Big river fish are there for the taking on the pole. Tench, barbel, chub, perch, big eels and even carp are possible in numbers on pole tactics if you get them right.
Across many stretches, chopped worm has become the staple. Fed right, it pulls everything that swims while quietly picking out the better stamp of fish, and it keeps bites coming from the smaller fish too.
Here's six tips to target bigger fish from the river on the pole.
THE BEST FISHING POLES ARE MORE THAN CAPABLE OF FISHING THE RIVER.
Start with Dendras
Begin by feeding with a couple of small bait droppers of roughly-chopped dendrobaena worms – no casters. Use another topkit with a long length of strong line and a strong hook specifically for the bait dropper, this will stop any possible damage to your fishing rig.
CHECK OUT SOME MORE TIPS FOR FISHING THE RIVER WITH A POLE HERE.
Fish worm halves
On a size 14 hook two halves of dendrobaena worm or a great target bait, not only is it much easier for a big fish to engulf than a whole one, the body juices will leach out making it even more appealing. Simply hook a full worm through the head and nip off half with your thumbnail, then hook that half to create an appealing hookbait.
CHECK OUT OUR GUIDE TO THE BEST RIVER FISHING BAITS.
Choice of floats
A stable 1.5g float will help present a stationary hookbait in the flow. A change to a 0.8g rig with a more refined shotting pattern will give a much more natural presentation if bites begin to slow down.
FISH THE RIVER WITH THE POLE SITTING ON ONE OF THE BEST FISHING SEATBOXES.
Fish sensible lines
A 4lb (0.14mm) mainline is ideal for the worm rig, strong enough to handle most big fish. Team this with a 3lb hooklength. If worms aren't getting bites then a switch to casters and a lighter rig may bring bites step the rig down to a 3lb (012mm) mainline and a 2lb (0.10mm) hooklength.
THE BEST POLE FISHING LINES ARE IDEAL FOR TYING POLE RIGS.
Get on the casters!
When bites fade, loose feeding casters and fishing two on the hook on the lighter 0.8g rig will give you better chance of targetting other species like roach.
YOU CAN FISH THE POLE SITTING IN ONE OF THE BEST FISHING CHAIRS.
Fish close to cover
Target the bottom of the near slope in the main depth of the river at around 5m to 6m out. This feature offers depth and cover that the fish feel comfortable to feed in. The flow of the river will also keep this area free of debris and silt.
LANDING BIG FISH ON THE RIVER REQUIRES ONE OF THE BEST LANDING NET HANDLES.
