Chub
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Chub |
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Leuciscus cephalus (Linnaeus, 1758) |
- This article is related to the fish. For information related to the gay male subculture, see Chubby culture. Or for the game, see ChUB.
The chub, or European chub (Leuciscus cephalus) is a freshwater fish of the family Cyprinidae. It frequents both slow and moderate rivers as well as canals and stillwaters of various kinds.
The name chub also describes numerous other cyprinid fish in several North American genera, including Algansea, Erimystax, Gila, Hybopsis, Macrhybopsis, Nocomis, Notropis, and Semiotilus, as well as the unrelated sea chubs of the family Kyphosidae. It is also a regional name for fish such as shortnose cisco and tautog.
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[edit] Description
Chub have a large head, a large mouth with almost rubberlike lips, a black/silver to greenish back, silvery sides, white belly, and fins tinged with yellowish red. Size and length varies depending on water. although the chub may look small they can be strong fighters when hooked by an angler.
[edit] Fishing for chub
Chub is a popular fish with anglers due to its readiness to feed, and thus be caught, in almost any weather conditions.
Where present and whilst small, the Chub is a free-biting fish which even inexperienced anglers find easy to catch. As they become larger, however, Chub become very wary fish—easily "spooked" by noise or visual disturbance. Consequently large chub (in excess of perhaps 2 kg) are keenly sought by anglers who prefer to target specific fish.
[edit] Tackle
Small chub can be caught readily on light tackle. A fly-fishing set-up, lure rod or float rod for example. Lines and hooks can be small but bait size is often on the large-side due to the Chub's "greedy" nature.
Larger chub, especially in floodwater conditions, need to be fished for with much tougher tackle. A stiffish rod, strong line, strong hooks and a large piece of bait. These precautions are needed due to the chub's predilection for taking cover in underwater snags. (They freely conceal themselves in—and then return to—deep holes, roots of trees, etc.).
As with most species, Chub will readily take whatever is natural to their habitat. In addition to such "natural" baits, however, Chub are renowned for their voracious appetite and will, in all probability, take forms of cheese, sweetcorn, bread, worms, wasp-grub, and just about any other bait that is offered.
[edit] References
- Leuciscus cephalus (TSN 163581). Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Accessed on 11 March 2006.
- "Leuciscus cephalus". FishBase. Ed. Ranier Froese and Daniel Pauly. 3 2006 version. N.p.: FishBase, 2006.