Donka for pike perch: equipment, fishing in the current with live bait

Pike perch, as one of the representatives of the predatory category of fish, attracts the attention of fishermen with its high activity and excitement.

But under conditions of weather changes, wind direction or pressure changes, its behavior sharply changes to passive, it stops responding to spoons, wobblers, jigs - baits. In such situations, a retractable leash for pike perch is the best option for attracting attention.

To provoke a predator to attack the bait, you should become more familiar with the intricacies of using this spinning equipment.

Tackle for pike perch with a retractable leash

To obtain the desired result, you need not only to know how to properly make a diverter leash, but also to choose the right gear.

This fishing method is characterized by the availability and ease of selection of gear components, which can be purchased at any retail outlet specializing in the sale of fishing accessories.

Rod and reel for catching pike perch on a retractable leash

Catching a predator using a retractable leash is carried out using a tool with the following parameters:

fast or very fast formation;
length corresponding to fishing conditions (2.4 m for catching fanged from a watercraft, over 2.4 m - from the shore);
made from polymer composite materials;
the test load must support the weight of the sinker and bait);
with good sending power for long-distance casting;
with a high degree of power for fishing in the current and landing trophy specimens.

When using a spinning rod with a fast action, it is possible to exercise maximum control over the movement of the bait. Most fishing tools designed for hunting silicone products have a fast action.

Another advantage of a fast action is the provision of a guaranteed hook, since, unlike a perch, a fanged predator has much stronger lips, and it is not always possible to break through them.

As for the length of the tool, for fishing from the coastal zone, you need to choose rods taking into account comfortable casting at a specific distance.

The optimal length of the “rod” is 2.70 m; for fishing over long distances, it is recommended to choose rods from 3.6 m. But for fishing from a watercraft, on the contrary, short tools are more suitable.

By purchasing carbon fiber poles, the angler receives a highly sensitive tool with low weight, which increases the level of comfort of this event.

The test load of the spinning rod is calculated based on the characteristics of the specific reservoir where fishing will take place. A universal option is a rod with a dough in the range of 10-35 g.

For hunting in deep, large water areas with serious depths and currents, you should choose tools with an upper test limit of 45-50 g.

To catch pike perch using a Moscow rig, also called a diverting leash, a power reel with impressive traction qualities and a spool with a large forest capacity, size 3000-4000, are installed.

Most often, anglers give preference to inertia-free fishing gear, but you can also use multiplier models that are characterized by increased reliability and power. They are quite effective for night hunting due to their high tactile sensitivity.

Multiplier reels work well with loads over 40 g. But their cost is quite high and experience is required during operation.

Leads, hooks and sinkers for making equipment

To increase the sensitivity of the tackle and better control the bait, it is necessary to use a braided cord as the main thread. Its thickness will depend on the size of the potential prey; in most cases, a fishing line with a cross-section of 0.16-0.2 mm is chosen.

Monofilament is used to make a leash for pike perch. If there is a high probability of catching pike, then for greater reliability use a metal leash. The thickness of the monofilament line is taken taking into account the lower breaking load in relation to the main thread.

If trophy individuals live in a particular reservoir, then the diameter of the leash should not be less than 0.2 mm.

The use of offset hooks increases the chances of catching a fanged one, since they are characterized by a sufficient degree of non-snag when fishing with silicone. Their size depends on the type of nozzle.

Particular attention should be paid to the sting, it must be very sharp, the wire material must be strong, in order to be sure to pick up prey.

The weight of the load is selected based on the conditions of hunting a predator. If fishing is carried out on rivers with low currents and at shallow depths, then a weight of 20 grams is quite sufficient. To catch in strong currents and in deep holes (4-5 m), the tackle is equipped with a heavy load weighing 40-50 grams.

The shape of the sinker can be either pear-shaped or olive-shaped.

Choosing a place to catch pike perch

Choosing a place to catch pike perch with live bait from the shore using a predator rig is extremely important. Fishing for pike perch is best done in the river bed near a steep bank with a maximum depth of up to 20 m, if we talk about fishing before the beginning of the second ten days of June.

In the remaining two summer months, it is better to fish from the meadow side of the river bed. Every effort must be made to stand as close to the ship's passage as possible. But in no case should the passage of river transport be obstructed, and the requirement to be no closer than 100 m from the fairway must be observed.

