It may seem strange to many people that the topic of catching pike on spinning is raised in December, January, February just before freezing and during the dead of winter.

In fact, there is nothing strange in this topic:

• firstly, in recent years in the European part of Russia and in many CIS countries, ice rises late, sometimes after the New Year;
• secondly, there are many areas of ordinary lakes, rivers and other reservoirs that do not freeze all winter.

For example, large areas near thermal power plants do not freeze due to their discharges of warm water; after hydroelectric power plants, rivers do not freeze for many kilometers downstream. There are other examples of non-freezing reservoirs.

In December, anglers who are fanatically in love with their hobby, if water bodies in their area are covered with ice, take spinning rods with them and make trips to other areas where there are non-freezing sections of rivers and lakes in order to catch pike. Rumors circulate among anglers that there is such a short period in December when the "Big Winter Zor" comes, when she greedily throws herself at almost any bait in open water. Experienced anglers confirm that spinning for pike in December can be successful.

• Spinningists in December successfully appreciate the deep sections of lakes and rivers on boats and boats.
• Brings success and catching pike in December on a jig from the shore, when the angler anchors his vessel and begins to jig.

Pulsating wiring is effective: the fisherman casts the bait, gives it time to sink to the bottom, makes five or six turns of the reel, pauses again and rewinds again for five or six turns.

When and where to catch pike in December

The best pike fishing time in December starts at 12 noon and ends three hours later. Often pike bite better from nine to one in the afternoon.

In the first winter month, spinning fishing can be successful from the shore. It has been established that pike leave their deep dwelling places in winter and come to feed in shallow water (fishermen are well aware of this fact, they set up vents on reeds).

In new places on a river or lake where pike lives, the angler will have to walk along the coast a lot before he finds a place where a toothy predator is caught. The December search for pike differs from how it is searched for in the warm season - winter fish are still much less active than summer fish, so more time should be taken to catch places that seem interesting.

By the way, one should not forget that wandering along the snowy shore of a river or lake in December is not the same as in September, so the fisherman should be warm, but the clothes should be light. Shoes should be waterproof, warm and, of course, light. Boots made of porous rubber just have all these properties.

What pike bites in December

You can catch pike in December using the same spinning baits as in the warm months of the year, but many anglers prefer their good old friends - swinging spinners that have been tested for decades. Experienced anglers say that it is better to use smaller lures, because at this time the pike's belly is already full of caviar, so the predator, when getting food for itself, prefers small fish.

In December, as in any other month of the year, pike bites best on spinning when there are no big jumps. Someone says that his pike pecked better on clear days, someone argues that cloudy days are more prey, but everyone agrees that there is no biting at all in fickle weather.

Catching pike on wobblers in December video

Catching pike in December on a micro jig on a small river

In January, the activity of fish is much lower than in December, however, the fish does not stop feeding, which means that it can be caught. Therefore, many fishing enthusiasts do not want to give up their hobby - catching pike for spinning in January, and for this they go to ice-free reservoirs. In the middle of winter, many sorties remain unsuccessful, but it also happens that it is possible to take trophy specimens of pike for spinning.

Where to look for pike in January

Although in January the toothy predator does not move around the reservoir much, there is still such a dependence: in severe frosts, it is often caught in deep places away from the coast, and with the onset of a thaw, the pike often goes to shallow water, as if rehearsing its future spawning behavior .

Anglers who practice fishing on spinning in January use vibrotails and twisters, but do not forget the rule that there are almost no lures that do not work at all, today they are caught only on a twister, tomorrow on a spoon, the day after tomorrow on a spinner, on some day , no matter how you seduce a predator, it doesn’t bite. In January, pike hunts more for small fish, baits should not be large either.

Bait posting in January

The January pike behaves even more “inhibited” than in December, so the bait should be retrieved very slowly, the retrieval step is one or two turns of the spinning reel, the pause can be three or four seconds. You should not speed up the pace of wiring, even if the nerves can not stand it from a huge number of "idle" casts.

Behind the January pike with spinning in the thaw video

The thaw is in mid-January and we immediately rush to the DVH to take our souls to the spinning

Pike on microjig. Winter spinning in January video

Catching pike on a spinning rod in February differs quite a bit from how it was caught in the previous two winter months. And yet there is a nuance: if there are a lot of thaws in the current February, which is not uncommon in recent years, then the predator can slowly begin to switch to spawning behavior. The instinct of procreation is already awakening in her, she begins to feed more in order to stock up on energy for the spawner. On some February days, trips with spinning to a pond for pike can be very successful.

