What to fish on the Volga, how to fish on the Volga, what baits to use when fishing on the Volga. Such questions are asked only by those fishermen who have not yet been fishing in Astrakhan region. From the article, anglers will learn what kind of fish can be caught on the Volga in the summer, what gear to use for catching catfish, carp, pike perch, asp and other fish. We will tell you which rod to choose for fishing on the Volga, what kind of reel you need, help you decide on the choice of fishing line and reveal the secret of which lures work best for fishing on the Volga.
In summer, many anglers dream of going fishing on the Volga. There are many reasons for this, because legends about trophy catches have been found in the fishing environment for a long time. Of course, fishing on the Volga is good: there is a bite and a solid fish, but you should not count on biting on a bare hook. Fishermen should understand that fishing, depending on the region, has its own specifics. Let's try to decide what to fish on the Volga, how to fish on the Volga and what gear you will need for fishing on the Volga. We have already set the Fishing Calendar on the Volga and Akhtuba in June, July, August, in order to understand which fish will be caught in the summer on the Volga better than the other (green - fish bite well, yellow - fish bite badly, red - fish do not bite).
| Fish | Fishing on the Volga in June | Fishing on the Volga in July | Fishing on the Volga in August | |||
| June 1-15 | June 16-30 | July 1-15 | July 16-31 | August 1-15 | August 16-31 | |
| asp | ||||||
| Vobla | ||||||
| Rudd | ||||||
| Bream | ||||||
| Perch | ||||||
| Zander | ||||||
| Carp | ||||||
| catfish | ||||||
| Pike | ||||||
Tackle for fishing on the Volga
It can be seen from the angler's calendar that in the summer the roach does not bite with hunting, and the pike and zander are also naughty. The rest of the fish are ready to pay attention to your fishing gear. So, tackle for fishing on the Volga must be selected based on what kind of fish you are going to catch. As a rule, the choice of tackle for fishing for a particular fish differs in the length of the rod, the action of the rod, the multiplier reel, inertialess, etc., or the monofilament line of different diameters, the baits used: wobblers, poppers, foam rubber, spinners, etc. We will figure out what gear is needed for fishing on the Volga for asp, what gear to catch catfish on the Volga, how to choose gear for fishing for carp, and also what gear to use for fishing on the Volga for pike and zander.
How to catch asp on the Volga
Tackle for asp
Tackle for catching asp should be selected based on the characteristics of the behavior of this fish. Asp is a very cautious fish and asp fishing on the Volga occurs with the help of long-range casting. From this it follows that the best tackle for catching asp on the Volga will be spinning with a rod length of 3 to 3.3 meters. The gear build is preferred from medium to medium-fast, the test of the cast bait is from 10 to 35 gr. A monofilament line with a diameter of about 0.2-0.22 mm is suitable for catching asp on the Volga, but if you are a fan of braid, then use a braid with a diameter of up to 0.13 mm. Tackle for asp certainly needs to be set up and adjusted by the friction clutch, since the asp behaves actively when playing. As for the reel, a 3000-3500 series spinning reel from Daiwa and Shimano will do. When choosing gear for asp fishing, keep in mind that asp often bite when the lure is super-fast, so pay attention to the high gear ratio at the reel on the asp.
The best lures for catching asp on the Volga
The best baits for catching asp on the Volga are Kastmasters weighing from 14 to 27 grams, the color can affect the bite, it is preferable to use wobblers with an orange or blue stripe for fishing on the Volga for asp. Asp pecks on spoons, and on pilkers, and on spinners. The best bait for asp fishing on boilers is surface wobblers.
What to catch catfish on the Volga
Tackle for catching catfish
Catching a catfish while fishing on the Volga is the dream of every angler. This Volga giant needs special gear to catch. If you plan to fish for catfish with a spinning rod from a boat, then you will need a rod with a fast action and a length of 2.4-2.7 m, a weight test of 40-80 or 50-100 gr. Braid with a diameter of 0.2–0.3 mm will help avoid breakage, if necessary, force the fight.
Amateur and sport fishing is a favorite pastime of millions of people, both in our country and abroad. There are many good fishing places on the planet in the seas, rivers, lakes, ponds and even swamps, but not all places and water bodies can be considered a fishing Mecca. One such, and perhaps the most significant place in our country, is the Lower Volga and Akhtuba river. Speaking of the Lower Volga, it means fishing on the rivers, eriks and lakes of the Volga-Akhtuba floodplain, which is located between Volgograd and Astrakhan. The Volga Delta, located below Astrakhan and extending to the Caspian Sea.
Fishing on Akhtuba It is not the same everywhere and different sections of the river have their own characteristics associated with the conditions and state of the water area. The water area of the river and adjacent reservoirs is conditionally divided as follows:
— upper Akhtuba- section of the river from the source, located at the Volgogradskaya GRES, and to the city of Akhtubinsk;
— middle Akhtuba- a section of the river from the city of Akhtubinsk to the village of Volnoe, which is 50 km away. south of the city of Kharabali;
— lower Akhtuba- section of the river from the village. Volnoe to the confluence with the Buzan River north of Astrakhan.
In this article, we will try to reveal to you all the interesting and secret information about fishing on the Akhtuba and the Lower Volga, give useful tips and answer your questions:
Where to go?
Choosing a place for fishing on the Lower Volga can puzzle anyone, even a professional fisherman. In principle, you can fish in almost any puddle where there is water, especially after the spring flood. But “what kind of fish is this?”, “Where are there more fish?” and “where does it bite better?” These questions can only be answered based on experience and repeated trips to the lower reaches of the Volga. Some fishermen, after one or more trips to Lower Volga they choose a certain place for themselves and in subsequent times they go only there. Other fishermen prefer to change places and each time go to a new place, sometimes drastically changing the conditions for fishing, which are different in the Volga Delta and, for example, in the Middle Akhtuba. Well, those fishermen who have free funds and time can travel on their boats throughout the entire water area of the Lower Volga, and even go to the Caspian Sea.
Before going to Akhtuba or another river in lower reaches of the Volga, first you need to decide where you will live - at a fishing base or in a tent on the river bank. If you are in a tent and you are eating for the first time, then you cannot do without the advice of “experienced fishermen” on choosing a parking spot, otherwise you risk ruining your entire fishing and vacation by choosing the wrong parking spot. In summer, a huge number of so-called "savages" fish and rest on the banks of the rivers, setting up tent camps and living in them for weeks. Therefore, finding a free place to camp can be a difficult task. Yes and roads to these places pass, as a rule, through the floodplain, are very tangled and navigator it won't help you here. It is better to go with someone in the company, then you will be able to avoid such troubles as getting lost, getting stuck in the mud in an unknown place, not catching anything and not having any rest.
Another thing is if you are going downstream and are going to stop at fishing base. Now there are many fishing bases on the Lower Volga and in the delta with different pricing policies, living conditions and related services. Basically, fishing bases are located near settlements, for example, near the city of Kharabali on the middle Akhtuba, or near the village of Enotaevka on the right bank of the Volga River. There are more or less normal roads to such bases and you can get to them by car. Some bases are located directly on the floodplain, and getting to them can be very problematic, however, all bases have a transfer and car escort, so they will help you get to the base. In the Volga Delta, due to the lack of dry places to build a base, ships and barges are sometimes used instead of a fishing base, the living conditions on which are quite normal, however, after an evening feast there is nowhere to walk - there is water all around. Fishing base "Sudachye place" located almost in the center of Srednyaya Akhtuba, near the city of Kharabali. The location of the base is called "Raging Abyss" or " Black market“is well known to local and visiting fishermen.
