Fishing for crucian carp in the river during the current. Secrets of catching crucian carp in the river

Recently, in small and medium-sized rivers of our country, large number crucian carp. Most likely, this occurs as a result of the overgrowing of these reservoirs with various algae and the slowdown of the river flow. On big rivers the situation is a little different, although there are also more crucian carp here.

Fishing for crucian carp in different bodies of water has its own characteristics, because... in the river he has one habits, on the lake he has different habits

Most anglers claim that fishing for crucian carp on a river is much more exciting than fishing on a pond or lake. crucian carp Larger fish are caught more actively and resist more strongly when fished. But in order to return home with a full cage, you need to know and take into account all its habits.

Lures for river crucian carp

For fishing for river crucian carp, bait of animal and plant origin is used. Animal baits are used in cold water, and plant attachments- in the warm season.

Animal bait

Of the baits of animal origin, crucian carp loves:

The standard bait for crucian carp is a worm.

Often not bad results brings fishing using aquatic insects: small leeches or dragonfly larvae. Sometimes it is better to catch large fish using a sandwich, which consists of maggots and a worm. To prepare a sandwich, the worms are pierced across the body, and 1-2 maggots are placed on top. Small fish usually don’t take such bait, but large fish readily bite on it.

Successful fishing depends on the quality of the maggot - smell, breeding technology, cleanliness. Larvae grown on fish are considered the lowest quality. Moreover, when they are grown on the banks of the river where crucian carp will then be caught.

In some countries, maggots are grown for meat using an industrial method, especially for fishing. There are 2 varieties of such maggots - large for bait and small for groundbait. Bred on meat, maggot comes in a variety of colors and shades, from white to dark brown.

Ready maggots are stored in the refrigerator to slow down the pupation of larvae.

You can catch river crucian carp using maggots

In some cases, river crucian carp perfectly takes burdock moth larvae. To make it more interesting for the fish and sit securely on the hook, the larva is subject to heat treatment. A small number of larvae are placed in cheesecloth and immersed in boiling water for 5–10 seconds, after which they turn white. Treated larvae are stored in a cool place for 1.5-2 weeks.

Plant attachments

Along with animal baits, fishermen also use vegetable baits:

• cereal grains;
• porridge;
• pasta;
• crumb of white or black bread;
• sunflower cake;
• dough.

Since crucian carp is very capricious in terms of food, combinations of different baits are often used, which include potatoes, porridge, and bread.

River crucian carp will also be caught well on vegetable baits

The simplest bait is bread crumb. Every boy knows that you can knead a slice of rye or wheat bread with your fingers, moisten it and the bait is ready. Experienced fishermen prefer to season the bread pellet with sunflower or other aromatic vegetable oil, add 1-2 drops of anise oil, and a little vanillin. You can add a small amount of boiled hot potatoes to the wheat bread and grind everything together until smooth.

It is convenient to prepare bread pellets using gauze. To do this, you need to moisten the cleaned crumb, put it on gauze and, twisting the ends of the fabric, squeeze it out. Fish are strongly attracted by the aroma of honey gingerbread. To prevent the gingerbread from crumbling, you can chop it and then mix it with the bread crumb. The size of the finished bread roll should be approximately the size of your little fingernail.

Spring fishing for river crucian carp

At the beginning of spring, when the water warms up to + 10 °C, crucian carp begin to feed intensively until spawning. In rivers, spawning most often begins 10–15 days earlier than in ponds, in late April-early May. But sometimes it happens that the fish continues to release eggs in small portions even until the beginning of July. However, only some crucian carp behave this way, so such spawning is not widespread.

After spawning, the fish begins to eat, which lasts up to 2 weeks. And crucian carp can be caught using a variety of baits, even without bait. It is only important to find its parking lot. The fish can hide near old reeds, bury itself in algae, hide among water lilies, or settle in a hole at the bottom.

In the spring, regardless of the reservoir, crucian carp begin to spawn, and you can catch it among dense vegetation or reeds

Unfortunately, the period of active bites is not long. And the time comes when fishing ends with a catch of 2-3 fish. The water becomes lighter, the activity of the crucian carp decreases, and good bites occur only in the early morning or evening. The fisherman has to take several options for baits. And where the crucian carp pecked well without bait, now it is imperative to feed the place so as not to look for hours at a motionless float.

Fishing for river crucian carp in summer

In the summer, it is advisable to catch crucian carp early in the morning or in the evening. The exception is the rivers, where in addition to it, there are also finfish, roach, rotan and other agile fish. Here it is better to catch it during the day, the main thing is to choose the right place for fishing.

To do this, you should carefully inspect the shore. If there are places equipped for fishing, then you can start fishing directly from here. If there are no such zones, you need to look for places near reeds and coastal vegetation. Oxbow lakes, creeks and river branches are also good places for fishing.

Fishing from a boat is considered very successful and catchy. Using a boat you can find a good fishing area much faster. It is best to look for shallows covered with vegetation further from the shore. There, among the thickets, there will certainly be a crucian carp sitting.

You can find the most suitable place for fishing using a boat

The best place In order to catch crucian carp, a bay with little or no current, with thickets of reeds and water lilies, is considered. Fish live directly among these thickets throughout the summer.

In mid-August, fishing becomes more interesting. The crucian carp begins to bite on various plant baits. It is during this period that night bites of large individuals weighing more than two kilograms are most frequent.

Autumn fishing for river crucian carp

In the fall, it is preferable to use animal bait rather than plant bait. Therefore, it is imperative to take care of a sufficient amount of bloodworms, maggots and dung worms. Nowadays, crucian carp are great at biting on sandwiches, so it’s worth pampering it with this tasty bait. To make an autumn sandwich, you need to put a worm and bloodworms or maggots on a hook. You can also experiment and try other combinations.

Autumn fishing also requires plant bait. Sometimes it happens that a crucian carp, having eaten a worm, completely stops pecking. Then you can surprise him with fragrant semolina, barley or bread. The success of autumn fishing most often depends on the chosen place, especially since crucian carp no longer responds to bait. Therefore, when there are no bites for 20 minutes, it is better to look for another fishing spot.

For fishing in autumn you can use semolina

With the onset of cold weather, crucian carp bites become less and less frequent. And at the end of autumn it is already problematic to catch it. But sometimes you can hear very real reviews about the bite of crucian carp in winter. This happens when the fish is awake and does not bury itself in the mud for the winter.

Feeding crucian carp

The river crucian carp has a very high ability to sense and distinguish odors. That's why right choice bait for catching it ensures further fishing success.

To catch river crucian carp, you need to take more bait than for its lake brother. Since the bait mixture is quickly washed out, it must include astringent components. It is not necessary to use a large number of components. You can use sunflower cake, ground crackers, crushed hemp seeds, taken in the same proportion. And for a good bunch you need to add a little ground rolled oats. For one fishing trip, 1-3 kg of this composition is usually enough, it all depends on the activity of the bites and the speed of the river flow.

Specialized stores offer many different ready-made baits that can also be used for catching crucian carp. The only caveat is that not all of them work well. Carp compositions are considered the most suitable, but some of them are not suitable for catching river crucian carp. You need to use either proven bait, or consult with experienced fishermen.

To feed crucian carp, you can use purchased mixtures

First, about 400 g of bait is thrown onto the fishing spot. Then every 15 minutes another 1-2 medium balls are added, depending on the activity of the bites.

It has been noticed that light-colored bait in clear water keeps the fish at the fishing spot for a long time. This color is obtained with a large content of crushed rolled oats, as well as with the addition of steamed pearl barley.

Just be sure not to overdo it with pearl barley, otherwise the fish will overeat and stop biting. 50 g of pearl barley per 1 kg of bait is enough.

You can successfully catch crucian carp with boiled peas. It is also worth adding to the bait, but only a little. You need to boil the peas well so that they can be easily mashed with a masher. Or grind dry peas using a coffee grinder and add to the bait while fishing. The main thing is not to feed the crucian carp, but to keep it in a certain place. You can add 2-3 drops of anise or sunflower oil to the peas, as well as a little bee honey.