The greatest result will bring the use of small silicone lures - bright colors. Although in February the instinct of procreation already wakes up in the pike, it is still moving slowly, since it has not yet gained strength after the winter period.

Perhaps that is why the jig method of fishing, which initially involves unhurried stepwise wiring, brings the greatest success. Of course, other types of fishing should be used. Luck is always on the side of anglers who like to experiment with lures and ways to guide them. Given the pre-spawning "moods" of pike, it can increasingly be found in shallow areas of rivers and lakes.

Pike fishing in February. Winter spinning video

MAD, HUNGRY PIKE in February. PIKE on the wobbler 2017

Features of catching pike in winter on spinning

The most important advice for an angler who decides to continue spinning fishing in the winter after the autumn season is that he should not go fishing in very severe frosts - health is more expensive than pike. In moderate frosts, you should dress in warm modern fishing clothes, since there is an abundance of such goods on the shelves of fishing stores.

Do not forget to buy gloves, even at zero temperature, hands can become so cold that they will no longer obey. Porous rubber boots will be one of the best options for winter fishing. It is worth spending money to feel comfortable in the harsh winter conditions while fishing.

Frost tests the strength of not only the angler, but also the spinning rod and its equipment. Frost shortens the life of the rod, reel, and fishing line - you should think about taking the most expensive gear for winter fishing. If your budget does not allow you to “litter” with money, then it is better to take budget gear options to the shore of a winter reservoir.

How to prepare a spinning rod for fishing in the cold

The main technical problem for spinningists catching pike and other predators in winter is freezing of the cord, clogging of rings and reels with ice chips. So that freezing does not occur intensively, the cord or fishing line is lubricated with various substances:

• vaseline oil (sold in a pharmacy);
• silicone grease;
• it is possible to use other oils from household use (cosmetics, sunflower oil), but they are inferior in effectiveness to the above substances.

In severe frosts, you have to lubricate many times for fishing, otherwise you simply won’t be able to fish. By the way, you don’t need to take a spinning rod equipped with too small rings for winter fishing - they get clogged with sludge too quickly.

In winter, it is better to wind a braid on the spinning reel, although the monofilament line freezes less, but the braid has a higher sensitivity, which is very important, because at this time of the year it is better to use jig wiring methods. The sooner the spinner feels the bite of the pike, the sooner he will react and hook.

Spinning fishing in winter video

Pike fishing in winter - spinning on a small river video

My next fishing video, now winter spinning and pike fishing in winter. The scene is one of the small rivers in my area.

Pike on spinning in winter in open water video

Many reservoirs in the south of Russia do not freeze even in the dead of winter. Aleksey Shanin will tell you how to catch a pike in them with a spinning rod.

Winter spinning - nuclear pike fishing video

Catching fish in the winter on spinning in open water. Where can you fish with spinning at -12 degrees?! See the video for the answer...

Winter fishing has a lot of fans who are attracted, first of all, by pike fishing in December. Why is winter pike fishing so interesting? The pike is a very strong and assertive opponent, it is an honor to catch it. In order for you to enjoy pike fishing in December, you need to know a number of important points. We will tell you about them: for example, where pike fishing is successful in December, what is the best way to catch pike, what gear you need to buy for fishing, and what equipment and tactics will be most effective when catching pike in December.

pike fishing in december

Even if December turned out to be warm, gradually small lakes and ponds will be covered with a layer of ice, and by the end of December the ice will forge even larger reservoirs. Anglers-lovers of winter ice fishing will be able to open the winter season. And the first thing on the minds of gambling fishermen is catching pike in December.

pike fishing in december, winter pike fishing, winter pike fishing in december, where pike fishing in december, what to pike fishing in december, pike fishing in december on live bait, pike fishing in december on a lure, winter baiting, pike fishing in december on zherlitsu, pike fishing in December on balancers, fishing

When can you start catching pike from the ice? It is generally accepted that the thickness of ice that can support the weight of a person starts at 10 centimeters. But in order to comply with safety regulations for winter fishing, you can go out on ice when the ice is at least 12 centimeters thick. In order for pike fishing in December not to cause trouble, you need to be very careful and constantly check the strength of the ice while moving on it.

Pike fishing in December will become possible as the ice builds up towards the middle of the reservoir, however, you can try your luck not far from the coast, where you can find fish that live in shallow water: small perch, ruff, roach. During the period of the first ice, while the water has not yet had time to cool down and is saturated with oxygen, the fish feed quite actively throughout the day, so fishing for pike in December is most often successful, especially with a good choice of fishing location. Remember, pike fishing in December is most successful in the first three weeks, pike in this winter time are especially greedy, they grab the offered bait.

