RIG SCHOOL
If you’re looking for a new target over the coming months, give zander a go. This fascinating species are increasingly widespread!
ZANDER are becoming an increasingly common resident in many of our larger rivers, such as the Severn, Trent and Thames, as well as in other venues such as canals and stillwaters, and make a great target species right through autumn and winter.
They can be targeted using rods and reels designed for barbel fishing, as they grow to a similar size, and it is only the bait and end tackle that needs to be changed.
Unlike barbel, zander are quite sensitive feeders and bites are often indicated by a sharp knock on the rod tip, which needs to be struck immediately. This can be frustrating, but by using small roach baits of no more than 12cm on a combi trace, with a tiny treble hook and a single bait-holder hook, missed bites can be minimised.
This rig is designed to be free-running and tangle-free, and is ideal for fishing small deadbaits. It’s best to hook the bait ‘head up’ with the large single hook through both jaws of the fish.
Do not be tempted to fish with gear that is too light for zander as pike are to be expected and so braided mainlines of a minimum of 30lb are recommended to land fish quickly and also to give a good chance of retrieving snagged rigs.
If you haven’t fished for zander before give this simple rig a try as they are an intriguing species to catc
