Fishing for garfish with a bombard

Sea fishing is different from regular fishing. This is due to the peculiarities of climatic conditions, turbulent currents and the behavior of marine inhabitants. A general condition for effective fishing of any type is an individual approach to choosing the optimal time, gear, and bait for hunting a specific fish. Fishing for garfish in the Black Sea is one of the most popular and exciting activities for fishermen. It involves preliminary preparation of a unique equipment in accordance with a certain fishing method and tactics. The lack of necessary equipment will reduce the likelihood of successful fishing to zero. Despite some difficulties, garfish attract strong fishing interest, as well as the fishing process.

When and where to catch garfish

Although with varying results, garfish are caught all year round. In the first half of spring, fish, as a rule, approach the shore to spawn, and later actively feed. In summer, at high temperatures, it can sometimes migrate to the open sea. Between August and November, schools of garfish again enter the coastal zone, and it is during this period of time that fishing for this predator in the Black Sea becomes most productive.

At the end of summer and autumn, the garfish can move closer to the shore, as larger predators hunt the garfish. Naturally, the garfish itself actively feeds on small fish.

It is best to hunt garfish in the morning or evening.

Schools of fish can stand both in shallow areas with a rocky bottom and an abundance of algae (4-5 m), and further from the shore in the water column at a depth of 20-30 m. However, even at a decent distance from the shore in the upper water horizon, it is sometimes possible spot a hunting garfish.

Best time to catch

Sargan lives in the upper water layers, often plays on the surface, not favoring the bottom lifestyle. It is extremely difficult to see it during the day: like any predator, it is nocturnal.

Spawning occurs in the spring - at this time catching is prohibited everywhere.

But the autumn months are optimal for “hunting”. Along with the subsiding summer heat and lowering water temperatures, small fish rush to warm bays. The predator follows her. During this period, schools often approach the shore, and therefore you can even fish from piers and capes. Fishing is considered successful until deep winter. It is only important to remember that at this time the predator is trying to go deeper. Therefore, it is better to fish by water transport.

Garfish on the fish counter

The use of a bombard in catching garfish is relevant for the reason that this unique float allows you to cast light bait over long distances.

Floating bombards are used more often, and slow-sinking specimens are used much less often. To cast a rig with a bombard, you will need a spinning rod 3-4 m long and 10-40 g of dough, equipped with a reliable spinning reel.

The fishing line is used both monofilament (0.3 mm) and braided (0.15-0.2 mm). The diameter of the leader line is less than the thickness of the main line. A two-meter leash is attached to the latter using a swivel.

Hooks should not be too large and very sharp, No. 6-7.

Sargan (garfish) - description of how to catch and what to use

The wave-like bending of the garfish's body allows it to move dynamically across the expanses of water. At the sight of prey, this brave fish is able to jump out of the water with lightning speed and overtake the victim, and when frightened, it will jump over any obstacle...

Why should a fisherman be wary of this gambling predator? You will soon find out how to curb it when fishing and lure it deliciously...

1. General description of garfish

The garfish family is represented by 9 genera, numbering more than 25 species. Sargan is one of the marine inhabitants that has an interesting body structure. The arrow-shaped elongated body is covered with small silvery scales. Has elongated jaws. The back has a greenish tint.

The garfish predator has small and sharp teeth, allowing it to grab small fish when moving. Biliverdin (a green bile pigment) present in the skeleton tints them to a green tint.

Distribution and habitats

The geography of distribution of gar fish is very wide. Lives in African waters, Iceland and Norway. Also found in the North, Baltic, Azov, Black and Mediterranean seas. The Far Eastern, common garfish inhabits the waters of Russia, and the Atlantic inhabits the Mediterranean.

Age and size

Life expectancy is up to 7 years. According to Wikipedia, the maximum length is up to 93 cm.

Israeli record

But, in November 2021, an Israeli amateur fisherman named Vyacheslav denied this information. The trophy, 107 cm long and weighing 1635 grams, was caught at approximately 9 a.m. on the rocks of the Sironit beach in Netanya. A huge garfish was tempted by live bait from sardines. And here is a photo report about this beauty.

Record holder Vyacheslav with his catch Trophy Garfish Record size Record weight

However, this is really a record, and the most common individuals are those reaching 70 - 75 cm and weighing up to 1.3 kg.

There is another exception, for example, in the tropics there lives a giant representative of the garfish - the crocodile, up to 180 cm in size.

Crocodile garfish.

Life expectancy is no more than 13 years. Mostly there are individuals from 5 to 9 years old.

Lifestyle

Predator, stays in groups. Pelagic fish, that is, they live in the water surface. Found in waters of varying degrees of salinity, it can swim into fresh water bodies.

