Most anglers would agree a big tench is on their wishlist of fish to catch before they die, but with these sought after fish becoming a bit more of a rarity in recent times, the chances of catching one are unfortunately dwindling.
However, in the last week or so, we have seen some tremendous tench captures banked by anglers right at the start of their angling journeys, catching the fish of a lifetime without properly realising the significance of what they have caught.
James Oxborrow was there to witness his nine-year-old son Frank bank a superb fish on a recent outing.
“We found some tench fizzing so I introduced 2kg of 12mm boilies and mixed pellets in anticipation of fishing the next morning. We arrived early, but the fish weren’t feeding as they had been. Undeterred, we cast 12mm bottom baits over the spots," James told us.
“Soon, Frank’s rod was away with the first tench of the morning, weighing 7lb 4oz. Things went quiet for the next two hours, but he then had a fish of 8lb 2oz, followed by one of 10lb 2oz. It was a trip to remember!”
IF YOU HAVEN'T CAUGHT A TENCH BEFORE, HERE IS A GREAT BEGINNERS GUIDE...
Another nine-year-old was out on the bank with his dad recently. Teddy and his dad Lee Brown opted to fish scaled down carp rigs which led to the downfall of the cracking tench.
“Knowing that bigger tench are often caught by carp anglers, on a session at our southern syndicate with my nine-year-old son, Teddy, we fished scaled-down chod rigs over low-lying weed," Lee explained.
“Our hookbaits were 12mm pop-ups, and we fed little and often over the top with 12mm boilies.
“When we had a take, a short fight followed before we netted this tench of 9lb 2oz. What a great way to start our season.”
THE BEST FISHING BIVVIES WILL MAKE LONGER SESSIONS ON THE BANK MUCH MORE COMFORTABLE.
The largest of these recent captures fell to 13-year-old Freddie Sadd, who landed a superb tinca weighing 12lb 1oz. He was fishing for both carp and tench on a southern water with his dad, Ross, using wafter hookbaits alongside PVA bags of pellets.
“I’d gone to MacDonald’s to get us breakfast when I had a call from Freddie, who told me he’d landed a massive tench,” Ross revealed.
“When I got back and saw it in the net, I was staggered by the size! Before catching it, we’d seen a large and dark fish roll a few times, getting closer to our spot every time. It must’ve been that fish!”
THESE EXCELLENT TIPS WILL HELP YOU CATCH YOUR BIGGEST-EVER TENCH!
Subscribe to Angling Times magazine today. Choose a Print+ Subscription and you'll get instant digital access and so much more. PLUS FREE UK delivery.