River fishing with nets requires that the fisherman not only know the habits of the fish, but also have a great knowledge of the boat. The process of installing gear on the current is significantly different from fishing in standing water, where the key factor is the wind. On the river, the main enemy and at the same time the helper is the flow of water, which dictates the rules of the game.
The wrong technique of staging can lead not only to an empty cage, but also to the loss of expensive equipment or even to a dangerous situation for the angler himself. Hydrodynamics The river creates a complex environment where the inertia of the boat and the resistance of the net conflict, so before getting on the water, you need to clearly understand the algorithm of actions and have the equipment prepared.
In this article, we will go through all the nuances, from the choice of location to the final sampling of the catch, you will learn how to maneuver the boat so that the net lays down “curtain” rather than laying down in a shapeless pile. Attention to detail During the planning phase, it will save the hours of work and nerves on the water.
Selection of tackle and preparation for exit
The first step is to get the right network, which is critical for the river. floatability And if you're going to have to go to the top of the boat, because the current is going to try to drown the gear, and if you're standing, you can use standard floats, but on the river, you have to increase the number and the carrying capacity by at least 30 percent, and that's going to ensure that the net is upright in the water column.
The length of the network also matters. Short fragments are harder to control over strong currents, they lose shape faster. casting options for exploration, but for serious mining it is better to take canvases with a length of 30 meters. Cell It is selected strictly under the target fish: too small will be clogged with algae and debris floating along the river.
⚠️ Warning: Never use a network with a cell smaller than the one allowed in your area, which not only can result in a large fine from the GIMS, but also the confiscation of the boat and motor.
The preparation of the loaders is a separate topic. On the faststring, the light loaders will not hold the bottom of the selection, and the net will turn belly upwards, you need to use lead loads of increased weight or special weighted cords. It is critical to check the integrity of all nodes and anchorages of the loader before leaving: the loss of even part of the load on the current will make the network idle.
Current analysis and selection of installation site
And 80 percent of the success of fishing depends on the right place, and in the river, fish rarely stand up against a high-power jet, preferring slow-current zones, and you should look for these places at the coastal dumps, behind the capes, on the border of the main stream and quiet water. hydrodynamic It allows the fish to save energy.
When you choose a location, you need to consider the topography of the bottom. The trunk, the sharp edges and the grass thickets are places where the net can get tangled or broken when you sample. But these are places where there's often a pike or a pike, and you need to be very precise in jewelry, and you need to put the net tangently to the obstacle, not across it.
It's important to visualize the speed of the current, throw a chip in the water and see how long it will take to swim the length of your boat, and if the boat goes by itself faster than 3-4 seconds, the current is considered strong, and the technique of staging should be adjusted. inertia The boats after the engine is turned off will be significant.
- 🌊 Look for back currents and whirlpools - there is often a large fish standing there.
- 🌲 Avoid installing networks across the main channel, this can lead to the destruction of the tackle with garbage.
- ⚓ Consider the water level: when the water rises, the fish shifts to shallow water, when it falls, it goes to depth.
The secrets of reading the river
At first glance, the smooth surface of water can hide the complex structure of currents. Notice the ripples: if it goes against the general direction of the wind or the main stream, then there is an obstacle or a reverse flow under the water, and these are the anomalies that most often attract predators waiting for prey in the blind zone.
Technique of setting the network against the current
The most common and safe way to set up is to set up against the current, and the boat goes above the intended installation site, turns its nose against the water, and slowly drifts back, at which point the angler starts to pit the net from the nose or side, depending on the design of the boat.
The main task is to ensure that the canvas is evenly opened, and if you just throw the net out, it becomes entangled, you need to rhythmically, jerk or smoothly release, control the output. cargo-cordThe boat's drift speed must be just above the current speed so that the net lies vertically rather than falling to the bottom under the boat.
So when you're working with an assistant, it's a little bit easier: one person is steering the boat, holding it strictly perpendicular to the coastline or at the right angle to the current, and the other person is doing the network. If you're alone, the motor control needs to be honed to automatism. Use it. low-gas Or even work on singles if the current is strong.
☑️ Checklist before network reset
One important thing is that when you're setting against the current, the net will always be blown downstream from the starting point, and you have to take that into account when you're aiming. Trajectory The boat’s movements should be calculated so that the endpoint of the network installation is exactly where you planned.
