Rivers can be at their moodiest in summer, as low levels and crystal-clear water leave the fish on edge**.
**That’s not to say that these venues should be put on the back burner right now in fact, Hadrian Whittle has the perfect solution.
The feeder tackle stays in the garage, as the waggler comes into its own. It’s important to focus on a species that isn’t too fussy about the conditions and is a reliable target.
“Trotting a waggler for chub will get you plenty of bites from quality fish in the summer,” explained Hadrian. “It’s an enjoyable approach, and one that allows you to really search your swim and to place a baited rig in front of a few fish,” he added.
USING ONE OF THE BEST CHUB RODS WILL HELP YOU PRESENT A WAGGLER PERFECTLY.
Look for cover and flow
If you can find some form of cover on the far bank, plus a decent pace and depth of water close-by, then you’re in business. Mid-river streamer weed can also be a good holding feature for chub. By contrast, slow, stagnant or poorly-oxygenated spots won’t appeal to the fish.
ONE OF THE BEST SEATBOXES WILL HELP GIVE YOU A STABLE PLATFORM TO FISH FROM.
Tackle up appropriately
I use a 14ft rod that gives me lots of leverage when casting and controlling the float. My 3000-size reel is loaded with 5lb mainline, with an 0.18mm fluorocarbon hooklength to a size 12 or 14 hook. Fluorocarbon won’t kink as it sinks, helping me to keep tension in the rig.
IT IS ESSENTIAL YOU USE THE RIGHT LINE FOR WAGGLER FISHING, CHECK OUT OUR BUYER'S GUIDE FOR MORE.
Dodge the silvers
Using pellets as both hookbaits (banded) and loosefeed will help you to single out the better chub, but they will fill the fish up quite quickly compared to maggots and casters. I’ll feed 10-12 each run through but, if bites dry up, I’ll cut that back to force the fish to take the hookbait.
THE BEST FISHING CATAPULTS WILL HELP YOU FEED MORE ACCURATELY AROUND YOUR FLOAT.
Pick the perfect float
It’s important to use a float that’s heavy enough to cast to your target zone easily, and one with a thick tip will allow you to slow the pace that the rig is running through the swim when you’re laying a little line on the deck. I like a 3SSG DH Angling Insert Speci Waggler in most situations.
COMPLETE YOUR WAGGLER FISHING SETUP WITH ONE OF THE BEST FISHING REELS.
