Pike perch fishing with artificial lures is very popular in our country. Spoon still remains one of the most catchy species. It is used at different times of the year, the factor of seasonality is important to take into account when catching a fanged predator. If in the warm season you can use the movement of the bait in a horizontal plane, then in autumn and winter it is a necessary condition for successful fishing there will be a vertical component. When choosing a zander spoon, experts advise you to pay attention to the following parameters.

• Pike perch prefers narrow-bodied baits, despite the rather large mouth with powerful fangs. In this case, the body length can fluctuate within 50-110 mm.
• It is very important to choose the weight of the spoon so that it sinks quickly to the bottom. The fanged robber loves the frequent tapping of the spoon on the bottom, often he swallows the bait along with the soil.
• The color of the spinner does not always play a major role. Only in case of passive behavior of the fish should the bait be selected for the food base that is available in the reservoir.

Our review includes the 10 best lures for zander. When compiling the rating, the opinion of professionals and feedback from amateur fishermen were taken into account.

The best lures for zander for open water

From spring to autumn, swaying and spinning spoons allow you to successfully hunt for pike-perch. The angler's arsenal should have models for snag, shallows and deep pits.

5 Flash Line

The most suitable lure for passive zander
Country Ukraine
Average price: 310 rubles.
Rating (2019): 4.6

The narrow body of the Flash Line is an attractive highlight when fishing passive zander. The lure of the Ukrainian company SV Fishing Lures will help out the spinning player on the coolest day. Oscillator perfectly imitates small fish not only externally, but also by its behavior in the water column. The sweeping body allows you to make long casts, despite gusts of headwind. The oscillator demonstrates the best results with uniform or stepped wiring. Bites are especially common when the retrieve is stopped, when the bait is gliding in the water. The lineup is quite representative (weight 1.3-13.6 g, length 30-70 mm), the fanged predator likes large modifications more.

The catchiness of the Ukrainian spoon is confirmed by the reviews of the fishermen. Often, the bait allowed the spinners to get away from zero in the bite. The disadvantage of the bobber is the hooks that break when playing a trophy pike perch.

4 RB Atom-N

Lure for tight water areas
Country Russia
Average price: 370 rubles.
Rating (2019): 4.8

The Atom model has become a classic wavering spoon with a glorious tradition. In a non-engaging performance, it becomes the best bait for catching pike perch, which hides behind snags or stones. You can pick up a spinner for different depths, the manufacturer has modifications weighing 7, 10 and 18 g. The bait is cast from brass, precious metals (silver or gold) are applied to the surface. Due to the special profile and displacement of the center of gravity, the oscillator moves in waves with uniform guidance. The model works well from spring to autumn, you can lure out the predator in shallow waters with thickets of grass.

According to the fishermen, the RB Atom-N is the optimal solution for catching pike perch in difficult areas of the reservoir. The spinner can be used on a slow stream, but on the stream there is a failure in the game, which the pikeperch does not like. The disadvantages include the frequent presence of small pike in the by-catch.

3 Acme Kastmaster

The most catchy castmaster
Country: USA
Average price: 486 rubles.
Rating (2019): 4.8

Castmasters have long been used to catch a cautious predator that hunts far from the shore or boat. The leader among this variety of lures is the Acme Kastmaster. It works excellently on zander and asp, allowing you to perform both jig animation and even drive. In the catalog of the American company there are several standard sizes, the fanged robber reacts best to castmasters weighing 10.5-28 g. When purposefully fishing for zander, it is necessary to select such a weight so that the bait goes to the very bottom.

Domestic spinning experts have appreciated the range and catching power of the Acme castmaster. Particularly pleasing is the durable coating that does not fade over the years. Weak point a tee is a spinner, a large pike perch often unbends it. Unfortunately, the price of the bait is quite high, and it is not possible to buy it in all stores.

2 Mepps Lusox AG

Best turntable for deep areas
Country: France
Average price: 250 rubles.
Rating (2019): 4.9

Spinning lures of the French company Mepps are distinguished by their high catchability. The Lusox AG is a versatile zander lure. Thanks to interchangeable weight-heads, the spinning player can vary the depth or fight the current without changing the bait. During wiring, the spinner forms a powerful vibration, the angle of deflection of the petal is no more than 25 degrees. The Fanged Predator responds best to the step animation of the spoon. Experts note the stable rotation of the petal even when the bait falls freely in the water layer. With a maximum weight of 20.5 g, it is possible to punch deep enough holes, both in stagnant reservoirs and when fishing on rivers.