4.1 Reproduction - time and characteristics of spawning

The fish reaches sexual maturity in 1 year at the age of 4–5 years. The spawning period lasts from May to August. Fish spawn near the shore. The eggs have adhesive threads that attach to marine vegetation. A favorable temperature for egg ripening is considered to be above 10 degrees.

Sargan is capable of producing on average up to 15 thousand eggs, larger representatives - up to 50 thousand. The larvae swim in coastal areas on the surface of the water. The difference from adults is the structure of the jaws - shorter. During the first year of life, they acquire the elongated structure usual for large fish.

4.2 Diet – what does garfish eat?

Small fish are the main food of garfish. Also eats crustaceans and insects.

How, where, when and what to fish for garfish

Usually the garfish is located far from the shore. Approaches to capture prey or spawn. The insatiable garfish will always be nearby near a school of small fish that gathers along rocky shores, bays and reefs.

5.1 Biting calendar – what time of year and day does the garfish bite best?

As the temperature of the water increases, garfish go to the sea, where they can be hunted from sea transport.

In cold weather the fish bite throughout the day. Favorable times for fishing in shallow coastal areas are dark and early morning.

5.2 What weather is the best time to bite?

It bites well in the autumn and until mid-spring, especially with wind, waves of 1 m and turbidity of the water. The water temperature should be less than 10 degrees. Under such conditions, the garfish approaches the shore for food, near which small fish swim.

5.3 What are the best places to catch garfish?

The best fishing distance is considered to be from 40 to 100 m. Coastline, bays, coral reefs and bays. During the low tide period, the garfish hides in drained places, burrowing into the mud up to a meter deep. Fishing on sea spits will allow you to move away from the shore.

A promising location will also be the surf zone, which extends many meters into the sea. Fishing from the rocks can allow you to successfully catch garfish, as they are fearless in such places.

For a fisherman, ports will seem like an interesting place to fish. Here there are various structures separating shallow and deep places, and the bottoms of the boats are covered with algal vegetation and attract small fish, which are hunted by garfish.

Good places can be those with a quiet current. Also, attention should be paid to areas where the slow current borders on the fast one; here the water is enriched with oxygen and attracts small fish, which are food for most predators, including garfish.

5.4 What gear to use for catching garfish

When fishing for garfish, preference is almost always given to gear for long casting.

Option 1 “For spinners” Spinning rod with a length of at least 3 m:

high-speed inertia-free reel (with a gear ratio of more than five to one);
oscillating, narrow, heavy lures of bright color - size from 7 to 9 cm and weighing from 16 to 26 g (for example, Kingtrout, Filur, Trumf);
tie the spoon through a carabiner with a rotating swivel (without jamming), to avoid twisting of the fishing line;
monofilament fishing line – 0.2 mm (promotes long flight of the spinner) or braided cord;
The tee on the spoon is attached using 3 - 5 rings or put a metal chain up to 5 cm in length. Lengthening and making the tee freely rotating in order to wrap around the “beak” of the fish and hook onto the hook.

Don’t know anything about the numbering of fishing swivels and carabiners? Then read this article - here

Here you can find the most inexpensive but reliable swivels and carabiners from Aliexpress at the most tempting price! - Here

Who doesn't know yet? You can return up to 15% of the price of your purchase on aliexpress. In addition to Aliexpress, the possibility of cashback (returning part of the money) also works for many other online stores.

Here is a detailed description of this service and everything about how to work with it. It really works and helps you save a lot of money.

The cashbacker website often runs promotions that allow you to buy goods at a discount of up to 90%.

Option 2 “Float” Spinning up to 4 m:

How to choose a fishing hook - practical recommendations here

Option 3 “Fly fishing without using a hook”

a small cork ball (about the size of a pea) is attached to the tip of the fishing line;
A tassel is made, and knots of colored silk threads up to 15 cm long are knitted at the end.

The pieces are folded in half, loops are made and placed on a fishing line over the cork, everything is straightened out and secured with thread. When the garfish grabs the bait, such knots will get caught in its teeth, and it will not be able to untangle itself.

For fly fishing enthusiasts and fans of ultralight gear, we present an article about a very useful piece of equipment - a fly fishing fastener. Here you will find its description, purpose and conditions of use, get acquainted with the shapes of the fastener and explore options for making it at home, and photos and videos will help you with this - read here

Advice:

fishing time - early morning;
long cast;
drive quickly through the water;
bringing it to the shore, sharply pull it out of the water with a fishing rod;

Option 4 “Fishing with a petal and a hook” Two-handed spinning rod:

spinning reel;
fishing line 0.25 mm thick;
a sinker weighing 10–15 g is attached to one end, and a factory ring with a carbine and swivel is attached to the other;
at a distance of 10 - 15 cm from the ring, a leash 3 - 4 cm long with a diameter of 0.2 mm with a small tee is attached;
after 10 cm, a leash with a white spoon petal is attached;
then the leash and tee are knitted again.

