Catching a big roach from anywhere is a challenging feat, and one that doesn't generally come easy to those anglers who try. For a roach to breach the 3lb barrier, it has to overcome many adversities and it's because of this that very few reach this size, which makes them incredibly rare and difficult to catch.
While stillwater roach are incredible fish, big roach from the river are that little bit more special as they often see increased predation, have to endure flooding incidents and have less access to food. You can therefore imagine how overwhelmed Matt Adams was when he banked this truly giant 3lb 11oz roach while float fishing on a southern chalk stream.
IF YOU FANCY TRYING TO CATCH A BIG ROACH, READ THIS ARTICLE...
"After the long three months layoff I was keen to get back on the rivers. I wasn’t expecting much at the start and just wanted to feel my way into it with a few short sessions, and what with the rivers being so low and clear, I decided to fish the first two weeks of the season trotting on my local chalk stream," Matt told us.
"Finding myself free on a warm overcast weekday, I decided to have a few hours trotting on the river to use up some bait," he added.
"On arriving the conditions looked good and I was feeling confident of catching some more small dace. Half a dozen trots with my 4 x no4 shouldered Drake stick provided nothing, not a sniff."
THE BEST FLOAT RODS ARE IDEAL FOR CONTROLLING A STICK FLOAT.
As Matt knows this river well, he remained enthusiastic despite the lack of activity, fully aware the bigger fish can be in your swim without giving their presence way. As before he let his float run down there river, but allowed it to continue on into a small eddy towards the end of the run, holding it back to try an entice a bite, which he did, with the float sliding away after a few seconds.
"Lifting into the bite I felt a bit of resistance, but nothing to make me think I’d hooked anything particularly decent," Matt recalled.
"However, after a couple of head shakes the fish rose in the water and through my polaroids I managed to see the fish flank before it turned and powered upstream, it was then that my legs went to jelly."
"This fish fought so well, trying everything to shake the hook, but thankfully, after a spirited battle, she was safely over the net cord on the first attempt and resting in the net."
A quick glimpse into his net was all that was needed for Matt to realise just how special this roach was. With shaking hands, he carefully placed the fish into a wet sling, before putting it onto the scales. As the needle pulled round to 3lb 11oz, Matt was in disbelief, and called a good friend of his, Tim, to come and get some pictures and witness the weight, which he swiftly did.
"With that, a truly magnificent roach was then safely returned and, as I watched it swim away powerfully, it sank in that I'd finally beaten my float caught roach PB," Matt concluded!
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