Anglers consider Mepps Lusox AG the best turntable for catching walleye. There are no complaints about the build quality. Not everyone is able to adapt to the behavior of this complex bait.

1 Acme Little Cleo

Shaker with universal properties
Country: USA
Average price: 432 rubles.
Rating (2019): 5.0

The American company Acme has created the Little Cleo catchy spoon. Thanks to a wide range of weights and sizes, the angler can choose the optimal bait for the conditions of the reservoir. The lightest (3.5 g) models can help out when zander is hunting in shallow waters. And a spoiler weighing 35 g will become the best spoon bait in late autumn, when the fanged predator takes deep pits. The appearance of bait in Russia has caused a certain stir among anglers. A week after the start of sales, all the spinners in stores were sold out.

Spinningists are satisfied not only with the variety of the model range, but also with excellent flight characteristics. The advantages of the spoon are high-quality manufacturing, a variety of colors and durability of the coating. The anglers call the only drawback of the bait the hookiness. After all, it's a shame to tear off a catchy oscillator.

The best spinners for winter zander

To successfully catch pike perch from under the ice, vertical spinners are required. Some models work great in stagnant waters, while others are suitable for river fishing.

5 SWD

The most affordable winter lure
Country: China
Average price: 89 rubles.
Rating (2019): 4.6

The affordable SWD lure allows novice anglers to take their first steps in catching zander in winter. The Chinese bait compares favorably with similar products from the Middle Kingdom. It seems that experienced anglers took part in the creation of the spoon. The winter lure is a classic two-color overhead lure. The manufacturer has equipped the model with a sharp tee. Thanks to the tricolor drop, which is able to accumulate light and flicker in the water, it is possible to catch zander in the darkest deep pits. The lineup is presented different lengths(37-70 mm) and a wide range of weights (3-16 g).

The fishermen managed to test the Chinese spoon in winter in different Russian reservoirs. Even on rivers with a depth of 7-13 m, the bait has proven its efficiency. Some complaints go to the fragility of the plastic droplet. Without it, the number of effective bites is sharply reduced.

4 Lure zander Tube

Unique design, handcrafted
Country Russia
Average price: 157 rubles.
Rating (2019): 4.6

Many manufacturers fishing lures make a spoon called "Tube". However, not all of them are able to interest the walleye. The specialists of the company "Orlovskaya Blesna" create a catchable bait manually, conducting further tests on domestic reservoirs. The base is a stainless steel tube that is cut at specific angles. To preserve the shine of the polished stainless steel, the surface is covered with a layer of a special Italian Bionic varnish. The model is considered the best vertical lure on the waters rich in bleak. A modified version can be a sealed tube, with the help of which it is possible to tap deep holes.

In the reviews, domestic fishermen note high quality workmanship, sharp Ovner threesomes. However, hollow tubes fail to catch pike perch in those reservoirs where a clear tapping of the bottom is required.

3 RB Triangular

Deep fishing lure
Country Russia
Average price: 350 rubles.
Rating (2019): 4.7

One of the deepest lures for pike perch fishing was made by the Russian Blesna company. The model "Trehgranka Sabunaev" is a classic of sheer spinning. It has proven itself perfectly when fishing from a boat in the fall, as well as when fishing for a predator from the ice. The lure is made of brass, after which the surface is electroplated in a different color (silver, gold, copper, brass). According to experts, the main advantages of the three-sided body are expressive, clear play. The bait can be tapped on the bottom, attracting the attention of a predator. Due to the stable undercutting, the number of descents can be minimized.

Anglers note a slight deviation of the lure from the vertical, which allows fishing in a snag. Even a passive pike perch cannot withstand the monotonous tapping on the bottom in the immediate vicinity of the mouth. The disadvantages include interest in the spoon on the part of the perch and the high price.

