Coarse fishing is the most popular type of angling in England and Ireland. Since most of the people live within a few miles of a river, canal, lake or pond, fishing has been a popular game and pastime in the British Isles for past many centuries.
What exactly is coarse fishing?
Coarse fishing is a term used in the United Kingdom and Ireland for angling for coarse fish. Coarse fish are freshwater fish that are distinguished from game fish. Freshwater game fish are all salmonids – most particularly salmon, trout and char – so generally coarse fish are freshwater fish that are not salmonids.
There are around 25 species of coarse fish commonly fished for in the UK, but the most popular are Carp, Barbel, Pike, Perch, Roach, Rudd, Bream, Tench, Dace, Chub, Eels, Zander and Wels Catfish.
Coarse fishing isn’t merely a pastime. The ponds, flashes, rivers and canals of working-class Britain are filled with childhood memories and moments of glory for the seasoned fishermen. Of course, beginners can revel in the glory as well experiencing the adrenalin rush themselves. Fighting a big carp, catching a mean pike, filling a landing net till it’s bursting can be exhilarating. Of course, all this after a lull and long periods of calm meditation. For a beginner, be prepared to eye the catch of glitteringly beautiful freshwater fish that are many times small and slippery. Perch, roach, carp!
As per rules, anyone aged 12 or over who wishes to fish for salmon, trout, freshwater fish, smelt and eels in England, Wales or the Border Esk region of Scotland requires a rod licence to fish with a rod and line. If you are fishing for coarse fish with three or four rods (four is the maximum allowed) then you need two licences. Shop for Shimano Tiagra reel, Mustad hooks, Vass chest waders, Abu reel, Penn reel and Orvis fly rod from leading online store Fishing Tackle 2U.