Thanks Dave, this is what I thought as well ...
Cheers, Chris! Now I've got some idea of tactics that might help me catch a tench.
Thanks, MD, for giving me the confidence to try the shallow backwaters.
Thanks Dave, this is what I thought as well ...
Thank you, Chris! I'll try raking a swim as there are at least 10-15 carp for one tench in my river.Digger wrote: ↑Fri Jul 24, 2020 8:58 am Hi. Very interested in this thread as I fish for river Tench in the summer in isolation and move onto Roach in the Autumn.
For me, with a low stock density of Tench and high stock density of other fish, particularly Bream the key for me is location. This gives me increased confidence as even after locating I might only catch a Tench once in ever half dozen trips.
I begin fishing the most likely areas, these being areas with marginal weed, lilies or significant bank side grasses or overhanging features which provide a central channel. Any areas where there are isolated slow pools or areas of pads or weed should never be ignored. I cant comment on faster sections or mid river as my rivers are small but I tend to fish about a rod length out most of the time.
Once I have a likely looking location I fish until I see signs of Tench rolling. This can be a long wait but crucial in terms of confidence, I will then fish that spot on the next visit and usually catch quickly. And so the cycle continues. Raking a swim is good for putting the Carp off if they are a problem.
In terms of bait I would suggest that depends on what other fish are in the water. I never fish maggot or worm due to Eels and Perch and silver fish and dont fish boilies due to Carp. I like to feed a little Hemp but only a little so as not to encourage preoccupation. I tend to feed lightly and little but often to not attract Bream shoals. Hook baits would be corn/ flake/ maples or chickpeas on a size 8-12.
Favorite rod for modest Tench in open water would be a Wizard with a 3lb line and for larger Tench an Avocet and 4-6lb line and for real biggies in heavy weed a Mk IV with 6-8 lb line. I use flourocarbon hook links for line above 4lb.
I hope that is useful and kind regards.