River fishing tips - Make a chub cake with Paul Garner
Buoyant ‘cake’ is a brilliant bait for chub, and also makes a great surface bait in the summer months. You can incorporate just about any ingredients or flavours that you want, making it a very adaptable hook offering.
Crack four large eggs into a bowl and add a teaspoonful of Scopex flavour.
2. Slowly add some Scopex Squid boilie mix to the eggs, stirring vigorously as you go.
3. Stop when a thick runny soup is produced and pour the mix into a greased and foil-lined baking tray.
4. Bake in the oven at 160°C for about 30 minutes. Take it out when the surface begins to brown.
5. Let the cake cool down naturally then cut it into bait-sized pieces. Use it fresh, and freeze any surplus.
River Fishing Tips | How to catch more fish from tricky rivers
Low, clear and full of weed – summer rivers can be tricky places at the best of times.
The fish are spooky, and will often sit out of sight. However, do it right and the results can be breathtaking, as Garbolino UK boss Darren Cox proved recently on the Warwickshire Avon, where he landed two barbel for 22lb in a match.
We caught up with Darren for his tips on how best to approach these challenging waterways, right now.
Swim selection
“When the temperatures are high the fish will be looking for oxygenated water, so weirs, rapids and shallow areas are the places to target.
“I always like to fish over gravel if I can, as fish seem to prefer lying over it, and anything that gives the fish cover is great to target.
“Features such as trees, weed or reeds are always good to look out for. On the day of the match I drew a peg that was very weedy and snaggy, which was why the fish were there.
“The first barbel I had, a fish of 11lb 14oz, snagged me up four times during the fight, but by using the correct tackle I managed to land it.”
Tackle Choice
“Most barbel anglers opt for quite a pokey rod up to a test curve of around 2.25lb and 15lb line. However, I much prefer something softer. During the match I used 6lb Maxima mainline and an 0.23mm hooklength.
“While 6lb Maxima will break at much more than 6lb, the soft rod I use in conjunction with this tackle is one of the most important parts of my set-up.
“I actually think this is better for playing barbel on, as it absorbs the lunges of the fish much better than something stiffer does.
“It may seem under-gunned, but the fact that I landed two double-figure barbel and didn’t lose a fish in such a snaggy swim shows that the gear is up to the job.”
Tactics
“On the day of the match I set up both a float and a tip rod, but the river was pushing through too quickly and was a bit too weedy to run a float through nicely.
“I caught the larger barbel on a feeder, and after getting a few line bites I knew there was something substantial in the swim. It’s always worth setting the float up, though, as it’s a great way to present your bait when the pace is right.
“Even if you don’t catch on the float it’s still a great way to search the swim, as you can find out where the fish are lying.
“A dome-topped balsa float is my preferred option when fishing for big fish with large baits, and I’ll often lay two feet of line on the deck so that I can really drag my hookbait through the swim.
“If you have a large snag in your swim it’s always best to try and draw the fish away from it with feed – however, sometimes this just isn’t possible.
“On such occasions, you have to be prepared to go right into the lion’s den!”
Choice of Bait
One of the biggest problems on summer rivers can be the large shoals of tiny fish such as bleak.
These can destroy your hookbaits, so you want to be using something that excludes these species.
Hemp and casters are a great all-round option, but if you’re going specifically for roach and chub then tares are a favourite of mine. During the match I fed four pints of hemp and casters, as well as a cubed tin of Mainline Match Spicy Brown meat.
The benefit of feeding the meat is that I know that this bait will reach the bottom through all the small fish, which will leave something for the bigger fish to eat when they move into the swim.
River fishing tips | How to use a waggler on summer rivers
Small rivers in summer can be prolific and frustrating in equal measure. The problem is that often you can see hundreds of fish in the clear water, but catching them can be difficult!
Never fear, top match angler Mark Pollard is an expert on these waters, and for this week’s lesson he offers some timely pointers for the early season…
Swim selection
“Spot an overhanging tree that a huge shoal of dace is basking under, or a clump of reeds that a big chub keeps investigating, and it would be so tempting to plonk your seatbox down right in front of the fish-holding feature.
“But minutes after unloading your tackle into the peg you’ll once again scour the water excitedly and the fish will have mysteriously vanished.
“I will always place my box well upstream of where I eventually want to catch the fish. If you sit right on top of them they will definitely move off elsewhere, so it is better to try and catch them from further away.
“It is important to make sure that the area between where you are sitting and where you intend to get the bites is free of large snags and obstructions, as you will need a clear area to run your rig through and bring fish in.”
Careful feeding
Maggots and casters are the best bet when silver fish and bonus chub are on the cards. You have to keep feeding if you want the fish to feed confidently, and it is important that you do it right.
I let my rig start running through the swim and aim to have my loosefeed land a couple of metres behind the float. It will catch up with your hookbait at the point where you are trying to get a bite, making your rig look a lot less suspicious to the fish.
I want to feed the fish just enough so that they will start to compete, but at the same time I need them to find my hookbait quickly so that I get a bite each time the rig runs through.
Hookbait depends on the size and species you are targeting, but triple maggot or caster is a winner when you are trying to fend off small fish, while a single maggot works best when you are happy catching fish of all sizes.
Leave the pole alone
Waving a long length of carbon over the top of the shoal of fish will instantly spook many of them. A waggler is a much better option.
I like to run the float through the swim, allowing the current to push it through to make the hookbait move at a natural pace.
A swim that is fairly slow-moving will enable you to have full control of how the float trots. I always leave the bail-arm open and this allows me to let the float run as far as I want, while also giving me the option of placing my finger on the spool every now and then to stop the rig moving.
A 3g or 4g loaded waggler locked in place by two float stops provides the best control on small rivers, with 4lb mainline through to a 0.10mm hooklength to a size 18 hook.
Chub Fishing tips | Catch them off the top in summer
Catching at the surface is one of the most exciting ways of fishing – and it’s not only limited to stillwaters.
During the early part of the river season, chub can lose their natural wariness, and that’s when you can tempt them from the top.
Chub Study Group member Martin Barnatt is a master of this type of fishing.
