Quappen fishing is not very well known among most anglers, and their appearance resembles a prehistoric creature. However, quappen can be found in Germany as well. Today, we will show you how to significantly increase your chances of catching quappen. We will explore the setup and the bait – everything you need to know to attract those quappen. If you have any additional tips, feel free to leave a comment.
The Best Time to Catch Quappen
Quappen are not catchable all year round. The season starts from November to March, and only the dedicated anglers endure the cold nights by the water during this time. As soon as the weather becomes frosty, the freshwater cod becomes active. Since it gets dark early during this season, you can start night fishing early as well. Fishing for quappen usually begins around 6 pm when twilight sets in. You don’t have to stay by the water all night, as you can finish quappen fishing by 11 pm. Although the frosty season is the best time for quappen fishing, you will have the most success on days with slightly warmer temperatures and poor visibility, such as cloudy skies, snow, and rain.
The Best Fishing Spots for Quappen
Quappen can be found in deep lakes and rivers, but the best chances of catching them are in the rivers. However, be cautious: not all states allow quappen fishing, as some have a year-round closed season. Read on below to find out when you can go quappen fishing.
The reason rivers offer the best chances of catching quappen lies in their behavior. As soon as the water temperature drops to around 10°C, the freshwater cod starts migrating upstream in search of spawning grounds. The best spots for quappen fishing are:
- Deep areas in the river
- River mouths
- Harbour entrances
- Bridges
Before pursuing the quappen, it is important to check if the body of water actually provides quappen.
Quappen Bait
Since quappen heavily rely on their sense of smell, using a strongly scented bait gives you the best chances of success. However, you can also enhance less scented baits with attractants. Crab and fish scents are very popular as attractants.
Herring is highly preferred by quappen. You can cut the herring into several pieces. Some anglers might argue that this is nonsense because herring is not part of the quappen’s natural habitat. Nevertheless, those who have tried herring will notice that the strongly scented fish with its high fat content is extremely appealing to quappen.
Livelier Bait
Worms and maggots are also effective baits for quappen fishing. However, since the season and the nights are very cold, the worm usually hangs almost motionless on the hook. But you can change that. Simply take a heat pack and place it next to the container of worms. This will make the worm wiggle on the hook.
While many fish disappear as soon as they see light, quappen are attracted to it. Luminous baits and glow beads are excellent choices.
Quappen swallow the bait deep. This can be particularly unpleasant if the quappen is not big enough yet, as it could lead to the internal organs being torn apart. In this case, a circle hook can help. It usually catches the fish in the front of the mouth, making it easy and painless to remove the hook. Otherwise, make sure to use a thin-wire hook between sizes 4 and 6. This size has proven to be effective.
Quappen Setup and Equipment
There are several options for setting up your quappen fishing rig. Regardless of the setup you choose, make sure that the bite indication is very sensitive. Although quappen usually snap at the bait quickly, they often remain motionless afterward. Therefore, you may not realize that you have a quappen on the hook. Using a feeder rod gives you the best chance of detecting a bite, as the sensitive tip will bend. Additionally, you can attach a glow stick or a luminous eel bell. Aalruten and karpfenruten can also be used for quappen fishing. The important thing is that the tip of the rod is sensitive and can handle heavy bait.
For the reel, opt for a robust model with a size of 2000 to 4000. When it comes to the main line, consider the weather conditions. If it is freezing, choose a monofilament line (0.20 to 0.25 mm), and if the water is frost-free, opt for a braided main line (0.12 to 0.14 mm). The steeper you position the fishing rod, the better it will be protected from frost.
The simplest setup is similar to eel fishing. Thread the anti-tangle tube with a carabiner onto the main line, where you can attach the weight. At the end of the line, simply attach a carabiner swivel to hang the leader (0.16-0.18 mm; 50 to 70 cm long). It is protected by a bead.
In winter, the river carries more water than in summer, so you need to consider this when setting up your rig. Therefore, choose a flat weight to avoid offering resistance to the current. The weight ranges from approximately 60 to 120 grams. The heavier the weight, the better it will withstand the current.
Closed Seasons and Minimum Sizes for Quappen
- Baden-Württemberg: November 1st to February 28th, 30 cm
- Bavaria: 30 cm
- Berlin: 30 cm
- Brandenburg: 30 cm
- Bremen: 35 cm
- Hamburg: 35 cm
- Hesse: year-round
- Mecklenburg-Vorpommern: January 1st to February 15th, 30 cm
- Lower Saxony: 35 cm
- North Rhine-Westphalia: year-round
- Rhineland-Palatinate: year-round
- Saarland: year-round
- Saxony: year-round
- Saxony-Anhalt: 30 cm
- Schleswig-Holstein: year-round
- Thuringia: year-round
With these juicy secrets, you are now prepared to increase your chances of catching quappen. Grab your gear, head to the rivers, and enjoy the thrill of quappen fishing.
