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Ice fishing is a favorite pastime of many anglers. Siberian predators such as whitefish, lenok, and grayling are most often caught using vertical jigging. Rods with bite alarms (flags, nods, electronics, etc.) or winter rods for fishing with spoons are used. Lures can vary from natural baits such as minnows, insects, and larvae to spinners, rattles, balance lures, flies, and so on.
What fishing rods are used for catching lenok, whitefish, and grayling?
For winter fishing for Siberian predators, stiff, flexible rods are used. They perfectly capture the action of the lures and allow you to catch even the slightest bite. They also help anglers set the hook quickly and efficiently.
Fishing rods are most often made of plastic, fiberglass, or graphite. Of these rods, plastic ones are the most frost-resistant. Therefore, these rods are often used for fishing in Siberia.
To catch grayling and lenok, rods without bite alarms, such as nods, flags, and the like, are used. Anglers hunt these trophy fish primarily while standing. Rod blanks are best chosen to be approximately 35-45 cm long. A tulip or similar device is used instead of an alarm. Lures include spoons, jigs, and flies.
Incidentally, a balalaika rod with a nod helps catch grayling without any problems. Local ice fishing professionals believe this tackle is a must-have for everyone. It's sometimes successful in catching lenok and whitefish. The rod is comfortable and doesn't strain your hands, making it ideal for constantly playing with various types of lures.
Winter fishing tackle
Coils
When considering the reels used for ice fishing, they can range from spinning reels to multipliers. It's best to choose between spinning reels or multipliers, as spinning reels are finicky and heavy. They're also not very sensitive and tend to snag fish.
Therefore, the other two types are more suitable for landing trophy fish. Japanese SHIMANO 1000 reels, equipped with a friction brake, have become particularly popular. This helps prevent line breaks and tangles. As for inertial models, reels with diameters from 80 to 120 mm are most often used. The main thing is to have a fixed drag and a skirt under the spool.
Fishing lines
This tackle must be strong and reliable. The proven SHIMANO Silkshock Ice or SUFIX Elite Ice are excellent choices. The "Ice" designation indicates that the braided lines are designed for winter use. They are resistant to freezing and can withstand heavy loads. Remember the fishing rule: the thicker the line, if it's not suitable for the weight of the lure, the worse the action.
Spoons
In winter, these gears are divided into categories:
- Vertical;
- Vertically oriented;
- Horizontally oriented.
When ice fishing on the Yenisei River and its tributaries, vertical lures are most often used. These lures perform their function perfectly, producing a flawless action that entices predators to attack. The vibrations produced by vertical lures are similar to those produced by small fish. Therefore, predators inevitably attack and become trophies for anglers.
Furthermore, the lure must be acoustic, bioelectric, and visual. All these characteristics enable a large catch on the Putorana Plateau. For a spinner to be bioelectric, it must have several elements made of galvanic plates. However, their sizes can vary greatly, as fish don't really appreciate these factors.
Lures with a greater bend produce more noise, which can sometimes deter predators. Lures with a weak bend are more likely to be attacked. Spoons made of stainless steel, alloys, and nickel should be avoided, as they emit a strong electromagnetic field, which often scares off many fish species.
Jigs, rattles or flies?
To catch burbot and pike, anglers use a variety of lures. Even homemade tube lures are quite suitable. But the fish are most attracted to flies, jigs, and rattles. These are the most commonly used.
- Jigs are useful when the fish aren't biting at all. Tungsten or lead lures have become the most popular. However, tungsten has a significant advantage. It's denser and heavier, allowing the lure to sink faster. Finnex and Shak are among the leaders in producing excellent jigs. Lumicom products are also worth trying. Their jigs can be made of tungsten with noise chambers.
- Flies also offer good potential for catching predators. It's best to choose ones that resemble larvae and flies in all respects. Heavy lures are used for ice fishing. Sometimes anglers tie two flies, which can improve their catch rate. The top fly is tied so it doesn't interfere with the action of the bottom fly. The bottom fly is tied to a spoon or jig. Caddisfly larvae or nymph-shaped lures are effective for catching whitefish and grayling. They should be dark brown, dark green, or gray-green in color, with golden heads.
- Rattlins, small, sinking wobblers, are also a good idea for ice fishing. They help catch predators of various sizes. They often catch greedy perch and pike, making fishing especially interesting and exciting.
Therefore, when selecting fishing gear, it is necessary to take into account various nuances and the type of predator you will be hunting.
