You probably already know that Wroxham is the place to start your adventure on the Norfolk Broads. With its variety of fish, ranging from roach to pike, the allure of duck feeding that attracts even more fish, the year-round presence of fishermen, and its designation as the perfect nightspot for tench, Wroxham appeals to fishing enthusiasts in more ways than one.
But planning a fishing trip can be overwhelming; Deciding what type of boat to hire, understanding the costs, and figuring out the best spots to explore – it’s a lot to take in.
In this article, I will provide a step-by-step comprehensive guide to hiring a boat in Wroxham that guarantees you make the most of your trip and have an unforgettable Wroxham Norfolk Broada fishing trip to remember
Types of Boats Available in Wroxham
There are a variety of boat models to choose from. However, I recommend you base your choice on the nature of your trip, the size of your group, and the duration of your trip. With that in mind, here are the boats you can find for hire as part of your Wroxham Norfolk Broads Fishing Trip
Standard Day Boats
Most boat rental companies in Wroxham offer easy-to-drive day boats with a fully fitted canopy. The boats come in a variety– usually small centre consoles and cabin cruisers– and can sit between 2–8 people. They also offer the options of diesel-powered boats or electric boats.
These day boats are usually fully equipped, pet friendly, and great for a day out angling or simply relaxing on the waters. The average 8-seater diesel-powered Day Boat could cost about £20 -£25 to hire per hour.
Picnic Boats
Designed for picnics, fishing, and sightseeing, picnic boats on the Broads are tailored perfectly for a delightful day on the water with family and friends.
They come in various models, often including built-in coolers or refrigerators to keep refreshments cold. Some models go further, offering on-board grills or stoves for cooking your freshly caught fish. But the main feature of the picnic boats is the generous seating space. The models offered feature benches or lounges along the sides, ensuring everyone has a comfortable spot. They’re perfect for families of all ages and group fishing trips, as these boats can accommodate up to 7 people, including babies and toddlers.
Picnic boat rental prices could range from around £110 for half a day to £155 for a full day.
Solo/Duo Fishing Boats
This is where you’ll find your bay boats, skiffs, and canoes. Small, sturdy, and great for day fishing, you could find them with or without a motor and with oars for good old-fashioned traditional rowing. They come in all types of shapes and models and, as always, are pet-friendly; just be ready to haul your pet back in once or twice. These boats can hold up to two people, so an even more leisurely fishing trip is in order.
Rent a canoe for as low as £35 for a half-day trip or £50 for a full-day trip.
Best Fishing Spots Available From Wroxham
Wroxham Railway Bridge
Nestled next to the Wroxham Railway Bridge, this cosy spot is perfect for anglers seeking a diverse catch. You can find an abundance of roach and perch here, with the occasional hefty pike lurking in the waters.
To reel some roach, it’ll be best to use an open-ended feeder with a light ground bait or red maggots on a size 16 hook. If you’d prefer some perch, I’ll advise you to opt for chopped worm in the feeder, paired with a worm on a size 14 hook. Pike enthusiasts can use a simple running ledger rig with sea-dead bait like mackerel.
Wroxham Broad Fishing
Accessible from the Wroxham Sailing Club, Wroxham Broad offers bank access and a slipway with little cost. Feeder fishing is perfect for catching bream here, but it requires a distance of 35-40 yards.
For optimal bream baiting, employ a crumb feeder with a light ground bait mix and corn during the evening through early morning. With a 4lb mainline to the bottom, use a 14 or 16 hook, avoiding light gear due to the presence of tench.
Sweetcorn on the hook caters to bream, while maggot and castor attract smaller fish.
The Free Moorings
This spot features a gentler flow, allowing for a relaxed fishing experience. Looking to catch Bream here? Deploy a waggler float over depth, especially during the evening or early morning.
Also, utilize a size 14 or 16 hook with worm, maggot, or corn, casting halfway across the river. Periodically introduce ground bait to attract more fish.
It’ll be best to employ a lure due to boat traffic to catch pike in this area. Consider opting for a floating lure that dives to 3 or 4 feet, equipped with a 15lb mainline and a wire trace.
