Chub (Leuciscus cephalus)

From the Genus of Cyprinidae and the sub-Family Leuciscinae

Chub are large sociable fish that live in the surface layers of flowing water and clear lakes. As they grow older they become more solitary.

The body is elongate and cylindrical (torpedo shaped). The Dorsal fin is positioned above the Ventrals and both it and the Anal fin are short. The Anal fin outer edge is curved outward (convex). The mouth is large, wide, deeply slit and without barbels. Chub have a complete lateral line.

The Dorsal surface is grey-brown with a greenish sheen. The flanks are silvery and the belly white. The scales have dark edges giving an overall ‘netted’ effect. The rays of the Ventral and Anal fins are red. Their natural food is chiefly live aquatic insects and when adult they take small fish, frogs and crayfish, but this is sometimes supplemented with ‘windfall’ berries for example.

Chub are fished for usually with floating baits such as worms, bread and fruit, and artificial lures and flies. They are renowned for being difficult quarry as their habitual surface lifestyle gives them extreme sensitivity to unusual sights and bait behaviour.

The British record weight for a rod-caught Chub is 9lb 5oz 0dr. This is a very healthy chunk of fish. The Association record is 4lb 9oz 0dr, which represents a respectable 49% of the record. This was caught by Wally Harmer from the Cuckmere at Sherman’s Bridge in the 2000/2001 season. Chub over 3lb can be registered as an Association specimen.

If you think you’ve caught a very small Chub, just check that it isn’t a decent sized Dace (Leuciscus leuciscus), which has a smaller mouth and an Anal fin with a concave outer edge. If you think you’ve caught a giant Dace, just check that it isn’t a small Chub!

02/03/2008