Where is successful pike fishing in December

Experienced anglers know the places where the pike stays in the first days after freezing. The secret is simple, look for pike, after the first ice gets stronger, stands in the same familiar places in which you caught it before freezing. In the first three weeks, the pike does not leave its favorite places, accompanying flocks of fry with its presence. Therefore, pike fishing in December is preferable in bays, in harbors, where you observed artificial or natural shelters in open water, near the confluence of streams or rivulets into the main body of water. Brovki, with rather sharp drops in bottom topography, is also a promising place for pike fishing in winter.

What to catch pike in December

They catch pike in December on baubles, a balancer and a variety of spinners. The main rule of winter fishing for pike is your activity and the fish. In December, the pike is still quite active and can explore the water in search of prey, therefore, if there is no bite within five minutes, the pike fishing place must be changed.
Pike fishing in December on live bait
Anglers should be aware that the minnow is the best live bait for pike in December. He has a remarkable property not to stick into the grass, like a roach or a perch, but to stick only to open places where a pike easily detects him. In second place among live bait fish for pike is small carp. He is very mobile, all the time he swims briskly, which attracts pike. Pike avoids live bait, which are not found in this reservoir, and with great care, pike treats prickly fish - ruffs and perch. However, in reservoirs where there are only ruffs and perches, pike are excellently caught on them. If you use ruff or perch as live bait for pike in December, it is recommended that they cut off the thorns with scissors.

Most pike winter lures are oval in shape. Winter spinners for pike are stamped mainly from brass and cupronickel plates 1–1.5 mm thick. Pike fishing in December is carried out on a lure equipped with tees feathered with red hairs. Practice has shown that spinners of this design provide greater hooking reliability than lures with a single soldered hook. The width of the tee should be 1–2 mm more than the width of the spinner, otherwise the hooks will be bad. If a tee with very wide hooks is suspended, then the predator will feel a catch before hooking, and if with narrow ones, the width of the spinner can interfere with the capture of fish. Catching pike in December on a lure involves using a strong leash.
Pike fishing in December on a balancer
The balancer is a small artificial fish with single hooks soldered into the head and tail of the body. At the bottom of the bait there is usually a ring for an additional tee, and on top there is another ring, for which the bait is tied to the main line with a fishing knot or with a carabiner. Pike fishing in December on a balancer can be quite successful. The most demanded balancer sizes are from number 2 to number 9. The bait for catching pike in December can be supplemented with flies or beads of bright colors that attract a predator.

Pike fishing in December

The ability to beautifully catch a pike in December is not in the number of hooks, but primarily in the competent arrangement of vents in winter. It is this factor that plays the primary role. Pike fishing in December on the zherlitsy begins with the search for a place. The most promising place for catching pike on a vent in winter is a steeply broken channel slope, its sharp turn, the confluence point of two flooded rivers. The vents should be installed on the pike in such a way that the live bait is in close proximity to the edge: at the upper or lower border of the channel edge, at the foot or on the top of the underwater hill, at the border of aquatic vegetation, on a patch of solid ground against the background of a silted bottom, in the channel ditch, on a secret "table" with a depth of 8-12 or 3-5 meters, and even better with a snag. Read more about this method of fishing at the link: Catching in the winter on vents: Installing vents for catching pike.

Lure fishing for pike in December

There are enough ways in which you can catch pike in December. But the main ones are baubles and sheer lure, briefly dwelling on the first, let's consider the most reckless and exciting way - winter lure of pike in December. Please note that pike fishing in December when using lure, as practice shows, is more effective either at sunset or at sunrise.
Tackle for catching pike in December on a lure
The pike is a very strong and assertive opponent, so you must have an appropriate fishing rod, a fishing line of at least 0.2, and preferably a longer leash. You should not catch a pike, with the tackle of which you once successfully caught, for example, roach. At the same time, the angler's arsenal should be rich enough. At least a couple of equipped fishing rods and a decent supply of spinners. In addition to spinners, other artificial baits can be used, for example, such as a vibrotail.
Ice thickness and glitter depth
Catching pike in December with a lure implies that you know the dependence of the depth of successful lure on the thickness of the ice:

- if the first ice is less than 10 cm thick, then flashing at a depth of 5-6 meters will be effective.
- if the ice thickness approaches 20 cm, water layers at a depth of 3 to 5 meters are considered promising.
- when the ice becomes more than 20 cm thick, you can fish at almost any depth, starting from 50 cm.

