Appearance: A shoaling fish, dusky silver in colour, often with a brown to bronze sheen. They are quite distinctive with a blunt snout, rounded body and very large mouth. Small chub can often be confused with dace. Check the lateral line scale count (dace have 47-53) and fin shape. Chub have a convex outer edge to their dorsal and pelvic fins, while dace have a concave outer edge.
Size: 4-5lb
British record: 9lb 5oz (British record committee 2015)
Lateral line scale count: 44-46 (this is the dark row of scales along the central length of the fish's body)
Lifespan: 14 to 20 years
We like chub because: they grow fairly large in size, fight hard and eat just about anything.
How to catch a chub
Chub seek cover, so the far side of the canal is where chub are nearly always caught from. They typically like overhanging brambles and tree roots where they can snag the unsuspecting angler should they get hooked. Chopped up worms and casters are a great attracter for chub with a large worm or piece of bread on the hook. Chub will eat anything and have been known to eat frogs. Some anglers have even caught them using a slug. You can also catch chub using small spinners and lures.
Where to catch a chub
Common in many Midlands canals. The Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal and Shropshire Union Canal are both known for large catches of chub.
