Season's biggest tench landed

If reports of the season’s biggest tench and bream are anything to go by, now is the time to get out and smash a personal best. 

After a tough start to the spring for many anglers, numerous recent big-fish catches have shown that sport is now on the up. 

The first was at Medway Valley Fisheries, where Surrey angler Hugh Boyle hooked into a
9lb 13oz tench (above).

Hugh was helped to his new personal best under the guidance of newly-crowned Drennan Cup champion Dai Gribble. 

Dai told Angling Times: “The aim of the guided trips is not only to catch fish, but also to help the angler improve their fishing skills and become more successful.

“Hugh took to the hints and tips really well, and it was fantastic to see him break a personal best because of that.”

The 9lb 13oz tench wasn’t the only fish to be banked during the 24-hour session, as Hugh managed another one of 7lb 1oz. 

Both fell to a worm kebab hookbait on a helicopter feeder rig fished to a gravel bar 40 yards out. 

Over this Hugh Spombed a mixture of 2mm mixed pellets, maggots and hemp to help draw a response. 

He said: “The 7lb 1oz tench really took off and put up a scrap, so when I hooked the next fish and it didn’t really do anything I thought it was much smaller. 

“It wasn’t until I got it to the net that I realised it was actually a very good fish.

“I take my hat off to Dai – it’s my second trip out with him and it’s true that he’s a master of the sport.

“His tips on casting accuracy and feeding patterns really made a difference to my fishing.”

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