Pike fishing on a jig

the bait Jig really is universal. They practically do not have competitors at catching in deep places, and on shallows, at respective equipment they work perfectly well. On them all predatory fish is caught absolutely.

These baits perfectly approach and for manufacturing of not hooked installations at fishing in especially difficult conditions (snags, stones, seaweed).

baits, varying weight of jigs of a head and the size, it is possible to catch the Jig successfully practically in any conditions, except for, perhaps, shallow mountain rivers and streams. Therefore, they are simply irreplaceable, first of all, for active search of fish, for fast investigation of a reservoir.

the Same model (for example, the same Relax Kopyto 3), only changing weight of jigs of a head, it is possible to survey quickly both river-bedded edges, and shallow gulfs, and to be convinced whether available, whether of absence of predatory fish.

Rate of fishing on a jig.

For myself I have chosen an average variant. During pike search I maintain high rate and when I find fish or as it seems to me perspective on a relief, or to any other signs a bottom site I am late for a while. While there are bittings, continue to catch, then again I go to search. To wait on one place there is no sense, it is better to check up it then   through pair hours.

A bait Jig they are the fastest,   ideally approach for search of fish: well fly at a casting, work at different speed and not bad involve a pike. But also when fish is found, it is possible easy to continue to catch on « a jig », especially on depth where alternatives to them, in general, are not present. If in a place of catching depth not so big, it is possible to use and other kinds of baits. But, it does not mean, that the pike will be caught on them better, than on a jig. Getting to different situations, and I cannot say, that bait change always yields positive result, but it happens. After all it is possible to change bait type (for example, « a jig » on « a spoon bait »), and it is possible one model « jigs » on another.

Usually change of baits at catching in places from the big; depth I begin with the change, one soft bait on another, differing radically on the size, colour or game. More often I so arrive at catching of a pike perch. Well and at catching of a perch on small depth I change not model, and bait type. For example, « a jig » on « a spinner » or a wood bait. At pike catching often I use replacement « a jig » on a wobbler though and it reacts to change of models of jigs of baits not bad.

What in these baits such, what provides with it universality and high efficiency? The answer is simple enough, appeal to fish, good " flight " qualities, catching possibility on the different depths, steady game at various speeds of reeling. At these advantages of jigs of baits, it is possible to recollect also the big variety of models and colouring, and it is final about quite comprehensible prices for these baits.

Now we will talk about models of jigs of baits, and they possess what properties.

jigs Models.

Today in Ukraine it is possible to get a jig of a bait more than twenty trade marks. The most known are baits of American firms Mann's and Relax which have appeared at us earlier than the others. Baits of firms Cormoran, Bass Assasin, Profi Blinker, Lucky John, Ga-ma, Yum, Mister Twister, Action Plastic have well proved also. Not so are known and the jig of bait Ecoger, Gary Yamamoto, Delande, Berkley is less often used.

On the game depending on the form, the bait jig is divided on passive and active. Active baits, that is with expressed own game are more popular, these are twisters and vibrotails. Passive baits - (« worms », « slages », « oktopuses », « lizards », « cancers » and other exotic) are used by our fishers seldom. The most popular in Ukraine a jig a bait - vibrotails. Vibrotails use the majority of our fishers. But vibrotails are in the lead not everywhere, in other countries, as for example in Russia, twisters and porolon small fishes are more popular.

Such point of view in Ukraine was promoted by publications in domestic fishing magazines on a subject of jig catching in which recommended to use vibrotails. Fishers which have appeared unique defenders of a twister practise catching on a microjig. In a category « ultra lite » twisters become often baits number one. In more heavy class twisters and are ignored today by many admirers of jig catching.

So really at us fish on a twister is not caught? The majority of fishers responds: « It is caught, but on vibrotails it is caught even better ».

Skilled fishers, having read, probably, will say these lines, that the bait role in a jig-spinning is not paramount, the main thing - to find fish, correctly to establish a boat and to select reeling. And, perhaps, it will be difficult to disagree with them. Predatory fish in our reservoirs pecks both on twisters, and on vibrotails, and on porolons even on a tee with a fur-tree rain. On it to do conclusions about law and efficiency of this or that type of baits, disregarding features of a reservoir and catching conditions on him, incorrectly.

I too always disliked twisters a little. Especially it it was shown at pike and pike perch catching. I regard it as a certain psychological barrier, after all these predators eat exclusively fish, and the twister nevertheless outwardly reminds a worm or a bloodsucker more. But with each pike caught on a twister or a pike perch, my relation to these baits changed for the better.

