The asp, although it belongs to a harmless family of cyprinids, is actually a rather aggressive predator. Since he has no teeth, he feeds mainly on fry. Accordingly, to catch a predator, fishermen use bait fish as bait. However, it is not always possible to get a good fry for fishing, and this is a troublesome thing, so in most cases artificial lures are used. The task of the fisherman is to choose the right lure that will interest the predator. Next, you will find out which lures are more effective at catching asp.
Asp fishing lures
Bait is made of various types of metal (aluminum, steel, bronze, etc.) or silicone. Outwardly, such spinners resemble small fish and have 1 or 2 hooks in a complete set. Usually, fishing takes a variety of types of lures, as the asp will peck at the one that more likely mimics the fry living in the selected reservoir. To determine a successful lure, you have to try different options.
Did you know? When the asp is hunting, it jumps up and falls onto the water surface, issuing a loud pop, which introduces the fry into a stupor. The predator can only swallow it.
Devons
Devon is considered one of the best lures used by fishermen to catch a predator that lives in the upper layers of the water. The bait has a different modification. The most commonly used model is a cylindrical shape, and much less commonly flat, square options. The cigar-shaped body is equipped with blades on each side, providing rotation of the gear in the water. Most of the baits are made of metal and painted in silver or gold color. They have a length of 4 to 12 cm and a diameter of 2 to 3.5 cm. Their weight is quite impressive, so there is no need for additional weight.
Today, plastic multi-colored models have appeared on the market. Buying them is much easier than metal products, respectively, and their popularity is increasing among fishermen.
Basically, the Devon is equipped with one large tee, but there are options with two hooks located on the sides. The bait allows the spinning player to make an accurate and fairly long cast. Immediately after the start of the winding, the spinner begins to rotate, simulating a fast-swimming fry and thereby provoking a predator. Among all varieties of spinners for asp fishing, the Devon "Bumblebee" is suitable, which is convenient to use both in still water and in deep-flowing rivers with a strong current, as well as the "Meteor". The drawback of the spinner is the strong twisting of the fishing line during posting, but you can minimize this effect by installing a swivel.
Important! In order for Devon's metal spinner to last as long as possible, after fishing, it must be purged, removing drops of water remaining in the bearings.
Buttons
A button called a homemade nozzle, which is made from lead. Outwardly, it really looks like a button, has a rounded shape, wire loops sticking out on the sides and a thickening towards the center. The bait has excellent flight qualities, hitting the right target. Casting distance depends on weight and can reach 80 m. Usually a tee and plumage of red or white color are attached to the nozzle.
Wiring is done in such a way that the nozzle is constantly in the upper or middle layers of water. During the quick operation of the coil, air bubbles are drawn behind the button, attracting the predator.
Turntables
Turntables are very effective and most affordable lures. Their design is a wire rod with a core (load) in the upper part, over which the petal is mounted, and a hook in the tail compartment. The main advantage of the bait is precisely the petal, rotating around an axis. During the posting, it creates a strong hydro-acoustic vibration, which the predatory fish feels well with its lateral line. It is difficult to determine exactly whether the fish takes the spinner for the fry or the baubles simply cause her irritation, but the asp comes up on it very often. When attacking, the fish is detected by a single, double or triple hook located in the tail of the bait. Sometimes double tees are installed.
Important! Effectively provokes an asp on a fishing attack with alternating fast and slow postings when the spinner does 2–3 slow turns of the coil and then 2–3 fast.
Turntables are distinguished by several signs. They can be front-loaded and rear-loaded. In calm water, both work well. If you intend to catch a predator on the course, it is better to choose front-loaded turntables. The type of vibration depends on the shape of the petal. With the fast fishing technique in strong currents, elongated models are used, such as, for example, willow. Lures with “Indiana” and “French” petals, which are used for fishing in any layer of water, have great resistance.
The most rounded is the Colorado shape, rotating at a large angle, thereby creating strong resistance during wiring. The bait goes as close to the surface of the water as possible, therefore it is ideal for asp fishing. Suitable for slow, smooth wiring.
