I will continue my narration about spinning for yazya, where in the second part it will go directly about my observations and fishing tactics. It is worth recalling that all of the following applies to shore fishing for yazya on small rivers in the summer, because it is in this period of time, as shown by my results, more chances to catch it on spinning.
Period of activity of yazya
The hot summer period is the most promising for catching yazya
At the beginning of summer, by this time, the yazzy has long spawned, I wait until the water level after the flood falls, the water becomes lighter, and the small river becomes “readable”, when you can anticipate the stands of fish with a quick glance. Usually from the middle of June to August I have the most productive period for catching this predatory fish. Closer to the middle of August, when the water cools down considerably, catching yazya, as practice shows, becomes, strangely enough, much more difficult – the fish is inactive, at the same time is no longer interested in crankbaits with high-frequency game and more prefer minnow and “iron”. Again, a big role plays both the reservoir itself and the region in which it is located.
In summer, the best time to catch yazya summer morning and evening zori, at this time the adult yazya most actively feeds. At this time with the flight of insects, the yazzy gives out its place of dislocation when feeding from the surface. For the most part, it is similar to the characteristic for the yazya “squelching”, when the fish makes a loud spit on the surface of the water, forming a large circle with bubbles, while not showing on the surface. In rainy windless weather, the activity of yazya is sometimes very high due to the fact that insects are nailed to the water, and because of the noise of the rain fish allows the angler to come closer. I have sometimes happened that in a downpour, the yazi pecked literally a couple of meters away. At the height of a hot day yazi on the river predictably keeps deep and shady areas of the river, and only closer to dusk is activated.
Fish camps in summer
Large fish prefer to stay in deep and open areas
On a small river promising areas where the predator can stand, very easy to read, the main thing that determines the success of catching yazya on spinning – is the right approach to feeding bait and bait is not just any, but the most suitable for this place and time of catching. I had to read that yazya, like chub, likes to dwell on the current. This is partly true, but it primarily concerns not large yazya weighing, as a rule, up to 500 grams, which prefers not strong strewn grass (tina), in which he hides. Larger fish, in the region of +/- kilograms and above, on small rivers keep near calm and at the same time deep, open areas of rivers, such as pleys with a slow current, piles and pits 1.5-3 meters, pits washed out by a strong current after the rapids, steep banks. From my observations, depending on the section of the river, adult yazi on a small river are kept in small flocks of 2-4 individuals, larger individuals, whose size can reach 1.5 kg, often live alone. If the site of the river is large in length, for example, plez, then the yazi does not stand in one favorite point, as pike, and constantly “itinerates” throughout the plez, hence the bursts of feeding flock occurs then at one edge of the plez, then at the other. Can quietly go out to feed on the shoals, coming close to the shore.
Fishing tactics
It is important to observe silence to catch yazya
On a small river, I try to always move downstream, because the favorite wiring on the yazya, which stands on the current – wiring on the drift downstream, when a wobbler or a troller we throw under the opposite bank, and the bait is carried downstream to the supposed place where the fish can stand. In calm places without current, especially on the pleats, you can catch, going in any direction, the main thing is to observe silence and think over which bank is better and without unnecessary noise to move. To get the long-awaited bite yazya, move along the river have to a lot, linger on one point, even if it is the most promising on the entire route, it is not worth it for a long time. If the change of bait does not bring results, it is better to move on.
The bait is selected based on the activity of the fish
Low-active yaz, even if he is interested in the bait, will be limited to weak pokes, so the more distance traveled during the fishing trip, the more chances to find an active fish. Even wiring is probably the most popular, it can only be varied by pulls and speed winding. Catch yazya, as a rule, I start with crankbaits, and only based on the activity of fish pick up baits; if active – I catch crankbaits, no – then oscillating or minnow. Yaz is attacking the bait, often accompanies it, especially it is noticeable when you catch a subsurface SSR crankbait, and not just chases, and beats on the bait. This is not primarily due to the fact that the yaz today capricious or drives away unexpected guests, but with the peculiarity of his body structure – the mouth of the fish is small, so the predator with all its great desire to swallow even a krenk in the size of 40 (mm) is difficult, so it is regularly caught by the edge of the mouth.
Spinning should dampen the jerks of fish
For better realization, it is logical to reduce the bait, for example, by putting a wobbler or a first-number reel instead of a voluminous wobbler. To take from one place more than two yazeezov is extremely rare, because when catching the flock either leaves the point, or behaves even more cautiously. By the way, at catching immediately becomes clear that the hook is rare for spinning fish, because the yaz immediately begins to press all its mass, at the same time making desperate jerks and pulls towards any shelter, hence the special requirements for the type of spinning, which is obliged to “quench” jerks fish. Even near the feet of the fish continues to beat, and does not give himself to take, so the sucker-rocket here is great help.
Steel leash is not an enemy, but a friend
The thickness and length of the leash should be selected so that they do not affect the game of the bait
Based on my personal experience, I can say with all responsibility that the yazi is absolutely not afraid of the steel leash. It would seem that one of the most cautious predators, but at the same time 15-centimeter string yazya not frighten at all. And such an opinion I also hear not for the first time from many spinningists, including titled athletes. The only thing that can alert the jazzy, if you use a steel leash – is the game of the lure, meaning that it is necessary to competently select the thickness and length, such as the same string, so that it did not reflect in the worst way on the game, such as krenka. When catching yazya on baits that were previously mentioned in two parts of the article, used to use a string of 5-15 (cm), thickness 0.28 (mm). Leashes of such sizes do not spoil the game of wobblers and blades and at the same time protect them from sharp pike teeth, so do not risk baits, use leashes, especially if the purposeful catching of yazya in the bycatch is often caught pike, which often keeps stands of yazya.
My experience in catching yazya on spinning just nothing, of course, much you need to know and know how to catch purposefully yazya, nevertheless, there was a great desire to contribute their five pennies of his article in this gaining popularity of the topic. I will add that you should not expect big catches when purposefully catching yazya, but even one or two caught, undoubtedly an excellent result for fishing, so bravely try, despite the fact that it is always laborious, but at the same time interesting fishing.
Author: Bob Nudd is an expert fisherman with over 20 years experience and winner of many competitions.
I remember my first time catching yazya on spinning—it was epic! The thrill of the chase as the lure danced through the water was unbeatable. When I finally hooked one, the fight was on! Can’t wait to hit the water again and do it all over.