Freshwater · Year-round; summer surface fishing is the classic method
Chub
Squalius cephalus
A bold, greedy river fish found all over Europe, famous for eating almost anything from cheese paste and bread to crayfish, slugs and small fish. Chub haunt weir pools, bridge shadows and overhanging trees, spook easily in clear water, and give a hard, dogged fight on light coarse tackle.
Seasons · Peak
Identifying features
- Thick, torpedo-shaped brassy-olive body with large dark-edged scales
- Big blunt head with a very wide mouth and thick white lips
- Convex anal fin with a rounded edge, often tinged red
- Dorsal and tail fins grey-brown; pelvic and anal fins orange-red in adults
- Scales form a dark net-like pattern along the flanks
Habits
- Omnivorous and opportunistic — takes insects, crustaceans, plants and small fish
- Surface-feeds on flies, beetles and falling fruit in summer
- Very wary: vibration and shadows on the water spook it instantly
- Younger fish shoal; large adults are solitary and hold tight to cover
- Feeds year-round, including in cold winter water on flooded rivers
Distribution
Where to find them
- Weir pools and mill pools on lowland rivers
- Under overhanging trees and bushes on the far bank
- Bridge shadows and boat moorings on slow reaches
Where they live
How to catch them
Freelined and link-legered bait in river glides River
Rig: Light quivertip or avon rod, a few swan shot or a small bomb on a link, size 6-8 hook, bait trundled or held in glides and under trees
Bait/lure: Bread flake, cheese paste, luncheon meat or lobworm
Key tip: Travel light and stalk: cast upstream of cover, keep off the skyline and let the bait drift naturally to the fish.
Surface and floating bait from the bank Shore
Rig: Floating crust or pellet on a size 6 hook freelined or under a small controller float, cast tight to overhanging trees on warm evenings
Bait/lure: Bread crust, floating pellets or a large dry fly pattern
Key tip: Feed a few free crusts first and wait until chub rise confidently before casting yours among them.
Best baits & lures
Baseline setup
- Rod: Light 11-12 ft avon or quivertip rod
- Line: 4-6 lb mono main line
- Terminal: Size 6-10 hooks, swan shot, small bombs and link legers
Recommended gear for this species
Rod · Best value
9' 5-weight fly rod outfit
≈ US$180-260
Covers chironomid lakes and small rivers with one setup.
Flies · Budget
Chironomid assortment (30 patterns)
≈ US$25-40
Chironomids are 60% of a lake rainbow's diet in spring.
Picks come from our rule library — never paid placements. Prices are guides; affiliate links may earn us a commission.
Typical size
Common 1-3 lb (0.5-1.4 kg), 12-18 in (30-46 cm); large fish to 6 lb (2.7 kg) and 24 in (60 cm)
On the table
Poor to fair — soft, very bony flesh; rarely kept, most anglers release chub.
Similar species
IdeIde is deeper and more silvery with smaller scales and a much smaller, upturned mouth; chub is brassier, torpedo-shaped with a huge mouth and convex anal fin
DaceDace is a small, slim silver fish rarely over 8 in (20 cm) with a concave anal fin; chub is far larger, thicker and big-mouthed with a convex anal finRegulations vary by area and can change in-season — always check the official rules for your area before you fish. Regulations guide →
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