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essesxandy
Posts: 3020
essesxandy
   Old Thread  #22 3 Feb 2026 at 3.30pm  0  Login    Register
In reply to Post #15
I used to push a tin of luncheon meat through a maggot riddle and ram some of it into an open end feeder. It worked well on my small local rivers and on the Trent.
gazza81
Posts: 1179
gazza81
   Old Thread  #21 31 Jan 2026 at 6.30pm  0  Login    Register
In reply to Post #20
To be fair the only 2 chub ive ever caught was on a hair rig haha

I'll give it a try, the barbel guy i saw was fishing hair rig but with really long hairs to avoid chub
ip100
Posts: 12369
ip100
   Old Thread  #20 31 Jan 2026 at 6.26pm  0  Login    Register
In reply to Post #19
Never stopped me catching them. I was never actually targeting them, just the barbel. On a couple of evenings I ended up packing up early because I couldn't get through them. Had them as small as under 2lb on the tactics I mentioned.
gazza81
Posts: 1179
gazza81
   Old Thread  #19 31 Jan 2026 at 6.19pm  0  Login    Register
Yeah it has fish, but not packed full, i see one guy fishing for barbel and one for pike.

I thought hair rig was not ideal for chub due to the way they feed, being shy bites?

ip100
Posts: 12369
ip100
   Old Thread  #18 31 Jan 2026 at 6.00pm  0  Login    Register
In reply to Post #15
I'd use meat on a hair, and cut some bits of meat an inch square but only maybe half inch thick, and throw 4 or 5 of those around the general area. I'd use a good inch cube on the hair, that will bring them in. The thinner freebies Infront would hold bottom a bit better. I'd sometimes use a few large halibuts as loose feed too. Only a small handful
karmh
Posts: 1117
karmh
   Old Thread  #17 31 Jan 2026 at 5.58pm  0  Login    Register
In reply to Post #15
Also sounds silly nut has the stretch got fish in...because some near me on Avon are barron and some are great
karmh
Posts: 1117
karmh
   Old Thread  #16 31 Jan 2026 at 5.57pm  0  Login    Register
In reply to Post #15
If I'm hair rigging I'll use a 6 or 8 hook usually wide gape. Running lead and at least 2ft hook link. With a pva mesh bag of boilie crumb which helps with tangle also
If I'm using meat or cheese paste around hook then at least size 6 hook.
gazza81
Posts: 1179
gazza81
   Old Thread  #15 31 Jan 2026 at 5.49pm  0  Login    Register
In reply to Post #14
I was using a size 8 but because i wasn't catching i went down, I'll try 6 or 8s again next time

If i use a lead, with meat on the hook is that all you fish? No free bait? Im guessing it all just goes down stream with the flow? Thats why ive been using a feeder and casting every 10mins
ip100
Posts: 12369
ip100
   Old Thread  #14 31 Jan 2026 at 5.16pm  1  Login    Register
In reply to Post #13
Go.much bigger with the hook. I used to use 4s and 6s for chub and barbel. With a little underarm flick you'll get away with using 3 or 4 ounces leads on any tip rod too
gazza81
Posts: 1179
gazza81
   Old Thread  #13 31 Jan 2026 at 4.59pm  0  Login    Register
Watched the avon film, tried a little of everything today, rod tips high, letting out a bow of line which surprisingly works but wasn't sure on bites as couldn't really see the line and the bites didnt really register on the tip.

I was using a size 10 and a bit of meat trying for chub with the chance of a barbel, tried multiple swims but no joy. I will persist!

Thanks everyone
SamB
Posts: 90
   Old Thread  #12 30 Jan 2026 at 8.39am  0  Login    Register
In reply to Post #4
This does'nt sound like it should work, but it really does.
Just make sure you're ready for drop-backs!
gazza81
Posts: 1179
gazza81
   Old Thread  #11 29 Jan 2026 at 6.33pm  1  Login    Register
Cheers everyone, the rod tip is so flimsy, its quiver tip i think 🤷â€â™‚ï¸

Im using a 30g feeder and have just bought some long bank sticks to get the rod tips high.

