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31 JANUARY 2012Bob's tips for winter chub
As Daiwa consultant Bob Roberts has recently had a stunning catch of huge chub from the River Lee, it seemed a good time to ask how he does it. So here are Bob's top five tips for bagging that pb winter chub.
Bob's tips for winter chub

1. Location, Location, Location… It’s important you find the winter haunts as the fish might not be moving far. Organise your gear so you can stay mobile giving you the option to explore likely holding areas such as runs of slower deeper water, rafts of debris, overhanging trees, snags and creases.

2. Think about scaling down… If you are using balanced tackle then you can often scale down to lighter lines and smaller hooks but still have the potential to land big fish. You will have better control of your terminal tackle, float etc. which will help your bait behave more naturally, this is particularly relevant if the river is running low and clear.

3. In the summer months using maggots can be a problem if you are targeting big fish because of the activity of much smaller so called nuisance fish, but in winter they make a great chub bait.

4. Sometimes switching to an “alternative” bait can save a session. I always carry alternative baits such as cheese, bread, paste, etc.

5. I often see anglers packing up well before dusk. It can be hard to stay that bit longer, particularly as the temperature starts to drop, but staying into dark can produce that special fish that makes it all worth it.

Good Luck.

Bob

  • Chub won't move far in winter so make sure your ...

    Chub won't move far in winter so make sure your location is spot on.

  • Alternative baits can often bring a bonus bite that saves ...

    Alternative baits can often bring a bonus bite that saves a session.

  • Making the extra effort to stay into dark can produce ...

    Making the extra effort to stay into dark can produce that special fish.