Pikeperch is one of the most desirable predatory fish for spinning. Catching “fangy”, as for the large sharp fangs often called pikeperch fishermen, has its army of fans. And the matter is not only in the excellent taste qualities of this predator, but also in the unpredictable character, as well as an impressive size that can argue with pike. Let’s talk about such fishing in more detail.
Habitat
The largest representative of the perch family inhabits a large part of our country, becoming an object of hunting spinningists of both the southern strip and the European part, and the Far East. Cold fast-flowing mountain rivers are avoided. Pikeperch likes running water, but sometimes it is found even in ponds, miraculously overcoming frosts and even reproducing. Nevertheless, the pikeperch is primarily a river fish. It prefers to stay near the bottom. But in summer periods of thermocline, when the lower layers of water are poorly oxygenated, it is in the thickness and feeds there. Sudak likes hard sandy or pebble bottom, arranges stops and ambushes behind snags, stones, submerged vessels. An obligatory factor of its presence is the presence of forage fish. Despite the fact that the pikeperch seems to be rooted in the status of a deep-water inhabitant, often in the daylight hours it can be found on the rolls and relatively shallow dumps (for example, 2-5 m at depths of up to 20 m).
Pikeperch is a gregarious fish, but trophy specimens are often kept alone or in groups of several individuals.
Pikeperch fishing in spring
In spring, pikeperch fishing begins after the ice melts and before the flood. Before the water takes the color of coffee and milk, and after it begins to lighten, the pikeperch presses closer to the shore, occupying areas of the river away from the strong spring current. At this time it is not bad to catch it with a jig during the whole daylight hours.
When the water warms up to 10 degrees, the pikeperch begins spawning. After laying eggs, he protects the nest, fiercely attacking those wishing to devour future offspring, as well as passing nearby baits. You should not catch it at this time, even if there is no spawning ban in a particular region.
After spawning “fang” takes its usual places of habitat: pits, pools, channel dumps.
Pikeperch fishing in the fall
In the fall, with the cooling of the water, part of the pikeperch begins to migrate together with dense flocks of white fish such as bream and gouster. It and large pike, also participating in this nomadic way of life, at such times are called “shepherds”. By calculating the paths along which such flocks move, it is possible to catch very successfully.
Jig fishing
When jig fishing, it is often important to choose the right size and color of bait. It all depends on the time of year and the forage base.
With color, in fact, the situation is not so unambiguous. It is often more important to correctly feed the bait in the place of catching. And catches happen both on acid colors, and on dark or natural. But it happens that the pikeperch is capricious. And then it is worth experimenting with the change of color when you are sure that the fish is definitely in this place, but does not want to peck.
At the beginning of the season pikeperch prefer small, 5-7 cm baits, whether it is vibro-tails or foam fish. And the fish can get trophy size. In the fall, there are more chances for a large bait to sift out the change and tempt a worthy specimen to bite.
Of baits the most popular are vibrotails, twisters and foam fish. Worms and creature should be tried at times when the fish need to surprise and shake. On cold water – in spring and late fall – successfully work mandulas, due to the tee in the tail realizing neat nibbles-pinching. Sometimes the effect is given by stud pilkers: due to their compactness they fly very far and are able to “get” to the active pikeperch.
Mounting baits
The mounting of baits is determined by the fishing conditions.
1. In “clean places:
If there are no hooks, use a jig head or articulated mounting with open doubles. With open hooks realization of nibbles is higher. But wide-body vibro-tails, especially large ones, play better on a jig head rather than on a swivel rig.
2. At the risk of snags:
In cases of cluttered fishing area snags, coquina, stones and construction debris use silicone and foam baits on offset hooks or foam fish with pinned doubles. In this case, it is more convenient to use a swivel connection with a weight head. The advantage of articulated mounting is that you can easily change the weight of the weight without removing the bait from the hook. Also on such a mounting it plays more active. Some people prefer to connect the hook to the ear of the weight-head through two crown rings. Such a mounting requires more time, but in shore fishing gives the greatest throwing distance due to greater freedom in folding the weight and the bait in flight, ie provides less sailing.
Wiring and rigging
Wiring is most often used step-by-step: two or three turns of the coil and pause until the bait falls to the bottom. But work and dragging along the bottom, and tosses with overweighted load. Again, it is necessary to experiment.
Do not forget about the leash jigs. On passive fish advantage can give a lead and drop-shot. The first allows you to work at greater distances, while the bait naturally “floats” near the bottom on the current or smoothly falls. The second allows you to spot-fish the parking lot of pikeperch, practically on the spot or with slow movement playing “silicone” in front of the nose of predators.
Choice of rod
When choosing a spinning rod, you should take into account that the pikeperch has a hard mouth, and at the bite he firmly clenches his jaws. Soft hooking simply does not penetrate this bulldog grip. The fisherman vyvavivayut pikeperch until the latter is not tired of this, and he will not open his mouth, from which will fall out cut by fangs bait. In this regard, the hooking must be strong. And, taking into account the possible sag of the fishing line due to wind and current, will not prevent an additional control hook-up. That’s why anglers-sudachatniki prefer spinning fast and ultra-fast string with a rigid middle.
If fishing is conducted from a boat, and even among snags, overgrown coquina, it is better to use a more wear-resistant four-strand braided cord. It will not hurt to additionally put a fluorocarbon leash, which is even more confident to resist sharp barnacles. When fishing from the shore, if you need to throw very far, more round and smooth eight-strand cord will be preferable. Again, the above-mentioned fluorocarbon leash will not hurt, especially if the coastal bank is steep and with barnacles.
Night pikeperch
Night fishing is fascinating in its own way, and perhaps there is no other fish that could be caught by spinning in the dark for quite a long time: from spring to ice, and on non-freezing reservoirs such as the Moscow River – and in winter.
After sunset and before dawn pikeperch likes to organize in shallow waters beating fry. The time of the so-called “exit” may differ in different reservoirs and depends, among other things, on the peculiarities of local hydro-regulation. Flocks of pikeperch from the depths rise to the shoals, spits, rolls and can hunt at the very shore, sometimes giving the presence of their own or fry splashes. Such places spinningists find and on the expanses of rivers and reservoirs and effectively catch from the boat in the absence of competition from colleagues in the hobby.
For such fishing is more suitable runny wobblers-minnow length of about 50 to 100 mm. Although, for example, on the non-freezing Moskva River successfully practiced the use of large baits, including massive jerkbaits. As an alternative can serve unloaded and lightly loaded silicone baits such as vibro-tails. Sometimes pikeperch are caught on blades and even surface baits like poppers.
Night pike prefer sluggish, “dying” uniform wiring, but sometimes he likes it when the game wobbler additionally animated by light jerks.
Következtetés
Where to look for pikeperch? This is a river fish that usually stays closer to the bottom. But in the summer it can go up into the thickness. Likes sandy, pebbly bottom. Hides behind snags, stones. At night comes out on the rolls.
- In spring, pikeperch are caught until the water has warmed up to 10 degrees. Closer to the shore, away from the strong current.
- In the fall, the predator follows flocks of forage fish.
- It is important to feed the bait in the first place, and then the color. In spring, “silicone” with a length of 5-7 cm is used. By fall there are more chances to find a trophy.
- Conductions: stepping, tossing, dragging along the bottom. At night: sluggish, “dying” even, small jerks for wobblers.
- To break through the hard mouth, you need the appropriate hook. Consequently, spinning string fast or super-fast with a rigid middle. A fluorocarbon leash is recommended.
Szerző: Bob Nudd több mint 20 éves tapasztalattal rendelkező horgászszakember, számos verseny győztese.