John Bailey - Tench fishing on the float

[@markosullivan6444]

I've been reading your magazine articles and books for 30 years, John. Great to see you with a KZbin channel!

[@nickchapman7981]

Nice vid, I like the boilie tip, but please lose the the music.

[@martinvaughan4374]

Yeah music is over the top. Otherwise loved it.

[@charlesbarnett2724]

Yes. I think we can live without the music.

[@chrisguygeezer]

Yep, seconded. I really don't understand why a music background is needed anyway. This happens so often and I just have to skip to the next video. Don't mind a bit of pastoral but, this electronic stuff just grates.

[@IanCampbell-px4iu]

I really like John Bailey and tench are my favourite fish,but I switched off due to that awful “music”. It’s fishing,no music is required!,

[@charlesbarnett2724]

One of my favourite angling writters. Thank you John.

[@davian68]

Great video, love float fishing for 40 years and always will

[@staridwork4902]

The wind comment is pure Jedi. I was fishing a massive gravel pit (Duck Lake Witney) and wondered why some days better than others. Big big tench. But realised it was wind direction. The poor days was the northerly wind. Now makes sense had no idea they were sensitive so would just go were the wind direction went as standard. Thanks

[@markhepworth4804]

Great stuff John,some beautiful floats you have there,enjoyed the info! But you don't need that music,it's generically bad and a curse of recent KZbin vids and does not suit you and your style. I know the music is another headache for a you,but interesting music by actual musicians will serve you far better,doesn't have to be the centre of attention,but music is like lighting,get it right and it really pops the ambiance! All the best.

[@baileyfishing6066]

Thanks - Mark for the feedback , you are not alone in that comment I guess we were trying to avoid it being another same old fishing track but you point about a musicians created track is a good one.

[@peterwebb1026]

I've just had my interest in Tench rekindled by this video. Can't wait to get out there and give it a go. Thanks for the video, looking forwards to the next one

[@ThisisEngland1066]

Ditto

[@thephotographer539]

Been tench fishing since 1973, but you've come up with 3 things I didn't fully appreciate! Will put them into practice easter Monday

[@simonspeedo8122]

This is the 1st of your videos I've seen, I watch you tube fishing vids regularly and must say this is brilliant. I thought I would not find anything new but I had my eyes opened. Thanks

[@FishingConnectionNiederrhein]

Thanks for this great tench tactics video. Greetings from Germany. Boilie on the float sounds like an interesting method.

[@TheAutisticAngler]

Thank you John, just came here after watching one of bob and paul's videos. I'm a beach angler just starting trotting and thoroughly enjoying it.

[@ceej100]

Great Video John. Returning to fishing after a three decade hiatus, & now in my 60s, I had yet to catch a tench! I now have 3, (with a PB of 5.5lbs)… All caught on your boilie/hair rig. The venues were not gravel pits, having a water depth of just 3-4 feet, but fishing two feet over depth worked just fine. Thank you very much for your tips and technique. Regards Chris

[@justinmorgan494]

Absolutely superb video, two fantastic tench videos this week with this one and the one from Paul Garner, can’t wait for the next one!

[@baileyfishing6066]

Thank you - glad you like it.

[@tiernanwearen8096]

@@baileyfishing6066 i loved your book trout at ten thousand feet

[@ilovejimrogers]

I haven't found anything that beats a worm for tench, apart from the right location in the right conditions.

[@myke.h2913]

I have gone back to float fishing for tench over the last three seasons there is nothing like watching a float dip away the bend in the rod and like you catching on a centrepin the right tackle and it's absolutely exhilarating.

[@mishmashvideos4329]

My older brother told me the fist time I ever went fishing when we were kids when you hook that first fish you will be hooked for life 20 years later still at it.

[@andym5338]

you take me back to the 80s when i watched yourself, and MR WILSON . When my fishing life started..

[@1950Len]

Very enjoyable video, fished the float for 50 years plus, no better way to catch Tench. Top tips John.

[@davidcowdry8556]

Hi John, great vid. I'm hoping to catch up with you & Robbie at the beginning of August. Glad to see you are still using the floats I made you.

