The pursuit of tench is still considered one of the ultimate British angling idylls. The mere thought of tench fishing creates visions of a dawn morning on a quiet estate lake, lowering a small float next to some bubbles on the end of a bed of lily pads. With so many methods to fish for tench, the best rods to use do vary.
If you're after tench these days, it is likely you will be targeting the gravel pits around the UK that have not only become famous for their large numbers of tench but their British record challenging sizes. The tactics to catch tench have evolved in the modern era and whilst a float fishing rod is still a great way of catching them, a lot of venues require a more agricultural approach with bolt rigs, boilies and heavy feeder rods all scoring really well.
Best tench fishing rods at a glance
Depending on the water you're targeting and the methods you'll need to employ to catch tench, the rods that are needed vary somewhat. A good specialist rod is a great all-round option, with many coming with twin tips to allow you to fish on the bottom and on the float. Here is a guide to some of the best rods available for targeting tench, there will be a rod to cover any situation, so have a look below...
How we tested the best rods for tench fishing
These tench fishing rods were tested by experienced members of the Angling times team. We have been using and abusing rods like these for decades and have probably used most, if not all of them during our time on the bank, so we know the best from the rest!
Tackle tester, Dan Webb, Mark Sawyer and James Furness have been testing a variety of rods that are perfect for catching tench in varying scenarios to ensure they perform how they are supposed to for the given method they were designed! Whether it be traditional float fishing tactics, modern feeder fishing on big gravel pits or down on the canal, the rods have been thoroughly tested so we can give a rounded review!
Our decision process of what makes the best tench fishing rods takes into account various factors including price point, versatility, build quality and how enjoyable they are to use to ensure we can give you the best advice on factors that will make an actual different to your angling.
The following list includes a mixture of our favourites for all types of tench fishing you are likely to encounter! Find out how we test our gear, HERE.
If you want a rod that can do both feeder and float fishing for tench, the Shakespeare SKP Concept rod is the perfect choice, and it is a steal in our opinion too at under £50!
I arrived at my chosen fishery mid-afternoon on a bright and baking hot summer’s day. Given that lots of anglers were thinking of packing up, I’d very soon have most of the lake to myself. I decided to give the Hybrid feeder a try as opposed to the float on this occasion as I didn't have much time.
My first couple of attempts were unsuccessful, as the fish were more interested in sunbathing than feeding. My fortunes changed as the sun dipped a little lower in the sky and as expected the tench decided it was time for their evening meal. I spotted three good-sized fish milling around just a few feet from the bank in a windward corner.
Without warning, the rod came to life, arching round and pulling through the reeds. I grabbed the butt and, with angriest of tench stripping line from my reel, I got to experience the Concept Specialist in action.
Its battle curve is a thing of beauty, allowing me to fully experience every thump and lunge of what was a very powerful fish without fear of it throwing the hook. This same drama was played out several times more throughout the evening, as a number of tench and even a 6lb bream got in on the action. The 12ft Concept handled all these fish beautifully.
By now my competitive match angling brain was yearning to know how well this rod would cast. As the only angler left on the venue, I set myself a little challenge. With only a modest flick, I could quite easily cast the width of the lake with just the 28g Hybrid feeder attached – which was a bit of an eye-opener. Not yet fully satisfied, I slipped on a 60g (2.1oz) version and found I could hoof it corner to corner diagonally across the lake, the best part of 80m – much to the amusement of my photographer, Tony Grigorjevs.
As I suspected, these rods have a great fish-playing action, with sufficient poke and a fast enough recovery to allow every inch of water to be explored on any small to medium-sized venue.
They might be cheaper than the sort of high-end gear that I’m used to in matches, but I’d be more than happy to use one every week on one of my afternoon ‘chill out’ sessions. Quite simply, they can do it all.
Pros
- The perfect rod for more traditional tench fishing
- The light build makes every tench you hook enjoyable
- Doubles up as a feeder rod
Cons
- A little powerful for small tench under 2lb
The Korum Omega specialist rod series do exactly what they have been designed for, help you fish for and land specimen fish. If you love your tench fishing, the 13ft float is great, as too is the 1.25lb TC 11ft rod, it is ideal for fishing with a helicopter feeder setup at distance or fishing close to lily pads and snags with a float at dawn!
