Faced with a line of overhanging trees on the far bank, it takes a brave angler to cast their float tight to the branches to target big chub, and often the white flag is waved after losing the first few fish that are hooked.
That needn't be the case though and on my local Warks Avon, there's lots of swims just like this where big nets of chub can be taken by adopting strong-arm tactics and using tackle more suited to chasing carp on commercial fisheries!
Here's six tips to help you fish those snaggy river swims...
FISH A STRONG PATTERN
This is the key part of the rig for this type of fishing. If the hook is too light, it will open out when under pressure.
FIND THE BEST HOOKS FOR THE JOB IN THIS BUYER'S GUIDE.
NO WEAK LINKS...
A 0.16mm hooklength might sound beefy, but it’s better to fish heavy, get fewer bites and land everything you hook.
HAVING A STRONG MAINLINE WILL HELP TOO. CHECK OUT OUR BUYER'S GUIDE TO LINES.
STAND UP AND FIGHT!
Chub will know every snag in the peg a so as soon as you hook a fish, pull hard! Standing up will also help.
HAVING THE BEST SEATBOX TO FISH FROM WILL HELP YOU ON THE RIVERS. HERE'S OUR GUIDE.
OPEN ARMS
Keeping the bail arm open will allow you to run the float down the swim if needed, without pulling it offline.
FIND THE BEST REEL FOR THE JOB WITH OUR BUYER'S GUIDE TO REELS.
GIVE THEM SOME GRUB
To create competition, feed every cast, but if the action slows, stop feeding and change your presentation.
YOU NEED A GOOD CATAPULT FOR THIS TIP. CHECK OUT OUR BUYER'S GUIDE TO BEST CATAPULTS.
TRY A ‘DUCKER’ FLOAT
These are like dumpy bodied wagglers and are brilliant for giving you better control of the rig in awkward winds.
FIND THE BEST FLOATS FOR YOUR RIVER FISHING IN THIS DETAILED BUYER'S GUIDE.
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