[@baileyfishing6066]

thanks David. look forward to it.

[@mrw9513]

Great video, not surprised though as my first and favourite fishing book was your the fishing detective book. Thankyou and very best wishes and stay safe and well to yourself and your family. Tight lines

[@ianwilliams9740]

I thoroughly enjoyed this video, both for the tips provided and presentation style, you have a very natural style John. I will definitely try this approach for tench on my next outing. I'm looking forward to seeing more videos from Bailey & Fishing, I'm certain not to be disappointed if they're as good as these.

[@baileyfishing6066]

Thank you Ian. As this is the first video I have produced for KZbin it was with some trepidation. Your support is much appreciated.

[@stever9583]

Hey John, I’m just getting back into fishing after finding golf 20 years ago. My wife said I was a nicer person as a fisherman than I am as golfer. The funny thing is when I’m on a golf course and see a lake I think I’d rather be fishing. So here goes. Great vid but don’t like the plastics.

[@thephotographer539]

Yes, the same! And I've never yet thrown a fishing rod

[@rockdogization]

brilliant john some great tips there..i use the boilie rig as well its a killer rig..and cuaght me some bonus large carp as well...

[@baileyfishing6066]

rocdogization thank you. John

[@stevefitzpatrick1101]

Thank you john, i have been a big fan of yours for years

[@ianlewis9365]

Great video John, well worth the wait. I have certainly learnt a lot and might just have to put my fly rod down for a while and use some of those great looking floats! Glad you like them and nice to see the float roll getting some use.

[@baileyfishing6066]

Hopefully it will get your floats more interest.

[@ianlewis9365]

Hopefully.

[@IrishAnglingDiaries]

Superb video, the fine art of fishing.

[@SteveSandersonArt]

Great information, lovely vid. I usually fish for tench in the traditional lift method style when float fishing, will have to try this. Definitely food for thought. Look forward to the next installment.

[@baileyfishing6066]

Thank you Steve - any ideas on what you would like to see next?

[@SteveSandersonArt]

@@baileyfishing6066 Maybe crucians or eels :)

[@ThisisEngland1066]

​@@baileyfishing6066 different rigs for tench and mass amounts of weed and silt?

[@karlrichards4125]

Wonderful video - thank you for sharing your knowledge

[@Jfb-je2qz]

Please ... next time you see Bob Mortimer teach him to hold the rod properly .... :)

[@sarahcollin8442]

Little tips and clues....all talk 🦜🦜🦜🦜 no substance & I should know!!!!!

[@plreeve]

Hi John. Great video, thank you for sharing. Your right up My street, Center pin and float. I fish a small club lake but just lately the Carp are so difficult to catch. I like fishing close in and use cooked bird seed as a ground bait. Double Sweetcorn on hook, size

[@plreeve]

12, the Carp come in but I fail to get a pick up. I've tried float lift with running lead also free lining and slack line. I'm wondering wether to try your float set up and now thinking is my bait and hook to heavy for them to suck it in. Can I ask you please, do you fish two feet over in any depth of water as it's only about two deep where I go in the edge. It runs out to about three feet deep about fifteen feet from the bank. Regards Paul.

[@tonywoodward5915]

Hi John, Great video, very informative. We met a few years ago at Stansted, on our way to Limoges and spent a couple of days fishing, including for tench. Never did catch that chub from the Wensom.

[@ThisisEngland1066]

Really helpful for the shy tench in my local pit and a quality video.. straight up facts what more can you ask. Hope you are well John. Thank you

[@andrewjohnson1539]

Fantastic tips in this video. Thanks John. 👏👏👏

[@bdfloresa]

Perfect set of bobbers for different lengths and weights.

[@plreeve]

Hi John, I took My Grandson with me today to try this method. The wind was blowing down into one end of the pond and felt cool. On walking around I found a quit little bay that felt warmer and not much surface wind. In went two floats, all shot under the float and fished over depth. One rig was fake corn, the other was a T rig mad up of fake caster and maggot. I fed some partical and maggots over the top. Both rigs were critically balance. We did not have long to wait and the float burried and the center pin was spinning. I could not believe that the fake bait would work, but it did. I was using a specialist size 16 with a hair rig set up as a claw. A lovely female Tench was soon in the net. The rig was cast in again and after a short wait the float burried again, did not have time to strike as reel spinning again. The T rig was doing the business, but they were not into the corn rig. Must of liked the red fake maggot and caster. Thanks again, I've learnt a lot.regards Paul.

