Certain species are synonymous with specific seasons, and when it comes to rudd, for many anglers they’re a summer fish. While plenty were reported over the early weeks of the river season, one of the best times to fish for them is when temperatures cool a little.
Early in the year, the fish are often down in weight and out of condition after spawning. It’s can get too hot, and the banks are generally busier. Plus, depending on where you fish, the venues can be awash with boat traffic. Ryan Hayden certainly put this theory into practice when he landed this stunning 3lb 2oz rudd, when many other angler had hung up their rods.
“It’s the result of a decade searching the Fens, looking for one of the network’s real gems."
“Interestingly, I caught it in darkness on bread, fished on the surface. It may seem odd to target them here at night, but occasionally they’ll feed hard on the top once the sun has set, as they seem to lose their usual caution. I think the absence of angling pressure, cormorants and boats can put them at ease," Ryan explained.
LOOKING FOR RUDD CAN MEAN A LOT OF WALKING, KEEP YOUR FEET COMFORTABLE IN THE BEST FISHING BOOTS.
“When everything falls into place, you can catch rudd one after the other, whereas in the day, once you’ve caught a good fish or two from a spot, the rest of the shoal will generally shy away," he added.
“It was fairly windy on this session, so I fished my bread hookbait alongside a pellet waggler, which helped me cast around 10m out to the fish."
“Obviously, with it being dark, you can’t watch a float, and I’ve found an isotope spooks them. Instead,
I stay in touch with the float as best as I can, letting it edge gently downstream, and hold the line, touch legering-style. Whenever I feel a pull, I’ll wait a second before setting the hook!
“I’d fished plenty of water before I found the fish on this trip but, once I did, I caught a few good ones before connecting with the three-pounder. From the second I hooked it the fish felt huge, holding deep and desperately trying to find cover in the weed," he recalled.
“I certainly gave a little sigh of relief when it went into the net!"
"Tackle-wise, I see no point in fishing light lines and hooks for these fish. I used 0.20mm Daiwa you can catch rudd one after the other, whereas in the day, once you’ve caught a good fish or two from a spot, the rest of the shoal will generally shy away."
“I use an Airity X-Slim pellet waggler rod. These are soft in the tip, but have plenty of backbone, and are ideal for these rudd."
FISHING INTO DARK? YOU NEED ONE OF THE BEST FISHING HEADTORCHES TO ILLUMINATE YOUR SURROUNDINGS!
