Rudd (Scardinius erythrophthalmus)

The Rudd at first glance looks very much like the Roach. The three main differences are it's dorsal fin is set further back, it's mouth curves upwards and it's eyes have yellow to orange irises compared to the Roach's red. It is essentially a surface feeder living in shoals in the upper half of the water. The Rudd is mainly found in stillwaters and canals favouring thickly overgrown areas or near to bank-sides. It's main diet consists of small crustaceans, insect larvae and fallen insects also aquatic plants.

Methods of Capture. The most favoured method is float fishing on the drop. A small waggler fished with little or no weight on the main line which should be about 1m in length. Maggot, castor or bread either punched or a small flake allowed to sink slowly through the water,  with loose fed samples of the same, will tempt the Rudd to feed. One method that can be exceptional is punched bread used with a bread and water loose feed. The bread should be allowed to soak in water until it literally becomes a sloppy mix. Mash the bread into small particles and then drain off the excess water. Fed loosely with punched bread on the hook it will tempt even the most reluctant fish. 
Essentially the Rudd is a shy feeder, therefore tackle should be kept light and every effort must be made not to spook the shoal once one of it's members have been caught. A hooked fish needs to be guided away from the shoal quickly. This can be done by lowering the rod level to the bank after striking and at the same time draw the rod backwards reeling in any loose line.

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