[@thezanzibarbarian5729]

Great video. Full of useful facts. Though one thing stood out. Tench eat boilies. We know that. Carp fishermen catch Tench on 15mm boilies and bigger ones. But then you say that a bunch of 3 maggots and a hook is to heavy for them to suck up! But a hook and a 15mm boilie is a lot _HEAVIER_ than a hook with a bunch of 3 maggots on. That's just a bit contradictory to me. However. I've always found that a 12 or 14 hook with a whole dendrobaena worm cut in two _(So you have the whole worm but in two pieces on the hook.)_ is something that Tench will not pass up.

[@johnpalmieri6702]

Hi John, I have been fishing a local club pond which is well stocked with Tench up to 6lb but although getting the bites I didn't seem to connect so I watched your 2019 video with interest. I took your advice and fished the float over depth with all the weight fixing the float only, well what a difference I hooked into 7 decent Tench throughout the session, landed 5 and lost a very powerful Tench in the reeds, I know it was Tench because our club built this pond to be Carp free. Thanks for the advice. John Palmieri

[@dustoart5242]

Great clip, hope they keep coming.

[@paddyfromireland9277]

Hi John, did I see you fishing in Ireland on the River Barrow above St .Mullins in 1981? The Embassy Challenge fishing competition was held on the Barrow for first time.

[@brg456]

Please can someone put my mind at rest? I'm nervous about deep hooking if I fish 2ft over depth and with no telltale shot. Surely the float won't do anything until the fish has moved a considerable distance? Am I missing something?

[@davidhuggins4073]

Great video John. Interested to know if you ever use the lift method....my favourite.

[@baileyfishing6066]

I have David - it certainly has its place.

[@nickkennedy9108]

Hi John, takes me back to our trips to that fishery. No shot on the line has proved successful elsewhere. Looking forward to another next year. Agree with the comments below About the naff music though!

[@easyfishing1936]

Hi John, that was a great advert for traditional handmade floats! What about floats for the average angler who is forced to use shop bought floats? Now my biggest concern is drift and tow, and weed. Any movement on the bait means it get weeded up resulting in dropped baits, at least on my venues. However I will try your no shot down the line method as I am always looking to catch more fish, and my local venue is crystal clear,with huge weedbeds. I am forced to use very heavy pole gear just to fish in the little clear gaps. I look forward to more of these video’s. Regards Bill

[@baileyfishing6066]

Hi Bill - I understand your point about shop bought. The style of float is the most important point. Re your point on weed. Yes I am primarily talking about gravel pits with limited amounts of weed, but if you choose the correct float pattern a boilie should provide sufficient weight. Good luck

[@easyfishing1936]

Bailey & Fishing Hi John, thank for your reply. I enjoyed your video immensely and will try your approach where possible. One point I will raise though is some very good anglers fish a helicopter feeder rig with a very short hooklength and a popped up bait and I have had some success with this approach, so what are your thoughts on this? Regards Bill

[@ianlewis9365]

Hi Bill. I hear you on the price point regarding handmade floats. Obviously handmade = time and hence price but I would point out that they offer today's anglers access to different or 'lost' patterns and something with more soul than plastic tubes. I would love to send you one - possibly one of the ones John uses in this video, for you to try. No charge. I would genuinely value your feedback after you have used one for a while. I would like to say that while they are initially more expensive than shop bought floats, the use of natural materials makes them considerably more durable and in the long run they work out no more expensive, but as I say I would value your feedback ( privately if you prefer). Contact me on [e-mail] and we can discuss a suitable float for you to field test if you would like. K.R. Ian.

