KNOW YOUR FISH

TO SEE A LARGER PICTURE CLICK ON A FISH

Barbel (Barbus barbus)     The Barbel is a bottom feeder, it can be recognised by its torpedo shape and the four large feelers around its mouth. A hard fighting river fish that will test your tackle to the limit. Good baits are Luncheon meat, sweetcorn and maggots.

Bream (Abramis brama)       Bream can be found in many Stillwater's and slow moving rivers. The Bream is a deep fish that has a thick covering of slime. Small bream are called ‘skimmers’, big ones are referred to as slabs. Bream can be caught on a variety of baits with redworms, bread or maggots being popular.

Bleak (Alburnus Alburnus)      Distribution is wide spread in the rivers of England. It spends its life on or near the surface. Float fish no deeper than three feet. Best baits pinkie or single maggot.

Common carp (Cyprinus carpio)     Mirror carp (Cyprinus carpio)

Leather carp (Cyprinus carpio)          Crucian carp (Carassius carassius)

Wild carp (Cyprinus carpio)      Carp are one of the most sought after fish in this country. Specimen anglers spend hours fishing for large Carp, and there are now many commercial fisheries stocked with smaller fish where you can have a very good day’s sport. The largest of the family are the Common, Mirror and Leather carp. Wild Carp do not grow as big and are not found in   as many waters as the other species. The Crucian Carp is the smallest of the family, like the Wild Carp it is also harder to find. They are hard fighting fish living mainly in Stillwater's but also in rivers and canals. The choice of baits for Carp is huge from maggots to boilies a hungry Carp will eat just about any bait an angler can choose.

Dace (Leuciscus leuciscus)    The dace is a small fish that lives in rivers. In the summer dace can often be caught on a light rig just below the surface with maggots.

Eel (Anguilla anguilla)    Eels can be caught in all types of water, they are bottom feeders and love maggots. Small eels are often called ‘bootlaces’. A big Eel will put your tackle to the test so make sure it is strong enough.

Gudgeon (Gobio gobio)   Gudgeon are a shoal fish that live mainly in canals and rivers. Some shoals of Gudgeon are very large and can provide good sport in the winter. As they are a small fish the best baits are pinkies squats and bloodworm.

Grayling (Thymallus thymallus)   Grayling love clean, fast water and can provide excellent sport on excellent sport on light tackle. Try trotting the stream or floating baits on 3lb line and 14 hooks. Also try for it with fly  tackle. Baits: Bread, worms, maggots,  hemp, corn etc.              

Perch (Perca fluviatilis)   Perch are a common species and can be found in most rivers, canals and Stillwater's in this country. They are easily recognised by the stripes and spiny dorsal fin. Perch can be caught on a variety of baits: Maggots and worms are favourite foods.Large Perch can be caught on spinning tackle.

Pike (Esox lucius)   The Pike is the largest predator that lives in our waters. They naturally feed on other fish and can be valuable in a fishery to help keep a’ balance of nature’. Pike are normally caught with artificial lures or       deadbaiting.

Roach (Rutilus rutilus)    The roach is one of the most common fish in this country. You can find them in Stillwater's, rivers and canals. Big roach are rare fish and many anglers never catch one over a pound (500g).Roach can be caught on all sorts of bait: maggots, casters, bloodworm and bread are always some of the best

Rudd (Scardinius erythrophthalmus)   Rudd are normally found in Stillwater's around Great Britain they are not as common as Roach although the two species are often confused. In the summer months Rudd can be good sport taking maggots on a light rig fished on the drop.

Tench (Tinca tinca)   The Tench is a bottom feeding fish that feeds well in the summer months, with early mornings often the best times. A hard fighting fish it is easily recognised by its green colour and red eyes. Try maggots, worms or sweetcorn to catch them.

Zander (Stizostedion lucioperca)   The Zander is a predator that is not a native of this country. It is not found in many waters but prefers slow moving rivers and drains. Fishing methods would be the same as those used for Pike.