Maggots can be used both as bait and for feeding

We must also not forget about ingredients of animal origin. Maggot is best suited for river fishing. 30 g of maggot per 2 kg of bait is enough to significantly increase a fisherman’s catch.

River crucian bite

The bite of crucian carp on the river is quite sharp, it is not at all similar to the bite of fish in a pond. Having taken the bait, small individuals first slow down the float, checking the taste of the dish. And then, they swallow the water with the nozzle and suddenly swim away to the side, taking the float with them.

Large crucian carp act differently. At first, you may notice a few slight twitches of the float. Then, when the fish completely captures the bait, it briefly floods the float. Only after this, lazily turning around, she slowly walks away against the flow of the river.

In both cases, you need to hook slowly. If the crucian carp likes the bait, then he takes it confidently and gatherings are rare. The influence of the habitat, as well as competition among fish, has an effect.

Depending on the size of the crucian carp, its behavior and fishing method will differ

When crucian carp wants to eat, it eats bait to satiate itself and actively swarms in its lumps. Then the bait should be lowered to the bottom. If the crucian carp is attracted by the smell of the bait, but is not satisfied with it, then it is advisable to place the hook with the nozzle at a distance of 15 cm from the bottom. This is where the fish are usually found.

River crucian carp exhibits more stubborn resistance than its counterparts in the pond. However, catching it is not very difficult. Except in cases where there are snags at the fishing site, then large fish try to hide and can tangle the tackle. A large crucian carp can easily be caught in a landing net by the rod, but a small one can be easily removed by hand.

Obviously, catching river crucian carp is not at all difficult. It is only important to choose the right place, bait, and fishing method. For caught crucian carp it is better to take a long cage. And to bring home live fish, you need to cover it with nettles and sedges.

The next video will talk about spring fishing for crucian carp on the river:

promysel.com

Fishing for crucian carp on the river

Fishing for crucian carp on the river has some of its own characteristics and differences, which will be discussed in this article. In rivers, crucian carp choose areas where water movement is minimal or practically non-existent. Therefore, you can often find it in small bays, in shallow water near the shore, especially if there is aquatic vegetation. Crucian carp is caught well at the borders of the current and thickets.

Do not ignore the bends of the river. In such places, usually the coastal area is washed with silt or sand, and crucian carp often go there in hot weather. Its bite there is not particularly intense, but it’s still worth a try. At times, river crucian carp can be found literally near the very shore, where it is hidden under thickets hanging over the water.

Bait for catching crucian carp on the river

River crucian carp is less cautious, unlike its counterpart that lives in closed reservoirs, and bait here is of no small importance. It is enough just to send a small amount of complementary food a little upstream from the fishing site, and after 15-20 minutes the whole flock will gather there.

The composition of bait for river crucian carp differs, first of all, in the presence of binding components, such as crushed oatmeal or cake. The main thing here is its naturalness, so I don’t advise you to get carried away with all kinds of store-bought mixtures. Components such as breadcrumbs and cake have proven themselves to be the best. You can use peas, either steamed or ground. Some fishermen add various animal components to the bait, which in some cases can significantly improve the bite.

As bait, they use everything that crucian carp is usually caught with - bloodworms, maggots, dung worms, and from plants - dough, wheat, pearl barley, peas and corn.

No special gear that differs in design is used here. Everyone catches crucian carp accessible ways, both with a float rod and a bottom and feeder equipped with a light feeder. On large rivers, you can use a donka with a rubber shock absorber, since with this tackle you have a good opportunity to catch large crucian carp.

Compared to others, crucian carp takes the bait more decisively, and often drags the float to the side. This applies to small and medium-sized individuals. The bite of a trophy crucian carp is more accurate - first it tries the bait for a few seconds, then, grabbing it, it goes upstream.

morefishing.ru

Fishing for crucian carp on the river

What fish can boast the same popularity as crucian carp? I am sure that there is no more popular fish. Almost every fisherman began his fishing career by catching crucian carp, at least it was one of the first most desirable fish, since fishing for minnows or perch does not bring as much pleasure as fishing for crucian carp.

In this article we will analyze all the main points of catching crucian carp on the river, that is, on the current. We will look at the right choice of location, bait, groundbait and tackle. Or maybe something else if it's useful.

The right choice of place for catching crucian carp on the river

Crucian carp is a schooling fish; it periodically enters every point of the reservoir, so it may seem that it is everywhere. But in fact, crucian carp will always spend more time in those areas where it feels comfortable, and even better, protected. And if such an area is also fed, then fishing for crucian carp on the river can become very successful.

When choosing a place on the river to catch crucian carp, you need to have an idea of ​​what areas may attract crucian carp. Then you will provide yourself good fishing, if the weather is suitable. Promising places for catching crucian carp on the river will be:

It is also worth knowing that in cold or hot weather the crucian carp will stand at depth. Since the water here cools down more slowly and heats up accordingly. If warming occurs after cold weather, for example, the first spring sun finally warms up, then the crucian carp rushes to shallow water, where the water warms up faster under direct sunlight. Also, there will be crucian carp in shallow water if coolness sets in after intense heat.

In hot weather, you should look for crucian carp either at depth or in shaded areas of the reservoir - under the crowns of trees hanging over the water or in thickets of aquatic vegetation. Also, in the heat, crucian carp will be actively caught in a section of the reservoir where springs gush from the bottom, cooling the crucian carp and saturating the water with oxygen.

If there are places on the river equipped for fishing, you can take them. Such places are often baited and crucian carp purposefully visit them specifically for the purpose of searching for food. So, settled fishing spots are often very promising, especially if on the day of fishing you add the usual bait for the fish, if, of course, you know what the crucian carp are fed with.

If there are no equipped places, do not rush to choose the most convenient places for fishing. Usually crucian carp is caught where people have limited access to water. In such places you can catch a larger specimen and catch more small crucians. The main thing is to feed the chosen place.

Crucian carp begins to be caught in the river immediately after the flood. During this period, when the water is still quite cool, crucian carp are caught throughout the daylight hours and even at lunchtime the bite does not stop, and often even intensifies.

As the water temperature rises to 13-15 °C, the crucian carp is already beginning to switch to a different mode - there is a good morning and evening bite, while during the day, more often, the crucian carp rests from feeding. But this rule does not always apply; in some reservoirs, even in the summer heat, crucian carp are actively caught at lunchtime. So you need to take into account the characteristics of the reservoir.

In summer, when the water temperature is high, crucian carp is reluctant to be caught during the day, but in the cool mornings and evenings, when it is not so hot, you can fish well for crucian carp. Very often in summer, crucian carp are active at night. Moreover, mostly larger specimens are caught, and carp can often be caught along with crucian carp. If the gear allows, then you can catch this unexpected trophy.

In autumn, while the water is warm, crucian carp are also more active in the morning and evening, and when the water begins to cool, they switch to daytime mode again and feed at the time when the temperature reaches its peak, that is, from 11 to 15 o'clock in the afternoon.

Spawning of crucian carp begins when the water temperature reaches plus or minus 15 °C. The bite for crucian carp gets worse during the spawning period, but very rarely stops altogether, since crucian carp can spawn in batches for a very long time. That is, it’s not like other fish - it spawns, gets sick and continues to be caught. Some crucian carp spawn, some continue to be caught.

The activity of crucian carp continuously begins to increase from the end of February, gradually increasing until May. The most active bite of crucian carp is observed from May to July inclusive. In August, the activity of crucian carp decreases slightly, but in the fall it increases slightly again, when the summer heat subsides a little. September and October are also quite favorable months for catching crucian carp, but from the end of October the activity of this fish drops sharply and the crucian carp prepares for the winter, moving closer to wintering pits, so in November the crucian carp is already inactive or does not bite at all.

Tackle for catching crucian carp on the river

They catch crucian carp on the river with two main gears - a float rod or a feeder (or a spinning rod equipped with a bottom). The gear you choose depends on your personal preferences and the size of the river you are going to fish on. If it is a small river, then the choice is obvious - a float rod. If the river is medium or large, you can fish with both a feeder and a float.