[@easyfishing1936]

Ian Lewis Hi thank you for your comment and your very kind offer, which I will take up. I do understand why people make, buy and use traditional floats. I started fishing with traditional floats many years ago as I had no access to tackle shops and no money, indeed a lot of my gear was made at home from free materials. I still use ‘topper’ floats, made from elder pith and crow quill for bread fishing in deep rivers very successfully. A lot of people don’t realise Peter Drennan started his business making floats in his garage, so I guess I they are homemade floats! Now of course he mass produces floats in his factories but still makes a couple of patterns from peacock quill and balsa but they are not as durable as his more modern floats nor are the shot loadings as consistent. Kindest regards, Bill

[@laralewis6702]

@@easyfishing1936 Hi Bill (sorry - using my wifes account) - Ian here. Ping me an email on [e-mail] with what floats you fancy having a go with. I would value your feedback after you have had a chance to use them a while. (sorry - only just seen this message - I don't get notifications as it is Johns channel)

[@richardbarrett7544]

I'm sorry John, but I must take you to task on the boilie float, no weight rig. Assuming the float is shot correctly, the fish could pick up the weightless bait and move upwards almost to the surface without any indication on the float of any kind? The fish could move up and away again several feet without you knowing. It seems a crazy way of trying to fish when you know a simple shot near the float would have a big reaction on the tip once moved, and little effect on the fish. The lift method does not have to have a big shot near the hook, only a small one in calm conditions. Also any wind on a shot-less float would have it drifting all over the shop, the bait being pulled along the bottom by the float. Sorry a crackpot idea for me. Sorry John!

[@seanbateson3398]

Thanks John glad to be back on the float! Keep the music!

[@jasmijnariel]

You should stop music when you talk sir... as a person myself with english that is NOT my first language, and a bit of a hearing problem, i had problems to understand everything , the music distracts a lot from focus

[@00markelliott00]

Good video. Useful tips.

[@richarddavies828]

Really good, I fish a lake with lots of carp , so I will try this for the tench , some very big tench, but the carp always bully out the tench!!

[@jasonrenshaw9010]

Nice first video John, good insight to the tench.

[@baileyfishing6066]

Thank you Jason appreciate the comment. Any suggestions on what you would like to see next?

[@jasonrenshaw9010]

It would be nice seeing some trotting with a pin on small rivers.

[@DJFarside]

yeah defo trotting on a pin, everything from start to finish @@baileyfishing6066 , Including putting your fishing line on your first centrepin, lol. Bck to tench though, do you usually fish early mornings for your tench? I've always done that until recently, now I fish all morning, day and night and catch the same, the old wives tales seems to be false.lol

[@baileyfishing6066]

@@DJFarside - my experience of gravel pits is that early morning is not necessarily an advantage. They will feed throughout the day if conditions are right.

[@ThisisEngland1066]

​@@baileyfishing6066 priceless knowledge

[@foggy1712]

Ahh Bliss..... Perfect viewing during the lockdown. Loved hearing the technical Mr Bailey giving us his take on tench - after all, experience is based on the sum of your mistakes as well as successes and we all learn differently, so simply superb to hear one mans view given in a gentle and yet focused way. 'Keep ahaad, John' as we say up north and look forward to bumping into you again 'on thother side' of this pandemic. PS Was so engrossed in it I ignored the music :o)

[@davidhughes4804]

Great video very good tips.Were you fishing at Rockland mere.Well done

[@Michael020]

What's the pointt in showng us floats made by his mate? Doesn't help anyone

[@paulfranciosi8155]

2 anglers looked up to as kid I'm 49 and still think they are legends.

[@shaunr8558]

Great video John look forward to more 👍

[@baileyfishing6066]

Thanks Shaun - what would you like to see next?

[@shaunr8558]

Some big roach on the float would be good good luck

[@glparkins]

Excellent tips, thank you

[@portcullis5622]

Nice, informative film but I think that the annoying, generic music will scare most tench from the margins. It might be OK for the (common) carp but I always find that tench are more discerning and prefer traditional folk and acoustic music, or a bit of 1970s prog rock.

[@georgefrost7958]

great vid thanks john!!

[@nigelfairburn7554]

Really enjoyed your films will you be doing more soon? if not you should !!

