Tench
The Tench can be found in most stillwaters, canals and even rivers and can manage to survive in poorly oxygenated conditions where other fish would not. It is a bottom dwelling fish feeding on crustaceans, larvae and bloodworms and is generally found in small shoals. A feeding fish often releases a stream of tiny bubbles that can be seen on the surface. The Tench is a sturdily built fish with small scales embedded in it's olive green body. It's eyes are small and it has two barbules, one either side of it's mouth. The female of the species has larger ventral fins to that of the male. Colour variations of the Tench can often be found in ponds, usually gold in colour and with a variety of markings, where they have been stocked for ornamental purposes.
Where to find the Tench
Though some tench are found in quite fast-flowing rivers such as the Trent, they thrive best in rich still waters, sluggish rivers and canals. You won't find them in very fast water or poor upland lakes, but they are highly tolerant of low levels of dissolved oxygen, and so do well in shallow ponds which have low water levels, or even become stagnant, in summer.
Bait to use
Worms, lob worms, redworms sweetcorn, bread (either punch, flake or paste), maggots (Red seems best), pinkies, casters, mini-boilies, pellets, prawns and cockles, fresh not frozen or pickled in vinegar).
Feeding habits
Tench feed almost exclusively on the bottom - finding their food by rooting around in the mud. As they do this they often release strings of fine bubbles. These come from pockets of marsh gas (mainly methane) disturbed by the fish as they feed in the mud. Tench eat all the small prey animals found on the bottom but are especially fond of bloodworms, jokers and other insect larvae. They also eat larger items such as worms, snails, mussels and even some small fish. They feed mainly at dawn and dusk, but sometimes continue through the day or night, depending on the venue. In winter they hardly feed at all, lying inactive on the mud for long periods.
Where to find the Tench
Though some tench are found in quite fast-flowing rivers such as the Trent, they thrive best in rich still waters, sluggish rivers and canals. You won't find them in very fast water or poor upland lakes, but they are highly tolerant of low levels of dissolved oxygen, and so do well in shallow ponds which have low water levels, or even become stagnant, in summer.
Bait to use
Worms, lob worms, redworms sweetcorn, bread (either punch, flake or paste), maggots (Red seems best), pinkies, casters, mini-boilies, pellets, prawns and cockles, fresh not frozen or pickled in vinegar).
Feeding habits
Tench feed almost exclusively on the bottom - finding their food by rooting around in the mud. As they do this they often release strings of fine bubbles. These come from pockets of marsh gas (mainly methane) disturbed by the fish as they feed in the mud. Tench eat all the small prey animals found on the bottom but are especially fond of bloodworms, jokers and other insect larvae. They also eat larger items such as worms, snails, mussels and even some small fish. They feed mainly at dawn and dusk, but sometimes continue through the day or night, depending on the venue. In winter they hardly feed at all, lying inactive on the mud for long periods.
Where to look for Tench
Watch reedbeds carefully - tench sometimes bump into stems.
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