AFTER a cold, wet and dreary start to spring, tench are finally on the feed, with a raft of quality fish reported this week.
Enthusiasts of the species have been made to wait longer than usual to capitalise on the tench’s pre-spawning feed-up, but with a bit of long-awaited warmer weather arriving, we’re seeing plenty reported.
The first was an 11lb 4oz fish landed by Norfolk angler, Stephen Gibbons. He was targeting a stillwater in his home county when he tempted the specimen on three fake casters.
“It’s a distinct fish as it only has one eye, and I’d taken photos of it for someone else two years ago,” Stephen revealed. “I had it from a gap in the weed down the side of a long gravel bar, where I’d fed maggots, casters, and small pellets. The fish measured 26 inches in length.”
Next up was Kevin Durman, who also landed a tench of 11lb 4oz, but his was from a Medway Valley gravel pit – an area with a reputation for producing some of the country’s largest tincas.
“I fished over two mornings and had eight fish in total, with another highlight a 7lb 12oz male,” Kevin told us. “In-line grub feeders fished with short hooklinks did the trick, with worm kebab hooklinks using lobworms the hookbait. I cast these over a gravel bar at 60 yards, where I fed hemp plus 1mm and 2mm pellets.”
IN THE MARKET FOR A NEW SET OF TENCH RODS? IF SO, READ OUR EXTENSIVE GUIDE TO HELP YOU CHOOSE THE PERFECT SETUP!
Members get every single week. Becoming an Angling Times Member gives you access to award-winning magazine content, member rewards, our back issue archives, bonus content and more! Join our fishing community and find out more today!