Read all about how to correctly and securely tie a fishing swivel to various types of fishing lines, elastic bands and other fishing accessories - here

Advice:

wiring is done on the surface of the water;
You can also use yellow petals.

Option 5 “Christmas tree fishing”

on leashes - 4 or 5 cm, attach 2 - 3 oscillating spoons or jigs with 2 hooks;
silver tee.

Advice:

bait no more than 3 cm;
leashes at a distance of 20 – 25 cm
trailing narrow spoon – 100 – 110 cm
use silver metallic spinners

Option 6 “Fishing with long casting” Carbon fiber tackle up to 8 m long:

inertia-free or multiplier reel;
fishing line with a diameter of 0.18 mm;
a large elongated float with a long antenna;
a sinker (olive) with built-in foam is attached to the float itself;
weight - a pellet is attached at the end of the fishing line, to which a leash (0.15 mm in diameter), 25 - 30 cm long, is tied (loop to loop);
hook No. 4 – 6 (long shank).

Read about how to choose the right baitcasting reel for spinning fishing - here

Advice:

the float is released to a depth of 1 - 1.5 m;
you can use a float with a mounted sinker;
It is possible to tie a float to the end of the fishing line and a leash at a distance of 1 m from it.

Option 8 “Fishing with a bombard” Spinning up to 4 m and 10 – 40 g dough:

Advice:

have bombards of different weights, depending on the weather and conditions;
use a thin cord with a diameter of 0.1 mm;
first you need to assemble the tackle without a leash, only with a bombard;
you need to wet the line, for this you cast without bait;
when using a fishing line, do the hooking slowly with a large amplitude;
When using a cord, hooking is done only with the hand.

Read the section about existing fishing techniques: types, features, videos and execution schemes - here

Famous video about how to catch garfish - part 1

Part 2

5.5 Baits for catching garfish

At the moment there is no information about bait for garfish. I would be grateful for any information on this issue.

5.6 What baits and baits do garfish bite on?

Animal nozzles

How to properly and securely attach a worm to a hook - read here

Plant attachments

Artificial baits Spinner baits:

fluctuating (size 2, 3, weight 10 - 20 g, color on a sunny day - silver, on a cloudy day - dark lead;
with a holographic pattern (long and weighing up to 25 g);
oscillating re-equipped (with 2 large and connecting rings);
with a silk brush.

Wobblers:

Other:

Everything you didn’t know about silicone baits: their types, features and secrets - here

Advice:

Cut chicken meat with film into strips (4 cm), the film will betray its strength when thrown;
Also cut pieces of fish (sardines) with skin;
shrimp meat is less durable;
To preserve Nereis, pour vodka into a jar of worms, close the lid and place in the refrigerator. Store for unlimited time.

5.7 How a garfish bites

Strong fish, loves to fight. The bite is confident: it sinks the float, swallows the bait and abruptly drags it into the water. Do not rush to hook so that the hook does not slip off. However, with active fishing, you need to hook quickly. Once hooked, it begins to pull. When fishing, there is a struggle on the surface of the water. Once ashore, it aggressively resists.

5.8 How to catch garfish correctly? – Basic techniques

when the bite is sluggish, the hook is made with a pause of a few seconds, preventing the spoon from sinking to the bottom.
in shallow water, long-distance casting and wading are used (fishing by entering the water);
Fishing on a rocky area is dangerous, as the stones have a slippery surface. To do this, it is better to fish from the water. The fish tank is attached to the belt;
To ensure that the landing net does not interfere during the process, you should hold it behind your back.
When fishing along a sandy bottom, a fish tank is not needed. Such a bank allows you to calmly grab the fish with your hand and remove it from the hook;
make fan casts, starting along the coastline, then a semicircle in places where fish accumulate;
the retrieve speed is fast, allowing the spoon to jump out of the water;
if a predator breaks, do not stop wiring, as garfish may follow it;
If there is no bite, change the spinner to a different color.

5.9 The most important points when fishing for garfish

choose equipment depending on weather conditions, behavior of water and wind;
observe safety precautions while fishing;
have equipment, clothing and polarized glasses appropriate for the weather and fishing location.