[@garethjones7182]

Good vid there John and some classy floats! Initially you use a boilie, next you state don't use 3 maggots on a size (say 14) as the weight of hook+maggot is too much for the tench to suck up, surely hook+maggots are lighter than hook+boilie?- unless that boilie was a wafter/ critically balanced, just sayin'!

[@baileyfishing6066]

You make a good point Gareth, the limitations of video editing! The point is I am prebaiting with boiles so the tench are used to the weight to suck them up ,whereas maggots replicate bloodworm which requires less force. Hope that makes sense.

[@briancox144]

Excellent video Enjoyed very much

[@baileyfishing6066]

Thanks Brian

[@nwilson9001]

Amazing angler John bailey got one of his books

[@gii_vannile]

Thank you very much . Oct. 29th 2021 Fri. 05:55 am from Yokohama City Japan

[@cheekymunty]

Thanks loved the video & the tips. Made me think a little different.

[@baileyfishing6066]

Appreciated Richard

[@michaelking1895]

Brilliant as usual

[@sarahcollin8442]

Mr Crabtree AGAIN!!! & You've got Gillers involved!!!

[@gee3883]

Hi John, what line do you use please on your float set up ? A venue I am fishing at the moment has Tench feeding in the margins in gin clear water and they just seem so clever on avoiding anything I present to them. I am hoping that this wafted bait approach with no shot on the line will be a game changer. I know I could probably get better results with a pinned down line and a helicopter/feeder rig but I love fishing in the bubbles with a float.

[@baileyfishing6066]

Hi Graham - I am happy with 5lb mono - brands such as Drennan or Maxima

[@jontrackerjack]

Great information, argh that awful musac annoyingly intrusive.

[@davidoakley8312]

Also you mention you use the weight of the boilie to anchor - do you use any shot near the hook for maggot or bloodworm as these would be very light?

[@davidoakley8312]

Great vid - thanks John and some superb advioce - out of interest what BS line do you use? Also if fishing in a water with carp would you up the BS to cope just incase? Thanks

[@MrCrossyTV]

Awesome Tench video, some great tips, can you tell me the line weight you use for both your mainline and the hook rig?

[@baileyfishing6066]

Thank you MrCrossyTV appreciated.

[@tommyrispin44]

John what is ur fav tench feed , and how much do you add to a swim ,

[@fishyfishy8688]

Thanks for great video.

[@Strixphoto]

Brilliant viden, very nice to watch =)

[@slothape]

I've made my own peacock quill floats, hopefully I can catch a tench on one.

[@mulletmanpete]

Very clearly a shot on the line about 12 inches above the hook @14.34

[@ThisisEngland1066]

Love it. Thanks

[@gee3883]

Hi John, just a quick question. You say you use the Andrew Field float for deep swims of around 10-15 ft ,but if you are using locking shot either side and fishing 2 ft over depth how do you manage to cast ?

[@baileyfishing6066]

Good spot -graham - in those situations I of course would use a slider but still keep the shot 10/11ft up with a 12 or 13ft rod

[@gee3883]

@@baileyfishing6066 Thanks for the reply John. I wasn't aware of the slider float method when I watched your film but I seem to of perfected it this season fishing for large roach and bream. Sadly I only managed one visit to my nearest Tench water this year but looking forward to next season. Thanks again.

[@DJFarside]

John can you do a video on trotting with a pin, everything from start to finish, Including putting your fishing line on your first centrepin, lol. Back to tench though, do you usually fish early mornings for your tench? I've always done that until recently, now I fish all morning, day and night and catch the same, the old wives tales seems to be false. What size boilies would you recommend for tench? 10mm?

[@baileyfishing6066]

On the pits I fish - early morning makes no odds. Im as likely to get bites at 1pm! 12mm boilies

[@thephotographer539]

But how do you shot the line if you're using the buoyant maggot/bloodworm bait? Do you still have 2 feet on the bottom, so one shot 2 feet from the hook?

[@QBtracksandstuff]

Wonderful

[@chepachii]

Great stuff Jon, you say no shot on the line but it looked like you had a bunch of shot near the hook, how far do you have this?

[@wakou222]

Hi John, what reel is that? Is it usable for trotting as well as stillwater?

