Chub have become an increasingly popular species to target on UK rivers, thanks to their availability and willingness to feed in all conditions. There has never been a better time to get out there and catch a chub, with huge fish now spread all over the country. However, you will need to use one of the best fishing rods for chub, due to the diverse nature of this superb fish.
Chub can be caught using a variety of methods, and because of this, various rods are required if you are to maximise your catches. Whether you want to trot a float with maggots or bread in the winter, freeline a bait through an intimate stream, or chuck a big feeder out, the best rods for chub fishing will allow you to do this with minimal effort.
The best rods for chub fishing at a glance:
• Best Big River Chub Rod: N-Gauge Specimen Dual Tip 12ft - View offer on Total Fishing Tackle
• Best Budget Chub Rod: Korum All Rounder - View offer on Total Fishing Tackle
• Best Float Fishing Chub Rod: Drennan Acolyte Plus Float - View offer on Total Fishing
• Best Feeder Fishing Chub Rod: Daiwa Tournament-S 13ft 6" Feeder - View offer on Total Fishing Tackle
Chub can be caught anywhere from the smallest backwaters and stillwaters, to the largest and most powerful rivers in the country. Because of this, your tackle will vary greatly depending on the venue and situation you find yourself angling in. Below is a guide to some of the best rods for chub fishing to cover any scenario.
Best Big River Chub Rod
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The Guru N-Gauge Specimen Dual Tip is a superb tool for the modern river angler, suited to targeting chub on a multitude of rivers.
Built using high quality strong materials, the blank offers a progressive powerful action, meaning the rod gains power the more it bends, allowing you to land small fish whilst still having that power in reserve for really large chub in snaggy swims.
This design also ensures effortless casting of large payloads with the quiver section perfectly matching the rods test curve, whilst the solid top can handle the nuances of float fishing.
Fitted with SeaGuide Zirconia rings and the guide spacing specifically arranged to reduce the risk of tangles gives testament to Guru’s commitment to producing a rod for performance.
With 1.25, 1.5, & 1.75 test curves in the range there is a rod to suit anyone’s requirements
Pros
- Adaptability with the rod being able to be used for float and feeder fishing
- High quality strong construction
Cons
- Progressive powerful action may be too much if finesse is required
Best beginner chub rod
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The Korum All Rounder rod is a very versatile rod that lives up to its name. Incorporating Korum’s latest technology, it enables a lighter and much crisper action.
The All Rounder, as its name suggests, excels in adaptability. Whether you want to ledger, 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).
Pros
- Truly versatile rod suitable for many tactics
- Comfortable feel, with slim cork handle and compact reel seat providing comfort during all day use
Cons
- Lacks specialisation and can be inadequate in certain situations
The best specialist chub rod
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The Drennan Specialist 12ft Twin Tip Duo 1.25 TC is a specimen angler's dream. It seamlessly transitions between a solid Avon-style top and a quivertip, making it an ideal choice for targeting chub on a variety of rivers and methods.
The build quality is impressive, featuring high-quality Fuji SiC guides and a reliable, secure Downlocking Pipe Seat (DPS) reel seat.
Using high-modulus carbon, the blank offers the perfect balance of power and sensitivity, providing accurate casting and enjoyable fish-playing action. The top two sections included are a 2oz glass quiver tip and a 3oz carbon tubular tip, offering unparalleled adaptability to various bait presentations and fishing conditions. The rod is rated for 4lb to 8lb reel line.
Pros
- Quality components contribute to excellent performance and durability
- Twin tips reduce the amount of rods you need
Cons
- Limited tip option, with only a 2oz glass and 3oz carbon available
Best Budget Twin Tip Rod
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The Daiwa Black Widow Twin Tip 12ft 1.5TC rod is fantastic for chub fishing in more demanding conditions. Daiwa has created a rod with excellent build quality that remains competitively priced. The rod is also ideal if there are a lot of barbel in your local venues, as it has sufficient power to land even the largest barbel present.
The twin tip configuration includes a 1.5lb TC tubular Avon-style top and a 2oz quiver top, providing flexibility to adapt to different fishing situations. This setup is superb for when the fish are feeding cautiously or when you are fishing for one bite and need to make it count.
The build quality is impressive, with the DPS reel seat offering a secure grip, and the incorporation of an EVA fore grip and flat Armlock handle provides comfortable handling for extended periods.
