Catfish is one of the largest fish species that can be caught in Russian waters. That is why some fishermen like to hunt for this trophy. But, as they say, to be able to - you need to know. We will try in this article to talk about the features of catfish fishing for donka, to reveal some secrets that allow fishing to become successful. We hope that this information will be useful to a wide range of readers.
Dream fish
As for large catfish, in any of the various water bodies there are not too many of them. The catfish is big - the fish is quite cautious. Therefore, experienced anglers advise before starting fishing to determine the possible sites for catfish. Usually, you should start with reconnaissance, sometimes long before the time of the alleged fishing. A few days, if possible, can be spent on the shore near the reservoir, studying the situation and not sorting out gear. It is a mistake to think that you just have to throw the bait into the water, and you will immediately catch this dream fish.
Where does catfish live?
This fish, especially when it is large in size, treats light rather poorly. That is why she is advised to look in the depths - in holes and holes, where she loves to hide. Otherwise, it can be after a shower, in a period of high water, when the river is turbulent, muddy - then catfish is active throughout the entire time. This fish has its own routes, trails along which it moves in search of food, leaving a shelter for a while. Preference for bottom soil is given in favor of silty or mixed with sand. If there is a tree fallen into the water - even better. And under the high shore, the habitat for large catfish can become an underwater cave, located almost under the feet of fishermen standing on top of the soil. The giant loves and the thickets of the underwater kingdom in a river with a fairly leisurely flow - there he hides and eats. But most often such a place is an unfortunate minus for fishermen, since it can not be caught from the coastline: muddy soil and hordes of mosquitoes interfere.
Catfish places
Where to catch a catfish, a fairly experienced fisherman will always be prompted with typical signs on the terrain and water:
- On the river, pits are formed behind the bridge support. This usually becomes the habitat of large fish. On each pit is usually one or two - nothing more. However, this is considered by many anglers to be an unpromising place for fishing, as catfish tend to scoot under the bridge, creating difficulties for survival.
- In the distance from the bridge - discovered water holes (within 50 meters). They are deep and suitable for fishing if the trees brought by the flood do not interfere. Usually young and medium catfish live there.
- A small hole washed by the flow of the tributary, or the place where the reverse flow occurs. Catfish use this passage to hunt in the tributary or near the shore. Here they can be taken.
- On the river sometimes there is a whole catfish "boulevard". This is one of the deepest places along the riverbed. And if the depth rests on a high coastal zone, and trees hang or fall over it, catfish will obviously live here. For a fisherman, such a boulevard provides the opportunity to use certain tricks: you need to fish from the opposite shore, and also be a professional in accurate long casts. In such a place, the boat helps the fisherman a lot. Only on it you need to go some distance from the pits so that the fish do not get agitated.
- Near the thickets of river plants there is a pit in the soil, silty and sandy - up to 3 meters long, with a depth of more than a meter. If there are no signs of living creatures, a large catfish obviously lives here.
- Sometimes a catfish can lurk under a pier, under a boat or a mooring (here very few people can look for it). Sometimes in a muddy bottom under dams. Sometimes - under islands of floating grass (their cunning uses as a peak from the sun in hot weather).
Based on the foregoing, it can be concluded that catching catfish from the shore, for example, for the most part consists of a preliminary careful study and study of its habitat in a particular reservoir.
Echo sounder
The modern fisherman, who is about to catch a large catfish, is greatly assisted by an echo sounder. With the help of this device and a single inflatable boat, for some time spent, you can quite confidently find the places where these fish can live. By the way, earlier catfish hunters did this in a simple grandfather way: using a rope with a load and a boat, measuring the depth and finding holes. The old way, of course, is more time-consuming, but no less effective for finding habitats. Well, after that you can start fishing!
Summer fishing
Some, of course, are more comfortable catching catfish from a boat. But such a method as catching catfish on the donka from the shore seems to many to be one of the most comfortable. In this case, avid fishermen use the maximum number of gear (as much as the coastal zone allows), placing them along the coast. The fisherman himself can comfortably sit at the bonfire for the all-night service. By the way, they catch on spinning, and on the donka, and on the zhirnitsa right away. Cases of use and float fishing rods are known. In general, who is what and what is most used to. The only drawback of this method is some difficulty in fighting, especially large specimens. But in these cases, craftsmen came up with all sorts of "chips" that help the process.
Donka
Catfish are caught from the shore using a tackle that is familiar to everyone. The bottom fishing rod (in common people - the donka) in the fishing world community has long established itself from the very best side. There are varieties of it, but on the catfish they usually use "classics". The design consists of a more powerful rod, a power reel with fishing line from 100 to 200 meters in length (from 0.5 in diameter). And at the end of the line - a steel or braided leash with a powerful hook on the catfish. The load on the fishing line (50-150 grams, depending on the strength of the current of the selected reservoir) is placed about half a meter from the hook.
Donkey modernization
Some craftsmen modify the classic tackle with an underwater float, getting a more modern, advanced gun. Everything else changes little. But the float is fixed tightly in 15-20 centimeters from the hook with the bait. What is the innovation? Such a design does not allow the mounted bait to lie down and cease to be noticeable to the fish. Tackle is optimal for bodies of water with a good course. The bait, constantly above the bottom, playing on the stream, lures the fish, and catching catfish on the donka from the shore becomes more effective. You can make an underwater float for tackle yourself from wood and polystyrene foam (choose the size proportionally to the bait). And one more thing: the donka must certainly be equipped with an inertial coil so that when the big fish is jerking, which is noticeable enough, the rod itself will not be pulled to a depth after the catfish. Inveterate catfish lovers, in order not to "yawn", especially at night, advise to tie the butt of the fishing rod with a strong rope, for example, to a tree growing on the shore, or a stake that was driven into the ground. This will definitely protect you from unnecessary incidents of night fishing, and summer fishing on the catfish will be the most pleasant pastime.
What to catch
It is known that this fish has a very good scent. This allows the catfish to quickly find the delicacy offered to him (by the way, the rumor of this predator also didnโt let us down: some donโt insert balls in the underwater floats of the donkey, which act like a baby rattle, which additionally entice the fish). A good bait for catfish can be a bunch of creeps, shell meat, crayfish, fish fillets, frogs, squid slices (like for beer), slightly rotten meat products. It is important that the hook is completely baited. Otherwise, having pricked, the catfish may spit out a treat, leave and, perhaps, not return.
Zhivets
Catfish are well caught on live bait in the fall, when the fish eats before wintering. Then both large catfish and small catfish are taken on live bait and bait. Traditionally, they use a similar bait when fishing from the shore to the vent. It is caught by a predator both on rivers and on waters without a current. Usually a rather small fish, such as bleak, is used as bait fish. As live bait, an ordinary living frog can also be used, which the catfish willingly eats. It is hooked under the skin.
In the spring
In the spring, catching catfish is slightly different from summer. This is due to the behavioral characteristics of this species of fish. Fishing in many areas begins in mid-April. The most fruitful time is night time. The most commonly used bait is creeping out after spring rains. By the way, experienced fishermen determine the time of the spring activity of the catfish by this.