🏞️ Big Chubber Float
The Big Chubber is the larger cousin of the classic balsa float — purpose-built for big, powerful rivers and targeting large chub.
While its roots lie in handmade designs used decades ago, the modern chubber has evolved into a highly efficient and versatile tool for river anglers.
📜 A Short History
Originally, chubber floats were hand-shaped from balsa, designed to carry up to nine swan shot and feature large, domed tops for maximum visibility at long range.
Today, precision manufacturing has brought:
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Polystyrene and balsa bodies
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Cane or plastic base inserts
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Smooth, balanced shapes for stable trotting
Some modern chubbers now carry up to 15 swan shots, although in practice, 7–9 swan shots remains the most versatile size for most venues.
🏗️ Design and Construction
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Body: Balsa or polystyrene — buoyant and strong
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Shape: Reverse pear with a pronounced shoulder for slowing the float in the flow
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Tip: Large and highly visible — ideal for spotting takes at range
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Base: Cane or plastic stem for added stability
🎯 Why the shoulder matters:
When held back in the current, the broad shoulder allows the float to slow down without lifting out, creating a natural and controlled presentation of the bait.
🐟 Best Waters and Target Species
The chubber comes into its own on big, wild rivers, including:
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River Severn
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River Wye
🎯 Primary target: Chub — often in big shoals on winter rivers
But this float can also tempt dace and roach when fished correctly.
This method has brought me many open-match wins, including:
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An open win at Bewdley on the Severn
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Three consecutive winter match wins on the Wye
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Welsh Nationals and Wye Championship successes
🪝 Tackle and Rig Setup
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Main line: 4 lb
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Hook length: 2 lb
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Float size: 7–9 swan shot (15 swan for extreme conditions)
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Shotting:
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Bulk 2 ft from the hook (No. 8 shots)
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One BB or AA shot 6 inches from the hook
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Alternative: Olivette plus swivel hook length connection
📝 Tip: Plumbing the depth just off bottom helps keep the bread flake down and avoid lifting during the trot.
🍞 Baiting and Feeding
My preferred bait for this method is bread flake over crumb.
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Feed around 20 lb of pure bread crumb during a session.
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Throw in medium-sized balls every trot down, creating a cloud that draws chub into the swim.
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Cast the flake into the feed trail and let it trundle naturally downstream.
This combination of Big Chubber + bread flake has produced weights over 100 lb and a best match weight of 84 lb of chub — a method I can highly recommend.
✅ In summary:
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A highly buoyant, visible, and stable float
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Designed for big rivers and hard-fighting chub
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Excellent with bread flake tactics
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Proven match-winning results on the Severn and Wye
Illustration from the book
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✅ Discover the history and evolution of float fishing
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✅ Ideal for beginners and experienced match anglers alike
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