Some fishermen believe that quality gear will bring them luck when fishing for grayling. This is important, but cannot guarantee success. To achieve the result, it is necessary that all elements are selected in the best way and the correct technique is used. We will look at fishing for grayling in early spring, fishing with flies for beginners, fishing techniques on small rivers, optimal baits for fishing for grayling in spring.
Where to look for grayling in spring
It is necessary to be able to identify grayling well, because this fish is similar to whitefish and salmon. It must be remembered that:
- This fish has a large fin.
- The large scales are dark gray in color.
- There are small black spots on the sides.
By region and river you can find grayling at:
- Yenisei;
- Baikal;
- In the Arkhangelsk region;
- Krasnoyarsk;
- Hangar;
- Perm region;
- Sverdlovsk region;
- Primorsky Krai;
- Rivers of Siberia;
- Bashkiria;
- Altai;
- Lake Onega;
- Khakassia and others.
It is usually caught using a spinning rod, float rod or artificial bait (fly fishing).
This fish has good eyesight and hearing. The sense of smell, as well as the sensitive lateral line. It is believed that the shadow of a fisherman or fishing rod falling on the water can scare it away.
It prefers to live in shallow water where there is a rocky bottom; in sandy water it can be found less often. It can be found on river riffles a little higher upstream. Grayling does not like areas where there is grass on the bottom.
He is a predator. Its usual food is fry, eggs, insects, larvae or other small food.
Grayling in early spring
In order to find grayling during this period, one must take into account that it prefers to be on the border of fast and quiet water .
Under the influence of the incoming flood, it moves closer to the shore and at the same time moves upstream. There will be a greater chance of meeting grayling if you go to the upper reaches of the river and start fishing in one of the places with clean, clear water.
activity begins as soon as the river or pond is free of ice. In most cases, this occurs in early or mid-March, although in some cases the ice crust can last until early April. As soon as the water begins to clear of ice, grayling begins to move to the upper reaches, where the water will be much cleaner.
Therefore, when fishing during this period, the fisherman should catch grayling in shallow areas of small rivers with clean water.
In April, May
In early or mid-May, this fish begins to spawn.
The spawning period lasts for two or three weeks. It is believed that it is not worth catching grayling during this period. Moreover, at this time the bite is practically absent. This fish is very valuable and it is important to provide it with the opportunity to reproduce unhindered. Typically, spawning begins when the water warms up to about 7-11 degrees above zero. After the end of spawning, grayling remains nearby. For several days it remains in a calm state, then it begins its post-spawning feeding period, during which fishing is most productive.
Fishing for grayling before and after spawning
So, let us immediately note that grayling is a very cautious fish. The slightest danger will force the fish to leave the most promising and richest place for food. Grayling has ideally developed vision and hearing; in addition, the fish has a sensitive lateral line. Grayling can be scared not only by an object falling into the water or a shadow from the fisherman himself, but also by the shadow that will be formed by the fishing rod.
Therefore, if you want to stay with your catch, it is important to try to fish as carefully as possible. Unless absolutely necessary, do not approach the water's edge closer than two meters. When fishing, do not rise to your full height and remain as quiet as possible.
In the upper reaches of rivers, grayling begins to move as soon as the ice melts. Note that this fish cannot tolerate spring floods, which carry turbidity into the water, which is why grayling goes into tributaries, where the water is always clean, the depth is not great and the water warms up faster.
Spawning takes place in areas with a rocky bottom at shallow depths. The best time to catch grayling before the start of spawning is considered to be the period when the fish begins to move up the river to the spawning areas. During the spawning period, grayling does not show activity, but immediately after the bite resumes.
The spawning period of grayling begins as soon as the water temperature in the river reaches +8-10 degrees. This is individual for each reservoir, but on average grayling spawns in mid-May.
Read: Fishing on Lovozero
Selecting a spinning rod
To catch grayling, you usually choose a light or ultralight rod with 10 grams of weight.
The choice of formation is determined by the type of bait used. A size 2000 inertia-free reel is used. The equipment of a spinning rod largely depends on the body of water where the fishing will take place.
It is recommended to choose a medium or fast action rod. This is necessary to ensure a good level of play of the bait used. The length is chosen from 2 to 2.4 m.
For fishing in rivers or streams, a light and short rod is more suitable. For it, the test load should be equal to 10 g. For this, a spinning reel with a spool having a size of 1000 is suitable. When fishing with a spinner, the test increases to 15 g.