2 Ecopro Zudachya

The best all-round lure for zander
Country Russia
Average price: 251 rubles.
Rating (2019): 4.8

The "Sudachya" vertical lure has been developed especially for pike perch fishing in winter. Some domestic fishermen successfully use it for vertical fishing from a boat in late autumn. Narrow swept body (70 mm) and heavy weight(15 g) become the main ingredients when fishing at depth. The lure is made of cupronickel or brass, and corrosion protection is provided by an electroplated coating (silver, gold, copper). The holographic coating makes the model unique, often it is the hologram that plays a decisive role in ice fishing... The Russian manufacturer has equipped its product with a quality Saikyo threesome, which has a bright bead as an aiming point for fish during an attack.

Domestic lurers praise the vertical bar for stable play and predictable behavior in the water. The wide range of models is also pleasing. Only the price of the Russian bait is quite high.

1 Williams Ice Jig

The most hooked vertical lure
Country: Canada
Average price: 423 rubles.
Rating (2019): 4.8

A peculiar design of a vertical spoon was invented by Canadian designers. The Williams Ice Jig is equipped with not only a movable tee, but also two single hooks that are soldered into the middle of the body. In this way, the manufacturer managed to increase the hookability of the bait, minimizing the number of walleyes descending. The narrow body reminds a predator of a fry with believable behavior. Anglers are offered three types of lures to choose from, the best models for targeted pike perch fishing are considered to be 8 and 10.8 cm models with a mass of 17.5 and 21 g, respectively.

A distinctive feature of the spoon is the groove, which gives stability to the bait during the game. According to anglers, a predator is most attracted to gliding with a slight swing. It is at this moment that bites most often occur. The disadvantages of the spinner are the slow penetration in the current and the high price.

Oscillators, turntables, balance beams, edible rubber - the market offers anglers a huge number of artificial lures of different shapes, sizes, and prices. Although more recently, the catch depended solely on the observation and ingenuity of the angler. Spoon tube - catch bait, which can be made at home with the availability of materials and tools. In addition to being effective in catching freshwater predators - pike perch, pike, perch, this homemade artificial bait will cost the angler a disproportionately less amount than, for example, silicone twisters, wobblers and similar imports.

The simplicity of making tubular lures allows you to "stamp" several dozen lures in a short period of time, which will give an advantage when catching a predator in a snag, where such a phenomenon as a hook with the subsequent loss of homemade products is not uncommon. We will figure out what and how to make a spoon bait, and also answer a number of related questions.

The invaluable fishing experience of our ancestors in terms of making lures made it possible for contemporaries to make the following types of tubular lures at home:

1. Hollow homemade products. Due to the small lateral maneuverability, which makes it possible to carry out fast posting, this type of tubular lure is used when fishing for freshwater predators at depth (in the bottom layers) or in a strong current.

   

   Photo 1. A hollow spoon lure.

2. Tubular lures with a sealed top. This type is not as popular as the previous one, since during the posting the bait can deviate by 30 - 40 cm from the main course due to the high drag. However, in the wilderness, when the predator is almost in suspended animation, this homemade product will surely stir it up when guided by a characteristic prowling game and the sound that the hollow rear part of the bait emits.

   

   Photo 2. Whole-bodied spoon bait.

3. Loaded baits. They are used even less often - only when the fishing conditions require long throw, as well as during strong gusts of wind. Distinctive features such baits consist in the fact that the body of the spinner itself is half or a third filled with lead.
4. Noisy homemade product. Another popular modification of tubular lures. This type of spinner made of a copper tube or other material differs in that its both ends are sealed with lead or solder. For a characteristic sound effect, a lead pellet is placed in the cavity before sealing the ends of the tube. The rattling emitted by the homemade bait during the posting provokes the predator to attack.
5. Compound spoons. From the point of view of the technological process, these are the most complex baits, usually consisting of 3 segments. However, the time spent on making composite lures will pay off multiple times. The homemade product is incredibly catchy, since in addition to the main game, during the posting, the bait oscillates (bends, straightens) in the likeness of a real fry.

Important! Stepped wiring is the most suitable option for DIY from a tube. Active spinning with the coil, alternating with pauses, makes the animation of the bait, like two drops of water, similar to the behavior of a real fry, which is injured or weakened. This excites the predator very much.

Materials and tools for making spoon baits from a tube

A self-made spoon bait for pike perch or any other freshwater predator will require the following materials:

• aluminum or copper tubes;
• lead rods or solder;
• abrasive material (fine sandpaper for final polishing);
• swivels, winding rings, tees, stabilizer fins.

