Species of UK Coarse Fish
Zander
Freshwater fish anglers might come across when fishing the waters of the UK and Ireland
Zander fishing, description, baits and methods
ZANDER sander lucioperca 21lb 5oz 2007
James Benfield River Severn, Gloucester
James Benfield River Severn, Gloucester
Common name: Zander
Latin name: Stizostedion lucioperca
Family: Percidae
Latin name: Stizostedion lucioperca
Family: Percidae
Description and Habitat of Zander
Nickname "Zeds"
Native of Eastern Europe the Zander, Sander lucioperca, is a species of freshwater predator fish. It is a member of the perch family (Percidae) that resembles the pike.
Zander was introduced into the UK in the Fenland Drains of East Anglia in the early 1960's and from what I have read, 97 small Zander were controversially introduced into the Great Ouse Relief Channel in 1963 by the Great Ouse River Authority.
Since their introduction Zander have spread quickly and can now be found in canals, stillwaters, drains and slow flowing rivers throughout East Anglia and the Midlands. The river Trent, river Severn and Warwickshire Avon are also now habitat for the Zander as is Woburn and Old Bury Hill Lakes and the Gloucester Canals.
Apparently no Zander are found in Scotland, Wales or Ireland.
Because of the similar features to the pike with their elongated body and head and the perch with their spiny dorsal fin some anglers believe the Zander to be a Pike-Perch, A hybrid cross between a pike and a perch, but this is not true.
The Zander has a long body with a small and narrow head with large dark glassy eyes. The eyes look glassy because they incorporate a reflective plate or tapetum which increases their sensitivity at night and in poor light.
The mouth is large with prominent backward pointing teeth. Pairs of fang like teeth found on the front of the lower and upper jaws that fit into hollows in the opposite side of the jaws. These are used to inflict a fatal wound and then to hold their prey.
The back is grey or brown in colour with black dappling occurring in vague stripes. These stripes are not as well defined as those of the perch but are clearer on young fish and sometimes completely disappearing in mature fish.
The Zander has two dorsal fins, the first is spiny with around 14 hard rays and the second is soft. These spines and others on the gill cover and anal fin mean that the fish must be handled very carefully.
The sides of the young Zander are silvery, while those of an older Zander are a greenish yellow, The underside and lower fins are generally white although a hint of blue is sometimes noticeable.
The dorsal fins, especially the spiny one carry black spots over a pale greyish yellow background.
The tail is speckled grey with white lower lobe.
Spawning
Zander spawn from the end of February onwards and the female Zander lay clusters of pale yellow eggs which adhere to plants or the sandy or stony bottom of the water. The male guards the eggs and takes care of them until they hatch. The larvae hatch a few days later and then live off their yolk sacks as they develop. The fry feed on daphnia and planktonic organisms and turn predatory when they get to around 2 inches, feeding on small insect larvae and small fry, later feeding on small fish species such as bleak and roach.
Zander prefer coloured waters but dislike waters with low oxygen content. They are particularly well adapted to living in the slow flowing murky waters that make up much of the Fenland Drains and UK lowland rivers. They can usually be found where there is an abundance of small fish such as bleak.
The young Zander are an excellent example of predatory fish and will hunt in packs where they will surround a typical shoal of Roach or other small freshwater species and then attack. Any species of fish is fair game for the Zander.
As they get older and attain weights of 10lb or more Zander become more solitary.
Fishing Methods for catching Zander
Zander can be caught using various methods and rigs including float, leger, spinning with lures, live baiting and dead baiting.
A favourite method with most Zander anglers is legering with a dead bait.
Fishing for Zander can be achieved with any strong rod and tackle but it is advisable to use tackle that you would use for pike fishing just in case you attract a large pike. This would include a strong rod and line with the addition of a wire trace. Some anglers say a wire trace for Zander fishing is not essential and can put the fish off from taking the bait but many specimen Pike and Zander anglers recommend using a wire trace.
Tackle and Rigs
A good rod for Zander fishing should have a test curve of 2.5lb or more. As previously mentioned, wire traces are not essential but if you do hook into a big Zander or pike they have very sharp teeth and would almost certainly bite through ordinary line!
Braided fishing line can be used but monofilament line of around 15lb with a wire trace of 12 to 18 inches in length is usual and hooks are usually trebles or doubles.
Personally I prefer the use of barbless hooks. If you are using barbed hooks, consider crushing the barbs. This will aid in the removal of the hook and also less damage to the fish.
Rigs used for Zander fishing should be free running because if the fish feels any pressure as it starts to take the bait it will let it go immediately.
Baits for catching Zander
Livebaits, deadbaits, spinners and plugs.
Freshwater fish deadbaits such as bleak, gudgeon, roach, rudd and dace are the preferred bait for catching Zander. Sea fish such as herring and mackerel are not generally as successful.
