Specimen roach over the 2lb mark are at the top of many anglers' wishlists, especially when those fish come from a river. While catching roach of this size is no easy task, few moments in angling compare to the sight of a big roach sliding into the landing net, so they are well worth the effort.
For reasons unknown, one of the best baits for catching them is the humble bread as roach find it almost irresistible. If presented correctly, there’s a good chance you can land a specimen fish from your local venue. A feeder is the perfect way to present bread for roach, and we’ll show you how to tie the ideal rig to catch them.
Bread is best
Bread is one of the cheapest, most visible, and versatile baits you can use for fishing, and a couple of loaves will easily last you through a session. However, not all bread is created equal. White bread is always the best option because it stays on the hook far better than brown or wholemeal, and fish seem to prefer it. The best choice is Warburton's Toast (in the orange packaging), as it stays on the hook incredibly well when fresh. We haven't found another bread as good.
ONE OF THE BEST FEEDER RODS WILL HELP YOU CATCH MORE SPECIMEN ROACH ON THE RIVER.
Short hook lengths
When fishing with bread for river roach, missed bites are inevitable. Even strong, unmissable pulls on the rod tip can often result in striking into thin air. To improve your chances, you need to put the odds in your favor. Using a short hooklength is the most effective way to do this. It not only enhances the bolt effect of the feeder but also keeps your hookbait close to the loose feed, leading to more bites.
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Prepare your bread
There are two main ways to prepare your bread for the feeder: you can either mash it or liquidise it. Both methods work well, but liquidising is the most effective because it not only prevents the fish from getting full, but also acts like groundbait and packs into a feeder nicely. Simply place a few slices into a food processor and blend until you get a fine crumb, then store it in an airtight bag, and you're ready to use it.
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The feeder rig
Tying the rig couldn't be simpler; all you need are a couple of float stops, a swivel, and a cage feeder. The trick to the rig lies in how it is tied:
1- Thread a float stop onto the mainline. (Make sure it isn't too tight, as it needs to slide off easily if your line breaks.)
2- Thread a size 10 swivel onto the mainline, then lock it in place with another float stop below.
3- Attach a link swivel to the end of your mainline using your favorite knot. (The link swivel allows you to change feeders quickly.)
4- Clip on your feeder, then set the float stops around 3 inches (7 cm) above it, leaving a small gap to allow the swivel to rotate.
5- Tie on a hooklength using 4-5 lb line and a hook size of around 12-14. The hooklength can be varied throughout the day depending on bites, but a good starting length is about 8 inches (20 cm).
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