Our tench rod buyers guide will help you find the best tench rod in your pursuit of the elusive tench. If you are looking for a new tench rod, then we have you covered.
Tench are strong fish and you need to make sure that you are geared up with the most suitable tackle. There are lots of things to consider when looking for a new rod, and our buyers guide will help you find the best tench rod for your needs.
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Finding the best tench rod
The first thing you need to consider when looking for a new tench rod, is how will you be using the rod?
Tench are usually caught either by float fishing and ledgering so you if you plan on fishing both methods then you will need a rod capable of doing both.
Tench are strong fighters and a good match rod will usually be more than capable of handing an average sized tench. However, tench will often be caught in and around lily pads so you will ideally need a more powerful rod than what you get in most match rods.
You also need to be realistic that when targeting tench there is also the chance that you will hook a big carp and you will need a rod to handle them.
There are expensive specialist “tench rods” on the market, however experience tells us that in most cases this is just clever marketing – you do not need a “tench rod” to fish for tench.
Power waggler and avon rods are perfect for tench. If you already have one then save your money, if not, check out the below recommendations.
Last update on 2023-11-29 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The Best Rods For Tench Fishing
Korum Avon Rod
This specialist rod from Korum is our top pick Avon rod and it is a perfect rod for tench fishing. It’s actually targeted at specialist barbel anglers but it’s a great tench and carp rod too.
It offers superb all round usability and offers the best value for money when compared with similar rods in the market.
Korum is part of Preston Innovations which are well known for providing top quality tackle. Korum are well known for their specimen tackle and make no exceptions here with these fantastic Avon Rods.
The rods themselves are targeted at big barbel anglers on fast flowing rivers. Conveniently they offer different rod lengths and test curves depending on your needs.
Our pick of the bunch is the 12ft, 1.75lb rod which is a fantastic all-rounder and perfect for all types of fishing and in this case perfect for tench fishing.
The 11ft 1.75lb is also a great option for tench fishing, but the 12ft gives greater flexibility when fishing other methods.
- 11’ 1.75lb – Perfect for commercial lakes, carp, smaller rivers and big barbel. Maximum casting weight 5oz. Line rating 8-15lb.
- 12’ 1.75lb – A superb all-rounder. Maximum casting weight 5oz. Line rating 8-15lb. Our pick of the range
- 12’ 2lb – Perfect for casting big weights on larger rivers. Maximum casting weight 6oz. Line rating 10-18lb.
- 13’ 2.5lb – Great for casting long distances with big feeders. Maximum casting weight 8oz. Line rating 10-18lb.
All rods in the range come with full slim cork handles and with a progressive rod action. The rods have a white tip which are used for bite indication, which is great for sensitive tench bites.
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Middy White Knuckle Waggler Rod
The Middy White Knuckle 10ft Waggler Rod is a light, well-balanced super strong waggler rod built to take the strain of heavy use.
Designed as a carp waggler rod, it is capable of handling big carp, tench and bream, while still being lightweight and sensitive enough for silvers.
This rod is super strong and is made of Triple X Carbon whilst retaining its flexibility and sensitivity.
Being strong and lightweight it is ideal for tench fishing and is built to last.
The extra strength it offers will mean you will have greater control when fishing close to lily pads, islands and overhanging trees.
It’s hard to find anything wrong with this rod when considering the price. It makes a fantasic and sensitive tench rod that can also handle both large carp and small silvers with ease.
Last update on 2023-11-29 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
12ft Oakwood All-in-One
This rod from Oakwood is a great all rounder that doubles up as a waggler rod and feeder rod with the strength of an avon rod.
This is a 3 piece rod that comes with two tips. One tip for waggler fishing and another tip for feeder fishing. The rod comes with two quiver tips.
The 12ft Oakwood all-in-one is a capable rod for carp, tench, barbel and pike as well as small silvers. It is suitable for commercials, lakes and steady rivers.
WIth a recommended line size of upto 10lb, this responsive and crisp rod is the perfect budget tench rod for beginners and those who are budget conscious.