Here’s how he does it…
Priming the swim
“On shallow, clear rivers you really can’t beat floating bread for big chub, but they aren’t used to seeing large quantities of bait floating past above them and they soon wise up that something isn’t right.
“So all I do is tear off just one 50p coin-sized piece of bread with its crust and throw it in, standing slightly upstream of where I think the fish will be, and watch it run down with the flow.
“If fish are there it will get taken in an instant. If it doesn’t I will throw one more piece of bread in, and if that still isn’t swallowed then that swim isn’t worth fishing.
“Once I have spotted a fish it is a case of hooking on a piece of bread and running it through the swim. There’s a high chance the rod will hoop round seconds later.”
The simplest of rigs
“All you need to do is tie a size 8 hook to a 7lb mainline. It’s then a matter of keeping the bail-arm open to release line and let the hookbait run through the swim.
“Make sure you keep your finger close to the spool as you’ll need to pin your finger on should a fish take the hookbait. That way you create resistance to set the hook on the strike.”
Swim selection
“Chub love to sit close to cover so if you are going to a venue you have never visited before, swims that have very obvious features should be your first port of call. These include large rafts of debris, overhanging trees or other areas with dense vegetation.
“Once you have caught a fish from a spot it is only worth one more run through the swim and the likelihood is that won’t produce a bite. It is then time to move on, but don’t be afraid to revisit later as the shoal will have resettled and there could be another opportunity to put another fish in the net.”
Tackle essentials
Rod and reel: An 11ft feeder rod with a bit of power and a 4000 size reel
Landing net: Use a lightweight net and handle to make it easy to carry when roving around
Forceps: Chub can swallow a bait in an instant
Bait: Half a loaf of crusty bread is all you need
Hooks: Take a couple of packs of size 6 and 8 hooks to deal with different hookbait sizes.
River fishing tips with Dave Harrell
Top river angler Dave Harrell has been answering some of your most burning questions. Take a look at see what you can take out onto the bank with you this weekend.
BLOCKEND OR OPEN?
Q) Which is the best sort of feeder for chub fishing in the winter? I’ve got blockend and open-end but I am never sure which to use.
A) I would go down the blockend route with maggots while it’s cold. Chub love maggots, and if they’re hungry they won’t be able to resist! Use a long tail of around 3ft to 4ft if bites are slow.
ARTIFICIAL MAGGOTS
Q) Is it worth trying artificial maggots? They look so realistic but I’ve yet to use them as hookbait.
A) They’re well worth trying if you are being pestered by small fish, as you know there will always be something that looks edible on the hook. I’ve caught a lot of chub and barbel on pleasure sessions with this tactic, using one or two artificial maggots. Bear in mind that artificial baits are banned in matches but allowed in pleasure sessions.
RIG PROBLEMS
Q) I keep getting tangles when I use Bolo or Avon floats. I use three or four shots below the olivette but it’s frustrating, as the line ends up in a bird’s nest as often as not! What am I doing wrong?
A) You need to change your shotting pattern for starters. Just use an olivette 2ft from the hook with one dropper fixed 10ins above the hook and it wont tangle.
If it’s windy, always cast off the side that the wind is blowing to, as this, too, will eliminate tangles.
BEST PERCH BAITS?
Q) I fancy doing some river perch fishing before the season ends. What baits should I use?
A) Perch are greedy fish and they will eat all livebaits, but for best results use chunks of lobworm or even a whole one. Perch love them!
CANE OR HOLLOW TIPS?
Q) Am I better using painted cane or hollow tips on my Bolo floats? I always thought that cane was supposed to be the best.
A) I used to use painted cane tips, but don’t carry any now. Hollow tips are the best, as you can see them so much better, especially if there is any sun on the water.
WILL I CATCH BARBEL?
Q) I’ve been following water temperatures on the River Severn matches Facebook page and it’s been between 4°C and 5°C recently. Will I be able to catch barbel with it as low as this?
A) While not impossible, I think you could be in for a struggle trying to catch barbel until the water warms up. You’d be better off targeting chub while it stays cold, and going for barbel when it’s up to at least 8°C.
SPECI WAGG OR TRUNCHEON?
Q) I fish a lot of fast-flowing rivers but I’m confused about waggler choice. Should I use a Speci or Truncheon design?
A) If your swim is fast and shallow (3ft to 4ft) you should use a Speci Waggler, as the short design is perfect for these depths.
If your swim is over 4ft and up to around 8ft deep the Truncheon Waggler is better because it is longer and easier to control, especially if it’s windy.
SHOULD I TRY TARES?
Q) I love catching big roach and had a lot of success with seed baits in the summer. Is it worth using tares on the hook in the winter?
A) I, too, love big roach and have caught loads on tares in the summer months but not in winter. I think you’re better off using maggots or casters when the temperature is down.
WHY SOIL?
Q) I’ve noticed that you use a lot of soil in your groundbait mixes. Why is this?
A) I’ve used soil in my groundbait for many years. It gives the mix weight, which is important if the river is flowing quickly. I add about three pints of soil to two 1.5kg bags of groundbait.
Barbel fishing tips | Top barbel tips to get you started
Barbel fishing has really grown in popularity in recent seasons so if you’re just starting out on your barbel fishing adventure then you’ll want to look at these great tips from Drennan Cup winner Dai Gribble who has landed many specimen sized barbel over the years. He’s got you covered and with the help of these great tips you’ll be able to catch a barbel next time you are out on the bank.
1) getting the right FEEDER MIX for barbel
There’s no doubt that pellets are a very effective bait for barbel, and my feeder mix reflects this.
You’re looking to create a potent-smelling mix which can draw fish into your swim, and one that will keep them there for the maximum amount of time.
I use Sonubaits Barbel Pellets mixed with Hemp and Hali Crush groundbait – both of which have been purposely designed for river barbel fishing – and I will mix them in a ratio of around one part pellets to three parts Hemp and Hali Crush.
Small particles are best for keeping fish in your swim for longer and I like to use a range of sizes of pellet from 2mm up to 6mm so the fish don’t get preoccupied with one size of bait.
The pellets will slowly get washed downstream by the current, creating a bed of bait, while the finer particles of the groundbait will be washed further downstream, giving off a trail of attraction which will draw fish up towards the bed of pellets.