As the necessary tools, you will need a hacksaw for metal, a small vice, but always with soft pads on the lips so as not to damage the surface of the body of the future bait, a drill with a set of drills, a file. In addition to these tools, a portable lead casting smelter is indispensable.

Photo 3. Elements of baubles.

Sizes of homemade tube baits

The question of the size of tubular lures does not have a clear answer. It all depends directly on the fishing conditions. In particular, the season, on which the behavior of freshwater predators depends, the depth of the horizon, the strength of the current, fishing is carried out from the ice, the shore or a floating craft. The relief of the bottom of the reservoir is also taken into account. For example, a hollow aluminum tube for zander in winter will be 50 mm in length. The outer diameter is from 7 to 10 mm. Without a load, but equipped with swivels, pass rings, a tee, it will weigh about 7 grams. A similar bait, but made of a copper tube, is twice as heavy - 14 grams. An oblique cut on both sides of the bait - the so-called angle of attack, can also have different meanings. As a rule, at one end of the bait, it varies between 30 ° and 60 °, on the opposite side, this value remains in the region of 20 °.

Important! As practice shows, only on a pond, having tested the game of homemade products, you can establish accurate indicators regarding the angles of attack. A full bathtub at home is no help in this. After all, to set up a spoon is not to load the float.

Tubular Spoon Making Process

The indisputable advantage of pike spinners-tubes for pike or pike perch, perch is the simplicity of manufacture, when compared with the technological process for "spoons" or "turntables". The algorithm of actions will be as follows:

So, the tubular lure - bait for pike perch, pike, perch is ready for use. Oiled tubular lures are made in the same way. But in addition, fill one or both sides of the bait with molten lead. When sealing two sides, you can put a pellet in the cavity for sound effect. As soon as the surfaces to be treated have cooled down, they must also be sanded. Next, we carry out the installation of the suspensions described above.

Important! In the wilderness and periods when the activity of freshwater predators decreases, a 50 mm long bait is used. And vice versa, if the activity of the fish is at its peak, we use tubular spoons with a length of 70 mm or more.

Compound bait from tubes

As mentioned above, a composite tube lure requires more meticulous work in the process of its manufacture. A fisherman from behind a "hillock" would say that without a milling machine and special equipment, such a bait would never be made. A naive foreigner, Russian ingenuity and perseverance works wonders! So, step-by-step instruction as follows:

1. As an example, we take the same workpiece, but 80 mm long.
2. We make the angles of attack with the same slope and cut the workpiece with a hacksaw for metal into three segments (parts).
3. On the middle segment, we use a file to make “ears” (protrusions) on both sides. On the other two parts of the bait, we repeat the operation, but only on the side that will dock with the middle.
4. In all "ears" we drill holes with a diameter of 1 mm and pass rivets through them.

Jewelry work will be required in cutting out protrusions, as well as in riveting rivets. But you get a catchy bait with an original game. Perhaps not the first time. Therefore, you should stock up on a large piece of pipe.

Important! In the manufacture of composite lures, you can use various alloys. For example, make the middle of copper, and the front and back made of aluminum. Also, the sizes of the segments may not coincide - the middle is larger, and the two lateral parts are smaller in length and diameter.

In custody…

A few words about "decorations" for the bait, without which the story of how to make a spoon-bait for a perch or other predatory fish will not be complete. By "decorations" we mean the various attachments in the area of ​​the tee. This could be:

• silicone worm or threads made of the same material in the form of tentacles;
• a bunch of ordinary red woolen threads;
• Christmas tree decorations - rain;
• ribs or eyes drawn on the body.

There are actually many options. Such "decorations" make the spoon even more catchy. In shallow water, the fish distinguishes color and can rush to attack something bright. In turn, at depth, the decorated bait looks more voluminous. In the process of posting, awnings create additional vibrations that are instantly noticed by the predator. The same fluctuations can repeat the movements of benthic fauna, which can be included in the diet of freshwater predators. In the end, as practice has shown, pike perch, pike, perch are always provoked to attack upon seeing something new and unusual.