With regard to the color diversity with which the turntables are full, experienced anglers argue that copper models work better in sunny weather and silver in cloudy ones. All other brightly decorated spinners are, rather, a kind of "bait" for anglers. The drawbacks of the turntable are practically absent, except that the fishing line is often twisted very much. This can be eliminated by installing a swivel or bending the tip of the axial rod in front of the petal.
Vibrations
Oscillating spinners are called fishermen’s vibrations. Their difference is that during wiring they do not rotate, but create oscillating movements similar to the behavior of a wounded small fish. Naturally, a predator cannot swim past such a treat. The bait is made in the form of a metal plate, the shape of which resembles a fish, and a hook is located in the rear part. More often install tees, but other options are possible.
It is easy to make such a tackle at home, and some fishermen try to apply a pattern on it that completely imitates the appearance of a fish with scales, eyes, and gills. Do not do this, since in the water all these elements will merge into a single picture. Two-color lure coloring will be much more useful.
Oscillators differ in size, shape, weight. Which one is more effective depends on the characteristics of the reservoir. Since asp is predominantly hunted in the upper layers of water, it is better to use lighter baits weighing up to 30 g and a length of 4–5 cm, but if you intend to catch in a strong current, you can take a lure more powerful. A good option would be a piggy sway. Having a spoon-shaped form with a slight bend, when posting it seems to hit in different directions, attracting asp and other predatory fish. And her sonorous landing on the surface of the water during casting attracts special attention.
Did you know? The meat of this fish is low-calorie, therefore it is actively used in their recipes by those who want to lose weight and people who adhere to a healthy diet.
The disadvantage of oscillating lures is their windage during casting. Sometimes even an experienced fisherman in calm weather can not send the tackle to the desired point. But when fishing for asp in an open river, this is not so significant, rather, the disadvantage affects fishing when you need to throw the bait into the window of water lilies or under the edge of the reed.
Wobblers
When compared with turntables and oscillators, wobblers are relatively new lures. They resemble small fish in their appearance. The wobbler is made of artificial polymers. The design may include one hook in the tail or two (the second is attached in the abdomen). These lures are often more effective, with the right model selection, you can catch all the horizons. The disadvantage is the high "stickiness" in the conditions of short sections and thickets, but since asp is caught more often in the surface waters of open rivers, this rarely happens.
Wobblers of various colors are on sale, but the one that color resembles the natural extraction of asp in a particular reservoir will work best. For example, if a predator is the main source of food for a predator, the wobbler should have the appropriate color. Going fishing, it is better to take several different color baits with you. Specialists in the area of asp fishing can be called wobblers of the Zip Baits Rigge series. They are great for fishing on medium and slow currents, perfectly keeping a given horizon.
Silicone
Silicone nozzles are better than any other capable of imitating living organisms (fry, worms, larvae) and they move in water more naturally. In addition, new models often even have a specific smell and taste, due to which the predator reacts more actively to the temptation.
There are lures designed for bottom fishing, but to catch an asp, you need to give preference to floating silicone, similar in appearance to a feeding fry. The main advantage is that the nozzle remains in a floating state during stops that occur during slow wiring. This quality plays an important role in catching a sluggish predator.
Did you know? Despite belonging to predatory fish species, the teeth of the asp are missing.
Silicone lures can be active and passive. The former have interesting tails, due to which the nozzles can oscillate even when the gear is stopped. For example, the “Dragon Demon” nozzle has gained a good reputation, in which the tail deviates by 180 degrees during operation. Passive have no game during stops, so experienced spinning players who use different methods of posting use them for fishing.
The most common are catchy silicone baits such as:
- twister - nozzle in the form of a worm with one or more tails. It comes in different sizes, starting from 2 cm in length, but for fishing asp it is preferable to choose large models up to 25 cm;
- vibrotail - It has an ideal resemblance to small fish. The bait got its name due to the presence of a vibrating ponytail that actively moves even in stagnant water. The body can be smooth or corrugated.
Silicone nozzles are suitable for any method of wiring, both uniform and step. The disadvantage of baits is their relative fragility in comparison with metal ones. To extend the “life” of the nozzle, it should be stored in a special box made of plastic materials.
