Per la maggior parte degli appassionati di pesca, le mosche bianche fuori dalla finestra e il crepitio della brina sono un campanello d'allarme che indica che è arrivato il momento di affilare le lame della trivella da ghiaccio e di disfare la valigia.
This is the verdict for spinning anglers in most regions of the middle part of Russia. But fortunately for some of us, it is not everywhere and the consequences of civilization can have a positive color, in this case – non-freezing rivers.
If there are any such rivers nearby, a number of questions arise: how to dress, what to take with you, how to deal with weather conditions, etc.
Clothing
Let’s start with the main thing – outfit. After all, not only comfortable fishing, but also our health depends on it.
Clothing for spinning in winter should be chosen, in my opinion, according to two criteria: warmth and comfort. Why them? When fishing from the ice, the first factor is much more important, and comfort is secondary. Sit down on the suitcase and shake yourself quietly. If you start to freeze – drill a few holes and you feel great.
In winter spinning movements when fishing much more and need some freedom. If you can fish from the ice, conditionally, and in a tulupa, then with spinning in such clothes and throw normal can not do.
For myself by means of experiments I left true winter voluminous suits and I try to put on two or three layers of tight-fitting thermal underwear, a light sports down jacket and a protective jacket from wind and precipitation.
The last element of the outfit seems to me one of the most important. More precisely, it does not have to be a special jacket, but wind protection is necessary. For example, when fishing from the ice, you can turn any side against the wind and protect yourself from its direct impact. Here, the shore of the reservoir can be without turns, lulls and shelters on the shore, where there is nowhere to hide from the elements. Therefore, it is important that the outer clothing is not blown away.
An equally important part of the outfit is boots. Fortunately, technology does not stand still and has led to the appearance of boots made of EVA material. This is definitely the best footwear for winter spinning, because it allows not only not to freeze in the cold, but also to enter the water without fear.
In the frost also we can not do without gloves or mittens. Everyone will have their own preferences, but I am closer to mittens with a hinged top and open fingers. Otherwise you’ll get tired of changing baits and changing jigs.
Jigs
Of course, there is no special spinning tackle for fishing in winter. It is all the same rods, reels, lines and lures, which everyone catches in the warm season. But it is possible to facilitate such fishing by choosing the most suitable of them.
Spinning. Here you can safely affirmatively do not write “rod”, and it is spinning, because in subzero temperatures casting tackle will not catch.
The first thing to look at is the rings, or rather their diameter. Obviously, the larger it is, the longer the rings will freeze, and under certain conditions will not be at all. With small fishing turns into hard labor … Sometimes even wiring can not be done, especially in the presence of wind.
Therefore, when choosing a spinning rod for winter fishing should be taken with the largest rings.
In addition to the rings it is worth paying attention to the handle of the spinning. If there are plastic elements in the place of grip, then they can slip in the cold. As for the material itself, EVA or cork – there is practically no difference when fishing, on the amateur.
As for the reels, there is no ironclad rule, except that their type is inertia-free. Multiplicator according to most anglers are inconvenient to use, because water gets into the mechanism of the reel and often freezes there, which leads to various negative consequences …
Inertia-free, on the contrary, fit well and there are no such problems with them. Of course, if you drop it in the water in the frost, the effect will be the same, but in normal conditions they are better protected from water getting inside and ice flakes accumulate only within the bobbin.
However, there is a point that I would like to note – when winding the line on the bobbin must be fixed rigidly. Let’s assume that we take a new reel and at home knit a loop around the bobbin and wind the “braided” further. In summer it is enough for normal fishing. But in winter we come to the reservoir, and the line suddenly begins to rotate around the bobbin and fishing is over.
To avoid these consequences, it is enough to fix the knot with good old duct tape.
The cord itself should be used not too thick and preferably smooth, with high-quality impregnation. Otherwise, it will carry with it a lot of water, which will settle on the rings and constantly freeze.
Special means
Even if the above requirements are met, fishing can be not the most pleasant and lead to the waste of a lot of fishing nerves.
To facilitate this process, you can turn to the help of improvised means to combat bad weather.
The first stage of preparation begins with the processing of spinning rings. To do this, you will need a hygienic lipstick and depending on the diameter of the rings – cotton swab or toothpick. With their help we apply an invisible layer of lipstick and our tackle is ready for frost.
The second stage is related to the processing of the cord. In this we can help us different means, the most common of them – it is silicone sprays and baby oil.
Sprays had to use different, starting from automobile, ending with special fishing sprays. From the point of view of fishing I did not notice any difference, but they say that the first can negatively affect the mechanism of the reel if it gets inside.
Oil (for example, Johnson’s Baby) is also a simple and safe, but less convenient option. Spray can be used quickly by splashing it on the spool even while fishing. The oil in the factory bottle can only be poured out and smeared… But you can also pour it into the container of the expired spray!
It is best to treat the cord at home in warmth. On the way to the reservoir it will soak up, and fishing will be much more pleasant.
In conditions without wind or with little wind, these tips will help make fishing as comfortable as possible. For example, a couple of outings of the beginning of the winter spinning season with frost from – 2 to – 5 only a couple of times throughout the day required from the top rings to knock off the ice, although you could catch safely.
Even more severe frost without wind is a winter spinningist’s dream! With similar treatment, I fished perfectly well in temperatures between 15 and 23 degrees below zero. The rings did not bother at all as well as the braiding. But if the wind starts, it’s a disaster. Processing helps, but still fishing becomes little pleasant.
In general, there is no bad weather! Proper preparation, warm comfortable clothes and suitable gear will help to spend even the most frosty or snowy day useful and pleasant!
Autore: Bob Nudd è un esperto pescatore con oltre 20 anni di esperienza e vincitore di numerose competizioni.
Winter spinning fishing is such a blast! I remember my first trip, all bundled up, feeling the chill. But once I hooked a nice trout, I forgot the cold! It’s all about that thrill. Can’t wait for the next adventure on the ice!
Hey there! Winter spinning is a total blast! I remember last year catching some decent pike through the ice. The thrill of that bite is unbeatable! Plus, the quiet on the frozen lake is just magical. Can’t wait to hit the ice again this season!
Spinning fishing in winter is a whole vibe! Gotta dress super warm, and using lighter tackle helps feel those bites better. I once caught a huge pike under the ice—such a rush! Just stay safe and know your spots; it’s all about that patience in the cold!