Zander are becoming increasingly common in many of our larger rivers, but also grow to good sizes in canals and various stillwaters, especially large reservoirs like Grafham and Rutland.
They can be targeted using rods and reels designed for barbel fishing, and it’s only the bait and end tackle that need to be tweaked. If you have never caught on before, they are truly magnificent predators and are great fun to catch, follow this guide and you will be catching them in no time!
Fish into darkness
While you can catch zander in the daylight, they do become most active after dark. Staying on your venue for an hour after dark will massively increase your chances of hooking a zander, with the witching hour just after darkness falls is generally the best time.
THE BEST FISHING CHAIRS WILL KEEP YOU COMFORTABLE WHILE YOU WAIT FOR A ZANDER TO FEED.
Bait choice
There are two main types of bait you can use for zander: live bait and dead bait. While they can be caught on sea bait like mackerel, you will be much more successful using freshwater bait, with roach being a firm favorite among zander anglers. Don’t go too big, though; just the head of a small roach is usually enough to tempt a big zander. Cutting off the head also releases juices into the water, helping to attract the fish.
LURE FISHING IS ALSO A GREAT WAY OF CATCHING ZANDER, CHECK OUT OUR BUYER'S GUIDE FOR THE BEST AVAILABLE.
Look for features
Zander, like all fish, are attracted to structure—not because they need to hide, but because their prey fish tend to shoal around certain areas. Deeper areas, such as drop-offs, holes, and marginal cover, are often great places to target, as zander lie in wait for passing baitfish.
A SET OF THE BEST FISHING POLAROIDS WILL HELP YOU SEE DOWN INTO THE WATER AND IDENTIFY SPOTS TO FISH.
Single hooks
If you haven't fished for zander before, treat them like perch. You don't need to use large baits or double sets of trebles, generally a large single, bait holding hook and a small treble is more than ample for hooking these magnificent predators. It isn't recommended to go too light on the mainline as you may encounter pike, a wire trace is also a must.
TRY OUT THIS FANTASTIC RIG FOR CATCHING YOUR FIRST ZANDER IN OUR HOW TO GUIDE.
Strike quickly
If you’re legering deadbaits strike as soon as your bobbin moves. Zander are sensitive feeders, and bites are often indicated by a sharp knock on the rod-tip, which needs to be struck immediately. This is to avoid deep hooking but most of all, zander aren’t known for picking up the bait and taking off with it so a few beeps may be the only indication you get there is a fish on the end.
A SET OF THE BEST BITE ALARMS WILL HELP YOU IDENTIFY EVEN THE SMALLEST INDICATIONS FROM ZANDER.
