Features of winter grayling fishing

Winter grayling fishing is a special type of ice fishing that requires a good understanding of fish behavior, the right choice of gear, and patience. Grayling is a cold-loving fish, and it remains quite active in winter, especially during the first and last ice formations. During this time, you can catch beautiful, strong, and large specimens.

Grayling behavior in winter

In winter, grayling sticks to certain places:

Areas with high oxygen content (below rapids, near springs)

Areas with fast or moderate currents

Riffles and rifts with a rocky bottom

Exits from pits and deep "pockets" behind large stones

How to choose a fishing spot?

Fish finders are a great help when ice fishing. But without one, what should you do and where should you look for fishing spots? Experienced fishermen know the specific signs that fish are nearby. They pay attention to natural factors:

• Weather conditions;
• Ice cover condition;
• On the relief of the reservoir;
• Amount of snow.

The choice of fishing spot also depends on the river species being targeted. Each fish has its own habitat. Most predatory fish, with the exception of burbot, move under the ice in winter. This occurs until the predator finds holes or riffles, where the fish can spend a long time.

How to catch grayling under the ice?

In Siberia, this predator is especially valuable, both for its taste and nutritional value. At the beginning of winter, trophy specimens are found in pits, pools, and near beaver ponds. In large rivers, grayling should be sought in the shallows. In spring, however, the fish move to shallow water, where they are often caught during goose hunts.
Grayling fishing is particularly effective in the morning, which is why many anglers try to catch the river at this time of day. It's no secret how cautious and timid this predator is, so it's important to remain as quiet as possible on the ice, and perhaps then luck will smile on you.

Jig rod

Winter gear should consist of the following elements:

• Fishing rod with or without inertial reel;
• The nod, which is made of elastic material, can use a spring;
• Monofilament fishing line of small diameters;
• The jigs should be flat and light;
• Maggots, worms, and bloodworms are used as bait. It's not a bad idea to try fishing with burdocks or bark beetles in winter;

Fishing technique:

When fishing for grayling in winter, it's important to work the jig so as to stir up sediment from the bottom. Sometimes you need to lift the bait about half a meter off the bottom and then lower it back down.

Donka

You don't need a bite alarm to use bottom fishing tackle. A heavy sinker, a leader with hooks on top, and that's all the gear you need. The fishing technique is almost identical to that of jig fishing rods. The sinker is periodically lifted to the ice hole and then released downstream.

Tackle with artificial flies

This fishing tackle doesn't require a sinker. A heavy jig serves as the sinker. Several flies are placed above it, and as you retrieve it, you need to constantly twitch and play to attract the predator's attention.