What tackle do I need to catch Ruffe?

Beginner anglers usually do best with simple, safe tackle such as: Whip, Pole. Start with an IDEAL or GOOD-rated setup and keep rigs balanced for fish welfare.

What bait works well for Ruffe?

Natural baits such as maggots, worms or bread often work well for Ruffe.

Ruffe | Clubnest Species Guide

Ruffe junior fishing guide

Gymnocephalus cernua

A clear, plain-English guide to ruffe 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.

Junior-first & welfare-aware • 3-step beginner plan • UK venues & seasons

Catch your first Ruffe in 3 steps

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

Step 1

Target deep, calm canals or lakes

Ruffe often sit on the bottom in deeper water. Choose safe, accessible banks or platforms where juniors can fish straight down the edge.
Step 2

Small hooks hard on the bottom

Use a short pole or rod with a sensitive float, size 20 hook and single maggot fished right on the deck. Plumb up carefully so the bait sits just on the bottom.
Step 3

Warn about spines when unhooking

Show juniors how to hold Ruffe gently, avoiding dorsal spines. Use disgorgers or forceps and keep fish low over nets or mats.

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.

Whip

Beginner tip: Keep the rig short, feed little and often, and strike by just lifting the whip – no big swings.

IDEAL

Rod: 3–5 m whip or telescopic pole with a fine solid tip.

Reel: ❌ Not used (fixed line / elasticated top only).

Line: 0.08–0.10 mm mainline with 0.06–0.08 mm hooklength.

Terminal tackle

["Size 20–24 fine wire hook"
"0.1–0.3 g slim pencil float"
"Shirt-button shotting pattern"]

Extras

["Small bait tub with maggots or pinkies"
"Catapult for regular loose feed"
"Disgorger and small landing net"]

Whip fishing for small silvers is all about speed, rhythm and keeping fish coming safely close in.

Pole

Beginner tip: Keep the pole low over the water to stop the rig swinging and ship back smoothly, not fast.

GOOD

Rod: 6–8 m elasticated pole with light top kit.

Reel: ❌ Not used (pole, fixed line only).

Line: 0.10 mm mainline with 0.07–0.09 mm hooklength and soft no.4–6 elastic.

Terminal tackle

["0.2–0.4 g pole float"
"strung-out shotting pattern"
"Size 20–22 fine wire hook"]

Extras

["Pole roller or simple roost"
"Pole sock or tulip rest"
"Soft landing net"]

Short pole fishing gives juniors control and precision for catching lots of small silvers.

About the Ruffe

Ruffe are small, spiky fish related to perch, with mottled brown markings. They live close to the bottom and are often caught while targeting other species.

Junior tip

Handle Ruffe carefully due to their spines. Fish small hooks with maggots or worms on or near the bottom to catch them.

Logged a Ruffe 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

For parents & carers

Use this page to quickly judge if Ruffe are a good match for your child’s confidence and ability.

● Clear guidance on safe handling, landing nets and unhooking.

● Beginner tackle that’s lightweight and manageable for juniors.

● Written in plain language so non-angling parents can still support on the bank.

At a glance

Family

Percidae

Feeding zone

Bottom

Diet

Invertebrates and insect larvae taken from the lakebed.

Typical size

5–12 cm; small spiky species.

Best season

Year-round where present.

Conservation

Least Concern but can be problematic where introduced to sensitive waters.

UK distribution

Found in some lakes and rivers, particularly in northern England and Scotland.

Typical venues

Look for ruffe in:

Deep lakes canals and slow rivers.