These rods offer crisp performance in a breathtakingly beautiful finish, which will look at home on any estate lake, canal or commercial, although you will probably miss bites because you are looking the rod!
I actually use the 11ft rod in 1.25lb TC for my tench fishing, and you really can use it anywhere, with it helping me catch some huge tench from big pits like Horseshoe Lake, down to more intimate syndicate waters and commercials like Marsh Farm. More often than not you will hook carp as they will be present when tench fishing, but you can be safe in the knowledge you have a rod that is more than capable of landing them too! It will hurl a maggot feeder out to 50-70 yards with ease, helping you pull fish back through weed or pads or any other tench hotspot.
The tip is responsive, allowing you to feel the lead/feeder down onto the gravel and despite being a little more powerful than the 1lb TC rods I usually prefer for tench, it has a lovely action and you don't feel as though you are losing any sensation from the fight, but you never feel out of control either!
The blank features a fast taper action which suits a lot of the modern specimen methods perfectly, while offering a powerful butt section to help absorb and lunges at the tip to prevent hook pulls and breakages! If you are an avid tench angler and fish a variety of venues, these are well worth a look!
Pros
- A rod in the range for every situation
- They look and feel brilliant
Cons
- A twin tip rod would complete the range nicely
Best float rod for tench
www.total-fishing-tackle.com
The Drennan Specialist X-Tension is a big fish all-rounder with a semi-through fish playing action, it will help you land bigger fish on lighter hooklengths. The clever retractable butt section helps keep the rod as a two piece design, which makes it easier to transport in a rod quiver or ready made rod bag that many anglers prefer to use nowadays as most 13ft rods come in three pieces. We thought this might be a bit gimmicky, but it really does make a difference as you no longer have to spend ages unravelling three sections of tangled line to get setup!
The rod superb for any summer float fishing for hard-fighting tench, whether you are fishing crystal clear gravel pits or heading down to a local canal this rod is more than capable and will land the biggest of tench!
The rod has been stepped up compared to a traditional float rod to allow the use of heavier mainlines and tame bigger fish.
Pros
- Fantastic lightweight build
- An ideal rod to float fish for tench
Cons
- The retractable butt section might not suit everyone
Best all-round tench rod
www.total-fishing-tackle.com
The lightest actioned of Guru’s new collection of highly versatile 12ft twin tip speci rods, the Guru N-Gauge Specimen Twin Tip Duo 1.25lb test curve model is suited to float fishing for specimen roach, bream, tench or smaller carp with the dedicated tubular top section, or feeder fishing with the quiver top, which comes with a choice of two carbon quivers.
A mix of 30 and 40 ton carbon gives a soft top end that progressively powers into a formidable lower end – perfect for playing big fish. Comes with a screw-down reel seat with cork handle and EVA lower grip.
A new contender that is already causing a stir. Highly adaptable and functional rods at a great price, the 1.25lb model is, in our opinion, the ultimate ‘go anywhere, fish any method’ tench rod.
Pros
- A very versatile tench rod.
- Powerful action to tame even the biggest fish.
Cons
- Might be a little stiff for some anglers.
Best in class tench rod
www.ebay.co.uk
The Daiwa Twin Tip Powermesh 1.5lb is a stunning example of a twin-tipped rod. Be it in hollow tipped speci mode or quivertipped feeder composition, you get a gorgeous thin and responsive blank with ultra-lightweight skeletal Seaguides and a fantastic forgiving action.
Suitable for legering work with either top, the Avon-style tip lends itself beautifully to powerful floatfishing on clear and weedy venues, where strong fish need rapid subduing and guiding to the net. Fitted with a Carbon Pipe reel seat with Fuji Hoods and a full cork handle with Armlock for comfort and a touch of class.
As good as they get, you’ll struggle to find a better all-round tench rod.
Pros
- Performs incredibly well regardless of method.
- Incredibly lightweight.
Cons
- Not the biggest casting performance.
