singling out tench from carp

[cheef87]

have found a great tench water problem is there sloads of carp and i want to try and single out the big tench if i could any help would be grateful

[terry m]

That is not an easy challenge. Sorting them out the other way is not too difficult, but is not much help for your dilemma.

How about a breadflake approach?

[barbelboi]

I would say that a reasonably shallow swim (4’ or less) would be best at this time of year, especially if it has a soft bottom, a bit of oxygenating weed growth and is missed by the early morning sun. As regarding bait, I’ve usually found that lob worms and prawns work well early season (especially if the prawns are used with hemp are left in the hemp tub prior to hooking).
Jerry

[nicky]

id use red maggots tench seem to prefer them to carp

[cg74]

Cheef, some will say this is counterproductive. If fishing a water with a big head of carp but it's not a commercial styled match type fishery and going on your signature; "hates commercial fisheries;" it won't be?!!

On waters like Linear I've found by fishing with your lines taut and up in the water spooks the carp out of your swim but has no ill-effect on tench present. Basically fish a lead/feeder tight lined to your reel.

Another alternative is to find an area where you know tench feed, bait it up with hemp, maggots and/or casters, wait until you see positive signs of tench in the swim; rolling and/or bubbles, and then fish it.

Dawn and dusk fish to showing fish, again rolling and fizzing. Either with a feeder or better still a small spod and a lead. If you're not talking of large shoals of tench, more pods of 2-5 fish, fish a float or lead baited with a bunch of red worms.
If the fish are close enough feed loose offerings via a catapult.

Or stalk the margins.

The list of possibilities is endless, really for a more thorough answer, more details on the fishery are needed; size, depth, type of lake, fish stocks (both size and numbers).

[chub_on_the_block]

Maybe try luring the carp away from the chosen tench fishing area by feeding floating baits nearby that can then drift off..chum mixer etc. Best to do this when the ducks arent watching.

[S-Kippy]

[QUOTE=chub_on_the_block;Best to do this when the ducks arent watching.[/QUOTE]

When is that then ? The ducks on my local lake can spot a 4mm pellet hitting the water from half a mile away in the dark !

[barbelboi]

Originally Posted by S-Kippy

When is that then ? The ducks on my local lake can spot a 4mm pellet hitting the water from half a mile away in the dark !

Try fishing in daylight then
Jerry

[red creel]

Ok this might sound a bit simplistic but what about good old fashioned raking the swim?

An angling buddy uses this tactic on his favourite tench lake which also happens to contain a shed load of neurotic stressed out carp.The carp just dont tolerate it but the tench just cannot help themselves and will be the first to investigate the raked swim, not 100% foolproof but he cuts the odds dramatically in his favour.The other thing is you have to be pretty sure about your fellow anglers attitude as well as some anglers wont tolerate it either!

[barbelboi]

Originally Posted by cheef87

have found a great tench water problem is there sloads of carp and i want to try and single out the big tench if i could any help would be grateful

Getting back to basics if this is such a great tench water you or others must be catching to know this.................
Jerry