Chub species guide • Freshwater fish • Easy (4/10)

Chub junior fishing guide

Squalius cephalus

A clear, plain-English guide to chub for parents, coaches and juniors. See where they live, the best starter tackle, simple bait choices and a three-step plan to help young anglers catch their first one safely.

🎣 View starter tackle setups 📋 Log a Chub catch
Junior-first & welfare-aware • 3-step beginner plan • UK venues & seasons
Skill & size • Seasons • Beginner baits

Skill level

Easy (4/10)

Great for coached juniors and confident beginners.

Best time

Spring–Autumn

Pick mild, settled days for junior sessions.

Typical size

1–4 lb common; specimens over 6 lb possible.

Always match hooks, nets & lines to expected fish size.

Chub

Beginner baits

Bread flake, Lobworm, Meat (luncheon meat) …

Keep it simple — small hook baits, little-and-often feeding.

Typical venues: Rivers and streams with moderate to fast flow, under trees
Scroll down for detailed tackle setups, methods and parent-friendly guidance.
Catch your first chub with confidence

Catch your first Chub in 3 steps

A simple, repeatable plan juniors can follow with help from a parent, coach or older angler.

  1. Step 1

    Find steady river glides

    Choose safe banks on rivers with steady flow, rafts and overhanging trees. Chub love cover and broken water.

  2. Step 2

    Simple trotting or freelining

    Use a float rig to trot maggots, bread or pellets down the run, or freeline a bigger bait under trees with suitable tackle.

  3. Step 3

    Travel light and move swims

    Teach juniors to feed little in each spot and move if bites don’t come. Emphasise safe wading (if used) and keeping away from steep or undercut banks.

Tackle setups that work

Designed with juniors and fish welfare in mind. Start with an IDEAL or GOOD setup for easier casting and safe unhooking.

👉 Swipe sideways to view different setups.

Drop Shot Rod

Beginner tip: Encourage short, controlled casts and working lures near features like reeds, boats and overhangs.

IDEAL

Rod: 6–8 ft light spinning or ultra-light lure rod (3–15 g rating).

Reel: 1000–2500 fixed spool reel.

Line: 6–8 lb braid with 6–8 lb fluorocarbon leader.

Terminal tackle

  • ["Small spinners and plugs"
  • "Soft plastic lures"
  • "Dropshot rigs with size 4–8 hooks"]

Extras

  • ["Polarised glasses"
  • "Unhooking mat"
  • "Forceps"]

Light lure fishing setup for perch, chub and small predators.

Ultra-Light Lure Rod

Beginner tip: Encourage short, controlled casts and working lures near features like reeds, boats and overhangs.

IDEAL

Rod: 6–8 ft light spinning or ultra-light lure rod (3–15 g rating).

Reel: 1000–2500 fixed spool reel.

Line: 6–8 lb braid with 6–8 lb fluorocarbon leader.

Terminal tackle

  • ["Small spinners and plugs"
  • "Soft plastic lures"
  • "Dropshot rigs with size 4–8 hooks"]

Extras

  • ["Polarised glasses"
  • "Unhooking mat"
  • "Forceps"]

Light lure fishing setup for perch, chub and small predators.

Avon / Quiver Rod

Beginner tip: Cast accurately to the same spot every time and clip up the line so you build a feeding area.

GOOD

Rod: 10–11 ft feeder / avon-quiver rod with interchangeable tips.

Reel: 3000–4000 fixed spool reel.

Line: 5–8 lb mono mainline with 0.12–0.16 mm hooklength.

Terminal tackle

  • ["Open-end or method feeder"
  • "Size 12–16 hook"
  • "Short hooklengths for method
  • longer for open-end"]

Extras

  • ["Rod rest and butt rest"
  • "Feeder tray with groundbait and pellets"
  • "Disgorger
  • mat and large landing net"]

Ledgering with feeder or bomb for tench and big bream on lakes and slow canals.

Feeder Rod

Beginner tip: Clip up to the same distance, cast to the same spot every time and wait for steady pulls before lifting the rod.

GOOD

Rod: 10–12 ft feeder rod with interchangeable quiver tips.

Reel: 3000–4000 size fixed spool reel with smooth clutch.

Line: 4–8 lb mono or braid with hooklength matched to species size.

Terminal tackle

  • ["Open end feeder or bomb"
  • "hooklength loop to loop"
  • "hooks size 10–18"]

Extras

  • ["Feeder link swivels"
  • "groundbait bowl"
  • "landing net and keepnet where allowed"]

Feeder rod setup for ledgering with bombs or feeders on stillwaters, canals and rivers.

Spinning Rod

Beginner tip: Start with simple spinners or small soft lures, cast past features and retrieve slowly to keep the lure working.

GOOD

Rod: 6–9 ft spinning or lure rod, 5–30 g casting weight depending on species.

Reel: 2000–3000 size fixed spool reel or small baitcaster.

Line: 6–12 lb mono or braid with fluorocarbon or wire trace as needed.

Terminal tackle

  • ["Snap link for quick lure changes"
  • "small swivels"
  • "appropriate lure clips"]

Extras

  • ["Polarised glasses"
  • "landing net"
  • "unhooking mat for larger fish"]

General spinning rod setup for lures and small spinners for perch, pike, chub and some sea species.

About the Chub

The Chub is a powerful, broad-headed river fish that will eat a wide range of baits. It loves cover such as overhanging trees, rafts and undercut banks, and fights hard on light tackle.

Junior tip

Try free-lining bread flake or a big pellet under trees and bushes. Keep quiet, travel light and be ready for big, confident bites.

Logged a Chub recently?

Add a catch report so juniors can see where they’re being caught, which baits work and how your tackle was set up.

Submit a catch report

Want to discover more species? Browse the full species guide.

← Back to all species

Fish Health & EA Advice

Linked conditions and guidance for Chub.

Argulus mongolianus
Parasite 🟠 High risk

Argulus mongolianus

Argulus mongolianus is a newly discovered fish louse recently found in the UK. It attaches mainly to the gills, mouth, and head of fish, causing irritation, stress, and sometimes deaths. It has already been confirmed in carp, roach, and bream, and may infect all freshwater species. Because it is new and potentially harmful, reporting any suspicious lice or fish behaviour is very important.

Read full advice
Blackspot
Parasite 🟢 Low risk

Blackspot

Blackspot is a common parasite that forms tiny black cysts on the skin and fins of freshwater fish. It looks alarming but is normally harmless and part of a natural cycle involving snails and birds. Only very heavy infections or small fish are affected. In most cases, blackspot is nothing to worry about.

Read full advice
Chilodonella
Parasite 🟠 High risk

Chilodonella

Chilodonella is a fast-spreading parasite that attacks the skin and gills of freshwater fish. It can cause heavy mucus, grey patches, breathing problems, and even death if untreated. It thrives in poor water quality, overcrowded waters, and when fish are stressed. Good fishery management is the best way to prevent outbreaks.

Read full advice
Ichthyobodo necator
Parasite 🟠 High risk

ichthyobodo necator

Ichthyobodo necator (Costia) is a rapidly spreading parasite that attacks a fish’s skin and gills. It causes lethargy, breathing problems, weight loss, and can be deadly—especially for young or stressed fish. It thrives in both cold and warm water, so good management and low-stress conditions are essential to prevent outbreaks.

Read full advice

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