Living at a fishing base has its own significant advantages over fishing savage, except perhaps for a rather large financial outlay. Firstly, you have more time for fishing itself, since at the fishing base you do not need to deal with camping and household problems. Secondly, good and trophy fishing on Akhtuba is simply unthinkable without a boat, and at fishing bases you can always rent a boat and you don’t need to take it with you, as fishermen from campsites do. Thirdly, if you are going to the chosen place for the first time, then at the base you can hire a huntsman who will show you where to fish, thereby facilitating her search. However, at fishing bases, instead of a huntsman, they can slip you a “collective farmer”, who can only manage the boat, and knows little about fishing, so take this issue seriously.
promising place for fishing on the Akhtuba, Volga and other lower rivers, you need to choose based on simple fishing rules: - the farther from settlements and good roads, the more fish in the intended place; — a wide riverbed with deep pits and fast-flowing riffles – promising places for catching trophy fish specimens; - the presence of islands, channels, backwaters, eriks and lakes in the place of fishing accompanies good fishing and increases the potential number of cool places.
The Sudachye Place also falls under these rules - the water area surrounding it has all the signs of promising fishing places: deep pits, extensive rifts, backwaters, eriki and lakes. Many of the fishing places, such as: "Black Market", "Mad Prorva", Pershinskaya Yama have long attracted fishermen and are very popular. Choosing a place for upcoming fishing will be easier if you first study fishing card, which shows the entire water area of the Lower Volga. Having looked at a promising section of the water area, you can start looking for a suitable fishing base or campsite in the immediate vicinity of this place. The presence of the Internet simplifies the task and you can special efforts find the necessary information about the base on fishing forums and specialized sites.
When to go?
The fishing season on the Lower Volga lasts throughout the calendar year and has certain periods associated with the change of seasons and spring floods. Each fishing period has its own characteristics in terms of fishing objects, fishing methods, places and conditions for fishing. fishing:
— Fishing in spring on open water begins around March 20, it all depends on the opening of the rivers from ice, and lasts until April 20 - the beginning of the ban on fishing and the spring rise in the water level. Spring fishing on Akhtuba is interesting for catching predatory fish - pike perch, bersh, pike, asp, and catfish. The main methods of catching fish in spring are trolling and jig-spinning. Toward the end of the spring period, the water in the rivers warms up, its level increases, and it is possible to catch whitefish, including on eriks and lakes where fish come to spawn.
- After the period of spring fishing, the flood period begins, which lasts approximately from April 20 to June 20, it all depends on the discharge of water at the Volzhskaya GRES. This is perhaps the most promising time for fishing, when you can even catch fish with a net, however, during this period there is a ban on fishing, and the conditions do not allow the use of such fishing methods as trolling and jig spinning. Fishing may only be done from the shore and subject to other restrictions which are recorded in Fishing Rules. Another obstacle for fishing during the flood period is the midge, which appears in the Astrakhan region from about May 20 until the end of June.
“After a period of high water on the Lower Volga, a hot, literally and figuratively, time for summer fishing begins. This period lasts from June 20 until about mid-September. Summer fishing on Akhtuba good for everyone - you can catch almost any fish, use any methods and fishing tools, as well as, together with fishing, swim, sunbathe and relax. The main objects of trophy fishing in summer are catfish and carp, and the main gear is bottom gear. In addition, only in the summer can you catch catfish in such an interesting way as catching a kwok.
- Approximately from mid-September, the period of autumn fishing on the Lower Volga begins. This period lasts until the middle or end of November, it all depends on weather and water temperature. Fishing on Akhtuba in autumn, just like in spring, it is interesting, first of all, to catch a predator: pike perch, bersh, pike, asp and catfish. In autumn, you can also successfully catch peaceful fish, especially trophy specimens of bream and carp. In autumn, you can use almost all known methods and fishing gear used by fishermen on the Lower Volga.
- At the end of the autumn fishing period, the so-called “no ice, no water” period begins, when the rivers begin to be covered with ice, but not everywhere and not strong enough to catch fish from the ice. This period begins with the arrival of frosts in the Astrakhan region and can last throughout December and even until mid-January. At such a time, open water fishing is difficult, not very promising, and it is better for fishermen to fish from ice on frozen eriks, lakes and backwaters, especially since fishing on Akhtuba on the first ice can be very effective. The main trophies during this period can be zander and pike.
- After strong ice is established on the rivers, the period of winter fishing begins. It lasts until the ice melts on the rivers, until about mid-March. Winter fishing interesting for catching zander, bersh, pike, perch, bream and whitefish. In terms of fishing gear for winter fishing on the rivers of the Lower Volga, nothing needs to be invented and you can use ordinary winter fishing rods and vents adapted for fishing at great depths and currents. For fishing on eriks and lakes, less heavy lures are suitable, adapted for fishing in still water and at shallow depths.
- When the ice begins to melt and crack on the rivers, closer to mid-March, the period of winter fishing on the rivers ends, although in some years it is possible to fish from the ice on eriks and lakes until the end of March. Ice floes float on the opened rivers for 1-2 weeks, making navigation difficult and dangerous. By the date of March 20 - 25, the river is completely cleared of ice floes, you can lower the boats and proceed to spring fishing fish in open water.
For most fishermen, long-term fishing trips are directly related to the vacation schedule at their main job, so there is no choice. But if you still have the opportunity to choose the time of the trip, approach the choice of the period for fishing in terms of your preferences regarding fishing objects. For example, if you want to catch carp, then it is better to come to the Lower Volga and Akhtuba in July - September, if you want to chase zander, then best time- spring and autumn. To understand in more detail when it is better to go fishing, our fish biting calendar .
What to catch?
More than 60 species of fish of interest to the fisherman live in Akhtuba, and despite environmental problems and pressure from fishermen and poachers, their number remains quite large. Therefore, to the question " What kind of fish can you catch? There is a short answer - any! The bulk of the fish present in the rivers is the so-called " linen"- bream, silver bream, blue bream, sabrefish, roach, vobla and other medium-sized "peaceful" fish. Large representatives of "peaceful" fish include bream, grass carp, silver carp and, of course, carp, whose weight in the Lower Volga reaches 25 kg. True, such specimens are rare, but carp weighing 10-15 kg often come across to fishermen. There are a lot of small carp in rivers, eriks and lakes, however, carp weighing up to 2 kilograms among conscious fishermen is considered not valid and it is customary to release such specimens, although it is better to release large specimens as well.
Few fishing spots in Russia can compete with the Lower Volga and Akhtuba in terms of the number and size of predatory fish such as catfish, zander, asp and pike. Catfish here reach a length of 2.5 meters and a weight of more than 100 kg. In the old days, catfish weighing 150 and even 200 kg were caught in the Volga, but now you are unlikely to see such monsters. On Akhtuba, due to the many deep holes in the water area, there is a large number of catfish, including rather large specimens, catching which is more like hunting for a large animal. Basically, test specimens of caught catfish weigh from 10 to 30 kg, and catfish weigh up to 5 kg. generally accepted to let go. Catfish grows quite quickly, and within three to four years, its weight will exceed 10 kg.
Asp on the Lower Volga is found in abundance, the main thing for him is space and the presence of extensive rifts. The weight of the caught asp can reach 10 kg, but the bulk of the test fish varies between 1.5 - 5 kg. Asp lives and feeds in flocks, and only large specimens hunt alone from time to time. Asp is a very cautious fish, and not every fisherman can catch it. Even if you find the “asp fight”, it’s not a fact that you will be able to catch this fish. Along with the asp, there is a lot of chub in the Lower Volga, which prefers to live in the same places as the asp. The taste qualities of asp and chub leave much to be desired, and what can really be done with the caught large asp is balyk, so asp and chub, especially the smaller ones, are caught mainly for sporting interest on the catch-and-release principle.
Pike perch can be considered the most common and numerous predator in the Volga and Akhtuba. There is even a certain category of fishermen who specialize only in catching zander, for which they come to the Lower Volga and Akhtuba in early spring and late autumn, when the fish biting reaches its maximum. The weight of caught specimens of test pike perch in the rivers of the lower reaches reaches 12 kg, but nowadays this is a rarity. Basically, pike perch weighing from 1 to 6 kg falls into the catch, and it is customary to release specimens up to 500-700 grams. Small pike perch lives and feeds in small flocks, the average pike perch moves along the rivers in groups of up to several individuals, and large specimens prefer loneliness. However, in spring and autumn, zander gather in large mixed schools and concentrate in certain places in the rivers. Having found such a place, the fisherman with full confidence can count on good and trophy fishing.
