of baits, but at the same time such a blank rod perfectly works catching strong fish. In the stem is a reserve of power, but the tops of such sticks, as a rule, lightweight and have light fittings, which allows you to comfortably work with the smallest baits, so the sensitivity of spinning trout type is excellent. On the test I do not recommend dropping below 5 grams, I advise you to stop at 6 – 8 grams, because often have to catch fish on the current, but again it all depends on the specific model of spinning. Length is determined by the conditions of catching – if we catch on cozy micro rivers, where the opposite bank in 10 meters from us, then, accordingly, the shorter spinning, the more comfortable we catch, while stream spinning spinning length is usually in the region of 2-meters, because we have to catch at short distances. For example, my choice fell on a spinning Zetrix Forra 632UL length of 1.91 meters and test up to 6 grams. Although this model was developed exclusively for catching trout on payniks, but in stream fishing grayling spinning is frankly good. Similar spinnings in different price category: Zemex Viper Trout 662UL, Norstream Slender 632UL, Graphiteleader Bellezza Correntia 672UL-BB-T, SLrods Atria Trout 662UL.

2. non-inertial reel

Unlike spinning, where there are decent rods at an affordable price, the quality of the reel depends directly on its cost, and in ultralight fishing, the higher its cost, the higher the quality of the reel, so it is difficult to recommend anything here, as you need to start from the budget. But still it is necessary to highlight a couple of mandatory criteria when choosing a “meat grinder”. Firstly, it is the laying and working of the reel with thin cords, because you have to catch thin diameters, and if the reel starts to put “beards”, then about comfortable fishing will have to forget, especially when fishing with UL baits. Secondly, the size of the reel. For catching grayling 2500 size is enough, but I myself catch with a reel of 2000th size and consider this size optimal for spinning ultralight class. Thirdly, a quality friction mechanism, preferably with fine adjustment. For a long time I couldn’t decide on a reel, until I paid attention to the new line of Daiwa’s LT series. The series, fortunately, covered most of the old similar models in different price category, and they combine those characteristics that allow you to catch on light tackle with pleasure – light weight, reliable mechanism, good laying of thin cords, so some reels can be safely taken into service. For example, I fished the season with the novelty of the 17th year Daiwa Exceler and I consider this reel one of the best in its price category. Slightly more budget models also deserve attention, and will be perfect for catching grayling on small rivers, for example, Daiwa Ninja LT, Daiwa Legalis LT, Daiwa Revros LT.

3. cord or line

Because of the huge popularity of braided cords, monofilament fishing line, it must be admitted, is in less demand among spinning anglers, and this is not accidental, because the cord has a strong argument over monofilament – the breaking load at the same diameter is much higher, as well as higher sensitivity. But when catching grayling, monofilament fishing line also has a positive feature – it stretches, which in turn has a favorable effect on catching, as it dampens the jerks of perky fish. Just because of this feature, a friend of mine prefers monofilament line and on my advice uses Owner Broad in the size of 0.18 mm. I tried to catch on monofil, but will not lie that the monofil, after years of fishing on the cord, you need to get used to and not at all those feelings when fishing, so finally stopped on braided cord. I use 4-wire cords because of their higher abrasion resistance, because I have to catch in difficult, cramped conditions, especially on forest micro rivers, where it is easy to hang a bait on a bush, so the cord is constantly in contact with branches, stones, grass. Diameter 0.121 mm or according to the Japanese classification 0.5 PE, this cord is thin enough for catching grayling, but at the same time strong and at the bite of a larger fish will help without fanaticism to force the survival in difficult conditions. Here I will advise you two inexpensive, but good cord, which I fished this season: Sunline Siglon PE X4 and “#ONE” Contact X4.

4. Swivels, carabiners, leashes

For quick change of baits and saving time on fishing it is convenient to use miniature carabiners and swivels of numbers 000 or 00, for example, I have been using carabiners of RB-2004 series from Ryobi and Quick lock Snap from Intech for a long time.