The freeze-up period is a good time to test an angler for stamina, determination and resourcefulness. In this season, there are periods of intense biting and times of complete biting, when it is the experience and ingenuity of the angler that allow you to get a trophy. Fishing for walleye in winter with a spoon is one of the most entertaining types of hunting for a predator, requiring thorough knowledge of the habits and food preferences of fish.

On the basis of these observations, amateurs of pike perch fishing have developed directions for the production of specialized spoons, which successfully allow catching fanged. Spoons for pike perch, in contrast to similar lures for other fish species, differ in their narrowed shapes and an elongated body, which resembles a running small fish. It is such a fish, and often it is bleak or roach, that is the basis of the predator's diet. Based on the shape of the spoon, it is used for fishing for pike perch at depths and shallow waters, in a snag and a bottom littered with dead wood debris, in places with strong currents.

Due to the requirements for the similarity of the bait with live fish and the specifics of fishing places, the pike perch looks like an elongated metal body with a periodicity of geometric shapes of smooth and strict lines, with a ratio of length to width proportions of at least one to five. Products are most often painted in a silver or yellow-golden color. The combination of this color scheme on both sides of the fishing tool is also considered promising. Powerful double or triple hooks with sharpened blade. With a length of 7–12 cm, spoons vary in weight from 9 to 20 grams.

Top-best winter spinners for walleye

Introducing the rating of spinners for fishing fanged, let's move away from the topic best manufacturer instrument, focusing directly on the successful forms of the accessory, to which the fish more actively responds. The 10 best options for a catchy lure for pike perch, when fishing from ice, will help anglers assemble the optimal set of lures for any fishing conditions.

A classic of winter zander hunting is the shape of the spoon, nicknamed "carnation" in the fishing environment. The form of a thin base, with an oval body expanding downward, has a game that is simple in its trajectories, but the most attractive for pike-perch. The prevalence in sales and the simplicity of animation management brings just such types of spinners to the leaders of the rating.

The second most popular species form among the best spinners for pike perch in winter, no doubt, there is a Vlasov spoon in the shape of a ski. A specially designed tool for fishing for walleyes, due to the bending of the body at a certain angle, makes its game more fractional and high-frequency, which attracts fish with sound waves and vibration from long distances.

The third line behind the rhombus shapes. The horizontally elongated rhombus, due to the location of the center of gravity, makes the game of the bait more stable and uniform, which helps the spinner. When fishing in a zander flock, only the uniformity of the game brings stable results in bites, and there is no need to adjust the technique for such spoons.

Four - deservedly for three-sided accessory options. Expressive play at small amplitudes of pulls positions such spoons as shallow-water instruments, which is important when searching for a fanged dog during periods of deafness and last ice when the fish tries to stay on shallow rifts.

The top five will be closed by the view of spinners from cut tubes. The type of such a bait does not differ in special animation delights, but it has an important quality, expressed in the creation of strong acoustic vibrations, which effectively collect fish at the fishing point. It is rational to use these forms during periods of bitelessness, prompting the predator to be active not by visual effects, but by the sound component.

We place spoons for walleye in the form of an oblong spoon with fluctuating playing qualities on the sixth row. These representatives of zander hunting lures are applicable in shallow areas of reservoirs with moderate currents. Such spoons are quite light and can be additionally animated by the force of the water flow. They are not always catchy due to the indistinct amplitude of the game. But if the fanged person likes instability on this day, then you certainly won't find a better option for fishing. Animation requires a certain technique of flashing, which is sometimes clearly not in favor of a beginner.

The seventh on the list of preferred shapes will be the inverse trihedron. This version is a clear leader in terms of game stability. Spoons do not have horizontal movements and work purely vertically, which is not entirely acceptable with low fish activity. Small fishing areas are another disadvantage of this type. But if the hole is drilled in a zander parking lot, then the disadvantages instantly turn into advantages and make the effectiveness of using the reverse trihedron incredible.

For vertical lure of zander at great depths, a sealed tube is used, which becomes the eighth rating number on the list. The clarity of the game and the significant mass of the bait allows you to find yourself at depths by means of sound and vibration waves.

Nine for a lure cut or a type of lure similarity to a castmaster. Its game is similar to how summer oscillating spoons are animated, but more frequent in the fall due to the large mass of the body. An excess of mass in relation to size allows you to fish at significant depths, and an unbalanced game increases the chance of attracting fish with chaotic movements.

