How to Properly Use a Mandula: A Fishing Guide with a Bonus on the Putorana Plateau

How to properly retrieve a mandula? The mandula is a lure that has become a real hit among spinning anglers for its effectiveness and simplicity. If you've ever tried to catch a predator on a river or lake, you've probably heard of this brightly colored polyurethane foam contraption that so irritates pike, zander, and perch. But here's the catch: even the most sophisticated mandula won't work if you don't master the proper retrieve. Over the years, I've tried a ton of techniques, and in this article, I'll share how to animate a mandula so that a predator can't resist it, and I'll also tell you what species you can catch with it in the unique waters of the Putorana Plateau. Let's go!

What is a mandula?

For beginners: a mandula is a jig made of several segments of polyurethane foam (or other buoyant material) strung on wire or fishing line, with treble hooks and brightly colored tails made of lurex or thread. It's lightweight, agile, and plays beautifully in the water, mimicking a wounded fish or insect. Its trump card is its buoyancy: when paused, the mandula doesn't sink but hangs, tantalizing the predator.

Mandulas come in a variety of sizes: from tiny (3–5 cm) for perch to large (10–15 cm) for pike or zander. The weight depends on the sinker—a jig head or a Cheburashka—ranging from 5 to 40 g. The key is choosing the right retrieve to bring the mandulas to life.

Where and when to fish with mandula?

The mandula works almost anywhere: rivers, lakes, reservoirs, quarries. It's especially good where predators hang out near the bottom—in pits, on dumps, near snags, or in grass. Best time:

• Spring: The predator is hungry after winter and bites on small and medium-sized mandulas.
• Summer: In hot weather, fish deep or in the morning/evening when pike and zander are active.
• Autumn: Golden time for mandula - the predator is fattening, and the bright bait provokes it.
• Winter: On non-freezing rivers, the mandula also works, but slow wiring and light weights are required.

On the Putorana Plateau: This region in the Krasnoyarsk Territory is a true Mecca for fishermen, with thousands of lakes (Lama, Khantayskoye, Kutarama, Glubokoe) and rivers teeming with fish. Here, the mandula can become your secret weapon, especially in clear-water lakes and moderate-flow rivers where predators thrive.

Tackle for fishing with mandula

To ensure clear wiring, you need the right gear:

• Spinning rod: Length 2.1–2.7 m, casting weight 5–25 g for medium-sized mandulas or 10–40 g for large ones. Fast or medium-fast action for control.
• Reel: Spinning reel, size 2000–3000, with smooth drag.
• Line: Braided line (0.1–0.15 mm) for sensitivity. In snags, add a fluorocarbon leader (0.3–0.4 mm) to prevent pike teeth.
• Sinker: Jig head or Cheburashka (5–40 g) depending on depth and current.
• Mandula: Choose the size and color to match the fish. For perch, choose 3–7 cm, bright colors (yellow, red). For zander, choose 7–10 cm, dark colors (green, purple). For pike, choose 10–15 cm, with brightly colored tails.

Lifehack: In murky water or at depth, try a mandula with a phosphorus coating - it glows and attracts predators.

Mandula wiring techniques

Here are the main techniques that I tested on my fishing trips:

1. Classic step

Jig base, ideal for zander and pike.

• How to do it: Cast the reel and let it fall to the bottom. Perform 2-3 reel turns (fast or slow, depending on the fish's activity), then pause (2-5 seconds). During the pause, the reel hangs, provoking an attack.
• When it works: At depths of 2–6 m, in pits or on drop-offs. Pike-perch often strike during a pause, and pike are caught while reeling in.
• Tip: Vary the pause length. For sluggish fish, pause for 5–7 seconds.

2. Dragging along the bottom

Great for passive predators, especially perch.

• How to do it: Slowly reel in the line so the mandula moves along the bottom, stirring up the mud. Add gentle twitches with the rod.
• When it works: On muddy bottoms or in fine grass. The turbidity attracts perch.
• Tip: Use a light weight (5–10 g) to prevent the mandula from getting buried.

3. Uniform wiring with pauses

Good for pike and active perch.

• How to do it: Reel in evenly, pausing for 1-2 seconds every 5-10 seconds. The mandula will dive and resurface like a wounded fish.
• When it works: In shallow water (1–3 m) or in warm weather.
• Tip: Vary the speed from slow to medium to find the right rhythm.

