Bleak (Alburnus alburnus) is a small, fast-moving, surface-dwelling freshwater fish recognized for its brilliant silver scales. Highly popular among coarse anglers, it typically reaches weights of up to 200 g.
Behavior and Feeding Habits
- Diet: Feeds heavily on plankton, small insects, and insect larvae, hunting primarily in the upper water layers.
- Habitat: Holds in enormous shoals in the upper water column and is present in virtually every river, lake, and reservoir.
- Activity: Most active at water temperatures between 10–26 °C. It feeds continuously throughout the warm season as well as through winter ice in almost any weather condition.
- Groundbait Response: Attracted rapidly and masses in large numbers at any groundbaited area near the surface.
Best Fishing Methods and Tackle Setup
- Effective Baits: Easily caught on bloodworms, tiny maggots, pinkies, and small bread fragments.
- Tackle: Ultra-light float fishing rigs set to a minimal depth offer the highest catch rates.
- Speed Fishing Technique: The primary target species in competitive speed fishing and match angling. For maximum pace, use a small hook size #18–20, a single maggot, and a fast top-down retrieve. Tournament records regularly exceed 300 fish per hour.