On the Lower Volga, you can successfully catch bersh - the “younger brother” of pike perch, so called because of its similarity to pike perch, but much smaller. However, according to some, quite plausible data, the bersh first appeared, from which the river pike perch turned out, from which, in turn, the sea pike perch living in the Caspian Sea appeared. Bersh is valued because of its taste - its meat is fatter than pike perch meat, as a result of which it is much tastier.
In the rivers and lakes of the Volga-Akhtuba floodplain, you can find almost all types of fish that live in the rivers, but only during the period of high water and the ban from late April to late June. This is due to the rise in the water level in the rivers, the flooding of the floodplain and the influx of fresh water into the eriki, ilmen and lakes, where all the fish rush to spawn. In this "fish kingdom" you can find sedentary fish species, such as catfish and carp, anadromous fish species, such as the Caspian herring and sturgeon, and semi-anadromous species - pike perch, roach, sabrefish and others. After the summer heat, many eriki, lakes and ilmens dry up, and the fish remaining in them die. In those places where the water remains and there are deep enough places, the fish survives and can be successfully caught. These fish include pike, perch, crucian carp, buffalo, tench, small carp, roach, rudd and other representatives of medium-sized "peaceful" fish.
Now in the Volga still lives a fairly large number fish species However, the trend of recent years shows that the number of fish, especially valuable for amateur and sport fishing, is rapidly declining, and the size of the fish itself is becoming smaller. According to the stories of an old-timer, back in the 90s of the last century, a large number of sturgeon species of fish sailed to Akhtuba for spawning, including beluga and black caviar in the same Kharabalyakh because of the surplus, they simply buried it in the ground. Now in Akhtuba, catching even a sterlet is a rarity. This trend is, of course, directly related to big amount fishermen and poachers on the rivers, as well as poor performance and lack of proper control by the Rybnadzor and the state as a whole. But even greater harm to the ichthyofauna of the Lower Volga is caused by technogenic causes, such as poor water discharge from the Volgograd State District Power Plant during the spring flood and the laying of various oil, gas and other wires along the bottom of the rivers.
Where to fish?
The main fishing grounds are concentrated around deep holes. In the "Sudachy place" such pits are the Black Market pit (depths up to 25 m.), Ferry pit (depths up to 15 m), Pershinsky pit(depth up to 20 m). On the pits and around them, you can catch almost any fish that lives in the rivers, but especially carp, catfish and bream. Some of the pits that have a reverse flow are wintering pits, fish hibernate in them. In such pits, fishing is possible, but with some restrictions. You can fish in the pits using jig-spinning, deep-sea trolling, in a plumb line, on bottom tackle. Catching catfish on a kwok generally possible only in the pits, and even then not at all.
Between the pits on the rivers there are usually extensive rifts with a shallow depth and a stronger current. In such places, it is interesting and successful to catch asp, sabrefish and chub. At average depths of 4 to 8 meters, a fisherman can find any fish, but its presence in such places depends mostly on the season and the water level in the rivers. It is convenient to use trolling here, primarily for catching zander. Good places for catching zander and other predatory fish are places with moderate depths and the presence zastrug at the bottom of the river. In backwaters, where there is practically no current, it is convenient to use classic spinning and float tackle for catching pike, pike perch, perch and such peaceful fish as ide, roach, vobla. Fishing on eriks, lakes and floodplain ilmens depends mainly on the presence of water in them and spring floods, as a result of which fish enters them, and it is better to look for places for catching carp, buffalo and tench on a float rod in such reservoirs than in rivers.
The habitats of individual fish species are highly dependent on the season and water level in the Volga and Akhtuba. So in summer, when it is very hot, most of the fish individuals concentrate in the pits. In early spring, schooling pike perch often enters vast sandy stretches with a depth of only 1-2 meters, where the water warms up faster. In winter, serious floods occur on the Lower Volga, as a result of which the water level in the rivers rises strongly, the water floods the coastal zone and is poured into eriki and lakes. At such a time, fish should not be looked for in pits, but at a shallow depth, in a quiet stream, next to flooded bushes and grass. The same can be said about the spring flood season, when the bulk of the fish accumulate near leaks, in eriks, lakes and flooded Volga-Akhtuba floodplain for spawning.
Still good fishing spots can be considered places of accumulation of snags and underwater karchey. Various fish are constantly spinning near them, however, fishing in such places is hampered by possible tackle hooks and difficulties that arise when playing large fish. The behavior of fish is influenced not only by annual seasons, but also by daily periods. So, a large predator in the evening, morning and night prefers to hunt in smaller sections of the river and closer to the coast, and goes to the depths during the day. As you can see, it is impossible to answer the question " where to fish?' at a certain point in time. But if you analyze all the available information, such as water level and temperature, weather, bottom relief, current, etc., then you can calculate where a certain fish should be approximately, whether it is active, and how you can catch it. Perhaps you will be helped fishing reports, in which you will find the necessary and secret information about the places for successful fishing.
How to catch?
There are many ways to fish on the Lower Volga and Akhtuba, and it may seem to a beginner in fishing that it is not possible to understand all the methods and their intricacies. Part of this is true reasoning and the ability to fish in a certain way comes only after repeated practice. However, if you analyze the situation, it becomes clear that in fact there are not so many main ways of catching fish, and often one seemingly special way turns out to be a well-known, but modified way of catching fish or complements it. Here are the main ways how to fish in the lower reaches of the Volga:
— Trolling. This method of fishing has recently become widespread in our country, although in fact its variety, called " track' has been around for a long time. Trolling is designed for catching predatory fish such as catfish, zander, pike and involves fishing from a boat. The essence of the method is as follows: the fisherman floats along the river in a boat at low speed, dissolves the tackle, and leads the bait in the lower and middle layers of the water. This method of catching fish is effective in any fishing season, with the exception of the winter period and the flood period.
— Jigging. Fishing on Akhtuba using jig heads very popular and involves fishing from the shore or from a boat, both in deep holes and at medium depths. This method, in fact, is a modified fishing for classic spinning, only the bait and methods of its wiring radically change the whole fishing process. Jig fishing is effective in spring and autumn, in summer this method does not work well and trolling for predators is much more effective. Catch on jig-spinning in the Volga and Akhtuba, especially zander, bersh, perch, pike and catfish.
— Spinning fishing. This method is widespread in our country and has many followers. Application various kinds lures and methods of wiring make catching fish on a classic spinning rod very diverse. Due to the strong current and great depths, the use of classic spinning on the rivers of the Lower Volga is difficult, and this method is more often used for catching predatory fish in the coastal zone, in the backwaters, in the rivers and lakes of the floodplain. The only exception is catching asp and chub on a classic spinning rod. Caught on spinning throughout the open water season. In the rivers, you can catch asp, chub, ide and pike perch for spinning, and for catching pike and perch, it is better to move to eriki and lakes.
— Plumb fishing. This method is intended for catching predatory fish, primarily pike perch. It resembles catching a predator with a winter rod, only in this case not from ice, but from a boat drifting along the river. In this way, you can fish on the Akhtuba and Volga during the entire open water season, but the best time is autumn. Fishing on Akhtuba in a plumb line is effective in catching zander, bersh, pike and catfish, and sometimes it happens that this method works much better than trolling or jig-spinning.
— Bottom tackle and feeder fishing. This method of fishing on the Lower Volga can be used in different ways for catching both peaceful fish and predators. They catch on donks and feeder gear from the shore and boat in an active way, when the fisherman is at the gear, and in a passive way, when bottom gear is placed unattended and occasionally checked. From peaceful fish on donkeys you can catch whitefish, bream, carp, and from predators - catfish, pike perch, bersh, perch. Fishing with bottom tackle can also include carp fishing– catching carp and carp using special tackle, equipment and a large amount of bait. Catch on donks in the lower reaches from June to November.