Tackle and float rod equipment

For catching crucian carp on small rivers, a rod 3-5 meters long is suitable. When fishing for crucian carp on medium and large rivers It is better to choose a rod from 5 meters or more.

The main line is used with a diameter of 0.1-0.15 mm and it is advisable to use a thinner leash about 20 cm long, so that in the event of a snag or break, only the hook and sinker come off.

It is better to choose a hook with a straight shank and a standard shape. The size of the hook for crucian carp is selected depending on the expected size of the catch. For catching small crucian carp, hooks of size from No. 17 according to the international classification are used, and for catching large crucian carp, really large ones, you can even use a carp hook No. 6. For medium crucian carp, choose hooks numbered from No. 10 to No. 14. You can also read more about choosing a hook for crucian carp.

The float for the current should be chosen in the shape of a barrel with a rod. The barrel itself can be of any shape, but it will stabilize the equipment. The use of floats in the form of a goose feather or a pencil in the current is not recommended, since the current will put them on their side, as a result of which the sensitivity of the tackle drops significantly and the bite is difficult to see.

The use of a float in the form of a quill pen or pencil is permissible in sections of the river where the current is very weak or completely absent. The advantages of these floats are very good sensitivity to bites.

Bottom gear and equipment

Another tackle for catching crucian carp on the river is a donka. As a donkey, you can use a feeder or spinning rod re-equipped for catching peaceful fish from the bottom. There are no particular requirements for the rod. If you fish with a feeder, install a more sensitive tip, and if you fish with a spinning rod, a bell or electronic signaling device bites.

The equipment is the same as for fishing with a float rod, but you can take a slightly thicker fishing line, since a feeder will also be used in the bottom tackle. The weight of the feeder is selected depending on the current. The stronger the current, the heavier the feeder needs to be used. The main thing is to ensure that the feeder does not get carried away by the current; based on this, its weight is selected. For catching crucian carp in the current, feeders weighing 30-80 grams are mainly used. More details about feeder fishing for crucian carp here.

Also, for fishing with a feeder or donk, there is a special equipment called “Crucian carp killer”. This is a feeder with hooks. It is sold already assembled and completely ready for use. So, if you don’t want to bother, you can buy ready-made equipment. Just check that the hooks are securely fastened; often they are tied poorly and if you pull on them, they easily come undone from the feeder.

Bait and groundbait for catching crucian carp in the current

Crucian carp is not a picky fish, but still, in order for fishing to be successful, you always need to take bait and several types of bait with you to the pond. Suitable baits for catching crucian carp:

• muckworm;
• bloodworm;
• maggot;
• pearl barley;
• bread;
• semolina;
• mastyrka, etc.

To catch large crucian carp, you can also use corn, pieces of crawling fish or a bunch of dung worms or maggots. It is advisable to always have at least one plant and one animal attachment with you. Usually a worm and steamed pearl barley are enough. All you need to do is pour boiling water in a thermos overnight and by morning it will be ready for fishing. More about the best baits for crucian carp in this article.

The use of bait can significantly, even tenfold, increase the catch of crucian carp. And any other fish will always hang around where there is something to eat. Depending on the strength of the current in the area where you are going to fish and feed, you need to choose the ingredients for complementary feeding. For example, in a strong current you can feed with pressed macadamia, and in a slow current you can use lighter ingredients or fractions. It will be very useful for you to read the article “Do-it-yourself bait for crucian carp”.

Fishing for crucian carp on the river: video

rybkolov.ru

Fishing for crucian carp on the river

Crucian carp is considered the most popular fish due to its wide distribution. He is so tenacious that he can live in any ditch, as long as there is water in it. It survives in the most extreme conditions, when other fish simply die. It is found both in bodies of standing water and in rivers.

Almost all avid fishermen learned to fish by going after crucian carp. Although, it is possible that the first training sessions were spent catching minnows and perch. Naturally, catching crucian carp is more exciting, since you come across quite weighty specimens. As mentioned above, crucian carp can be found in any body of water.

Despite this, catching crucian carp on the river has its own subtleties related to the choice of place for fishing, preparation of bait, choice of bait and gear. Moreover, the subtleties of catching crucian carp in the current do not end there.

How to choose a promising location

Crucian carp, like most fish species, prefers to lead a schooling lifestyle. Gathered in flocks, it migrates across a body of water in search of food. At the same time, he chooses places where he can hide from potential danger. This is especially important for him if there is a predator in the river. If this place also serves as a source of food for him, then he will always stay close to this place. Therefore, the main task is to feed a promising place. Only in such conditions can you expect effective fishing for crucian carp.

To choose the right place for fishing, you need to have an idea of ​​which areas of the water area are capable of attracting crucian carp. To do this, it would be a good idea to familiarize yourself with the behavior of this fish by reading the necessary information on the Internet. If you also understand this, then a good catch is guaranteed if favorable conditions coincide. The fact is that crucian carp is a capricious fish and its bite depends on various conditions, including weather.

Promising sites for crucian carp may include:

• areas with snags and trees fallen into the water;
• areas with various artificial accumulations or buildings;
• coastal reed thickets;
• holes and water areas near them;
• areas of the water area where water lilies grow;
• places bordering coastal shallows;
• creeks and oxbows.

As a rule, in cold or too hot weather, crucian carp goes to the depths, escaping there from the cold and heat. As the water begins to warm up, the crucian carp begins its movement to smaller areas where the water warms up faster. As a rule, this is shallow water. These are areas where you can eat something. Here crucian carp can be found even after intense heat, when the water temperature stabilizes to a comfortable state.

If the weather is hot outside, then the crucian carp hides from the sun either in the depths or under the crowns of trees hanging over the water. No less attractive for crucian carp are areas with dense, tall aquatic vegetation that can create at least some shade. If there are places in the reservoir where underwater springs flow and saturate the water with oxygen, then crucian carp will certainly be there.

If there are places for fishing on the shore of a reservoir, then crucian carp regularly visits these areas, since fishermen certainly feed these places. This rule applies to almost any body of water. If there are habitable places, and this is not at all difficult to determine, then they can be considered promising, just throw some fertilizer into the water.

If there are no such places, then you should not sit on the first available, especially convenient, place. Usually crucian carp is caught in hard-to-reach places. But the main rule here is the use of fertilizing. Only in this case can you count on a catch. Otherwise, you can only count on catching “trifles.”

The best time to catch crucian carp on the river

Crucian carp begins to be caught immediately with the arrival of spring, but mainly after the flood. In such conditions, when the water has not yet warmed up well, crucian carp is caught throughout the day, without any breaks for lunch. When the water temperature reaches 13-15 degrees, the crucian carp begins to develop a routine: it begins to bite in the morning and evening, and during the day it rests. Here a lot depends on the availability of food supply. If there is little food in the reservoir, then the crucian carp will bite all day, not paying attention to the hot weather. Depending on the characteristics of the reservoir, the diet may also be special: it can be more active at night. As a rule, larger individuals are always caught at night. Moreover, carp or large bream can bite along with crucian carp.

With the arrival of autumn, when the water is no longer so warm, but has not yet cooled down, crucian carp also continues to be caught only in the morning and evening. With further cooling of the water, the crucian carp switches to the daytime feeding mode, showing its activity somewhere from 11 o’clock in the afternoon to 15 o’clock. Therefore, during this period you should not go fishing early in the morning.

Crucian carp begins to spawn in conditions when the water has warmed up to 15 degrees. Its bite during the spawning period weakens significantly, but does not stop completely. The fact is that crucian carp can spawn for a long time in certain groups. Therefore, the crucian carp that has gone to the spawning grounds stops biting, and the one that is not yet ready for this process continues to be caught.

Starting from the end of February, a gradual increase in its activity begins. The peak of its activity comes at the end of May and through the month of July inclusive. With the arrival of August, the activity of crucian carp decreases, but with the advent of autumn it increases again, as crucian carp is already beginning to feel the coming of winter. The months of September and October are considered especially favorable for fishing. As a rule, crucian carp are caught in the fall using baits of animal origin, as they are more nutritious. Somewhere at the end of October, beginning of November, its activity drops sharply, as it begins to move to the wintering pits. Therefore, you shouldn’t really count on the fact that in November you can rejoice in catching crucian carp. It is better to switch to fishing for other types of fish that do not significantly lose their activity.