[@wojciechlemanczyk7218]

Brillant Video!

[@baileyfishing6066]

Thank you sir

[@robbrownfield7677]

Not too sure how a tench struggles with 3 maggots and a size 14 hook, but can suck up a boillie and size 12? Corn, lobwoms, mussels (in the good old days), paste, the tench always managed to pick them up.

[@Justanoldsoulman]

Hi Nice video mate. Can I ask couple of questions please. I take it you use no shot down the line for any of the baits, so for the balanced baits they would take a long time to actually settle right? Quite a lot of small roach and rudd where I fish, think this would cause a few problems ( did really like the fake blood worm hook bait!! Im sure the roach would as well haha ). Secondly how much do you dot the float down and then what do you strike at as a bite? And while im here what hook link do you use for your hairs, braid or mono? Thanks in advance John

[@baileyfishing6066]

You will need some shot a BB if you use naturals/plastics but set it at least 1-2ft over depth so that by the time they feel the weight they are committed so to speak. Float about 1-2 inches vin a chop half an inch in still conditions, hook links are mona with a bait stop. Guru do a good one.

[@Justanoldsoulman]

Thanks

[@J_D_Adama]

Great video. If you were to rake the margin a few times, would you still fish 2 foot over depth?

[@baileyfishing6066]

Interesting question Shire Craftsman - I might be tempted to shorten it a little yes.

[@kevinwoolner2621]

My favourite way of fishing for tench , Avon rod and centerpin, no bolt rigs , float fishing is more enjoyable, the lift method is deadly

[@ScottMG]

Nice to hear it "simple" John, there,s you , Graeme Pullen on TA fishing, Andrew Bolderson, and Keith Erwin, most of the rest are high tech glamour boys, pushing thier sponsor,s products, keep up the good work (sorry forgot to mention "God", ...Mr Yates)

[@truthfulremedy_aka_lennybee]

I’ll subscribe... put some more videos out! Great tutorial 👍

[@shaunabbey8435]

Hi John do you still fish 2foot over depth even with the maggot and bloodworm or just the boilies

[@Richie65afc]

Very interesting video. One question I would like to ask is that when I have fished most lakes, you always get an undertow and I have to put more shot on the deck to hold the float in position. I can certainly see the method you use as the Tench can't feel any shot or see any shot on the line, but how do you counter the problem of the float not getting dragged out of position?

[@skrpaolo2029]

Amazing

[@thephotographer539]

So I tried this on my morning session today with boilies and prawns, and while you are no doubt completely right, I found I couldn't hit the bites I got until I changed to the lift method, which yielded three in reasonably quick succession. I couldn't help the feeling that the tench could move the bait around and perhaps eject it with the 'no shot' set up, while I wouldn't get much indication of anything happening?

[@thephotographer539]

Looks like you're using quickstop hair rigs? Great for ease of use, but I can't find any that are less than 8lb bs

[@jbradshaw4236]

Are you guiding again John?

[@alexpeters1080]

If you gonna b all nice n traditional seems a pity to fish for tench on float fished boilies! In my experience it's hard to fish float on any sort of big pit unless you fish on the back of the wind, with the waves, water flow etc. Those Polaris type floats give the bite sensitivity of the float but u also get to anchor it in position with a light lead. Also they automatically set at the right depth so no messing wi plumbing depth. They ideal for pit float fishing for tench compared to a normal waggle float.

[@GillmanStudio]

Puzzled, 3 maggots on a 14 hook are to heavy to be 'sucked up' but a boilie on a 12 isnt?

[@stephenstocks1074]

Do you ever use bread for tench as I’ve had my best tench fishing catches on it

[@baileyfishing6066]

I do occasionally Stephen but find in the pits I fish boilies out fish bread also where roach are present that is a problem.( not that I don't love roaches I'm sure you know!)

[@willemritsema7014]

I have question wich rod you used.

[@hejfjajjan6245]

I have caught tench in Nordic Winds in sweden it was 18degrees wind 5m/s in 0.70cm depth it was not deeper then 1M

[@martynweigh4541]

Are tench good to eat?

[@blackfox7254]

Very Nice vids you make and good information.