— Float fishing. In fact, float fishing is ineffective on the rivers of the Lower Volga due to strong currents and depths, and it is better to use bottom gear here. An exception may be catching whitefish in wiring and fishing on Akhtuba with a float rod during the flood period. Another thing is in eriks, lakes and backwaters with a silty bottom, here it is almost impossible to fish with bottom gear, but with a float rod it is effective and interesting. In eriks, you can successfully catch carp, buffalo, tench, roach, rudd and perch on a float. The float fishing period starts from the end of April and lasts until November.
— fly fishing. This is a fairly new way of fishing for Russian fishermen, however, similar methods of fly fishing for fish such as grayling in mountain rivers have long been practiced by our fishermen. The best period for fly-fishing in the Lower Volga is May and June - the peak of activity of air insects. Fly fishing can successfully catch such fish as asp, chub, sabrefish, ide, rudd.
— winter fishing. In winter, the rivers, eriki and lakes of the Volga-Akhtuba floodplain are covered with strong ice, and winter fishing on Akhtuba means fishing from the ice. The methods of winter fishing on the Lower Volga are not much different from the methods of fishing in other regions, and are limited to fishing with winter rods and girders. In winter, you can catch whitefish, bream, pike perch, bersh, pike, perch from the ice. The period of winter fishing is fleeting, and depending on the weather lasts 2-3 months from December to February.
— Catching fish with nets and lines on the Lower Volga are prohibited, and the use of these and similar methods is poaching.
As you can see, there are actually not so many ways to fish on the Lower Volga, and various “specific” ways of fishing are modified main ways of fishing. For example, ring fishing is an improved, albeit old, way of catching a donk, and plug fishing- This is fishing with an improved float rod. True, there are exceptions, for example, catching catfish on a kwok. When you fish in the lower reaches of the Volga, especially predators during a bad bite, it is advisable to use different fishing methods, for example, alternating trolling against the current and jig-spinning with rafting downstream.
What to catch?
Now in fishing stores you can buy many different fishing tackle for catching certain types of fish and fishing methods. But for a trip to Akhtuba and the Lower Volga, it is not necessary to take with you the entire existing arsenal, and if you approach the question " how to fish?"In terms of the versatility of fishing tackle, you can get by with a small amount of them. For example, a spinning rod for fishing with jig baits can be used both as a classic spinning rod and as a spinning rod for trolling. However, in sport fishing, such substitutions of highly specialized gear can be fatal for winning competitions, and in sport fishing, individual gear for a specific fishing method and quite expensive gear are used. Here is a list of the main fishing tackle used by fishermen on the Lower Volga:
— Spinning rods. For trolling fishing, spinning rods with a length of 240 - 270 cm are used with a test of 20-50 gr., But for "deep-sea" trolling and catching catfish using large wobblers, it is necessary to use spinning with a test of 100 - 200 gr. Spinning for jig fishing on Akhtuba has a length of 270 - 350 cm and a test of 20 to 50 grams. A classic spinning rod for catching asp, it can be from 300 to 400 cm long and with a dough of 10 to 30 gr. It is better to use spinning rods for bottom gear with a test of 50 to 150 grams, otherwise it will be difficult to fish out large fish, such as carp or catfish.
— Coils. When fishing on the Lower Volga, inertial, inertialess and multiplier reels are used. Inertial reels are used for plumb fishing, bottom gear, fly fishing, sometimes as a reel for classic spinning. Inertialess reels are much more convenient, with some exceptions, inertial ones and are used by fishermen in almost all methods of fishing using spinning: trolling, jig and classic spinning, bottom gear, float fishing rod, plumb fishing, etc. Depending on the purpose, inertialess reels used on the Lower Volga have a size of 2500 - 5000. Multiplier reels are used for trolling large catfish and for snacks. A line counter is not required, but it will not be superfluous in trolling.
— Line and braid. For trolling, classic and jig spinning, you must use braided line. Its diameter for trolling is 0.2-0.25 mm, for deep-sea trolling 0.3-0.4 mm, for jig and classic spinning, depending on the depth and current 0.15-0.25 mm. For trolling, it is convenient to use a braid marked with different colors, this helps to more accurately adjust the length of the unwind. For catching fish in winter, on bottom gear and plumb, it is better to use high-quality monofilament line with a diameter of 0.20 to 1 mm, depending on the conditions and the object of fishing. For the convenience of attaching various baits to the fishing line, the angler must have a supply of carabiners and swivels appropriate to the method of fishing and the size of the bait.
— Bottom gear and feeder. Spinning rods are most often used as bottom gear. spinning coil, a monofilament fishing line corresponding to the fish, with a diameter of 0.25 - 0.5 mm, and the equipment itself. The equipment consists of a sinker weighing 30 - 200 gr. or feeders, and leashes with appropriate hooks. On the Lower Volga, it is possible to successfully use feeder equipment with and without an anti-twist tube. For carp fishing, special tackle is used, adapted for fishing on boilies, cake and similar attachments, in the manner of " on the hair". Catfish are caught on bottom gear, the so-called “bottle”, which is a long thick fishing line, at one end of which a heavy load and a hook on a leash are tied, and at the other end an ordinary plastic bottle is tied, acting as a float to indicate the installation site of the donkey.
— artificial lures. Now there are a huge number of artificial baits on the market, and it is not possible to try everything. The main baits for catching predatory fish are wobblers depth from 2 to 12 m, heavy spoon for current and plumb fishing, jig heads weighing 15-55 gr. with silicone and foam. Other baits such as popper or Devonian can also be successfully used for fishing in the Lower Volga. The size, color, shape of artificial lures significantly affect the bite of the fish, whose predilections change in different fishing seasons. For example, in spring, pike perch prefers small wobblers with a depth of 2 to 4 meters, and in autumn, larger wobblers with a depth of 5 to 7 m. Therefore, it is necessary to take different artificial lures for fishing and are not afraid to experiment.
— Bait and bait. For catching peaceful fish, it is necessary to use bait and bait. Worm and canned corn are universal baits on the Lower Volga. For catching large fish, such as carp or bream, you can successfully use a shell - barley or cake. Widely used as predator bait fry, and for catching catfish - a medium-sized live bait of perch or crucian carp, frog, crayfish, barley. When fishing for carp, you can effectively use such artificial bait as boilies, but when using artificial bait, you must also use bait. In bait you need to add those ingredients that you use as bait.
— Gear for winter. Tackle for winter fishing on the Lower Volga is nothing special - a winter fishing rod for catching leucorrhea and bream, a fishing rod and vents for catching a predator. A winter rod for catching zander can also be effectively used when fishing from a boat in open water. The main obstacles when fishing in winter are great depths and strong currents, therefore, in winter gear, you need to use monofilament fishing line of the smallest possible diameter and heavier baits - winter lures, balancers and mormyshki.
If you are going to the lower reaches of the Volga for less than a week, you should not take a lot of tackle with you and try to catch different fish in different ways, for example, alternating between catching pike perch for trolling and carp using bottom gear. It’s better to start by deciding what you will be catching - predatory or peaceful fish, and take limited quantity gear, otherwise, you can spend all the time relocating and looking for acceptable fishing conditions, as a result of which you may end up with no catch at all. If you are traveling for 10 days or more, then you can grab additional gear. The main criteria for choosing fishing gear is their quality and reliability, but now this does not depend much on their cost, modern materials and technologies make simple and inexpensive gear quite acceptable for fishing on the Lower Volga. Only the correct use, maintenance and storage of fishing tackle can give the fisherman a guarantee of their durability and reliability. You can learn more about fishing tackle in the section tackle .
What to take?
An important factor in successful fishing is that the angler has the necessary equipment and equipment. Good fishing on Akhtuba is unlikely to succeed without the use of a motor boat, which helps to quickly move along the river in search of fish. The boat must be equipped with an echo sounder, without it you will not be able to accurately determine the depth and topography of the bottom in a fishing place, which is very important in the lower reaches of the Volga. At the same time, it is not necessary to have a "fancy" echo sounder and a fairly simple 2-beam device. The main data from the echo sounder that a fisherman needs to receive is depth, bottom topography, the presence of fish and water temperature, all other data is secondary. In addition to an echo sounder from electronic devices, a navigator can be used in the boat, which helps to navigate the terrain and water areas, as well as memorize promising fishing spots and points. If you intend to go trolling, especially with the use of deep-sea wobblers for catching catfish, reliable boats must be installed on the boat. holders for spinning rods, this will greatly facilitate fishing, while one fisherman will be able to use two gear at once. For greater deepening of wobblers when trolling, you can install on the boat downrigger, and to save wobblers from hooks, you can use a special cutter.
