Oxford angler Geoff Adams has recorded what must be one of the best catches of tench so far this season with four doubles to his name, writes Andy Webber.

Geoff spent four days on a southern pit and was rewarded with 27 tench, including specimens of 11.10.0, 11.2.0 10.4.0, 10.0.0 and four fish over 9lb.

He targeted a gravel bar about 40 yards out with a inline maggot-feeder, and by whipping a small hook to nylon to the back of a size 12 hook he was able to fish three maggots off the bottom by adding a bit of foam.

He fed a mixture of pellet, Vitalin, maggot, caster and Dynamite Green Swim Stim with brown bread crumb to keep the fish interested.

Tony Hiles, from Kidlington, is no stranger to catching specimen fish, as back in July 2005 he caught a brace of rudd both weighing over 2lb, winning the Maggots End photo competition for that month in the process.

Now Tony has been targeting tench from a North Oxford lake and in one session, had 11 fish, including six over 8lb, and specimens of 9.12.0 and10.3.0.

He surprised me with the way he caught them - no buzzers, feeder or float lift method, but an 11m pole with hair-rigged cat meat over a bed of red maggot, pellets and corn.

I've said many times before that the Linear complex of lakes at Stanton Harcourt not only hold massive carp, but other species as well.

Taunton big-fish expert Paul Hawkins confirmed the point at St John's lake with a new personal best tench weighing 9.10.0.

He was using 10lb Big Game mainline, 10lb Fluro hooklink and a size 14 Drennan hook with a maggot-feeder.

As well as the nine-pounder, he also had tench of 8.4.0 and 8.2.0 all on maggot/caster cocktail.

IF you have any news, views, photos, or you just want to have a chat, you can contact me on 01865 725606 or email andrew@webber01865.fsnet.co.uk