Quiet water in the early morning, barely noticeable ripples from the surge of large fish and the characteristic slap of a kwok, echoing over the water surface - this is how the real hunt for the largest freshwater predator of our latitudes begins. Catfish from a boat to a quok is not just fishing, but a whole art that requires from the angler not only strong nerves and physical strength, but also a deep understanding of the habits of the "master" of the river.
Unlike bottom fishing from shore, where anglers passively wait for a bite, croaking involves actively searching for fish and creating a sound background that attracts the mustachioed giant to bait, a technique considered one of the most effective for capturing trophy specimens weighing 30 kg and above, as it allows you to catch deep pits and bed brows that are inaccessible from shore.
Success depends on a variety of factors: a well-chosen boat, a reliable engine, competent equipment and, of course, the ability to work with a tool. It is important to understand that the catfish is a secretive creature, and its approach to the boat often goes unnoticed until the moment of a powerful pull, so the concentration must be absolute.
Selection of watercraft and navigation equipment
The basis of successful fishing is the right boat. metal boat Or PVC models with inflatable tubes that keep you quiet when you're driving, and the metal is more resistant to cuts on the shell, but it makes more noise on the wave, whereas PVC is quieter, but it requires caution when mooring.
A critical element is the presence of sonar Without imaging the bottom, catfish search becomes a lottery, and modern Garmin or Lowrance models allow you to see not only the depth, but also thermocline, as well as fish swimming under the boat, which gives you a huge advantage.
To catch at depths of 10-20 meters, an anchor weighing at least 10-12 kg, preferably with a metal core, is necessary. The use of two anchors (in the nose and in the stern) allows you to rigidly fix the boat across the current, which is necessary for the correct delivery of the tackle.
For quiet maneuvering at the point of fishing, use an electric motor mounted on the transom or in the nose of the boat, so as not to scare the fish with the work of the gasoline engine.
The stability of the platform directly affects the quality of the wool, and if the boat is very heeled or chattering on the wave, it will be almost impossible to set the correct rhythm of the kwok hitting the water, and the hand will quickly tire.
Quack construction and working technique
The instrument to create an attractive sound can be made of wood, metal or composite materials. ekton It's a sickle-shaped structure, and it's considered the most versatile for beginners. heiduk or GladyshevaThey require fine-tuned technique, but give a cleaner and far more dispersed sound.
The process is to create an air bubble in the water that collapses and produces a characteristic cotton, so the sound should be deaf, low and go underwater, not splash over the surface. Many beginners make the mistake of hitting too hard, whereas the technique of sticking in and pulling out the workpiece is important.
- 🎣 Keep the Quoc with a relaxed hand, working predominantly with the wrist rather than the whole hand.
- 🎣 The impact is applied at an angle of about 45-60 degrees to the surface of the water.
- 🎣 After the impact, a sharp but short jerk upwards follows, forming a cavern.
- 🎣 Rhythm is more important than strength: the optimal pace is 3-4 beats in 10 seconds.
Experienced doubters say that the quok needs to "feel"; the sound should be like opening a bottle of champagne or a thump on a tree; if the sound is loud and high, the technique is wrong; regular practice in shallow water will help hone the skill to automatism.
The Secret to the Killing Sound
Some craftsmen rub the working surface of the quack with wax or paraffin, which changes the acoustic properties of the impact and makes the sound clearer and attracts fish at long distances.
Equipment and choice of gear for boat fishing
Boat fishing dictates its requirements for gear, and it doesn't require long-range rods, so it's not practical to use long rods. fishing-rod 1.5-2 meters long with a test of up to 100-150 grams or special squirrel spinnings, the main requirement is reliability and safety margin.
The main line should be monophilic, with a diameter of 0.8-1.2 mm, as it has a stretchability that extinguishes the jerks of large fish, and is not noticeable in the water. The wicker cord is not recommended for use because of its rigidity and ability to cut hands when catching, although some anglers put a shock leader from the wicker for greater sensitivity.
The loading gear is used as a bait anchor and should hold it at the bottom even in strong currents. The weight of the loader is selected experimentally, usually from 100 to 300 grams, often using a sliding loader "olive" or "wheel".
| Element of tooling | Recommended parameters | Appointment |
|---|---|---|
| The rod | Onboard, 1.5-2.0 m, test 100g+ | Working near the boat, pulling out |
| Coil | Marine or multiplier | Capacity of thick line, powerful friction |
| Hook | Single, No. 10-20 (according to classification) | Reliable serif, minimization of gatherings |
| A lead. | Not required (no fishing line at all) | Catfish have no teeth that cut the line |
The hooks should be chosen only from thick wire, forged. Thin hooks catfish easily unbend or break. The size of the hook should be the size of the bait, but be large enough to reliably detect the mouth of the predator. Critically important Check the sting sharpness before each fishing, as a blunt hook will lead to empty cuts.