Retractable leash for pike perch - installation

There are two diverter leash designs.

The first method involves the following algorithm of actions:

A weight is tied to the end of the main thread.
The meter leash is equipped with a hook.
At the other end of the lead leash, make a double loop.
Fix the leash to the main thread 30 cm from the location of the weight.
Mount the swivel to the main thread and the outlet leash.

The second method involves performing actions in the following sequence:

The double-leaf swivel is mounted to the main thread.
from a monofilament thread 80 cm long, where a weight is attached to the first, and a hook with bait is attached to the second.
Make a bunch of two free hooks using a loop-to-loop knot.
Attach the swivel.

To increase the reliability of a bunch of leashes, two variants of nodes are used:

Slip knot , where the main thread is first folded in half, then the resulting loop is pulled through the hole in the swivel along with the release lead. Then a leash equipped with a weight is inserted into the loop of the main thread. The loop is pulled through the swivel and tightened well.
Quick knot . It is made from a fishing line 15 cm long. It is pulled into the eye of the hook, then one of the ends of the thread is passed into it again and the resulting ring of thread is wrapped 6 times around the hook. Before tightening the line, it is pre-wetted. The excess thread is cut off.

Wobbler on a retractable leash for pike perch

The use of wobblers to catch fanged predators is especially popular among outdoor enthusiasts. Pike perch can live in different waters, flocking in schools to search for prey. The predator hunts for fry and bleak.

Since the school chases its prey closer to the surface of the water, this allows the angler to make maximum use of all the performance characteristics of the wobbler to obtain a large catch.

You should not use large models; when catching a fanged fish, a sinking type of wobblers similar to a fry will be the most effective option. In the fall, it is more effective to use products with zero buoyancy (suspenders) that work in the water column.

The maximum activity of pike perch is especially observed at this time at night.

Among the popular models are:

Hornet by Salmo. This is a convenient wobbler option for night hunting; it is suitable for fishing in any water.
L-minnow 44. Traditional type of wobbler for night hunting.
Hils Master Haka. The product is highly effective when catching fanged fish at a depth of 5 m.
Duel Hardcore Shad SH 50 SP. The wobbler works great for small-sized prey.

Where to use a retractable leash?

To catch a fanged predator on a retractable leash, there is no need to search for any special places. Hunting is carried out in fishing spots with a hard bottom and changes in depth, the water should be fairly clean and the current should be moderate.

It is recommended to catch him at:

spits and shallows up to 2-3 m, as well as dumps of the same depth;
exits from pits and riverbed edges;
in snarled places;
near the supports of hydraulic structures and flooded dams;
at exits from river beds at shallow depths;
“tables” located at a depth of up to 4 m;
in river turning areas with steep banks;
in areas of reverse and divergent flow;
shaded banks and reaches;
ridges and hills surrounded by great depths.

At night, the predator can be caught on coastal reaches and shallows 1-2 m deep, where it chases fry. It is the noisy chases that are a sure sign of his presence on the pond.

Catching pike perch on a retractable leash

In order for fishing to have the highest possible results, you need to know all the intricacies of the process - the technique of fishing with a retractable leash.

Wiring a diverter leash for pike perch

Unlike the toothy predator pike, the hunting habits of pike perch are somewhat different. The fanged one cannot chase the victim for too long, but captures it aggressively - in jerks. If the attack was unsuccessful, then it is unlikely that he will continue to catch up with her.

Most likely, he will choose the best moment or find another victim. Therefore, in such a situation, it is more advisable to re-cast the gear. These features of predator behavior should always be taken into account when choosing the type of wiring.

One of the highly effective ways of catching pike perch using a Moscow rig is step retrieval, which involves tapping the bottom using a sinker and controlling the movement of the bait with the end of a fishing tool.

After the equipment touches the bottom and the tension of the line weakens, reel it in. The speed of the reel does not play a special role here; it is important to regularly pause and stop during the wiring process.

The duration of the pause is short, two seconds is enough, and the fading should alternate with 3-4 turns of the coil.

Important! During the fishing process, the angler must constantly monitor the tension of the fishing thread in order to instantly react to a bite from a predator.

The hook is made at the first bite; it should be sharp and confident, given the rigidity of the predator’s jaw. Weak and slow hooking is a common cause of prey loss. If the gear is cast from the coastal zone, then it should be as far as possible.