Staging the network along the stream and across the stream
The current is less common and requires more skill, the boat moves faster than water, and the net goes into the kilvater stream, and the danger here is that the boat can run into an already abandoned net, especially if you use a long-legged outboard motor. screw It can cause a network to run, which can lead to an emergency.
Cross-current is the most effective way to (close off) the migratory routes of fish, and the boat crosses the river from shore to shore or from one tide to another, and the net works like a solid wall, but the pressure of the water on that wall is enormous.
If the network is placed across a strong jet, you need to use additional anchors, delays or increased load, without which the network will simply turn, and it will become useless, and there is a risk of surge of floating debris (branches, grasses), which by its mass can break delicately. net-web.
| Parameter | Against the current | Downstream. | Cross-current |
|---|---|---|---|
| Complexity | Low. | Medium | High. |
| Risk of confusion | Minimum | Tall (o screw) | Medium. |
| Efficiency | High. | Medium | Maximum |
| Engine requirements | Idle move | Frequent switching | Maneuverability |
When setting the net across the current, always leave a margin of cord length at the shore anchor. The water level in the river can change overnight, and the net can either sag or break away from the anchor.
Use of anchors and buoys for fixation
The grid fixation is the final step of the installation, and simply anchoring the network is not enough on the river, because the current will constantly pull the network, shifting its position, and you need to use a system of two anchors: one holds the beginning of the network, the second holds the end, or one anchor and a shore tether.
To mark the parking area, be sure to use bright buoys. On a river with a lot of garbage and fin, the buoy should be visible from afar and should not sink when it hits the logs. buoy They are less visible to poachers (if you are acting legally) and safer for other vessels.
The length of the bayrep (line going from net to buoy) should be greater than the depth at the installation site with a margin for raising water. If the buyrep is stretched, it will become an additional sail and can turn a light buoy, hiding it under the water. Free navigation buoy on slack-line is a sign of the correct installation.
⚠️ Warning: Do not tie the buyrep directly to the float cord of the net at one point. Use a pull-up or a special loop so that the net does not twist around the turnip of the buoy when sampling.
Network sampling process and security
Sampling a network on a river is often more difficult than setting it up, and you can get a lot of trash into the network overnight, and the current will press the network to the bottom or, conversely, push it to the surface, creating chaotic movement, and you need to approach the boat against the current so that the boat does not throw on the net.
You have to pull the net evenly, picking both the top and bottom at the same time. If you pull only the floats, the net will fold in accordion, and the fish can come off. If only for the loader, the net will turn over. Perfect rhythm: one hand works with the top, the other with the bottom, or using a special hand. net-lift.
When sampling, watch your hands carefully. Not only fish, but also sharp objects, snags or, in the worst case, snakes, work with tight gloves. If a large pike or catfish gets tangled in the network, do not immediately try to release them with your bare hands - a tail blow or a bite can be painful.
Safety comes first: always have a quick-access knife on your belt. If the net gets tangled around a screw or leg, the count goes by seconds, and the ability to quickly cut a synthetic cord will save a life.
Once sampled, the net must be washed immediately in clean water to remove the mucus and smell of fish, which is especially important on the river, as the smell of rotting fish or sludge can scare the fish away at the next installation. Conservation The sleeves are the key to her long service.
What to do if the network is entangled in a snag at the bottom?
Don't pull hard, it'll break the net. Try to go in the other side and pick a slack, approaching the snag from different sides. If you can't, dive (if depth and transparency permits) or use a long bumpor to press the snag to the bottom and release the cord. In extreme cases, if the net is expensive and the snag is dead, you can gently swim close and, with your hands in gloves, untangle the knot.
How often should I check the nets on the river?
The law requires that nets be checked at least once a day, but in practice, especially in summer, every 6-8 hours, fish in the net spoil quickly, and predators (catch, pike) can damage the catch or the net itself, and frequent inspection reduces the risk of stealing tackle.
Can I put a net at night from a boat?
Technically, it's possible, but it's extremely dangerous. At night, it's hard to see driftwood, other fishermen, or changes in terrain. Also, many species of fish (shudak, lim) are active at night, but the risk of losing orientation and turning over in the dark, getting entangled in gear, is too great for the amateur.