The top ten will be closed by the shape of the bait in the form of a shoe. An instrument of this type has a frisky sweeping game, which makes the lure versatile and often lures the pike. Pike perch is not always played on the brightness of the game, and the technique of such flashing requires a special approach to the execution of postings. Lures of similar shapes are used in shallow water.

Carrying out a selection by type, based on the performance characteristics of a particular form of bait, the angler will be ready to implement any strategy of zander hunting and will not be left without a trophy for sure.

How to troll for walleye in winter

The technique of fishing for winter zander is based on two main methods of feeding the bait.

Important! The difference is that in one case the angler periodically hits the bottom of the reservoir with a hunting projectile. In the second case, only when the bait is lowered, it is allowed to touch the bottom, and subsequently the animation is done purely in the water column.

Let us consider these techniques in the algorithms of the actions of the fisherman in more detail.

Method one

The lure for pike perch sinks to the bottom and is subsequently pulled up to a height of 40–50 cm from its horizon. Two or three short, fifteen to twenty centimeters of throw are made. This manipulation is followed by a two- or three-second pause, and the product is abruptly placed on the ground, hitting the short circuit a couple of times, making a knock. Such monotonic cycles are repeated ten to fifteen times with the same frequency. If bites do not follow, change the place of fishing.

Method two

As in the first version, the winter bait for the pike perch is lowered to the bottom and the height at which the postings will be carried out is measured. Next, the hunting projectile is raised from the bottom by about twenty centimeters and the animation begins, based on the playing characteristics of the used spoon. The game cycle ends after two or three tosses no more than a couple of tens of centimeters. After the active phase, pause for five seconds and repeat all of the above actions, except for lowering the spoon for winter fishing to the bottom.

The technique described above for fishing zander with a spoon varies in the size of the time intervals and the sharpness of the game from the activity of the fish.

Important! When pike perch is active, pauses are reduced, and tosses are made more aggressive. Passive fish requires less harsh play and longer pauses. Tap fishing is preferable for active fish. The sound of hitting the bottom gathers a flock of zander at the fishing point. If the pike perch is passive, the knock, on the contrary, alerts the predator and prevents biting.

Summer spoons for pike perch

In summer, it is preferable to catch pike perch with a spinning rod and sheer lure from a boat. For spinning fishing, small-sized oscillating spoons are used, with an active, not sweeping, high-frequency game. As a rule, a five to seven centimeter long running body of a product weighing nine to fifteen grams is exactly what the goose prefers. Turntables are not so beloved by fangs. An exception may be models designed for catching perch with a drop-shaped or willow leaf shape, a petal and a second size number according to the Meps classification. Their catchability is much lower than that of spoons and accessories for sheer lure.

Concerning sheer fishing then this is the ideal and most prey method for hunting zander in the fall. For this method, the principle of universality of the use of winter spoons for zander operates. For sheer trolling in open water, the heaviest fishing shells are preferable. Such representatives better keep the resistance to the current on long cords and reach the required levels of the water horizon faster. According to colors, silver and yellow-golden colors remain in favor, which confirms the stability of the preferences of the fanged.

Do it yourself

For winter fishing, you can make your own spoons by analogy with factory types of products. The easiest way to do this job is to fit steel, brass and copper tubes, as well as wire rod made of the same materials. From tubes and a bar, cutting off their edges at a certain angle, types of spinners are obtained with different playing characteristics and weight parameters. It is possible to cut a workpiece from metal plates 4–5 mm thick and, using machining by turning, to achieve the required shape of the product.

By varying with the folds of the lower end of the product, the spoon can give the individuality of the game according to your own preference. An excellent option the hunting projectile will be a bimetallic spoon. It is made from two plates of different materials by soldering or work hardening. Differences in the specific gravity of metals contributes to the originality of the shift in the center of gravity and giving the accessory a unique play. Additional equipment for homemade products are tees and winding rings.

Now let's move on to the vertical spinners. There are a huge number of vertical spoons for catching zander, but in principle, they can be divided into two main classes: spoons designed for catching active zander, and spoons designed for catching passive zander. Accordingly, to summarize, the spinners designed for catching active pike perch have a very active game, and the spinners designed for passive pike perch have a passive game and a very small deviation from the vertical.

