Canals around the country are capable of double-figure catches of roach, there are more and more stretches now where this is possible, in areas that were once devoid of life. As boat traffic subsides in autumn, roach settle for longer periods, making them easier to target in quieter areas of the canal. Here are some tips to filling your nets with red fins on your next session on the canal.
Choose the Right Swim
To increase your chances of success, research or inquire with local anglers to identify productive areas known for holding good populations of roach. Additionally, consider the depth and structure of the canal. Deeper areas with varied structures, such as overhanging trees or submerged logs, can provide excellent holding grounds for roach. Look for areas with a combination of deep and shallow water.
FISHING THE POLE IS A GREAT TACTIC ON THE CANAL, SEE OUR GUIDE TO THE BEST FISHING POLES.
Bait effectively
Traditional offerings like maggots, casters, worms, hemp, bread, and groundbait are all proven roach-catching baits and work well. A go to bait is bread, it's a versatile bait that works well for both small and larger roach, fed as groundbait and punched on the hook. Another great tactic is to regularly feed hemp into the swim via a catapult to attract bigger fish, hemp on the hook or alternatively casters are another great hookbait for picking out larger roach.
HEMP & CASTER ARE BEST FED VIA A CATAPULT, SEE OUR GUIDE TO THE BEST FISHING CATAPULTS.
Rigs
Two rigs are generally sufficient for most canal roach fishing scenarios. A deeper rig for bread, maggots worms and a rig for fishing maggot, hemp and caster through the water are ideal. Use a sensitive rig with a fine line to detect subtle bites and choose a hook size appropriate to the bait, 16 or 18 is recommended.
SEE NICK SPEEDS GUIDE TO POLE FLOATS & RIGS TO HELP YOU TIE THE BEST RIG FOR YOUR NEXT SESSION.
Patience is key
Roach fishing often requires patience. Allow the fish to settle in your swim and adjust your tactics as needed. Pay close attention to fish activity and observe their behaviour to make informed decisions, regular feeding may bring fish up in the water so a switch to fishing a bait through the water may prove productive.
AUTUMN CAN MEAN RAIN, AND THE BEST FISHING UMBRELLAS WILL KEEP YOU DRY.
By following these tips and adapting your strategy to the specific conditions on your chosen canal, you can increase your chances of catching double-figure bags of roach. Remember, canal roach fishing can be highly rewarding, so get on the canal and get amongst the red fins.
RETAINING YOUR NEXT BAG OF ROACH WILL REQUIRE THE BEST FISHING KEEPNETS, OUR GUIDE HIGHLIGHTS THE BEST CHOICES.
