Innholdsfortegnelse for 17 October 2015 i Angling Times

ROACH fishing fanatic Mike Townsend made the catch of a lifetime when he banked four river redfins over 2lb on float tackle. The specialist from Doncaster, South Yorkshire, has spent the last 15 years travelling to some of the south’s most famous roach fisheries to satisfy his obsession with catching specimens of the species. But he struck gold when a waterway just minutes from his home ironically produced the incredible catch which comprised roach weighing 2lb 2oz, 2lb 1oz and a couple at 2lb on the nail. “I really can’t believe the fact that I’ve spent so many years travelling and clocking up thousands of miles in search of big roach at venues such at the Hampshire Avon, yet I’ve done this on my doorstep. I’m blown away,” said Mike.…

THIS is the photo of the world’s biggest-ever carp caught on the pole, weighing in at an incredible 68lb. It was landed by angling adrenaline junkie Sebnash, who battled with the huge specimen armed with just a few metres of carbon and 25lb line. Fishing the margins on a lake in the Seine et Marne region of France, it took him 25 minutes to tame the historic carp into the net after it took a paste hookbait just yards from the bank. It’s a fish that made up a hat-trick of big carp that also included a giant that would have set a new world record – a common of 27.1 kg (59lb 7oz), which was backed up by a smaller specimen of 19.7 kg (43lb 4oz). “I was fishing…

A NEAR 20-year quest for a 7lb-plus chub from his local Norfolk rivers ended in style for Tom Martin when he captured this 7lb 2oz specimen. He finally cracked the milestone from the River Wensum, after the Norwich-based angler came agonisingly close in March 2015 with a similar 6lb 15oz specimen. It fell to a simple link ledger with three cockles presented on a size 6 hook, using 6lb line. Tom is a big fan of seafood baits for chub and had prebaited a few likely looking spots with cockles, which he intended to try in short spells. “This was my only fish of the session. The swim has produced for me a number of times. It’s snaggy, but there is a slack on the far side for fish to…

VISITORS to a popular commercial fishery are to benefit from the creation of a new specimen lake. Devon’s Milemead Fisheries has announced that the venue formerly known as the Match Lake will now be turned into a speci-style lake where anglers will have the chance to catch big carp, grass carp and catfish. Venue owner Andrew Evenden said: “The intention is to create a good intermediate ‘runs’ water for people who want more action than the Specimen Lake can provide – while giving them the chance to catch a catfish. “It was a sad moment to close the Match Lake, as we have seen it produce some of the most consistent catches in the South West this year – but we’ve still struggled to get match or pleasure anglers to…

DRAGON Carp Direct boss Roger Surgay has reassured customers that no more of the famed discount tackle stores will be closing down. His statement comes after a decision to shut the Peterlee and Ramsgate branches, something Roger insists is to do purely with their location. It means more time will now be spent on the growth of Dragon Carp Express stores, which are being opened in existing Sports Direct stores across the UK. “I want to reassure our customers that the closures are not part of a wider plan,” said Roger.…

Alexei Bygrave and Harry Charrington: “If you put a fish in sniffi ng distance of these two it hasn’t got a chance.” Neil Rivers and Chris Holmes: “Winning carp matches isn’t about catching fish, it’s about catching more fish than the blokes around you, and Neil and Chris have an incredible understanding of this. They are the gentlemen of the team.” Billy Flowers and Jamie Londors: “They are machines. Never dare to take them on. Jamie is absolutely unflappable and Billy is a speed merchant. They catch fish that just aren’t there!” Sub Mark Bartlett: “I will stick my neck out and say Bart’s the best caster in the world. In footballing terms he’s Ronaldo and would walk into any other team in the world.” Unused sub Paul Booth: “His…

I’M delighted that Andy Geldart has added the Parkdean Masters title to his Fish O’Mania crown from a couple of years ago. He is a superbly talented match angler and has the great knack of being able to communicate his skills, as he demonstrated a couple of times on Tight Lines. Andy fishes what I’d describe as classically, rather than relying on gimmicks of weird baits and methods, which makes him equally dangerous on natural venues and commercial carp waters. He has a great future!…