Interesting, unusual, funny facts about this fish

An interesting way of swimming is through wave-like bends of the body. Jumps out of the water sharply. Swims at high speed.

In pursuit of prey or danger (fear), it is capable of jumping over an obstacle standing in the way. Large specimens can cause damage to fishermen on boats at such a moment.

The greenish tint to the bones is caused by the presence of biliverdin (a green bile pigment) in the body, which has a scary effect on some gourmets. The fish is safe to eat.

Interesting videos about garfish

in English, but everything is clear. You will learn how to catch garfish with a bombard, how to properly string mackerel bait, what hooks to use and enjoy the spectacular moments of fishing for garfish

Gastronomy

The fish is mainly caught for local consumption in fresh condition. Consumed fried or baked. They say that gar fish soup is something special.

The most useful links about fish

https://ru.wikipedia.org/ - general description of gar fish on Wikipedia;

https://masterok.livejournal.com/3029616.html - a large article about different types of garfish with many beautiful photographs;

https://fishinginrus.ru/stati/na-rybalku/lovlya-khishchnoy-ryby/chto-po-usu-sarganu?SHOWALL_1=1 - a useful article about fishing for garfish, what gear to use and how to catch it correctly, with illustrations.

Source: https://isradag.ru/vidi-ryb-izrailya/sargan-garfish-opisanie-kak-lovit-i-na-chto.html

Fishing for garfish with a tyrant

If you have a boat at your disposal, good results can be achieved by fishing with a rather unusual but popular sea tackle - the tyrant. As you know, when catching some sea fish, tyrant hooks are often left bare, that is, no bait or bait is used.

In the case of tyrant fishing for garfish, the situation is even more interesting: sometimes fishermen do not even use hooks, but instead hook bundles of thread or pieces of bast, in which the garfish’s teeth easily get stuck.

Bait for garfish

Since the majority of fish are average in size, the bait is selected in accordance with these parameters. They use fry, maggots, shrimp, mussels and just small pieces of meat or fish. It is important that the contents of the hook are oblong in shape, reminiscent of natural prey. It’s a good idea to leave the skin on it - for fidelity and greater naturalness.

Garfish also react quite well to artificial baits - silicone worms, wobblers, small spoons. They, like natural ones, must be thrown as far as possible. For gravity, professionals use a bombard.

Fishing for garfish with a spoon

Catching garfish from the shore with small lures is very interesting, although the result does not always satisfy the fisherman’s desires for a catch. The main problem with shore fishing with spoons is the casting range. As a rule, casting over impressive distances is required, but with light equipment and small baits this is quite difficult to do.

As for the selection of gear itself, small spinners (jigs) and thin fishing line with a diameter of 0.2-0.3 mm are used. Sometimes the tee is attached to the spoon itself using a short leash (4-5 cm), so that the garfish grabs the hook deeply with its long jaws.

Fishing technique and tactics

The casting distance of gear for catching garfish is affected by the friction of the cord in the rings; in order to minimize it, it is recommended to wet these elements. The farther you can cast the bait, the better. It needs to be done evenly and not very quickly. The predator attacks the bait quickly, so the bite is difficult to miss. When using a float tackle, hook the hook immediately after the float goes under the water.

Landing the fish must be done very quickly; as soon as you feel the pull, you must immediately hook it. The predator puts up active resistance. However, more often than not, it swallows the bait so deeply that the fish’s efforts to escape are more likely to entertain the angler.

This tactic is suitable for fishing with jigs and spoons. Fishing for garfish with a spoon sometimes produces large catches of quite large individuals. Although this type of equipment is less popular than organic bait.

This is interesting: What does kunja fish look like?

Fly fishing for garfish with a brush

Another original way of catching garfish that does not involve the use of hooks. Creating a tackle begins with attaching a cork ball, slightly larger than a pea, to the end of the fishing line. Then you need to make a tassel from multi-colored silk threads and secure it to the cork. Small knots are made at the ends of all threads, which the garfish should eventually cling to with its teeth.

When the tackle is ready, you can try it out in practice as follows: make a long cast, then quickly move the bait along the water surface and sharply pull the brush upward. Such actions are repeated until the predator grabs the bait.

Baits and lures for garfish

Depending on the fishing method, various baits of animal origin and artificial bait are used. Garfish bite well on the meat of mussels, crayfish and crabs, although, by and large, almost any meat is suitable, including chicken. As for artificial baits, it is worth remembering the same spinner spoons, as well as the previously mentioned silk tassels and skeins of thread.

Garfish bites are clearly visible when using any gear, as the fish likes to make strong sudden movements after swallowing the bait. While fishing for garfish, any difficulties are also unlikely to befall you.