SPECIES SETUP GUIDE
Roach Fishing Setup: Float, Pole & Feeder
Evidence-backed UK roach starting setups for float, pole and feeder fishing.
Starting setups
| Method | Mainline | Hooklength | Hook | Presentation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Waggler / float | Around 3–4 lb mono | Around 3 lb / 0.11 mm | Size 18 for maggot/caster as a starting point | Light waggler / float |
| Pole / margin | Around 0.15 mm | Around 0.10 mm fluorocarbon | Size 16 | Light pole rig with strung bulk |
| Cage / maggot feeder | 4–6 lb mono | Around 0.11–0.15 mm | Around size 16 | Simple running feeder / helicopter feeder |
| Cage / maggot feeder | Mainline to suit feeder weight; typically around 5–6 lb+ | 4–5 lb | Size 12–14 for bread; smaller for maggot | Running bread / cage feeder |
How to use these ranges
Start around the middle of a stated range in open water. Move towards the stronger end when fish are larger than average, the venue is snaggy, or current increases pressure on the rig. Hook size should also follow the bait: small maggots and casters usually suit smaller hooks than bread, meat, worm or larger pellets.
Why the answer changes
Roach reward good presentation. Float and pole rigs can be light, while feeder fishing needs enough mainline strength to cast the feeder without turning the hooklength unnecessarily heavy.
Maggots and casters favour smaller hooks. Bread on rivers can require a much larger hook than a standard stillwater maggot setup, which is why the finder treats bait as a separate input.
The finder treats these figures as starting points rather than fixed rules. Fishery rules, bait size, water clarity, cover, casting distance and the stamp of fish can all justify a different setup.
Sources
- Angling Times — How to fish the waggler on commercials
- Angling Times — How to catch winter roach on the pole
- Angling Active — Roach Feeder Fishing
- Angling Times — Awesome silverfish feeder rigs
- Angling Times — Bread feeder rig for big river roach
Profiles reviewed 2026-09-22.