Why pike fishing in December depends on this arithmetic is very simple, the pike hears the angler perfectly, and sometimes sees him if the first ice is not thick enough.
Winter glitter tactics
Tactics for flashing pike in December is as follows. Before you go out on the first ice, you must definitely develop a proposed fishing route. Further, you should fish in those places that you consider the most promising, of course, based on the preferences of the predator itself. It is necessary to catch all the drilled holes, but at different times. If the pike shows at least minimal activity, then without a catch you will not leave the ice. The lure technique for pike fishing in December should be considered in more detail.
winter glitter technique
Catching pike in December with bait is a fascinating process. Remember the technique of winter glitter and train regularly.

So, the lure is lowered to the bottom, and gradually, without sharp jerks, gently shaking the tip of the rod, they begin to rise to a height of up to 50 cm from the bottom. Having reached this depth, a sharp reset of the spinner is made and the rise is repeated. It is necessary to do up to 8 lifts. After these rises, you should switch to the usual flashing rhythm, that is, after resetting, pause for up to 5 seconds and maintain a distance of 10-15 cm at the bottom point. After seven empty lifts, the hole should be left for a while.

The technique of winter fishing aground has its own characteristics. When lure aground, the strokes of the fishing rod should be short, raising the lure to a height of no more than 15 cm. Spinners should be light, up to 5 grams.

The correct technique of winter baiting on a vibrotail can also please you with prey. Many anglers have learned that pike fishing in December is no less successful if a vibrotail is used instead of a spinner. It is worth equipping it with jig heads up to 12 gr. The game in this case consists in the following, smoothly with acceleration, the vibrotail is raised to a height of 40 cm from the bottom and held for up to 5 seconds. Then they make a reset, but in such a way that the vibrotail will be from the bottom at a height of 10 cm, followed by a 5 second pause and a new rise.

We hope that pike fishing in December will bring only pleasure, do not forget about the strength of the ice and dress warmly.

Andrey Shalygin PhD, DBA, Chief Editor of National Explorer

With the onset of winter, rivers and lakes begin to freeze, and the usual "summer" fishing is a thing of the past. But there are such reservoirs that, despite the frosts, are not covered with ice.

Usually these are rivers with a rapid and fast flow, lakes or reservoirs located near heat sources: plants or factories. It all depends on the climatic and geographical location. On such water reservoirs you can fish in open water.

Winter fishing in open water

Winter open water fishing is just as exciting and tempting as it is in summer. Fishing in winter on such reservoirs, you can catch quite large trophies, which are not always caught in the warm season. All thanks to the fish feed.

Tackle for fishing in winter on open water

For winter fishing in open water, almost the same gear is used as when fishing in the warm season.

1. Fly float rod.
2. Match (a kind of float gear).
3. Spinning.
4. Plug rod.
5. Feeder.
6. Onboard tackle.
7. Fishing for the "feature" from the boat.

• The length of the rod is 6 - 7 m. Longer rods are much more expensive and heavier. Using a weighted rod leads to rapid fatigue and freezing of the hands.
• Use a rod designed for fish weighing more than 2.5 kg. After all, in winter, during the zhora, specimens of different sizes come across.
• The minimum line diameter is 0.15 mm.
• The float is a little harder to choose than for the summer. The movements of the nozzle should be smooth, without jumps and jerks.

• Spoon. Oval shape, made of brass or cupronickel, thickness from 1 to 1.5 mm. The tee is 1 - 2 mm wider than the baubles with red plumage.
• Balance. For a good catch, you should use tackle from 2 to 9 numbers. In addition, attach beads, flies with bright colors.
• Live fishing. More active fry are excellent as bait: minnow, crucian carp.

For fishing from a boat, when choosing gear, consider the following features:

How to catch more fish?

For 13 years of active fishing, I have found many ways to improve the bite. And here are the most effective ones:

1. Cool activator. Attracts fish in cold and warm water with the help of pheromones included in the composition and stimulates their appetite. It's a pity that Rosprirodnadzor wants to ban its sale.
2. More sensitive gear. Read the relevant manuals for the particular type of tackle on the pages of my website.
3. Lures based pheromones.

You can get the rest of the secrets of successful fishing for free by reading my other materials on the site.

