July is the warmest month in all regions of the country. The water in July warms up to 25-28 degrees Celsius, and in shallow places without current - up to 30 degrees Celsius. Grass begins to actively grow even in relatively deep places and stretch to the surface of reservoirs, filling everything around. Schools of white fish graze in this grass, and striped bass move in schools. The spotted wolf of freshwater bodies of water, the pike, also waits out the heat in the same grass.
Later, in August, the grass grows so much that some bodies of water become more like meadows, covered with a continuous green carpet. This is a haven for white fish, especially small ones. The amount of food in such grass pastures is enormous; small invertebrates inhabit the thickets and attract roach, bleak, crucian carp, bream and silver bream. The ide grazes, loudly smacking its lips, on such grassy pastures.
But any large predatory fish does not feel the best in such water.
Features of fishing and behavior of pike in July
In water whose temperature is above 22 °C, pike tries to move less , and individuals weighing 3 kg or more lose their appetite and feed much less frequently . Even larger specimens – about 8-10 kg – stop hunting altogether . At this time, medium-sized pike feed once every two to three days , while large predators can remain without food for up to 3 weeks . Therefore, many people believe that in July you can only catch small squints .
For those who want to catch adult specimens, it is the shock from warm water that becomes an obstacle to their capture in July - the predator does not pay attention to small fish swimming nearby and behaves accordingly with bait. The main task of the fisherman is to choose the weather in which the activity of the pike becomes higher, its habitat - since at this time it does not drift through the reservoir, as well as bait , which is capable of seducing the predator.
Equipment for grayling
To successfully catch grayling, you will need an ultralight spinning rod with a length of 1.8 to 2.4 meters. And the test range is from 3 grams to 7 grams. It is necessary that the blank has a decent power reserve, medium-fast or medium action. A spinning reel with a size of 1000 to 2000 is mounted on the rod, and a monofilament line or braided cord with a diameter of 0.10 to 0.2 millimeters is secured. In July, grayling is caught using such bait as:
• Spinners with silver or dark speckled petals. If the fish is passive, baits are supplemented with bright flies;
• Cranks and small mines that have their own game, no more than 5 centimeters long and weighing up to 8 grams;
• Suspenders for fishing layers of water at different depths.
Ways to catch pike in July
Bottom fishing
Fishing with live bait from the bottom is convenient because you can cast into holes or “windows” among vegetation. The equipment of the rod is selected based on the speed of the current in the reservoir - in still water , a tackle with an upper float is suitable, and in places with a fast current, a floating weight and a float located at the end of the main line will work better.
Technique for catching pike on a donk
Float fishing
This fishing method is convenient when fishing in shallow waters without a current . The rod needs to be long enough for comfortable casting into “windows” among vegetation. Equipping with a reel is also desirable - so that it is possible to tire the pike if necessary. The float is selected in such a way as to prevent the bait from going to depth.
Catching pike with a float
Fishing with mugs
This method is also suitable for bodies of water with weak currents , but will require a boat. As a rule, 4-5 circles are enough - more of them will only cause confusion.
How to properly make and install a circle on a pike
Spinning fishing
To catch pike in July using a spinning rod, it is best to use a fast action rod , since you need to fish among vegetation, in “windows.” This rod will allow you to make more accurate casts .
The best spinning rods for pike fishing
Attention! In places where there is a lot of poplar fluff in July, it is better to use monofilament, since the braided line will collect it on itself.
How to equip a spinning rod for pike
Perch rig
In July, perch is caught on ultralight and light forms with a test range from 7 to 30 grams. Inertia-free reels with sizes ranging from 2500 to 3000 are installed on them, and monofilament with a diameter of 0.08 to 0.11 millimeters is attached. If fishing takes place in reservoirs where pike are found, you will need a metal or fluocarbon leash. In July, striper bites on the following baits:
• Rotating spoons of small sizes;
• Any wobblers ranging in size from 7 to 12 centimeters;
• Twisters, vibrotails, foam rubber fish attached to heavy jig heads for fishing in pits;
• Unloaded silicone for shallow water fishing;
• Small spinnerbaits for fishing in grass.
Where to look for pike in July? When is the best time to fish?
To successfully determine the place and time of pike fishing, you need to pay attention to the temperature regime and oxygen saturation of the water in the reservoirs.
Reservoirs without current
You can safely bypass small lakes and ponds in the heat - since the water in them warms up especially strongly . It makes sense to pay attention to deep reservoirs - in holes where the water temperature is slightly lower, the pike feels more comfortable. And in cool weather , it can come closer to the shore, especially where there is vegetation under water.
If the bottom of the reservoir is flat and there are no obvious holes, then you should pay attention to places with abundant vegetation . As a rule, there will always be “windows” among it, in which you can catch pike with live bait , and, if the size of the “window” allows, then try to shine .
Rivers
Fishing for pike in rivers in July is more effective , but it is difficult to find places with its parking. In large rivers, it is worth looking for places with a high oxygen content - these will be areas of the mouth below the streams flowing into the river, depressions on the border of a strong current.
