Sussex Angler Toby Harwood has sent us some details on the fine river roach he’s been catching recently – with a number of cracking specimens being taken including a wonderful fish of 2lb 6oz just before sunrise one morning!

Toby has put a lot of effort in on a Southern river this season, catching a number of quality Carp (to 22lb) and Bream (to 11lb 12oz), plus numerous Roach just under 2lb – until hitting the jackpot with the big fish at dawn following a nocturnal barbel session.

Toby had switched to a quivertip rod at 5am after noting that with a turning tide and a crisp morning, conditions looked good for a big Roach. Using a size 14 Drennan Wide Gape Specialist hook baited with a pinch of paste, a series of taps on the tip resulted in a hard battle in the flow until the fish was successfully netted.

For full details on the Wide Gape Specialist hook pattern, click here.