Canal chub are something of an enigma in my experience, whilst I am well aware of their presence in the canal system they are not a natural target that I think about often. I've heard reports over the years of some very decent fish coming from most of the canals within my reach, but I have never got around to specifically fishing for any canal chub as yet. It's just another entry on my long to do list.
As with a lot of the chub I catch they often come by accident when fishing for other species. It happened again the other night, there I was sat in the darkness happily ledgering strips of trout on a stretch of canal for zander to see if I could locate some in a new area, when the bobbin finally slid up to the rod blank and the tip pulled round. I lifted into a fish that fought back and resisted being raised to the surface more than the usual 3 or 4lb zed would. This could be a decent one I thought until this fine chub popped up and slid over the net rim. Though not a big zander I wasn't disappointed to catch this nice chub of around 3 - 4lb. If there is one fish that fits the omnivorous bracket best it must be the chub. They will have a go at virtually anything, in fact I think it is one of the only British freshwater fish you can catch on almost any method from fly to lure and certainly any bait !
Nice result Lee. Had a similar encounter myself today. Went with the tiny kopyto shads chasing perch and got two super chub. Also done the same before with a couple on rapalas. Never target the chub but have had a bit of luck this year with them.
ReplyDeleteI know of two areas of the Coventry that have good form for them Lee. Strangely though they seem to live in quite specific areas. Maybe you have located yourself a new area. Go back and fish worms or bread and you might be very surprised at how big they can grow in there ;)
ReplyDeleteI've been thinking a lot about catching my first canal chub recently, Lee. I did lose one a couple of years ago on my only ever session targeting them specifically. There's rumours of a monster caught somewhere about midway between you and I on the Cov. Fancy a session at some point? Maybe Dan will join us and make it a party!
ReplyDeleteI think I know where you mean jeff. Yes there are some beasts up that way that ive heard about . Might be fun trying to avoid the carp or bream at this time of year. Talking of canal carp i lost one on 3lb bottom bait fishing the other day, had it on for a while but made a mistake and it punished me ripping yards off the clutch then ping! Think it was a nice double too :(
ReplyDelete