Your Comprehensive Coarse Fishing Species Guide: Discover the Ultimate Resource for Anglers!
Whether you’re a match anger, Fluff chucker or specimen hunter our lakes, canals and river are full of a number of different species you can target. In this comprehensive guide we will tell you, what you can catch, where you can catch it, how to identify it and more importantly how you can catch it! click on the links below to dive in and discover your next target species.
What Are Coarse Fish?
Before we get stuck into the different species let’s find out what a coarse fish actually is. A coarse fish lives in fresh water be it a lake, river or canal and they are not related to the Salmonid family such as Salmon, Trout, Sea Trout or Char. Coarse fish are not usually caught to eat but they are still popular with anglers and specimen hunters trying to beat their own personal bests.
Carp: The Hungry Giant
Being one of the most sought-after fish in the country the world of Carp fishing has almost become a sport all of its own. Due to their hard fighting power and enormous sizes anglers travel all over the world in pursuit of massive carp. In the UK there are a number of lakes with fish over 50lb and if you travel a bit further afield they get even bigger with the world record now standing at 112lb caught in Hungary.
Pike: The Camouflaged Hunter
When is comes to apex predators the pike is at the top of the UK’s fishy food chain. Experts on camouflage these toothy critters lie in wait in weed beds and structure waiting to ambush their pray. Roach, Rudd, Chub and Gudgeon as well as whatever will fit in the Pikes mouth is on the menu. There have even been instances where anglers have witnessed Frogs, ducks and other birdlife being snatched off the surface by a hungry Pike.
Roach: The Red Finned Bullet
The roach, with its distinctive silvery scales and red fins is a popular fish among anglers, especially during the colder months. They don’t grow massive and a fish over 1lb is considered a specimen but if you get a shoal of hungry roach in your swim, you’ll be in for a great days sport.
Tench: Old Red Eyes
Tench are a popular target amongst specimen hunters. Easily recognisable with its Olive-green skin and bright red eyes these are considered one of the most beautiful fish in our waters. A traditional method of using a centrepin reel and a float one of the most productive and rewarding ways to fish for them. The Tench has a very slimy body which was once thought to have medicinal properties giving them the nickname “The Doctor Fish”.
Bream: The Slimy Slab
Bream are found all over the country in lakes and river alike. Due to their lack of fight they are not very popular with carp anglers but within the match fishing world they are king. Bream feed in shoals and once you catch one you will usually catch more, and massive weights can be caught once you get them feeding some competitions being won with 300-400lb. They are eating machines and will make short work of a big bed of ground-bait.
Chub: The Cheeky Chevin
The chub is a favourite amongst a lot of river anglers. Known as the bulldog these brutes will eat just about anything and fight hard. Luncheon meat, bread, pellets, maggots, worms, cheese, lures you name it a Chub will probably eat it.
Perch: The Striped Sergeant
The Perch will probably not be the biggest fish in the lake or river you’re fishing but their cunning nature a pure aggression make them a popular target amongst anglers. Their green body with vertical black/Grey stripes and blood red fins make them probably the most recognisable fish in our waters. Perch can be found almost everywhere and are usually the first fish every angler caught as a kid
Rudd: The Bar of Gold
Rudd are the supermodels of the coarse fishing world. Their Golden scales and blood red fins definitely make them stand out from the crowd. Built for surface feeding with their upturned mouth these fish often caught in the upper layers on the water and even off the surface. These fish don’t grow very big and fish over 1lb would be considered a specimen.
Barbel: The Bronze Boss
Barbel are the Queens of the river and one of the most popular species amongst river anglers. These fish can be cunning and difficult to catch. Not only that once you have hooked one getting it into your landing net is the next challenge. Barbel are the hardest fighting fish in our rivers and its long torpedo shaped body and powerful tail make it an absolute powerhouse, especially in fast water.
Dace: The Silver Bullet
Dace fishing is considered an art. Traditional method on small chalk streams or big rivers are key. Dace are typically found in areas of rivers and streams with a moderate current and a gravel or pebble bottom. They can also be found in lakes and ponds, but they are more common in flowing water. You will need light tackle and tiny hook as these fish can be shy a spooked easily
Gudgeon: The Little Gobby One
Gudgeon are the perfect choice for beginners. They can be found in most river and a lot of lakes. They are easy to catch a love maggots making them perfect for teaching your kids how to fish. Gudgeon are bottom feeder and look like a miniature Barbel with they long bodies and barbules.
Grass Carp: The Vegetarian
The grass carp was first introduced as a means of weed control in lakes as it eats weed and algae. in recent years however Grass carp have been caught on boilies and pellet, the most popular method being surface fishing using bread or dog biscuits. Grass Carp have long slender bodies and a pointed head. they are well know for not fighting that hard until you get them onto the bank and try and take their photograph this is usually the point when they wake up and wont keep still.
Crucian Carp: The Shy one
With their golden sheen and powerful fight Crucian carp are wonderful to catch. If you’re fishing for Crucians you will probably be sat by a beautiful pond next to their favourite hiding place, Lily pads. Crucians are shy biters and precision, and finesse are needed when targeting them.
Wels Catfish: The Ebro Monster
The Wels Catfish can from to unbelievable sizes with a number of fish over 100lb being caught in the UK. The Catfish Capital however is the river Ebro in Spain where fish over 300lb and 9ft in length had been laded. these giant gluttons have abrasive pads instead of teeth which grip their pray. They feed on fish mostly on fish but are regularly caught on luncheon meat, Boilies and pellets.
Zander: The River Vampire
The zander, a powerful predator of our rivers and lakes, is aptly nicknamed due to its long, sharp fangs. This sleek, muscular fish lies in wait for its prey, striking with lightning speed to sink its grip into their flesh. Zander play an important role in the aquatic ecosystem by controlling the populations of other fish, and are also a popular game fish prized for their size, strength, and fighting ability.
FAQs
Conclusion
Well, there you have it.
Now that you know about the most popular coarse fishing species in the UK, it’s time to get out there and catch them! Grab your rod, get some bait, and head to your favourite fishing spot. Just remember to be patient and persistent, and you’ll be reeling in coarse fish like a pro in no time.