In addition to fishing tackle, the fisherman must have in his arsenal related equipment and devices for successfully playing fish and its further "neutralization". The main such devices are landing net, a hook or special gloves, a hook or a fish tank, a multi-tool with pliers, a fishing knife with a float handle, you may need a baton to put a large fish to sleep. Fishing accessories such as line cutters and extractors can make fishing easier, but you don't need to have them. But what to take is a must, so it's good fishing box, where you can place all these little things and spare fishing tackle. To capture interesting moments and captured trophies, you can take with you video or a camera, as well as scales, for weighing the caught fish.
When fishing from the shore to bottom gear, you will need a lot of additional equipment: rod holders, bite alarms, containers for bait and bait, feeders and similar trifles. If you are going to catch predatory fish for fry, you will need a net with a long handle and a small cell for catching fry, as well as a special container where the fry will remain alive throughout the fishing.
Fisherman's Outfit should include: a headlamp, sunglasses, a waterproof bag for carrying things, a thermos. Clothes for the fisherman you need to choose based on the fishing season, but it is better to take at least one warm item and a raincoat with you in any season. Footwear for the fisherman you need to select based on how you will fish - from a boat or shore. If from a boat, then wader boots are not required at all, it will be enough to wear waterproof boots or low boots, the main thing is that they do not slip on the boat. If you are going to fish from the river bank or on eriks and lakes, then it is better to have waders or waders in stock. In the summer, due to the heat, both in the boat and along the shore, you can go all fishing in the same sandals. The headdress should be with a visor, like a baseball cap, this helps to cover the eyes from the bright Astrakhan sun. For fishing from a boat, you will need a life jacket, however, if you rent a boat at a fishing base, you must be given one free of charge. For catching fish in the midge season, May-June, you just need to have mosquito net and preferably protecting the whole body of the fisherman.
For winter fishing, equipment and equipment are also provided, which greatly facilitate the process of fishing, and make it generally possible. First of all, this ice screw with a hole diameter of 130-150 mm. Be sure to have a set of spare knives for the drill, the ice on Akhtuba is heavy for drilling, there are many hummocks and sand deposits in the ice layers, which quickly dull the knives. fishing box for winter fishing - a necessary thing not only for carrying gear, but also for storing catch and as a place to sit at the hole. Special sleds for transporting things will speed up your movement on the ice, but in Astrakhan region there is rarely snow, and it will be difficult to drag the sled across the bare ground. As life-saving equipment in case of failure under the ice, on winter fishing it is necessary to have lifeguards and it is better to wear a life jacket, which also protects well from the wind.
Fishing on Akhtuba or in the Volga Delta?
To the north of Astrakhan, at the divergence of the Volga bed and the Buzan branch, the Volga delta begins, which can also be considered the Lower Volga. The delta, which is also the mouth of the Volga, is a set of canals, branches, eriks and small rivers flowing like a fan across a vast swampy area to the southeast, in Caspian Sea. The main rivers, or rather the branches of the Volga, in the delta, are Buzan, Bolda, Kamyzyak, Bakhtemir, Staraya Volga, Kigach. At the junction of the Volga and the Caspian Sea are the so-called peals- Shallow sections of the river with almost stagnant brackish water.
Fishing in the Volga Delta and on peals is somewhat different from catching fish on the Lower Volga above Astrakhan. This is primarily due to shallower depths, weak currents, more transparent water and an abundance of aquatic vegetation in the delta. Such habitat conditions affect the behavior of the fish, its number and the size of individual individuals. The same species of fish live in the delta and on the peals as in the Volga itself, however, the number of fish here is greater, but there are much fewer trophy specimens. This applies primarily to such predators as catfish and pike perch. Things are better with asp and pike, but the abundance of small specimens of these fish can simply prevent a trophy specimen from attacking your bait. There are a lot of perch in the delta, which often only spoils fishing, preventing other fish from swallowing the bait. There is also a lot of carp and whitefish in the Volga delta, but mostly they are medium-sized specimens, with the exception of fish that prefer shallow water and a quiet current: rudd, roach, roach, tench, crucian carp and buffalo.
in the Volga delta and peals they use the same fishing methods and tackle as when fishing on Akhtuba, but there are also some peculiarities. Due to the shallow depths and abundance of algae, jig-spinning fishing is not very effective, and for catching predatory fish it is better to use classic spinning with lures and surface lures. The same can be said about bottom gear, instead of which it is advisable to use a float fishing rod. In the delta and on the rumbles, you can successfully fly fish, especially asp and rudd, throughout the open water season. Due to the virtual absence of dry shores overgrown with high reeds, fishing in the Volga Delta must be done from a boat. Interesting fishing in the delta and in winter, at the same time, the chances of "fishing" are much greater than in the same Akhtuba. And yet, in the Volga delta, unlike sections of the river above Astrakhan, there are all conditions for a successful occupation spearfishing
In September, you can already remember the most pleasant moments of the summer season, boast of rest and production. And, of course, one cannot fail to mention past fishing trips on natural and artificial reservoirs. And about the wonderful fishing on the Volga in the Tver region.
Volga river
Volga - one of ten largest rivers Land and the largest in Europe. Here fishermen can find great places to fish and catch a good catch. Forest lands, high banks, sandy beaches alternate along this great river. This area is popular for its natural wealth, wonderful clean air and wonderful scenery. And, of course, fish. Judging by the reviews, fishing enthusiasts will not have to be upset.
Upper Volga
Fishing on this river in the Tver region is especially popular. This region of Russia is located on the territory that has long been called the Upper Volga. Just here, near the ancient Russian city of Tver, the great Russian river Volga begins. In the region, the reservoir has a length of about 700 km, here the river receives more than one hundred and fifty small tributaries, and there are about one and a half thousand lakes in the region.
The most popular fishing on the Volga River in the Tver region, of course, on the banks of the famous reservoir. The Tver region, in general, is known for its rich fishing grounds, there are only four large reservoirs with serious fish stocks.
Fishing spots
The reservoirs that appeared in the twentieth century in the interests of the economy changed the shape of the Volga, a large number of estuaries and backwaters arose, which are considered the best places for fishing. In addition, a glacier moved here in the Mesolithic, so the bottom of the reservoirs is very uneven, there are enough depths and shoals, and the change in relief reaches from 3 to 20 meters. Serious predators such as burbots and catfish often hunt in the pits. And at the place of changing depths, you can catch more than a dozen good perches and zanders. Summer fishing on the Volga in the Tver region is a wonderful vacation for fans of active activities. And without a good catch, you won’t leave here.
Fish
Very pleasant fishing in the Tver region. Its features are in a huge number of fishing spots. Both the Volga and all its reservoirs have a large number of fish. Live here and everywhere existing species fish (from minnow to ruff), and freshwater predators - ferocious pike, lazy burbot, fast pike perch and catfish reaching enormous sizes. Chekhon and the famous roach are much less common, but still considered quite typical prey. Judging by the stories of experienced anglers, such “royal fish” as sturgeon, fat sterlet and even the mighty beluga look into the Upper Volga zone. The latter, of course, is not easy to catch, especially with ordinary fishing tackle.
fishing tackle
Fishing on the Volga in the Tver region is a very serious matter and it is necessary to thoroughly prepare for the event. A large number of fish species and serious water areas make lovers take care of good gear and baits.
In order to catch a good white fish, for example, a decent-sized bream, a large carp, a tasty bream, a common bream, a typical rod tackle is most often suitable. At the same time, all sorts of baits are taken - from common worms and maggots to cereals and food mixtures prepared according to an intricate recipe. Corn and cereals are also often used.
You can take fish from the shore with a telescopic rod on lakes or small rivers, and when it is the Volga in the territory of the Tver region, fishing with a feeder will be the most effective. And a long casting distance is achieved better, and the presence of a feeder makes it possible to attract demanding Volga fish.