Peninsula Cottages
While part of this spot is private from the bank, the boatyard and pub side are great Spots for fishing. Ideal for feeder fishing, use a dark river ground bait in an open-ended feeder, slightly stiff, reaching the bottom before breaking down.
You could also employ a 40g feeder to hold the bottom, with a size 16 hook and a 6lb line to a 4lb bottom. Early in the season, expect bream shoals, roach, and perch.
For pike, utilize a ledged dead bait rig with sea dead bait like mackerel or smelt alongside a 15lb line and a size 8 snap tackle.
Daisy Broad
Encompassing a small broad and two dykes, Daisy Broad is teeming with roach, rudd, and skimmer bream. I suggest float fishing here with maggot and sweet corn, using a 3BB float with an 18 hook and a 4lb line to a 3lb bottom.
Alternatively, try pole fishing with a small float, a 2.6lb bottom, and an 18 hook. Feed lake-type ground bait with maggots periodically, enhancing the attractiveness of your swim.
For perch, fish with a section of lobworm on a size 14 hook and 3 or 4lb line straight through to the hook.
Costs and Considerations For Your Norfolk Broads Wroxham Trip
So you’ve got a boat in mind and a fishing spot, but what are the costs of an amazing fishing trip, and what other factors should you consider? The price can be make or break right? Some options for your Wroxham Norfolk Broads Fishing Trip can be expensive, but it doesn’t have to be. There are certain luxuries you can do without. I’ll detail some points to consider below.
Duration to fish in Wroxham
How long do you plan on staying out on the Broads? For just a few hours? For half a day? For a full day? For a week? No matter your choice, the boat rental companies in Wroxham have got you covered.
Half-day plans typically last from 9:00 am – 1:00 pm or 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm, while full-day goes from 9:00 am – 4:00 pm. Depending on the boat you hire, prices could range from as low as £20 per hour to £155 for a full day.
Charging Electronics on the boat
We all know part of the appeal of fishing is being able to get away from it all for hours on end, but if you still need to remain connected or have other appliances that need charging, feel free to rent an electric boat instead of a diesel one.
Group Size and Needs
How many will you be? Will you be bringing along children? Do members of the group require disability access?
Budget
Ultimately, the last thing left to do is to pick the best boat within your budget. This requires research on rental companies in the area. It’s always best to hire ahead of time, before the fishing season, as rush-hour prices could eat into your pockets.
Safety, Navigation, and Fishing Regulations
When fishing in the Norfolk Broads, you must follow safety protocols, navigation rules, and local fishing regulations for a peaceful angling experience.
License
Before casting your line, ensure you possess a valid Environment Agency Rod Licence, obtainable at the Post Office or online. This license is a prerequisite for fishing in the Norfolk Broads.
Warnings
Be mindful of unattended rods and fishing equipment. It’s an offence to leave a baited rod unattended as it poses risks to wildlife and potential loss of gear. When fishing from boats, prioritize safety by mooring safely, wearing a life jacket, and refraining from trailing baits and lures from moving boats. Stay vigilant, observe speed limits, and be considerate to fellow water users.
Be Mindful of the Environment
Respect the delicate wetlands environment of the Norfolk Broads by taking litter home and avoiding the discard of fishing tackle. Choose your fishing spot wisely, considering potential obstacles and minimizing the risk of snagging. Be attentive to overhead power cables and avoid areas where waterfowl are fed to reduce the risk of entanglement.
Angling Requirements
To fish in the Broads’ network, obtain a trout, coarse fish, and eel license from the Environment Agency or post offices. Children under 13 are exempt, while those aged 13-16 need a free junior license. Always carry your rod fishing license to avoid fines.
Fishing Seasons
Respect the coarse fishing close season from March 15 to June 15, preserving fish during spawning. Avoid pike fishing in high water temperatures during summer, and note exceptions to the close season in certain private still waters or fisheries.
Landowner Permissions
While many fishing points are open for public use, respect landowners’ permissions when fishing on private land or in areas managed by angling clubs. Non-compliance may result in prosecution.
