Never Blank Again – Fishing the River with Maggots
If you’re tired of facing disappointment on the river, this video is tailor-made for you. Discover the secrets to consistently catching fish, regardless of the season, by targeting the ever-accommodating chub and other species by fishing the river with maggots.
A nice chub caught by trotting maggots
The tactics employed in this episode are designed to maximise your chances of success. Start by using bait that appeals to a wide range of fish – in this case, maggots or worms. Employing red maggots under a trotted float proves effective, providing sport with silvers and small perch while awaiting larger catches like chub or barbel.
Red maggots – a fantastic bait that catches everything!
Equipped with a 13ft float rod, choose between a fixed spool or centrepin reel, opting for 6-8lb line. Essential fishing tackle includes a finelines float, avon or speci stick, ovilette/quick change swivel, and a hooklength with a small hook (size 14 or 16) to match the bait. Alternating between a single and double red maggot ensures a steady stream of bites.
JW Young & Sons Super Lightweight
Very smart – Korum Quick Change Olivettes
Another crucial tactic involves baiting up little and often, facilitated by a waste pouch for convenience. Master this method in autumn and extend its success into winter. Maggots under a float shine in colder temperatures, activating bigger fish during the winter months and reducing the likelihood of facing a blank.
Wear a pouch to make feeding easier
Maggots and floats have proven to be a game-changer, significantly decreasing the instances of unsuccessful fishing trips.
A lovely little river roach on the maggots
A nice bag of dace caught in winter
A whole bunch of perch caught on the centrepin
Perfect for those days when the goal is to catch anything, mastering trotting maggots can yield surprising results as winter approaches. The colder months are great for fishing the river with maggots.
A mild day in late autumn and the chub are on the feed
Embrace these tactics, and you’ll never have to worry about facing a blank day on the river again.