How to Catch Big Chub on the Float

My first river video! Targetting big winter chub on the tidal stretch of the Dorset Stour using maggot and waggler tactics, just a stones throw from the shop. I was rewarded with a few cracking fish.
#chubfishing #riverfishing #floatfishing

[@davewilkins9981]

Great to see some coarse fishing on the channel ! Well fished sir !

[@nicktheflybradley]

Hi Tom, first video of yours I have watched. A joy! So gentle with the fish. Fish do win the fight sometimes, good luck to the fish, always in a fight a winner and a loser. Never cause a fish for being the winner! I lost the biggest fish of my life some 35 years ago. Smiled, and have caught loads afterwards. I fly fish, for years on the Ure at Masham, caught many huge chub, respectfully retuned. Fish happily whatever happens! Nick from York

[@christchurchanglingcentre5428]

Hi Nick, glad you liked the video mate. As you say, the fish do win from time to time. That all adds to the excitment when you hook up! I've yet to target the chub on the fly, I'll add it to my ever growing bucket list!

[@bassblanker5359]

Great video, so nice to see the awesome variety of fish, tactics and venues available to all round anglers! However, that golf ball was a very near miss.😱

[@christchurchanglingcentre5428]

It was a little too close for comfort! We are spoiled here with the fishing available to us.

[@piscatorialpete3530]

Well done Tom another excellent watch, showcasing ur angling "range" . Unfortunately like you last yr busy , so not able to get out. However I shared ur emotions with every lunge on the rod tip. Take care hope to catch up soon

[@christchurchanglingcentre5428]

Thanks Pete. Hopefully see you again soon.

[@stephenwilkinson4214]

Hi Tom ... Enjoyed the video, can’t believe you caught the same fish twice in one session amazing ... Cheers mate stay safe 👍🎣🎣

[@christchurchanglingcentre5428]

Glad you enjoyed it mate. I couldn't believe it when I saw it was the same fish! Greedy thing!

[@nutsonfishing5818]

Yes Tom that is a great chub mate. Love them

[@christchurchanglingcentre5428]

Thanks mate. It's such a lovely way of fishing and makes a nice change from hurling 175g leads into the sea!

[@nutsonfishing5818]

@@christchurchanglingcentre5428 yes mate also what a place to fish as well .look mint

[@robhill645]

I did exactly the same on beat 2 at Throop last year. Had the same fish but about 3 hours apart. First time on the float and then on the tip. Again only realised the following day when looking at the photos … just shows that getting caught doesn’t upset them too much!!

[@christchurchanglingcentre5428]

Exactly that. I'm going to be paying close attention to my fish from now on!

[@buckrogers2828]

That Chub loves Stardom!. Must have heard the World Famous Tom was on the Glide. Used to love river or margin fishing esp with 5" Aerial Match C pin. Sold all or most of my Carp clunky gear just kept few pins and X-flite barbel rod/Daiwa 1 1/4 Avon rod. Lived Chelmsford years back used to fish the Cann often a spot in park which didn't look much at all fished lob worms often had 1/2lb Dace then one time had a 2 1/2lb chub you wouldn't think something like that would be in that spot as shallow either end just a deeper glide on one side by other bank which could almost touch!. We had all sorts along that river inc Decent Crusians

[@christchurchanglingcentre5428]

A river crucian? That's borderline holy grail! I think that chub stole the show! It's now more famous than me.

[@buckrogers2828]

@@christchurchanglingcentre5428 Funny the Chelmer was an odd fish but the Cann you could often sneak something out had many big Dace river had some nice twists and turns you could trot into or ledger. Had an 18lb Koi carp there fun.

[@tonycamplin8607]

A great day's fishing, some nice chub, well done. Personally I'd never fish for chub, or even roach with such light tackle. I use a 6lb line with the hook tied directly to it ( knots are a weak link) this would not be any smaller than a size 12. Have never found that these tactics put the fish off and you definitely don't loose so many.

[@christchurchanglingcentre5428]

There's definitely more than one way to skin a cat that's for sure! I personally prefer a small hook when maggot fishing.

[@tonycamplin8607]

@@christchurchanglingcentre5428 Fair enough, each to his own as long as it works

[@micksly7570]

Top angling as usual definitely the same fish greedy buger great vid 🥸🐶🎣

[@christchurchanglingcentre5428]

Thanks mate. Can't believe I didn't spot it when I caught it, but as you say it's definitely the same fish.

[@XfireWTF]

Great vid!

[@christchurchanglingcentre5428]

Thanks :-)

[@wyeme9047]

That swim looked ideal for using a Centrepin. Do you 'Pin' at all? And I would definitely up the line weight for those monsters, less faffing.... And yes, I did chuckle at the struggle :) Great vid and I am very envious of your sound quality. If you are ever in the Wye area, give me a shout and we can bother the Chub and Barbel here, (or Salmon even), for a day!