Tackle for catching crucian carp on the river

It is better to catch crucian carp on the river either with a regular float rod or with bottom tackle (feeder). Although there are fishermen who do not recognize sport fishing, but prefer poaching gear. The choice of gear depends on the nature of the reservoir, as well as other factors. In the case of a small reservoir, it is enough to arm yourself with a float rod; if the reservoir is large, then it is better to give preference to bottom tackle (feeder). Although, under certain conditions, a float fishing rod is also suitable.

Float rod equipment

When fishing for crucian carp on small rivers, it is enough to have a rod with a length of 3 to 5 meters. If it is a medium or large river, then it is better to opt for a rod with a length of 5 meters or more.

A fishing line with a thickness of 0.1-0.15 mm is selected as the main one. But if you take into account that a reputable specimen can bite, then the thickness of the fishing line can be increased to 0.2 mm. The leash, up to 20 cm long, should be somewhat thinner so that when snagged you do not have to break off the main line.

The size of the hook should correspond to the size of individual specimens. This should be a hook with a straight shank, of the most ordinary shape. As a rule, most of the fish caught are small crucian carp and a hook No. 17 according to the international classification is enough to catch them. If there is information that large crucian carp are biting in a given reservoir, then it is realistic to arm yourself with a carp hook No. 6. For catching medium-sized crucian carp, hooks No. 10-No. 14 are suitable.

When fishing for crucian carp in the current, the shape of the float plays an important role. Moreover, its shape depends on the intensity of the flow. As a rule, in such conditions, flat floats are used, which create a minimum of resistance to moving water.

Floats such as a goose feather are not suitable for such conditions, since during the current they will always be almost in a horizontal position.

Such floats are suitable for fishing where the current is very weak or there is no current at all. But on the other hand, these floats are very sensitive, especially for catching crucian carp.

How to equip bottom tackle (feeder)

Nowadays, this is the most common gear when fishing on the river, including crucian carp. As a rule, they use a feeder rod, where the tip serves as a bite indicator.

The equipment requires the presence of a feeder and a massive sinker, and therefore you will have to take a thicker fishing line. Basically, the feeder also serves as a sinker. The weight of the feeder is selected depending on the magnitude of the current.

There is a tool called a “crucian carp killer” that can be purchased in a store if you don’t want to bother too much.

Groundbait and bait for catching crucian carp in the current

Some experts believe that crucian carp is not a picky fish. In fact, crucian carp is quite capricious and you never know what kind of bait it is going to be caught with. Therefore, it is better to take with you baits of various origins: both plant and animal. The main baits when fishing for crucian carp are:

• Muckworm.
• Bloodworm.
• Maggot.
• Pearl barley.
• Bread.
• Semolina.
• Mastyrka and others.

If a large crucian carp bites, then it is better to use corn, peas, crawling or a whole bunch of dung worms to catch it. The minimum number of attachments is one attachment of animal origin and one attachment of plant origin. This can be a dung worm, which is the most common bait, or pearl barley, which is both the most accessible and the most common. You don’t need to boil the pearl barley, just pour boiling water over it, and by morning it can already be used. It is better to do this operation in a thermos.

Nowadays, without bait, it makes no sense to go fishing at all. The same applies to crucian carp. In addition, other fish like to eat, such as bream, roach, rudd, silver bream, etc. Therefore, there is a chance, especially on the river, to catch large bream. As a rule, crucian carp does not dominate on the river due to the presence of predators such as pike and perch, which love to feast on crucian carp.

If there is a current, especially an active one, bait of a special consistency will be required. Good results can be obtained by using macaque, which slowly dissolves in the water column. In this regard, the most common equipment that is used for fishing in the current is a makushatnik. Its advantage is that you don’t need to invent anything special, just attach a pressed fragment of the crown and a couple of hooks. Moreover, makha is quite often present in various bait recipes. It has an attractive aroma, so it is recommended for use when catching many types of peaceful fish.

The crucian carp, as an inhabitant of our reservoirs, has been spoken and retold by the “bison of the genre”, like no other fish. Therefore, I do not want to waste your time on a scientific description of this species. In this article I want to tell you about catching the so-called white (oblong) crucian carp in small rivers.

Most often, crucian carp are caught in sections of rivers below the discharge of water from dams or bridge crossings. Its numerous flocks, attracted by the call of nature to spawn, rush upstream to the warmed shallow waters. The spawning of crucian carp is portioned due to the fact that river waters are subject to more frequent changes in temperature and chemical composition, often stretching over several months (late April - early June, and sometimes more). Accordingly, during this period crucian carp is often the most numerous representative of the fish diversity.

Selecting a location

The key to success in a targeted search for crucian carp is the choice of location. This can be a difficult task, but attention and patience always help the observant angler. In small rivers with a fairly fast flow, where crucian carp is widespread, its schools stay at the border of the channel flow with coastal shallows, in small ponds or in areas with reverse flow. Particular attention should be paid to the bends of the river. One of the banks, as a rule, is washed with sand or silt. Crucian carp come to such shallows on particularly hot days, revealing themselves with frequent splashes and constant fuss.
But during periods of activity, crucian carp is drawn precisely to the current and, like typical river fish, picks up organic “trash” that has fallen into the water with gusts of wind, or insect larvae and other invertebrates washed out of the coastal soil during prolonged rains. Usually, caught river crucian carp have the same composition of food in their stomachs as roach. These include filamentous algae, and, in small individuals, daphnia and cyclops, and larvae of aquatic insects, depending on the season.

Lure

I noticed that light-colored bait with good water clarity keeps the fish in the fishing spot longer. Maybe this is some bias, but I still suggest you check this when catching crucian carp in the current. As you understand, this color of the bait is ensured by the high content of ground rolled oats flakes in the feed base with the addition of steamed pearl barley.
Steamed millet porridge also works well when fishing for crucian carp. It can also be added to the above components, but in limited quantities. It is important not to feed the fish, but to feed it and keep it in a certain area for a long time. It is advisable to add a few drops of anise or sunflower oil or fresh cake.
You should also not forget about animal components. Most suitable are maggots or chopped dung worms. Adding just 30 g of the “animal” component per 2 kg of bait will greatly increase your advantage over other anglers.

Bait

Crucian carp are caught using the same baits as others river fish- his neighbors. I consider the most suitable bait to be a dung worm. To activate the worms' biting, you can additionally flavor them with garlic aroma; for this you need to add heavily crushed garlic to the container with the prepared worm the day before fishing. Crucian carp usually take more actively on such a bait. Don't forget about pearl barley. I prepare it in a liter thermos, pour boiling water over a glass of cereal and add a quarter teaspoon of honey. The pearl barley steams in 3-4 hours; after steaming, I sprinkle it with dusty fragrant dust.
When the bite is weak, the larvae of maggots and large bloodworms help out. A day before going fishing, you should add a little wheat or corn flour to the box with maggots. Flour cleanses the insides of the larvae and eliminates the unpleasant odor. And the larvae do not stick together and are stored for a long time without pupating. It would not be a bad idea to add a pinch or two of dry bait into the container with maggots - the one you are going to use on the pond. Place 2-3 maggots on the hook, but so that the last larva covers the sting. Be sure to take at least two attachments with you - animal and plant.