4. Twitching

Aggressive wiring for pike.

• How to do it: After casting, make sharp jerks with the spinning rod, like with a wobbler, alternating with pauses. The mandula will jump around as if in a panic.
• When it works: In the grass or near snags, where pike lie in ambush.
• Tip: Change the strength of the jerks to make the mandula move chaotically.

5. Pelagic wiring

For fishing in the water column.

• How to do it: Start reeling in the line immediately after casting, keeping the mandula from sinking to the bottom. Keep it at a depth of 1–2 m, adding twitches and pauses.
• When it works: In summer, when perch or pike are hunting in the middle layers.
• Tip: Use a bright mandula and a light weight (5–15 g).

What can you catch with a mandula on the Putorana Plateau?

The Putorana Plateau is a unique region with over 25,000 lakes and numerous rivers, home to a rich fish fauna. The mandula, thanks to its versatility, is an excellent target for the local predators. Here's what you can catch:

• Taimen: The largest predator of the plateau, reaching 1.5–2 m and 30–60 kg. It prefers large mandula (10–15 cm) with brightly colored tails (yellow, orange). Twitching or a steady retrieve with pauses works best in deep lakes (Lama, Kutarama) or rivers (Kochumdek, Sukhaya Tunguska). Taimen bite aggressively, so use a strong braided line and leader.
• Lenok: A fast-moving predatory fish (up to 70 cm and 5–8 kg). It responds well to medium-sized mandulas (5–8 cm) in bright colors (red, yellow). Try step-up or pelagic retrieval in moderately flowing rivers. Lenok are active in summer and fall.
• Grayling: A small predator (30–50 cm) that loves small mandulas (3–5 cm) in light colors. Dragging along the bottom or using a short step in the shallows of lakes (Deep, Ayan) produces excellent results. Grayling loves turbidity, so a light sinker is your choice.
• Pike: Found in plateau lakes and rivers, reaching 10–15 kg. Large mandula lures (10–12 cm) with brightly colored tails (green, orange) and twitching in grassy bays or near snags are ideal. Pike on the Putorana River are especially active in the fall.
• Perch: Although not the main trophy of the plateau, it can be found in lakes (for example, Khantayskoye). Small mandulas (3–7 cm) and dragging or pelagic jigging work wonders. Colors: yellow, white.

Fishing tips for the Putorana River: The plateau's reservoirs are often deep and clear, so use dark-colored lures (black, green) for light-colored bottoms and bright-colored lures (yellow, orange) for dark bottoms. River currents vary, so choose weights (10–30 g) to suit the conditions. Predators are more active in summer and fall, and in winter, try slow retrieves in ice-free sections of the river.

How to select wiring?

Fish are like moods: today they want one thing, tomorrow another. Tips on how to guess:

• Taimen: Aggressive twitching or steady wiring at depth.
• Lenok and grayling: Short step or drag in shallow water.
• Pike: Twitching or steady jerking in the grass.
• Perch: Drag or pelagic retrieve with brightly colored mandulas.
• Weather: On a cloudy day, walk more slowly; on a clear day, walk a little faster.
• Current: On the Putorana rivers with a strong current, take a heavier sinker (20–30 g) and make a short step.

Lifehack: If you're not getting any bites, change your technique every 10-15 casts. Sometimes a couple extra jerks or a shorter pause can make all the difference.

Typical mistakes of beginners

• Too fast rewind: Without pauses, Mandula loses the game. Let her hang out!
• Incorrect weight of sinker: A light one won't reach the bottom, a heavy one will bury the mandula in the silt. Adjust the weight to the depth.
• Monotony: If there are no bites for 20 minutes, change the style or color of the mandula.
• Weak tackle: Taimen or pike will break thin fishing line. Use braided line and a leader.

Conclusion

A mandula isn't just a piece of foam; it's a killer lure if you know how to bring it to life. Try different retrieves, play with pauses, choose your colors—and the predator is yours. On the Putorana Plateau, it's especially good for taimen, lenok, grayling, pike, and perch—the main thing is to adjust to the clear waters and current. So grab your spinning rod, cast your mandula, and get ready for adrenaline-pumping bites. Good luck on the water!