Modern angling slang – what does it all mean?

Modern angling slang - what does it all mean?

by Richard Grange |
Published on

Think you know your wasps from your wafters? Here’s a guide to some of the terms today’s anglers love to use...

Carp Angling Terms

Noddy

Derogatory term for a special breed of angler who is generally careless, clueless or only fishes once or twice a year, opting for the peg nearest the car park during a heatwave. Tell-tale signs include an abysmally shotted float, washing-line thick mono and the use of a towel as “fish care”. Also known as ‘Neds’, ‘Deggies’ or ‘Planks’.

WANT TO NOT BE A NODDY? CHECK OUT THESE TIPS TO IMPROVE YOUR CARP FISHING.

Snotty

A common bream, owing to the thick layer of slime that the species often has. Depending on your angling style, they are either welcome match winners or the last thing you want to see at 3am.

A typical 'snotty'

Pub Chuck

A supremely casual cast, delivered without any specific accuracy or purpose other than to get the bait in the water, so that the angler can crack on with more important tasks such as talking rubbish or rolling a fag. This style of cast has been popularised thanks to heavily stocked fisheries where fish get everywhere. Can even be used as a verb, as in “just pub it out there, Dave, anywhere will do.”

Giving it a 'pub chuck'

Bank Rat

An extreme long-stay angler. Someone who appears to virtually live on the bank of a lake, sustained mainly by Pot Noodles, super- strength lager and a lack of gainful employment. Often described as those who “bore the fish into submission” through endless spare time, rather than any degree of skill.

YOU NEED THE RIGHT KIT TO BE A 'BANK RAT'. CHECK OUT OUR GUIDE TO BEST BIVVIES.

A classic 'bank rat'

Lump

A particularly coarse word for an impressively large, thickset fish, particularly a big carp caught in the margins. Also known as ‘Beast’, ‘Munter’, ‘Unit’ or ‘Zoo Creature’.

That's a 'lump'

Match Angler Terms

Barney Rubble

Not Fred Flintstone’s mate, but rhyming slang for a ‘double’ – any fish of 10lb or more. “Just the one fish so far, but it was a Barney.”

A proper 'Barney' this one

WANT TO KNOW HOW TO IMPROVE YOUR MATCH FISHING? CHECK OUT THESE TIPS AND TACTICS.

Going nowhere fish

Tiny fish caught in a match which, even by the hundred, tend to be as much use as an ashtray on a motorbike.

Pinging

The act of feeding small amounts of pellets regularly by catapult. The noise of them hitting the water is what can draw summer carp into your peg.

Time to ping some pellets in

Splodger

Descriptive word for the Method feeder, owing to the sticky groundbait and less than subtle sound of one landing on the cast.

Blades

Tiny fish, typically roach. Also known as ‘Blips’, ‘Going Nowhere Fish’, ‘Pairs of Eyes’.

I'm use to catching 'blades'

Skimbob

Another word for a young bream or ‘skimmer’, yet to turn bronze.

The seed

The alternative name for hempseed – an especially deadly bait for roach.

HEMP IS A FANTASTIC PARTICLE BAIT. LEARN HOW TO PREPARE HEMP IN THIS ARTICLE.

Roach love the seed

The shell

The match angler’s slang for that classic bait, the caster, owing to their crispy outer layer. Should the angler miss a bite and reel in just the skin, you might even hear them say they’ve been “shelled”.

Wasp

Not a stinging insect or B-list 1980s hard rock band, but a rather small perch. Because of the species’ black stripes, anglers refer to these runts as Wasps, while any feature that boasts an endless supply of them is a Wasp Nest.

That's a 'wasp'

Pleasure angling terms

Mudpig

Derogatory term for a carp at one of our more intensively stocked fisheries. Derived from their habits of eating anything vaguely edible and stirring up the bottom so that the water becomes the colour of chocolate Nesquik.

Carrot

Another term for golden orfe.

FANCY CATCHING A WEIRD AND WONDERFUL SPECIES LIKE THIS? CHECK OUT OUR WHERE TO FISH GUIDE.

Golden orfe.
Check out that 'carrot'

Slab

A term still in fairly widespread use for a ‘proper’ sized common bream of around 4lb-plus. Owing to the fact they are big and flat, and often hang around in the sort of numbers you could complete a patio with.

Snig

Slang for an eel, and a phrase that’s especially popular in the Midlands. Other favourites include Grinner and Snake.

Snagatha Christie

A mysterious, unseen snag that even an elderly super sleuth could not have detected until they were stuck fast. Possibly a bit of lead piping from somebody’s study.

Sh*tter

Derogatory term for any number of sickly, stunted or downright unhealthy fish caught completely by accident and of little desirable value. Common candidates include microscopic roach, paper-thin skimmers, bleak or even tiny perch.

This page is a free example of the amazing content Angling Times Members get every single week. Becoming an Angling Times Member gives you access to award-winning magazine content, member rewards, our back issue archives, bonus content and more! Join our fishing community and find out more today!

Just so you know, we may receive a commission or other compensation from the links on this website - read why you should trust us