How to set up a float rig for tench

 Issue 15 (Mar-Apr 2017)    Jason Summers

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Tench can be very obliging early-season. Before they spawn they are often ravenous and they begin this annual feed-up a lot earlier than many anglers think. I would say that the majority of tench anglers only resume their fishing towards the end of the best fishing, sometime in May. Personally, one tench caught on the float is worth 10 on ledger rigs but of course sometimes it is not practical to float fish for tinca’s when factors like casting distance, time between bites and night-time feeding are accounted for. I definitely think it is more fun though!

I find that the old classic ‘lift method’ is best for early season float fishing when tench are a lot hungrier and bolder. The float is fished slightly over-depth so that it cocks on a tight line, ready to register the slightest of movements at the hook end. Usually the float rises up (lifts) out of the water as the tench picks up the hookbait.

tench float rig

  • I put my trust in Drennan Double Strength for my mainline, which is a pre-stretched line making it narrow in diameter than normal mono’s, with less stretch. It is very important to fish this line straight through to the hook as short lengths (like hooklinks) are prone to snapping. Do this and it is very strong.
  • Float choice, of course, depends on conditions and distances etc . but I always trap the float on the line between two float rubbers or tungsten sinkers. These are far more line friendly than split shot and it makes the set up as strong as possible.
  • Even my anchor shot are not pinched on the line, to avoid possibly weakening it. Instead I use a micro rig ring and pinch my shot on to a loop of mono. I find that the shot running on the mainline also improves bite indication.
  • The use of another float stop or sinker acts as a stop for the shot and dictates how long your “hooklink” is. It can easily be changed during a session and again does not weaken the line or require you to re-tie any knots.
  • Hook choice is totally up to you but if I can get away with it (small fish allowing) I would normally go with something like a strong size 16-12 hook baited with maggots.