As to a perch, its interest to twisters is noticed by me for a long time, therefore and to its catching on these baits more often, than on vibrotails. Nevertheless, more often I use twisters in two cases: at purposeful catching of a small and average perch from coast both from a boat, and at catching in strong a snag places. Twisters show the greatest efficiency at catching of a medium-sized perch which interests us only in the absence of more serious copies. And the large perch (more than 300 gramme) in most cases prefers small vibrotails.

At catching in a snag, to which it is necessary to resort very often at hunting for a pike perch here again not to do without application of twisters. The twister is better than other jigs   baits approaches for installation « not a hooking ». In such situations offset hooks are used, but I arrive easier, fit on a twister on a jig-head obliquely, as on an offset hook. And still very often the twister gains at coastal catching of any predator when the big range a casting is required. In all other cases I use vibrotails is more often.

the Form of jigs of baits.

Types a vibrotail differ among themselves: under the body form, under the form and a corner of an inclination of a tail five-copeck coin, on structure and material density. Under the form of a body of a vibrotail differ on shad and long. As a rule, wide vibrotails have low-frequency game with big amplitude fluctuations, and narrow - high-frequency game with small amplitude. As a characteristic example a shad a vibrotail it is possible to name Relax Aqua or Mann's Shad, and a long - Bass Assasin, Yum.

The First to a thicket are used at fishing in stagnant water or on a small current, and the second are most effective on a strong current. There are also intermediate variants which the majority of fishers it Relax Kopyto and Mann's Predator uses. At them the average form of a body, but at these models is one more feature - a carve tail. The tail part of these baits looks as a fur-tree having from two to four cuts. This form provides stable game not only a tail, but also all bait. Therefore such the bait jig is the most universal variant and approach for various conditions of catching.

the Form of the tail blade the vibrotail essentially influences its game. The general rule - the more a tail five-copeck coin, the is played by a bait - correctly, but only partly more intensively. Here it is necessary to understand, that is understood as intensity of game. If frequency of fluctuations the big tail blade gives to a bait not high-frequency, and very much the other way, low-frequency game means. And if to speak about amplitude baits with the big round tail at reeling make wide fluctuations with the big amplitude. In any case of a bait with big tail лопастью  vibrotails with a small and narrow shovel are perceived by a predator from a long distance, than. However it at all does not mean, that on them it will be better to peck. Though their fish also notices from apart, it can not react in any way to them, and on high-frequency baits to peck almost on everyone to a casting. But such happens seldom. Usually, if fish is active, she more or less not bad responds on both types of baits. It is necessary to notice, that the big tail blades meet at a form vibrotail shad, and small - at a form vibrotail long is more often.

the Material of which the bait - very important factor is made. It happens different rigidity and structure. There are very soft baits which begin « to play » even laying at the bottom on a weak current, and there are also more rigid - for catching on a strong current.

Softer baits have very attractive game, but at the same time they strongly suffer from a bitting, are broken off and slip from a jig-head.

Baits from more rigid material are deprived these lacks and at times maintain to hundred and more a bitting, but they practically do not play easy heads in places without a current. At conducting they still somehow « работают», and during pauses and stops the bait tail is practically motionless. By the way, it is not always bad. As it is strange, but sometimes the predator reacts to such baits without game is better. Examples of baits from materials of different rigidity: the softest baits - Mann's, middle rigid-Relax and the most rigid - Profi Blinker.

the Size of jigs.

The Size of jigs of a bait is often a major factor at catching of a pike and other predatory fish, therefore on this parametre it is necessary to be in earnest about a bait choice very much. Clearly, that for catching of a perch and a catfish baits different a jig, but sometimes are applied and at catching of kilogramme pike perches or pikes work either very large is better, or absolutely small baits, and the standard size is ignored. Therefore the first, that it is necessary to do in the absence of a biting, to experiment the size of jigs of a bait.

At a choice of the size it is necessary to be guided by three major factors, a kind of the fish, necessary range a casting and force of a current. And, the kind of fish which be going to is defining to catch.
So I apply the largest to catching of a pike a jig of a bait in the size from 7 to 13 centimetres more often. In some cases, especially at catching on the shoal which has grown with seaweed, essentially only the largest jigs in length 10-13 is better work less than 7 sm a pike too see On baits in the size reacts, but is always worse, than on the large.

For catching of a pike perch I use baits in the size of 6-8 sm, sometimes hardly the big. A bait in the size 6 sm at catching of a pike perch there are less than more kg at me never worked, therefore in due course I have simply ceased to try on them.

To catching of a perch I apply compact small baits in the size from 3 to 6 centimetres.

Except a kind of fish at a choice of the size of jigs of a bait the set of factors is considered still. The first - range a casting which is connected and with one more factor (force of a wind).

