Tench on the float - Talk Angling fishing chat and tackle advice

Stefan[SWE] · 20th April 2008, 08:46 PM

Soon its time for some exited tench fishing here in sweden. I fish a lot with the "lift method". My question to you is:

What type of float do you like when fishing for good size tench?

How much do you overload the float with the "lift method", and how do you spread the shots across the line?

hooks? and hook size?

Do you think there some more effectiv way to fish for tench then the "lift method"?

What do you use?

stevelockett · 21st April 2008, 09:29 AM

Depends how far out you need to fish, Stefan.
If you are only fishing at the end of your rod, try using a pole float taking 4x16 in shallow water (up to 1 metre) or 1g for water to 2m. The only shot you will need is a single one, 5cm from the hook and just heavy enough to sink the float.
In England, this method is called the 'depth charge' I think. You can even have the float sunk under the water a little and it will pop up to the surface when a fish picks up the bait.
For more normal lift method fishing, try using 2AAA for fishing one rod length out, 2 1/2AAA for two rods out and 3AAA for three rod's lengths out. Beyond this you will have to fish in a modified style.
This closer fishing will be classic lift method fishing, where you have just a single shot 5cm from the hook. The shot should be enough to sink the float to make control easier.
Fix the float to the line with rubber stops.
Artificial maggots are useful for this method as they will allow you to use a neutral bouyancy hookbait. This will encourage lift bites, as the bait will come off the bottom quickly when a fish sucks at it.

For fishing at longer ranges, you will need a bulk shotted float, probably with a smaller bulk at half depth and a tell tale shot 5cm from the hook. I would suggest a float taking 2SSG, shotted around the base with 1SSG on one side of the base, 1AAA and 1BB on the other side of the base. These give casting weight.
Now put 2 No4s at half depth to take the bait down quickly and add a No4, 5cm from the hook. This should be sufficient weight to just sink the float, but by resting the bottom No4 on the bottom, it will be possible to sink the tip slightly and still see small lifts.
It will take time to master this last approach, especially in regard to getting the depth set correctly.

For floats, I would use a straight peacock waggler for close range work and a bodied insert waggler for further out. If there is a wind blowing, use a bodied waggler without an insert for the distance rig.

Happy tenching!

Steve