In central Russia there is an opportunity to catch whitefish in winter on paid reservoirs, as well as such rare species of fish as: omul, muksun, nelma, whitefish. In order for fishing to be successful, careful species of fish require gear that is exceptionally delicate in setting. The fish is very careful and selective about the baits supplied. For such fishing, both float rods and fishing rods with a nod are used.
Features of catching whitefish in winter on paid reservoirs
Whitefish species generally bite very warily, so you need to have the necessary skill to catch this noble fish. If the fisherman knows the bottom topography and depth very well. Knows when the launch occurs, and how the fish presumably moves through the pond, the chances of catching this fish are good.
When catching exotic species such as nelma, whitefish, omul, whitefish, you will not feel a strong fight. The process of fishing will not give the same sensations as, for example, when fishing for trout or large pike. These fish have exceptional taste and will surprise you with their gastronomic delights.
These fish species are separated from the salmon family into a separate family. Whitefish is a freshwater, migratory and semi-migratory fish that lives in the Northern Hemisphere. In the course of evolution, hybrids were developed (such as whitefish - broad whitefish, as well as whitefish - peled, etc.). This makes it difficult to determine the type of fish caught. The waters of Russia contain 2/3 of all existing whitefish species and their numerous subspecies. These species are well bred in artificial conditions. The food base consists of juvenile fish, various crustaceans, and plankton. Spawning occurs in the fall. Read also: For trout in winter on a paid site
Do-it-yourself jig for whitefish: manufacturing methods
The question is, why bother making bait if there are countless different shapes and colors available for sale? Yes, because the fisherman is passionate about the process itself, putting his whole soul into the product, and this can subsequently bring unexpected results.
In Europe there is even such a thing as “do it yourself,” that is, made independently. Out of ten homemade products, one may turn out to be so catchy that you would never want to lose it. In addition, you can give the weight a wide variety of geometries, which you cannot buy in a store.
Basically, the bait is made in three ways: poured, soldered, sharpened instrumentally, which we wrote about in the article “What is the difference between jigs for pike perch in summer and winter versions.” For casting they use lead and a tin-lead alloy, for soldering they use tin, but for tools they work mainly with tungsten.
This metal is generally very difficult to work with, and it is almost impossible to make anything from it at home due to the lack of machines. But with a soldering iron you can bring your wildest fantasies to life.
Their disadvantage is that if the geometry turns out to be very catchy, it is already difficult to create a second one.
If we consider casting, then the most labor-intensive process is making the mold, but then it will not be difficult to rivet the baits one after another according to the finished template. Good flasks come out of plaster, but the hot metal evaporates moisture and the plaster begins to crack. A do-it-yourself jig for whitefish in winter can lose its attractiveness.
To avoid this, gypsum powder is mixed in certain proportions with wood glue, borax and sugar. The second option is to make a mold from a mixture of PVA glue and talc, which are mixed to the consistency of thick sour cream. Sometimes it takes several days to dry completely.
As a template for preparing the form, you can take the most catchy bait, which you would hate to lose while fishing and therefore really want to clone it. In addition, it can be a homemade product, which also differs from similar products in its excellent performance.
Tackle for catching whitefish in winter on paid sites
In the wild, it feeds in the depths; therefore, for catching whitefish in the winter on fishing grounds, fishing rods with a reel are used; it allows you to cast and wash away a lot of fishing line in a minimum time.
Sometimes a fishing rod with a nod is used as a tackle for catching whitefish in the winter on paid fishing grounds. The most effective, perhaps, will be a tackle consisting of several jigs or flies, with a sinker attached to the end of the tackle. They are located at some distance from each other to fish at greater depths. To detect fish and determine the depth at which it is located, an echo sounder will help. For baiting and holding under the hole, use scalded jig (it is better to scald it directly on the pond before use) with bloodworms. This is interesting: Fishing with a garland Tip! Of course, each “pay site” in the Moscow region has its own nuances and peculiarities of whitefish behavior. It’s better not to hesitate to ask the guards about them, they will be happy to share with you. But there are also general rules for fishing, and we’ll tell you about them.
The devil's game is usually effective when played from top to bottom. Whitefish and muksun respond well to a black and yellow bead on one of the hooks. For fishing, you need to use a fishing line as thin as possible.
The equipment for catching and catching whitefish in winter on the platform must be very delicate. A float with a minimum load capacity is required. Whitefish, whitefish, and muksun are also caught using maggots: red or white.
The rods used are standard ones, the most popular are “balalaika” and “kabylka”. Which ones are more convenient? I catch whitefish in the winter on fishing grounds with longer but soft fishing rods (45-50 cm). The hooking turns out to be softer, and it needs to be done quickly, sharply and at the same time delicately so that the thin fishing line does not break. Good to know: Best float suits
Features of winter fishing for whitefish
The main feature of whitefish fishing in winter is the search for this fish. Whitefish never stagnate in one place and constantly move around the area of the reservoir. No one will so easily point out promising places for fishing, especially to a stranger, so you will have to independently study the features of the local topography of a river or reservoir. The main habitat is a rocky bottom with large differences in depth. However, small specimens of such fish can be found even in shallow water.
