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Roach| Fish Species Guide | Angling Direct

Roach

Roach

aka Rutilus rutilus

A member of the carp family, the roach can be confused for dace, chub and rudd due to its slim body and silver flanks. Seen gathering in large shoals in lowland ponds, lakes and slow-flowing rivers, the silvery roach is widespread across Europe except for areas surrounding the Mediterranean waters. As a smaller freshwater fish, roach boasts a small mouth with an extended top lip to indicate its preference for bottom-feeding. The roach stands out by its bright silver flanks with a pale cream underbelly and orange-brown fins.

FactAs a favourite food for many fish-eating birds, roach are commonly targeted by a tapeworm parasite called Ligula. This parasite wants to reach the bird's belly but uses the roach to get there. An infected roach will have a bloated belly and be much more vulnerable to bird or predator attacks.

Stats

Habitat

Habitat

Near aquatic vegetation, at the bottom of a rivers and lakes.

Bait

Bait

Maggots, casters, hemp, sweetcorn, worms & bread flakes.

Fishing Tackle

Fishing Tackle

Native or Invasive

Native or Invasive

Native

Where

Where

Found in freshwater lakes, rivers and large shoals in shaded areas. Distributed throughout Europe, Asia, stretching to S

Catch Experience Catch Experience

Roach are quite catchable on a wide range of baits and tactics, rather than their delicate feeding perception. For targeting the specimens of the venue, stick with your larger baits and heavier tackle. Roach are known to spit out hard baits such as hemp seeds so be sure to use the softest baits such as pellets that you can, as the roach will hang on to these for a fraction of a second longer. When this fish bites it will generally be followed by a firm, confident pull so anglers need to be prepared for quick strikes from the roach. Roach stick close together so if you catch one you are likely to catch another shortly after. Known to be greedy and to swallow bait whole, it is suggested to come to the bank with a disgorger for removing any accidentally swallowed hooks, especially when baiting with maggots as these are a roach favourite!

Video

Blog Highlight

UK Specimen Roach Fishing - The Insiders Guide

About roach fishing in the UK:The roach (Rutilus rutilus), is a fresh- and brackish-water fish of the family Cyprinidae, native to most of Europe and western Asia.How to identify a roach: A moderately deep bodied fish with silvery...

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