As you know, grayling does not have sharp teeth like pike, but when catching grayling “spotted” is not a rare guest, so the question arises whether to use leashes? It is an amazing fact that pike ultralight baits are attacked very carefully for the edge of the lip and I have only a few cases in all 8 years of catching grayling on spinning, when the pike swam away with the bait, so I try to avoid leashes, because they significantly reduce the number of bites cautious grayling, which is distrustful of the “extra” elements of the equipment. If you still fear for an expensive, for example, wobbler, the best solution is to use leashes made of thin string with a diameter of 0.28 mm and a length of 10 cm.

Lures

1. Spinning and oscillating blades

Without any share of doubt, the first lures that should be recommended to beginners for catching grayling will be blades. And to begin with, I will focus on “spinners”. It is worth saying that I started catching grayling with these baits, and to this day the rotating blades are the best bait for catching the hero of this article. The most popular sizes for me are considered to be “zerolevka” and “one”, while “spinners” of the first number are more popular due to their universal size. I use baits ¹0 when catching small grayling by the standards of small rivers, or when grayling refuses to attack large baits. The grayling prefers natural, not defiant colors with red, black or yellow elements on the blades of blades (example on the photo), the presence of a fly on the tee is welcomed. If you choose from the variety of rotating blades, then with full responsibility, I recommend blades Pontoon 21. For example, my favorite grayling trollers are Ball Concept and Synchrony, lures that have held the palm of superiority since the early days of grayling fishing on spinning and do not need an introduction. It is also worth noting and oscillating blades, which are not inferior to spinning, and sometimes even exceed them, especially when grayling is cautious, but still shows interest in the lures, it is Ul oscillating best provoke the predator to bite at these moments. I repeat, it is best to use a small fluctuating bait in the neighborhood of two to three grams. Proven fluctuating blades: Norstream Morgan, Forest Crystal, CV Fishing Koketka.

2. Wobblers

Like most predatory fish, grayling are successfully caught on wobblers. It is desirable to have in the box wobblers as a positive degree of buoyancy (floating), for example, Megabass Great Hunting 45F, and sinking (sinking), for example, the same Megabass Great Hunting 45 only with the prefix S, and the so-called “suspenders” (wobblers of neutral buoyancy) to have in the box is not so categorically important, as grayling attack the bait in dynamics, that is at the moment when the wobbler is actively playing, and floating and sinking wobblers allow to fish different areas of depth on small rivers. I give preference to wobblers that have their own game, because the even wiring better provokes the predator to attack. Most of my “kharyuz” wobblers belong to the class of minnow and shad, although it would seem that the krenki own game is much more expressive, but it so happened that krenki were not very popular in my fishing conditions. Kharius on small rivers prefer wobblers up to 50 mm in size and rarely falls for larger baits of this type, as they are simply not “to his teeth”.

3. Silicone baits

I prefer “passive” baits in the form of worms, nymphs or larvae. What are the advantages of silicone baits? “Silikonami” comfortable to fish localized places on the river, for example, where it is problematic to hold a bobber or wobbler because of the overhanging bush, then silicone bait can easily cover a promising area, sneaking unnoticed to the fish stand. Most silicone baits are impregnated with “edible” attractant, which increases the likelihood of a bite. The grayling is less cautious about silicone baits, as its diet consists of various worms and larvae, and young, “inexperienced” grayling will attack the bait provided to him without a doubt. On small rivers, I usually use baits up to 2 inches, and more often I catch a 2.5 cm larva or nymph. The best silicone baits of this season: Berkley Powerbait Honey Worms 25 in natural colors, Lucky John King Leech, Select Nimfa in the size of 1.6 inches.

The second part of the article will be devoted directly to grayling fishing on a small river.

Author: Bob Nudd is an expert fisherman with over 20 years experience and winner of many competitions.