Coarse Fishing Tips
Calm lake with two ducks swimming, a swan in the distance, trees and small village buildings along the shoreline under a blue sky

Practical how-to guides, rigs, baits and tackle advice from an angler sharing what he's learned on rivers, lakes and canals across the UK.

Start With Beginner Tips

New to coarse fishing? Browse guides on rigs, baits, floats and pole techniques written from hands-on experience.

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Journal

  1. Why a good pole holdall matters and how to pack itA pole holdall is easy to overlook when building a coarse fishing setup. Many anglers concentrate on the pole itself, top kits, reels, and bait, then treat the…
  2. Pre-Baiting a Swim for a Productive Fishing WeekendPre-baiting can turn an ordinary session into a much more consistent weekend of coarse fishing. By introducing small, regular amounts of food before you fish,…
  3. Fishing for perch with a small spinnerbait in canalsPerch are one of the best targets for a beginner lure angler because they are widespread, aggressive and often willing to chase a moving bait. A canal can look…
  4. A beginner’s guide to overcast fishing for pike on coarse tackleCloudy weather can make a coarse lake, canal, or slow river feel completely different. Reduced light often gives pike greater confidence to move through…
  5. How to Use a Method Feeder with a Short Hooklength for TenchTench are powerful, cautious fish that often feed confidently in silt, gravel and soft margins. A method feeder can present a compact patch of groundbait and…
  6. Tackle tips for fishing a shallow river with a centrepin reelA shallow river can look simple to fish, yet its pace, depth and changing current demand careful tackle choices. A centrepin reel is especially well suited to…
  7. The best times to fish for barbel after rainRain can transform a barbel swim. Water levels rise, riverbeds are disturbed and food is washed from bankside cover into the current. These changes often bring…
  8. How to Fish a Helicopter Rig for Carp in WeedFishing for carp in weed demands a rig that casts cleanly, settles safely, and keeps the hook bait fishing when the lead lands in thick vegetation. A…
  9. Fishing A Slow-Sinking Waggler For Silver FishA waggler is one of the most versatile floats for catching roach, rudd, skimmers, small bream and perch. Fished with a controlled slow sink, it allows the bait…
  10. Fishing a canal off the pole for bonus tenchCanal fishing is often associated with a pole held tight over the near shelf, but some of the best tench swims are beyond comfortable pole range. A rod and…