tench at knotsford

[gcb]

Don't want to know many details but can you tell me whether the tench are still worth going for. I remember a few years back when you had to be up very early to get in the pegs straight across from the car park and groundbait feeder always did the business for a few early season tench. Is it still worth having a go as recent reports seem to suggest it has become a really difficult venue where you have to put in hours and hours to be rewarded with a fish.
geoff

[miller101]

In my recent visits down to the lake, there have not been any reports of Tench coming out, but . . . .

I was speaking to a bloke down there who has had some since March, he was fishing with a feeder too hoping to maybe get some bream as well as a bonus tench. He told me that he had three over 6lb this year and a few smaller ones. Not exactly bagging but hey it aint a baging water

[jmallett]

They are hard to catch Geoff, a lot are coming out at night too according to some of the carp guys I speak to.

I used to get up at daft o'clock a few years ago to go and catch a few but I haven't done that so far this year or last year. I just cannot get out of bed any more at 3am!! It kills me, plus I have my daughter to think about so its hard to do those early sessions, I have to try and fit whatever I can in. When she is older maybe I will get chance again....

I fished it a few times last season and in about 8 sessions I had 3 tench and one 10lb bream to show for my efforts. Depends what you want Geoff - constant action, don't bother fishing there, or the chance of a PB tench or bream with a likelihood of blanking, but in nice scenery none the less.

I'd still fish it but then I love that lake.

Julian

[moortown]

just done 24 hour session at knotsford with mate had 2 tench 7 pound 18 pound mirror 24 mirror 28 mirror dream session

[gcb]

Why are all your fish a whole number of pounds ? I take it they were guestimates rather than accurate weighings.
geoff

[moortown]

18.4 24.2 28.2

[gcb]

Did you weigh the tench ?- they seem rather fine specimens. I'm not bothered about the carp.

[burt racoon]

i not bothered about you spoutin off at every chance g.c.b. gice it a rest man, saddo!!!
specimen tench (8lb+ from yorkshire) are probably more elusive than a 30lb+ carp from our county, i only know to 4 venues in the county thats ever done an 8lb+ fish and wouldnt believe anyone unless a saw evidance of the capture, i personally believe that i could spend a lifetime for a yorkshire 8lb'er but reckon i could bank a yorkshire 30lb carp within a season, im not boasting i'd just like the elusive tench to carry the respect of a specimen carp they deserve every bit of desire. its tench time now and someone is going to get the shock of their life when they bank a big un in the next month or so, so lets hope for the captor that its a true yorkshire 8lb'er. good luck tenchfisher's. id love to see some tench photos posted on the site.

[jmallett]

I have to agree with you Burt Raccoon in that a tench of 8lbs in Yorkshire is as rare as rocking horse doo doo. I believe I was fortunate enough to witness one such fish a couple of seasons ago, from the very lake we are discussing on this thread, caught by my mate Jim Clark. The problem is that a) we had no scales that night and b) the photo did not come out that well.

Myself I've had dozens of good tench out of Knotford, it is the best lake I know around these parts that has a good head of decent sized fish, I have never caught one below 3lbs out of there. I know some other folk have but I haven't. Four seasons ago at this time of year I had several upper 6lb fish out and then one afternoon I got a real donkey out, it even had a hump behind its head due to the size it had grown to, like a carp. It was a really dark fish almost black across its back and with a vivid yellow belly. I weighed it at 7lbs 2oz and that still stands as my PB. I have got close several times with 6.12, 6.14 etc but not beyond the magic 7lbs.

The fish that Jim caught was bigger than this fish of mine that I weighed the season before at 7.2, this fish was enormous. It gave Jim a proper fight on 5lb line, at several stages I thought he wouldn't get it in but eventually I netted it and my eyes nearly popped out of my head. I cannot stress enough how big this fish was and I am positive it was over 8lbs.

I have seen a photo from a genuine angler this year where he has had a 9lb 7oz fish from Knotford at night, and I have to say I believe the man and I believe the picture I have seen. I cannot see this being anything other than a genuine capture. This chap is a regular at the lake whom I have seen over many seasons. He catches a lot of tench as well as carp.

So there are fish of that calibre in Yorkshire, its just the case you could spend your whole life trying to catch one, and probably never will.

Julian

[moortown]

you have a real chance of catching a 7 pound plus tench from knotsford best tench water in yorkshire bar none last season i witnessed a 9 pound 4 ounce tench biggest ive seen from knotsford i think they average about 5 pound

[Jmallett as guest]

Just to prove what I was saying, here is that fish of Jim's. The photo does not do it justice, the girth of this fish was unbelievable.....

[gcb]

Nice fish chaps and good reports but I don't think they go to 9 lbs. Give me a ring 07947 593966 and I will give you £100.
geoff
p.s I bring my salter scales - give me £50 for a wild goose chase.

burt racoon - get registered man to get some credence

[JMallett as guest]

I amhaving problems logging into the forum at home even when I log out from work. No idea why butthats why I am postingnow as a guest!

I wish I could show you the photos this guy showed me Geoff and you would see that there are fish of that size in Knotford. I don't believe they go any bigger mind but there are one or two whackers I am convinced of that. I would not doubt this bloke either because he is a regular and I have been there to see other fish caught, even large bream. My biggest bream there is 11.10, an absolute monster. i know of no other lake on Leeds water that holds such fish.

Come and have a go with me before the curtain raises on the river season, you are likely to get 4, 5 or 6lb fish if you get it right but there is always the chance of something that little bit special.

Julian

[stanfish]

nice to see such big fish guys,well done.stan..

[gcb]

p.m me julian. I am up for the challenge whenever you can make it.
geoff