Page 18 - Anglian angling on the broads

18 Environment Agency Angle on the Broads Environment Agency Angle on the Broads 19

Fish species in the Broads

© All images Chris Turnbull

Roach Rudd Bream Tench Pike Perch
With silver/blue scales and vermilion fins, Whilst becoming increasingly rare Abundant in large shoals throughout the Found predominantly on the Thurne and At the top of the Broads food-chain, this Now making a strong comeback from the
roach are a firm favourite species of coarse throughout the country, this dashing rivers and Broads, this slab-sided, bottom- Trinity Broads. With distinctive olive flanks increasingly popular predatory species is disease that decimated their numbers in
anglers. Nicknamed the water sheep, species with its beautiful golden flanks feeding species is predominantly nocturnal and small red eyes, this hard fighting superbly camouflaged to lurk in the reed the 1970s, this bold, dashing predatory
this ubiquitous species is a true shoal and crimson fins is still commonly caught by nature although they can also be caught popular summer species grows to a high beds having the perfect body shape to species is once again regularly caught
fish, which mostly feeds delicately on the in various areas of the Broads, especially early and late in the day. average size in the Broads with 3 to 4lb accelerate from a standstill and strike into throughout the rivers and Broads.
bottom but will rise to intercept slow- in the Upper Thurne and Trinity Broads. Large 100lb+ catches of bream are fish commonplace and specimens over 5 its prey. With an average size of 4 to 12oz but with
sinking baits presented on light tackle. With an average size of 4 to 10oz, any fish occasionally taken by using a specialised and 6lb a distinct possibility. Pike are commonplace throughout the 2lb specimens increasingly commonplace
Abundant in an average size range of over 1lb could be considered a specimen approach with plenty of groundbait. Look Primarily a bottom feeder, look for them rivers and Broads, where huge fish over and 3lb whoppers a distinct possibility,
between 2 and 10oz, but specimen roach although undoubtedly fish over 2lb are for them in quiet areas of open water but close to lilies or along the reedy margins, 40lb have been caught in the past. perch are once again becoming one of the
over 1lb are reasonably commonplace, occasionally caught, especially on Hickling take care not to overfill the keepnet should particularly where the bottom is hard. Unfortunately, fish this large are unlikely Broads most exciting angling species.
tending to feed early or late in the day and Broad. A bold feeder, with jutting bottom you be lucky enough to enjoy a red-letter today, however plenty of 20lb specimens
even after dark throughout the winter. jaw which makes it adept at surface feeding day. Tackle and methods: exist. Perch love hiding up under cover,
While huge 2lb roach are reported every but equally happy to feed on the bottom, Broads bream are getting considerably Float fishing laying on the bottom or Requiring specialist tackle and skilful especially in deeper water; look for
otherwise using the lift-method. From the
them beneath overhanging trees, under
season, most of them are roach/bream rudd are a restless shoal fish and always bigger than they used to be, while 2, 3 and bank perhaps try legering with a running handling techniques, inexperienced anglers permanent moorings or in deep reedy
hybrids, so take care to identify them on the move. 4lb fish are commonplace with any over leger or paternoster, with swimfeeders are advised not to fish for pike, which margins.
correctly. In spring and summer months Seek them near the marginal reeds or lily 7lb generally considered a specimen, huge being particularly effective. despite their ferocious looks are one of
roach are widespread throughout the rivers beds in and around the quiet bays, but be double figure fish do turn up from time to our most delicate species. Tackle and methods:
and Broads; however, once the winter sets careful not to spook them with a clumsy time. Baits: Float and leger fished deep or on the
in they tend to congregate in large numbers approach. Bread, maggots, casters, sweetcorn, Tackle and methods: bottom.
in and around the boatyard areas. Tackle and methods: worms, groundbait and hemp. Float fishing baits on or off the bottom Baits:
Tackle and methods: From a boat try float fishing with a from a boat, otherwise either float fishing,
Tackle and methods: Float fishing – waggler set shallow or slow waggler, with the bait tripping or laying on Lines: freelining or legering from the bank, but Worms, maggots, casters, small fish, small
Float fishing using either a waggler for sinking. Feed little and often. the bottom. From the bank try legering, Strong 5lb–6lb reel-lines with 4lb–5lb always with effective bite indication that spinners and lures. (NB. With fish and
trotting mid river or still water fishing, perhaps using a swingtip where flows allow hooklines respectively. will properly register both runs and drop lures, pike will make use of a wire trace
or a stick float for trotting close in. Feed Baits: or otherwise using a quivertip in faster Hook size: back indications. Never leave the rod and stronger lines essential.)
little and often, baiting to demand. Pole Breadflake or crust, maggots, casters water. Swimfeeder fishing can be highly Forged size 16–8 unattended and always use a wire trace Lines:
fishing is the favoured approach of match and sweetcorn. productive, as can a method feeder. Recast of 20lb minimum breaking strain. Always 2lb–6lb according to the size of fish you
anglers, using a short line and elastic. In Lines: regularly to lay a bed of feed but beware of strike runs as quickly as possible. are expecting.
faster water try legering using a quivertip, 2lb–4lb reel-line, with 1lb–3lb hooklines. striking at line bites, which may scare the
perhaps combined with a maggot fish out of your swim. Baits: Hook size:
swimfeeder. Hook size: Freshwater or sea fish baits and 18–8
20–12 Baits: artificial lures.
Baits: Bread, maggots, casters, sweetcorn, worms
Bread, maggots, casters, sweetcorn, and groundbait. Lines:
hemp and tares. 15lb minimum.
Lines:
Lines: 3lb–6lb reel-line with 3lb–5lb hooklines. Hook size:
2lb–4lb reel-line with 1lb–3lb hooklines. Semi-barbed doubles or trebles. 8–6
Hook size:
Hook size: Forged sized 18–8
20–12