Bronze in colour with slimy flanks, a forked tail, and a downturned protruding mouth. Bream usually average between 2 - 3lbs, with catches of 5lbs not uncommon on the Norfolk Broads. There are occasional reports of huge fish, exceeding 10lbs in weight. A bottom feeding species found in large shoals, Bream are a predominantly nocturnal species, though they can be caught early and late in the day.
| Average Weight: |
2 - 4 lbs () |
| Specimen weight: |
7 lbs (3.18 kg) |
| UK Record: |
18 lbs 15 oz (8.6 kg) |
| Lifespan: |
15 - 20 years |
| Habitat: |
Deep, slow moving stretches of river & deep stillwaters.
|
| Methods: |
groundbait swimfeeder. |
| Baits: |
Bread, maggots, caster, sweet corn, Redworms and groundbait.
|
| Lines: |
3 lbs - 6 lbs |
Hook Size:
|
18 - 10
|
A predatory species identified by a large erect spiny dorsal fin, dark vertical body stripes, and red lower fins. The Perch population plummeted in the 1970's due to disease, but it is making a strong comeback.
| Average Weight: |
4 - 12 oz |
| Specimen weight: |
2 lbs (0.9 kg) |
| UK Record: |
5 lbs 9 oz (2.52 kg) |
| Lifespan: |
13 years |
| Habitat: |
Found throughout the rivers and Broads.
|
| Methods: |
Livebaiting, spinning, float and ledger fished deep.
|
| Baits: |
Worm, maggot, castor, small fish, small lures.
|
| Lines: |
2 lbs - 6 lbs |
| Hook Size: |
18 - 8 |
An unmistakeable fish, at the top of the Norfolk Broads food chain. It has camouflage markings along its flanks, and has an elongated shape with a flattened head, the lower jaw protrudes slightly.
| Average Weight: |
4 - 12 lbs |
| Specimen Weight: |
20 lbs (9 kg) |
| UK Record: |
46 lbs 13 oz (21.23 kg) |
| Lifespan: |
Up to 25 years. |
| Habitat: |
Common all over the broads.
|
| Methods: |
Livebaiting, deadbaiting, spinning. |
| Baits: |
Mackerel, lamprey, roach, smelt, and artificial lures.
|
| Lines: |
15 lbs minimum |
|
Hook Size:
|
Doubles or trebles. 8 - 6. Barbed or de-barbed
|
|
Sometimes called the water sheep, Roach can be identified by the silver/blue scales across the flanks, red eyes, and red/orange fins. The upper lip protrudes slightly over lower. The average size of Roach is 2 - 10 oz, with a specimen weight of 1 lbs 8 oz. Roach feed off the bottom, but will move to intercept slow sinking bait. They tend to feed early and late in the day, and sometimes after dark in the winter.
| Average Weight: |
2 - 10 oz ()
|
| Specimen weight: |
1 lbs 8 oz (0.68 kg) |
| UK Record: |
4 lbs 3 oz (1.9 kg) |
| Lifespan: |
10 - 15 years
|
| Habitat: |
Can be found in most stretches of rivers and broads.
|
| Methods: |
Stick float and pole |
| Baits: |
Caster, hemp, maggot. |
| Lines: |
2 lbs - 4 lbs |
| Hook Size: |
20 - 12 |
A beautiful fish with golden flanks, scarlet or crimson fins, and a protruding lower lip. Rudd are common in the Norfolk Broads, especially around Upper Thurne and Trinity Broads. However, they are becoming increasingly rare in most other parts of the country.
| Average Weight: |
4 - 10 oz |
Specimen weight:
|
2 lbs (0.9 kg) |
| UK Record: |
4 lbs 8 oz (2.04 kg) |
| Lifespan: |
10 - 12 years |
| Habitat: |
Shallow, weedy/reedy areas of food rich broads, loughs and slow moving rivers.
|
| Methods: |
Float fishing. |
| Baits: |
Floating casters, maggots, bread, corn. |
| Lines: |
2 lbs - 4 lbs |
| Hook sizes: |
20 - 12 |
These hardy fish can be identified by their olive green flanks, small red eyes, and paddle like fins. They have two barbules on the upper lip. These fish are strong fighters and can be a challenge to catch. Tench tend to feed early in the morning, and are almost dormant in winter. Predominantly bottom feeders, they have swims they visit regularly, and can often be located by a steady stream of bubbles.
| Average Weight: |
2 - 4 lbs |
| Specimen Weight: |
7 lbs (3.2 kg) |
| UK Record: |
15 lbs 3 oz (6.9 kg) |
| Lifespan: |
20 years
|
| Habitat: |
All over the broads, but predominantly on the Thurne and Trinity Broads.
|
| Methods: |
Legering |
| Baits: |
Bread, worms, sweetcorn, maggots, casters.
|
| Lines: |
4 lbs - 6 lbs |
| Hook Size: |
18 - 8 |
|