Let's take a classic pike perch lure (Fig. 55-17). The main difference between a pike perch lure is that it should be relatively narrow. In principle, this is not a dogma, and it is not necessary to get hung up on this, however, a narrow-bodied spoon mimics the most common food for pike perch.

As a rule, it feeds on sculpin goby, bleak, smelt, gudgeon. All these fish are rather narrow-bodied, and therefore it is preferable to use a narrow-bodied spoon similar to them for fishing for zander.

This lure has a clearly defined center of gravity, shifted downward, and a very narrow tail. If we look in cross-section, then it is straight and almost symmetrical on one side and on the other. By the way, this spoon is made of two metals - stainless steel on one side, copper on the other. This is done so that when the pike perch grabs, when it squeezes the spoon with its jaws, we can pull it a little, and so that the hook can stick into the mouth of the predator.

If the spoon is just soldered (lead or tin), then the teeth of the pike perch can get stuck in the solder, and especially if we fish with a monofilament and from a depth of about 12 m, then we may not push the spoon a millimeter into the mouth of the pike perch, and the fish will not will be picked up.

The hook size of a zander lure is very important. As in the balance bar, the hook should overlap the width of the spoon by 3-4 mm (fig. 55-18). Unlike summer lures, when the width of the tee must match the width of the spoon, here the hook should be larger.

The next moment is the front sight. The fly plays a very important role on the lure hook. First, it attracts walleye. During a pause, when the spoon has almost stopped, the pike perch most often attacks the fly itself.

In addition, the fly performs an essential function in the game of spinners. So, if we talk about this spoon, its main secret is that it is absolutely symmetrical, and no matter how we play this spoon, it will always deviate strictly along the same trajectory. And the fly will help her to deviate, because when the spoon is dropped down, the fly can go both in one direction and in the other. When it goes up, naturally, the windage increases, and the spoon will glide in such a way that the fly will be on top of the spoon. Then we again raise the spoon up, drop it, the fly in the other direction. And thanks to its symmetry, the spoon will work very stably in whatever direction it dives.

For most modern fishermen, zander fishing in winter is a sporty and fun activity. Moreover, this fish can be hunted throughout the year, and trolling adds even more excitement to this business. The power of this striped river predator and its considerable size attract, in addition to beginners and amateurs, also real pros.

It is always easier to spot a walleye in open water than to look for it under thick ice. For this reason, it makes sense for the angler to first clarify the place of fishing for himself, so that in the conditions of a harsh winter he does not have too much time to wander through the frost in search of a suitable place, which may also turn out to be very doubtful, and to inspect the presence of fish there.

After all, the catch will be good only if the spot for fishing is correctly selected. As this aquatic predator always leads active image life, he needs to migrate in search of food throughout the reservoir.

That is why his behavior in the cold season becomes completely unpredictable, and a successful hunting outcome can only be under such conditions:

Features of the rig

Equipping the bait is required based on those features what kind of fish you need to catch.

For example, pike perch weighs approximately 3 kg (in exceptional cases, there are also larger specimens), and the choice fishing tackle you need to choose very responsibly, so as not to regret in the future that the fish was missed.

It is important to know that the hooks must not break and have a sharp forend. It often happens that they are made from a fragile material. For this reason, when purchasing it is worth checking them out while still in the store.

Sheer lure of pike perch

This is the most famous fishing method. You can fish this way both in winter and during warmer months.

The tackle here is pretty simple:

• short (up to 1 m) side rod,
• coil (preferable inertial),
• line 0.3 (non-braided),
• tungsten leash.

Fishing stroke:

How to choose tackle

For the present day, the choice of spinners not difficult... Fishing outlets are rich in their availability, and the assortment includes lures of various sizes and shapes. Among other things, fishermen now often come across for whom fishing for pike perch in winter with a hand-made trolley is no less successful than with purchased trolleys. For zander fishing in winter, a variety of bait methods, tackle and balance weights can be useful. However, if we proceed from the time of winter fishing, it is better to choose the most catchy spoons with the following characteristics:

The mass of any of the spoons, if possible, should not exceed 25 g. However, if fishing takes place on a reservoir where there is an intense current, the weight of the bait must be selected on the basis of how many conditions the fishing will require from the fisherman. According to experts, it is best for this predatory fish a bait that has an elongated and narrow shape is suitable.