Correct float equipment
In clean water, it is recommended to use a fishing line whose thickness is 0.19-2.0 mm . When fishing in muddy water, you can use braid with a breaking force of up to 3 kg. For the leash, fluorocarbon is used, with a diameter of 0.16-0.18 mm .
It is important to choose a suitable float. It should be taken into account that the grayling bite in the spring is weak and difficult to notice. Therefore, it is important that the float is clearly visible and has high sensitivity. However, it is also important that this fish cannot notice it. Therefore, the lower half is usually painted blue or black, and the upper half is given red, yellow or orange.
The sinker needs to slide along the line easily. Usually its shape is chosen barrel-shaped or conical.
The leash is connected to the fishing line using a carabiner or swivel.
Float rig with bombard for grayling
Diagram of a conventional float tackle with a fly for grayling
Float tackle with cambrics
Catching grayling with cambric tackle, video:
Choosing spring bait
When fishing on a sunny day, it is preferable to choose brightly colored baits. For this purpose, for example, yellow or red colors are suitable. If there is bad weather on this day, then you need to prefer soft colors - blue, purple or dark green.
Spoon
This bait is used more often than other types. Trout spoons can be used. Rotating spoons with a weighted body are also used. This allows their game to not be disrupted by strong currents. It is permissible to use light spinners, but this can only be done in areas where the water is calm. Their use is more preferable in late spring
Mepps spoons are considered the best fishing spoons for grayling
Vibrators with feathers
Bowtie marking is one of the most popular markings for grayling
It is believed that the most effective variety of this bait is a spinner weighing up to 6 g of the rotating type.
Front sights
When fly fishing, light flies can be used. Depending on their type, the cord is selected. If floating flies are used, a non-sinking line will be suitable for them. For heavier wet ones, use a cord with a sinking end.
Dry flies are most effective when the water has warmed up to 11 degrees. This is due to the fact that it is at this time that ordinary insects enter the water. However, in early spring, when the water is too cool for this, wet flies will be more effective, with which you can catch grayling at almost any depth.
Dry flies and streamers are used primarily for grayling.
Wobblers
To catch grayling, it is advisable to use heavier sinking wobblers. Most effective when fishing in calm water.
Wobblers are used primarily in the summer, but in some regions they are successfully used in the spring.
Some of the best wobblers for grayling
Selection of baits for grayling
Flies for catching grayling in the spring are considered one of the most delicious delicacies. You can get them while at home or on the street. In addition to them, you can use leeches, moths, caddis flies and other invertebrates.
Catching grayling in the spring on small rivers involves the use of bait of animal origin, which comes in two types: sinking and floating (surface). It is advisable to stock up on several types of bait, since sometimes, not paying attention to the floating fly baited on the hook, the fish eats a passing grasshopper nearby.
Read more
When does carp spawn?
It is popular to catch grayling in the spring using a worm. The delicacy attracts prey with its bright color and secreted odorous yellow liquid. This bait works at any time of the year, regardless of weather conditions. It is recommended to plant the dung worm in parts (this is also due to the release of liquid).
Bait of animal origin is used to catch grayling in the spring
The fish loves to eat bloodworms (popularly called “raspberries”). It is recommended to attach the bait in bunches. As a delicacy, the fisherman can offer his prey pieces of fish, minnows, red cockroaches, jigs and cottage cheese. When going fishing in winter or early spring, be sure to use one of the listed baits of animal origin. An effective option would be to catch grayling in the spring with a jig. The product may resemble a ball or a drop. It is advisable to purchase models in dark or purple colors. Also, the jig can have different shades that help attract fish.
In cold weather, a spinner works for grayling. It is recommended to use products from popular companies Daiwa, Mepps, BlueFox. A wide range of products will allow you to choose a product of any color, size, model and weight.
Some fishermen try to catch fish using flies, but not everyone knows what flies are needed to catch grayling in the spring, which sometimes causes them to make the wrong choice. For example, it is advisable to use dry-type products only if a large number of insects fly nearby. The version with “wet” models is suitable for fishing in the current (it is more advisable to use it in summer and autumn). Common companies that produce wet flies include Greenwell, Gold Head and Blue Dun.
Fishing techniques from the shore and boat
Typically, spring fishing occurs when there is muddy water.
At this time, the fish stops relying on its vision to obtain food. For this reason, surface baits do not attract grayling well enough. This fish is able to see a person if he is visible from the water against the sky. To remain unnoticed, you need to be quiet and bend down.
In May it is caught during the daytime. The weather does not have a significant effect on the bite, but if it is sunny, it will be a little better.
