How To Catch Pike In Winter

2024 Author: Sebastian Paterson | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:47

Fishing Academy

I talked about summer pike fishing in the magazine. Now I want to share my experience on how to fish this predator in winter. In my opinion, winter fishing for a toothy hunter is much more interesting than in summer. Because in the cold season it is necessary to take into account not only the cold, but also the lethargy, inertia of many fish, including pike. All the more valuable is the toothy trophy obtained with such difficulties, which I wish all anglers to catch.

There is a strong opinion among anglers that pike prefers to stay in deep-water places in winter. And as evidence, the same argument is almost always given: they say, with a cold snap, most of the peaceful fish go deep into wintering pits. And after them predators, including pikes, also go there. However, many years of experience of experienced anglers proves that this is not entirely true. The toothy hunter often keeps at a depth of one meter, most often near thickets of aquatic plants or under the shore. That is why it happens that there is no bite at all in the pits, but in shallow water the pike takes. In short, you have to look for a pike. And the more holes are drilled, the more chances of success. It is not for nothing that among fans of ice fishing such a saying is widespread: "The angler's holes are fed."

Well, if the angler is familiar with the pond, then it is much easier for him to navigate where to look for pike. Whether to drill holes near a steep coast, move closer to the grass, go to a roll or a sand spit. An inexperienced angler, as a rule, looks for pike sites at random: he chooses a promising, in his opinion, place, drills several holes and waits for bites. If they are gone for a long time, he goes to look for a new suitable place. This can continue as long as he is lucky, but more often than not, such a fisherman is left with nothing. But a sophisticated pike hunter will not waste time groping or catching someone else's, presumably lucky holes. An experienced angler will be helped by observation and knowledge of the bottom topography of the reservoir. By external signs, he is able to determine where the toothy hunters are at this moment. If,for example, you can see the channel of a channel or even a small stream, then for ice fishing for pike, their mouth will be prey. Because small fish can descend along a stream or channel, which is the main food for pike. Such places should not be neglected even if the channel or stream has dried up in the summer.

But what about a fisherman if there is no channel, no stream, or other suitable landmark nearby? In such a situation, you should navigate along the coastline. Even if it is snowy. It is never perfectly flat. Even branches of bushes sticking out of the snow will help restore the summer bottom topography: where is the pit, a small promontory, a sandbank or a bay. In such places, small things can keep, and, therefore, pike. It is well known that this predator avoids places with a fast current and therefore, in search of prey, it examines quiet backwaters, gaps between grasses.

But even a thorough knowledge of the bottom relief of a particular reservoir does not always guarantee a successful search for a place where the pike is currently holding. The fact is that the bottom topography is constantly changing. Often, currents and winds driving the water wash out the shallows in one place, forming holes instead, and wash up shallows in another place. Depending on the relief, the habitats of small fish change. And in pursuit of potential prey, pike also moves. So it is often in vain that a fisherman waits for a predator in places that were successful in past fishing. No matter how much you catch such holes, you will not get luck.

But how can you determine whether the angler has drilled a hole in a fishing place or, conversely, in a fishless place? It is difficult to give comprehensive advice here. Perhaps the only thing that can be recommended: if there is a pike in a given place, then there is a high probability that it will manifest itself within half an hour. When there is no bite, there is nothing to do but try your luck in new holes. However, it is not enough to find a place for pike, you also have to seduce the predator with the appropriate bait: spoon, wobbler, devon, balancer. This is where the aphorism widely known in everyday life fits perfectly: "How many people, so many opinions." Some anglers, based on their own experience, prove that, for example, a spoon should accurately imitate a fish, right down to the fins, gill cover, eyes and even scales. Others believe that when a pike makes a throw,to grab a potential prey (that is, say, a spoon), she does not have time to really see it.

I don’t presume to judge whose arguments are more weighty, since I’m not a fishing expert. Probably, we can assume that to some extent the type of bait and its color affect the bite of the pike. But I think the game of bait is crucial when fishing for pike in winter. Because it has long been known: under the same conditions, a catchable spoon for one angler can become unlucky for another. Hence the conclusion: when fishing for pike, you need to know how the bait plays in a given place: both in shallow water and at depth. In addition, we must not forget that most fish are less mobile in winter than in summer. If one of the fishermen had bothered to even look into the hole sometimes, he could observe a most curious picture … One, two, three pikes gather near the bait, but do not take it.

If you want to provoke predators, try to quickly raise the tackle, and the fish will immediately move aside. Continuing the movement, make a few sharp swings - and the pikes will leave. Probably, this behavior of toothy hunters is caused by the unusually fast movement of the bait. Therefore, it is necessary to play with bait, taking into account the fact that in winter the pike attacks sedentary fish. For a light lure that plays well, sweeps should be less frequent than for a large and heavy lure, in which the vibrations quickly fade. It is advisable to use light spoons in shallow places, since they are blown away at depth, while it is better to fish with heavy spoons at a depth. When fishing with a trolley, wobbler, balancer, live bait, pike bites can be different. This is either blows on the bait, the feeling of a hook, or the fish makes throws to the side.

It can be quite successful winter pike fishing with all kinds of girders. The main difficulty in this case: where to get live bait for the bait? After all, in winter it is not so easy to catch any fish, let alone a suitable size - and even more so. You can, of course, bring live bait with you, but this is again additional trouble. Not every angler dares to do this. But if fortune gave you a wide smile - the pike is on the hook, do not rush to play it out too hard for joy. You cannot drag fish according to the principle: who will pull whom. Remember that the pike is a serious opponent and almost never gives up for nothing.

Therefore, do not give up slack, try to keep the fishing line taut, be prepared for sharp jerks, candles, various pirouettes and blow the line off in time. But in the excitement of the struggle, do not forget to constantly pull the pike to the hole. It is more convenient and reliable to remove it from the hole with a hook, which should always be at hand. It is clear that winter pike fishing is a daunting task. However, the obtained toothy trophy fully justifies both cold and moral troubles. But when going to catch pikes (as well as any fish), always remember the fishing wisdom: "Water gives its gifts to those who are patient." Good luck pike catchers!