If you fish a river for such as roach, bream, chub and dace, then you’ll know full well just how lightning-fast the bites can be – and there is no better tool to hit them at speed than using the pole.
The relatively short length of line between pole-tip and float allows you to connect with the indication almost instantly, dramatically increasing the chances of you firmly setting the hook.
Keeping control of the float, feeding correctly and setting your rig up appropriately are just three of the key elements with this style of fishing and, if you can master the basics, there’s no reason why you can’t hit every single bite.
NOT SURE WHAT RIVER TO TRY? OUR WHERE TO FISH SECTION HAS SOME GREAT VENUES TO TRY RIGHT NOW!
Create a target zone
If I’m in a swim where I think 30lb is possible I’ll put in 10 large balls to start, laced with casters. If I was expecting just 10lb-20lb, I’d put five in. The aim is to keep them occupied without overfeeding. Daiwa Advantage River is my favourite – a dark, sticky mix that holds together till it hits the deck.
TRY SOME OF THE BEST GROUNDBAITS TO GET YOUR BAIT TO THE BOTTOM AND KEEP THE FISH FEEDING.
Fish the layers
Silvers, especially dace, often sit slightly off the deck. If they are, I’ll use a 1g slimline float with a carbon stem, stringing tapered No8 shot out through the bottom quarter of the rig. On the deck I’ll use a 1.5g wire-stemmed Daiwa Carpa Gloucester, shotted with an olivette and a few small droppers.
GET ONE OF THE BEST LANDING NETS TO MAKE SURE YOU CAN SAFELY NET ALL THE EXTRA FISH YOU'LL CATCH!
Topping up
If the action slows, try a golf ball-sized offering after every few fish. To combat small fish in your swim, try compacted nuggets made up of casters with groundbait to hold everything together and get them to the bottom. Step up the feed to draw more big roach into your swim.
RIVERBANKS CAN BE UNEVEN BUT USING ONE OF THE BEST FISHING SEATBOXES WILL HELP YOU REMAIN STABLE.
Fool bonus fish
Roach and dace could easily attract big perch and chub. If bites tail off or cease, this could be the reason. Introduce a little chopped worm in your next ball of groundbait to try and get the bonus fish interested. Run your rig over the top of it and a bigger fish may instinctively snap at the hookbait.
IF YOU ENJOY CATCHING BIG FISH LIKE PERCH, THIS ARTICLE HAS SOME FANTASTIC TIPS TO TRY.
