50 Amazing river fishing tips
I don’t know about you, but for me the closed season has really dragged on this time and I can’t wait to get back on running water again!
We’ve had a decent amount of rain over the past few weeks and this has put some much-needed colour and pace back in the rivers. They’re looking good for the start.
Over the course of the season ahead I’ll be visiting loads of different waters.
Some I already know, but I always enjoy going to new places too and we’ve got some great venues lined up for features.
I hope you enjoy readingthem as much as I’m looking forward to doing them.
To get the new series started here are 50 ideas, tips and tactics that you might like to try once the season gets underway.
Over the next few weeks we’ll be looking in depth at how to put bigger catches together using a variety of different approaches.
HOLD ON TIGHT!
Barbel are probably the most exciting river fish to catch. Most people just use a static bait with a feeder or leger rig but it’s more exciting to catch them on float gear, especially in fast water!
DON’T IGNORE MAGGOTS
Maggots are not fashionable with a lot of anglers these days but fish still love them! I never leave home without some.
get comfortable
River banks are seldom as level or manicured as those on commercials. So make sure your box platform is level and that everything is easily to hand before you start fishing.
DOT IT DOWN
Roach and dace require delicate presentation. Shotting your float so that just the merest dimple is showing is often necessary to hit shy bites.
FEED TO RESPONSE
On venues where small fish aren’t so plentiful, always feed to response. If you’re not getting many bites, ease up.
TARGET STRIPEYS!
Loads of venues hold big perch now. Pole fished worms will sort out the big boys!
GO LONG
Pole fishing keeps everything tight and precise. You’re always back in the same spot, and careful feeding can bring big rewards in terms of regular bites!
FISH LIGHT!
To catch roach, you often need to fish ultra-light with 0.08mm hooklengths.
It can mean the difference between catching and not.
ASK QUESTIONS
If other anglers are catching more than you are, don’t be afraid to ask for advice. Most people will be happy to help you.
WATCH A MATCH
This can be a fast track to learn about a venue. You’ll quickly learn about approaches and tactics by watching good anglers doing their stuff.
FISH A MATCH
If you’ve often fancied it but never done it, make this season the one to fish your first match. Your first pick-up will feel fantastic!
BUY A FRIDGE
Maggots can be expensive, especially when you need a lot, so don’t waste them. Invest in an old fridge (or two, like me) and always ensure your bait is chilled right down.
TURN OLD MAGGOTS
Old maggots kept in damp sawdust will turn into casters within a few days in the summer months. You’ll need a couple of good riddles to keep running the bait through.
PLAN AHEAD
I’d be lost without my wall planner. I use it more than a diary now and it really helps me to plan my season ahead. Well worth investing in a new one every year!
FEED PLENTY!
Many of our rivers now have loads of small fish in them and you often need to feed a lot of bait in order to attract bigger fish in. Bulk your bait out with 4mm carp pellets if it’s a problem for you.
Buy A BARROW
I’d be lost without my platform barrow. I use it on all sort of venues and often carry far too much gear with me, just because I can!
TRY NEW VENUES
Make the coming season a more interesting one by trying different venues out. New places offer new challenges!
Tail eXPERIMENT
On certain days a 5ft tail can catch you fish when a 3ft one won’t. Always experiment!
PUT A LOBBY ON!
Lobworms are brilliant for all fish when the water is coloured. Use them whole or in segments.
TRY MEAT
Fish such as barbel and chub love smelly luncheon meat. It’s a bait that too many anglers now ignore.
FISH STRONG!
Where big fish are the quarry, make sure your lines are up to the job. There’s no point hooking big fish if you’re going to lose them!
TRY A SPECI WAGG
If you fish venues where there is fast, shallow water, you will catch more fish on a Speci Waggler than any other rig!
GO SHALLOW
Too many anglers ignore the upper layers when waggler fishing in deep water – a big mistake if the fish are coming up to intercept the feed.
REDFIN HEAVEN!
Roach are my favourite species of all time. I’ll be heading to some favourite early season stretches with hemp and tares as my main bait choices.
TRY CARP PELLETS
I’ve had loads of success with these. I feed 4mm and 6mm and use an 8mm pellet on the hook.
SPLADOOSH!
Swimfeeders can account for some huge bags of fish in the summer, so don’t ignore this tactic if your river of choice is carrying colour.
HAPPY DACE!
Find some fast, shallow water and there’s a very good chance you’ll find a lot of dace as well. There has been an explosion of these fish in recent seasons on big rivers like the Severn.
BOMBS AWAY!
There are times when a straight leger rig with a bomb can outscore a feeder, especially when there are a lot of bream in front of you.
Use A TRUNCHEON
Like Speci Wagglers, Truncheons are very buoyant and work best in fast water where you need a longer float.
LAY A TRAP
Always give yourself somewhere to go if your main line of attack slows down. This might mean feeding big baits somewhere different.
SMALL BLOCKS OF TIME
Split your sessions into 10- and 15-minute intervals. Try different things in these periods until you discover how the fish want the bait presented.
TRY KRILL PELLETS
This is great bait for river barbel when the water is coloured. Use 4mm offerings in
a feeder with an 8mm pellet on the hook.
KEEP IT ON TOP!
For good presentation with float gear you must use a floating line. I use Pro Float in breaking strains from 3lb to 8lb.
GET IT SUNK
For swimfeeder and sunken line floatfishing on slow rivers I use Pro Feeder line in 3lb to 14lb breaking strains.
Hooklength choice
For hooklengths I always use Pro Rig in diameters from 0.08mm to 0.26mm.
IN-LINE OLIVETTES
For big-fish rigs I use
lines from 0.16mm to 0.22mm and In-Line Olivettes from 1g to 10g.
STOCK UP ON SHOT
Too many anglers go fishing with insufficient shot. I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve seen this happen. No excuses, you just need to stock up!
JOIN A CLUB
Club fishing can be a great way to learn, as well as forging new friendships. Your local tackle shop should be able to put you in the right direction in terms of who to contact.
TRY WORMS
All fish love worms, so make sure you carry at least half-a-kilo of dendrobaenas with you to every river session.
ON-LINE OLIVETTES
For fine mainlines of 0.12mm and 0.14mm I always use On-Line Olivettes from 0.60g to 6g. These are locked on to the line with silicone rubber and are easy to move without line damage.
USE A CATTY!
If you need to get your feed out a long way, always make sure you have a few catapults and spare elastics with you.
GO FOR CHUB!
Like barbel, chub love pacey water in the summer months. You can catch them on all sorts of baits, but float tactics work best for big weights.
TRY AN AVON
A great float for pacey rivers with good depth close in. Use with an In-Line Olivette and 5lb to 6lb mainlines.
BABY BOLO!
There was a time when Bolo fishing was all about big floats, but not any more. They now go down to just 1g for swims 5ft to 6ft deep.
BALL IT in!
Several big balls of groundbait at the start of a session can draw a lot of fish into your swim quickly!
DISH THE DIRT
Soil is a great addition to groundbait when you need to get it down quickly. I always have some with me for river sessions.