tinca tinca......summer is coming !

[oneillbox]

was float fishing in my local pond to catch livebait for piking, size 18 hook, 1.1lb bottom, small pole float and single caster......with loose fed caster every second cast....and

 

along came a 4lb male tench, which explains the thing that 'smashed' me yesterday.

 

heres to a good tench summer guys, my favourite fish.

[chesters1]

tinca tinca have been coming out all winter winter

[Elton]

I've been hearing about some very early tench, too.

[Mat Hillman]

So what sort of baits / tactics do you guys use for an early early tench?

 

Just stick to the same baits and tactics as you'd use later on in the spring when it is hopefully warmer? or do you scale it down a bit?

 

Lake I have in mind has a good head of 3-5lb Tench - but also a lot of roach and perch which makes going down to smaller baits a bit hit and miss!

 

Mat

[chelmerpaul]

Same thing happened to me a couple of weeks ago. Getting a few roach on the pole with very light gear, and along came a 4lb tinca (also male). Managed to land it (with the help of my son doing the netting) after a long fight, and it nearly snagged me in some tree branches by my feet.

It had clearly been feeding in earnest, judging by the amount of hemp and maggots in its throat. I used to think tench went into semi-hibernation in the winter, half burying themselves in the bottom silt. From the waty it fought, it was clearly very active. Had a couple in November / December as well.