If fishing is conducted from coast, in some cases, that « to get to рыбы» it is necessary to make as much as possible distant casting. Various cunnings are applied to increase in range a casting: the long fishing-rod, a thin cord, heavier jigs-heads is used and, including, the size of a bait decreases. That is in this situation we do not think any more, that we catch - a pike or a perch, and in any ways we try to provide the maximum range a casting. If thus the head wind our problem becomes complicated doubly still blows. Therefore willy-nilly in such situations it is necessary to use a jig of a bait of the minimum size.

The Same situation arises and at fishing on a strong current. The large bait shows strong resistance in water and quickly communicates a current that is why sometimes it is possible and not to wait at all when it will concern a bottom. So at a distant casting and at fishing on a strong current it is necessary to use small, compact baits in the size no more than 6 see

At a choice of the size of a bait it is not necessary to forget that the shad bait at identical length from the long is perceived by fish as larger object. And more - than more widely a bait, it is possible to equip with its especially heavy head, after all the wide bait creates in water more resistance, than narrow and, accordingly, plans at a pause in reeling longer.

Many fishers consider, that the more the size there will be a bait, the above chance to catch on it a trophy copy. And it is valid, between the size of a trophy and a bait there is some dependence which, however, works far not always. Who from us had not to catch small a small pike on huge soft « crucians »? Sometimes there are also return situations when the large predator prefers small baits. It is considered, that the pike prefers to eat fish who makes 10-15 % from its weight. Imagine, what size there should be you of vibrotails to interest at least a five-kilogramme predator. In practice such big baits are used by our fishers very seldom, and that more often not for spinning catching, and for a trolling. But the certain potential at all of them is, therefore it is not necessary to neglect their use.

Colour.

At a choice of colour of jigs of a bait, at spinning men there is no common opinion. But the majority of fishers is divided by colours on two categories: natural colours and aggressive. In turn natural colours can be divided on light and dark. In my opinion, aggressive colouring, are good for catching at bad light exposure and in muddy water, and natural - for catching in transparent water at bright illumination.

In the first case my liked colours: bright yellow, lemon, fluorescent green, and in the second - transparent-green, milky-white and transparent-brown.

At fishing on вибро­ tails, I use two-coloured baits with painted in black or red colour a back more often. Are good as well baits with the tail painted in red colour. At pike catching, I tint tails of baits a waterproof marker of red colour. It seems to me, that after that the bait becomes similar to small fry which in many reservoirs are the basic object of hunting of a pike. And in general at catching of any predator it is necessary to be guided by a forage reserve, characteristic for that reservoir.

Certainly, colour of a bait matters, sometimes and essential, but as it seems to me, more important factors are the size, the form and character of fluctuations of jigs of a bait. These characteristics, instead of colour of a bait, influence intensity of a biting is much more often.

Game (character of fluctuations)

As already it was spoken above, the bait jig, depending on the form of a body, the sizes of the tail blade and material structure, possesses various game. Character of game of a bait is defined first of all by with what frequency and amplitude it fluctuates in water at reeling.

Long models a vibrotail with a small five-copeck coin make high-frequency fluctuations with small amplitude, and shad vibrotails with big « лопаткой» - low-frequency fluctuations with the big amplitude.

The Same and at twisters: baits with a narrow tail make high-frequency fluctuations, and with wide - low-frequency. It is considered to be, that low-frequency baits are intended for catching in stagnant water, and high-frequency - for catching on a strong current. Also it is considered, that low-frequency baits involve a pike, baits with average frequency - a pike perch, and high-frequency - a perch more.
But this division is rather conditional, as in a real life all happens and наоб­ a mouth: pike perches and perches can with pleasure « кушать» and low-frequency « резину» on a strong current, and a pike - high-frequency in « a bog ».

But as a reference point these key rules it is possible and it is necessary to take into consideration.

As an example I wish to bring the list of baits most often used by me. At catching of a pike it: Relax Kopyto №2,5-5, Relax Aqua 10 twisters Relax №4-5 see Cormoran Cora-Z 13 sm, Profi-Blinker 10 sm, Mann's Predator №3. A pike perch: Relax Kopyto №2,5-3, Cormoran Cora-Z 10 sm, Mann's Predator №3, Bass Assasin 7 sm, twisters Relax №3-4.

The Perch: Mann's Predator №1-2, Relax Kopyto №2-2,5, Relax Banjo №2-3, twisters Relax №1-2.

Variants of equipment of jigs of baits.

Today there is a set of variants of equipment of jigs of baits. Basic elements of any equipment, the hook and a sinker, except the bait a jig are. And there are equipments in which the hook is connected to a sinker, and is also such in which they are connected by means of a lead from a scaffold. It is possible to carry equipments to the first type on a jig-head, « ушастом» a sinker, a head-spring, the Texas equipment. And to the second - caroliniana equipment and a drop shot, that is so-called lead equipments.