1. Rod. Suitable for both the summer version, with a floating rig and a nod, and the winter look, a rod with increased sensitivity, the tip is used instead of a nod. Length up to 1 m (for fishing from 4 - 6 m). At a shallower depth, the length is 1 - 1.5 m.
2. Crap. For hunting large specimens of bream, carp, etc., the length of the bait is 20 - 25 mm. During a weak bite, use smaller lures (thinner).
3. Tee. Additionally, provide bright beads, cambric.

Feed and bait

The choice of bait or bait depends on the fishing area and the type of fish you are going to catch. Some recommendations for the selection and preparation of bait and bait:

• Animal origin. Maggot, bloodworm are well suited both in summer and winter. In frosty weather, you should ensure that the bait does not freeze. Store in a warm place or a Styrofoam container. You can add some salt to keep it warm. This must be done directly on the spot, otherwise it will turn sour.
• Vegetable origin. Moisturize the groundbait at home, which will help you avoid the formation of frozen particles and freezing hands. Stored in a thermal bag. You can also add table salt 25 - 35 grams per 1 kg of bait.
• Avoid the use of bite activators. Otherwise, you run the risk of not luring the fish, but rather scaring it away.

Features of winter fishing in open water

Fishing in open water has its own characteristics that it is desirable to know when preparing for fishing:

1. A winter rod should be light, compact and mobile. Most of the time it is in the hands.
2. To avoid entanglement of the fishing line, it is recommended to place the sinker in the following sequence from the leash: the heaviest is lighter next. Sinker type - beads.
3. Wiring should be smooth, without jerks and jumps.
4. Clothing should be warm and comfortable.
5. When choosing a rod length, take into account the distance of the fish from the shore.
6. Freezing of rings and coils occurs in frost.

Fishing in winter - types of fish

The variety of fish in the winter catch practically does not differ from the catch in the warm season.

In winter, on open water you can catch:

• pike
• perch;
• roach;
• crucian;
• bream;
• bleak;
• rudd;
• carp.

Fishing in winter on open water for pike

Pike is considered the most popular fishing trophy, which attracts more and more gambling fishermen to their search.

Where to look for the December pike

For the first 2 - 3 weeks, she does not leave her favorite places, which were before the onset of cold weather:

• shelters: artificial or natural origin;
• junctions of canals, small rivers with the main channel;
• edges with slight differences in the bottom;
• bays, harbors;
• thickets of reeds, reeds.

What baits to catch pike from ice in December

With the onset of cold weather and the approach of deaf winter, the pike goes to the depths. During this period, it has to be caught from the ice and the following baits will help you with this:

• girders;
• spinners for vertical spinning;
• balancers;
• vibrotails;
• jigs;
• live bait fishing (minnow, roach, etc.). Live bait is desirable to get in the same reservoir where you will hunt for pike.

Pike fishing in December on spinning

By right it can be attributed to a separate sport. Jogging for long distances in the snow in warm clothes, multiple casts. So that all your efforts are not in vain, follow the advice of professional fishermen:

• To combat icing of rings, reels and fishing lines, use special sprays.
• When fishing from ice, the optimal fishing depth depends on its thickness: ice thickness of 10 cm or less - depth from 5 to 6 m, with a thickness of 20 cm - depth of 3 - 5 m, thickness of 25 cm or more - depth for fishing from 0.5 m.
• Fishing is recommended in stable weather, without pressure drops.
• During ice fishing at the first cast, the lure should be lowered smoothly without jerking. When reaching the bottom, abruptly “drop” the lure, make a rise, perform up to 5 lifts. Then continue in the usual rhythm: after the reset, pause for 5 seconds.
• For fishing in open water, use a rod about 3 meters long with a fast speed. This will increase the accuracy of casting and the sensitivity of postings. Use as baits: spinners, twisters,. Use live bait during periods of low activity.

Catching roach in winter on open water

As in the spring-autumn period and in winter, roach is perfectly caught in open water. You won’t need any special wisdom for this, but still some features are still worth considering:

1. The main bait is bloodworm or maggot.
2. As bait, you can use the same mixtures as in summer, but without the addition of flavors. In cold water, odors do not spread as well as in warm water, so excessive concentration will only scare the fish away.
3. The time for fishing should be chosen when the weather is good for several days, with constant pressure and partly cloudy.
4. Having chosen a place for fishing, it is desirable to be in one place. In clear weather and clear water, fish may notice movement on the shore and will be very wary of reacting to the bait.
5. Fishing should begin with a depth measurement. It is necessary to perform actions carefully and without splashes.
6. Performing postings is accompanied by the descent of equipment, because the fish may not be at the bottom.
7. After several successful bites, it is worth feeding the fishing spot.
8. After catching or leaving large specimens, it is worth immediately throwing a few balls of bait in order to resume biting.