[@christchurchanglingcentre5428]

I do use a pin for a fair bit of my trotting, and most of my barbel work on the lead. Nothing beats playing a big fish on a pin. I also love using my Abu 1044's for my silvers trotting. However I feel a good old fixed spool is best for waggler work. But it's all horses for courses! Would love to hook up on the Wye mate. Fished it last year with a good friend and loved it! Must revisit it this year.

[@paulhowe197]

Well done Tom. Great to watch the film having bumped into you on the day 😀 I have never definitely caught the same fish in the same session but I think it’s bound to have happened - probably with mullet in the harbour.

[@christchurchanglingcentre5428]

Thanks Paul. I think you could be on to something there, I bet I've had a repeat capture or two with mullet before. I'll be paying close attention this year!

[@mulletmanpete]

Good afternoon Mr Howe. I've never actually caught the same mullet twice in a session before, but I did once snap off on one on the Camel then barely half an hour later land a fish with what looked suspiciously like my hook and trace in its mouth.

[@tonycamplin8607]

I've had the same pike on the bank three times in a single session. Fish never seem to learn do they? Look how many times the same large carp is caught.

[@ianfirkins6460]

Nice one! I know that look - I was out yesterday and got stitched up by a decent chub in a snag right under my feet as the net was begging. I wasn’t as controlled as you! 😂

[@christchurchanglingcentre5428]

😪 It's amazing how much control you have when a camera is pointed at you. I'm sure you can imagine what I was saying in my head!

[@markpotts9176]

Nice video I have had 5 Chub over 7lb in the last two seasons all on the Stour most on the bomb but two on pin long trotting

[@christchurchanglingcentre5428]

That's an incredible stamp of fish. Very well done. I've yet to have a 7, despite living and working next to the Stour! I must put more hours in!

[@kevinbuckler1085]

OMG,3lb line,s.16 hooks no shock leader 😲. I think you should think about changing your hat too 😂😂. Great fishing 🐟🎣👏👏

[@christchurchanglingcentre5428]

🤣🤣 I should get a camo one!

[@martinfisher8919]

Nice one mate proper fishing. I’ve just started again over here only fished 4 matches so far and had 1 section win so I haven’t forgotten everything next time take diddy he would’ve had barbel

[@christchurchanglingcentre5428]

Hey buddy. Long time no speak. Glad you're back into your fishing again. Must be some weak opponents though if you managed to win a section. 🤣🤣😘

[@johnycarper1]

Nice video good to see you down the rivers you had better luck than me was up by Meadowbank and not a touch.

[@christchurchanglingcentre5428]

It's definitely chub or bust conditions at the moment. I didn't have a single roach, dace, minnow etc.

[@johnycarper1]

Same for me I was even desperate and fished under my rod top with a single maggot.....nothing at all

[@Scottfloatfan62]

Just found you mate you very much remind me of Nick on Avon Angling in my neck of the woods, same laid back attitude, can't beat chub on the float

[@christchurchanglingcentre5428]

Welcome mate. Hope you enjoyed the video. Only another three months until I can try again 😭

[@haydn4126]

Great video, first I’ve watched, i fish Little Canford up by Canford School in Wimborne, plenty of nice Chub come out but struggling to find a Barbel! Anyone else fish that stretch?

[@christchurchanglingcentre5428]

Hi mate. It's not a stretch I fish, unfortunately. The Stour, in general, is a tough barbel water, so don't beat yourself up too much.

[@martinklein4651]

I saw another comment of someone catching a Chub on the same day. Well I had the same experience in December 2023 on the river Wye, not a big Chub I weighed it second around, because it was really long and thin. 3lb 14oz, with a split anal fin. That was within half an hour.

[@christchurchanglingcentre5428]

That's brilliant! They're clearly not as bothered about being hooked as I originally thought!

[@JoaoFerreira-td5fz]

Great video and nice advice here the people needs to look for fishing. I live in north wales I don't know if anyone fishing around here for the gilthead bream. But I gonna give a go its loads a black bream In the area probable gilthead around to when is the best time of the year for fishig thanks in advance

[@christchurchanglingcentre5428]

Thanks Joao. I tend to fish for the Gilts from June to September. That's southern England though, so may vary where you are.

[@tomcline8849]

Tom great video, can I ask what landing net handle you were using as I could do with a long handle like that for our local rivers high banks.

[@christchurchanglingcentre5428]

I use the Drennan Twistlock, in my opinion the best handle on the market. My one is the original 3m version, but they do a new 3.5m one too now.