For fishing you will need an ice drill, a small fishing rod, a spoon, a reel with fishing line, a nod, a jig and a leash. It is best to make holes before dawn, so as not to frighten timid fish with the noise of ice drilling. The most reliable position for fishing will be based on the location of the old holes. To accurately hit the flock, you need to punch several new holes and sit comfortably next to them, fully controlling the process.
The fisherman will have to work with two hands, constantly feeding the fish with one, and holding the fishing rod with the other. For complementary feeding, they mainly use millet grains with the addition of an aroma that imitates caviar, or they mix bloodworms with sand, throwing this mixture into small balls into the water.
Read: What bait to take with you for winter fishing
In winter, whitefish are hungry and there is no point in using other baits other than spoons or jigs. You need to choose small jigs, in the shape of whitefish’s favorite eggs, and a spinner in size, reminiscent of small fish, silver or bright with iridescence. To attract such fish, we must constantly move the rod sequentially down and up so that our bait is constantly in motion and performs its functions, and only in this case there is a chance of success.
Whitefish attacks both vertically and horizontally, and when it senses danger, it will try to go to the bottom. Therefore, the fisherman must act quickly and confidently, making sharp cuts with his fishing rod. If giants over 2 kg are caught, you may need the help of other fishermen. However, a lot depends on experience and skill. Such specimens are found mainly at great depths. Most often, having caught the first whitefish, you will be able to catch others, the main thing is not to scare them away with your enthusiastic exclamations of luck. It is also very important to take into account the extraordinary intelligence of this fish, namely the fact that, having seen how their relatives are fighting at the hole, the rest can leave this unsafe place for them.
Read: Solder fishing
Endurance, hardening, and confidence in action will help you overcome this very cautious fish and enjoy success.
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When to catch whitefish in winter
The greatest activity in whitefish species is observed 2-3 days after being released into the reservoir, then it subsides. Whitefish can be caught weighing up to 1 kg, muksun - up to 3 kg. When fish are released into a pond, they gather in schools. It (the flock) consists of different species and individuals of different sizes. It is not uncommon for trout to attach themselves.
The tactics for finding a flock are as follows: upon arrival at a reservoir, it is necessary to prepare several holes in promising places and feed them. And while fishing, catch “your” holes.
Bait when fishing for whitefish in winter
The bait should be fed with small (or estuary) bloodworms mixed with steamed jig. At the beginning of fishing, you should feed one feeder (medium) into each hole, which should be opened at the bottom. Feed directly into the hole in small portions. When fishing with a hook or jig, you should attach one or two medium bloodworms. The better the bite, the more bloodworms you need to attach. Towards the end of winter, the fish begin to behave more actively. It feeds better, so they catch it with a bunch of bloodworms and sometimes add jigs.
Once again about silence on the ice, walk very quietly, otherwise you will spook and not catch the whitefish.
Secrets of fishing! Sometimes, on the echo sounder you can see that the fish “stands” at the bottom, and bites at the upper water level. It turns out that the fish below does not take it, but swims up from below and pulls the nozzle. Then you need to try feeding a small amount of small bloodworms from above, and the bite will resume.
Feeding occurs on the principle of bloodworms slowly falling in a layer of water. Ideally, there should be a pillar of small bloodworms. It is necessary to feed rarely, regularly, in small portions.
Fishing with a jig
Whitefish are caught with large dark-colored jigs. Several maggots are put on the hook, but if the fish is too active, then live bait can be replaced with beads.
You should play with a jig in the lower layer of water, imitating the movement of prey, sometimes tapping the bait on the bottom. If there is no catch, then the bait should be raised to higher layers. Raise the bait until the fish reacts.
Read! The subtleties of winter fishing for crucian carp with a jig
Fishing for whitefish on a platform in winter video
Fishing for whitefish on the Belaya Dacha platform in winter using a reelless bait
Tackle for catching whitefish in winter video
How and what to catch whitefish in paid reservoirs of the Moscow region video
In this video, we will talk about how and what to catch whitefish in commercial reservoirs of the Moscow region. There is very little information about this, so using my experience and the Internet, I systematized something
Bait for whitefish
The best bait for whitefish is a mixture of ordinary river or lake sand with small bloodworms. When a suitable place for fishing has been found and there is a bite, you can gradually add bait into the hole. And it’s better if it doesn’t disintegrate near the bottom. Whitefish prefer a vertical column of bait in the water column. Even if the whitefish is currently biting only near the very bottom, it is still better to scatter the bait from the feeder not at the very bottom, but at least half a meter above the bottom.
Read: 4 tips on how to avoid freezing in winter while fishing
Whitefish love to eat the eggs of other fish, and some fishermen add a caviar-scented flavoring to their feed mixture. Sometimes this really helps, but it doesn’t always work and not on all bodies of water.