Id probably go 2oz but wouldn't go highter unless i swap to my 1.75lb tc carp rods

I'll definitely check that Avon film out later tonight!

Lots of learning to do when it comes to the river, cant wait until it pays off!
karmh
Posts: 1117
karmh
   Old Thread  #10 27 Jan 2026 at 5.54pm  1  Login    Register
In reply to Post #9
Easily, I've fished 3oz with big pva bags
vossy1
Posts: 7989
vossy1
MODERATOR
   Old Thread  #9 27 Jan 2026 at 5.43pm  0  Login    Register
In reply to Post #8
I'm thinking the same now I know the rods. I would imagine you can easily gently lob much bigger weights than 1oz, emphasis on gently & progressive
bentipping
Posts: 355
bentipping
   Old Thread  #8 27 Jan 2026 at 2.04pm  0  Login    Register
In reply to Post #3
Should be able to go much heavier on weight, I use my greys barbel rod which is a 1.75 test curve with a 5oz gripper lead. Gripper lead definitely makes a difference in holding bottom.
karmh
Posts: 1117
karmh
   Old Thread  #7 26 Jan 2026 at 4.29pm  0  Login    Register
In reply to Post #1
Avon angling on YouTube has uploaded a video about river watercraft a month or so ago, quite good if you're new to it.
karmh
Posts: 1117
karmh
   Old Thread  #6 26 Jan 2026 at 4.29pm  0  Login    Register
What lead setup are you using?

A 1oz feeder is no weight really and at this time of year the waters probably a fair bit higher than at other times where you might get away with a 1oz.
Use whatever feeder it takes to hold bottom that's your only option if as previously said, rod tips high and line out of water.
Is be fishing the inside slacks if it's that bad.
framey
Posts: 5131
framey
   Old Thread  #5 24 Jan 2026 at 10.04pm  0  Login    Register
Fish the crease between slow and fast water.
mark1009
Posts: 4631
   Old Thread  #4 24 Jan 2026 at 9.50pm  3  Login    Register
In reply to Post #1
Cast upstream and let out a big bow of line, same as uptiding in the sea.
gazza81
Posts: 1179
gazza81
   Old Thread  #3 24 Jan 2026 at 7.16pm  0  Login    Register
In reply to Post #2
Yeah its small, im under arm chucking

Im using a 2lb if i remember correctly barbel feeder rod, the tip is so fine im not sure what it can take really

Edit

I just looked it up as i bought it ages ago, its..

12ft 2lb test curve supplied with one 3oz and one 4oz quiver tip.

vossy1
Posts: 7989
vossy1
MODERATOR
   Old Thread  #2 24 Jan 2026 at 6.20pm  0  Login    Register
In reply to Post #1
If it's a small river are you keeping as much line out of the water as possible, right into the slack if possible, rod tips high? That's about your only option, I would say washing line if you can get to the other side but if expecting lots of bites it's not really viable.

I think you've already identified the situation, you have to fish to the conditions with the right equipment, heavier leads might mean heavier rods.

Are you sure you can't 'lob' larger weights? It's often done on rivers, as it's a small river you're not casting as such I assume.
gazza81
Posts: 1179
gazza81
   Old Thread  #1 24 Jan 2026 at 4.33pm  0  Login    Register
Im just starting my river fishing journey, im fishing a small local river that is quite flooded and had problems as i cant hold bottom as expected with my 1oz feeder.

Im using a feeder rod so cant put 4oz on.

Every time i cast to far marging where the flow looked slower it would just bow round and end near marging.

Im fishing bread, meat and maggots going for chub and barbell but will take anything that comes my way.

Is there something i can do other than whip out my carp rods!?
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