1. The main advice is to follow the safety rules of behavior on the ice of the reservoir.
2. On cloudy days, use bright and light nozzles. They are clearly visible and the fish are more willing and more active in reacting to them.
3. For baits of vegetable origin, use a hook with a short shank. It's easier to disguise it.
4. Get warm but comfortable underwear. Perfect option - .
5. In cases of blunting of the hook, it can be sharpened on a matchbox (the side on which matches are lit).
6. When ice fishing, make several holes. The fish goes to the water, which is more oxygenated.
7. Take it with you to keep warm.
8. In overgrown and crooked places, use “non-hooking” nozzles: various twisters, foam rubber fish, etc.
9. The wells constantly freeze in severe frosts, to avoid this, pour sunflower oil into it. It also attracts fish.

The best open water reservoirs - TOP 10

From year to year, rumors circulate about the Great Zhora of a predator on the threshold of freezing, when it breaks through many water bodies, from small ponds and peat bogs to large lakes and rivers. It seems quiet, quiet, the shores are empty in December, the pike and perch are silent, the pike perch is picked out a teaspoon a day, then, as if on command, a breakthrough, and it becomes hot in the icy wind! And there is an assumption: if weather forecasters on business scare a particularly cold winter, then the pre-winter pike zhor will be short, but especially strong.

On large deep lakes, spinningists jig and pull the track through the pits as long as the boat can still enter the water. Somewhere nearby on forest lakes, perches are often pulled from ice to mormyshka, and large lakes are still ironed with might and main with wobblers, because the closer the freeze-up, the higher the chance of catching a particularly large pike. In addition, admirers of large expanses of water believe that the "bad" phases of the moon in large reservoirs have less effect on pike biting, compared to small lakes.

And yet, the most popular among spinningists are small (30-100 hectares), with average depths of 2-4 m, natural lakes. Active fishing on spinning here goes not only to the first ice. Often the frost only frightens, then the windy heat that comes will break the ice, and the boats again went to the water. Spinningists assure that the pike is not at all afraid of the crackling of breaking ice floes, on the contrary, they go to the windward shore - it is in these corners that they pick up good fish that have huddled right under the broken or nearby ice floes.

As practice shows, the best bite of a pike in December is from 12 to 15, although there is no zhor as such before the “second first ice”, the pike mood is changeable, it still needs to be reached with the correct wiring of the bait. At this time, the oscillator comes into the favorites. The pike responds best to fast, even hauling, but there are days when a large toothy one can only be taken to the slowest, sluggish step: after casting, the lure reaches the bottom layer of water, 8-10 turns of the reel handle, pause - the bait goes to the bottom, strikes along him, immediately another dozen turns, etc.

Bites happen during the "teal" or on the fall. When there is grass at the bottom, pulsating wiring gives good results: after casting, let the lure sink to the desired depth, then make 5-6 turns of the coil, stop the winding for 1-2 seconds, then resume, repeating the entire cycle. The spinner goes in leaps, then rising on the reel, then falling at the moment of a pause, they try to lead over the grass itself.

Some spinningists who practice lake twitching wobblers also talk about the great importance of wiring in the pre-winter period, when the mood of the pike can change even within one day. For example, in the morning it reacts to the usual jerky wiring, and in the afternoon only to short smooth pulls with spinning with pauses of two to three seconds. When the predator goes on strike, a sharp change in the movement of the wobbler, which differs from the general nature of the wiring, can help out. For example, during slow twitching, one sharp jerk follows, after which a bite follows. This often happens when a pike follows the bait, not daring to take a bite.

And some experienced spinningists - lakers use another well-proven technique: if the pike follows the boat, not daring to grab, then at the end of the wiring they do not immediately pull the bait out of the water, but make a long broach with spinning along the side - a sharp change in the direction of the wiring provokes a toothy on attack. This technique is good for all baits - rubber, spinners, wobblers. The main thing here is not to clamp the friction clutch much. Then the chic sensations from the struggle with full strength fish are guaranteed in a short time.

In December, not only lakers come with a good catch, but also rivermen are in no hurry to hide summer gear until spring. The oxbow lakes of large rivers are becoming especially popular, where it is easier to cross with large pike. A promising area is selected - a corridor and is tightly ironed. On each cast, the wiring changes, because it is impossible to know in advance the mood of the pike.