Best mid-range tench rod
www.total-fishing-tackle.com
The Drennan Specialist Twin-Tip Duo 1.25lb has a pleasing action from a well balanced blank along with two dedicated top sections – the first being Avon style, making it ideal for float and specialist work, while the second quiver section comes with a 2oz glass and a 3oz carbon tip, perfect for both stillwater and running water situations. SiC guides, secure DPS reel seat and cork handle with Duplon casting grip are fitted out on the stylish matt green blank.
A hugely versatile rod from Drennan, designed to tackle a multitude of venues and species, but it’s where tench are concerned that we think this rod really shines! It’s powerful enough to take control of the fight, but light enough for balanced gear and the fight to be enjoyed.
Pros
- The original tench rod, trusted by many top angler over the years
- Reliable and strong
Cons
- Does lack a bit of power for really long-range fishing
Best budget tench rod
www.total-fishing-tackle.com
Korum's 11ft and 12ft Allrounder rods are so keenly priced that you can have more than one set up to deal with different situations.
As good for legering as they are for float fishing for tench and specimen-sized fish, key features include a slim, full cork handle with compact reel seat.
Korum’s latest K-Flex carbon technology delivers a dynamic parabolic action, free of any flat spots. Not just great for tench, these can be used all-year-round on loads of different venues.
Pros
- Parabolic action to cushion any lunges.
- Great rod for a variety of disciplines.
Cons
- Recovery on the rod could be better.
What to look for in a tench fishing rod
There are so many methods to catch tench due to the varying natures of the waters they are found. From smaller commercial pools to large, expansive gravel pits, catching tench really does rely on you, as an angler, being versatile and being able to change tactics, and your tackle to suit where you're fishing.
If you enjoy fishing on gravel pits, generally the best way to go is using scaled down carp tactics, with small boilies and bolt rigs, or using method feeders, which have transformed tench fishing in recent years. These tactics will normally require a fairly decent cast into the lake, so a rod with a decent blank of around 1lb-2lb test curve will ensure you can get to the fish and land them, in what are generally weedy lakes.
Float fishing is a very rewarding way to catch tench, a float next to some lily pads with the telltale bubbles popping up on a summer dawn morning has something quintessentially British about it. Due to the fact tench do like to inhabit snags and lily pads, plus put up a very spirited fight when they are hooked, its best to choose a float rod that's slightly stronger than a normal match rod, to allow you to coax the fish out without taking away the enjoyment of the fight.
Glossary
Blank: The hollow carbon fibre tube that the rod is made from, attached to which are the guides and handle.
Test curve: Usually measured in pounds, it's the weight that needs to be applied to the end of the rod to make it bend over 90 degrees. The greater the test curve, the more powerful the rod.
Quiver tip: The very top (often brightly coloured) section of a feeder rod, used to identify bites, which bends and 'quivers' when a fish moves off with the bait. Like the test curve of a rod, quiver tips are often rated in test curves measured in ounces.
Fish playing action: A way of describing how good a rod performs when reeling in a fish. A rod with a good fish-playing action will provide plenty of cushion to a thrashing fish, preventing hook pulls (lost fish) and line breakages.
Frequently asked questions on tench fishing rods
Will a rod with a bigger casting weight or test curve rating cast further?
Yes, when combined with extra length, you will be able to achieve greater distances with the correct technique and a weight that matches the rod. Be aware that the more powerful your rod, the stronger the line and hooks you will need to use to prevent fish losses, which could, in turn, mean you fooling less fish into taking your bait to start off with.
How strong does my tench fishing rod need to be?
Despite not reaching massive sizes, tench are spirited fighters, and they often like to live in overgrown jungle swims. For this reason you need slightly stepped-up tackle to target them. Power float rods and beefy Avon specialist rods, which could be used for barbel on rivers are ideal. There should be a rod in the above guide to suit every situation and price range.
Can I use the same rod for both float and feeder fishing?
Not normally with float or feeder rods, but you can with more lighter test curved Specimen style rods. Some of these will come with both quiver tips for legering and a separate hollow tops for float fishing.
Author Mark Sawyer holds the position of Tackle Editor at Angling Times, boasting more than thirty years of experience working within different fields of the angling industry.