Topwaters
Topwater is a voluminous bait similar to a wobbler. Its distinguishing feature is that it creates noise during wiring. This is a good option for spinning fishing predatory fish feeding near the surface of the water. Often temptation is supplemented with feathers, rattles. Moving during posting, it not only makes a sound, but also vibrations of the water surface, provoking an asp on the attack.
Fishing tactics can be varied. Jerking is often practiced with pauses of various lengths, as well as a “herringbone” - rhythmic tightening of the nozzle in compliance with stops.
There are different types of topwaters. For asp hunting, poppers are used - baits having a funnel in the head part, due to which gurgling sounds are made during wiring. A good effect when catching a passive predator is the use of propbates - nozzles with a propeller spraying water during movement. The disadvantage of top water is the fact that fishing with these attachments is successful only in clear weather without wind and rain.
Did you know? The first bulky pilkers were used by Norwegian and Siberian fishermen to catch cod at a depth of more than 100 meters, where it was difficult to drive the net.
Pilkers
Pilker is a metal nozzle remotely having the shape of a fish and a small uniform thickness. In principle, the bait is highly specialized and is more suitable for fishing at depths. The asp is caught on it in the event that it goes to distant swiftness. Pilker is not very special game in the water, wiring is practiced uniform. Despite this, the predator pecks at him quite actively.
Animal bait
The most common animal bait for asp is a worm. Moreover, preference is given to manure, but, in extreme cases, earthen will do. For a predator, this is an excellent delicacy, which is also not difficult to get for a fisherman. Also, maggots and their pupae are used as live nozzles. A small worm is planted on the hook several pieces. The maggot is very active and quickly attracts attention, and its larvae have a beckoning fish aroma. If you have the opportunity to get caddis flies or dragonflies, they will also show a good result.
Live bait fishing
Fishing for live bait is a frequent technique used by fishermen. For this type of fishing, a fishing rod with an invisible float is best suited (you can take a transparent one with a large carrying capacity). For donks or spinning gear, this option is not suitable. Best asp bites on bleak, as this small fish, floating in flocks at the surface of the water, is its main diet. But she has a gentle body, so she often flies during pulling up the gear, and the fisherman needs to have a sufficient supply of it.
Also, roach or gudgeon can be planted as live bait, but provided that the fish should not exceed a length of 10 cm. Sometimes fishermen try to catch a predator on carp or perch, but these representatives of the aquatic fauna are not the main food of the asp, so they can be left without it attention. They catch fish by the dorsal fin, by the lip or under the gills.
Vegetable bait
As vegetable bait, you can use any designed for carp fish. Good results are shown with fishing for barley, potatoes, corn and bread. Especially active asp bites on them in the summer. Often, fishermen prepare a pea nozzle, which the predator loves.
Did you know? In the flock of asps, the female dominates, so if you caught a male, then it is highly likely that in this place you can catch a couple more fish.
It is done as follows:
- Dilute 1 tsp. soda in a liter of water and place in a pea solution.
- Transfer the swollen grains into a bag.
- Return the packaged peas to that water in the pan in which it swells, put on fire and simmer for 20 minutes.
- Dry the cooked mixture and can be used for fishing.
What lures can you do yourself
Experienced anglers got the hang of making many baits on their own. Moreover, the process of their manufacture is quite simple and does not require special financial costs. For example, with your own hands you can make a vibratory nozzle. For this, an ordinary teaspoon is used. Moreover, you can use both the pen and the scoop itself, especially since the size is perfect. If you have a solid bar of steel on your farm, process its edges to cut, observing the desired angle. Thus, in a short time you will be able to reproduce the spinner, similar to the cookmaster.
To make a turntable, you will need a wire frame. It will be necessary to put a core on it - it can be an element of bronze or brass with a hole drilled along the entire body.A tee is put on the bottom of the wire. A petal is installed above the core, which can be formed from any type of metal. For improvement, longitudinal and transverse notches imitating scales can be applied to it. A loop is formed from the top of the wire with which the bait will be fixed to the fishing line.
Video: how to make a turntable with your own hands
The selection of lures
When choosing which bait to use for asp fishing, it is important to take into account seasonal climatic conditions, as the behavior and taste preferences of fish can change at different times of the year. Also, some tips are best used for a certain type of gear.