IF YOU’VE GOT A CATCH TO REPORT CALL OUR HOTLINE ON 01733 395103 RIVERS & CANALS LEEDS & LIVERPOOL CANAL, MAGHULL, MERSEYSIDE THE roach have started to feed now, with hemp and pole tactics accounting for double-figure nets on the cricket club stretch. Contact:Johnsons Angling Centre, 01515 255574 Prices:£5 on the bank, Liverpool DAA AIRE & CALDER CANAL, ALTOFTS, W YORKS Roach bags to 20lb to long pole and maggot fished over groundbait. Contact:Chris Roberts Tackle, 01484 545032 Prices:£2.50 from Chris Roberts Tackle, Mirfield AC HUDDERSFIELD NARROW CANAL, HUDDERSFIELD, W YORKS Marsden end seeing gudgeon on squatt and groundbait and perch to 3lb on worm and caster. Contact:Chris Roberts Tackle, 01484 545032 Prices:£5 from Chris Roberts Tackle, Slaithwaite DAA LEEDS & LIVERPOOL CANAL, WIGAN, LANCS At Dover Lock tench and…

WILLOWS AND LAURELS LAKES (126 PEGS) On Laurels Lake, the deep pegs between 4 and 16 are red-hot during the colder months. Peg 4 holds plenty of fish down the edge into peg 3, while peg 16 also has a great margin swim. Most corner pegs with edge bankings to fish up hold plenty of smaller stockie carp, especially 20, 21, 35, 50, 57 and 59. On the Willows Lake, the top bay is the biggest and is one of the most prolific areas all year round. Pegs 22 and 23 on the last point on the left are good. Another popular swim is the point peg 48 which has a lot of open water. You can catch ghost and mirror carp over 20lb in Willows Lake – these occasionally…

READ BRITAIN’S BEST BIG-FISH ANGLER ONLY IN Angling Times IF you could choose any tactic for specimen perch, how would you go about catching some this winter? It’s not such a simple decision as it sounds, because several factors need to be taken into account every time you go fishing – everything from the colour of the water to the distance at which you fish. It’s easy to make a mistake, but the more options you feel comfortable with, the better your chances will be. As a case in point, I headed to the river recently in tricky conditions when a bite seemed most unlikely. Drop shotting has taken the UK perch scene by storm, and everyone and their dog seems to be waggling plastic worms! The appeal is obvious.…

I’VE been spending a lot of time in my tackle room over the past few weeks as I prepare my kit for my autumn and winter campaigns – and most of it’s been taken up tying up rigs! Some anglers think there’s a secret to the rigs top anglers use, but that’s just nonsense. It’s all about having a plan of what you’re going to be fishing for and creating simple set-ups that allow you to deliver your hookbaits in the most natural manner possible. Rigs need to be robust enough not to fail you after a few fish, but not so overly heavy that they don’t let the bait work properly in the water. A lot of my fishing in cold weather involves the pole on stillwaters, so, even…

DES TAYLOR’S DIARY OF A COUNTRYMAN THIS WEEK’S CATCHES IN KINGFISHER CLUB QUIZ OF THIS WEEK’S NEWS AND CROSSWORD MUCH-MISSED DAD LOVED FISHING WITH HIS FAMILY WE’D like to share a picture and a few memories of our dad Norman Wood, who sadly lost his battle with cancer last week. Even while fighting the illness, he managed to fish a festival at Lindholme Lakes in May and took his grandson fishing there, too. He lived for fishing and he was so happy to be on the bank every time, especially with our family. He taught us both how to fish and for that we will be ever grateful. Dad had some good achievements himself, too, and he won several big matches and winter leagues in Somerset with the Western A…

IN 1988 I’d just come straight from the World Championships in Belgium to fish the King Of Clubs, the most prestigious festival in Ireland. The weekend before the KOC started, Frank Barlow organised a ‘knock up’ match on a nearby lake and around 20 of us were present. It was a deep lake and the fishing was hard. In fact, nobody caught anything. Out of desperation I started feeding wet, sloppy groundbait to try fishing up in the water. To my surprise, I started catching small skimmer bream. They weren’t big, at around 6oz, but I knew I was catching more than anybody else and a few people had stopped fishing to come and watch me. I was using a new keepnet that everybody had at the World Champs. It…

Robson’s Extreme Fishing... Tuesday, October 20, noon Robson Green explores the coastlines of the United Arab Emirates and Oman, trying to catch king mackerel, giant trevally and longtail tuna. The Ultimate Fishing Show Tuesday, October 20, 3:30pm Following angling adventures aboard the ‘Ultimate Lady’, which features a variety of gadgets. Man vs Fish with Matt Watson Wednesday, October 21, 6:20am Matt hunts for the dogtooth tuna, a species that is difficult to catch because it dives straight down after being hooked. UK Angling Championships 2015 Wednesday, October 21, 10:30am Round three of the UK Angling Championships at Larford Lakes in Worcestershire. River Monsters: Untold Stories Friday, October 23,1pm What does it take to subdue a giant snakehead? Jeremy Wade relives the risky decisions behind his most daring catches. Earth’s Wildest…

