The tenya fishing is a method that uses a lure and a natural bait at the same time. The latter is often small and is part of the diet of the target fish.
Tenya fishing is an ancient technique that originated in Kobe Bay, Japan. It continues to arouse the curiosity of fishing enthusiasts and is gaining more and more followers. The method is practised at sea and mainly on a boat. Requiring a depth of about twenty metres, tenya fishing is possible from a rocky platform or the bank of a port area.
Description of the tenya fishing hook
The tenya is halfway between lure and bait fishing. Seasoned fishermen often refer to it as a baited lure. It consists of a fixed hook with a lead head. The head can be of various shapes, but is often brightly coloured to stimulate the curiosity of the fish. Gold or silver models are also common. They give off multiple flashes of light which rarely leave the fish indifferent.
It is important to know that the tenya has a second hook attached to it by means of a braided or nylon line. The natural bait is attached to the fixed hook. Specialists often refer to the tenya as a vertical fishing lure – this is because of the lead head. On the other hand, it is not necessarily used with a natural bait. Some anglers prefer to use a lure for the method.
Baits for tenya fishing
Tenya fishing is most effective when done from a boat. It is also a drift fishery and the chances of success are greater by covering a large distance. The tenya is usually placed in the area just above the sea floor. The drift may then result in coming across a school of feeding fish. It is also possible for the tenya to go into contact with the sea floor without fear of snagging. Some anglers even recommend dropping the bait violently to wake up the ecosystem.
The tenya is known to be very good at catching sparids. The species of this family of fish are mainly carnivorous. They feed on smaller fish and especially on benthic invertebrates. Fishing with tenya also works on other species such as stonefish and capon.
The baits associated with tenya should therefore be included in this list of target fish. Shrimp is the natural bait with which the ancient Japanese technique was developed. However, the possibilities are not limited to shrimp. Some fishermen opt for crabs or cephalopod tentacle tips. Other options include cuttlefish or squid strips and mackerel fillets. Whatever natural bait is used, it must be properly attached to the main hook. The rig should make the tenya swim as naturally as possible.