Winter Carp

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

There are many misconceptions among fishermen, and one of the most persistent of them is that crucian carp with the onset of cold weather supposedly burrow into silt. This statement is found in many publications, both fishing and art. For example, in his lyrical story “The Year of the Fisherman,” the famous comedian M. Semyonov wrote: “In general, we still need to see if we can consider the crucian carp as a fish, since at least six months - from November to May - it spends not in a reservoir, but in silt where it buries itself with the agility of a mole. I testify that this is not the case. And that's why…

Behind the outskirts of the small Siberian village where my youth passed, there was a small, shallow, muddy, abundantly overgrown lake. When it did not freeze to the bottom, then during the thaw it was possible to catch mini-carp in it. However, when the lake was completely frozen, then what kind of fishing there is! It seemed that nothing alive could survive in him. But this is not the case. As soon as the ice shell melted under the life-giving rays of the spring sun and the water warmed up, the lake was magically transformed. On the edges of the grassy thickets, fish dances began: it was the revived crucian carp having fun. They began to prepare for the upcoming spawning. During spawning, the crucian did not bite (apparently, the family affairs were "stuck"). Only after two or three weeks the active biting was resumed. And so it was repeated from year to year.

In addition, many years later, while preparing material for the article "Where do crayfish winter?", I repeatedly dived under the ice wearing a mask and snorkel and saw crucian carp several times. Yes, in winter they are inactive, they stand in large flocks in deep holes. And as long as there is water, they don't burrow anywhere. Looking at this truly crucian Eldorado, you involuntarily torment yourself with the thought inherent, probably, to every fisherman: how to catch a crucian carp with a fishing rod ?

I believe that they burrow into silt in exceptional cases, when the reservoir freezes to the bottom. In other words, when they have no other choice. And this is not only my personal opinion. It is confirmed by numerous observations, and most importantly - the successful catching of carp in winter by other anglers. But in order to interest the crucians in these pits, I think it is necessary to deliver them the bait in the literal sense "under the nose." Then surely bite is provided to you. That's how it is, but how can you find these holes? At least one … Because, according to experienced fishermen, crucian carp winter in the same places from year to year. So, if you are lucky enough to find a parking lot for pusan carp, then catch them at least all winter! Moreover, it has been established that it is in winter that the largest specimens of crucians come across, which fishermen respectfully call bast shoes and sirloins. And the warmer the winter,the more successful the carp fishing can be. True, it must be admitted that when it comes to catching crucian carp in the cold season, even experienced crucian carps treat it with undisguised skepticism. And there is no need to talk about ordinary amateur fishermen. And yet in many places crucian carp is caught in winter. In order not to be unfounded, I will give an example from my own practice …

Several years ago I had a chance, together with an instructor, to accompany a group of skiers-tourists on a route through Karelia. Anyone who has been to Karelia knows that this republic has a myriad of large and small nameless lakes. Such peaty, swampy lakes (locally - lambas, lambushi) met on our way. At some sites near such lakes, the instructor and I offered to those wishing to fish. For most tourists, winter fishing was, of course, a kind of exotic. To everyone who responded, we chose places suitable for fishing, and helped to drill holes in almost a meter-long ice. They caught on the simplest, I would even say, primitive winter tackle, using a bloodworm to attach both to the hook of the fishing rod and to the hook of the jig.

Much to the surprise of many fishermen, along with the usual fish: roach and perches, golden crucians often came across. Since crucian carp did not bite in all the lakes where we fished, readers may argue that such fishing is not typical, accidental. And still…

As an objection, I will refer to the well-known expert in fishing S. T. in the Kostroma province: they were all of extraordinary size, or, better to say, thickness, because carp of two quarters with a small (about 36 centimeters) length begin to grow only in thickness; one of the inhabitants of the Chukhloma waters weighed nine pounds (pound 409 grams). Presumably (judging by the description), the crucians were caught in the winter: they didn’t dig them out of the silt ?!

With a high degree of probability, it can be argued that good biting of crucian carp is almost always at the places where the springs flow into the lake. This is the opinion of the majority of crucian carp. This is due to the fact that the temperature of the water in the springs is the same both in summer and in winter, and therefore the crucian carp that lives in spring water is equally active at any time of the year. But the whole problem is, again, how to find the places where these springs are. From my own experience, I was more than once convinced that local residents know where the springs are, but they will never share their knowledge with strangers. And no promises and treats will help.

How and what to catch winter crucian carp.