Attention! Pike in rivers avoid silted areas and try to stay in areas with clean water.
In shallow rivers, the predator will stand after seething rapids, where the water is enriched with oxygen, as well as in the shade of trees. Traditional pike spots will also be catchy - on the border with vegetation, near trees and snags that have fallen into the water.
In hot weather, pike will hunt at the time of day when the water cools down a little - late in the evening or early in the morning. At the same time, experienced fishermen note that the morning bite is more active. Fishing is especially effective during a sharp cold snap, as well as before a thunderstorm, when the predator becomes more active.
Where to catch pike
Fishing for pike in July using a spinning rod
Catching a spotted predator with a spinning rod has always been considered more exciting and exciting than with other gear. The rod is equipped with a fishing line with a diameter of 0.25-0.28 mm . If there is no debris in the form of poplar fluff on the water surface, you can use braided wire with a diameter of 0.15-0.19 mm . This will help avoid losing spinners when fishing among vegetation and breaking gear when fishing for pike through thickets. Be sure to use a pike leash at least 20 cm .
Fishing for pike in July using a spinning rod: fishing technique
After choosing a suitable location, you should explore it more carefully. A jig head will help with this - use it to determine the nature of the bottom, find depressions and the presence of vegetation on the bottom, and then try baits.
In July, pike will not respond to fast-moving bait, so it is better not to use wobblers and spinners designed for medium and fast retrieve.
Pike fishing from a boat gives very good results , since it allows you to reach hard-to-reach places - holes and “windows” in vegetation, from where access from the shore is difficult or requires great skill when casting a spinning rod. It is also much more convenient to explore the bottom of a reservoir .
Attention! Even when fishing for pike at a considerable distance and in great depth, silence should be maintained so as not to spook the fish.
What to catch pike in July: bait
To catch pike in July, bait must meet the following requirements :
- Since the freshwater predator will not hunt large prey at this time, you should take small baits - a maximum of 10-12 cm .
- The movement of the bait past the pike should be done at a minimum speed - turntables on the verge of breaking and oscillating will perform best. You can also supplement them with additional attachments - silicone, turbines, petals.
- , non-snagging baits are perfect - spinnerbaits, non-snagging spoons, walkers, poppers, wobblers, as well as any silicone without additional weight.
Equipment for salmon, pink salmon, brown trout
To catch salmon fish, you need a powerful medium-class spinning rod with an upper test limit of up to 50 grams. A spinning reel with sizes ranging from 2500 to 4000, capable of holding up to 150 meters of thick fishing line, is installed on it. A braided cord with a diameter of 0.25 to 0.35 millimeters is tied to the rod. Suitable baits:
• Oscillating spoons with a length of 8 to 16 centimeters weighing from 20 grams to 40 grams. They should have a narrow, elongated shape.
• Wobblers from 8 to 15 centimeters long, providing accurate casts over long distances and having bright or natural colors.
Recommendations for pike fishing in July
- If you have the opportunity to often visit the reservoir in which you catch pike, you can try to feed it - that is, feed the fry in the supposed habitat of the pike. The more small fish that constantly live in a specified place, the more likely it is that pike will visit it more often .
- In July, pike bites are quite sluggish and reluctant, so hooking should be sharper and faster. But when playing, a predator can behave absolutely unpredictably - both show desperate resistance and be quite passive.
- Experienced fishermen first of all advise using wobblers when fishing for pike - it is believed that in July, pike bites on this bait are most active. It is best to use wobblers with a wide blade - when fishing among vegetation, it will knock off blades of grass, preventing them from catching on the tackle.
- If grass clings to the bait, it is better to replace the hook with a single one . This will increase the chances of empty hooks, but the number of bites will also increase.
- The spoon is an excellent bait for pike, and an effective tactic is to move it in steps. Since in July there is a high probability of collecting all the vegetation from the bottom with such a retrieve, you should use protective tendrils for hooking .
Oscillating spoons for pike fishing
- In bodies of water with abundant vegetation at the bottom, poppers , as they float on the surface of the water. Also, when moving the popper, air bubbles , which attract pike at this time.
- Some fishermen to artificial baits .
Despite the fact that the July heat negatively affects the activity of pike, with appropriate weather and the right choice of place, the chances of catching a large specimen remain the same - you just need to carefully examine the reservoir and try different bait options.
Zander rig
To hunt pike perch, you need rigid spinning rods with fast and ultra-fast action with flexible tips that work with heavy baits. The test range should be between 30 and 35 grams. The rods are attached to a monofilament line with a diameter of 0.22 to 0.32 millimeters or a braided cord that can withstand loads of 5 kilograms. A large inertia-free reel is installed on the forms. Very sharp hooks are attached to the fishing line. In July, pike perch can be caught using artificial baits such as:
• Vibrating tails, twisters;
• Floating, sinking wobblers;
• Oscillating and rotating spoons;
• Fish made of foam rubber and plastic.
