What tackle do I need to catch Three-Spined Stickleback?

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 Three-Spined Stickleback?

Natural baits such as maggots, worms or bread often work well for Three-Spined Stickleback.

Three-Spined Stickleback | Clubnest Species Guide

Three-Spined Stickleback junior fishing guide

Gasterosteus aculeatus

A clear, plain-English guide to three-spined stickleback 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 Three-Spined Stickleback in 3 steps

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

Step 1

Use pond-dipping instead of hooks

Sticklebacks are perfect for net and tray sessions in ponds and ditches. Choose safe, shallow spots with firm footing and calm water.
Step 2

Sweep gently through weed and margins

Show juniors how to sweep a small net through weed beds, then empty the contents into a tray with water. This avoids tiny hooks and reduces handling stress.
Step 3

Observe, learn, then carefully release

Use the chance to talk about spines and nests. When finished, tip the tray back at the waterline so fish can swim out on their own.

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 Three-Spined Stickleback

Three-Spined Sticklebacks are tiny, spiky fish that build nests and show bright colours in the breeding season. They are brilliant for pond dipping and early nature studies.

Junior tip

Use a net and tray for pond dipping rather than rod and line. Observe their colours and behaviour before gently returning them.

Logged a Three-Spined Stickleback 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 Three-Spined Stickleback 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

Gasterosteidae

Feeding zone

Midwater / Margins

Diet

Small insects, larvae, plankton and tiny crustaceans.

Typical size

3–7 cm; very small.

Best season

Active spring to autumn, especially in shallow, weedy water.

Conservation

Least Concern; extremely common.

UK distribution

Very widespread across Britain in a wide range of small waters.

Typical venues

Look for three-spined stickleback in:

Ponds ditches streams and lake margins especially with weed.