Float fishing for chub

I confess I am not very good at float fishing on rivers as most of my angling has been on wild rivers such as the Severn where 4oz leads are the order of the day. I am determined to try and catch a chub on the float this coming season but I do not have the correct rod to do so. Could anyone offer any advice on the type of rod I should be using and white line to match? Cheers

Darren, talk to Nairny, him and his mate Snake (previously a very good match angler until he saw the light) caught more than their fair share from the Stour last season on the float. Me, I use a 12`9" drennan tench float, as I rarely fish maggots (an oversight I must put right) only flake, rigs are a little crude; 5lb copolymer straight through to a size 6 (any make so long as it has a straight point, longish shank and in line eye), large balsa floats, 4 to 7 swan. Probably explains why I don`t catch many big chub on the float.

Like I said, ignore whats written above and talk to Nairny.

Mic

Darren,
I'd say the most important thing if you intend to do much trotting is how the rod feels in the hand. A rod that one person thinks is great, another may not be so keen on. So make sure you give any potential purchase a good 'waggle' if at all possible. Obviously recommendations help and I'm sure Iain will be able to suggest something.
I've used several rods for trotting, at the moment I use a 14' Preston Carbonactive and I find it a very nice rod to use. Capable of light line maggot fishing, but still able to cope with a bit of bread and chubber trotting. A case of a rod that seemed fine but wasn't was a Shimano Technium Specialist Float rod. Lovely playing action and great for tench floatfishing, but 'in the hand' trotting it just never felt right!
One's things for sure it's definitely worth the effort, as you can't beat a bit of trotting.
Martin
Ps On the line front, nothing more advanced than good old Drennan Floatfish, tough, reliable and it floats well.

Darren
If your serious about having a go for a chub with the float mate, good luck, it is the most rewarding way to catch them I can think of, and I use most methods, from sight fishing to bolt rigging, although the later is not one I like do use.
Now this might sound like an advert for Drennan tackle but its not, I have used all kind of float rods over the years but have never used better than there's, I have three or four from 12ft to 15ft, but my favorite is by far the 14ft Matchpro float, which has caught me loads of big chub to 7lb 2oz There are many good match reels on the market, but having nicked Lampards rod a season ago and using Drennans new series seven float fish reel to land a 6lb 13oz would highly recommend it, being short in the reel stem my short fingers can easily control the spool, a big problem with lots of match reels, I now have one for myself. cheers Terry!!! As Martin said Drennan float fish line is as good as most and reliable now they have sorted out a problem of a bad batch a year or so ago, The business end consists of mainly big loafers to control the float at distance, 5 swan is my favorite although I swap the swan for an Olivetti when I have some, next a swivel which helps with line twist on retrieval a real nightmare at times, especially in fast flowing rivers like the Avon, then Drennan ready tied hook-lengths with a dropper shot 6inches above the hook, mainly around 3lb 2oz to a size 16 to 20 for maggot fishing in the winter, things can be scaled up if trotting bread . Hope this helps mate, sorry to drag on a bit, but float fishing is in my soul

hi darren i thought i would throw another set up into the mix,ive tried many different makes and models and i have found you cant beat preston innovations.i use their 13ft carbon active sentiant range a quiet expensive rod at around £250 but you get what you pay for.it has a lovely smooth action with no dead spots and bends nice which allows you to use light lines as the rod cushions the nod nod of a big chub,as for the reel i use a daiwa tdr 2508d again around £200 but specially geared for proper fish.line wise i use 5lb maxima main line and as the same as mr nairn drennan ready tied hook lengths of which are 3/2lb breaking strain with a 16 hook or 18 hook if the rivers gin clear and icy cold.for my float set up i also now use either a 4 or 5 swan loafer with a swivel to attach my hooklenghth with a couple of number 9 dropper shots which are stotts rather than round shot to elimanate tangles as much as poss.so as you can see my set up is far more advanced than mr nairn but he has got a nak of cathchin some big chub (spawny git) time to step up to the plate mate and get on the float nothing better on a cold winters day trotting for dogs!!cheers mate p.s ta for the bait

Cheers for that you SNAKE.
Take you under my wing and get you fish you could only dream about, and this is how you repay me!!!!!
More advanced my arse.. see you Sunday SNAKE. fatten them up a bit more eh.

sorry mate!dont mean it really could not think of a better wing to be under well its got to be better than your armpit ha ha see ya sunday let em av it !!!!!

Thanks very much for all of your info chaps. I shall try my best to get an Upper Severn chub on the float this summer

While we are talking about float fishing for chub does anyone use the Drennan Long Loafer float? I'm pretty certain that they had a limited production run and that Drennan won't be re-releasing them. Anyone know where I can hold of some?

I now have just the bait to try this Winter for my float fishing for chub... Bread 'Fake'. Individually crafted flake made from our new H.N.V mix and flavoured with cheese and garlic.

Think the long loafers are out of production mate, I make my own, take an ordinary loafer,cut off the bottom eye, get some stiff fine wire, heat it up and push it into the base of the loafer and glue into place, works for me.

SNAKE!!
My tenner is looking pretty sound!!!!!!!

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cryptic messages Mr Nairn?