10lb 5oz tench tops campaign

Darran Goulder brought his 2014 tench campaign to a conclusion in fine style with the capture of this 10lb 5oz specimen from a southern stillwater.

The fish was the biggest of 19 landed by the Kent-based Shimano consultant and Fortis Eyewear boss who targeted the top of a gravel bar in seven foot of water and surrounded by thick weed.

He said: “The key was to keep recasting the feeders and at times I was getting a bite as soon as they landed. I went through a gallon of red maggots, 2 jars of Dynamite Baits Particles and a tin of corn during the trip.

“The 10lb 5oz tench was completely empty, I would love to have caught it a couple of weeks earlier when it was full of spawn,” added Darran, who used 3ins supple braid hooklinks popped-up straight off 2oz block end feeders.

This week's issue of Angling Times is a 96 page summer special and you’ll find loads of tips and rigs to try for tench in our ultimate guide to coarse fish.

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