2) The perfect barbel Hookbait
For big-river barbel I use pre-drilled 6mm or 8mm Sonubaits Pellet-O’s and attach them with a Korum pellet stop which pulls back slightly into the pellet.
This needs to be taken into account to ensure the hair is the right length – always tie the hair a little shorter than you think you’ll need, because the pellet stop will extend it.
I find the easiest way to get it right is attach a pellet to the hair before tying the knotless knot, as this will ensure the hair is exactly the correct length.
I like to take a selection of hookbait flavours and colours with me to the bank, as this allows me to experiment during the course of a session.
In terms of flavours, I’ve caught particularly well on crab, halibut and krill-flavoured pellets.
A great trick to try is to glug your pellet hookbaits in Pellet Oil. This toughens them up, and that way they’ll last longer on the hair.
3) The best Tackle for barbel
I like a 12ft rod, as it helps keep the line out of the flow ands hold the feeder in position.
A freespool reel, set correctly, eliminates the risk of a barbel pulling a rod into the water.
Most times I prefer a single rod but if bites are hard to come by I’ll fish a second on the same line, a few yards further downstream. I fish it with a straight lead rather than a feeder, as I don’t want spread bait around the swim, preferring to stick with one baited area.
Plenty of bait will be carried past this downstream rod and the hope is that it will pick up fish reluctant to move over the main baited area.
Want more barbel fishing tips?
Hungry for more tips about barbel? Then make sure you check out our barbel species page, which has tips from loads of professional anglers to help you catch more next time you’re on the bank. Click here to see more tips.
Fishing Near Me | Where to catch barbel?
Don’t know where to go fishing for barbel? Then don’t panic as we’ve got you covered with our Fishing Near Me page, we’ve got loads of venue listicles on every species so you’re guaranteed to find somewhere to fish. Click here to see more
Chub on chips with Jack Pells
We all have our favourite ‘go-to’ baits and tactics when fishing – but sometimes a little change here and there can give us a new weapon in our armoury, and lead us to a real red-letter day.
When it comes to chub fishing, I was guilty of fishing the same method every time because I knew it worked for me.
It wasn’t until one day, when I thought outside the box, that I found a fun and exciting tactic that has caught me some of my biggest chub, including several six-pounders.
It all started while I was chub fishing late one night on the River Thames and got interrupted by a group of people walking home after a drunken night out.
As they crossed the bridge I was fishing near, one of them threw a bag of chips into the river.
While this was a disgusting act, it did get me thinking. There are a few pubs and takeaways in the area and I wondered how many takeaway leftovers find their way into the river and on to the chub’s dinner plate?
There was only one way to find out. On my next trip, instead of going to the tackle shop for my bait, I headed to the chippy.
Sausage, chips, and curry sauce for an evening’s fishing – if I didn’t catch, then at least I was having a decent meal on the bank.
I have to admit I was a bit apprehensive at first as I threaded a chip on to my hook, and thought I’d give it just a few casts before probably having to switch to my tried and trusted breadflake or crust baits.
I never got the chance to think about it any further as a big chub smashed the tip around!
These bigger fish, which usually give you the more delicate bites, were proving savage, and I believe this is because they fed on a bait which they considered ‘safe’.
Chub have huge mouths, and for a big mouth I will use a big hook, so a size 4 or 6 is ideal for holding on to the bait as well as the fish.
I hook the chip through the end and aim to have as much of the hook shank buried in the bait as possible, leaving the hookpoint exposed. With the chip being soft it will simply fall off the hook on the strike, enabling the hook to do its job.
My chip rig is a simple one, I use a medium strength quivertip rod and fish 6lb line all the way through to the hook.
I find a link-leger to be ideal, as you can add or remove shot to ensure the bait flutters down enticingly. The link-leger is held in place by a couple of float stops.
This way you can alter the distance between the hook and shot if you need to. I tend to use a small rubber bead between the link leger and the float stops as a shock-absorber.
So what are the chances of this working on your local river? To be honest, pretty high, as I’ve had success fishing this method opposite people’s gardens, beside boats and along towpaths – not just near bridges.
For the record, other takeaways can produce the goods too, and I’ve also caught chub on kebab meats and pizza crusts.
Chip shop chips are my first choice, though – be sure to ask for plenty of salt and not so much vinegar, as I think thist can sometimes put them off a little.
If the option is there, a pot of curry sauce can be a deadly glug as it leaks off an irresistible scent trail. It sounds ridiculous, but it’s certainly worth a go as it can be a fun and effective alternative to baits that the fish get used to being caught on.
What’s more, you’ll never have to worry about getting rid of your leftover bait!
For more great tips from top anglers head to this year’s The Big One Show
Fish a waggler on clear rivers and catch more
It’s a sad fact that so many opening weeks of the river season coincide with low and clear water.
Thoughts of bream-filled keepnets evaporate and the day often ends up to be a case of scratching around for a few bites. The tactics and feeding you had in mind before getting to the bank go out of the window.
You could carry on, hoping that things change, but this rarely works. The obvious answer is to set up something totally different.
In most situations, this means abandoning the pole and changing over to running line float tactics to get further out into the swim and offer a very different presentation of the bait.
England international Cameron Hughes is your guide to fishing the waggler on a slow, clear river.
Why the waggler rules
“On a summer river that’s in need of rain, the fish will always be in the flow, not out of it where the pace is sluggish.
“This flow tends to be well away from the bank, where activity can spook the fish, and when deciding where to feed and fish the waggler I always ensure there’s a great enough distance away from any other line I may have on the go so that I’m not running the risk of splitting up the fish in the peg. I really want two dedicated areas that won’t get in each others’ way.
“The waggler also allows me to cover so much water by running the float well down the peg, which you can’t do with the pole.
“Also, there’s not the shadow of the pole being cast across the swim, which in shallow water can be the kiss of death.”
Fish and feed downstream
“Don’t be tempted to cast and feed directly in front of you.
“There are two reasons for this. First, the bulk of the fish will be naturally downstream of where you’re sitting and second, casting slightly down the river means you can get all the line behind the float and let it run smoothly.
“I may be looking at running the float around 40 yards down the river – any further than this will be a waste of time. There won’t be many fish there, owing to the loosefeed hitting bottom in a rough area on the trot.
