Maggot feeder tactics score for 6lb 9oz chub

A SHORT window of opportunity between torrential rain showers was all Darran Goulder needed to slip his net under this fine River Lea chub.

Targeting a stretch of the waterway at Carthagena, the seasoned all-rounder from Kent took the fish on his first cast after casting out a maggot feeder rig incorporating an ultra-short 1in braided hooklink.

“I thought I might be in for a good session after such a promising start, but the rain got steadily heavier and the river started to rise before my eyes - within a couple of hours it was bordering on unfishable. With all the water we’ve had recently, it just goes to show how the timing of trips this winter is going to be critical, said Darran, who beat the fish using 11lb Power Pro braid straight through to a 50g Kamasan Black Cap feeder, which the 28-year-old had adapted to fish inline.

His hooklink was 6lb Drennan Super Specialist Braid, attached to a size 16 Super Specialist hook carrying a single maggot.