In the summer, effective fishing is hunting from a boat. With this method of fishing there is no need to make long casts, and the tension of the line is much easier to control.

Features of fishing

To obtain not only a qualitative, but also a quantitative catch, the spinner will have to put in a lot of effort and dexterity, and he also needs to have a very fast reaction. Guaranteed success in catching pike perch is a sharp and immediate hook.

Considering the cunning of the predator and its motherhood, it is necessary to constantly control the tension of the fishing thread without making unnecessary movements. If the fanged one suspects danger, it will immediately begin to go into the thickets, snags.

Only after you noticeably feel that the fish can no longer resist, you need to bring the catch into the landing net with confident and quick movements. Alternatively, you can simply hook it under the gills with a hook.

Catching pike perch on a retractable leash - bait

The list of catchable baits for fanged predators includes:

Twisters. Their size is up to 3 cm, combined with offset hooks No. 7-9. The color of the bait depends on the specific fishing conditions. Thus, in muddy water, baits of bright colors - red, yellow - are suitable. In a reservoir with clean water and on sunny days, it is better to use light options.
Vibrating tails. The baits are distinguished by smooth play when retrieving, which is what lures the predator.
Spoons. To catch pike perch, choose spinners with light weight.
Wobblers. Medium-sized models are the most relevant solution for attracting pike perch.
Silicone products imitating crayfish, worms, frogs, and other river inhabitants.

Retractable leash for pike perch in the current

The best option when catching a fanged predator on a current (for example, on the Neva or Volga) is a sliding type of installation of a diverter leash. It is this approach that allows you to avoid twisting of the equipment elements.

The fishing area is chosen taking into account the strength of the current:

When the water flow is weak, the Moscow rig is cast a little upstream, slowly reeling it in and making light twitches with the rod.
In strong currents, the tackle with a diverting leash is thrown at an angle of 45-50 degrees downstream. In the process of twitching the rod, you need to control the load and not allow it to move with the flow. It should not roll or drag along the bottom of the reservoir. Otherwise, the scaffolding will constantly twist and even swivels will not be able to save the situation. Based on this, it is not recommended to cast the bait too intensively perpendicular to the strong flow of water.

Pike perch on a leash from the shore

For coastal fishing for predators, the basic technique of fishing with a Moscow rig is most often used. It consists of constantly dragging a load along the bottom of a reservoir. Here it is important to choose the correct loading weight and the speed of reeling in the scaffolding.

Slow, monotonous wiring allows you to attract the attention of even the most lethargic robber and provoke him to attack.

If the pike perch has a weak response to evenly moving the bait, you need to add either periodic short pauses or a jerky presentation.

If fishing is carried out across the stream, then it is advisable to perform animation with broaches, produced using a fishing tool.

It happens that a fanged predator does not react to the bait or “butts” it; it is worth stopping and holding the Moscow rig in a given place and playing along with the tip of the tool. This technique will arouse the predator’s interest in the proposed bait.

Catching pike perch with a lead from a boat

To more effectively catch point shelters for pike perch from a watercraft, it is necessary to install it upstream. Cast the bait downwards. Only in this way can the fisherman manage to perform a high-quality retrieve, placing the Moscow rig close to the promising fishing spot.

To encourage a fanged predator to take the bait, you need to constantly experiment, using smooth pulls, twitching the tip of the tool, making short and long steps. The bait should be cast both at a slow pace and at a fast pace.

Dragging a sinker along the bottom is good in those areas of the reservoir where there are a large number of aquatic inhabitants, but they are quite passive. With this method of fishing, the bait is cast along the entire bottom, entering grooves, holes and other places that are attractive to a predator, washed out by water.

But where the pike perch population is small and it is active, it is effective to use an aggressive type of wiring, which will quickly awaken its interest in the bait. During all fishing, you need to use both slow dragging along the bottom and fast movement.

In order not to miss the chance to catch the coveted trophy, it is worth making a hook every time the line is pulled, when there is a suspicious push or after a short stop. After all, the fish may already be on the hook and not show itself in any way.

Catching pike perch with a donkey at different times of the year

Throughout the year, the activity of the predator changes noticeably, so each season requires a special approach to the “fanged one.” Undoubtedly, pike perch is primarily a nocturnal predator, but it can also go out to feed during the daytime, depending on weather conditions, temperature, pressure and seasonal characteristics.

