The Garner Tackle/SonuBaits backed rod will pass on the vast angling knowledge that has made him one of the biggest names in specialist angling today. Alan will clearly explain all the relevant facts and information needed. By covering everything from the baits and tackle required to all those little tips that can make that all important difference on the bank when targeting your dream fish.

The Complete Specialist Angler

Alan Stagg

Sponsored by
Gardner Tackle & SonuBaits

Part Six - Chub (Leuciscus cephalus)

UKMA: What type of venue would you choose and at what time of year and what do you look for when choosing a swim when targeting specimen chub, giving details of preferred habitat in all venues (rivers lakes etc)

Alan Stagg: It's running water all the way for my chub fishing, in fact I don’t think that I have ever fished for Stillwater chub.  The venues I have most experience on are my local rivers Loddon, Kennet and Blackwater.   These venues offer me the chance of catching some very big fish, in particular the River Loddon which has produced by biggest chub to date weighing 8lb 5oz.
I rarely fish for chub during the warmer months as I am normally busy targeting more traditional species during these months such as bream, tench and cruican carp.  However, when I do get the time during this period I am very fond of sight fishing during low water conditions.  The fish can be drawn away from cover by carful feeding and bites can often come within seconds of casting when a swim has been fed correctly. 
In the autumn and winter months most of my chub fishing is carried out on low stock big fish stretches where bites are at a premium yet a big fish is always on the cards.  When first visiting a stretch I will often adopt a mobile approach fishing a number of swims in rotation.  Often I will introduce a little bait on arriving at the stretch and visit each one in rotation spending 15 minutes in each likely area.  If any indications are forthcoming, I miss a bite or land a fish then I will always introduce a little more bait and come back to it again. 

UKMA: What tackle and tactics would you use and why, giving details of rods, reels, rigs and any seasonal variations when targeting specimen chub.

Alan Stagg: My main approach to fishing for chub revolves around two main methods, bread fishing or maggot fishing and the method I adopt is dictated by river conditions.  In low water I use a small cage feeder packed with liquidised bread and a matchbox sized lump of flake as hook bait.  This lends itself ideally for roving the river with the minimum of tackle.   When bread fishing my tackle consists of:

• Rod:  Korum Precision Multi Feeder
• Reel: Shimano 4010 Baitrunner
• Line:  6lb Gardner Hydro Flo
• Cage feeder to match water conditions
• 4lb Gardner Mirage Hooklength
• Size 6 or 8 Wide Gape Talon Tip

My maggot approach involves using a rig designed by carp anglers called the mag-aligner.  This is a very easy rig to tie and involves sliding an Enterprise grub down the shank of the hook creating a very effective hooking mechanism. 
Normally a rig used on Stillwater’s this is a veryeffective rig when targeting big crafty chub that have seen it all.  The rig is used with a large Micro mesh bag of maggots and the hook length is nicked into the side of the bag before casting.

When using this method tackle consists of:

• Rod – 1 3/4 test curve Korum Precision
• Reel:  5010 Shimano Baitrunner
• Line:  10lb Hydro Tuff
• Lead: 2-3oz depending on water conditions
• Hook length: 12 inches of 15lb Trickster braid
• Hook: Size 12 Mugga Hook
• Other accessories: ET mag-aligner grubs, Micromesh PVA

UKMA: Give an in depth guide to preparation of your baits, the techniques and additives you would use and how you would feed the swim at different times of the year when targeting specimen chub

Alan Stagg: When using bread I always like to add a good douse of Sonubaits Hemp and Cheesy Garlic flavour to give the bread a little something extra.  When adopting a maggot approach I like to add a couple of handfuls of Sonubaits Supercrush Green which add a dusting of fishmeal flavour to the maggots. 

UKMA: Do you have any personal tricks or tips that have been past on to you by other anglers or that you have discovered yourself, that would help improve an anglers chances of catching a specimen chub

Alan Stagg: My number one tip would be never ignore how effective the mag-aligner can be.

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