“Past this there will be little feed carried downstream and therefore no fish.
“I’ll feed a pouchful of maggots on each run through, fishing double white or red maggot on
the hook.”
Light tackle is a must
Although there’s the chance of big fish you can’t fish too heavy on the waggler or you won’t get bites.
Typically I fish 2.5lb Maxima mainline to a hooklink of 0.12mm Daiwa TDR Rig Line and a size 18 Kamasan B520 hook. This gets me more bites but means there’s less chance of landing big fish, whereas going all out with a size 16 and 0.14mm line will mean next to no bites. It’s amazing what difference these small changes makes.
The float is a 2.5g loaded Drennan Insert waggler that has just a few No8 shot spread down the line and I fish this 18ins overdepth to really slow the bait down and drag it through the swim.
I also ensure that the shot nearest the hook is off bottom, otherwise this would lead to the float being dragged under if it was resting on the riverbed.
Big fish time
When small fish bites cease this normally means that a big fish is about – usually a perch or a chub on a low, clear river such as the Trent. Although I fish relatively strong gear, getting a big fish in is no done deal, especially where a peg has lots of weed close in.
Using a long rod will help you no end and I fish a 15ft Daiwa Tournament which not only lets me control the float better when running it down the river but also permits a hooked big fish to pop up further out into the swim, away from the weed, ready for netting.
The trick is to get the rod above the fish and pull them up. Stand up to do this and try to net them first time.
bag up on the speci waggler
The first few weeks of a new river season will always see me taking in a few chub and barbel sessions on shallow stretches with plenty of pace and oxygenated water.
Most anglers who fish such swims tend to go for static baits in conjunction with a swimfeeder or straight lead. This is fine if the river is carrying colour, but when it’s running clear there’s a much better way to catch a big weight.
I developed Speci Wagglers 18 years ago and three different float patterns have equally important parts to play over the course of a river season. The key factor to float selection is depth and pace, so this week we’re looking at how you should use them.
No1 SPECI WAGGLER
This float is available in sizes from 2AAA up to 6AAA. It’s constructed from carefully graded balsa a bit thicker than the thickest peacock quill. It’s more buoyant than peacock and perfect for swiftly flowing, smooth water swims where you might want to trip your hookbait along the riverbed as well as off bottom.
I normally use 4lb or 5lb Pro Float mainlines and 0.12mm (4.2lb) or 0.14mm (5.3lb) Pro Rig hooklengths tied to size 18, 16 or 14 medium wire hooks. Most of the shot capacity is used to lock the float on to the line, then I position a No8 shot down the line for every 2ft of depth. A typical 6ft-deep swim would therefore only require three No8s, with the bottom one around 1ft up from the hook.
No2 SPECI WAGGLER
This pattern is available in sizes from 2AAA to 5SSG and, as you can see from the picture, it’s the next step up from the No1 model in terms of thickness. It comes into its own in faster water where you want more buoyancy.
For this one, I use 5lb or 6lb Pro Float mainlines and 0.14mm (5.3lb) or 0.16mm (6.4lb) Pro Rig hooklengths tied to strong size 16 or 14 hooks.
No3 SPECI WAGGLER
This is the thickest of the Speci Waggler family and is available in sizes from 2SSG to 6SSG. I use this one in very fast, boily water and it’s not uncommon to run it between 20 and 40 yards down the river.
Main lines for this float are 7lb or 8lb Pro Float, used in conjunction with 0.18mm (7.0lb) or 0.20mm (8.4lb) Pro Rig hooklengths tied to strong size 12 or 10 hooks.
CASTING AND CONTROL
Always cast downstream before running the float through the swim. If you’re face on to the river, imagine a clockface and cast to the two o’clock position. This will ensure that the line is at the right angle to start with and easy to mend, to stop any drag pulling the float which affects presentation. I can’t stress enough how important a naturally floating line is for this.
BAIT AND FEEDING
My bait bag for these early-season swims would contain two or three pints of casters, the same of hemp and the same of maggots.
I would also have a selection of 4mm and 6mm Bait-Tech Carp Pellets. Over a five-hour competition I would normally feed all baits, little and often to start with, increasing the amount if fish were responding well.
Try different feed routines. A good starting routine would be to feed first then cast, feed again halfway down the run and then again at the end of the run.
Experiment with measures until you’re getting bites on a regular basis, but be prepared to wait a while until the fish find and switch on to the bait trail.
Hookbait is two to five maggots or a banded 8mm carp pellet.
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.
Top 10 river fishing tips with Dave Harrell
This season I think we’ll be in for some very good fishing, now that most of our rivers have received a welcome flush through of water. If you’ve not been on a river for a while, why not do yourself a favour and get out there? I think you might well be pleasantly surprised at what’s on offer. Here are a few ideas to point you in the right direction…
1) Target barbel
Over the next few months I’ll be setting some days aside to go on the Trent, Severn and Wye, and I’m hoping to beat my personal best fish of 13lb 12oz which fell to feeder-fished halibut pellets. I’ve had float-caught specimens to 12lb-plus, so fingers crossed I’ll have a new personal best soon!
2) Target bream
Bream shoal up at this time of the year and if you drop on them you could be in for a bonanza of a day!
The very best way is with an open-end groundbait feeder and worms.
Keep the feeder going in regularly every few minutes for the first hour then leave it in a bit longer as each hour goes by. I normally start with a 3ft tail, then shorten if I’m getting a lot of bites, or lengthen it by a foot or two if not many bites are forthcoming.
3) Target perch
We’re entering a period of the season now that is possibly the best time for big perch. All rivers seem to now hold good stocks of these fish, and there are some specimen-sized lumps there for the taking.
My favourite way to catch them is with pole gear and a lobworm on the hook. Feed the swim with a bait dropper filled with chopped worm
and caster.
4) Try a pole
A long pole gives you perfect presentation and puts you back in the same place every time. Used in conjunction with hollow elastics, it’s possible to land very big fish on one too.
This season I’ve had barbel to nearly 10lb on pole gear, and while I’m not advocating that everyone switches to a pole for that species, it does go to show what is achievable.
5) Target chub
At this time of year, try floatfishing for chub off the bottom with waggler gear.