Bite

Place the bait, as when fishing for roach, at the bottom. And often in the manner of a half-bottom, when the lower sinker slows down on underwater obstacles or drags directly along the bottom, which, accordingly, has a different effect on the movement of the leash with bait on the hook.
The bite of river crucian carp is quite sharp and completely different from that in a lake or pond. Biting small crucian carp is very similar to sinking a float with small roach. Having taken the bait, and usually the crucian does not keep itself waiting long, small specimens slow down the float several times, tasting the menu with their lips, following it downstream. And then, drawing in water with their gills along with the bait, often swallowing deeply, they abruptly go to the side or upstream, dragging the float with them.
By the way, the carrying capacity of the float is determined by the strength of the current; it is advisable to use minimally light equipment suitable for the given fishing conditions.
Larger individuals act differently. Their style is reminiscent of river bream biting. First, there are several twitches of the float antenna that are barely noticeable to the eye, and then, when the nozzle is completely in the fish’s mouth, the crucian carp holds the float for a few seconds, which sinks, as if hooked. And only then, lazily turning around, slowly swimming against the current.
In both cases, hooking should be done slowly. When the bait suits the fish in every way, there are practically no gatherings. He takes it confidently. This is due to both its unusual habitat and strong competition among river representatives.
If a crucian carp is hungry and is interested in bait from a gastronomic point of view, it begins to actively dig into lumps of bait. Then the worm or maggot must necessarily drag along the bottom. If he was attracted only by the smell of bait, but for some reason the crucian carp is not satisfied with it in terms of nutrition, it is better to place the hook with the nozzle 10-15 cm from the bottom. It is this niche that the crucian carp occupies in the river in this case.

Fishing

River crucian carp resists more stubbornly than their lake counterparts. But catching it is not particularly difficult. Only when there are snags in the fishing area does he try to hide in them and tangle the tackle. And then, this only applies to large individuals. The main thing is not to force things. Large crucian carp are easily caught in the landing net, and small fish You can easily put it in your hand.

Note

River crucian carp is very tasty, as it does not have the typical smell of grass and bitterness characteristic of pond species. If you are hiking, I recommend it to you quick way preparing a delicious dish. Salt the gutted fish from the inside. There is no need to clean the scales, just rub some salt into them. Next, “pack” the fish in foil and bury them in the hot coals of the fire. After 10-15 minutes the dish is ready.
River crucian carp rarely reaches 1 kilogram of weight in small rivers. More often the fisherman, and especially when active fishing on the current, you come across fish from 50 to 200 g. But we should not forget that in a school of standard fish there are always large-sized individuals.

Interestingly, most amateur fishermen still have the opinion that crucian carp live only in stagnant waters and do not like currents. All this applies to a greater extent to golden crucian carp. Silver prefers a good oxygen regime, so it is often found in rivers and streams with moderate currents.

From an early age I went to the nearest pond at the dacha to catch rotans and crucian carp. The first ones bit regularly, but the second ones were capricious all the time, and only in the last ten days of May one could count on luck. Even then I understood that this was somehow connected with the spawning period of crucian carp. Over time, I began to catch it not only in still waters, but also in small rivers, where, as it turned out, there are no less of them than in ponds. Catching it was just as difficult, but crucian carp turned out to be more accessible.

There are two main tactics for fishing for crucian carp on small rivers - active fishing and catching. Both have their advantages and disadvantages. Active fishing involves short-term fishing (10-20 minutes) in a place of interest (a creek, a bush hanging over the water, a fallen tree, snags, etc.) and constant movement along the river bank. If there is no bite, move to another place. The main advantage of this method is that in a short period of time you can catch many promising places. The main drawback is that such places do not always live up to their name. There are several reasons for this. One of them is the time of active biting of crucian carp. It is always limited, and often an angler may only have half an hour in the evening and one hour in the morning. This is likely due to several factors. With a constant flow in a small river, crucian carp almost always have enough food, and they feed in the bottom layer at certain hours in the morning and evening, sometimes at night. That is, this short time is enough for him to get enough. Another, more likely reason is that crucian carp are simply afraid (both of the fisherman and of predators) to go out into open areas of the river to feed in the middle of the day in good light. And in the summer, the heat of the day is added to this.

Fishing “in hiding”, that is, in one or two places, is good only if you know this place well; when you found it among dozens of similar and seemingly more promising places and solved it, spending more than one week, and maybe even a month on it; we realized that there is always crucian carp here. You just need to choose the right time, weather and fishing method. Such fishing can last less than an hour, and you will catch much more fish than in 5-6 hours in different “promising” places.

The lifestyle of silver crucian carp also speaks in favor of this method. This fish is a real homebody. His “dining room” and “bedroom” are located next to each other. Often this is a submerged bush in the water, under which there is a hole up to 2 m deep and an exit from the hole to a “table” (plateau) downstream with a depth of 0.2-0.5 m. And for spawning in the river it is far from its "home" does not sail.

Next, choose the fishing time and weather. All seasons are suitable for catching crucian carp, except winter. In spring, it is necessary to start fishing from the moment when the daytime air temperature steadily exceeds 10-12 degrees Celsius. Usually this is the end of April - beginning of May. The most successful fishing occurs after lunch, more precisely, after 16 hours, and can last one, two, rarely three hours. In each body of water the time may be different.

In summer the situation changes. Real overheating of water at air temperatures up to 32 degrees and above in the shade, and crucian carp becomes lethargic during the day. It sits out in holes under bushes or overhanging coastal vegetation and waits for the morning and evening coolness. In the morning it is better to fish from 4 to 7 am (the best bite is at dusk), in the evening - from 18 to 20 o'clock, with the peak bite occurring at 19.00-19.30. It is important to note that the bite is longer in the morning than in the evening. However, it does not exceed one hour. In the evening, this period can last only 20-30 minutes. It is likely that it can feed at night, since it experiences changes in water temperature and changes in atmospheric pressure.

In addition to weather conditions, important point is the degree of turbidity of the water and its level. The first depends on the time of year, precipitation and... swimmers. Catching crucian carp after rain is complicated by increased flow speed and water turbidity. A day or two after heavy rainfall is usually dead time, so in rainy weather it is better to be patient. As for the human factor, it can be directed both for good and for harm. If your cool spot is too close, then the screams and turbidity of the water will discourage the crucian carp from feeding for a long time. If there are 50-100 m between you, then a slight turbidity in almost clear water on the “table” will definitely attract crucian carp.

The water level also affects the intensity of the bite. If it is too low, then the “table” will be aground, and the crucian carp will come out there on short time only early in the morning or late in the evening. On the contrary, when the water level is too high, the “table” disappears. It is “removed” by the intensified muddy current, and the crucian carp obediently waits for conditions to allow the next “feast”.

Now let's talk about gear. On small rivers and streams, in my opinion, the use of rods longer than 3 m is unjustified for several reasons. Firstly, when moving along the shore, gear gets caught in trees and aquatic vegetation. Secondly, fishing is often carried out close to the shore, sometimes a few centimeters from it. Therefore, a five-meter rod will be a big burden. For me, the ideal rod is a spinning rod with a length of 2.1 m. The lightest reel should be used. You can also fish with a fishing rod with a blind rig. In this case, the sensitivity of the gear will increase somewhat, but its compactness during transportation will decrease.

When fishing on small rivers, every little detail when catching crucian carp can be decisive. Equipment is no exception. For float rod I recommend using thin fishing lines with a diameter of no more than 0.12 mm, preferably 0.1. Stated breaking load must be at least 1.2 kg. Hooks should be taken in small sizes (No. 14-18 according to the international classification), since the length of the intended trophies will be short. To attach a worm, it is more convenient to use hooks with a long shank. The float should be small, sensitive and unnoticeable. The most suitable test is -1 g. Maximum quantity pellets - 2 pcs.: 0.7 and 0.2 g, respectively.

Can also be used bottom gear with a sliding sinker. In this case, the fishing line should be several thicker, up to 0.16 mm in diameter. The rod should be placed across the river, and the bait should be released 3-5 m downstream to the section of the river between the bank and the main current. It is better if there are some shelters nearby: thickets of coastal grass or a small snag.

The hook should be energetic, but not very sweeping, since if it fails, you risk getting the tackle entangled in the coastal vegetation. Crucian carp often takes the bait with its lips and, when hooked awkwardly, manages to spit out the bait.

A few words about the nozzles. I don’t know how it is on other small rivers, but on mine the crucian carp only recognizes a worm. Of course, you can (and probably should) try to catch this cautious fish with other baits, but mine personal experience and the experience of other local fishermen I know shows that you shouldn’t count on great success without a worm. Another interesting point: often with a weak bite, especially in late spring - early summer, crucian carp take well only on a whole worm. Closer to autumn, the picture changes, and he prefers a small piece placed on a hook with a “stocking”.

