Chopped worm, caster and groundbait make a brilliant bait combination for tench, and the easiest way to fish them is to use a cage or open-end feeder, either on a helicopter set-up or a running rig.
Recast every 20 minutes to build a bed of bait and draw more fish into the swim. You can use whatever you like on hook, but a lobworm or ‘worm kebab’ takes some beating.
A 'worm kebab'
1. Mount a Quickstop into a hair-rig loop, then tie on the hook with a knotless knot.
1. Mount a Quickstop into a hair-rig loop, then tie on the hook with a knotless knot.
2. Mount the Quickstop on the supplied needle, and push it through the worms.
2. Mount the Quickstop on the supplied needle, and push it through the worms.
3. To secure the hookbait in place, turn the Quickstop through 90 degrees. Done!
3. To secure the hookbait in place, turn the Quickstop through 90 degrees. Done!
The tackle you need...
✔ Cage or open-end feeder
✔ Quick-change bead
✔ Size 12 hook
✔ Quickstops (plus needle)
✔ 8lb mono mainline
✔ 6lb hooklink
The rig...
The tench cage feeder rig
Three top tips for fishing it...
- A quick-change bead acts as a buffer and enables you to attach a fresh hooklength in a matter of seconds.
- Fill the feeder with chopped worm and caster before being plugging with groundbait at both ends.
- For hookbait either straight-hook half a lobworm or use a hair-rigged worm kebab.