I’ve had loads of big weights in autumn by fishing 4ft to 6ft deep with just a couple of No8 shot down the line and using single or double maggot on the hook.
Remember, though, you have to keep the feed going in regularly and make sure that your hookbait is dropping through the feed.
6) Use bigger floats
To conquer the flow you might need to fish quite heavy sticks, Bolos and wagglers. A 6g or 8g float should be used with at least a 4lb mainline, possibly even heavier if there are a lot of big fish in the swim.
7) Target roach
Good nets of roach are being caught all over the country at present. You can target them in so many ways, but the best way to my mind is with float gear.
Seed baits have been working well lately, but with lowering air and water temperatures I’d recommend you put your faith in maggots and casters over the next couple of months.
8) Check river levels
There’s nothing worse than turning up at a river only to find it high and coloured.
You can aviod this by visiting the Environment Agency website. Enter the river and area you intend to fish and the latest levels will be revealed. Here’s the link: https://flood-warning-information.service.gov.uk/river-and-sea-levels
9) Try a whip
With a long whip you know you are fishing in the same spot every run down. Keep the feed going in and you can end up with a lot of fish in front of you that are fairly easy to catch. I elasticate my tips with hollow elastic, providing a buffer against snap-offs if you hook a big fish.
10) Try different baits
We can all get set in our ways when it comes to baits, but one thing I have noticed over the past few years is that maggots and casters in the feeder seem to catch a lot more barbel and chub than pellets.
You’ll need to fish a river that is fairly clear to achieve the best results with these baits, but they’re well worth trying if you’re struggling to catch on pellets.
Top 5 river fishing tips for running water
1) Carp: Don’t be afraid to fish big baits. Smaller fish like bream and chub will take boilies so if your specifically targeting this species try two 20mm boilies.
2) Chub: If you’re hair-rigging your bait don’t tie it too long. Chub are notoriously finicky and fishing a short hair will maximise your chances of hooking one.
3) Roach: Look for the slack areas in the river as this is where they love to hang out.
Try hemp and casters either in the feeder or in conjunction with a stickfloat.
4) Bream: Use a sticky groundbait mix especially in a powerful river such as the Trent because it’s surprising how quickly your mix will break up and carry your bait downstream.
5) Barbel: So many anglers use boilies and pellets for them these days so those who mix it up as regards to bait often reap the rewards. Try meat or even worms as it could be something the barbel in your river haven’t seen in ages.
40 of the best river fishing tips
Do you want more bites from your local river? Then you may want to give this, list of the 40 best river fishing tips a read. As it will most likely increase your chances of catching next time you are out on the bank, fishing your local river or stream. These 40 fishing tips for the rivers are guaranteed to help you outwit your target species and hopefully land yourself a new PB.
1
Barbel have a reputation for giving savage bites but that isn’t how every indication will pan out. On heavily pressured waters the fish are more cautious when feeding and the slightest knock on the rod tip could indicate a big fish has tentatively picked up the hookbait.
2
Locating features is crucial when tracking down river carp. Everything from bridges to overhanging bushes are worth a look because these can trap food and form natural larders.
3
Prebaiting is key when targeting carp on running water. They can travel large distances in a short time so introduce bait on a regular basis in the run up to your session.
4
Where the fish feed in the column dictates how you feed for roach. If fish are up in the water catapult maggots and casters. If they are on the deck, feed these baits inside balls of groundbait to get them to the bottom.
5
If breambites suddenly stop the shoal may have backed off the main feed. Chuck a couple of feet further to relocate fish.
6
Keep the bait still when bream fishing. When pole fishing on a pacey river, this can mean fishing as much as a foot overdepth.
7
Use a bulk of shot and droppers to fish maggot or pinkie over groundbait for roach, switching to a strung out pattern with hemp.
8
Fenland drains are home to giant rudd in a handful of swims. Walk the banks of your local stretch wearing polarised sunglasses as they will often give themselves away by feeding on insects.
9
Take several pints of maggots when chub fishing. Constant feeding is vital – even if you are not getting bites. The rain of bait falling through the water will eventually tease chub into feeding.
10
Float fished livebaits are deadly for big perch. Constantly feed maggots over the top to draw in even more bait fish and a potential personal best won’t be far away.
11
Weather will play a huge part in whether you will have success with river bream. Warm and overcast is ideal but avoid bright sunshine and little cloud cover.
12
Groundbait is rarely used for predators but a few balls of fishmeal groundbait laced with chopped up pieces of fish can give you an edge when sport is slow.
13
Alloy stick floats are buoyant and best in turbulent water, glass is lightweight and will give a really slow fall of the hookbait and a shouldered lignum is easily lifted to move hookbait.
14
Chub feed in pretty much any conditions but in coloured water you will need a smelly bait to draw the fish in. Halibut pellets and paste work well but cheesepaste is the ultimate bait.
15
Rivers will run clear after long periods without rain and this is when bread starts to work well. Fill a feeder with liquidised bread and hook a large flake for chub and quality roach.
16
Big chub will always seek cover but the best features are not always the ones that you can see at first glance. Undercut banks are magnets for these finicky specimens. While taking great care, lay on the bank at a likely spot and place your hand into the water and feel whether the bank is undercut.
17
Roach bites can be hard to hit but keeping a tight line between pole tip and float willimprove your conversion rate. Add a No.8 backshot between tip and float to guarantee a tight line.
18
If you get a run of bites on a feeder but the action suddenly stops it can pay to have a few chucks on a bomb rig. Making the simple switch could encourage them to feed confidently.
19
If you are on a huge shoal of silverfish it is important to concentrate them in one zone. Fish one swim or you will split the shoal and that will lead to fewer bites and a smaller stamp of fish.
20
A wobbled deadbait can fool pike but it is important how you retrieve it. Reel it in slowly, jerking the rod from time to time, and this will imitate injured fish that the pike often feast upon.
21
Worms, maggots and casters are often the first port of call for bream but these can lead to a plague of small roach and perch. Use 14mm or 16mm boilies to deter the tiddlers.
22
The area between fast and slow water is the crease. Trot a stick float feeding maggots.
23
Chub on some days may want tiny baits. swap paste or pellets for one or two maggots.