[@tomcline8849]

@@christchurchanglingcentre5428 Thank you much appreciated.

[@iandiddy3351]

Were these offspring of the fabled 'bridge monster ' 😍

[@christchurchanglingcentre5428]

Ha ha, I remember that! I reckon these could have been. You can see the bridge in the background.

[@richpeas1924]

Some cracking chub Tom, but that golf ball was a bit too close for comfort 😕

[@christchurchanglingcentre5428]

That was definitely a hairy moment! One of three that landed in front of me that day!

[@TheMilford99]

We used to say, fish won`t bite again for at least 24 hours, but sure your right.

[@christchurchanglingcentre5428]

Absolutely, I always presumed they'd hide and sulk for a while after capture, but apparently not!

[@tadhghayden8440]

Very enjoyable watch..fishing by golf courses adds a bit of alertness to it all....are there carp down in the Christ's church harbour.. free lining with bread is my idea for summer ...to fish....while staying with friend.. as I have mobility problems

[@christchurchanglingcentre5428]

Thank you, I'm glad you enjoyed the video. There are definitely carp in Christchurch harbour, some very big ones in fact! They can be elusive, and it's not the easiest area to fish, especially in the summer when it's busy, but the rewards can be high!

[@tadhghayden8440]

Interesting to note the way that chub came back a second time fighting just as hard...left me wondering about that second fish u !ost. .. by the way nothing u could have done about that, given the light line, small hook, weight of fish and strength of current of river....about those carp by bridge n bandstand..can you see them feeding , cruising, basking on the surface at any time???

[@christchurchanglingcentre5428]

I've seen them cruising around a few times, but I've not soon one feeding.

[@nevandrews3477]

Just caught up with this. V nice vid, think you were a bit harsh on yourself tho, 'rubber lips' 😜

[@christchurchanglingcentre5428]

🤣🤣

[@patcullen9304]

We all get hook pulls 👍

[@christchurchanglingcentre5428]

Yeah, it won't be my last, but they still hurt when they happen. Thanks for watching.

[@johnsmith-rs2vk]

FFS . Great stuff .

[@christchurchanglingcentre5428]

Thanks mate

[@fishingwithliam13]

Could I know where that's spot is I'll go there tommorow probably

[@christchurchanglingcentre5428]

It's just above the golf course foot bridge on beat 3 of throop. You can just about make out the bridge in the background.

[@iangraham3018]

What's going on in Dorset this week? Both you and Wayne Hand uploaded your first freshwater videos in ages !!

[@christchurchanglingcentre5428]

That probably speaks volumes about how well the sea is fishing 🤣

[@iangraham1505]

Yes I always remember February was a struggle.

[@christchurchanglingcentre5428]

Conditions have been really hard. Almost endless high pressure and NE winds. How's things your side of the globe?

[@iangraham1505]

Been an odd summer here in NZ, lots of extremes. Water temperatures were 3 - 6 degC above normal and it affected the fishing. Some species we'd normally get here in North Canterbury, I've had to drive another 2hrs south to catch, whereas we've had lots of Gurnard here that I would normally have to drive up to Kaikoura to catch in any numbers....

[@christchurchanglingcentre5428]

@@iangraham1505 interesting to hear how weather patterns affect fishing all over the world. We do seem to be at the mercy of it!

[@stuartcrane9409]

Toby your far better than Attenborough!

[@gklmac68]

Is that the free part of the Stour?

[@christchurchanglingcentre5428]

No, this is part of the lower stour and throop fishery. Available on a day ticket. The free stretch is at Muscliffe and is none tidal. It is also very good for chub.

[@gklmac68]

@@christchurchanglingcentre5428 Thanks

[@slingerwood6771]

You will be losing more fish if you keep pointing your rod downstream at the fish, bring the rod upstream so the rod is playing the fish so there is less strain on the hook hold, otherwise you will keep tearing the hook out of the chubs mouth. Also I'm gealouse that you are fishing the Stour as I lived in Canford heath and fished Longham most of the time also Wimbourne, i miss it. Well done nice fish.

[@christchurchanglingcentre5428]

Thanks mate. I think the rod angle may have been exaggerated by the camera angle, but a good observation regardless, thank you.

[@christophercook723]

I have fished extensively in that River and the Avon. They both have long grass weed and playing the fish upstream stops dragging fish into the weed.

[@pradeepinside3893]

If you have ever met Tom in person you would know the reason he lost his chub is that he is always too delicate with it. The people want to see you go fast and furious with it Tom, you won't be this youngish forever.

[@christchurchanglingcentre5428]

🤣🤣 I'll do a fast and furious chub session when the season reopens.