Kevin Sanders had a session to remember banking a superb rudd while fishing a short session in-between the school run.
“I started my rudd fishing on a local gravel pit after the river season ended, and while my first two trips were slow, a change of location on the third resulted in this PB-equalling 3lb 5oz fish," he told us.
“I had managed a few fish to 2lb, plus a bonus carp, but on this trip I wanted to fish in a shallower part of the lake, before the lilies were up too much to do so. My feeling was that, as the weather had now warmed, the rudd would be patrolling shallower water," he explained.
“With five hours at my disposal between the school runs, I settled into position with two rods. The first was rigged with a cage feeder and scaled-down chod rig, with a yellow Dynamite Baits Hit ‘n’ Run pop-up as hookbait. I have great confidence in these, having caught good rudd on them in the past. “On the second rod I used the same hookbait, but this time fished on an 8cm braided hooklink alongside a Method feeder.
“Over the top of both feeders, my plan was to loosefeed boilies, my choice being 12mm The Source baits. I’ve done this for a few seasons now, and while it’s not your textbook rudd tactic, I’ve found it to have significantly upped my catches of specimen fish. They’re a greedy species and absolutely love boilies!"
“Around my feeders, I use a groundbait that attracts nearly every fish that swims. My thinking behind this is to generate some feeding activity in the swim, which catches the attention of the larger rudd as they patrol the area."
“My session started with an early spring tench, soon followed by a bream. The rudd then moved in, and several good fish came to the net before I struck into what felt like a much better one."
“It shook its head all the way in, but my hook held firm, and I scooped it into the net. Laying it on the mat, I was greeted with a wide- bodied rudd and, as I picked it up, I could feel a belly full of boilies!"
“At 3lb 5oz it was a great result, and proof of my theory that the larger fish patrol the shallows."
“If you’re fishing over the coming weeks, keep an eye on any shallower areas. They could be holding the fish you’re after!”
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