CHRIS PARKES, SHEFFIELD ASKS: Q What is your number one mix for Method feeder fishing? I get confused by all the different baits on the market and just want to settle on one type that I know will work well and catch plenty of fish. A I was always a big fan of using only groundbait, whether that was a sweet fishmeal or 100 per cent fishmeal mix around my Method feeder – but I grew to recognise the power of pellets when added to the groundbait. Now, this can be confusing and as a rule I only use one mix. That’s half Bait-Tech Big Carp Method Mix Krill & Tuna and half 2mm Bait-Tech Carp & Coarse pellets. Unconventionally, I mix the pellets and the groundbait together when dry…

Tuesday, October 20 Acorn Fishery Tuesday Tenner, Kingston Seymour - Mike 01179 497310 Alders Farm, Affordable Open, Great Brickhill – Trevor 07860 235655 Aston Park Fisheries, Sheffie d - Alex 07743 845737 Coleman’s Cottage Fishery, Witham – Gerry 01376 516383 Daiwa Hallcroft Fishery, Retford – Nick 01777 710448 Decoy, Eastrea – Di 01733 202230 Garbolino Lindholme Lakes, Epworth – Neil 01427 872905 Heronbrook Over 55s, – Neil 07879 441288 Janson’s, Elton - 07976 317864 Kobra, Dynamite Ba ts Mak n’s Fishery, Wolvey – John 07749 284823 Little John Lakes, Ollerton Steve 07715 096738 Meadow View Fisheries OAP & Dis, Warrington Br an 01925 757985 Moorlands Farm, Kidderminster Mal 07967 107913 Oaks, Sessay Chris 07885 553323 Old Hough Fishery, Midd ewich – Doug 07976 381996 Partridge Lakes, Culceth Me /Ne 07950…

MONDAY TO SATURDAY Dynamite Baits Oakfield Fishery Red Kite & Woodpecker Lakes (21 pegs) This was another match dominated by the in-form Woodpecker Lake, with the top six weights all being taken from there. Fred Lawther won a tight match from end peg 7 where he got off to a flyer with eight big carp to 10lb taken early on using corn in his left-hand margin. He then kept the carp coming at 6m to hang on to his early lead with 129-7-0. Result:1 F Lawther, Dynamite Oakfield, 129-7-0; 2 S Walters, Drennan, 120-3-0; 3 I Graham, J&K Tackle, 103-5-0; 4 D Johnson, Dynamite Oakfield, 91-12-0; 5 M Talbot, Kamasan/GOT Baits, 87-2-0; 6 M Stickley, Ernest Turner, 74-5-0. Tylers Common Horseshoe Lake (22 pegs) Drawing golden peg 54, Bernie Fraser…

Saturday, March 5 - Tunnel Barn Farm (one angler to qualify) Wednesday, March 9– Bait-Tech Viaduct Fishery (one angler to qualify) Saturday, March 12 – Hayfield Lakes (one angler to qualify) Saturday, March 19 - Solhampton Fishery (one angler to qualify) Saturday, March 26 - Lakeview (one angler to qualify) Sunday, March 27 - Gold Valley Lakes (one angler to qualify) Wednesday, March 30 - Coleman’s Cottage Fishery (one angler to qualify) Saturday, April 2 - Monk Lakes (one angler to qualify) Wednesday, April 6 – Preston Innovations Woodland View (one angler to qualify) Saturday, April 9 – Bait-Tech Viaduct Fishery (one angler to qualify) Wednesday, April 13 – Garbolino Lindholme Lakes (two anglers to qualify) Saturday, April 16 - Barford Lakes (one angler to qualify) Wednesday, April 20 -…

Angling Trust RiverFest Qualifier Warks Avon, Eckington (60 pegs) THERE were plenty of bites to be had for the majority of the field, but weights were low due to the poor conditions. Topping the field from A section peg 14 was Graham Didcot, who caught 5lb of silverfish on the bolo rod fishing maggot over groundbait, and then took a bonus 4lb tench, which gave him the edge with a final weight of 9-11-0. That sees him through to the grand final in a few weeks’ time. Runner-up from the next peg was Paul Udell, who fished the pole with maggot to take an all-roach catch of 8-2-0. Result:1 G Didcot, Gloucester, 9-11-0; 2 P Udell, Maver Cardinals, 8-2-0; 3 R Hoskins, Daiwa Gordon League, 7-8-0; 4 R Cleary, 7-3-0.…

