Improve Your Coarse Fishing (UK)
JAKE’S CHUB WAGGLER RIG
The rig set-up…
The majority of fishing with maggots will be done on a light waggler set-up. It really couldn’t be simpler to put together. I start by trapping a loaded waggler between two float stops, before simply tying on a super strong size 18. I favour a waggler as they fly straighter and very rarely tangle – you can also ‘punch’ them into gaps within features far easier. While you can use a hooklength, I prefer to fish my mainline straight through to the hook if possible. It’s definitely the strongest option, and one that is essential in snaggy or weedy swims. If you’re targeting smaller chub up to 4lb, I’d happily use a pre-tied hooklength attached loop-to-loop with a figureof-eight knot.
Make your cast!
Once you begin fishing, you have to work hard to make sure you keep introducing the bait little and often, with a delivery each cast paramount. Being well organised with a bait pouch or bucket to hand will help. If you’re able to, fishing in pairs is often a sensible move, as one of you can feed as the other fishes – remember to take it in turns though!
Recent success…
On a recent trip to the famous Royalty Fishery in Dorset with my mate Chris, I used maggots to fool the wariest of chub. Here the fish are extremely pressured, often seeing at least one angler on the manicured banks each day. Prior to my arrival I was already thinking about how effective the maggot fishing would be. The chalk-stream-fed river was almost certain to be flowing low and clear, which created both the ideal conditions for my favourite approach, along with an excellent opportunity to locate some fish.
That was the first phase – no matter how good the method is you cannot catch what isn’t there. Donning a pair of polaroids, we headed for an area known as Trammels, which has form for holding fish during the early part of the season. It didn’t take long to catch a glimpse of black tails and chalk white lips snaking their way in and out of an overhanging canopy surrounded by streamer weed. I deposited a pouch of maggots a few yards above them, using the flow as a delivery service to their lair. I continued to feed for around 30 minutes, consistently feeding a pouchful of maggots every 30 seconds. The pace on a river can have a massive effect on your results. The water was carrying the baits through the swim very fast, which gave the chub a decision to make – they had to take the bait upon seeing it otherwise it would flash past. This coupled with their instinctive competitive nature meant I had the perfect situation unfolding in my swim. I called for Chris, who stepped in as a top-class ghillie. If you imagine the scenario, each time a catapult of maggots dappled upon the surface, several large chub were tussling for the bait. For the best possible outcome, I needed to have my bait travelling through the swim at the same time as the loosefeed. This is where Chris earned his title of a legend. As he deposited yet another handful of maggots, I made the cast. We both eagerly watched as my float made its way towards the fish. I mended the line to keep it running through true and as naturally as possible, tension rising as it entered the ‘kill zone’ just behind a strand of streamer weed. On my first trot through the orange-tipped waggler was dragged into the depths, signalling a chub had engulfed my double-maggot hookbait. A swift strike was met by firm resistance, the rod soon taking on a proper bend, and I was in for a knee-shaking battle with a very large chub. The next few moments were spent meticulously coaxing the fish from one strand of streamer weed to the next. Fortunately, the little size 18 hook held firm in the top lip, leading me to victory this time round. On this particular session, there was a lot of weed which meant I had to fish my 5lb mainline straight through. You really do have to keep their heads up during the fight – if they bury themselves in the weed you can lose them to a breakage or hook-pull. By continuing to feed, the sport was to get even better, and by mid-afternoon I had landed five chub, three at 5lb 12oz, 5lb 14oz, and 6lb.