Finding an active predator in the vast expanses of water from the shore often turns into a cross-country marathon, taking energy and time, and the boat gives access to those cherished points where the water is not lost. pike It prefers to stand in ambush, waiting for prey, and it is the boat that allows you to effectively catch sharp dumps, pits and flooded snags, where you simply can not get bait from the shore.
Jig fishing from the side is not just throwing into the water, but a complex process of controlling the vessel and gear at the same time. sounderA positioning error can cost you to catch the trophy, as the predator often stands very locally.
In this article, we will discuss all the nuances, from choosing the right anchor to the subtleties of wiring on the flow. bottom-water is a key factor when looking for pike parking in the fall, and how to adjust the tackle for maximum sensitivity.
Equipment of a boat for jig fishing
Successful fishing begins long before the first cast, even at the stage of preparation of the craft. anchorageIt is not acceptable to use only an anchor shaft without rope, as it poses a risk of loss of anchor and danger to the angler.
For comfortable fishing, availability is critical sonar It's a mapping function, or at least a clear mapping of the bottom, and without understanding what's going on under the keel, fishing becomes blind poking, and modern models allow you to see not only the depth, but also the structure of the bottom, and also the fish that swim.
And you also have to remember that comfort is a direct effect on concentration, and prolonged exposure to uncomfortable postures can lead to rapid fatigue and reduced response to bites.
- 🛶 A reliable anchor of sufficient weight and a long phalanx for safe descent.
- 📡 A sonar with a GPS module for marking points and tracking drift.
- 🎣 Spinning holders (rodholders) for freeing hands during maneuvers.
- 💡 Headlight with red light for fishing at dusk or at night.
⚠️ Warning: Never tie the anchor tile to the fixed elements of the boat (e.g., a duck or a leer) firmly. If a sharp jerk is carried on the current, this can lead to overkill or sinking of the boat. Use an anchor buoy or hold the end of the tile in your hand through the side duck.
Pay special attention to gear attachment. Wave or active maneuvering, loose boxes with baits can be overboard. Organize the workspace so that everything you need is at hand, but it is securely fixed.
Selection of fishing gear
Boat fishing dictates its spinning requirements. Because you're directly above the fishing point, you don't need to do long-distance casting. The optimal length of the rod is 2.10 to 2.40 meters. A longer form will simply interfere with the tight space of the boat, especially when catching fish or working with a lift.
The rod test is selected under the fishing conditions, but for pike on jig, the range is most often used. 10-40 gramsThis allows you to work with heavy loads confidently at currents and depths up to 10-15 meters, and the construction is preferred fast or ultrafast, which provides better sensitivity and control of the bait.
The coil must be reliable and have good traction, and the size of the 3,000-4000 spoole according to the Shimano classification will be a universal choice. friction-machine It worked perfectly smoothly, as the pike often makes sharp jerks at the boat itself.
As the main cord, use a wicker with a diameter of 0.12-0.16 mm (Japanese classification PE 0.8-1.2). It does not stretch, which allows you to feel the most cautious. podMonophile fishing line for jig from great depths is practically not used because of its extensibility.
⚠️ Attention: When fishing for pike, you need to use a metal leash or string. Even if you catch pike rubber, bycatch often has toothy rubber that cuts off the wicket with its razor-sharp teeth. A fluorocarbon leash may not be helpful when you encounter a large predator.
Search tactics and anchoring
Searching for perspective places from a boat is much more effective than the shore one. As you move around the body of water, you can quickly scan large areas. The main task is to find depth differences, eyebrows, flooded riverbeds and local elevations (navels) among the depths.
There are two main fishing tactics: anchor and drift fishing. Anchor fishing is preferred in strong currents or winds, when you need to carefully "knock" one particular point. Fishing afloat allows you to quickly catch large areas, but requires perfect boat ownership and frequent use. anchor-bag (parachute) for braking.
When anchoring, it's important to get up right. The boat has to stand up against the current or the wind. The casts are perpendicular to the side or slightly downstream. This provides natural wiring and prevents the cord from overlapping behind the anchor shaft.
☑️ Right anchoring.