The waggler tip does take a little getting used to as it can be a little bit soft to start with, but once you get used to it, it actually performs quite well for this entry level price point.
The rod itself comes with a cloth bag to keep all the rod pieces together.
- 12ft Oakwood 4 Piece Carp Power Waggler Rod & Feeder/Barbel Rod All In One
Last update on 2023-11-29 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Drennan Specialist 12ft Twin Tip
This specialist rod is designed with flexibity in mind for a wide variety of methods and scenarios.
This a very versitile rod. It’s a fantastic carp and tench rod on lakes and a superb chub and barbel rod on fast flowing rivers, but is also suitable for small silvers in small ponds.
This is a two piece rod that comes with two top sections, an avon style top section with a 1.25 test curve and also a top quiver section that comes with both a 2oz glass tip and a 3oz carbon tip.
The ability to change the end section of this excellent rod from Drennan makes the rod superbly versitile for a range of methods and venues and makes it an ideal rod for targeting tench when either float fishing or ledgering.
This is a high quality and well balanced rod and you can certainly notice the quality as soon as you pick the rod up.
Drennan’s specialist twin tip comes with a cork handle with a casting grip. This coupled with the extremely balanced rod gives superb casting control and accuracy which is is great for dropping your bait at the side of lily pads without the fear of getting snagged.
This rod is also available at 11ft with a 1.5lb test curve, which you can find here.
- An incredibly versatile rod from the Drennan specialist range
- Designed to tackle a multitude of venues and species on both still and running water
- Two top sections, a traditional Avon style for float fishing, and a quiver section
- High modulus carbon fibre blank
- High quality SiC rings and a secure DPS reel seat
Last update on 2023-11-29 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
NGT Stalker – 8ft Rod
If you are looking for a small, budget tench rod, then look no further than the 8ft NGT Stalker.
The NGT Stalker is a fantastic rod regardless of price, however when you consider it’s budget price then it’s hard to understand why all angers do not have atleast one of these little rods.
At only 8ft, it’s the ideal size for small chucks on small lakes and ponds where larger rods just won’t cut it.
Weighing in at only 230g it’s very light, but strong enough to contol and guide tench away from snags. It’s actually billed as a carp rod, but it’s a wonderful little tench rod.
The build quality is fantastic and this little rod promises hours of fun in the right hands.
At such a low entry level price you would be hard pushed to find a similar rod that offers better value for money.
- It's ideal for carp off the top using stalking tactics.
- Supplied in a cloth bag.
- One of our best selling rods in this class
- Made from fibreglass
- Supplied in a cloth bag
Last update on 2023-11-29 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
FAQs
What is the best size rod for tench fishing?
The best size rod for tench fishing is between 8ft and 12ft.
However it depends on the location you are fishing. Most tench fishing does not require long casting, usually fishing at most 1-3 rod lengths out so shorter rod lengths would be best for this.
Casting to islands and lily beds however sometimes require longer rods for smoother casting but you should no need to be any longer than 12ft in most scenarios.
What is the best feeder rod for tench fishing?
The best feeder rod for tench fishing is the 12ft Drennan Specialist twin tip.
What is the best waggler rod for tench fishing?
The best waggler rod for tench fishing is the 10ft Middy White Knuckle Waggler Rod
What is the best budget tench rod?
The best budget tench rod is the 8ft NGT Stalker.
What type of rod is best for tench fishing?
A strong power wagger or avon rod is best for tench fishing.
What strength line is best for tench fishing?
6lb line is a good starting point when tench fishing. If you are fishing for specimen tench or you are fishing in very snaggy locations, for example with lots of lily pads, then 8lb line may be required.
Last update on 2023-11-29 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Summary
The average angler does not need a dedicated specimen tench rod, especially if you are a beginner – save your money as there are lots of rods that are more than capable for tench fishing – including the ones you may already have.
A good power waggler rod such as a pellet waggler rod, or an avon rod is your best option when looking for the best tench rod. If you have a decent match rod then this will also be suitable providing you are not fishing in and around lots of snags.
