9lb 12oz spring tench landed.

Tench fanatic Stephen Chesney hit a rich vein of form over the bank holiday weekend – taking nine fish to 9lb 12oz from an Essex club water. 

The specialist angler targeted a gravel spot at 60 yards with a straightforward heli-rig, size 10 Gardner Mugga hook, and a 14mm Mainline Activ-8 bottom bait. 

He fished both his rods over this spot, which was fed with eight pints of hempseed. These tactics also accounted for a rogue carp of 27lb 6oz. 

Stephen said: “It was a great weekend’s fishing, and it was even better to catch a few!” 

Boosted by his previous catch, Stephen then ventured to another venue on the same ticket, where similar tactics led him to a further five tench to round off the weekend in style.