Where have all the zander gone!!!!

[headless]

Most rivers canals etc... over the last couple of seasons have had plenty of of bait fish present which I beleive has resulted in fewer runs/takes,

This was my first year concerntrating on Zander, I have found on the Ouse (my fishing venue) that from late September, when I started fishing for the Zeds, through to end of December, all the Zander I caught came after dark, January to March, all the Zander came during the day light, the colour in the river helped

Most of the Zander came to fresh Roach and Rudd dead baits. I normally had more than two Zander each trip during September to December, December to March I would get one or two Zeds, only had three or four vists without a Zander but I had small pike to keep me busy

Exsperimenting with the lenghts of traces, hook patterns etc.. also helped put a few more fish on the bank

Darrell

[jonathanwsmith]

when and where do zander spawn??? only asking as my last 2 sessions for zeds have been a wash out apart from the odd pike, could they have moved out of there usual haunts and into spawning areas?

[headless]

Where they spawn, I don’t have a clue but from my last trip out they are in the shallows where the Roach etc... Are preparing to spawn and I would presume that they will spawn in the shallower warmer waters

I believe that Zander eggs are laid in amounts reed type materials, I maybe wrong

Darrell

[GerryT]

Hi Darrell, Guys.

I think Zeds are still a bit of a mystery fish when it comes to spawning times and areas.
The knowledge of spawning times and places vary from Country to Country and anytime from Feb onwards is touted as spawning time.
As for spawning places, I think that also differs depending on the waters.
On canals that are pretty much featureless, they may spawn around lock pilings and submerged trees etc, pretty much anywhere that will hold eggs safely, including sandy and gravel bottoms where there is a distinct lack of obvious surface features.
Some say they move to shallow water to spawn, but again that must depend on the type of water.
On certain canals where the depth is consistently deep, it maybe difficult to find shallow areas and so they must be forced to spawn at whatever depth they have available.
According to Barrie Rickards, captures of fry and ripe females suggest that April-May is a favoured spawing time in the UK.

I think therefore it is difficult to pin them down during this time, (as it can be at anytime on large waters) which may account for their seeming absent.
I just look for areas that I think have any of the features where fish in general may take shelter.
Not an exact science by any means but I just keep trying.

All the best
Gerry

[terrysmart]

been targeting a stretch on the grand union nr warwick....been told there has been plenty out..4 sessions and only one zed...also talking to match anglers who have also said other marks are producing...

[symptomg]

Hi Garry, Guys.

Spawning time is not that much huge mistery :) Mostly depend on water temperature (when rich 10-14c) Taking 2-3 weeks. Before spawning, both female and male are finding the place and making the nest usually from moss and fine roots ... During the incubation period males are staying around the nests, defending, cleaning and keeping oxygen level high. Incubation period is around 10 days ...

All that period Zander is not eating but because is defending the nest it's possible to have them lure fishing. Although I don't like to disturb them in that period.