Chub Fishing - Trotting for Chub - Part 3
My approach to trotting is very simple. I think that’s why I like it so much! I currently use a Greys 13ft Prodigy float rod coupled with a Young’s Heritage centrepin. A match made in heaven. Line is usually around 3lbs breaking strain and I prefer to use Drennan Float fish. Floats tend to be of the chubber style and occasionally balsa trotters. Weight of the float varies depending on flow conditions. As a general rule of thumb I go for a chubber with a 2 or 3 SSG rating. If the flow is fairly heavy then I will step up to a 4 SSG+. These are fixed top and bottom with float rubbers. One thing worth mentioning at this stage is make sure that the float rubbers are a tight fit, otherwise your float will move on the strike and gradually work it’s way down towards the hook. You will forever be readjusting the depth, which can be very annoying.
Once you have selected your float and fixed it to the mainline, tie on your chosen hook. I usually fish straight through. In other words, I do not tie on an additional hook length or ready made hook to nylon. This is entirely up to you and obviously conditions may dictate otherwise on occasions. I like to use a palomar knot which I find extremely reliable. I use Korum or Kamasan hooks in sizes 14 - 18. If I’m using larger baits then Korum 4 -14 or Korda wide gape and the Gamakatsu G-Point specialist wide gape. Hook choice obviously depends on the bait you intend using. I like to trot with 2 or 3 maggots so go for a size 14 - 18. If I’m missing bites I’ll change to maybe a single maggot on an 18 to see what happens. If you do experience missed bites don’t be afraid to change hook sizes, bait or even line diameter in an effort to connect with the fish.
Once you have tied your hook of choice it’s time to attach your shot. Go for a nice soft shot that you can squeeze on with little effort. This will minimise line damage. You may wish to attach different styles of weights with float rubbers. Dr Mark Everard recommends masonry nails in his excellent book the Complete Book of the Roach. With a bit of lateral thinking you may come up with a great idea of your own. If you do, please let me know! If you are using say a 3SSG chubber, then use AAA shots instead. Start 18-24 inches from the hook and attach a line of AAA shots in a neat row. This then offers a very neat presentation and causes a lot less disturbance due to the lower resistance on the strike than several large, bulky SSGs. It may well take 7 or 8 to get the float to sit right in the water, with say 1 cm showing above the water level. You want to be able to see the tip in varying light conditions and sometimes up to a distance of 30 -50 yards if long trotting. Then add a small dropper shot about 4 - 6 inches from the hook. Again depending on flow you may wish to use something like a number 6 or 4. In very heavy water I like to put 2 small shot together as a dropper. I think it looks a lot neater then say a bb shot. You're now set to start fishing……well almost.
Finding the Depth.
When fishing in flowing water it is rather difficult to plumb the depth in the conventional way that you would employ on a Stillwater. The best way to check the depth on the river is simply by trial and error. Set your float for say 3 feet. If the floats sweeps downstream unhindered, then deepen the float by moving it up 6 inches. Keep doing this until the float starts to dip under. Once this happens you know that either your dropper shots or bulk shotting are catching on the bottom. You can generally differentiate between the two. If it’s the bulk shot, you tend to see either the float laying flat for a second or two prior to being pulled under or it will appear to be pulled under at an angle which is ahead of the shot. If this is the case you will know how much to shorten the depth setting of the float. If it’s just catching the bottom and dipping slightly, then decrease the depth by half an inch to one inch increments until you are happy that you are fishing with the bait just trailing the bottom of the river bed.At this stage it is useful to note that this method of fishing will highlight all sorts of contours and depths on your stretch of river. Very useful when returning with say an Avon rod or quiver tip in search of barbel and chub. Another useful trick is to set the float over depth and hold back as the float progresses down the river. If you simply stop the flow of line with your finger the weights on your line will swing upwards in the flow, allowing it to continue down the swim even though it is set over depth. Keep holding back and releasing and try it on several lines down the swim you are fishing. This can sometimes highlight a deeper hole or deeper run. What generally happens is that your float keeps getting pulled under as it is set too deep for the swim. Then suddenly it seems to ride downstream very smoothly and without obstruction. You’ve just found a deeper area. This is invaluable for finding fish, especially in the winter months. If you trot on a regular basis you find yourself doing this as a matter of course.
All types of Coarse Fishing Tackle, as well as all specialist Carp Fishing Tackle