Use a GPS tracker to return to catch points. The pike is often in local clusters, and if you catch one fish, chances are that after a while another will bite in the same place.
Wiring technique and work with baits
The jig wiring from the boat has its own peculiarities. Because the angle between the rod and the water is often 90 degrees or more, the classic "step" may look different. You will have to actively work with the coil, making 2-3 turns and pauses, or use a combination of winding and rod wiggling.
Pay special attention to the bait fall phase. It's at the pause that most bites occur. It's easier to control this moment from the boat, because you can see the tension of the cord and feel every touch of the bottom. If the bites occur on the fall, increase the pause time or reduce the weight of the cargo.
For pike, the following types of wiring are most effective:
- 🐟 Classic step: 2 turns of the coil - pause before touching the bottom.
- 🐟 Uniform wiring with separation from the bottom: relevant for an active predator.
- 🐟 Aggressive undermining: a sharp swing of the rod upwards followed by lowering.
The size of the baits varies from 3 to 5 inches. In cold water or passive glue, it is better to switch to finer rubber. The color scheme depends on the transparency of the water: bright "acid" colors work in murky water, natural colors work in transparent water (machine oil, green, purple).
The secret of lazy wiring
Often, pike ignores active play. Try dragging the bait down the bottom with very long pauses. Slimy but heavy loaders will help keep contact with the bottom even in weak currents. This method works wonders during periods of deafness or sudden pressure drops.
Load selection and depth table
The right weight is the key to successful fishing. The cargo should allow you to make a quality step: 2-3 seconds on the fall. If the load is too light, you will not feel the bottom; if it is too heavy, the bait game will be lost.
| Depth (m) | The force of the current | Weight of the cargo (g) | Recommended bait size (inch) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 - 4 | Weak/Not present | 4 - 8 | 2.5 - 3.0 |
| 4 - 7 | Average | 10 - 16 | 3.0 - 3.5 |
| 7 - 10 | Strong. | 18 - 28 | 3.5 - 4.0 |
| 10+ | Very strong. | 30 - 50+ | 4.0 - 5.0 |
The data in the table is averaged. Always adjust the weight of the load according to the sailing of a particular rubber model and the thickness of the cord. sensitivity The gear directly depends on the tension of the line.
Rescuing and safety
Pulling a pike off a boat is the most stressful moment. Fish brought to the boat often become furious, making "candles" or sharp jerks to the side, your task is to prevent it from going into snags or under the boat, where it can tangle the cord around the engine screw.
Always keep a hand peeler on hand, trying to pull a large pike (more than 1.5 kg) with your hands is fraught with sudden or trauma, and the peeler should always be ready to work: open and lowered in the water or lying nearby.
Use an extractor or a clamp to extract hooks. Pike teeth are sharp like needles, and hooks often sit deep, and a clamp will safely release the fish and minimize the time it is out of the water.
Keep in mind safety. Abrupt movements in a boat can cause a loss of balance. Try to do all the manipulations with fish while sitting, especially on the wave. If the fish is too big and aggressive, don't be heroic, let them go if you can't get them into the boat safely.
The success of jig fishing from a boat 80% depends on the correct choice of place and the ability to "read" the bottom relief on the sounder, not on the cost of spinning.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Do you need a boat or is it enough?
For jig fishing pike is quite enough quality PVC boats with a length of 3.2 meters, it has excellent maneuverability and stability, the boat is only necessary for fishing on huge reservoirs in stormy weather or if necessary to overcome long distances.
Which sonar to choose for a beginner?
So, any two-beam sonar with a 4-inch screen is a good place to start, and the key is that it shows the structure of the bottom and has GPS tags. Lowrance Hook or Garmin Striker.
Can I catch a pike for a jig in the summer?
Yes, you can, but the efficiency is lower than in spring or autumn, and in summer, pike often rises to the upper water or goes into the grass, where the jig is ineffective because of hooks, and in summer, surface baits or catching at the border of grass and clean water work better.
What to do if the boat is blown by the wind?
Use an anchor bag (dreck anchor) that creates resistance to water and stabilizes the boat, and you can also stand on two anchors (feed and nose) to lock in, although this takes longer to install.