tench fishing

[fisher28]

Hi there,

 

I am looking to buy my first pair of tench rods and have aventually decided on the drennan series 7 specialist avon quivers. My only problem now is that i am a little unsure of what test curve to choose 1&1/4lb or the 1&1/2lb?

 

I plan to fish one rod on a alarm probably method feeder style and the other on ledgered float. My local waters do not hold massive fish and expect the average to be around 5lb. Saying that other waters local hold double figure fish.

 

Some people have advised me that for a method feeder approach even 1&1/2lb is too light and others have said dont go any heavier than 1&1/4lb. As a relatively newbe to fishing I am finding it hard to make a decision.

 

Any advice much appreciated.

 

thanks

 

fisher

[tony tinca]

Hi there,

 

I am looking to buy my first pair of tench rods and have aventually decided on the drennan series 7 specialist avon quivers. My only problem now is that i am a little unsure of what test curve to choose 1&1/4lb or the 1&1/2lb?

 

I plan to fish one rod on a alarm probably method feeder style and the other on ledgered float. My local waters do not hold massive fish and expect the average to be around 5lb. Saying that other waters local hold double figure fish.

 

Some people have advised me that for a method feeder approach even 1&1/2lb is too light and others have said dont go any heavier than 1&1/4lb. As a relatively newbe to fishing I am finding it hard to make a decision.

 

Any advice much appreciated.

 

thanks

 

fisher

The drennan series 7 rods are a great choice and i use the 12ft pellet waggler model all the time in summer matches and its a perfect tool for serious bagging up, it has a lovely soft playing action but with enough power to tame large carp ( my biggest carp 18lb 8oz was on this rod ) and the quality continues throughout the range so you will enjoy these.

As for test curve i would go with 1/14 as this will give you a nicer playing action and will result in less bumping of fish off the hook.

I use a normark neo 13 ft method feeder which is absolutely superb and this is 1/14 test curve and i use this for carp upto whatever size so you dont want any more for tench fishing in my opinion

Edited April 3, 2011 by tony tinca

[Tigger]

Hi there,

 

I am looking to buy my first pair of tench rods and have aventually decided on the drennan series 7 specialist avon quivers. My only problem now is that i am a little unsure of what test curve to choose 1&1/4lb or the 1&1/2lb?

 

I plan to fish one rod on a alarm probably method feeder style and the other on ledgered float. My local waters do not hold massive fish and expect the average to be around 5lb. Saying that other waters local hold double figure fish.

 

Some people have advised me that for a method feeder approach even 1&1/2lb is too light and others have said dont go any heavier than 1&1/4lb. As a relatively newbe to fishing I am finding it hard to make a decision.

 

Any advice much appreciated.

 

thanks

 

fisher

 

 

It depends on how far your casting and what size method/ weight your throwing out. If fishing at range then you'll need a rod of 1 3/4 or more to throw out a heavy'ish lead/ feeder/ method which will spoil the feel of the fight. You can always bait up via a catapult/ spod and fish over it with a small'ish ledger using the 1 1/4lb rods. I prefer to use lighter test rods for fishing and bait up my swim via a spod, a catapult or some other method as it's much more fun playing tench on the lighter rods...just my opinion of course.

[fisher28]

It depends on how far your casting and what size method/ weight your throwing out. If fishing at range then you'll need a rod of 1 3/4 or more to throw out a heavy'ish lead/ feeder/ method which will spoil the feel of the fight. You can always bait up via a catapult/ spod and fish over it with a small'ish ledger using the 1 1/4lb rods. I prefer to use lighter test rods for fishing and bait up my swim via a spod, a catapult or some other method as it's much more fun playing tench on the lighter rods...just my opinion of course.

 

Thanks for the advice, to be honest I dont think that i will really be fishing a range more close to medium work. Presumably the lighter rod would be fine for using a medium method feeder close in?

 

I like your idea of using a different method to feed up with and using lighter rods.

[the real steady eddie]

Hi there,

 

I am looking to buy my first pair of tench rods and have aventually decided on the drennan series 7 specialist avon quivers. My only problem now is that i am a little unsure of what test curve to choose 1&1/4lb or the 1&1/2lb?

 

I plan to fish one rod on a alarm probably method feeder style and the other on ledgered float. My local waters do not hold massive fish and expect the average to be around 5lb. Saying that other waters local hold double figure fish.

 

Some people have advised me that for a method feeder approach even 1&1/2lb is too light and others have said dont go any heavier than 1&1/4lb. As a relatively newbe to fishing I am finding it hard to make a decision.

 

Any advice much appreciated.

 

thanks

 

fisher

Stick with the one and a half pound test curve rod and you wont go far wrong,I use the korum twin tips and they are 1.75 and 2.2 test curve but the average size of tench in the lake i fish is 6.5-8.0 and we do occasionally encounter a rogue carp so we have to be prepared,best regards and tight lines,eddie court

[tony tinca]

The drennan series 7 rods are a great choice and i use the 12ft pellet waggler model all the time in summer matches and its a perfect tool for serious bagging up, it has a lovely soft playing action but with enough power to tame large carp ( my biggest carp 18lb 8oz was on this rod ) and the quality continues throughout the range so you will enjoy these.

As for test curve i would go with 1/14 as this will give you a nicer playing action and will result in less bumping of fish off the hook.

I use a normark neo 13 ft method feeder which is absolutely superb and this is 1/14 test curve and i use this for carp upto whatever size so you dont want any more for tench fishing in my opinion

 

Sorry got the test curve way wrong on my neo method feeder , its 1.75lb and for chucking a heavy feeder long distances .

My middy the works 10ft feeder is 1.25 tc with a lovely soft action for smaller carp and identical to the drennan series 7 10ft feeder.

So as steady eddie says , stick to the 1.5lb tc as this will have a nice playing action with enough backbone for bigger fish

[Dick Dastardly]

25 years ago I would have said 1 1/4lb without a moments hesitation........

 

But with modern tactics (especially method feeders) then I would go straight for the 1 1/2lb model.I actually use 1 3/4lb for my tench fishing and they (Wychwood Barbel) don't out gun the fish at all in fact far from it!

 

Pointless trying to use to light a rod to cast method feeders as a drama is inevitable! Tigger makes a good point about using other baiting methods so you can get away with a lighter rod but as I said above even the smaller tench fight well on my heavier rods so why limit my casting options?

[Rob Ward]

I'm with Budgie, I've gone as heavy as 2.25lb T/C for Tench in the past and still near had my arm ripped off by small males!

 

2lb is my standard T/C for Tench now.

[Tigger]

I actually prefer to float fish for tench and love the pleasure of playing them on a stepped up match rod but I've had no problem landing them on a light waggler (in none snaggy waters mind and). I've caught them over 9lb on the float using a normark avenger....great stuff.

If your not fishing large waters where casting long distances is necessary or using large method balls or leads then I can't see the point in spoiling the fun. I suppose the ideal solution would be to kit yourself up with two set ups eventually.

[Rob Ward]

I actually prefer to float fish for tench and love the pleasure of playing them on a stepped up match rod but I've had no problem landing them on a light waggler (in none snaggy waters mind and). I've caught them over 9lb on the float using a normark avenger....great stuff.

If your not fishing large waters where casting long distances is necessary or using large method balls or leads then I can't see the point in spoiling the fun. I suppose the ideal solution would be to kit yourself up with two set ups eventually.

 

I should have added an addendum - for ledgering for Tench 2lb is my standard T/C.

 

I'd say the action of the rod is more important with regard to getting enjoyment from the fight than the test curve as long as you don't go too heavy.