The pike perch bite resembles a regular roach. Small twitches and movement of the rod tip indicate that the predator is interested in the bait. You should only hook with a good pull, otherwise you may miss the prey.

Spring

The pre-spawning feast does not last long, and when the water temperature reaches 11-12 °C, the bite subsides, and the individuals go to shallow water, where spawning occurs. Fishing is prohibited at this time.

In spring, the predator does not disdain large bait, such as roach or rudd. Pike perch has a narrow mouth, so live bait is selected according to this parameter. Live bait performs much better in terms of the number of bites than dead or artificial bait. At this time, you need to look for the “fanged one” at depths of 3 meters. In early spring, anglers note fish activity throughout the day, but closer to summer it becomes periodic: a couple of hours in the morning and evening, before sunset.

Summer

With the first real warmth and the temperature reaching 25-30°C, the fish move to deeper places. Sunny days bring weak results, unlike cloudy days.

Promising points to search for the “fanged”:

channel edges,
dumps from shallow water to depth,
elevations on pits (so-called tables),
sharp turns of rivers and places under steep banks.

Experienced fishermen have noticed that pike perch is often found in places where “white” fish accumulate. This proximity gives the predator the opportunity to have constant access to food. The use of bottom tackle in summer increases the choice of bait. Moreover, since in the heat the predator actively feeds at night, live bait is replaced with ordinary cut fish; it also readily falls for pieces of meat, mussels or a bunch of worms. The presence of modern equipment in the form of a motor boat and an echo sounder increases the chances of success, although an experienced fisherman will find a promising point from the shore.

Typical sites for pike perch. Depths of 5m or more with submerged logs, snags and other shelters serve as an ambush for the “fanged” one. A school of roach or small bream passing by is attacked by striped robbers.

Autumn

The onset of cold weather awakens the predator's appetite. Unlike the summer season, the autumn peak of activity occurs during the day, and at night the fish can even “close its mouth.” The best bait is considered to be a gudgeon, which is hooked under the dorsal fin. Pike perch are more willing to hunt small live bait, although autumn specimens can reach trophy weight. On average, fishermen come across specimens weighing up to one and a half kilograms, but autumn is the time for trophies, and often a “fanged” one weighing 3 kg or more sits on the hook.

Donks should be placed in deep-sea areas of the water area. If there is snag on the bottom in such places, this increases the chances of localizing a school of pike perch. In moderate currents, fish behave more actively than in stagnant bodies of water, so before fishing you should pay attention to the rivers.

Slopes and channel edges are the main stopping points for the predator flock. In deep autumn, it does not come aground to feed, so it is necessary to explore the channel.

Winter

The first ice is the best time for fishing. This also applies to active trolling and winter donka, which is called “zherlitsa”. The placement of gear occurs along promising points: dumps, riverbeds, edges and other bottom irregularities. You shouldn’t expect a bite on one hole for the entire fishing trip. The best winter tactic is to search for fish, since this way the predator can be found much faster.

Typical bite from the head of the bait. When there is good activity, the predator does not choose the place of attack; high competition among its fellows awakens the excitement of being the first to eat the bait.

Dead fish are also used in winter, but the main bait is live bait. The bait is placed on the bottom or remains in the bottom layer, since pike perch prefers to lie in wait for its prey there. The bite during the freeze-up period is sporadic. It can start early in the morning or at noon, and the girders are also left on ice overnight, which brings results.

Catching pike perch with a lead on the path

Often, track lovers prefer to use all kinds of trolling devices, using minigliders, divers, and speakers.

At the same time, they combine casting fishing with a track - having discovered a school of pike perch, they anchor and begin fishing the area with a spinning rod equipped according to fishing conditions.

The fanged one often chases the bait, pokes at it, but does not make a grab. When the wobbler changes its behavior, faults occur in the wiring, the animation changes sharply, and the predator instantly attacks it.

