Day-ticket tench
Readers reporting big hits of fish – see the best catches here...
“Linear’s Manor Lakes is offering some of the best tench fishing in the country”
ASTRING of the UK’s finest day-ticket waters are producing their biggest tench of the year – proving that there’s no better time to get out there and beat your personal best.
The popular Bluebell Lakes, in Cambridgeshire, produces huge tench every year.
And its season for the species has got off to a flying start with two fish weighing 12lb 8oz and 10lb 14oz caught by visiting carp anglers.
Swan Lake produced the heavier of the pair and the other was taken from Bluebell Lake, but unfortunately the complex has not received any pictures of either of these fish.
It isn’t just carp anglers who are catching the resident specimens by accident, as tench fishermen are already reporting great successes.
“Both fish were weighed by the carp anglers who caught them. It’s just a shame we haven’t got any pictures,” said Tony Bridgefoot, owner of Bluebell Lakes. “All our lakes hold big tench –
and large numbers of them as well. There are loads being caught at the moment and there’s always room for anyone who wants to come and fish for them.”
Another fishery that’s hit top spring form for the species is Oxfordshire’s Linear Fisheries, which is currently attracting tench anglers from across the UK.
The venue’s Manor Lake has been the water to head for – and this was proved by Dean Lefeuvre when he banked 13 tench to a best of 8lb 10oz.
A simple maggot feeder fished over a clear spot at 50 yards was the winning tactic, with all his fish falling to three red maggots on a size 14 hook.
“I found the perfect area that was situated over the back of an old weedbed and baited the spot with around 10 to 15 Spombfuls of 3mm and 6mm pellets and freshly cooked hempseed,” said Dean.
“This is one of those venues that’s widely known for its carp, but the tench fishing is some of the best in the country.
“There are many, many other venues across the country that are exactly like this.”
Willowbrook Fishery in Northamptonshire, New Claygate Lakes in Kent, Northamptonshire’s Wold Farm and Warrington Anglers Association’s Grey Mist Mere are just some of the other venues that are reporting multiple catches.