The minnow, a real treat for all carnivores
The minnow is a real treat for all carnivores even in waters where it does not live in its natural state. If there is a live fish that the fisherman should have in his reach, it is the minnow. Whether dead or alive, worked in the current or supported by a light float, or even offered for toc in the edges, the minnow leaves no predator indifferent.
When autumn is coming to an end and winter is just around the corner, perch, pike, pike-perch and other aquatic creatures such as chub don't stay idle for long in front of a well-presented minnow or cluster of minnows. So, let's take advantage of it while there is still time.
The minnow, who is it and how is it fished?
The minnow is a small potamodromous fish, which means that it migrates while remaining in fresh water. It is not necessary to have the migratory stamp to fish for minnow. This small spotted fish, from 4 to 12 cm on average, is frequently found in first category waters (closed at this time of the year) but also in second category on well oxygenated sectors. It is therefore there that fishermen who have not made reserves before the closure of the first category will have to catch them.
The minnow is caught with a floating line ultra light in 6 hundredths with a very small section of worms pricked on a simple hook without barb not to hurt them. It can also be caught in a jug of two liters maximum. It can be kept for a long time in an aquarium or a tank with a bubbler and stored in a cool place. As for transportation, nothing could be simpler, a bucket for minnows or a simple pickle jar will do.
Live minnow
The minnow in live, is the fish of the moment for all the carnivorous. It can be presented with different techniques. Pike-perch and perch are very sensitive to a pull-pull style presentation with a 6 to 10 gram olive that comes to rest on a small soft lead just above the loop that receives the loop-in-loop leader. This 30 to 50 centimeter leader is equipped with a single #5 or 8 hook with which you nail the nose of the minnow from bottom to top. If there are a lot of pike in your fishing area, opt for a swivel and a leader made of stainless steel or Kevlar.
The minnow also presents itself very well in drop-shot, and even vertically on a fireball. You can also use it with happiness under a sliding float to adapt instantly the depth of presentation to the hunting area of perch and pike perch. On a light line that you will let go with the current by sparing short stops and that you will recover by successive shots interspersed with light releases, you will have good results in slow rivers.
It is still under a float that I present my minnows in clusters of 4 to 6 subjects for the pike. Here again, it is by drifting with the currents and by bringing back by jerky shots that you will obtain excellent results.
The dead minnow, an efficiency recognized from time immemorial
The dead minnow is well known for its effectiveness on trout. The same setup, on a sculling mount or other, is also very productive on perch along the edges of streams. You can go up a river by exploiting all the accelerations, holes and hiding places, or survey the banks by multiplying the casts in fan with great chances of success. Beware of surprises, pikes are also very fond of it.
For zander, I select the biggest minnows of my stock and I carefully mount them on a Drachkovitch rig adapted to their size. I then fish with a classic dead fish with an exceptional bait. Sometimes, in anticipation of autumn and winter outings, I freeze large minnows ready to use on their mount.
The dead minnow can also be used in tandem, don't forget it. With a simple rig, behind a spinning spoon, pike and perch need not worry.