When fishing for crucian carp in small rivers, bait often turns out to be not only useless, but also harmful, firstly, attracting completely different, usually small fish, and secondly, scaring the crucian carp itself in shallow water.

The behavior of the fisherman during fishing, in my opinion, plays one of the important roles. It is necessary to maintain silence, do not get up in full height near the water and fish in such a way that the coastal vegetation is always between you and the water.

It’s also a good idea to have one or two cool places in reserve not far from the main fishing point in case yours is occupied or the water level has dropped, which must be determined before starting fishing. It is very convenient to track it by some object located in the water (snag, stone, etc.).

An important detail happy fishing is the right equipment. Each season has its own characteristics. Autumn and spring are often accompanied by sudden changes in weather, so it is necessary to have warm, preferably waterproof, clothes. In summer, especially in the evening, mosquitoes often prevent you from enjoying fishing. The use of various anti-mosquito repellents can scare off crucian carp, so I advise you to stay in the evening sun as long as possible, and then, with the evening cold, wear clothes made of thick fabric. Heavy dew can also ruin your morning fishing if you don't take high boots with you. It would be a good idea to use polarized glasses, which will help not only to clearly see the bottom in shallow water and avoid unnecessary snags, but also sometimes to see the object of fishing itself. A small backpack is convenient, which easily accommodates a spare telescopic rod, a fish container, all the necessary spare equipment, bait, warm clothes and a thermos.

To summarize all of the above, I would like to say that absolutely every body of water when fishing for crucian carp must be approached individually, noticing its features. There is no need to be afraid of failure. A negative result is also a result. Over time, one look at the river and one at the sky will be enough for you to be sure that the bite will be good or vice versa. And then the experience accumulated over months will one day reveal to you the secret of catching crucian carp, and you will feel much more confident on a small river.

Dorofeev Vladimir

Quite a lot has been said about crucian carp in fishing magazines and literary publications. I will not go into an in-depth description of the biology and life activity of silver crucian carp, since many works have been written about this by the respected L.P. Sabaneev, and other equally competent fishermen of his time. In this material, I want to pay attention to catching the so-called white (oblong) crucian carp, but not in its usual habitat, but in small rivers and even streams in central Russia, where the capture of this clumsy beauty is in most cases quite accidental.

For novice researchers and future ichthyologists, it will certainly be useful to recall its Latin name - carassius auratus gibelio. You can distinguish river crucian carp from their counterparts by the number of scales on the lateral line, and they have from 28 to 34, and by gill rakers, numbering from 39 to 50. And of course, by appearance– the silvery color of the purlined body and yellowish fins can hardly be confused with the bright outfit of the almost oval golden crucian carp.

Few people intentionally hunt for it on rapids and rapids of rivers. However, I often had to catch it all summer, until the water cooled significantly in September, in the rivers of the Moscow, Kaluga and Lipetsk regions. But this is not what deserves attention, but the fact that it was caught on a fairly significant current, in the typical habitats of nimble roach, gudgeon and chub, which, however, were also found. And although there were silted areas and oxbow lakes in the rivers, the bite was most active in places with a rocky and pebble bottom, on the border of a strong current with calm waters, where it seemed to have no place at all. And this, in my opinion, is not accidental.

It would be ignorant to assume that it is absent in oxbow lakes and swampy floodplains. The important thing is why his bite was active on the rapids, and what attracted this clumsy (one can argue with that) representative of the cyprinids to such unpromising places for him?

Several options can be assumed.

Firstly, it is most often caught in sections of rivers below the discharge of water from dams. Its numerous flocks, drawn by the call of nature to spawn, rush upstream to the warmed shallow waters. The spawning of crucian carp in the river, due to the fact that river waters are subject to more frequent changes in water temperature and chemical composition, often stretches for 2 months, and sometimes more. Those. from the end of May until the first days of August. And accordingly, during this period, in a section of the river 100-200 meters below the dam, it is often the most numerous representative of the fish diversity.

Secondly, occupying all kinds of oxbow lakes and pools, it still goes out into the current in search of more varied food, which is washed out of the bottom with greater intensity in such places, and especially from the banks when the water rises after rains. Having many competitors in the river, most of the food ration does not have time to reach its sites. This prompts him to become like fish such as roach, dace and gudgeon.

And last but not least, in most rivers it is not native, but gets into them by accident, when dams in ponds break. Like, for example, the Sosenka River in the Moscow region. And he naturally has to adapt to new conditions.

Selecting a location

The first key to success in a targeted search for crucian carp is the choice of location. This can be a difficult task, but attention and patience always help the observant angler. In small rivers with a fairly fast current, where crucian carp are widespread, their schools stay at the border of the channel flow with coastal shallows, in small ponds or in areas with reverse flow (Fig. 1). Although, even with slight feeding, it comes out into the stream and does not leave a place for attachment until the bait is finally washed away by streams of water. And even the awkward sharp movement of the fisherman does not scare away a school of crucian carp, unlike bleak and roach, which in such a case disappears for several minutes.

Particular attention should be paid to the bends of the river. One of the banks, as a rule, is washed with sand or silt. Crucian carp come to such shallows in feeding areas on particularly hot days and its gluttony of course decreases. But for this he gives himself away with frequent outbursts and constant fussing.

But during periods of activity, it is drawn precisely to the current and, like typical river fish, picks up organic “trash” that has fallen into the water with gusts of wind, or insect larvae and other invertebrates washed out of the coastal soil during prolonged rains. Usually, caught river crucian carp have the same composition of food in their stomachs as roach. These include filamentous algae, and, in small individuals, daphnia and cyclops, and larvae of aquatic insects, depending on the season.

It is easy to spot the fish with the help of polarized glasses by carefully approaching the shore. The river can be either 2-3 meters wide and half a meter deep (for example, the Sosenka or Velya rivers in the Moscow region), or 25-30 m (the Krasivaya Mecha river in the Lipetsk region or the Protva river in the Kaluga region). Areas near old mill pools, spills and depressions below the dams, trees fallen into the water, which somewhat slow down the flow and serve as shelter for non-predatory fish from the robber pike and bright sunlight, deserve attention.

At shallow depths, river carp usually stands under the shore, hiding from all sorts of threats under the grass hanging over the water. Several times, wearing an underwater mask, I observed strings of crucian carp in such places at a depth of only 30-40 cm...

Often schools of crucian carp go to open, well-warmed “beaches” with a faster current and stay together with roach.

In rivers, its bite most often becomes active from mid-June to the end of August. In my practice, the bite reached its apogee by noon. In the early morning hours and late afternoon the bite was weak or absent altogether

If active fishing in ponds continues until frost, and in some reservoirs even from ice, depending on the rate at which the water is cooling, then in small rivers the activity of crucian carp, as a rule, fades away. And in September, during the current, he usually stops feeding altogether. At this time, the crucian carp leaves the fast waters and slides into pits and lower reaches of rivers. But most often it “buries itself” in sunken fallen leaves, which in the fall are packed in abundance under snags and sunken tree trunks, and only occasionally comes out to feed not far from the planned winter hut.

During the current, crucian carp is not so timid and cautious, unlike species that live in closed reservoirs. If the water is sufficiently transparent, you can watch with interest its behavior and habits. One has only to throw a little bait into the water and after a few minutes in the river, which seemed to show no signs active life, the first scouts appear. Lazyly moving their fins and reflecting the silver of reflected sunlight, individual pioneers gather to smell the aroma. Having risen to a vertical position, they, like bream, absorb particles of bait. When the current is strong, they are carried down, but appetite and competition again force them to rise to the “dining table.” After all, lively minnows and bleaks are already scurrying around.

The crucian carp's sense of smell is quite developed and after some time an impressive flock gathers at the feeding area. On the Neznayka River in the Moscow region, in an area about 5 m wide with a depth of about a meter, I once counted more than 30 individuals at the same time, and the caught fish practically did not scare away the school - the bite lasted all day. And it seemed that the number of fish in the fishing area was not decreasing...

