This winter it has been pretty hard going on the River Kennet, but with temperatures briefly on the rise and the water levels dropping, Rob Walton found a small window offering perfect conditions to get out on the bank.
“Heading to an Advanced Angling stretch, I fished a tactic that, although widely used, isn’t often employed for chub these days – the maggot feeder.
“I favour using a large inline model made by Guru, which I like to fish alongside quite a short four-inch hooklink.
“It’s a tactic I’ve had great success on, landing numerous seven-pounders, but when I tell people about it, they often look at me like I’m a bit mad!
“However, I think a pile of maggots is often just too much for the fish to resist, and with my hookbait sat right among them, it’s a great presentation.
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“I like to stay on the move, fishing each swim for no more than 30 minutes. Slack water is key, and I explore any areas where I can find it.
“On this particular session, unfortunately I lost a chub early on but didn’t get too disheartened as I felt pretty confident that another would come along.
“As the day progressed, the river levels continued to drop and the colour looked absolutely perfect. I’d worked my way through a few swims when, at around midday, I looked away from the rod for a second and, when I looked back, it was bent in half!
“Lifting into the fish, I wondered initially if I’d connected with a big barbel, as the fish was clinging to the bottom. However, once I got it on the move, I sensed it was a chub, a good one at that.
“Sure enough, I then caught a quick glimpse of silver flanks and a big mouth, and knew that it was something a little bit special.
“Weighing in at 7lb 8oz, it was just that, and a welcome reward for all of the effort that I’ve put in on the river so far this season.
“So, if you’ve got a big chub on your radar this winter, I urge you to give the maggot feeder approach a go.
“Although it might seem a bit unorthodox, it certainly works!”
TRY ONE OF THESE RODS IF YOU ARE OUT AFTER A BIG CHUB!