Depending on time and fishing conditions
In spring, when the asp goes to spawn, a strong appetite awakens. At this time, it is best to use a wobbler for fishing, the game of which resembles the movement of a bleak, and it is this particular fish that is the basis of the predator's diet. Asp before other hunting fish begins to respond to surface baits, so you can also use button poppers. In early May, the larvae of beetles lure fish well. They are so high in calories that the predator forgets during the attack all the rules of caution.
Important! The asp bait must have good range, as the predator is shy and feels the slightest danger.
In summer, fish is not particularly picky in choosing food, but buying or making lures of plant and animal origin is much easier than any other. This explains the fact that most fishermen use them for fishing. Although the use of artificial nozzles, such as floating wobblers, oscillators or turntables, is not excluded.
With the onset of autumn cooling, the asp begins to eat larger fish. Therefore, baits need to choose large sizes. For fishing, twisters, topwaters, and masters are suitable.
In winter, the asp expands into the interior of the pond and only on warm sunny days can it rise into the middle waters. Fishermen at this time often use bait from cereals with flavors to awaken the appetite of a predator. Of the nozzles, those that look like fry are mainly chosen, although fishing on live bait will be the best option. One of the most catchy in this period is considered to be spinner bun, which can be easily made independently.
For different gear
The ideal gear for asp fishing is spinning up to 3 m long with a high-speed reel. It is important to choose a subtle, but strong fishing line with a diameter of 0.3 mm. As a bait for such tackle, you can use absolutely any option that will meet the conditions of the reservoir.
In addition to spinning, asp is caught on float tackle. The rod should be strong enough, it is desirable that its length does not exceed 3.5 m. An inertialess coil and a transparent float are installed on the fishing rod. On sale you can find a special float for catching asp. For fishing use bait of animal origin. The nozzle must be at least a meter away from the float. You can also fish from a boat or bridge. If shore fishing is intended, casting should be farther.
Asp can be caught on the donka, although many fishermen are rather skeptical about this idea. Nevertheless, as practice shows, if you find the predator's parking lots (boilers) and place the gear there, you can return home with a good catch. You should look for fish in places where there are holes, edges, below dams, where fry are actively accumulating. In this case, the bait is bait: gudgeon, bleak or goby. The latter are quite tenacious and remain active for a long time. Fishes are put over the lip on a hook with a long leash to make the bait look more natural in the water.
Spinning Lure Rating
From the foregoing, it is clear that there are quite a lot of nozzles for catching asp, and each of them, according to one fisherman or another, can be considered the best.
Next, you can find the rating of the most catchy lures:
- Castmaster - bait, according to experts, occupying a leading position in the list of the best nozzles for asp fishing for spinning. Structurally, it is a metal bar cut at an angle, which ensures a flight range with a side and headwind. In the water column, the bait allows you to perform a wave-like leash that attracts a predator. In addition, the nozzle adheres perfectly to the installed upper horizon. Choosing a model, you can give preference to the bait castmaster Luhr Jensen CAST CHAMP, equipped with a weighted insert. A smooth scouring game gives the nozzle a special oblique cut.
- The favorite for long casts remains the Devon "Dragonfly" bait. It behaves perfectly in different conditions of water bodies, effectively attracts a predator, provides range and accuracy of casting. Today, the best producer is the Russian Spinner TM, specializing in the production of high-quality fishing equipment.
- Pinwheel Mepps Aglia Long Heavy No. 3. This model of a spinning lure has a willow petal and a heavy weight in its construction, thanks to which it works confidently in a strong current. It has excellent flight qualities and is easy to post even for beginner anglers.
- Daiwa Silver Creek Masau. A nozzle that copes with flying over long distances. It has a wide range of masses, thanks to a clever game provides effective fishing, regardless of the depth of the pond and external conditions.
- Silicone vibrotail. Ideal for jigging especially in the spring and autumn. It is worth paying attention to the Fish Tail Shad model, which has a striking resemblance to the fry. Its advantage is a unique game and easy handling. The edible bait of Rains RockVib Shad with an original body shape is not inferior to it. A special game of wiring provides a ribbed tail. The nozzle does not sail, it flies far and accurately.