River crucian carp rarely reaches 1 kilogram of weight in small rivers. More often, the fisherman, and especially when actively fishing in the current, comes across fish from 50 to 200 grams. But you shouldn’t forget that in a school of standard fish there will also be a “monster” weighing about a kilogram.

Feeding

If you don't feed, you won't catch. This truism is more suitable for crucian carp. The sense of smell in this fish is quite well developed. And the right choice of bait when fishing in the current will ensure your further success.

When catching crucian carp in the current, you will need more bait than in still water. Since the feed mixture is washed out, it must contain good binding components. In my opinion, when hunting crucian carp you should not use many components. It will be sufficient to use equal shares of cake, breadcrumbs, fried and well-ground hemp seeds and for best combination– a little crushed oatmeal and sifted through a sieve. For a day of fishing, usually 1 to 3 kg of this composition is enough, depending on the biting activity and the speed of the river flow.

In recent years, a lot of both domestic and foreign ready-made mixtures have appeared in fishing stores that can also be used. This will save your time to some extent. The only thing to keep in mind is that not all of them are effective. I consider carp baits to be the most suitable, but not all of them are suitable for fishing in the current. You need to use either one that you have tested on the reservoir, or after consulting with experienced fishermen.

Of the well-known feed mixtures I use when fishing for crucian carp in the current, I can recommend “Unikorm”. But if there are a lot of roaches in the fishing area, they will prevent you from catching crucian carp. And your catch will accordingly be dominated by roach, which is much more agile than the object of your intended fishing.

As a rule, 300-400 grams are initially thrown into the fishing area. Then, at intervals of 10 to 20 minutes, 1-2 balls the size of a ball are added to the feeding area. table tennis, depending on biting activity.

I noticed that light-colored bait with good water clarity keeps the fish in the fishing spot longer. This may be some bias, but I still suggest you check this when fishing for crucian carp in the current. As you understand, this color of the bait is ensured by a high content of ground rolled oats in the feed base or by the addition of a small amount of steamed “pearl barley”. You can't overdo it with it. Otherwise you will simply saturate the fish. 50 grams will be enough. per 1 kg of complementary foods.

Steamed peas also work well when fishing for crucian carp. It can also be added to the above listed components, but in very limited quantities. It is best to steam the peas before adding them to the bait until they are easy to mash with a masher. You can also grind dry peas in a coffee grinder, and add them to the composition you prepared while fishing. It is important not to feed the fish - but to feed it and keep it in a certain area for a long time... It is advisable to add a few drops of anise or sunflower oil, as well as bee honey.

You should also not forget about animal components. Maggot is most suitable. Adding only 30 g. These larvae per 2 kg of bait will greatly increase your advantage over other anglers.

Rod

A little about the tackle... The fishing rod for a small river width should be from 3 to 5 meters in length. This ensures a certain efficiency when fishing. As well as comfort and mobility, especially if your rod is made of fiberglass. But it’s worth giving preference to carbon fiber ones, especially since in recent years they have become available to almost every angler at a cost. Usually a fishing rod with a blind rig is used. Classically, a rubber shock absorber is attached to the tip, to which a fishing line is attached. The shock absorber dampens the jerks of the fish being caught. However, in most cases I use a rod with guides and a reel, which allows for more maneuverability with the tackle, especially when fishing conditions are not ideal, i.e. there are a lot of bushes and tree branches hanging over the river, steep banks, etc. Or when for some reason you have to change your fishing location several times. The reel makes life easier by allowing you to more quickly adjust the length of the main line.

For some reason, most fishermen try to install an inertia-free reel even on light carbon rods. Personally, I don't see the point in this. A lightweight wire reel of any diameter with a fixed brake is best. It does not upset the balance of the tackle and, in my opinion, contributes to greater efficiency when landing small fish. And besides, the original weight of the rod is practically preserved, which does not lead to fatigue during long-term fishing.

Equipment

The main line is monofilament, with a diameter of no more than 0.15 mm. It is advisable to use, as with any wire fishing, a leash of smaller diameter. A leash from 0.08 to 0.12 mm and about 20 cm long is suitable. The thickness of the fishing line during active biting will not affect the number of bites.

It is better to use a hook with a short shank. Yes, when fishing with a worm, or rather with its pieces, which wriggle into a ball when reeling.

When fishing for crucian carp, I use sports class floats for the current, with a load of 1 to 1.5 g, at a river depth of about 1.5 meters. You can also develop a small scheme in which you can fine-tune the tackle more clearly. For example, at a depth of 0.5 m, and at this water level the crucian carp stands the same and feeds quite often, I use a float with a load of 0.5 g. At a depth of 1.5 m – 1 g. etc. The choice of float also depends on the speed of the current. Naturally, if the water flow is fast enough, you should use a heavier float so that the sinker can deliver the bait to the bottom faster. In the last two years I have begun to prefer Colmic floats. Although they are a little expensive compared to other sport floats, the quality that makes them easy to ship and the behavior when retrieving does not allow me to skimp.

Accordingly, the sinkers are selected according to this scheme. I would like to draw your attention to their choice - the pellet sinkers should be easily fixed on the fishing line with the help of your fingers and at the same time not pinch the fishing line. Those. the lead from which they are made must be sufficiently soft and homogeneous. And also correspond to your weight marked on the package. Typically, weights weighing from 0.09 to 0.9 grams are located in sections in plastic packages. The weight of quality sinkers, as a rule, corresponds to what is marked on the packaging. And equipping high-quality floats with such pellets usually does not require preliminary shipment at home.

Crucian carp is caught in the current using the same baits as other river fish - its neighbors. I consider the most suitable bait to be a dung worm. To activate the bite, the worms can be additionally scented with garlic. It is necessary to add heavily crushed garlic to the container with the prepared worm the day before fishing. Crucian carp usually take more actively on such a bait. Don't forget about pearl barley. I prepare it in a liter thermos. I pour boiling water over a glass of cereal and add a quarter teaspoon of honey or a few drops of anise oil. In 10-12 hours, pearl barley is steamed and ready for use in the pond. When the bite is weak, maggot larvae and large bloodworms help out the angler. A day before going fishing, you should add a little wheat or corn flour to the box with maggots. Flour cleanses the insides of the larvae and eliminates the unpleasant odor. And the larvae do not stick together and are stored for a long time without pupating. It’s better to add a pinch or two of dry bait into the container with maggots - the one you are going to use on the pond. Place 2-3 maggots on the hook, but so that the last larva covers the sting. Be sure to take at least two attachments with you - both animal and plant.

Biting and fishing

Place the bait, as when fishing for roach, at the bottom. And often in the manner of a half-bottom, when the lower sinker slows down on underwater rocks or drags directly along the bottom of the river, which, accordingly, has a different effect on the movement of the leash with bait on the hook.

The bite of river crucian carp is quite sharp and completely different from that in a lake or pond. Biting small crucian carp is very similar to sinking a float with small roach. Having taken the bait, and usually the crucian does not keep itself waiting long, small specimens slow down the float several times, tasting the menu with their lips, following it downstream. And then, drawing in water with their gills along with the bait, often swallowing deeply, they abruptly go to the side or upstream, dragging the float with them.

Larger individuals act differently. Their style is reminiscent of river bream biting. First, there are several twitches of the float antenna that are barely noticeable to the eye, and then, when the nozzle is completely in the fish’s mouth, the crucian carp holds the float for a few seconds, which sinks, as if hooked. And only then, lazily turning around, slowly swimming against the current.

In both cases, hooking should be done slowly. When the bait suits the fish in every way, there are practically no gatherings. He takes it confidently. This is also due to its unusual habitat and already strong competition among typical river representatives.

If a crucian carp is hungry and is interested in bait from a gastronomic point of view, it begins to actively dig into lumps of bait. Then the worm or maggot must necessarily drag along the bottom. If he was attracted only by the smell of bait, but for some reason the crucian carp is not satisfied with it in terms of nutrition, it is better to place the hook with the nozzle 10-15 cm from the bottom. It is this niche that the crucian carp occupies in the river in this case.