24
For bigger roach and chub use a loaded waggler with no shot for a slow hookbait fall.
25
Big barbel can be finicky and the slightest mistake could send a potential pb packing. To prevent them detecting a rig, pin the mainline to the deck by using back leads.
26
River carp aren’t heavily pressured so use simple set-ups and strong hooklinks.
27
Lures are deadly for perch. A shallow-diving pattern with neutral buoyancy is best now.
28
Feed via a catapult for roach and drop the odd pouch short. If you miss a bite, run float over it.
29
Groundbait is a real winner for bream but the type of mix you use needs careful consideration. Make sure that it is high in fishmeal and always mix it so that it is fairly heavy and sticky. This will make sure it doesn’t get washed out the swim by the current.
30
Use a 14ft rod for the stick so you can keep in touch with float and work the swim.
31
A tiny hook isn’t critical for big roach. The most important thing is that the point is showing.
32
Log pike sessions, noting weather, wind direction and time of catches, to see trends.
33
Heavily pressured swims very rarely hold quality chub so it is best to head off the beaten track to find a new personal best. Walking to spots that are well away from car parks and access areas is often the best way to find these elusive lumps.
34
River barbel stocks are growing but aim for well oxygenated fast water such as weir pools.
35
When looking for big perch locating a shoal of fry should be a priority. Predators will be close.
36
Look for areas of river where the water widens a little when fishing for bream. The species tend to sit in deep and wider areas of water, well away from any weed or cover.
37
Enhance luncheon meat with a pungent flavour such as chilli powder or garlic salt for barbel.
38
Quick after-work sessions are often ideal for chub as this is the time of day when they feed most confidently. The water will have been exposed to sunlight all day so it will be at its warmest, triggering the fish to search for food to maintain their energy levels.
39
The hooklink can be the difference between success and failure. Start with a 3ft link and vary it. If you are getting lots of taps but no proper bites, reduce it by a foot as fish are feeding closer to the feeder. If there are no bites, lengthen it as fish could be sat just off your zone.
40
Prebaiting will get fish into a swim. Small pellets, hemp and casters keep them there.
15 fishing tips for bigger river catches
With the river season well underway we have put together a list with the help of top river angler Dave Harrell, of the top 15 fishing tips to try this coming weekend.
If you’ve not ventured out on to running water yet, do yourself a favour and do so this weekend, you won’t be disappointed, I promise you.
GET ON A PELLET FEEDER FOR BARBEL
'The best thing that ever happened for the pleasure angler' is how i'd describe the use of pellets fished through a swim feeder. Hair-rig an 8mm halibut pellet and put 4mm offerings through a swimfeeder. Hair-rig an 8mm halibut pellet and put 4mm offerings through a blackened feeder, and if there's a barbel in the vicinity it will soon show interest.
FEED SEEDS FOR ROACH
One of my favourite summer approaches for roach is the use of hemp and tares. It's a really cheap way of fishing as you don't need much of either. Just feed six to 10 grains of hemp and the odd tare, then present a single tare just off the bottom with a lightly shotted pole rig, and you'll soon be putting redefines in the net.
TRY FAST SHALLOW WATER!
Too many anglers walk past fast-flowing shallow swims where there arnt many fish at this time of year.As long as you can find 3ft of water or more, there’s a good chance that the swim will hold chub and barbel, so don’t ignore swims just because they are fast.
USE CARP PELLETS FOR CHUB
In the same way that halibut pellets are good for catching barbel, fishmeal pellets make a great feed and hookbait for chub. On rivers where there are a lot of chub present, feed with 6mm pellets and use a banded 8mm pellets on the hook. On more difficult waters, feed 4mm pellets and use a banded 6mm pellet on the hook. You don’t need to feed loads – a pint or two will normally be ample.
Break out the long Pole
Long poles have made fishing for silver fish much easier than it ever used to be on some of our slower-moving rivers. Try using light strung-out rigs and, as a rough guide, use 0.10g for every foot of water. A swim that is 4ft deep should therefore be tackled with a 0.40g float. Use No8 shot in the main, with a No9 or a No10 as your bottom shot, positioned around 6ins to 10ins above the hook.
Don't Fish Too Light
If big fish are your target, it can sometimes pay to go for them with pole gear but make sure everything is strong enough to cope with fish such as barbel. For me, that means 0.20mm to 0.23mm rig lines and hooklengths just a little bit thinner than that. Feed the swim either with groundbait via a pole cup or with a bait dropper.
Try A Float For Barbel
Floatfishing for barbel is so exciting, and if you’ve never done it, I would urge you to do so this summer. Keep things simple and use 6lb-8lb mainlines, Truncheon Wagglers or Balsa Missiles and strong hooks from size 14 to 10. A bunch of maggots fished over loosefeed of casters and hemp will soon get fish feeding if they’re in your swim. Try to find swims from 4ft-6ft deep, either running up to or away from fords, and there’s a good chance barbel will be present.
Dig Out A Crumb Feeder
While they don’t fight as hard as barbel, I love catching big bream with a groundbait feeder approach. It’s possible to put together some huge weights when there is colour in the water. Use casters and chopped worms through the feeder with worms on the hook. A 3ft tail that is lighter than your mainline is essential in case of snags.
Catch Perch On Worms
Most of the rivers now hold very good stocks of perch, and they're a great fish of target with both running line and pole gear. If the flow is slight, feed the swim by hand but if there is any pace, a bait dropper works better. Feed a combination of casters, hemp and chopped worm with worms on the hook.
Experiment With Tall Lengths
This is an area of river feeder fishing where I think a lot of anglers miss out on getting better catches by not changing anything. While 2ft 6ins-3ft is often a very good starting point, try shorter tails if you’re missing bites and go much longer, up to 5ft or 6ft, if you’re not getting any bites at all.
Shallow Up For Chub
A lot of anglers miss out on good chub catches in deep water by setting the rig too deep and not feeing frequently enough. I've had some really big catches fishing just 3ft to 4ft in 12ft of water but the only way you can make is work is by feeding every few seconds with a catapult.Keep busy and if there are chub in the area, you will soon find out!
