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The best baits for tench fishing

by Aidan Bordiuk |

Published on23rd April 2026 at 2.19pm

Tench are a favourite among coarse anglers, especially during the warmer months when they become more active and easier to target.

Choosing the right bait can make a significant difference to your results, whether fishing on lakes or canals. There are a whole host of options to choose, but from previous experience, I find these are the best options to try...

Sweetcorn

Without a doubt, sweetcorn, or the 'yellow peril' as it is more affectionately known, is a devastating tench bait, so make sure you don't leave home without a tin! There is something about bright colouration and sweet flavour combination that just proves irresistible to tench, with both big and small fish falling to it season after season.

HEAD TO ONE OF THESE FANTASTIC VENUES TO CATCH MORE TENCH.

Don't be without sweetcorn when tench fishing!

Red maggots

While all maggots will catch fish, when specifically targeting tench, the red variety is a proven winner. Whether you choose to float fish them or use them in a feeder, when the going gets tough, a pint or two of red grubs will get you out of jail and no serious tench angler could be without them.

Worms

As with most UK coarse fish species, tench can be suckers for a worm. About as natural as bait as you can find, they are particularly effective when used on a worm kebab rig, which will also help you avoid the smaller fish in the lake that can become a nuisance when using them.

THE BEST BUDGET BITE ALARMS ARE REQUIRED WHEN FISHING MULTIPLE RODS...

Another tench that fell victim to the worm kebab | Credit: Duncan Charman

Mini boilies

On waters where lots of carp are present, tench can become very accustomed to picking up boilies and you can use this to your advantage. Try opting for a fishmeal or sweet nutty boilie in a 10-12mm size as tench do usually prefer a slightly smaller bait than carp anglers generally use.

However, if lots of tench are being caught by the carp anglers, it can pay to ask what they are using and match your baits accordingly.

Hemp

No tench angler would dream of leaving home without a trusty tin of hempseed in their bag. While most wouldn't normally use this on the hook as they would for other species like roach, it is a great bait to introduce to get the tench feeding. Do be careful though, the fish can become preoccupied in eating it, so use it sparingly.

Casters

A double caster presented under a float is about as classical as tench fishing gets in the UK. These crunchy baits are adored by tench, particularly later in the season when they can become increasingly wary of other baits like sweetcorn. If you are getting pestered by small fish, fake casters can be super-effective as a change bait.

Shellfish options

Tench are quite partial to baits like prawns and mussels, with these salty, protein packed offerings often working really well after the fish have spawned and looking for a decent food source to replenish their energy. They both seem to work equally as well, but prawns aren't quite as tough, making them better at close range.

IF YOU ARE STRUGGLING TO CATCH TENCH, READ THIS ARTICLE...

Prawns can be particularly effective for tench

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