Paul H
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Can anyone help me confirm whether this is a male or female?
Male or Female tench?
- Thread starter Paul H
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dezza
Well-known member
That's a female.
Males have large scoop shaped ventral fins and bulging gonads. Generally they do not grow as big as the females. Tench are one of the easiest fish to sex.
Males have large scoop shaped ventral fins and bulging gonads. Generally they do not grow as big as the females. Tench are one of the easiest fish to sex.
the indifferent crucian
Well-known member
I agree. Lovely fish about to spawn by the look of her. Notice the small tail, but the thick root of it. A strong fish in perfect condition. Nice to see an unhooking mat under her
In fact, that's a ruddy nice photo !
In fact, that's a ruddy nice photo !
Mark Wintle
Well-known member
Graham Marsden
Editor Emeritus
Male Tench:
Paul H
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Thank you everybody.
I'm not dissapointed with the fish at all as it was personal best at 5lb 10oz.
I was kind of hoping it was male though as that would have rather excitingly confirmed some of the females are 10lb + (which is what the local tackle shop owner has told me).
Still, I was well pleased with her, she was a little greener in real life but the strong sun has warmed the tones a bit.
I always carry my unhooking matt, they weigh next to nothing and you can't always be sure that there will be a 'safe' place to lay the fish.
She'd have been covered in goose c**p if I'd left it home
I'm not dissapointed with the fish at all as it was personal best at 5lb 10oz.
I was kind of hoping it was male though as that would have rather excitingly confirmed some of the females are 10lb + (which is what the local tackle shop owner has told me).
Still, I was well pleased with her, she was a little greener in real life but the strong sun has warmed the tones a bit.
I always carry my unhooking matt, they weigh next to nothing and you can't always be sure that there will be a 'safe' place to lay the fish.
She'd have been covered in goose c**p if I'd left it home
Tee-Cee
Senior Member
Very pretty looking fish....unhooking mats-don't see many on my local waters even though the rule book stipulates same....
thinks....must find a decent tench water-which will mean joining Reading & District...more expense..
thinks....must find a decent tench water-which will mean joining Reading & District...more expense..
dezza
Well-known member
In my opinion, whilst not looking as pretty as the female fish, the male tench is very likely the hardest fighting coarse fish on a size for size basis in the country. Whether it's those huge ventral fins that do it I dont know, but I've had some monumental scraps with quite modestly sized male tench in my life. And I'm sure lots of others have too.
The hardest fighting tench I ever hooked was a 6 1/2 pound male fish from an Oxfordshire gravel pit using 6 lbs line, Avon rod and 5 lb hooklength. After 15 minutes by my watch the tench had still not tired, and that's a long time to play any fish.
The hardest fighting tench I ever hooked was a 6 1/2 pound male fish from an Oxfordshire gravel pit using 6 lbs line, Avon rod and 5 lb hooklength. After 15 minutes by my watch the tench had still not tired, and that's a long time to play any fish.
Last edited:
Tee-Cee
Senior Member
Some of the best fighting tench(and very beautiful to look at!) are to be found in White Swan Pit,Dinton Pastures,near Reading Berks...still day ticket I think...
Like Ron I've landed 6/7lb fish but only after a 15min fight..(thought I was into a new record!!)
Saw a young lad land an 11lb fish back in the 80's from this pit-like a new pin...
BUT is it ever a difficult water...Oh yes it is!!
Like Ron I've landed 6/7lb fish but only after a 15min fight..(thought I was into a new record!!)
Saw a young lad land an 11lb fish back in the 80's from this pit-like a new pin...
BUT is it ever a difficult water...Oh yes it is!!