Among ours spinning men equipments of the first type are more used, lead equipments are used less often.

the Most, widespread variant - equipment on a jig-head. Jigs-heads differ under the form, weight and the size of a hook. More often heads « are used; шар» and « сапожок». Basically it is quite enough these two forms for fishing in various conditions on any reservoirs.
The most significant parametre at a jig-head choice - length and the size of a hook. The hook is selected individually under each model of jigs of a bait. So, for example, for vibrotail Relax Kopyto 3 it is better than others the hook of the size 4/0, and for vibrotail Relax Kopyto 5 - a hook 7/0 approaches. Correctly located hook should leave a body a vibrotail approximately in the middle.

It is necessary to notice, that hooks of various manufacturers at the identical declared size can differ considerably. For example, known Japanese hooks Gamakatsu №4/0 are little bit shorter, than Mustad and VMC 4/0.

Equipment on " a long-eared " also it is popular enough. It consists of a round sinker with two wire " ушками", the hook is attached to one of which through a clockwork ring. The hook can be any - unary, double or threefold. The double hook which is better, than unary is more often used, marks fish and it is better, than the tee, passes through a grass and snags.

At rather big length of a soft bait sometimes the equipment joins the extension piece from a wire which connects a sinker to a hook. It is used that the hook has been located not too close to a bait head, and approximately in the middle of its body.

At fishing on vibrotails I use jigs-heads, and at fishing on twisters - hinged installation on « a long-eared ».

the Equipment on a head-spring is used a little bit less often listed above. the Principle of its action same, as well as equipments on a jig-head, only the bait is fixed not on a hook, and on a twisted wire to a-spring. The basic difference of equipment on a head-spring is that in it the threefold hook which incorporates to a sinker a wire piece is used. Such design, undoubtedly, more a hooking, than usual a jig-head, and так­, according to many fishers, this equipment allows to prolong a bait life. The matter is that it is very frequent after productive cutting threefold jumps out from a bait so during time the soft bait pulls out dangles somewhere sideways, instead of is in a toothed mouth of a pike perch or a pike. I sometimes use equipment on a head-spring at fishing in rather pure places on large vibrotails.

the Texas equipment is applied to catching in grown or a hooking places. It consists of an offset hook from jigs a bait and a sliding sinker-bullet which is put on the basic scaffold or a lead. All elements of the Texas equipment first of all serve for giving to it of not hooked properties. Therefore the streamline form is used loaded without everyones « ears », and the sinker covers a head part of a bait.

Lead equipments differ from the first type that small baits in a combination with heavy sinkers allow to use, the principle of action of lead equipment is well familiar to those our fishers who tried catching on « a small beard ». In it heavy enough sinker of the oblong form, wire tap or a threefold swivel, a lead from a scaffold in length from 1 to 2 metres and itself « is used; a small beard » — the foam cylinder which has been put on on downy goat by a wool a hook.

The Similar equipment without any changes can be used and at catching on « silicone ». Thus there is a question: whether it is necessary to give to a bait positive buoyancy by fayings on a hook of additional elements. Various variants both with sinking, and with floating baits have been tested some. Fish pecks and and so, but the equipment with a sinking bait collects ground dust more strongly, therefore it is in most cases better to use nevertheless a foam ball (or the cylinder) for giving to a bait of positive buoyancy.

the Following type of lead equipment - caroliniana. As I do not have experience of catching with this equipment, I will be limited only to its general description. On used elements this equipment practically does not differ from Texas (a bullet, an offset hook and a bait), but works absolutely by other principle. In caroliniana equipment the sinker-bullet and a bait are carried among themselves approximately by a metre lead from a monoscaffold, thus the sinker is used sliding - for maintenance of the big sensitivity of tackle.

And last equipment a drop shot. In a classical variant of this equipment the lead is not used, and the bait becomes attached directly on the basic scaffold above loaded. I use a little advanced equipment in which the bait is mounted on very short lead from a scaffold is more often. I use such equipment for catching of a perch on small twisters, and a lead with a bait I mount not to the basic cord, and to a half-metre insert from a monoscaffold which on the one hand comes to an end with a sinker, and with another - small a rotorseal. The twister fits on on a usual unary hook with a long forearm, it is possible to use also special hooks with jags on a forearm - on them the bait keeps better.

On my deep belief, the bait jig is today the most universal type of baits meeting all requirements aspiring to catch predatory fish by a spinning of the fisher. The wide lineup, a variety of colouring, set of installations, catching possibility on any depths, high appeal to fish, stable job on any speeds of reeling - all provides it « to silicone » a place of honour in my fishing box.

I am simply assured, that on it it is possible to catch practically any predatory fish in the most versatile and unpredictable conditions. I like these baits, and I believe in them. I hope, that the part of the belief managed to be passed me and you.

On motives of article Dmitry Korzenkova.