Description:
The Tench is a bronze or olive green fish. It has rounded fins, red eyes and small slimy scales. It is found at the bottom of stagnant still waters and is often in the mud. Tench can survive in waters with low oxygen levels. An ornamental variety of Tench is also found in United Kingdom waters, the Golden Tench. It is usually bright orange with dark coloured spots. 7lb is considered to be a specimen. Tench spawn from May to July and the females, who grow considerably larger than the males, lay up to 900,000 small green eggs.

Methods of Capture.
One of the best baits to use for Tench is small red-worm or red maggots. These can be fished with float methods ideally 'laying on'. The float needs to be set about 10cm over depth so that the bait is actually resting on the bottom. The bulk of the shot needs to be around the float, a waggler with a cane antennae, and a single number 4 positioned 8cm from the hook.
Fish over loose fed maggots or chopped worm close to weed beds or the bank-side. Tench tend to be cautious feeders and often play with the bait before confidently taking it. This is reflected in the bite. The float will often bob a few times before lifting slightly and then gliding away. Many bites are missed by over anxious anglers striking too early and it is advisable to wait for the float to glide away before striking.
Once the Tench looses it's inhibitions it will rise to intercept feed and bites can sometimes be had as the bait is falling through the water. If this is the case, replace the no.4 shot with a number 6 and move it further up the line so that the last 50cms falls freely.

A Tench once hooked can present the angler with a quite energetic fight, often diving for available cover and snags therefore tackle needs to be fairly strong.

An alternative bait is a Kidney Bean, presented on a size 10 or 12 hook and fished slightly over-depth with a waggler. The bean should be squashed at the very end to show white which in turn produces an attractive smell/taste.

Tench are a early morning species so try for them at the crack of dawn or at dusk. A simple cage feeder with sweetcorn as bait should be taken by a lump or two.

Tip: Tench activity is usually signaled by small bubbles rising, particularly near lily pads.