Starting river fishing: Tackle and tips guide


by Freddie Sandford |
Updated on

(This article is produced in partnership with FishingMegastore.com)

Get to grips with running water tackle and enjoy some of the most enjoyable fishing the UK has to offer. It’s surprisingly simple!

Although lakes and ponds dominate much of our angling landscape, ask most experienced anglers about river fishing and you’ll see a quiet smile light up their face.

There’s something about catching fish on running water that resonates deeply with many of us. It’s raw, hypnotic, and for many anglers, the primary focus in their fishing year.

Of course, rivers bring a totally different set of challenges those of a stillwater, and for someone that’s not fished one before, a pacy, twisting and snaggy pool can be a daunting prospect. But river fishing can be incredibly simple, especially in terms of rigs and tactics. As we head into autumn, the best of the sport on many stillwaters has been and gone, yet on the river, the real season is only just beginning.

In this article, we’re outlining the tackle you need to get river fishing career underway. But be warned, once you start, there’s no going back!

Simple but strong

Durability is key. The often-harsh nature of these wild venues puts your kit under all sorts of pressure, not to mention the powerful fish you’ll be catching. Thankfully, you won’t need to splash out in a pile of rods to get you started. In fact, you can cover all but the most extreme forms of river fishing with two rods: one float, one leger.

Let’s start with the float rod. Something around 14ft long will prove incredibly versatile. The extra length helps to stay in touch with the float as it travels downstream, as well as when mending the line and hitting bites.

You’ll find float rods of different descriptions on the market, with some very fine whilst others are listed as ‘power’ models. For an all-rounder, you want something that sits in the middle, with a soft tip but power through the midsection and butt.

Best range of rods under £50

The Korum All Rounder rods have something in the range for everyone. Whether you want to leger, present a float, or even fish with surface lures, the Korum All Rounder can do it all. The rod benefits from a dynamic parabolic action, giving it the backbone to handle hard-fighting fish in powerful flows while maintaining sensitivity to detect the most subtle bites.

Fitted with a slim cork handle and compact reel seat, the rod is comfortable and easy to use for extended periods. Minima-style guides provide an understated aesthetic look. It is available in 11ft (1.25 TC) and 12ft (1.5 TC), with a float rod available too.

Pros

  • Fast tip action will help hit bites at range
  • Comfortable to hold
  • Plenty of power in the blank

Cons

  • A 2.25lb TC rod would be great for floodwater conditions

For legering, we’re spoiled for choice these days with a great array of versatile twin-tip rods. Ideally, you want something between 1.5lb and 1.75lb test curve, with one top featuring a quiver tip and the other a solid Avon-style top. This will cover you for just about everything, from feeder fishing and link-legering for roach, perch and chub with the quiver top, right through to barbel fishing with the solid Avon top.

Best Twin-Tip rod for barbel under £100

Obviously you can feeder fish or ledger for virtually every species in the river but to set out for chub and barbel you need to step up your gear a bit to stop them heading back into the inevitable snags which they call home so rod, reel and line need to be up to the job but that does not mean spending a fortune to get started out.

The Daiwa Black Widow 12ft Twin Tip Specialist is an ideal all-rounder for the job, not too heavy and not too light, it comes with a 2oz quiver tip top and either a 1.5lb or a 1.75lb standard top depending on which one you choose. The standard tops are great for barbel ledgering or for fishing heavier floats for barbel or even carp.

Pros

  • Versatile rod to give you options
  • Quality build

Cons

  • Would benefit from a heavier rod in the range

When it comes to reels, a bombproof fixed spool reel will cover most eventualities, but some anglers do enjoy using a centrepin. These are a deadly when trotting and can even be used for close-range legering. Whilst they limit your casting, if sheer joy is what you’re after, be sure to check these out.

Best budget centreline reel

These really are the tool for the job for trotting a float down the river and matching the speed of the current to present your bait as naturally as possible with the added benefit of the large diameter of the spool means that retrieving the float after a long trot is not such a long arduous task.

The built in line clicker on these means that you can switch between effortless freespooling and having audible bite indication for ledgering. Whilst the very best of these reels can run into hundreds of pounds you can get a very good quality reel for sensible money such as this DAM Quick 4 Trent reel which is reduced in price.

Pros

  • Smooth, free running spool
  • Ideal for trotting

Cons

  • Casting does take some getting used to

Best compact Baitrunner

The Daiwa Black Widow BR LT reel in either the 4500 or 5000 size will sit nicely on either a 11 or 12ft rod and have a very good drag system ideal for helping to winkle out larger fish from a strong current.

These do not need to have a free spool function on them but it is probably wise to have one in you intend targeting barbel at any point as you could end up losing everything with one of their savage takes if you are not totally on the ball!

Pros

  • Well built reel, balances most barbel rods perfectly
  • Freespool stops rod being dragged in

Cons

  • Make sure freespool is dis-engaged before striking

You can often find that travelling light and looking for opportunities will see you have more success than sitting in one swim all day waiting for a bite. While this can seem challenging, a good holdall that can store all our tackle is a perfect addition to any river anglers setup. It will allow you to walk to swims in a compact, convenient manner while also being able to pack up and move at a moments notice.

Best rucksack for short sessions

Having something big enough to carry all of your tackle and more importantly your lunch without being too large and bulky is essential and being waterproof is a good ideal too.

The Shakespeare SKP Daypack is just the ticket, it has a reinforced waterproof base to stop the damp from creeping into your bag and has separate compartments for bait, valuables, leads and tools and is big enough for a tackle box and a flask too, ideal.

