10 BRILLIANT TENCH WATERS FOR YOU TO TRY
1 DAW END CANAL, WALSALL, W MIDS
This pretty section of canal is full of big tench and bream to 6lb, and at this time of year you can catch them in open water on the deck. The far bank (around 14m away) features an enticing bed of lily pads which the tench love to hide in, but this does pose a problem if you hook one. Try feeding a bed of groundbait, sweetcorn and chopped worm around a foot from the lilies and fish a heavy rig over the top with a corn and chopped worm cocktail. Use a size 14-16 elastic to help bully the fish from the snags. Contact: 08447 700616 or visit www.canalrivertrust.org.uk Postcode: WS8 7BN
2 BLUEBELL LAKES, OUNDLE, CAMBRIDGESHIRE
This fantastic fishery holds a superb number of tench to double figures across Sandmartin, Mallard and Bluebell waters, although it’s the latter you want to be fishing if you’re after a string of fish. For the best results, target them by fishing the margins on the waggler with corn over a bed of micro pellets and hempseed. Contact: 01832 226042 or visit www.bluebell-lakes.co.uk Postcode: PE8 5HP
3 BURY HILL FISHERIES, DORKING, SURREY
The Old Lake contains tench to over 10lb and, what’s more, you can target them by fishing off a punt in the snaggy area of the lake known as the Jungle. These fish love luncheon meat and won’t turn their noses up at a 6mm offering fished on the waggler over a bed of dead maggots and small pellets. Contact: 01306 883621 or visit hwww.buryhillfisheries.co.uk Postcode: RH4 3JU
4 LINEAR FISHERIES, WITNEY, OXFORD
Most of the waters here hold tench, although the best is arguably the Hunts Corner Pond which has fish to double figures stocked. There’s a large head of smaller fish around the 1lb-2lb mark, making it an ideal venue for the pole or waggler – but be sure to use beefed-up gear in case a monster takes your hookbait. Contact: 07885 327708 or visit www.linear-fisheries.co.uk Postcode: OX29 7QF
5 MARSH FARM, MILFORD, SURREY
Harris Lake holds tench to 9lb-plus and is becoming popular among the tinca-chasing fraternity. Small Method feeders fished into open water with a fishmeal-based groundbait and a single hair-rigged fake caster will find the tench – as well as the odd big crucian! Contact: 01483 428885 or visit www. godalminganglingsociety.co.uk Postcode: GU8 5AE