Advice for cracking river pegs

This mega-crafty species makes full use of river features

CHUB, like most species, crave the security of having a roof over their heads in the form of cover from an overhanging bush or tree.

But this crafty species will also make use of any other features they come across, not just for security, but for food purposes too. They are a highly intelligent species and will explore every nook and cranny along a given stretch of river in the search of a free meal. For the angler, this means presenting baits in these areas if we want to catch.

Classic chub holding spots to investigate are overhanging trees, any creases where slow water meets a quicker flow, slacks, or deep holes on the riverbed. Other less obvious features worth targeting include any rafts where floating detritus is butting up against an overhanging bush or fallen tree, and inlet bays where sidestreams or ditches enter the main river and undercut banks.

Cast to these, and if no bites are forthcoming, bait them lightly with a view to returning later on in the session.

1 SLACK WATER AREA

The still area of water adjacent to the main flow is a classic chub hotspot. Being out of the flow, it is also easy to bait up.

2 SIDESTREAM INLET

Anywhere a small stream or ditch joins the main river will be a regular hangout for any chub looking for an easy meal being carried their way on the flow.

3 UNDERCUT BANK

Undercuts can reach for several feet under the bank and are well worth exploring with a bait. Despite this, they always tend to be ignored by anglers.

4 DEEP HOLE

Depressions in the riverbed offer the fish shelter from the flow, and are also areas where natural food collects. If you find one, use a bait dropper to prime it and then fish it on every session.

5 OVERHANGING TREE

Any overhanging trees or bushes are worth a cast, especially if a raft has been formed by detritus or floating weed that has drifted downstream.

“Chub are a highly intelligent species and will explore every nook and cranny”