River crucian carp resists more stubbornly than their lake counterparts. But catching it is not particularly difficult. Only when there are snags in the fishing area does he try to hide in them and tangle the tackle. And then, this only applies to large individuals. The main thing is not to force things. Large crucian carp are easily caught in the landing net, and small fish can be easily brought into the hand.

River crucian carp spawn much faster than pond and lake carp. It is better to keep the caught fish in a long cage. You can bring fish home alive by covering them with sedge or nettle.

River crucian carp is very tasty, as it does not have the typical smell of grass and bitterness characteristic of pond species. If you are on a hike, I will recommend you a quick way to prepare an appetizing dish. Salt the gutted fish from the inside. There is no need to clean the scales, just rub some salt into them. Next, “pack” the fish in alder or hazel leaves and bury them in the hot coals of the fire. After 10-15 minutes the dish is ready.
Dorofeev Vladimir
[email protected]
2002-05-30 08:01:23

In recent years, large numbers of crucian carp have appeared in the rivers of central Russia. This probably occurs as a result of a decrease in the strength of the current and the overgrowth of the riverbed with various algae, thereby creating a favorable food supply and living conditions for this species. crucian carp They are always larger in size than their pond counterparts, and are more actively caught. And the resistance offered by the handsome river fisherman is worthy of respect. And in order for it to end up in the cage, and not in the aquatic thickets of the river, you need to apply a lot of skill and dexterity using any method of fishing.

River crucian carp differs from its pond counterparts:

• golden - silvery in color, elongated body and yellowish fins
• silvery - more transmissible
There are also differences in their habitats and diet.

A successful catch of river crucian carp caught by the author

Some features of crucian carp

Crucian carp have exceptional vitality. They survive in conditions where other fish die. They tolerate oxygen starvation well, both sudden and prolonged. Tolerant to low temperatures, not afraid cold water. They fight oxygen deficiency and low water temperature in the same way - by burying themselves in silt. They love strong odors and are tolerant of petroleum products. In silver carp, the number of females is always much greater than males. Sometimes there are no males at all. Then, in these reservoirs, the eggs laid by the females are fertilized by the males of other carp fish. Only female silver crucian carp are produced in the offspring from such crossing. In the pond brother of the golden crucian carp, the number of males is twice as large as females.

Nature and nutritional characteristics

It mainly feeds on small benthic organisms (crustaceans, worms, mosquito larvae), digging in the mud. It also feeds on aquatic plants. Crucian carp is a fish with “quirks” due to the variability of its bite. It is very sensitive to changes in atmospheric pressure, wind, and temperature. The bite may also stop due to constant vertical movements. He can take the same bait either at the bottom, then at mid-water, or at the surface. These vertical movements occur both during the day and at certain periods of time, for example, at dawn. You can overcome the deterioration of the bite by manipulating the nozzles. Therefore, when fishing, stock up on several types of bait. But it is best to overcome to some extent the “whims” of crucian carp using bait and groundbait. Baiting should be done a few days before fishing, and the bait should be thrown into the fishing area immediately before fishing. At water temperatures up to 18 degrees Celsius (almost all spring and autumn), crucian carp gives preference to animal baits - worms, bloodworms, maggots. In summer, steamed grains, various cereals, oatmeal and odorous substances (mint and anise drops, crushed garlic, cinnamon) are added to the bait.

Habitats.

crucian carp- the fish is sedentary. In rivers it lives in creeks and bays, in areas with a quiet current and shallow depths, overgrown with aquatic vegetation. Most of the time (especially large ones) it stays near the bottom, digging in the silt not far from the shore near steep slopes, in places with a sharp drop in the bottom. River crucian carp does not avoid clean places with medium currents. But the most interesting thing is that large individuals often stay in fairly strong currents along with roach, dace and chub. And this is no coincidence. Firstly, it goes out into the current in search of more varied food, which is eaten by competitors and does not reach quiet habitats. Secondly, crucian carp is not native and when it finds itself in this environment it is forced to adapt to the living conditions. On each river it is caught in strictly defined places, which remain unchanged from year to year with rare exceptions. From practice, it has been noticed that there are practically no small crucian carp among large ones in the catches, which indicates their different habitats. Small ones, they prefer shallows closer to the shore, where there is practically no current and there are life-saving thickets nearby.

Not all underwater thickets attract crucian carp:
• Elodea "water plague" and hornwort - avoided, they produce tannin
• Pondweed, horsetail, hornwort, rich in larvae and worms - loves

Fishing methods.

The choice of fishing method largely depends on the angler. When fishing, caution, camouflage and silence must be observed. Crucian carp are shallow water dwellers and are very sensitive to any noise and disturbance in the water. The most suitable gear is a float rod for calm waters and a feeder for currents. One thing they have in common is that the equipment for catching crucian carp must be delicate. With any method, the tackle is adjusted so that it is as light, sensitive and inconspicuous as possible. In this article I would like to dwell in more detail on the role of a leash when fishing for crucian carp. The role of the leash is to make the tackle invisible, present the bait as naturally as possible, and preserve the float and feeder equipment in case of blind hooks and bites of a large specimen. The leash also allows the bait to behave more naturally in the water. All these nuances depend on the length and diameter of the fishing line used. And their correct choice has a significant role on the effectiveness of fishing. So what length should you choose for a leash? Short ones have one serious drawback: the crucian carp quickly feels the resistance of the gear and instantly throws the bait, barely trying it. If you set it too long, you won’t notice the timely bite and won’t be able to hook it in time. Often, when activity is weak, changing a short leash to a longer one noticeably improves the bite, since the crucian carp does not feel the resistance of the gear and takes the bait less carefully. If there are a lot of bites, but not all of them are realized, put a short leash and you will be able to react more quickly to the movement of the alarm.

Lead line diameter:
• For the feeder it is selected experimentally, taking into account these recommendations, depending on the fishing conditions
• For a float fishing rod, the weight of the sinker is chosen depending on the weight, otherwise the bait will be presented unnaturally, the tackle will become heavy and noticeable, which in turn will alert the sensitive crucian carp
And advice, don’t get carried away with too thin leashes.

Lure.

Catching crucian carp without preliminary feeding is a dead end. Bait is very important. If you don't feed, you won't catch. On the river this truth is absolutely true. It is better if the bait is light in color, for which a little steamed pearl barley grains and ground oatmeal are added to it. It is good to feed with steamed peas, but in limited quantities. The efficiency will be higher if you add some live ingredients (chopped worms, small maggots, food bloodworms). Whether to add flavorings is a matter for each fisherman, let him decide for himself. But we must take into account that the role of flavorings increases with increasing temperature.

Baits.

As bait in the cold season, it is best to use red worms (dung worms and underleaves), bloodworms and maggots. Worrying about others is a waste of time. When the water temperature is above 16 degrees, it is better to use vegetable baits, such as steamed barley grains, peas, and canned corn. In recent years, fishing stores have been selling an excellent bait - CORN PUFF (puffed corn) with various flavors, which has become an indispensable bait when catching crucian carp on a feeder. I recommend it. Catches and quality have increased significantly. Tested by practice. The best smells are garlic, honey, anise.

About fishing.

Crucian carp weighing 1 kg 300 g caught on the river

Crucian carp begins to be caught in early spring when the water warms up above 10 degrees Celsius, when it begins to actively feed after hibernation. And spawning in the river begins 25 days earlier than in stagnant water. During spawning and several days after it, the crucian carp does not bite. Activity resumes from mid-June and continues until October, gradually fading away. As the weather worsens, the number of bites weakens; in the summer, there is a repeated cessation of biting for several days for no apparent reason. Best time for fishing in the morning and evening hours. In rivers, which has been proven in practice, crucian carp often become active at midday and mostly large specimens bite.

Biting and fishing.

The crucian carp bites very carefully, even sluggishly. When fishing in the river, its bites are much more active and intense. It is necessary to not cut too hard with your hand so as not to tear the lips. Fishing does not cause much trouble, but given the fishing in grassy areas at shallow depths, it is necessary to have a long-handled landing net on hand. No tail! No scales.