Zander can also be caught using a variety of lures including jigs and spoons,
Article Copyright 1990 J.Boswell
www.fish-uk.com All rights reserved
Nickname "Zeds"
Native of Eastern Europe the Zander, Sander lucioperca, is a species of freshwater predator fish. It is a member of the perch family (Percidae) that resembles the pike.
Zander was introduced into the UK in the Fenland Drains of East Anglia in the early 1960's and from what I have read, 97 small Zander were controversially introduced into the Great Ouse Relief Channel in 1963 by the Great Ouse River Authority.
Since their introduction Zander have spread quickly and can now be found in canals, stillwaters, drains and slow flowing rivers throughout East Anglia and the Midlands. The river Trent, river Severn and Warwickshire Avon are also now habitat for the Zander as is Woburn and Old Bury Hill Lakes and the Gloucester Canals.
Apparently no Zander are found in Scotland, Wales or Ireland.
Because of the similar features to the pike with their elongated body and head and the perch with their spiny dorsal fin some anglers believe the Zander to be a Pike-Perch, A hybrid cross between a pike and a perch, but this is not true.
The Zander has a long body with a small and narrow head with large dark glassy eyes. The eyes look glassy because they incorporate a reflective plate or tapetum which increases their sensitivity at night and in poor light.
The mouth is large with prominent backward pointing teeth. Pairs of fang like teeth found on the front of the lower and upper jaws that fit into hollows in the opposite side of the jaws. These are used to inflict a fatal wound and then to hold their prey.
The back is grey or brown in colour with black dappling occurring in vague stripes. These stripes are not as well defined as those of the perch but are clearer on young fish and sometimes completely disappearing in mature fish.
The Zander has two dorsal fins, the first is spiny with around 14 hard rays and the second is soft. These spines and others on the gill cover and anal fin mean that the fish must be handled very carefully.
The sides of the young Zander are silvery, while those of an older Zander are a greenish yellow, The underside and lower fins are generally white although a hint of blue is sometimes noticeable.
The dorsal fins, especially the spiny one carry black spots over a pale greyish yellow background.
The tail is speckled grey with white lower lobe.
Spawning
Zander spawn from the end of February onwards and the female Zander lay clusters of pale yellow eggs which adhere to plants or the sandy or stony bottom of the water. The male guards the eggs and takes care of them until they hatch. The larvae hatch a few days later and then live off their yolk sacks as they develop. The fry feed on daphnia and planktonic organisms and turn predatory when they get to around 2 inches, feeding on small insect larvae and small fry, later feeding on small fish species such as bleak and roach.
Zander prefer coloured waters but dislike waters with low oxygen content. They are particularly well adapted to living in the slow flowing murky waters that make up much of the Fenland Drains and UK lowland rivers. They can usually be found where there is an abundance of small fish such as bleak.
The young Zander are an excellent example of predatory fish and will hunt in packs where they will surround a typical shoal of Roach or other small freshwater species and then attack. Any species of fish is fair game for the Zander.
As they get older and attain weights of 10lb or more Zander become more solitary.
Fishing Methods for catching Zander
Zander can be caught using various methods and rigs including float, leger, spinning with lures, live baiting and dead baiting.
A favourite method with most Zander anglers is legering with a dead bait.
Fishing for Zander can be achieved with any strong rod and tackle but it is advisable to use tackle that you would use for pike fishing just in case you attract a large pike. This would include a strong rod and line with the addition of a wire trace. Some anglers say a wire trace for Zander fishing is not essential and can put the fish off from taking the bait but many specimen Pike and Zander anglers recommend using a wire trace.
Tackle and Rigs
A good rod for Zander fishing should have a test curve of 2.5lb or more. As previously mentioned, wire traces are not essential but if you do hook into a big Zander or pike they have very sharp teeth and would almost certainly bite through ordinary line!
Braided fishing line can be used but monofilament line of around 15lb with a wire trace of 12 to 18 inches in length is usual and hooks are usually trebles or doubles.
Personally I prefer the use of barbless hooks. If you are using barbed hooks, consider crushing the barbs. This will aid in the removal of the hook and also less damage to the fish.
Rigs used for Zander fishing should be free running because if the fish feels any pressure as it starts to take the bait it will let it go immediately.
Baits for catching Zander
Livebaits, deadbaits, spinners and plugs.
Freshwater fish deadbaits such as bleak, gudgeon, roach, rudd and dace are the preferred bait for catching Zander. Sea fish such as herring and mackerel are not generally as successful.
Zander can also be caught using a variety of lures including jigs and spoons,
Article Copyright 1990 J.Boswell
www.fish-uk.com All rights reserved
www.Fish-uk.com
