Tench language
Many carp anglers moan when they catch tench, but they really shouldn't. This pretty member of the carp family is a natural taker of carp baits, just as large goldfish are. One aspect of the tench that is rarely known is that they will feed alongside large carp, and, if in numbers, will crowd out a lone carp and feed voraciously. This behaviour though, does depend on a number of factors, the main one being the level of determination of a large carp that has no compunction when a body check is required. And you thought fish were gentile!
The equation of fish behaviour generally depends on the availability of food. Fish are always in competition unless the anglers constantly put bait into any given water, and most waters have an abundance of natural food along with the extra source supplied by the angler. You do need something special on most popular waters to really get stuck in.
The tench do tend to behave very much like carp moving in both shoals, and individually. They are a brave fish and on light tackle will give the angler a real fight, with a good tail motor for good speed.
If you are lucky enough to catch a tench when fishing for carp treat it with the respect this little carp cousin deserves and treat it well before returning it safely to the water, and make sure you take the trouble to get the camera out, you will be glad you did!