A spoon is made, as a rule, from materials such as brass, copper. Also, sometimes an alloy of metals is used or simply two plates are combined, and lead is added to burden their weight.

The color of the bait is also important for the lure of zander in winter. Fish activity at the time of fishing will be due to dull or bright colors. It is best to have all sorts of spinners available. Winter spoons for pike perch in the cold season should be of the following colors:

• yellow;
• white;
• golden;
• silvery.

Acid or bright colors will come in handy during the period night fishing , in the daytime, you can use dimmer ones.

The best spinners for walleye

Fishing for pike perch on catchy spoons during cold weather is primarily intended for vertical guidance. Each of the lures is suitable for a specific type of fishing. Of the huge number of modern models, fishermen use such as:

Likewise, when fishing for walleye in winter time lures such as Vyatskaya and Krivoy Knife have proven themselves very well.

How is flashing

After sustaining a five-minute pause, you should wind the fishing line on the reel, and this should be done smoothly, leading the bait along the bottom. It can also be carried in jerks, the nature of the movement must be chosen depending on the bite. In severe frosts, experienced fishermen recommend tossing the bait upwards by 10 cm. Tapping with a jig on the bottom of the reservoir can attract the attention of a predator and cause it to attack.

With active biting from the pike perch, the number of pauses can be reduced. Often bites occur precisely during pauses, but if you alternate them, letting them run in a varied sequence, this game can alert the walleye, and he will prefer not to get involved with a phenomenon that is incomprehensible to him. The angler's movements during the hunting period for the striped predator should be fast and smooth.

To find fish, holes are drilled, starting from shallow water and gradually rising to the middle of the reservoir. The distance between holes should be 15-20 meters.

Where to catch pike perch in winter

As already mentioned, pike perch, especially in winter, actively moves throughout the reservoir in search of food, so the angler faces the task of finding his place of residence.

First of all, you can pay attention to the following places:

• eyebrows;
• deep pits;
• blockages of stones;
• places with depth differences.

If it was not possible to find fish there, you can still inspect the old river beds. Including it will not hurt to search on the underwater hill. Pike perch takes a fancy to such places at the beginning of winter.

It's important to know! The striped underwater predator tries to avoid places where the bottom is muddy, because it is very difficult for him to find food there.

Fishing tricks

It is difficult to find zander alone, so it is better to fish in a company in order to cover most of the water area. The spinner should be selected in various sizes, because if you did not manage to catch on one, then it will turn out on the other.

The specifics of fishing in the winter months

December

This month, zander can be trolled most of the day. In the morning, the fish is especially active, as a rule, from 6 to 9 o'clock, and in evening time- from 18 to 21 o'clock. It is best to be patient and in no case despair, especially if the bite is not expected for a long time.

Long fishing in one place is not very effective, so it is worth changing the position to search for fish. Taking into account the December specifics of hunting for pike perch, then in the end you can catch an excellent specimen of such a striped predator.

It's important to know! During the day, pike perch is often very lethargic, especially during the dry winter period, and therefore it will be optimal to catch it in the evening, when the predator swims out of its shelter to hunt in search of food.

In January

In the middle of winter, they are looking for this fish in pools, and the best time for active fishing is after midnight.

Under the conditions of changing climatic features of our strip, ice melting is often observed in January. If it has begun, then fish should be looked for in the mouths of streams and rivers.

If the ice on the reservoirs is still thick enough, then this month it will be effective to catch pike perch on zerlits.

In February

This is the most favorable month for zander fishing. February is famous for its sunny weather, and therefore - for the lively biting of fish. At this time, the pike perch is trying to find different fry for food, therefore it captures its prey in jerks. The fisherman must be ready for this.

The predator tries not to change its usual places, so you need to look for it in the same place where it was in the previous winter months. If the fisherman chose the right place and bite, then the same picture will occur within a radius of up to 200 meters, which is very convenient for collective fishing.

The bait game this month must be played smoothly so as not to scare off the fish.

During this period, only the nod changes - it is necessary that it be rigid and metallic, with a deflection angle of no more than 40 degrees. If these conditions are met, then you can easily track the bite.

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