In general, due to the rugged bottom topography and a large area, especially in reservoirs, fishing with a bait from a boat will be worse, and from the shore it will be unstable, and the fish here are very demanding.
Spinning
What kind of fishing on the Volga in the Tver region will do without spinning? Predators on this tackle are caught quite willingly, but there is a whole range of subtleties. In particular, it is easier to catch a pike in a lake than in a flowing river, because it grabs prey from an ambush and therefore chooses dense vegetation, backwaters. But pike perch prefers fast water, so on the Volga he is provided with space.
Therefore, spinning enthusiasts who enjoy fishing on the Volga in the Tver region most often stop at catching zander or the less popular bersh. They take this fish on spinning rods 2.5-3 m in size. The most common baits are used, such as spinners, etc.
There is only one feature: the pike perch has a small mouth, because of this, large "pike" spinners cannot be used, baits must be small. Good prey can be perches, especially weighing about a kilogram - humpbacks. Perch fish soup is very tasty and appreciated by connoisseurs.
Winter
In winter, fishing on the Volga in the Tver region is no less interesting, and often more effective, given that the winter season here lasts from late November to mid-spring. The advantages of winter fishing, according to fishermen, are a large number:
- Good access to every fishing spot - the ice is strong, you can move on it not only on foot, but also by relatively light transport.
- Fish are not as mobile as in summer, much more hungry and active.
- Predatory fish (such as zander, perch) are in one place, and just one successfully drilled hole can bring a solid catch.
- In winter, oxygen is sometimes more necessary for underwater creatures than food, because of this, the hole - the possibility of obtaining air - will be a bait in itself.
Popular places
In the Tver region, the list of fishing places is quite large. If we are talking about the Volga itself, then the most popular among amateurs are the places where tributaries join it, for example, Shosha (by the way, there is a fairly famous reserve and the Zavidovo complex on it), Nerl and others.
Fishing is also popular on lakes frequent in the Tver region - Veliky, Verestov, of course, on Seliger and others. On such reservoirs, especially medium-sized ones, the situation is often more comfortable, and there are more fish than on the river. And the pike even prefers lake vegetation, open water.
Near the Volga and its tributaries there are a large number of campsites, tourist centers and large complexes: "Alexandrovsky Prichal", "Dream Coast" and a significant number of others. They have good conditions not only for comfortable fishing, but also for a pleasant pastime in nature with family and friends.
Paid places
Many fishermen prefer paid fishing on the Volga in the Tver region. After all, such places are specially adapted and have everything necessary for a wonderful holiday. You can go fishing or just be with your family on the river bank. Moreover, the Tver region is a very beautiful place. It is a real paradise for fishing lovers and those who want to go out into nature.
For fishermen here the best place, so that on the Volga you can easily find a convenient campsite on paid sites. The positive aspects of such a holiday are as follows:
- In such areas, comfortable gazebos with barbecue facilities are made for comfort, where you can cook caught fish.
- At some bases there are playgrounds or small ponds where the child can play enough and not languish with adults.
- On paid sites, garbage was removed from the water, the banks were cleaned.
- You can rent fishing tackle or buy additional bait.
- For amateur beginners, all the conditions for learning in a short time are organized. Huntsmen come to the rescue and help to find the right place, gear, choose the bait and fishing technique.
Konakovo
One of the examples of great fishing on the Volga in the Tver region is Konakovo.
Near Konakovo there is "River Club" - a wonderful hotel complex, located on the peninsula of a large reservoir near the large forest expanses of the Tver region. Five more medium-sized islands are connected to the peninsula by pedestrian bridges. The settlement itself lies in the widest part of the reservoir and has a total length of the coastline of about 7 km.
The River Club (Konakovo) can be reached by railway, the Moscow Canal or several highways. A bridge across the canal will soon be erected and a high-speed road to the northern capital will be built.
The hotel complex Konakovo "River Club" is an excellent combination of good natural lands, developed infrastructure and a successful location, which elevates it to the status of an indispensable one, both for a pleasant pastime and for building a summer cottage.
In the vicinity of Konakovo there are wonderful natural lands for obtaining fish, mushrooms, and berries. Here you can truly see all the charm of Russian nature, have a good day, enjoy all the amenities that ecotourism provides.
reservoirs
Experienced fishermen on the Volga in the Tver region in most cases stop their choice on reservoirs. This happens for several reasons. The first is that for fishing on the Volga in the Tver region, there are a lot of recreation centers near such reservoirs. Here are some of the reservoirs:
- The Rybinsk Reservoir is known for the largest variety of fish. Its total area is decent - about 4.5 thousand square meters. km, and the width at times is 70 km. Because of this, for effective summer fishing fish the best option is a boat with an engine. Keep in mind that it is not in vain that the inhabitants of the surrounding areas often give the reservoir the name of the sea - when the wind breaks, a serious river wave can disperse here.
- The Uglich reservoir is much more modest, and its width does not exceed 5 km. The most common fish is bream, and to catch, for example, predatory fish, you need to look well fishing spots. The fish here are intimidated and wary due to the ongoing gravel mining activities and active shipping.
- The Vyshnevolotsk reservoir is located near the town of Vyshny Volochek. It plays a significant role both in the seasonal movement of water and in maintaining the volume of water in the Volga. There are quite a lot of fish in the reservoir, in particular, roach, perch and other common river species.
Fishing and recreation centers on the Volga in the Tver region in the area of reservoirs are usually comfortable, since there are settlements nearby. Recreation centers are ordinary hotels or specialized campsites where fishing enthusiasts can get everything they need to relax near the water.
Gone are the days when on the Volga between Volgograd and Astrakhan it was possible to fish with a piece of red cloth. The brisk sichel no longer attack a cigarette filter thrown into the water, and the fry of carp fish no longer try to peel on the legs of a fisherman standing in the river. This is caused not so much by the reduction of local fish stocks, but by a significantly increased fishing pressure. At the height of the season, a lot of people gather on the Volga and everyone is trying to catch something. Underwater inhabitants, for their part, also adapt to the behavior of anglers and become more careful; catching fish in the Volga is no longer as easy as 10 years ago. But even today, anglers who find themselves at the right time in the right place have a chance to catch trophy catfish or large pike perch. Carp fishing enthusiasts can still successfully catch carp in snarled pits and on carp trails along the edges. Those who like to catch asp on the riffles and sandy spits near the islands will not be idle either.
In this article, we will give a number of key tips for fishing on the Volga in the nearby waters, as well as consider the features of fishing on the Volga in open water, depending on the season (spring, summer, autumn). As for fishing on the Volga and Akhtuba in winter, read about it at the link above. Another key "trick" in this article will be a detailed map of secret cool places on the Volga from Enotaevka (Promislovy village) to Mashkina pit near Gusiny Island (Baranovka).
But first, consider the features of fishing on the Volga, depending on the time of year.
Fishing on the Volga in spring
Spring fishing on the Volga in open water brings catches to anglers throughout the daylight hours. The bite of underwater inhabitants at this time occurs quite smoothly - without tangible fluctuations. Well, for those who are interested in fishing on the Volga in the spring, first of all, with their trophies, we recommend going to the river in the evening twilight. Just at dusk, the largest pike perch is caught. Trolling works effectively on it. You can also shoot a lot of fanged predators on a jig from a catchy point.
In spring, pike perch on the Volga largely depends on the water temperature and its level. Usually at the end of April, the flood begins, which will last until mid-June. During the period of maximum warming up of the water, even before the moment of its increase (this time falls on the second half of April), you can observe the best biting of zander. If the water temperature in the Volga at the time of arrival is in the range from 5 to 8 degrees, then you can count on a good bite. But the weather in the Astrakhan region during this period is very unpredictable, warming can quickly give way to dank cold, which will force you to put on winter clothes again.
In late April-early May, the flood begins, about the features of fishing on the Volga during this period, read the link above. And at the end of May, a huge number of Astrakhan midges fly out, which seriously complicates the life of fishermen and local residents. Few decide on a trip to the Astrakhan region at this time, but in vain ...