For example, in the first pass, the wobbler is driven by smooth twitching, after five or six jerks there is a long pause of 3-4 seconds. The second time, before a pause, they slow down the power of jerks, the bait, as it were, slows down the course. In the third, they increase the power of jerks, doing it gradually: smooth small jerks at the beginning of the wiring at its end turn into more and more sweeping, sharp, when the wobbler has been on the verge of falling for some time, the bait seems to be peddling, and then bang ...

By the way, "bahi" of large December pikes are increasingly occurring precisely in the old rivers, the backwaters of large rivers. At this time, there is a massive entry of "long" river individuals, which begin to crowd out the local "short" counterparts. Predators barrage throughout the water area, coming across in different places, mostly on deep edges. As for closed floodplain lakes, the pre-freezing pike behaves differently there, rushing to extremes. In some, guided by the proverb, he looks for where it is deeper, in others he comes across only on coastal shoals, where the water is maximum waist-deep.

On rivers where there are no oxbow branches, pikes move into tributaries in the pre-winter - here the bite is strongest before the onset of real frosts. Pike goes mostly up to 2kg, but there are a lot of bites. Rubber is dragged along the coastal reeds, along the overgrown shores, boaters have more opportunities, who go out on the water until the ice gets in the way.

Before freeze-up, peat bogs also shoot out. From year to year there is a surge of pike activity, which can last from a couple of days to a week. At this time, there are no special problems in fishing, in any case, according to baits - it takes on everything, the main thing is to get under the nose. But it is important to take into account the pre-winter behavior of the pike, which is very different from the autumn one - it practically does not stand in ambush anymore, it moves along the border of writhing and cane with regular access to clean water. There are no more dense pike gatherings, usual for September-October, in December - here you grab one, there the second.

Pike confusion pushes fishermen to choose different strategies. Someone else will look in the cramps and find it, but for the most part there is only a small pike here, so someone moves a lot in the open spaces of the "swamps", working with accurate short casts. And someone anchors for a long time in order to reach the roots of the grass, plus, along the way, widely throw open water, using long-range baits.

Whose tactic is the best? Each sandpiper praises his swamp. Proponents of active search believe that it is more interesting to look for pike, because the exit points change from day to day, and the time of biting is not so long - from nine in the morning to one in the afternoon.

With the advent of winter, most of the reservoirs are covered with ice, so you can forget about summer fishing for a while. At the same time, there are reservoirs that do not freeze for the winter, despite the low temperatures. Such water bodies include rivers with an intense current, as well as lakes that are located near heat sources such as factories, factories or thermal power plants. Much also depends on the climatic zone in which the reservoir is located. On such reservoirs you can fish in open water all year round.

By nature, this type of fishing is no different from summer fishing, although the level of comfort is completely different, and the fish are not as active as in summer. Despite this, in winter you can also count on the capture of large specimens. In this case, much depends on the availability of food resources in the reservoir.

What equipment is used

Winter fishing in open water involves the use of the same gear as in summer. For example:

1. Fly rod.
2. Match rod.
3. Spinning.
4. Plug rod.
5. Feeder.
6. Onboard gear.
7. Winter fishing rod.

• Choose a rod up to 6-7 meters in length. It is desirable that the fishing rod be light, as your hands will quickly get tired and freeze.
• The rod must be strong, as there is a possibility of catching large individuals.
• The thickness of the fishing line must be at least 0.15 mm.
• The float should be heavier than for summer. The movements of the bait should be smooth, without sudden movements.

As a rule, spinning is chosen for winter fishing with the following characteristics:

• Lure selection. Oval-shaped lures made of brass or cupronickel, 1-1.5 mm thick, are more suitable. The tee is selected wider than the spinner by a couple of millimeters, with an attractive red plumage.
• Balancer selection. Lures numbers 2-9 are the most catchy during this period. It is desirable that there are elements that additionally attract fish - these are beads or flies that have a brighter color.
• Living choice. As a live bait, carp is suitable, as the most tenacious fish.

Fishing from a boat requires the following gear:

• In the case when fishing is carried out from a boat, both summer and winter options may be suitable. In this case, the tip of the rod should be used to detect bites. When fishing at depths up to 6 meters, a meter rod is suitable, and for fishing at shallower depths, you should take a rod up to 1.5 meters long.
• Mormyshka choice. For fishing in winter, such a mormyshka as “hell”, up to 20-25 mm long, is suitable. If the bite is sluggish, then it is better to take smaller baits.
• Hooks. For example, it is desirable to have tees with bright elements, such as bright beads or cambric.