Master The Bold
I won the first-ever match in this country on Bolo gear, 25 years ago on the Severn with a 24lb catch of roach. Back then we all thought you had to use a long telescopic rod, but while these still play a big part, there are days when you can use very light Bolo rigs in conjunction with 13ft and 14ft rods for good catches. This is a fantastic way to present your hookbait if the conditions are favourable.
Ball It In For Silvers!
A big groundbait bombardment at the start of a session when there are a lot of roach or skimmers present can often be the best approach. Try putting in six to 10 balls to begin with and then fish over it with a bulk-shotted pole rig. My favourite mix for this is a 50/50 blend of Pro Natural and Pro Natural Extra, with a little soil added for weight.
Try Hollow Elastics
It took me a while to get into hollow elastics for river fishing but I’m totally sold on them now, especially in situations where bigger fish play a part in winning catches. I use Daiwa Hydrolastic in black, grey and white for big fish and yellow, pink and blue for the smaller ones.
Lay A Trap For Tench
Not all our rivers hold tench, but on those that do, it’s worth laying a trap of groundbait, casters and chopped worm at the bottom of ledges and then leaving it alone for an hour or two before trying it. Doing this I’ve landed some really big specimens from the Warwickshire Avon.
Experiment With Tall Lengths
This is an area of river feeder fishing where I think a lot of anglers miss out on getting better catches by not changing anything. While 2ft 6ins-3ft is often a very good starting point, try shorter tails if you’re missing bites and go much longer, up to 5ft or 6ft, if you’re not getting any bites at all.
Top 10 fishing tips for catching more on the rivers
With the river season now well underway we thought we would put together a list of the top 10 fishing tips to help you catch more fish on the rivers. With these tips you are guaranteed to get your river fishing season off to a flyer. Check out our list below and let us know what fishing tip you will use on your next session!
Cast down the middle for bream
The habits of bream on rivers don’t alter much in summer from back in the winter – they still prefer deep water, which is almost always found smack down the middle of the river. A tried-and-tested ploy is to cast two-thirds of the way across. If bites fade away, go even farther across to where the river begins to shelve up towards the far-bank shallows.
Walk the banks
Not sure where to fish? Visit at dusk and walk the banks in search of your quarry. Bream and tench will give themselves away by rolling just before it gets dark, and roach will also top regularly – they won’t move far from these spots so you can avoid a lot of disappointment by putting in the miles.
Always pick cover
Try to choose a river swim offering some sort of feature. This could be a reed bed or a tree on the far bank, some lily pads close in, or a moored boat. Whatever it is, fish will live close to it and it will give you another option to fish to during your session, normally with a feeder or waggler cast
Be a slacker
Check out the slacks for roach and chub, where the river’s main flow meets a calmer area. On the edge of this will be something called a ‘crease’, which allows the fish to head into the main current to pick off food that’s been washed down the river before heading back into the quieter water.
Find the fast water
Early-season rivers can suffer from lack of rain, which in turn reduces the rate of flow. On shallow venues, any such swims can be devoid of fish. To stack the odds in your favour, seek out the shallowest swims that will generate faster, oxygenated water. This is what the chub and barbel, in particular.
Seek out the Depths
Early-season rivers can suffer from lack of rain, which in turn reduces the rate of flow. On shallow venues, any such swims can be devoid of fish. To stack the odds in your favour, seek out the shallowest swims that will generate faster, oxygenated water. This is what the chub and barbel, in particular,
Watch the tide
Tidal rivers really come into their own throughout the summer. Although they can be fearsome places, with deep water and a fast flow that can change direction during a session, they will offer brilliant roach and bream sport. To get the best out of them, check a tide table online and combine your visit with a tide that’s ebbing (running out to sea) all day. This will produce the most fish.
Weed equals fish
A pain it may be, but where big fish are concerned, weed is prime real estate. Tench, big perch, eels and even barbel will stick close to the weed for a source of natural food and a bit of sanctuary, so it’s always worth feeding some chopped worm just over the weed to try for a big fish throughout the day.
Bait up for success
Pinning down a bream shoal on a river or big lake can be difficult in a short five-hour session, so do yourself a favour by spending a few evenings prior to fishing putting some bait in. Known as prebaiting, this action gives the fish a few large helpings of bait in advance and will get them into the area early doors. Keep it simple with corn, pellets, hemp and plain brown crumb groundbait.
Go early and late
Blinding sunshine and warm temperatures rarely do the fishing any good, especially if you are after bream and tench on a river or lake. You’re far better off going early or late before the sun gets up, the mercury rises and it’s more productive for you to soak up the rays.
Your guide to fishing a weir pool
If you're looking to catch an abundance of different species on a river this season then you really need to give a weir pool a try.
Weirs are a haven for a number of species thanks to the warm, oxygenated water that’s constantly being flushed through the swim. Food items naturally collect in the basins of weirs too, and there’s plenty of underwater features to create the perfect home for predatory species such as pike, perch and zander.
However, weir pools can be quite daunting for those who have never fished one before, so Angling Times is here to help. Here’s our exclusive overview of these fantastic river structures which will explain where you can expect to find each species and what tactics you can use to catch them, whatever you fish for.
Dace
dace are widespread in weir pools. They, too, thrive in shallow water much like the minnows, and can be found in numbers at the tail end of the weir. A trotted stick float or waggler with bronze maggots will find plenty of bites from these stunning fish – with the odd roach, perch and minnow too.
Roach
Roach can be caught from most areas. In the summer they can shoal up in shallow water over the gravel at the end of the weir, but will also drift into the deep hole created by the main flow. A maggot feeder is hard to beat for a weir pool roach, but watch out for those pike, which love to snap up a hooked roach as you wind it in.
Minnow
Those of you who have fished with maggots or pinkies on a river will have caught plenty of minnows in your time. These tiny fish thrive in shallow water with lots of gravel, and can be found relatively close to the bank at the tail end of a weir. Although regarded as an afterthought to many anglers, those looking to catch a big perch from a weir pool won’t find a better bait than a live minnow.
Chub
chub love gravel swims and can be found in all areas of the weir pool. You’ll find you will catch a lot of chub while fishing for the barbel, but if you want to target them deliberately few things can surpass a large piece of breadflake or a whole lobworm. They will also take small lip-hooked livebaits. Chub won’t venture far from the main flow, so aim your attack here to catch a few.