Fishing on the Volga in summer
In fact, summer fishing on the Volga in the Astrakhan region is the period from late June to September. Almost the whole of June is of no interest to most fishermen due to the dominance of midges, and we add September to the summer season due to local climatic conditions. At this time, it is still warm, one might even say hot. The air temperature affects the behavior of fish, which is not much different from August.
At the end of June, a significant part of the fish stock moves away from the spawning grounds to where there is a more noticeable current, and the water is a little cooler. Such places are rifts and sandy spits on the Volga and Akhtuba. They are massively collected sabrefish, which begins to exterminate asp and catfish. At the end of June, the biting begins at the spawned carp, which is caught under the steep and on the edges of the snarled shores.
The period of steady and protracted heat has not yet come, the fish on the Volga bite in the interval from 9 to 15 hours, after which time until 19 hours can be devoted to lunch at the fishing base, swimming and relaxing. An evening burst of activity of underwater inhabitants is usually observed from 19:00 and lasts until 21:00. In the evening, pike perch should be caught in shallower places.
We do not recommend that anglers be on the water for the purpose of fishing between 3 pm and 7 pm. At this time it is very hot, and the fish does not take well. The only exception is trolling for catfish, its bites are possible throughout the day.
When the Astrakhan summer heat comes (July-August, and in recent years, September), then at this time the temperature in the shade often reaches 40 degrees. Water during the heat warms up to 22-24 degrees, which affects the behavior of underwater inhabitants. Spinning fishing on the Volga at this time is reduced mainly to night fishing for zander. Pike perch is active in the morning (until 6:00) and evening dawns, but mainly at night. During the heat of the day, it is very difficult to find an active predator even in proven places - most of the "points" are silent.
In August, on the Volga and in flood lakes, it is already possible to catch crayfish, watermelons and melons ripen in local fields, but in August it becomes visible-invisible for savage vacationers along the banks of the Volga-Akhtuba floodplain. Most promising places are tightly occupied by other anglers.
During the heat, it makes sense to focus on spinning only when it gets colder. In the afternoon, during the maximum heat, it is much better to devote your time to a beach holiday or sleep in an air-conditioned room. Fishing is better to indulge in the dawn and at night. Your gear should always be ready, if one day the wind blows or clouds come up, then you should expect a surge in the activity of predatory fish - then you can grab a spinning rod and go to the “points” right in the afternoon.
The heat of the day is not a hindrance for the catfish, which can be caught on the quok throughout the day, as well as for the common carp, which continues to feed day and night. Catfish in the heat comes across not only over the pits, but even on the shallows and reaches. Carp can be successfully caught with the modern method of carp fishing, as well as with simpler bottom fishing rods baited with barley shells, boilies, cake, etc. coast. For fishing, it is still possible to lure a site at the edge with a depth of 6-8 meters for one or two days, but it must certainly be located near the places of permanent habitat of carp (usually carp splash in such places and this gives out their presence).
Fans of catching white fish can take their souls in overgrown eriks, Volga bays and floodplain lakes for catching roach, rudd, crucian carp and tench. Linen is caught on a worm and maggot. But is it worth going to Astrakhan for such trophies when you can catch them close to home?
When a cold snap sets in, the pike is activated at the points, and its bite will be the stronger, the longer the heat has been up to this point. Asp in July and August is no longer as active as in June and is very shy.
Let's summarize. If you happen to fish on the Volga in the summer, and the shelter is not a tent, but a fishing base, then remember - pike perch bite in the heat only until 6 o'clock in the morning! We mean that you need to discuss in advance with the huntsman a fishing trip at 3:00-4:00 in order to catch the morning bite. Not all rangers live at fishing bases, some come to work from neighboring villages.
Fishing on the Volga in autumn
The autumn fishing season on the Volga is much more transient than the summer one. Fishing on the Volga in autumn is most productive in October and November. The nature of the bite of underwater inhabitants at this time resembles the spring one - bites of a predator occur throughout the day. For trophies, you should go during the evening twilight. Pike perch activity increases as the water temperature drops and reaches a maximum at the end of October. Pike perch are caught in classic places with a depth of 4 to 7 meters using jig-spinning and trolling with a deep-sea wobbler. WITH good catches at this time there are also adherents of sheer catching fanged. A lot of pike perch is caught on the Volga in autumn in the Enotaevsky region.
What gear you may need
Let's say a few words about the gear that will be required for fishing on the Volga.
To catch catfish on a kwok, you need a short powerful rod with a test of up to 200-300 g and a length of 2.1 m. A multiplier reel with a solid margin of safety is highly desirable. A braided line with a breaking load of 25 kg (0.28-0.36 mm) is suitable. Sinkers for such fishing are used with a weight of 150-200 g, a reliable hook and Kevlar gloves are also highly desirable when pulling the catfish into the boat. The same gear can be used to catch catfish by trolling with a deep-sea wobbler capable of diving to 8-12 meters. Just keep in mind that the diameter of the braided cord largely affects the depth of immersion - the thinner, the deeper your wobbler will go on a strong Volga current.
For trolling and jig fishing, one universal “stick” with a dough of 15-50 g, equipped with a 3000-4000 series spinning reel with a braided line with a diameter of 0.16-0.22 mm, is suitable. It can be used when catching pike perch, pike, asp and medium-sized catfish. The weight of jig heads used on the Volga and its tributaries is in the range from 20 to 60 grams. Wobblers for trolling should be taken with a depth of 4 to 7-8 meters.
For perch, ide and medium-sized pike fishing, you can take another light-class stick with a dough up to 20 g. It can be equipped with a 2500 series spinning reel and wind a 0.08-0.11 mm braid on the spool. With the help of this stick, you can catch oscillating and spinning baubles, light jigs and medium-sized wobblers.
Fans of fishing for bream, silver bream and medium-sized carp can also take with them a float rod with rings and a light inertialess reel, as well as a feeder. You definitely won’t be bored, especially if you feed the place of fishing.
Cool places on the Volga: from Enotaevka to Gusiny Island
The first place I would like to tell you about is the arrow of Enotaevka and the Volga, which is located about 16 km west of the village of Zavolzhskoye, which stands on the banks of the Mitinka near the confluence with the Volga. This place is very promising - here decent depths coexist with underwater spits. In addition to pike perch, there is a high probability of catching catfish, and quite a big one at that. On the arrow it is more convenient to catch with a jig, and above it on the Volga itself there is an impressive sand spit, the northern coast of which can be caught by trolling, going upstream.
A little above the island there is a sand spit with depths from 1 to 3 meters (see point 1). On this spit, asp keeps throughout the season, and on the spurs of the spit you can find hordes of hungry perches. To find a spit without an echo sounder, you can focus on a white beacon, which is located upstream near the left arm of the Volga. Just from it and to the island itself, promising places for fishing begin. If you head perpendicular to the left bank from the buoy, then you will come to the carp pit (see point 2). If you fish here from the shore, then at a distance of 70-80 meters the depth is from 10 to 14 meters. The current of the river in this place is moderate and presses the equipment directly to the coveted edge. After a couple of days of baiting, you can arrange excellent carp fishing here.
In addition to the carp hole mentioned above, you can catch carp from a sandy island quite well. If you make casts from the island into the left arm of the Volga, then at a distance of 80-100 meters the depth reaches 6-9 meters (see point 3). Since the current is not very strong, it is not necessary to use massive sinkers. Somewhere in the middle of the sandy island along the left bank of the Volga, a chain of holes and snags begins (see point 4). There is a lot of carp along the snarled left bank, where it is caught throughout the summer right from the boat. Shells, boilies, cake work from nozzles. In addition to carp, there is a high probability of catching catfish, and far from small.
