Swim preparation helped Drennan’s Ryan Hayden land eight tench on his recent session to a Southern gravel pit.

Arriving the evening before Ryan prepared two spots, one down the marginal shelf alongside a weed bed using a traditional rake and one at around 40 yards using a castable rake to clear an opening amongst the weed. He then introduced 6 spombs of hemp, dead red maggots and caster onto each spot ready for first light.

“Just before first light, the alarm kicked into action and the first tench of the session was making its way towards the net. Between then and 7 am, it really kicked off, and I had landed a further 6 tench to 7lb 14oz.”

All the fish were caught using Bolt Rig Feeders filled with red maggots and a short 3in hooklink of 15lb Gravel Braid tied to a size 12 Super Specialist Barbel hook baited with two Buoyant maggots on a short hair.