Angling Trust Heronbrook Fisheries Winter League (rnd 3) Canal, Bridge, Match & Meadow Pools (48 pegs) Drennan NW took the third round honours, but overall they still trail leaders Maver Midlands with Maver Gold in second. Leading Drennan home was Andy Bennett with 121-4-0 of F1s from peg 38 on the Canal Pool taken on pellet at 13m to the far bank. Result: 1 A Bennett, Drennan NW, 121-4-0; 2 J Ashwell, Maver Gold, 107-12-0; 3 C Barlow, Drennan NW, 97-9-0; 4 A Cattell, Browning Lifestyle, 92-8-0. Teams: 1 Drennan NW, 20 pts (section wins); 2 Maver Midlands, 20; 3 Browning Lifestyle, 25; 4 Eddie’s Bait Supplies, 33. League: 1 Maver Midlands, 6pts; 2 Maver Gold, 7; 3 Drennan NW, 9; 4 Browning Lifestyle, 11; 5 Eddie’s Bait Supplies, 14.…

Woodland Lakes (Weds) Partridge & Skylark Lakes (29 pegs) THE unstoppable Luke Hawksworth won again as he weighed in 119-12-0 of carp to 10lb off Skylark Lake peg 10, catching on banded pellet fished on the deck at 14.5m. Second went to Jonny Maddison on peg 19 of the same lake with 88-12-0 of carp to 9lb. He fished bomb and pellet, pellet at 14m and corn in the edge. Result: 1 L Hawksworth, Daiwa Cleveland Angling Centre, 119-12-0; 2 J Maddison, Mosella Quaker, 88-12-0; 3 J Roper, Woodland Tackle, 85-14-0; 4 S Doyle, Woodland Tackle, 81-0-0.…

Editor-in-Chief Steve Fitzpatrick – 01733 395097 steve.fitzpatrick@bauermedia.co.uk Deputy Editor Kevin Wilmot – 01733 395098 kevin.wilmot@bauermedia.co.uk Deputy Editor James Furness – 01733 395104 james.furness@bauermedia.co.uk Editorial Secretary Mary-Ann Payne – 01733 395105 mary-ann.payne@bauermedia.co.uk Tackle Editor Mark Sawyer – 01733 395107 mark.sawyer@bauermedia.co.uk Features Editor Richard Grange – 01733 395109 richard.grange@bauermedia.co.uk Features Editor Mark Parker – 01733 395140 mark.parker@bauermedia.co.uk Senior Feature Writer Ben Fisk – 01733 395101 ben.fisk@bauermedia.co.uk News Editor Ben Miles – 01733 395102 ben.miles@bauermedia.co.uk Senior Reporter Thom Airs – 01733 395106 thom.airs@bauermedia.co.uk Senior Reporter Tony Grigorjevs – 01733 395100 tony.grigorjevs@bauermedia.co.uk Senior Reporter Mark Peck – 01733 395103 mark.peck@bauermedia.co.uk News Reporter Ian Jones – 01733 395111 ian.jones@bauermedia.co.uk Digital Media Manager Rose Lloyd – 01733 395108 rose.lloyd@bauermedia.co.uk Head of photography Mick Rouse mick.rouse@bauermedia.co.uk Staff photographer Lloyd Rogers lloyd.rogers@bauermedia.co.uk Studio photographer Jacques Portal jacques.portal@bauermedia.co.uk Join…

ANGLERS fishing Highgate Boating Pond in London had long been baffled by a mystery snag on the bottom of the lake that had been claiming their leads by the hundreweight. However, when the pond was recently part-drained, the culprit was finally revealed – a 1970s Ford Cortina! The rusty vehicle was discovered in deep silt by engineers on the water on Hampstead Heath, but nobody was quite sure how it got there. The mystery was solved when an anonymous 70-year-old angler rang a local newspaper to say that the car was owned by a friend of his. The man’s wife had allegedly let the vehicle roll into the venue after she found out he used it to visit another woman when he claimed he was out fishing.…

PIKE-fishing fanatic Steve Whitehead realised a dream when he netted the biggest predator of the season. The fish topped the scales at 40lb 8oz and was boated during a prolific session at the famous Chew Valley Reservoir in Somerset – a venue that he’s fished for 15 years. It smashes his previous personal best for the species that previously stood at 34lb 1oz and took a float legered herring that was mounted on size 6 Drennan trebles and presented in around 14ft of water in an area near the fishing lodge. “The fish were really having it, so as soon as the float disappeared I struck. The pike came to the side of the boat without putting up much of a fight, which gave me a chance to see what…