Pros
- Great for larger rivers and when catching barbel is likely
- Quality components
Cons
- Not the lightest rod on the market
Best float fishing Chub rod
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The Drennan Acolyte Plus Float rod is a standout float rod designed for anglers seeking power and precision. Using the blueprint of the popular "Ultra" models, this rod offers increased strength, ideal for handling larger Avon-style floats, big wagglers and bolos. Available in 13ft, 14ft, and 15ft lengths, there is something for every angler, with the 15ft option providing ultimate line control when running floats long distances.
Despite its added power, the Acolyte Plus remains slim and lightweight, combining strength and delicacy effortlessly, resulting in a rod that’s both capable and comfortable to fish with. You can easily hold it all day without fatigue; you almost forget you're holding it at times, it is that light. Rated for mainline use of 4-6lb+.
Using high modulus carbon and premium components, the Acolyte Plus is a standout power float rod perfect for demanding chub fishing using float tactics on a river. It is the perfect choice for serious anglers who demand the best from a rod.
Pros
- Incredibly lightweight rods with unrivalled line pick-up
- The longer length gives excellent line control
Cons
- The tips can be delicate so take care when packing them away
Best Stick/Avon Float Rod
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The Daiwa Connoisseur Pro Power Float is the pinnacle of float rod engineering, designed to excel in challenging river conditions. Building on the legacy of the iconic Connoisseur name, the rod epitomises performance.
Benefiting from Daiwa’s cutting-edge technologies, including X45 carbon and High-Volume Fibre (HVF), the Connoisseur Pro delivers exceptional balance, power, and feel. The 15ft length offers market-leading control over larger floats and baits, making it the ideal choice for chub in strong currents using stick float and Avon float tactics.
Undoubtedly the rod of choice for the serious angler who expects the very best, the Connoisseur Pro effortlessly balances sensitivity and power, making it a formidable weapon in your armoury.
Pros
- Strong but balanced rod, giving power and sensitivity where needed
- Constructed using premium components and advanced technology
Cons
- The rod is built for a specific purpose and can be too powerful for lighter float fishing work
The best feeder rod for chub fishing
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The Daiwa Tournament-S 13ft 6’ Feeder is a beacon of Daiwa’s depth in rod design. Drawing inspiration from the iconic Tournament-S pole, this feeder rod embodies the very best in available technology and stunning performance.
The 13ft 6” length is specifically designed to tackle larger rivers and extended distances. The rod's power is complemented with a responsive action, ensuring efficiency in its fish-playing action and accuracy in presenting a rig and bait. Utilising Daiwa’s carbon CT quiver tips in 2, 3, and 4oz gives it the versatility to handle any situation.
The Daiwa Tournament-S 13ft 6” Feeder is a high-performance rod that will complement any serious angler’s arsenal when tackling challenging waterways and targeting chub and other species.
Pros
- Power and Distance, designed to perform on larger rivers targeting larger fish
- Sensitivity, despite its power the inclusion of choice of carbon quiver tips ensure that the rod still has great bite detection
Cons
- High-end product, commanding a premium price. May exceed some’s budget for such a specialised rod
Best budget feeder rod for chub
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The Daiwa N’Zon Super Slim 13ft Feeder is an astonishing blend of power and finesse. The innovative High Modulus Carbon (HMC+) technology allows for the construction of a blank with a significantly reduced diameter without compromising its strength. The slim profile allows for effortless casting as it reduces friction through the air, resulting in a rod that is both responsive and capable of handling high-demand fishing conditions.
With rivers and river species in mind, the 13ft model offers a forgiving action perfect for lighter setups and smaller hooks. Despite the slim profile, it possesses enough power for casting longer distances beyond 60m.
Built with reliable components such as the SeaGuide D rings and an ergonomic handle, the rod is extremely comfortable to use. The Daiwa N’Zon Super Slim 13ft Feeder rod excels in a range of fishing situations and is perfect for targeting chub on a river.
Check out our guide to Distance Feeder Fishingusing the Daiwa N'Zon range
Pros
- Lightweight and Slim, aesthetically pleasing slim profile that is lightweight and responsive
- Balanced, offers a good combination of power and sensitivity
Cons
- Due to its slim profile may not fill some anglers with confidence, if considered for heavy use
What to look for in a chub rod
With chub inhabiting a diverse range of waters where conditions vary greatly, so too will the rods required to fish for chub effectively. If you enjoy casting feeders and taking a more relaxed approach to your angling, the best rods for your chub fishing will differ from those needed by someone who enjoys trotting a float.