To provoke him to capture, you need to use different techniques, alternating them:

The easiest way to bait is to slow down and accelerate. Not only wobblers, but also oscillating spoons can change the nature of the game depending on the speed of movement. Even changes in frequency and amplitude can contribute to an attack. To play this game, it is recommended to use a rowing boat rather than a motorboat.
Descent to the bottom of the reservoir. In this case, sinking type baits are used, including spoons and deep-immersed types of wobblers. Pike perch mainly lives at the very bottom, and you can only hook it by slipping the bait directly into its mouth. The highest result is observed when the wobbler scrapes the blade along the bottom and rises up. But for such a game, the bottom must be clean and free from various obstacles.
You can expect a pike-perch call on a turn when the boat makes a turn. This is facilitated by changing the direction of the bait due to centrifugal force. Such sudden changes in behavior force the hesitant predator to attack.

It is not always effective to place rods in holders; in some situations it is better to take the tool in your hand and perform various movements, for example, twitching, jerking. Sometimes unplanned changes in bait management can bring a good catch.

Important! A distinctive feature of track fishing is that there is no need to rotate the reel handle. But here you will have to use a rigid rod; a regular parabolic rod will not be able to withstand the resistance of a large wobbler.

Advantages and disadvantages

Pike perch is a schooling fish, so single trophies are found less frequently; as a rule, after the first bite, continued activity should be expected. The advantages of bottom tackle over spinning are in catching passive fish, but the stationary design also has other advantages:

ease of manufacture,
obtaining bait at the fishing site,
possibility of using several rods at once,
use of gear both during the day and at night.

Despite its advantages, there are also disadvantages (as everywhere else). The main disadvantage is the size of the gear. As a rule, fishermen get carried away and install an enormous number of donks, as a result of which changing the fishing location becomes problematic. In this case, spinning is more mobile, so before arranging the gear, you need to carefully study the body of water, promising points and a depth map, if available.

Depending on the width of the fisherman’s wallet, you can choose the tackle individually. Budget models catch no worse than elite class rods, because in bottom fishing the key element is the equipment, and the rod and reel fade into the background and are responsible only for the comfort of fishing.

Catching pike perch with a jig on a retractable leash

The classic jig is similar to the stepped type of wiring. The reeling option has a high degree of catchability when they make a quick reel in 2 turns, then wait until the load falls to the bottom and the line sag, then make 2 turns again.

You can feel the impact on one of the bait’s descents. This will be the bite signal. The hook must be done sharply and confidently so that the sting of the hook can pierce the hard jaw of the fanged predator. The main thing is to keep the line in constant tension while fishing it ashore.

If you let her in, the trophy will probably get off the hook.

Fishing for pike perch with a retractable leash: tips

To increase your chances of catching pike perch, you should follow the tips from experienced fishermen:

The main line should always be under tension , this is the only way to respond in a timely manner to a predator’s bite.
Don’t be afraid to experiment with types of wiring, sizes and colors of bait.
To search for trophy specimens, it is better to fish in deep-sea holes with snags.
To catch pike perch, you need to choose a powerful fishing rod with a fast action , and make the equipment exclusively using sharp hooks.
Stepped wiring has proven itself to be the most reliable and highly efficient.
Clear signs of the presence of a predator in a reservoir are the splashes of the fry being chased by it. The bait should be cast into the middle of the predator's concentration zone.
Too high a speed does not impress the fanged one much; it is possible to attract its attention by tapping a weight on the bottom of the reservoir.

Fishing with a dead fish using an elastic band

Whole fish caught in a pond or its slices are used as bait, but sprat is considered the best bait. The peculiar aroma attracts pike perch and provokes a bite. They hook a small fish by the back, piercing it through with a hook.

The category of bottom gear also includes elastic. Its design consists of a lead weight that holds the tackle in one place, thick rubber, leashes with hooks and a reel. As a rule, from 7 to 10 hooks are installed on one tackle, which increases the chances of catching pike perch. The elastic band is installed from the shore, along promising points.

Tulka has been used by fishermen for many decades. Particular attention to this bait from the “fanged” one is shown in the cold season. A passive predator takes stationary prey better, because the energy required to catch it is minimal. If you couldn’t get sprat, then bleak, mustard or rudd will do. Before attaching the bait, you should trim the fish a little in the belly area (for a characteristic smell).

In this case, only the head with entrails is used. If fishing is carried out during the cold water season, then burbot may also be present in the bycatch. A large piece of such “cutting” attracts weighty specimens, so two or three heads are put on the hook, leaving the sting open.