Catching predatory fish gives fishermen more excitement and satisfaction. The change of seasons means it’s time to replace stretchers, mugs, and
spinning rods with under-ice girders. What is the peculiarity of fishing with girders in winter, and what are the varieties of under-ice poles, flags, etc.? The article discusses in detail the properties and modifications of this interesting device for catching winter predatory fish. The
- Why is the fishing method so popular?
- Fishing features
- Ice gnats – variety of species and photos
- Rating of the best purchased girders for winter fishing with photos and features
- Stinger Thermal PRO
- Zherlitsa Aelita Heron
- Stinger snow visor
- Cool zherlitsa
- ECO pier
- Top 5 designs of homemade girders for winter fishing
- How to make a zherlitsa yourself – 4 video instructions
- Equipment for ice fishing grenades and installation features
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Why is the fishing method so popular?
Zherlitsy are widely used by fishermen due to their versatility and the ability to quickly explore an unfamiliar body of water. The tackle is used during the entire period of ice fishing. The design of the vents differs depending on the model and can be absolutely any. The elementary version is a fishing line with a live bait fixed on it with a piece of bright fabric as a signaling flag. The device works in this way – when the fish bite on the bait, the line is pulled, the flag shoots and gives a signal to the fisherman. The mechanism allows you to leave the tackle unattended and do not freeze your hands in the cold. The mechanism is easy to use and install, therefore it is in great demand among both amateurs and advanced fishermen. Manufacturers responded to the demand by creating a huge range of models.
Fishing features
Zerlitsy are used mainly for winter fishing for predatory fish species. The success of the catch is directly influenced by the fisherman’s awareness of the behavior of the fish. Dexterity and tactics are not in the last place. However, you should not wait for a bite if the location is not chosen correctly. It all depends on the habitat of the fish and its accumulation during the cold season. If, for example, a pike or perch, during the period of ice formation, moves throughout the entire water column, then live bait should be suspended in different water horizons. Before you install the girder, you need to study the specifics of the inhabitants of a particular reservoir or river. Installing a girdle at random may not work. The relief feature is of particular importance when installing the gutter.
Ice gnats – variety of species and photos
Catching a predator in winter from the surface of the ice of the reservoir is carried out by the following common modifications of girders:
- Platform (checkboxes) . They are distinguished by the presence of a base made of wood, plywood, plastic, on which a cross-section and a coil and a flag are installed. Platforms are produced in round, square and rectangular shapes. The main advantage is the darkening of the hole, ice formation is prevented.
- Vertical (racks) . They look like a stand, with a coil attached at one end. Despite the ease of transportation, the girder is unstable and uncomfortable in severe frost.
- Tripods (taganka) . Perfect for winter fishing in the absence of snow on the ice, however, the device is inconvenient for transportation, has a more complex design and is also not stable in the wind.
- Horizontal . Home-made analogs are often used, which are simple to perform, but at the same time inconvenient to operate. The flag often gives false signals and the line freezes to the ice. “American zerlitsa” – a high-quality horizontal zerlitsa has a high price.
- Shifters . They are a stand, on one side of which a fishing line is attached, and on the other a bright signal. As soon as the fish bite, the device flips over and gives a signal to the fisherman. Despite the ease of execution, they are inconvenient due to freezing of the hole and freezing of the fishing line.
- Ice vents. Another name – self-traps, differ from the above by the absence of a signal. The check is carried out by removing the gutter outside. In this case, a second hole is being made nearby, since the first will quickly freeze. The rigging is the same as for the flag options. Typically used for passive fishing. Differs in resistance to field conditions.
- Specific . The market is overflowing with all kinds of girders. A striking example is the “Cool” zherlitsa, which is installed both on the hole and on open water. In some cases, the device is equipped with a light bulb or a sound signal, which requires special operating conditions.
Rating of the best purchased girders for winter fishing with photos and features
Our rating will help you choose a girder for winter fishing:
Stinger Thermal PRO
Stinger Thermal PRO takes first place in the top of the best purchased girders. The diameter of the structure allows you to close a hole with a diameter of 25 cm. Thanks to the thermoplastic used in production, the device is frost-resistant (the hole will not freeze even at -30 degrees). A snug fit to the surface will not allow the hole to be covered with snow. A spring-loaded flag is located at the top of the body, which, by a special mechanism, gives a signal to the fisherman at a certain tension of the fishing line. According to reviews, the mechanism works correctly in most cases. The benefits include:
- Folding mechanism that allows you to easily transport the device.
- Large base diameter (25 cm).
- When planning, a connector was laid for fixing fishing rods.
- Hard-wearing thermoplastic housing that prevents water from freezing and snow from entering the hole.
- The mechanism is easy to use.
Among the disadvantages is the cost of the device, which is overestimated due to the high popularity of the brand. The price of the Stinger Thermal PRO is 1,300 rubles.
Zherlitsa Aelita Heron
Apico-Fish “Aelita” ranks second in the rating of the best gnats for winter fishing for predatory fish species. The design is lightweight, yet stable and durable. This version is a modification, as the previous version contained a redundant reel, which later gave its place to a more compact reel. This made it possible to expand the range of possibilities, now it is possible to use fishing line of any section. The heron (the nickname of this zherlitsa) was created with the goal of taking a large market share and becoming a sales leader. The flag familiar to fishermen has been replaced with a modernized signaling device that looks like a blade. At the production stage, a Velcro cover and a monofilament (section 0.3 mm) are put into the kit. The benefits include:
- full-fledged factory staffing;
- the zherlitsa is sold in a secure case;
- a frankly new signaling device is made in a bright color, the mechanism is cocked in just 1 second.