Leave No Trace
Whether fishing on rivers or private land, leave no litter behind, including fishing lines. Respect paths for walkers and cyclists, and move your gear to facilitate boat passage. Familiarize yourself with angling club restrictions to avoid legal repercussions.
You should note that there are certain Broads where no fishing is permitted because they are conservation areas or SSSIs. You’ll see signposts signifying such areas.
The good news is you don’t need prior experience to ride a boat on the Broads. Rental companies provide complete instructions on operating and steering the boat before you embark. There are numerous places accessible to the disabled, as well as wheelchair-friendly areas.
As for mooring, there are free Broads Authority 24-hour moorings on the Coltishall side of Wroxham Bridge– some hire boats are not allowed to pass under the pride, and using the bridge pilot, which is compulsory, requires a £15 fee. The Norfolk Broads Direct and Barnes Brinkcraft hire boat yards also offer free moorings.
Booking Your Norfolk Broads Wroxham Fishing Boat
The boat booking process varies by rental company, but you can generally expect to fill in a consent form. It’s important to have your fishing license on you.
Barnes Brinkcraft
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There is nothing but good reviews with Barnes Brinkcraft; the staff are polite and helpful, their boats are in top condition, and they are easy to book and hire.
Richardson’s Day Boats Wroxham
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Yet another affordable boat rental service with good staff and great boats. They offer a variety of day boats for both leisure and fishing.
Wroxham Boat Hire
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Located by the Broads Centre, Riverside Road, they run a fleet of 6-seat day boats, available for hire for up to 4 hours. Prices are fair, ranging from £35 to £115 for the full four hours. They also offer boats of higher capacity. Just call to ask.
Wroxham Launch Hire
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With full-day fishing boat prices starting from £75, it’s a little pricier, but you could still get to man your own day boats from £27 per hour. Their vessels are in tip-top shape, and staff are always ready to recommend scenic routes and fishing spots.
Norfolk Broads Direct
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This company has riverside properties in Wroxham and Horning and offers more relaxed, planned boating vacation plans of all varieties. From staying in one of their cottages, you could get your fishing license from the Environment Agency and cast your rod right from the front of your cottage.
Conclusion
Now you’re armed with this information, you can make your Norfolk Broads Wroxham trip one to remember. Just bear in mind, that with fishing, it’s never a certainty to catch. When it comes to fishing in Wroxham, it’s one of the most popular places on the whole Norfolk broads for a reason!
FAQs:
- What Types of Fish Can I Catch in the Norfolk Broads near Wroxham?
– Roach, perch, pike, bream, tench, rudd, and skimmer bream are common catches.
- Do I Need a Fishing License to Fish in the Broads?
– Yes, a valid Environment Agency Rod License is mandatory for fishing in the Norfolk Broads.
- Are There Any Specific Fishing Regulations I Should Be Aware Of?
– Follow safety protocols, avoid unattended baited rods, and adhere to angling club restrictions. Respect close fishing seasons and specific rules for certain areas.
- What’s the Best Time of Year for Fishing in Wroxham?
– Fishing is ideal during the evening through early morning. Consider seasonal variations, and avoid pike fishing in high water temperatures during summer.
- Can I Rent Fishing Gear in Wroxham, or Should I Bring My Own?
– Fishing gear isn’t something you typically rent. It would be best to bring your own, including tackle suitable for roach, perch, and bream.
- What Type of Boat is Best for a Fishing Trip in the Broads?
– Consider day boats for convenience, solo/duo fishing boats like skiffs and canoes for a leisurely trip, or picnic boats for a unique and comfortable fishing experience.
- Are There Guided Fishing Tours Available in Wroxham?
– Yes, there are. Check with local boat rental companies for any guided options.
- Can I Moor My Boat Anywhere for Fishing, or Are There Designated Spots?
– Free Broads Authority 24-hour moorings are available on the Coltishall side of Wroxham Bridge. Be cautious of specific regulations and use designated spots, especially considering conservation areas and SSSIs.