Fishing from a boat has its advantages :
- There is sufficient freedom to choose a fishing spot.
- The process itself is more dynamic, giving you the opportunity to try different bait options.
- Casting a spinning rod and retrieving the tackle takes much less time compared to fishing from the shore.
- You can fish from a boat by casting a spinning rod in different directions.
- It is much easier to land caught fish, since snags and vegetation do not interfere, which often happens when fishing on the shore.
However, this method also has disadvantages. The main one is fatigue from being on a boat for a long time. In addition, during waves or strong winds, it is difficult to stay in the same place for a long time.
It is recommended to look closely for splashes on the water. It is advisable to stop the boat at a distance of 3-4 m from them. It is recommended to attach the sinker at a short distance from the float. In this case, the bait will be in the upper layers of the water. Grayling rarely dives into the depths to feed.
When casting a float tackle, you need the float to fall with minimal noise. A float made in the shape of a cone is suitable for this purpose. Having grabbed the bait, the grayling will pull it down. At this moment there is no need to hook him yet. You need to give him time to swallow the bait. You need to wait until he appears from the water. In order not to upset the balance of the boat, you need to hook before hooking. Raise the spinning rod as high as possible to perform the movement without jerking.
Fishing for grayling from a boat in March:
Wiring methods
If you are using a dry fly, the most effective way is to move it with the current, imitating an insect that has fallen into the water.
When using bait that imitates live bait, the retrieve should be done across the current, imitating the natural behavior of the fry. This must be done in the water column or at the very bottom. Various wiring methods can be used:
- One of the most effective is the use of stepped wiring. At the same time, there is a constant change of pace or stop. Sometimes you need to perform accelerated rewinding on a short section.
- The use of uniform wiring is common. In this case, the reel is wound at the same speed, sometimes taking short breaks. It is necessary to do the wiring slowly, gradually choosing the fishing line. It is recommended that the bait is constantly located at the surface of the water. After the bait imitating a wounded fish has moved a few meters, it must stop. Then continue moving.
- Sometimes the behavior of the fry is imitated. In this case, the bait is deepened so that it floats a short distance at the bottom. Then they bring it to the surface, simulating an insect hunt. Then it is again lowered to depth.
Grayling is a strong fish, so when pulling it out of the water, you should not loosen the line.
Features of float fishing in spring
If you decide to use this fishing method, it is recommended to use a Bolognese rod 6-7 meters long. A reel must be installed, the main task of which is to store a supply of fishing line; when fishing, this structural element does not take much part.
It is more convenient to catch grayling during this period, using the technique of fishing with wiring. To do this, throw the bait into the current, after which the line is carefully lowered from the spool, allowing the bait to float calmly with the current. This option allows you to count on good results, even with the lowest fish activity.
Note that during fishing you should not make private casts, this may alert the grayling, which will simply leave the point chosen for fishing (if, of course, it is there). You should not linger in one place if there are no bites. It is also recommended to change the location after catching several fish. You need to move downstream.
IMPORTANT! The grayling bite is quick and short-term, that is, there is no need to hesitate at the moment of biting, especially if artificial baits are used as bait. Having felt even a slight blow, a short and careful hook should immediately follow, but in no case sharp.
In addition, when catching grayling with a spinning rod or float tackle, it is important to remember that the grayling does not stand in areas where the strongest current passes, it stays a little to the side. For fishing, fly flies can be used as bait, but more often anglers choose bloodworms, red dung worms or caddis flies. It is these baits that grayling most willingly attacks not only in the spring, but also in the summer.
Read: Fishing in the Sayan Mountains
A couple of tips
When fishing for grayling, you should pay attention to the following:
- Grayling is considered one of the most cautious fish in the former CIS. The fisherman who wants to catch him solves a difficult problem. He needs to not only try to detect the fish, but also lure it, showing extreme caution. At the slightest mistake, the grayling will detect the fisherman and leave. When fishing, you must not make any noise, bend down and camouflage yourself against the background of the shore.
- Grayling swims as part of a school. Once you catch one fish, you shouldn’t change the place.
- Fishermen noticed that there is a pattern: the higher upstream you catch this fish, the larger its specimens will be. This is because stronger fish are able to travel a greater distance upstream.
- The migration period preceding spawning is one of the most suitable for effective fishing.
- When fishing in spring, the bite of grayling is weak. The hook barely twitches. You must not miss this moment. Hook carefully, without making too sudden movements. Fishing is done in the usual way. When a fish approaches, you need to use a landing net.
- To properly hook this fish, you need to constantly keep the line slightly taut.
