TENCH

July 06

When you’ve landed a few larger tench, you see why so many anglers target them all year. But for most - it's only the first few weeks of the season, partly because they wise-up to being caught and seem to disappear till next season.

My favoured method is my 13-foot coarse rod and my trusty Abu 505 loaded with 4lb line straight through to the hook. I use a size 16 tied on by the trusted five-turn grinner.
The bait is either double maggot or maggot and caster. I bait every cast, every 10/15 minutes, and bait-up at the same time. I use the lift method with a trusted old float from my teenage years.
I use my specimen landing net and large unhooking mat. But instead of my wicker basket, I now use my easy to use, but hard to carry, comfy carp chair.
I only fish the first few hours after day break or the last few hours after work till dark. I try to keep as close to the side of my chosen swim so fish can't see the sudden appearance of a new tree!

The floated dipped a few times and slowly lifted. Then paused... I grabbed the rod just as it went straight under. The battle commenced. With only 4lb line he was the boss but I had planned on this and there were no lilies, sunken trees or snaggy areas that I could see.
He charged around my swim for a couple of minutes till those red eyes stared at me as the went into the landing net
It went 8lb 12oz. A 4lber along with two 6's came my way as well, all before work.

Did I go to work happy? You bet. Did anyone at work understand? Nope, but then do they ever!

Only a short article I know, but a great morning as you can imagine.

David Williams