Gudgeon

Seasonal behaviour

They feed through the open season and on canals all year. Warm water makes them easier.

Where to look for the fish

Canal track, gravel, and the silt just off the shelf. Rivers: the slower gravel behind a crease.

Best venue types

• Venue type

  Canal

  A towpath, a far shelf, boats, and some of the most thoughtful fishing in the country. Bread punch, pole, and waggler still rule.

• Venue type

  River

  Open season

Recommended methods

Ranked from the species–technique graph.

1. 01Whip fishingDown the track
2. 02Pole fishingA carbon pole to 11–16m with elastic, a light rig, and the bait put exactly where you fed. The most accurate tool on a commercial and a canal.
3. 03Traditional wagglerThe classic stillwater and canal float: a peacock or plastic body, locked on the line, fished at depth with maggot, corn or caster falling through the water.
4. 04Bread punchWhen they're in the cloud
5. 05Canal fishingDown the track
6. 06Maggot on the poleThe universal pole bait. Single or double maggot, a pinch of feed, and a line you plumbed. Silvers, F1s in the cold, canals, and anyone who is not sure.
7. 07Fishing the near shelfUnder your feet

Recommended baits

• Bait

  Maggots

  The universal bait. If you could only have one thing in the bag for a mixed UK stillwater or canal, maggots would still be the answer.

• Bait

  Pinkies

  Small maggots, usually pink. Winter F1s, canal silvers, and the hookbait when bronze maggots look too big.

Recommended rigs

• Rig

  Pole rig

  A dotted pole float, bulk and droppers, a short hooklength, elastic in the top kit. Accuracy is the whole point.

Feeding approach

A few maggots down the track. That's the whole conversation.

Where in the swim

A rattle, a dip, a fish. They pile in on maggot. If you want them to stop, you probably can't.

Common mistakes

Tackle that's too heavy. Ignoring them when they're the only honest bite on a hard canal.

What to change if it isn’t working

If you don't want gudgeon, change bait and come off the deck. If you do, stay exactly where you are.