Tench PB smashed three times
Rob Hughes had a change of tactics to thank when he smashed his tench personal best three times in a session that was topped by this 10lb 13oz specimen.
The TV presenter and broadcaster was carping at Wraysbury South Lake when he received a couple of finicky bites.
Recognising these as possible inquiries from tench, he scaled down his carp rigs that had already been successful with a handful of the Berkshire venue’s residents.
It proved to be a master stroke, as he upped his personal best that stood at 5lb 14oz with fish weighing 6lb 4oz and 7lb 12oz, topped by the 10lb 13oz tinca.
“I’d done some diving in this area before and I spotted the biggest tench I’d ever seen, so when I had a few aborted takes I was certain that it was from the tench,” said Rob.
“I’ve caught bigger tench than the 5lb 14oz fish while carping, but they don’t count.
“To catch a double-figure fish like this by design is a massive buzz for me, as most of my time is taken up with carp fishing.
“The fish was absolutely perfect and was much bigger than I first thought. It’s so rewarding to have changed my approach mid-session and catch such a big tench by design.”
He concentrated his attack over an area at 40 yards in a deep gulley next to a weed bed. A pink DNA Baits pop-up was the winning hookbait that finished off a rig constructed from 10lb mainline, a 15lb Fox Reflex braid hooklink and a size 8 hook. Rob also used PVA bags filled with pellets, and fed boilies sparingly over the top.
