When fishing a feeder in the steady flow of the River Don, don't just look for the rod tip to pull round. Often, a big fish will pick up the bait and swim toward you, causing the rod tip to suddenly spring back straight. This is a "drop-back" bite. If the tension on your line disappears in an instant, strike immediately—the fish has already moved the lead and is likely well-hooked.
The angling in South Yorkshire is dominated by the River Don and its transformed quality. Once a lifeless industrial channel, the Don is now a premier destination for barbel, chub, and massive shoals of dace, particularly around Doncaster and Rotherham. The River Dearne offers a smaller, more intimate alternative, perfect for roving for chub in the winter months.
The canal network here is built for big boats, meaning the Stainforth & Keadby Canal and the Sheffield & South Yorkshire Navigation are wide, deep, and hold immense stocks of fish. The "Stainny" is a national match-fishing treasure, world-renowned for its winter roach and skimmer sport. For stillwater anglers, the county features large reservoirs like Thrybergh and Ulley, alongside numerous well-established club ponds and deep, former brick-pit waters that hold specimen-sized tench and carp.