- high wear resistance.
The disadvantages of users include the presence of cases of false positives. You can buy Apiko-Fish “Aelita” for 800-900 rubles.
Stinger snow visor
The model is popular among European fishermen. The zherlitsa is distinguished by its large size (45 by 13 cm) and the rectangular shape of the reel. The peculiarity of the model lies in the presence of a ruler on the case, which makes it a real informative gadget. The length of the ruler is 40 cm. Despite the impressive size compared to competitors, the possibilities of the folding mechanism compensate for the disadvantage. The flag is a piece of scarlet cloth attached to a steel bar. The weight of the structure is 350 g. The benefits include:
- The presence of a measuring panel that allows you to find out the size of an individual without leaving the hole.
- The system is equipped with a guide ring that prevents the line from tangling.
- Operational take-off of the flag.
- The body is frost-resistant. The structure reliably adheres to the ice, so even a strong wind will not tear the vent from the hole.
On the other hand, the zherlitsa does not protect the hole from freezing and it is necessary to periodically break off the ice.
Cool zherlitsa
Zherlitsa winter-summer “Cool” is produced in Russia and is suitable for fishing both in summer and in winter. The lower surface is treated with a coating that does not allow ice to form during the cold season, and in the summer it allows you to use the girder as a full-fledged “mug”. The advantages include:
- structural reliability;
- the presence of a checkbox;
- domestic assembly and, as a consequence, a democratic price.
However, many fishermen note that the price is still too high and does not correspond to the quality. https://youtu.be/eNvfTVbmZn0
ECO pier
The competitive advantage of the gutter is the ease of transportation and an attractive price not exceeding 300 rubles. The design is resistant to both temperature extremes and increased loads. Advantages of the pierce Eco:
- Installed and visible at a height of 10 cm from the ice surface;
- Reliable fixation allows installation of a tripod even in soft snow;
- The trigger mechanism of the flag reacts to minimum tension.
However, false flaps of the flag do occur, and you also have to break through the ice during installation.
Top 5 designs of homemade girders for winter fishing
The design of the winter vest does not contain complex mechanisms and components, so it is easy to do it yourself. It is customary to single out several of the most effective types of homemade girders:
- The girders on the platform are the most effective and represent a platform with a coil and a flag installed on it.
- Crossbar supplies . There are several assembly options, the easiest to do with a coil.
- Zherlitsa on one leg or taganka . It is a tube and a coil to which the flag is attached. It may be difficult to mount the flag and install it on the ice.
- Changeling – a stick with X-shaped legs. The end of the line is tied to the tube, the rest is also wound around the tube.
- Ice coasters . An interesting device that allows you to leave the trap unattended for a long time. A hose, tube or bottle is taken as a basis, used for catching pike , burbot or zander.
How to make a zherlitsa yourself – 4 video instructions
So, how to independently make a gutter
on the platform or as it is also called a do-it-yourself ice delivery? It is recommended to take heavy material as a basis so that it is not blown away by the wind. You can cut a circle from a piece of plywood. However, it is recommended to cut the platform in a square shape to facilitate installation. The base is cut with a jigsaw, a hole is made for the fishing line. The surface is covered with waterproof paint, the coil is mounted. The line should fit exactly into the hole. Self-made zerlitsa on the platform – a simple and working option for winter fishing: https://youtu.be/9jc4o_93zxw Self-chopping zerlitsa are also actively becoming “fashion”
, which with a sharp jerk pull the fish out of the water. It is quite difficult to find such a girder in a store at an attractive price, so fishermen prefer to make it on their own. The easiest way to make a girdle yourself is as follows: a small iron ring is attached to the end of the rod, to which the rope is tied. The other end of the rope is attached to the rod (previous knee). When the fish bites, the ring will fly off, a hooking will occur. https://youtu.be/Pqo5prMBUlc For lovers of pike fishing with live bait, ice girders are suitable, which can also be made by hand. The peculiarity of the structure lies in the fact that the entire device is under water. An
under-ice zherlitsa is madefrom a 10 cm pipe with polished edges. Elastic cuts are made from one edge. Two more cuts and small holes are created perpendicular to the cuts made, only on the other side of the pipe, it is necessary to fix the fishing line and elastic. It will take about half a meter of fishing line, which is threaded all the way into the upper holes. A loop of about 20 centimeters is created on the part brought out through the hole and a knot is tied that will not go into the hole. You will also need a rubber band, a rubber band from a bicycle will do. The elastic stretches along the cuts. A hook and weight are attached below. https://youtu.be/BboEYZRcmZI How to make a tripod for winter fishing with your own hands – video instruction: https://youtu.be/CQY8ahLK74o
Equipment for ice fishing grenades and installation features
Fishing in winter is not only characterized by a change in the behavior of predatory fish, but also by a change in gear. The optimum thickness of the line is 0.3 mm, while the predator will not break it. For pike, a leash made of leash material or strings 2-3 numbers is placed. The fisherman must know the features of the reservoir, its depth and relief, based on this, the length of the fishing line is calculated. The average length of the rig is at least 20-30 meters.
- In early winter, pike is caught in shallow water, but with the onset of cold weather, the fish goes deeper.
- Pike perch is caught in the same way as in summer. Namely, fish sites – pits, channel edges, relief features, etc. (see photo below)
- The perch constantly moves in flocks on the lake, the fisherman’s task is to find the flock. It is worth looking for a large perch in the context of pike perch sites – edges, pits, dumps.
