Rig School

Surface rudd rig

WHILE they are not widely distributed, rudd make an exciting challenge to catch, especially when they can be tempted to take surface baits. The distinctive swirl of a good rudd as it catches an emergent insect is a telltale that a shoal of fish is in front of you and willing to feed on the top.

Ordinary baits, such as a piece of bread crust, are all that you need, fished on a simple rig that has enough weight to cast the required distance.

If the fish are close enough then a freelined bait may be all that’s required but, more often than not, the fish will be further out and a controller float rig may be necessary to achieve the required distance.

This rig is similar to a scaled- down carp rig, incorporating a light controller float fixed top- end only to hold the line on the surface. The hooklength should float well to hold the bait on the surface and away from the controller. Do not be afraid to use a size 10 hook to hold a thumbnail- sized piece of bread crust.

In front of the controller a large loop is tied to which the hooklength is attached. This acts as boom, pushing the light hooklength away from the controller, reducing tangles.

Should the line tangle it will be the thicker loop that takes the strain, and not the thin hooklength.

There are few nicer ways to spend a summer evening than fishing for rudd on the surface, give it a go this month.