Specimen Secrets
Dai Gribble’s quick tips for catching big chub
WITH every species of coarse fish, it’s possible to identify areas in a river where they are most likely to be found. Although chub are highly
1 CREASES
Where fast-flowing water runs adjacent to slower water, a crease is formed, easily distinguished by a distinct line on the surface. Chub love to hold up in this slower water, and then move out into the flow to intercept food items.
The best way to approach a crease swim is to cast a bait into the fast water and let it pull round and come to rest on the crease.
Adjust your weight to get it to hold in the right place.
2 TREE COVER
Chub love a roof over their heads, so any tree with branches trailing in the water is likely to have chub underneath it, especially if there is a raft of debris being held back by the branches.
Try and draw a bait under the tree and remember to use strong tackle. This is classic ‘hook and hold’ fishing and there is no place for subtlety!
3 DEEP BENDS
Where there is little tree cover, chub will seek out deeper water that offers them some security. In most circumstances the deepest parts of a river are on the outside of a bend, where the bottom has been eroded by the flow.
Approach such swims stealthily versatile and favour a multitude of habitats, there are certain swim types they definitely favour. Here’s five to look out for.
from upstream. Cast to the top of the bend first and keep casting a little further downstream with subsequent casts until you locate any fish present.
4 SUBMERGED SNAGS
In bigger rivers look for submerged snags in mid-river. Chub will be drawn to the slower water behind boulders, tree stumps and weedbeds. Often such snags can be detected by slight turbulence on the surface.
Try to draw the fish away from the snag by introducing free offerings before you cast out.
5 STRAIGHTS
Chub will often be found in swims that appear to lack any particular attraction. On long, steadily-flowing stretches a shoal of chub could be present just about anywhere on the river.
By feeding regularly with maggots and trotting a float as far down as possible you can maximise your chances of catching chub from such swims.