Angler's profile:

Name
Phil Spinks

Hometown
Suffolk

Personal Best
Carp 37lb 10oz (UK) 52lb (France), Tench 10lb 12oz, Bream 18lb 2oz, Barbel 17lb 12oz, Chub 7lb, Roach 2lb 12oz, Rudd 2lb 12oz, Pike 30lb 4oz, Perch 4lb 2oz, Zander 10lb 4oz.

Favourite Venue
The River Wensum

Favourite Specimen
The huge Wensum barbel

Fishing Ambition
Just recently I have also experienced some great rudd fishing in the cambridgeshire fens catching many rudd to nearly 3lb. They are awesome looking fish and I hope to crack the 3lb barrier next summer.

Read More from Phil Spinks

Trotting for Chub

The trotting went okay today, although it was hard work getting bites I did manage five chub and a bonus brown trout.

I wrapped up warm and braved it and really enjoyed getting back out on the river bank. The Korum Neoteric XS Power Float rod did the business again combined with my centrepin, 4lb main line down to a 3lb hooklink with double maggot on a size 16 hook. Proof indeed that there's still some great fishing to be enjoyed, even in these awful conditions.

I think with the weather how it is this maybe the only fishing on the cards for a little while for me, but its a lovely way to fish.
I used my special trotting floats, which are large Preston Innovations stick floats that I've adapted to suit my needs. They're perfect for river fishing.

Stick float fishing is a great method to catch more fish in the cold. Give it a whirl!