If you generally fish on large rivers like the Trent, then a specialist rod would be the best choice for chub fishing. These rods come with a quiver tip section that is great when finesse is required, such as when the river is running low and clear, but also have an Avon-style top for more demanding conditions when there is floodwater. If you prefer roving and like to stay mobile or enjoy fishing a variety of venues, we recommend this style of rod. The versatility they offer is unrivalled, preventing you from having to take multiple rods.
If you prefer float fishing, the most important consideration is the weight of the rod. If you can't comfortably hold the rod all day, it is useless. The next consideration is the length; the longer the rod, the more control you will have. Longer rods however, can be very cumbersome on smaller rivers, and they take some time to get used to if you generally use 12-13ft rods. If the river is snaggy and full of big chub, with the potential for barbel, you are best opting for a float rod with a little more power to help control stronger fish.
Glossary
Blank: The hollow carbon fiber tube that forms the main body of the rod. Attached to the blank are the guides and handle.
Guides: The rings that run along the length of the rod through which the fishing line passes.
Reel Seat: The part of the handle where your reel attaches. Most UK coarse rods feature screw-down reel seats, where the fore-grip on the handle rotates to tighten the seat and secure the reel in place.
Test Curve: Measured in pounds, this indicates the amount of weight required to bend the rod over 90 degrees. A higher test curve means a more powerful rod.
Casting Weight: Depending on the manufacturer, this refers to either the optimal or maximum total weight in grams that the rod is designed to cast. Typically, a rod performs best when casting at around half of its maximum casting weight. For example, a 120g feeder rod is ideally suited for a 60g feeder.
Quiver Tip: The very top section of a feeder rod, often brightly colored, used to detect bites. It bends and 'quivers' when a fish moves off with the bait. Quiver tips are often rated in test curves, measured in ounces, similar to the test curve of a rod.
Fish Playing Action: Describes how well a rod performs when reeling in a fish. A rod with a good fish-playing action provides ample cushioning to absorb the shock from a thrashing fish, helping to prevent hook pulls and line breakages.
Progressive Action: A rod that quickly powers up from its tip through to its middle section, offering a coordinated playing action suitable for powerful fish.
Tip Action: Typically refers to traditional three-piece float rods, which require a 'tip action' to efficiently cast light floats and quickly pick up line on the strike.
Through Action: A rod with a softer top section that produces a smooth, cushioned bend throughout its entire length, providing a good fish-playing action.
Parabolic Action: A rod that bends throughout its length but stiffens towards its butt section, offering a controlled cushioning effect when playing a fish.
Rod Taper: Describes how a rod's diameter changes along its length. A fast taper rod quickly thickens as you move away from the tip, often bending more at the tip than at the butt. While other factors like carbon types and construction also influence rod action, a fast taper typically features more tip action.
Twin Top: Specialist rods designed with both a tubular top, often referred to as an Avon top, for float fishing or alarmed setups, and a spliced quiver top, usually made of glass, for ledgering as a bite indicator.
Frequently asked questions
Will a rod with a bigger casting weight or test curve rating cast further?
Yes, when combined with extra length, you will be able to achieve greater distances with the correct technique and a weight that matches the rod. Be aware that the more powerful your rod, the stronger the line and hooks you will need to use to prevent fish losses as the cushion isn't in the rod to prevent line breakages.
Should I choose a cork or EVA handled rod?
This all comes down to personal preference. Cork is lightweight, transmits more feeling to your hands when playing a fish and looks great. EVA, however, is cheaper and more durable. Many rods have an abbreviated or combined cork/EVA handle, with the material best suited to a particular part of the handle used to give the best of both worlds.
Should I choose a rod that will cast the furthest distance that I will want to fish?
No, you should choose a rod that best suits the distance that you want to fish at. A rod that is too long and powerful will make casting short distances with any kind of accuracy difficult and will have a poor fish playing action. This is why all rod ranges feature models of varying lengths and powers.
Can I use the same rod for both float a feeder fishing?
Not generally, no. Chub rods are designed to be much more powerful and, therefore, heavier, making them cumbersome to hold all day. They also have slower line pick-up speeds, which makes them inefficient for float fishing. Although a specialist twin-top rod can be used in this situation, a dedicated float rod is better suited for fishing with a float.
Author Jonathan Longden, is an experienced angler. With over 20 years experience in the tackle trade specialising in match and coarse fishing he has an extensive practical knowledge of the latest equipment and the specific needs of anglers. He currently occupies the role of digital content writer at Angling Times.