Catch your first Bleak in 3 steps
A simple, repeatable plan juniors can follow with help from a parent, coach or older angler.
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Step 1
Target the top layers
On rivers and canals, look for silver fish topping down the middle or opposite shelf. Choose a swim with room for juniors to swing fish safely to hand.
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Step 2
Shallow rig and fast lift
Set a light waggler or pole float 1–2 ft deep with a size 20 hook. Single maggot or pinkie works well for quick bites.
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Step 3
Constant trickle of loose feed
Feed a pinch of maggots almost every cast. Bleak bites are instant – teach juniors to lift the rod smoothly as soon as the float dips or disappears.
About the Bleak
The Bleak is a small, silvery, fast-moving fish commonly found in rivers, canals and stillwaters across the UK. Instantly recognisable by its slender, torpedo-shaped body and bright, reflective scales, the Bleak is a classic “surface and mid-water” species. It often shoals in large numbers, especially during warm, bright conditions, making it a perfect target for beginners learning bite detection, feeding rhythm and float control.
Bleak feed confidently on tiny insects, larvae and natural food drifting in the upper layers, which is why they respond brilliantly to light loosefeed such as maggots, pinkies or hemp. Their rapid bites encourage anglers to fish with small hooks, fine rigs and a fast, efficient fishing style. Although individually small, a busy session catching Bleak is great practice for juniors and match anglers, helping build confidence, accuracy and speed.
Because they are so abundant and easy to catch in the right conditions, Bleak are often one of the first wild species young anglers encounter on rivers and canals — a fun, lively introduction to natural venue fishing.
Junior tip
Use small maggots or pinkies on size 20–22 hooks with light lines.
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Want to discover more species? Browse the
full species guide.