small roach
ROACH – FROZEN PIKE & SEA FISHING BAIT
Roach is one of the classic natural pike deadbaits and an excellent alternative to oily sea fish such as mackerel, herring and sardines. Its firm body, tough skin and natural freshwater prey-fish profile make it particularly good for presenting whole and intact.
Roach can also be used as a sea-fishing bait, either whole when targeting larger predators or cut into firm strips, fillets and sections. The flesh and skin hold together well, making it useful when a tougher fish bait is wanted.
ROACH FOR PIKE
This is where roach really earns its place in the bait freezer.
Pike naturally encounter coarse fish such as roach, so a whole roach gives a very natural deadbait presentation. It can be ledgered on the bottom, float-ledgered, suspended beneath a float or popped up when conditions suit.
Unlike very soft deadbaits, roach has a relatively firm body and skin, which helps it remain securely mounted on the trace.
Use a Wrigglers Wire Pike Trace fitted with Wrigglers Barbed Treble Hooks.
Size 8 — smaller roach and lighter deadbait presentations.
Size 6 — the main all-round choice for medium-sized roach.
Size 4 — larger roach and substantial deadbait presentations.
Match the hook spacing to the length of the individual fish rather than forcing every roach onto the same trace.
Always use an appropriate wire trace when intentionally targeting pike, with the treble points clear of the bait.
WHY ROACH IS DIFFERENT FROM MACKEREL & HERRING
Roach shouldn't be sold simply as another frozen deadbait.
Mackerel and herring are primarily attractive because they're extremely oily and release a strong scent.
Roach offers a different presentation — a natural freshwater prey fish with a firm body and recognisable profile.
Having both types available allows the angler to change between an oily sea deadbait and a natural coarse-fish deadbait rather than repeatedly presenting the same type of bait.
WHOLE ROACH
Whenever the size is suitable, whole is the natural way to present roach for pike.
Keep the body intact and position the trebles so the bait hangs naturally without covering the hook points.
Smaller roach make excellent compact deadbaits, while larger fish provide a much more substantial presentation without needing to combine several smaller baits.
ROACH SECTIONS
Larger roach don't always have to be fished whole.
Cutting one into sections gives a more compact bait while exposing flesh and releasing additional scent into the water.
Head and tail sections can both be used, provided the trebles are positioned securely and remain exposed.
ROACH FOR SEA FISHING
Roach can also be used as a firm fish bait for cod, rays, huss, conger and dogfish, particularly when anglers want to experiment with something different from the usual sea-fish baits.
Its firm skin is useful for producing baits that stay attached during casting.
COD
Cut a long strip or fillet with the skin left attached and fish it on a Pulley Rig.
Use a Wrigglers Takumi Wide Gape Long Shank Hook for a longer strip or a Wrigglers Octopus Beak Hook for a thicker piece.
For a larger cod presentation, combine roach with squid and use a Pulley Pennel.
RAYS & HUSS
Use a larger fillet, section or substantial strip on a Pulley Pennel or Up & Over Rig.
A Wrigglers Octopus Beak Hook is a good match for a conventional larger fish bait.
For a circle-hook setup, use a Wrigglers Mutsu Circle or True Circle Hook matched to the size of the finished bait.
CONGER
Large sections of roach can also be used as a substantial conger bait.
When the bait and target fish genuinely require heavy tackle, Wrigglers Stainless O'Shaughnessy Hooks in 10/0 or 12/0 provide the heavy-duty option, combined with heavy trace material and appropriately rated Wrigglers Power Swivels.
SMALL ROACH STRIPS
Don't waste the offcuts.
Small strips with the skin left attached can be fished on 2-Hook or 3-Hook Flapper Rigs for dogfish and general mixed-species fishing.
Use Wrigglers Aberdeen or Chinu Hooks for these smaller presentations.
ROACH & SQUID
For sea fishing, roach and squid makes a very durable fish cocktail.
Roach supplies the fish flesh and tough skin, while squid adds further toughness and helps bind the finished bait together.
For cod, use a Pulley Rig with a Wrigglers Takumi or Octopus Beak Hook.
For rays and huss, increase the bait size and use a Pulley Pennel or Up & Over Rig.
COMPLETE YOUR SETUP WITH WRIGGLERS TACKLE
For pike fishing: Wrigglers Wire Pike Traces • Barbed Treble Hooks Sizes 8, 6 & 4 • Power Swivels • Pike Rig Components.
For sea fishing: Wrigglers Chinu Hooks • Aberdeen Hooks • Takumi Wide Gape Long Shank Hooks • Octopus Beak Hooks • Mutsu Circle Hooks • True Circle Hooks • Stainless O'Shaughnessy Hooks • Pulley Rigs • Pulley Pennel Rigs • Up & Over Rigs • Power Swivels • Rig Line & Rig Components.
TOP TIP
For pike, don't automatically reach for the largest roach. A smaller whole roach can give a neat, natural presentation with less resistance, while a larger fish gives you the option of fishing it whole or using sections.
For sea fishing, keep the skin attached when cutting strips and pass the hook through the tougher skin to improve bait security.
NATURAL FRESHWATER DEADBAIT • PIKE FISHING • SEA FISHING BAIT
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