Pros

  • Very spacious despite its compact size
  • Very comfortable to wear
  • Comes with groundbait/bait bowl

Cons

  • The inclusion of carrying straps to wear as a rucksack would be handy

Terminal tackle

In terms of terminal tackle, get yourself a few feeders, some bombs, and a small selection of stick, Avon and waggler floats. These will cover a huge range of scenarios. When feeder fishing, you want to use something with enough weight to just hold bottom, so buy a few different sizes.

Best feeders for river fishing

For river fishing you need something with a good flat base to hold the bottom and you'll also need a range of weights to cover different swims and conditions. These Korum River Feeders are perfect for fishing with groundbait or pellet mixes and will get down and stay down in all but the worst of flows.

Pros

  • Flattened design to help hold in fast currents
  • Mesh releases bait and scent down the river
  • Good range of sizes

Cons

  • The shape can cause bait to stay in if pressed too hard

Float fishing is slightly more complex, and whilst we won’t go into the intricacies of how to fish with different types, wagglers are generally used in slower, smoother water, stick floats for close-in work where presentation is key, and bigger Avons are used for pacy, boiling swims.

Best floats for visibility

Korum have come out with a great range of river floats called the 'glide' range some of which can also be bottom rigged for stillwater use but all of which can be banded top and bottom for use in rivers, perfect combined with the Korum stick float silicone which comes with several sizes to cover the entire range. Very well thought through and designed by UK anglers for UK anglers.

Pros

  • Very visible tops allow you to fish into dusk easily
  • Diverse range, something for every eventuality

Cons

  • The addition of 12g and even 14g floats for really powerful flows would be nice

It’s tricky to give hard and fast advice on the size of float to use, as every river swim is different, and indeed can change throughout the day. But a few basic rules to follow: If you can’t easily reach the spot you’re fishing, see the float, or find it’s being dragged under too easily, put a bigger one on! Alternatively, if it’s landing with a big crash and spooking fish, or you’re missing lots of fast bites, try a lighter one. Generally, you can get away with a pretty heavy float on most rivers, as wild fish are bold biting.

When it comes to lines and hooks, it’s vital to use something you have full faith in. Reel lines when legering should be between 6-10lb breaking strain, going heavier when barbel are on the cards.

For float fishing, the lighter the better, as you’ll be able to cast and control the float much easier. Something between 3-6lb should be adequate for most scenarios.

Comfort is also key, and on sloping banks, a good pair of boots and a chair with adjustable legs can be a godsend.

Best budget lightweight chair

Somewhere comfortable to sit with adjustable legs to allow for uneven terrain whilst not being to big and bulky is an advantage when you may have to cover some ground to get to your chosen swim. This Specimen chair from Stillwater is ideal and incredibly light and robust for its price point.

- Compact design for easy transport - folds down to 70 x 45 13cm.

- Strong and hard-wearing, great for long fishing sessions.

- Four adjustable legs with locking pins so you can stabilise your chair no matter the terrain.

Pros

  • Adjustable legs are perfect for uneven riverbanks
  • Lightweight frame makes it easy to carry

Cons

  • Swivelling mud feet would prevent it sinking into mud

Best footwear for muddy banks

These 'On Point' 4mm neoprene lined rubber wellingtons are amazing quality and are so comfortable that walking miles is effortless, this is largely down to the neoprene lining and quality sole on these boots which provides all round good grip.

Staying dry is great, being comfortable is nice and having good grip on muddy banks is essential so having one pair of footwear which provides all three without breaking the bank is perfect.

- Made From Natural Rubber
- 4mm Neoprene Lined For Comfort
- Adjustable Waterproof Calf Gusset
- 2 Tone Moulded Outsole
- Cleated Sole

Pros

  • Neoprene line for warmth and comfort
  • Cleated sole for extra grip

Cons

  • Can get warm so aren't the best in hotter conditions

Stay dry

As we know, the British weather holds no prisoners and without fail at some point you will be faced with adverse and wet conditions when out on the bank. Lets face it, nobody likes to be soaking wet and miserable no matter how hardcore an angler you may think you are! These however can be some of the best times to be fishing, often coinciding with low pressure systems and overcast skies. If you have the right equipment and clothing to be out, you will get more bites as a result.

Best lightweight waterproof set

Maybe the heavy duty thermal waterproofs will be a bit of overkill and a bit too warm for either a mobile approach or for 'Summer' fishing but you need to either be prepared for rain or are going out in warm rain this lightweight Taxus Rain set from Seeland are superb.

Designed with shooting and stalking in mind these are made to a much higher quality than the price would suggest and are ideal for either keeping packed away, just in case, or for keeping you dry during the British Summer or Autumn.

Pros

  • Lightweight, can be easily stored in your bag until needed
  • Dull colouration to blend in on the bank
  • Elasticated cuffs keep wind and rain out

Cons

  • Can be prone to tearing on barbed wire and brambles

Best brolly for river fishing

If you are going to be settled down to spend a day watching the tips you will probably want to invest in a brolly or shelter. This great product from Korum is purpose designed for using on sloping riverbanks as it has shorter rear ribs to deal with the incline which lets you watch your rod tips whilst keeping out of the elements

Pros

  • Perfect design for pinning against sloping riverbanks
  • Durable construction
  • Ultra waterproof

Cons

  • Is still slightly restrictive for those who aren't huge fans of umbrellas
Just so you know, we may receive a commission or other compensation from the links on this website - read why you should trust us