Catching cautious chub!
The chub is often referred to as 'the wariest of fish' and is probably therefore largely ignored. Those anglers willing to put their skills to the test will find angling for chub extremely rewarding. They can reach a good size and a stately weight, and tend to put up a fight.
Cover is the key to finding chub, this can be in the form of weed beds, pools offering deeper water, overhanging vegetation, obstructions in the water such as fallen trees, bridges and undercut banks. If you find these features on a river or stream, then providing chub are present in the water system, you are likely to have found them.
Chub is also known as one of the greediest fish in rivers. It has a huge mouth capable of engulfing large bait, and it is one fish that feeds all year round. Fly fishing, legering and float fishing are equally successful methods of angling for chub, although they tend to prefer moving baits. They will take maggots, worms, bread, corn, castor, luncheon meat, plugs and strong cheese. During the summer chub, like carp, sit just below the surface and can be easily caught with a fly. When the temperatures drop, the fish seek food closer to the ground. During the colder months, they are best fished with a feeder rod and large feeder packed with live bait and ground bait. Scent is a real 'secret weapon' when it comes to chub. As smaller chub swim in little shoals it is possible to catch more in one spot. Chub react to bait movement so it is advisable to twitch the bait every couple of minutes. The combination of bait and bait movement can lead to that sought after bite. As stated before, chub are fighters. Underwater obstacles can make landing of the fish much harder. It is therefore important to select the correct line. Chub are territorial. This behaviour works to the advantage of the angler.
Other fish species can be found in the same waters as chub. It is not unusual that you may hook and land a nice roach or perch. Even carp can be attracted by the tasty bait and feed.
Experiment using mini boilies, having previously baited your swim, this could lead to a feeding frenzy. Spinning is also a successful method for angling this fish. Small, red spinners or blinkers can be used to search a larger area of water. The red colouring seems to be particularly attractive to chub. Red thread on a triple might bring a 5 lb example in your net.
If the water is clear, then a quiet approach will more than likely be rewarded by the sight of at least one chub and often more! Where possible, take time to watch the chub - you can learn a lot about its habits.
We wish you plenty of fun, and success of course
Your Askari team
Product tips
- ABU Garcia Revolution Combo Feeder
- Silverman Silverflash Balance Feeder
- Silverman Freebite 3000
- Perca Feeder Line
- Perca Missile Feeder