Early Season Tench Fishing: A Simple Guide
As the weather warms up in spring, many anglers start thinking about tench fishing. Tench, with their olive-green bodies and red eyes, are known for being strong fighters and can be a rewarding catch. Early season tench fishing has its own unique challenges, but with the right approach, you can have a successful and enjoyable time on the water.
A lovely brace on tench in spring
Thinking About Tench Fishing
In spring, tench become more active as they wake up from their winter rest. They start to look for food and get ready for spawning. This makes it a great time for anglers to try their luck at catching these fish.
Red maggots – an awesome tench fishing bait
Using Natural Baits: Maggots and Worms
In early spring, the water is still cold, so tench prefer natural baits that they’re used to eating. Maggots and worms are excellent choices because they move and smell like food tench would naturally eat.
For maggots, use a light hook and a small float setup. This makes the bait look more natural, which is important when tench are still sluggish. Worms, especially large dendrobaenas, are also great. You can use a heli / worm kebab rig or a float setup with a worm on the hook to get good results.
Casters are a fantastic option for big tench fishing
Casters: Another Good Bait
Casters are another effective bait for early season tench. They look and smell different from maggots, which can sometimes tempt tench to bite. You can use casters alone or mix them with maggots for a tempting mix.
Another lovely, dark tench on the mat
Feeder fishing for tench can get results in spring and summer
Groundbait: Sonubaits Krill and Squid
Groundbait is important for attracting tench, especially early in the season. Sonubaits Krill and Squid Groundbait is highly recommended because its strong smell and fine texture can draw tench from far away.
Using a feeder with groundbait that is plugging in some maggots is a good strategy. It helps deliver the bait accurately and ensures it breaks down slowly, leaving a scent trail in the water. Combining this groundbait with maggots, worms, or casters on the hook can improve your chances of catching tench.
The incredible Krill and Squid Groundbait by Sonubaits
Targeting Shallow Lakes
Choosing the right spot is crucial for early season tench fishing. Shallow lakes are ideal because they warm up faster than deeper waters, making tench more active. Look for lakes with plenty of plants along the edges, as tench often search for food in these areas.
In shallow lakes, it’s important to be quiet and precise. Approach your spot quietly and cast accurately to avoid scaring the fish. Early mornings and late afternoons are usually the best times to fish, as tench are more active during these cooler parts of the day.
An early spring tench from a shallow lake
Good Luck with Your Tench Fishing!
Early season tench fishing can be a lot of fun and very rewarding. With the right baits, groundbait, and location, you can enjoy the challenge of catching these strong fish. So grab your gear, head to your favourite shallow lake, and enjoy the experience. Good luck, and happy fishing!