As for the right branch of the Volga opposite the island, the current intensifies here, after which the sandy spit falls into a pit. In calm weather, the depth difference is visible right on the surface, where water turbulences form. Pike perches, pikes and catfish gather here on the edges. For many years, the current washed a hole with a depth of up to 25 meters near the left bank (point 5). This hole in its shape is somewhat reminiscent of a trough. From the right bank of the river follows a sharp drop of 8-10 meters, at the next step the depth increases to 20-25 meters. The ascent from the pit to the island takes more than 500 meters and ends at a depth of 2-3 meters near the island itself. The bulk of bites of predators here takes place on the edges. You can also try trolling underwater steps.
Downstream behind the island there are 2 areas with underwater spits, the bottom on them is wavy, which creates a lot of shelters for predators (point 6). Here you can often meet asp with perch, and sometimes pike perch comes out on the spit. Pike bites can be observed here even at a depth of no more than 1.5 m.
If you move along the left branch of the Volga to the channel that connects it with the Mitinka, then its left bank is a low steep bank (point 7). In some places there are snags at a depth of 4-6 meters. In this snag you can always find carp, and it starts to be caught unusually early here - back in April! You can fish here directly on the worm. In addition to carp, the catch is likely to include bream, silver bream and small catfish.
Downstream on the right bank of the Volga, opposite Shambaysky Island, there are many coastal pits with a reverse flow (suvodi) (see point 10). For almost 3 km, there are many excellent places for jigging. In the same places you can catch catfish with a quok. Only the abundance of hooks complicates fishing. At the very bottom of this strip, opposite the mouth of the Mitinka, a network of absolutely deaf snags begins. Here, on the shore, anglers often stop with tents, which are caught right in the snags on the bottom gear. In their catches they have carp, catfish and also various linens.
The left bank of Shambaysky Island along the Volga opposite zone 10 has several sand bars, but it is difficult to fish on them, because there are a lot of poaching networks here.
Another interesting place- this is the arrow of Mitinka and the Volga itself, which is located at the lowest point of Shambaisky Island (point 9). Here in June you can successfully catch catfish, and pike perch often graze.
Upstream of the Mitinka there is a vast pit (point 11), the reference point for its location will be the wreck of the ship on the right side of the Mitinka (it is shown by an arrow on the map). Pike, catfish, zander and bersh are caught along the edges of this pit.
Now let's move even further downstream of the Volga, here, opposite the village of Rechnoye, a gas pipeline-siphon has been laid at the bottom (point 12). From above, the pipes are strewn with large cobblestones, which creates a rather interesting underwater relief. You will be guided by the signs "Do not drop anchor" installed on the shore. From the right bank of the Volga there is a steep drop to a depth of 10 meters, then an extensive ridge begins with a depth of 5 to 6 meters, which breaks in steps into the channel. The last stage is located at a depth of 8 to 10 meters, followed by a gentle slope to 18 meters. It is convenient to catch both trolling and jig fishing. The catches are dominated by zander and bersh, but also pike and perch. Sometimes asp is also found here.
On the left bank of the Volga below the village of Rechnoye, a series of whirlpool pits stretched for 3 km (point 13). Here they often catch catfish with a quok, as well as on a donk. Often, mustachioed giants weighing 100 kg are caught in the local pits. On the edges between the pits here you can catch pike perch and bersh with the help of jig spinning.
As for the right bank of the Volga down from the siphon, it is also very interesting. Here, near the shore, a 10-12-meter drop begins, there are many hard edges, which are snarled in places. In zone 14 you can find many places for catching carp, catfish and pike perch. An interesting place is point 15, there is a carp pit opposite a group of poplars. In the pit it is more convenient to fish directly from a moored boat.
Downstream of the Volga, the depths begin to decrease. In the place under the number 16 there is a snarled stretch, on which pike perch and bersh are caught.
Even lower near Zamyansky Island, the sandy spit in front of the island borders on a depth of 20 meters (at point 17). Here it is convenient to stand at a depth of 5 meters and make casts along the edge or immediately into the depth. The length of the edge reaches about 200 meters, so you can also catch trolling.
At point 18, on the right bank of the Volga, there is a drop from 2.5 to 30 meters. For successful fishing, you need to anchor right on the edge of the edge and fish along the cliff downstream.
Another interesting place is located behind the Zamyansky Island. Here, an underwater spit stretches from the cape to a depth of 6 meters, followed by a drop to a depth of 20 meters. In fact, the cape is the entrance to the pit, the depth of which reaches 40 meters. You need to get up on the very edge of the spit or even deeper, and cast in the direction of the left bank.
At point 20, there is a fairly smooth decrease to 8 meters, after which the bottom goes to a step with a depth of up to 18 meters. It is better to get up here not on the edge, but higher to the shore - 20 meters.
From the ferry crossing beyond the village of Zamyany, a chain of pits begins along the left and right banks. On the right bank they stretch up to Gusiny Island (zone 21), and on the left almost to Shchuchy erik (zone 22). The depth here in some places reaches 20-30 meters. There are places to catch trophy catfish everywhere. They are caught here in the sleepy with the help of a quok.
At point 23, behind a branch of the Gusinaya (Old Volga) canal, there is another interesting place. Here, the depth from 4 meters with ledges goes to 12 m, the current is strong here, and the fish does not linger for a long time. But it's worth checking anyway.
The next secret place on the Volga is already behind the Krugly Island, where Erik Schuchy goes around it (on the map it is usually marked as Volozhka Petropavlovka or Petropavlovskaya).
In this erika, in the fall, a lot of pike always gather (moreover, trophy - up to 12-15 kg), and the rest of the time, many other predators keep in the pits. It is most convenient to catch on a jig. The first pit is located right at the entrance to the erik, about 100 meters away (point 24). The second pit on Erik Shchuchy is located at point 25, under the power line.
The third hole downstream will help to find the remains of an old concrete structure on the left bank, there are several piles sticking out (point 25). The fourth pit is located even lower - right after the sheepfold (point 27), this pit on the Shchuchy erik is the deepest of the four. It is not so easy to notice it without an echo sounder, the banks around are swampy and overgrown with aquatic vegetation. But already literally 7 meters from the shore, the depth is 18-20 meters. Fishing on erik Shchuchye always brings catches, it is almost impossible to stay here without fish. And the small width of the erik and its elevated shore allow you to hide from the wind in any weather.
Another very promising place for fishing on the Volga is the exit of Eric Shchuchiy into the root channel. Here, from 2 meters, the depth with clay steps goes to 6-10 meters, after which a dump into the channel for 20 meters follows. The steps are an expanse for fans of jig-spinning: zander, bersh and pike are caught. On the dump, you can count on a bite of a large catfish. It is better to catch it here on the donk or with the help of a quok.
It is convenient to fish at the exit of the erik right at the white buoy (point 29), here you can anchor next to it or tie the boat directly to the buoy. Next, throw the bottom tackle on the dump and wait for the bite of the mustachioed giant. Catfish here come across from medium to real giants, so you won't be bored.
A little higher than the mouth along Krugly Island, there is a chain of coastal pits with a slope into the channel (zone 28), not only catfish, but also carp are caught here.
On the right bank of the Volga, opposite the mouth of the erik Shchuchiy, there is an extensive shallow stretch with a sandy-loamy bottom. The depth on it ranges from 4 to 12 meters. Here you can meet flocks of bream, behind which zander often comes out to the pool. It is not easy to find fish on the stretch, it is more convenient to fish with the help of trolling and an echo sounder.
As for the left bank of the Volga below the mouth of the erik Shchuchiy, promising places are located here for 2 km (zone 31). Here, near the shore, there are many pits with a dump into the channel. The depths between the pits are from 4 to 6 meters, and in the pits they reach up to 25 meters. The bottom near the left bank is solid, and the strength of the current forces the use of jig heads weighing from 60 to 80 g.
Below Gusiny Island, in zone 32, there is the legendary Mashkina Yama, where sturgeons were caught back in Soviet times. Today, catfish and carp still live here, but fishing in the pit itself is prohibited.
This is where I would like to finish the story about fishing on the Volga in the waters of the World-Fish fishing base.
- Fishing in Selitrennoye: Mitinka, Bath, Brick, Akhtuba
And to make it easier to fish on the Lower Volga, you will need a boat with a motor and an echo sounder. Then the expanses of the Volga-Mother are completely at your disposal.