Feed and bait

The choice of bait and bait depends on the nature of the reservoir and the type of fish that is supposed to be caught. Therefore, there are a number of recommendations, such as:

• Bait such as bloodworm, worm or maggot is always in demand, both in summer and in winter. If fishing is carried out in winter, care should be taken to ensure that the bait does not freeze. Therefore, it is necessary to have a special device where the bait always remains alive and active.
• It is better to cook bait at home, otherwise near the reservoir, especially when it is cold outside, it is not at all comfortable to cook it. Bait should also be stored in a special container so that it does not freeze.
• In winter, it is better to abandon various bite activators, such as flavors, and rely on natural smells.

Subtleties of winter fishing in open water

Fishing in winter on open water comes with a few things to be aware of. For example:

1. The fishing rod should be light and mobile, as it has to be held in hands for a long time.
2. To prevent the fishing line from getting tangled, the sinkers are placed in the following sequence: first the heaviest, and then lighter pellets come. Basically, shot type sinkers are used.
3. The wiring of the bait should be smooth, without jerks.
4. In winter, dress as warmly as possible.
5. When fishing from the shore, the length of the rod is selected depending on the fishing conditions.
6. Freezing of the coil and guide rings is possible in frost.

If there is no ice on the pond, and it is fed by some kind of warm source, then the same fish are caught on it in winter as in summer. For example:

• Pike.
• Perch.
• Roach.
• Carp.
• Bleak.
• Rudd.
• Carp.

Predatory fish such as pike are the most sought after trophy at any time of the year, including in winter.

Where to look for pike in winter

In the month of December, during the first two weeks, the pike is in its favorite places, which include:

• Various kinds of shelters, both natural and artificial origin.
• Places where smaller rivers flow into larger ones.
• Edges where slight changes in relief are observed.
• Bays and harbours.
• Thickets of aquatic vegetation, such as reeds or reeds.

Using baits in winter

With the onset of real cold weather, the pike moves to the depth. If there is ice on the pond, then the following gear will come in handy:

• Zherlitsy.
• Spinners for vertical lure.
• Balancers.
• Vibrotails.
• Jig lures.
• Live fishing.

Spinning fishing in winter, when it is cold outside and several layers of clothing are concentrated on the angler, is not just fishing, but a separate sport. If we take into account that there is also snow, then we can imagine how much effort the spinner spends to catch the coveted trophy. After all, the fisherman does not stand in one place, but moves over considerable distances. To spend a minimum of effort and energy, it is better to use a number of tips. These should include:

• To prevent ice buildup, it is better to use an anti-icing spray.
• Fishing from ice depends on the depth of fishing and the thickness of the ice: if the thickness of the ice is about 10 cm, then fish can be caught from a depth of about 6 meters, and with an ice thickness of 20 cm - from a depth of about 4 meters and with an ice thickness 25 cm fish are caught from a depth of half a meter.
• It is better to go fishing in stable weather conditions, without pressure drops.
• When fishing from ice, the first cast of the spinner should not be accompanied by sudden movements. When the lure reaches the bottom, only then can a sharp movement be made, after which the lure rises up to a certain height. When the bait reaches the bottom, a pause should be formed, lasting up to 5 seconds.
• If fishing is carried out in open water, then it is better to arm yourself with a rod up to 3 meters long with a fast action. Such a rod will help to carry out long and accurate casts, while the tackle will be quite sensitive. Spinners, twisters and foam rubber fish are suitable as baits. If the bite is sluggish, then it is better to catch on live bait.

Fishing for roach in open water in winter

Roach tend to be quite active, both in summer and winter. And yet, you should adhere to certain subtleties of catching this fish in winter. For example:

1. Roach in winter is caught mainly on bloodworms or maggots.
2. You can feed the fish with the same compositions as in summer, only without the addition of flavors, since odors do not spread as actively in cold water as in summer.
3. For fishing, you should choose days with stable weather and constant pressure. Better if it's a cloudy day.
4. It is advisable not to make unnecessary movements on the shore, since the water is more transparent in winter and the fish may notice movement on the shore.
5. Carrying out preparatory operations, you should not make much noise.
6. Conducting should be carried out in different layers of water, since the fish can be on any horizon.
7. If bites are observed, then this place should be fed additionally.
8. If there was a gathering of fish, then you need to immediately throw bait into the water. Thus, it is possible to resume biting again.