The Coarse Fishing Guide

Latin name Rutilus Rutilus

The Roach is a silver fish with red fins, present in most British coarse fishing waters.

Most coarse anglers will have caught a roach early in their fishing career as they are a free feeding shoal  fish that will take most small baits.

Baits

Roach are generally fished for with maggots, bread flake or paste being a popular bait for the larger specimens. They will also take worms, pellets and small boilies.

MATCH MASTER SOFT HOOKER PELLETS TUTI FRUTY 10MM £2.00 Auction Ends: Tuesday Sep-07-2010 9:08:00 BST   | Watch this Item

DYNAMITE BAITS SOFT HOOKER PELLETS HALIBUT 6MM £2.95 Auction Ends: Wednesday Sep-08-2010 13:42:56 BST   | Watch this Item

Tactics

Most coarse fishing tactics will catch roach depending on the type of water and conditions. In rivers they can be fished for with light tackle by trotting a stick float with the stream, using maggots as the bait and ensuring a steady stream of free offerings are thrown in to keep the roach in the swim and competing for food.

Larger river specimens can be taken using a leger or swimfeeder rig, with larger baits such as worm, bread flake or paste allowing selective targeting of the larger specimens.

In ponds, lakes and canals, pole or whip tactics can account for large bags of small or medium sized roach using pinkies or maggots with a cloud groundbait.