Bake-outs and search for promising places
Catfish are omnivorous, but prefer food with a strong smell and active behavior. A bundle of crawls is considered classic bait, but for a large trophy, living or asleep inhabitants of a reservoir work better. A frog, bait (carp, perch), cancer or pieces of meat (liver, lungs) is a basic diet that should be offered to a predator.
The catfish is looking for a place of catching by the terrain. The catfish likes deep pits with swirls, sharp eyebrows, snags and entrances to the old men. On the sonar, you need to look for sharp changes in depths and the presence of structures at the bottom where the predator can be ambushed. Often catfish stand on the border of the main channel and calm water.
It's important to consider the time of day. It's most active at dusk and at night, but it can peck in deep pits during the day, especially in cloudy weather. The search strategy is to capture several promising points with a mandatory croaking.
☑️ Search for som spot
And don't ignore the navels, which are the elevation at the bottom in the middle of the depth, and on hot days, the catfish often climbs to such heights to find cooler water or oxygen jets.
Fishing tactics and the process of whirling
The fishing tactic is to move or anchor at the most promising point, and if you anchor, you're croaking off the boat, you're croaking across the current, you're sliding down to the bottom, and then you're crooking monotonically.
There is a belief that the sound of a quake mimics the sound of a feeding relative or a female ready to spawn, which attracts a predator. So the pauses between the batches should be minimal. Once the sounder shows the fish approach or a poke occurs, the pace can be changed, but the kvok should not be stopped until the bite.
The catfish bite often looks like a powerful punch or a smooth but unstoppable pull. The cutoff has to be strong and confident to break through the cartilaginous mouth. After the cut, a fight begins, where the main thing is to keep the fish from going into the driftwood. You can't force the catch, you have to wear the fish out with a stretched line.
⚠️ Attention: When you catch a large catfish from a boat, there is a risk of tipping over. Never wrap a fishing line on your hand or finger - the catfish can pull so hard that you will be pulled into the water or rip off the phalanx. Use only a secure grip with a rod and gloves.
If the catfish has gone into the snags, don't pull the gear with jerks, it's better to pull the line and wait for the fish to come out of the shelter, and often the predator, when he feels resistance, changes position, which gives him a chance to continue to fish.
Safety and preservation of the trophy
Catfish fishing comes with risks: A large fish weighing 50-80 kg can not only turn a light boat over, but also cause injuries with its tail or with its "fills" on the jaws. Always carry a line trimming knife and a reliable kukan or a large suction.
If you plan to release the fish, do it as quickly as possible. A catfish that has been on a kukan or in a cage for a long time, especially in warm water, can die after release. Carefully remove the hook using a yawner, and release the trophy into the water, holding it by the tail fin until it swims itself.
The rule of the doubter is that people's safety is more important than any trophy, don't risk your life for the fish and always evaluate your strength and the condition of the boat before fighting the giant.
Also, remember the fishing rules in your area, there are minimum catch size limits, forbidden spawning periods, and catch limits, and these regulations ensure that the river doesn't run dry in a few years, and your children also have a chance to catch their catfish.
Which quack is better to choose for a beginner: wooden or metal?
For a beginner, a classic wood quack (such as Athanovo) is better suited. Wood is easier to process, cheaper to cost and forgives technical errors. Metal quacks are more callous and long-range, but require perfect technique, otherwise sound will cut the ear and scare fish away.
Why doesn't the catfish bite, even though the sonar shows it under the boat?
There are several reasons: catfish may be full, dormant (hybrid) or not satisfied with pressure/temperature, or it may be that your bait is out of sight or that you are not actively working as a quak to interest a predator.
Should I use a leash when fishing for catfish?
Catfish have no teeth to bite a line like a pike, so not only is metal leashes unnecessary, but they're harmful: they reduce the visibility of the tackle and can frighten the careful fish, enough quality monophilic fishing line or fluorocarbon of large diameter.
What time of day is best to catch catfish for Quoc?
The most effective fishing is considered to be in the morning and evening twilight, as well as at night. However, on deep pits on hot summer days, the pecks can also be active during the day. At night, the catfish often goes to shallower areas, so the tactics should be changed depending on the time of day.