Bream
A weir pool is a great place for bream to pick up food items that have been washed downstream. They are often found in the deep holes at the bottom of the weir pool. Cast a heavy cage feeder stuffed with groundbait or liquidised bread around 5ft from the weir sill and fish flake, double corn or lobworm on the hook.
Barbel
Barbel fishing on a weir pool has to be up there with the best fishing around. These fish love fast, oxygenated water over gravel. When you’ve leaded around and found solid gravel use a bait dropper to introduce boilies, pellets and particles. Over this fish a bomb with a big pellet or chunk of meat to catch. The undercut directly under the sill of the weir also offers a good refuge for these fish.
Perch
Perch thrive in the snaggy features, as do the juvenile fish they eat! You can find perch under the weir sill, in shallow water and just where the gravel shelf drops off into deeper water. A chubber float with a lobworm is a superb tactic, but maggots will also catch. Big perch can be tempted on spinners, small jigs or lip-hooked livebaits.
Pike
Wherever there’s an abundance of silverfish such as roach or dace the pike won’t be far away. They’ll often skulk at the bottom of the weir pool or on the gravel shelf, from where they can easily ambush their prey. If there are limited snags at the bottom of the weir a legered roach or lamprey section is hard to beat for a pike. Alternatively a spinner or roach-imitation lure will get a reaction.
How to fish a bulk shot float rig on rivers with Dave Harrell
There are days when fishing a float shotted with a group of shot or an olivette close to the hook will catch you a lot more fish than a strung-out, lightly shotted rig. Even in water as shallow as 2ft, a bulk shotted rig can work wonders particualrly for species like chub and barbel.
Years ago, there were very few float choices for these approaches but, in more recent times, there are plenty of choices to suit a large number of situations.
Bolo and Avon style floats are ideal for fishing bulk shot rigs on rivers
All my bulk fishing is based around three types of float patterns, and while there are different designs within these families, the basic approach is the same with a bulk and sometimes (but not always) a drop shot.
I carry a big selection of floats for this sort of work and they range in size from 2g all the way up to a 10g. Add to this equation a mix of thicknesses in the hollow bristles or balsa tops and you will quickly realise that it’s a type of fishing that requires plenty of options if you’re going to cover all situations.
A variety of different pegs suit fishing a bulk shot float rig
Olivettes or shot?
Olivettes can be slid up or down the line
For bulk-shotted rigs I prefer to use olivettes over shot. They are neater and less prone to tangling. The ones I use can be fixed to the line by pulling a small piece of tight-fitting pole elastic through the hole and trimming it flush with the lead.
This fixes the olivette in place and stops it moving, unless you actually want to slide it yourself.
I use these in sizes from 0.40g all the way up to 10g.
Cut down Avon and Bolo floats are great in shallow water
SHALLOW SWIMS (2ft - 4ft deep)
There was a time when I only used to attack these sorts of depths with a short, stubby balsa float but in recent years I’ve had a lot of success by cutting down the stems of small 2g and 3g Avon and Bolo floats.
As there isn’t much depth to play with on this sort of swim, you’re better off not using a drop shot and instead fixing an olivette or a bulk of shot about 1ft to 18ins above the hook.
When I’m fishing in this way I’m usually targeting barbel or chub, so there isn’t a need for too much finesse as the water will be fast. I use 5lb or 6lb line in these situations and tie the hook direct to the mainline.
Because these swims aren’t very deep I would always sway towards loosefeeding with maggots, casters and hemp or fishmeal pellets.
MEDIUM DEPTH (4ft - 8ft deep)
This depth is where bulk rigs are ideal for a wide variety of species. The choice of float is determined by the species that you are fishing for. If the target fish are roach and dace and the flow is slight then the No4 and No5 Bolos are perfect.
For faster moving water, I use the No1 and No2 models with thicker hollow bristles and for very fast water, the choice is either a No3 Bolo for fishing out in the river or an Avon float for close in work.
Left to right: No.4 Bolo, no.1 Bolo, no.2 Bolo, no.3 Bolo, no.1 Avon, no. 2 Avon
To choose the right size float, always plumb the depth carefully before you actually put a float on the line.
Check the depth close in and well out as there could be a big difference and once you’re happy that you know what the depths are at different points in the river, use 1g to 2g of float capacity for every 2ft of water. Depending on the flow, this could mean a 4g or an 8g float in 8ft of water.
Position an olivette or a bulk of shot around 18in to 2ft from the hook with a single No6 drop shot about 10in from the hook.
Most of the time I would use loose feed for this depth range but there are times when groundbait can work well in conjunction with a bulk rig. This would usually be mixed with soil to a ration of 75per cent groundbait and 25per cent soil, with a small ball every cast.
DEEP SWIMS (8ft - 14ft deep)
Left to right: no.1 Bolo, no.2 Bolo, no.3 Bolo, no.4 Bolo, no.5 Bolo, no.2 Alloy Avon
Bulk rigs really come into their own in very deep water, and it was this sort of situation that first alerted me to the effectiveness of the approach way back in 1992, when I watched the Italian National team practising for the World Championships in Ireland.
I learned a lot that day, and ever since then Bolo floats have played a big part in my fishing.
For slow-moving water, the choice is a larger size of No4 or No5 Bolo, and as the speed of the flow picks up, the choice is either a big No1 or No2 Bolo or a big Avon. As a general guide, 1g to 2g of float capacity for every 3ft of depth is about right so a 10ft deep swim would demand a float taking from 5g to10g, depending on flow speed.
With the bigger float I change from a No6 dropper to a No4 and it works in just the same way.
In these depths, groundbait plays much more of a part in my approaches and if the river is flowing fast I use a 50/50 mix of groundbait and soil.
The extra weight helps to get the balls of groundbait down to the bottom quickly but the balls break up fast when they’re on the riverbed, allowing loose particles like casters and hemp to attract fish into the swim.
A nice chub caught on a bulk-shotted float rig
Dave Harrell is recognised as one of the country’s best-ever river anglers. He has fished for England at World and European level and now runs his own tackle company. For more information go to: www.daveharrellangling.com