Winter fishing can be tough, but it’s also one of the most rewarding experiences for any angler. On a bitterly cold day, I found myself wandering along the riverbanks, armed with nothing but a simple setup to go chub fishing with cheese paste. The countryside was breathtaking, the conditions were perfect, and despite the freezing temperatures, I wouldn’t have wanted to be anywhere else.
Step 1: Finding the Right Spot
The key to winter chub fishing is mobility. With bites being few and far between, I knew I had to keep moving. The first swim looked promising – a nice bit of cover on the far bank with some sunken branches. I swung the bait out, letting it settle in what seemed like the perfect ambush point for a hungry chub. Ten minutes passed, then fifteen, and not a single knock. It was time to move.
The next few swims were much the same. Each one looked like it should hold fish, but the chub weren’t playing ball. The cold weather had made them sluggish, their bites more delicate than usual. I adjusted my approach, using a lighter line and a more sensitive rod tip to detect even the smallest of nudges. Still, no luck.
Step 2: Perseverance is Key
After working through about ten different swims without so much as a twitch, I started to wonder if today would be one of those frustrating blank sessions. But as any seasoned angler knows, perseverance is key. I settled into a new spot with some lovely overhanging cover, casting my cheese paste bait just under the branches. Within minutes, I noticed the faintest of taps on the rod tip – exactly the kind of delicate bite winter chub are known for.
I struck, and the rod arched over. The fight was on! Chub are notorious for diving towards snags, and this one was no different. It made a beeline for the near bank, trying to shake the hook in the tangle of roots and branches. But with steady pressure, I managed to guide it into the net—a stunning, bronze-coloured chub. The effort had paid off.
Step 3: Use an Effective Rig
The rig I was using was a simple link ledger setup, ideal for winter conditions. A small lead on a weak link allowed the bait to settle naturally, while a short hook length with a size 4 or 6 hook ensured a secure hook-up. The cheese paste itself was a simple mix – roughly equal parts blue cheese and cheddar, combined with shortcrust pastry. Some anglers swear by adding garlic granules or paprika, but I’ve never been sure if it makes much of a difference. What does matter is getting the consistency right – soft enough to mould around the hook but firm enough to stay on in the water.
Step 4: If bites dry up KEEP MOVING
The next few swims were hit-and-miss. Some looked perfect but produced nothing, while others yielded small indications that fish were present but not quite willing to commit. I kept my time in each spot short – no more than fifteen minutes unless I got a bite. The trick with winter chub fishing is covering as much ground as possible. They might not move much in the cold, so finding them is half the battle.
Then, in one particularly promising swim, I struck gold again. The tip of my rod gave a single, deliberate pull, and I struck into another hard-fighting fish. This one put up a good scrap, heading straight for the reeds. Keeping the pressure steady, I managed to steer it out and into the net – another fish. I just love chub fishing with cheese paste!
Step 5: It’s Cold … Don’t Punish Yourself!
By this point, I had worked through at least twenty different swims, covering a good stretch of the river. This has helped me to keep warm, HOWEVER, conditions in winter can be harsh. Whether you’ve caught fish or not (and we all blank), don’t punish yourself too much. Fishing should be enjoyable and know when to call it a day and maybe consider keeping these sessions fairly short.
As the afternoon wore on, I tried a few final swims, targeting areas with overhanging trees and reed beds. These kinds of features provide shelter for chub, making them ideal places to present a bait. I hooked into one more fish – a beautiful, cold-to-the-touch chub that had clearly been sitting deep in the shadows, waiting for an easy meal.
Chub Fishing with Cheese Paste – Final Thoughts
Winter chub fishing is never easy, but it’s always worth the effort. The bites are subtle, the fish can be elusive, and the cold can be brutal, but the thrill of landing a chunky chub in the depths of winter makes it all worthwhile. With a simple setup, a handful of cheese paste, and a willingness to move from swim to swim, you can turn even the toughest of days into a successful session.
So, if you’re thinking about staying indoors with a hot drink this winter, think again. Wrap up warm, grab your rod, and hit the river and go chub fishing with cheese Paste – you never know when that next bite might come!
Watch the Video
Fancy giving it a go, but want to know more? Check out the full video of this session on Korum’s YouTube Channel.