A NEW TV angling show has been hailed a huge success after more than million viewers tuned into its first episode. The Earth’s Wildest Waters: The Big Fish, kicked off on BBC Two at 8pm on Sunday, October 11 and wowed anglers and non-anglers alike. It features top all-rounder Matt Hayes and TV personality Ben Fogle, who were originally joined by eight contestants going head to head across six episodes to see who will be crowned the 2015 Big Fish Champion. In the first episode, the eight members of the public visited Iceland’s freezing waters, where they undertook numerous challenges. Each performance was judged by Matt, with one contestant voted off by him at the end of the show. The figures, which don’t include those who use the various catch-up…

PREDATOR fishing expert Sam Edmonds enjoys nothing better than catching big perch on lures, and he capped a prolific few days on running water with this 3lb 15oz specimen. A series of short evening sessions produced two other fish over 3lb and a series of stripeys well over the 2lb mark as he concentrated his efforts on a waterway in the South. A combination of an imitation crayfish and a small rubber lure did the trick for Hertsbased Sam, who used 15lb line and a 17lb wire trace. “Whether it’s rivers or stillwaters, there are so many big fish out there for the taking and there really couldn’t be a better time to catch a personal best,” said Sam. Turn to p33 for Sam’s top drop shotting rig.…

ENGLAND have won the World Carp Champs for the first time after a physically and emotionally draining battle in Spain. New manager Rob Hughes and his eight-man squad erased memories of previous heavy defeats by wringing every ounce out of their pegs on the River Ebro. Rob, who was appointed team boss only in February, said: “If ever there were English lions it was these boys.” The national team has long been in the shadow of countries like Croatia, who have been on the podium in nine out of the last 11 events. “We stood toe to toe with the heavyweight champions of the world and slugged it out punch for punch with Croatia,” said Rob. “In the end, one fell over, and it wasn’t us.” At the end of…

THE final of the annual Angling Trust Pike Champs takes place on the Whittlesey AA waters, Cambs, on Saturday, November 7, 2015, and only those anglers who qualified from a preliminary round may apply to fish it. The latest qualifying dates for 2016 are: SUNDAY OCTOBER 25 Daventry Country Park. Tony Doolan: 07889 080087 Englefield Lagoon, Reading, Berks. Steve Parker: 07918 025472 Scoulton Mere Fishery, Norfolk. Matthew Morley: 07977 106717 SUNDAY NOVEMBER 1 Old Nene, B1040, Ramsey St Mary’s, Cambs. Keith Rayment: 07551 840409 Stainforth & Keadby Fur & Feather PAIRS. George Martindale: 01405 815939…

I’M never surprised when big carp or other fish are landed on pole gear. There is a trick to playing big fish and that is to make sure they are facing you. Once they turn their head and start swimming away is when the trouble starts. If you watch the great modern anglers Steve Ringer or Will Raison, they keep the fish swimming, not pausing, and concentrate hard to bring it in as soon as possible and net it equally quickly. So, Sebnash’s 68lb carp on the pole (see page 3) might sound outrageous, but 25lb line and thick elastic are very difficult to break and if the fish wasn’t allowed to raise a head of steam, it’s quite achievable, in my view. Not that I’m in any rush to…

IT MAY be a popular haunt of specimen carp anglers and feeder-casting bream fans, but there is more to Stanborough Park Lakes than meets the eye. Much more. Drop a worm, caster or maggot hookbait below its 16-acre surface and you’re likely to meet one of the venue’s huge head of roach, especially now that autumn is truly here. In the centre of the Hertfordshire town of Welwyn Garden City, Stanborough Park South Lake has the potential to offer the day-ticket coarse angler a 40lb net of prime redfins, without a bream or a carp in sight. Despite this, few anglers ever target roach at Stanborough, so most of the fish, grown fat on high-protein carp baits, are just waiting to be caught – and autumn is the best time.…

IF YOU’VE GOT A CATCH TO REPORT CALL OUR HOTLINE ON 01733 395103 RIVERS AND CANALS DORSET STOUR, THROOP, DORSET BARBEL catches have remained steady but plenty of chub to 6lb are taking big baits like bread flake. Contact:Ringwood Tackle, 01425 475155 Prices:£10, £7 for OAPs from Ringwood Tackle GRAND UNION CANAL, NORTHCHURCH, HERTS Boxmoor is fishing well for perch and skimmers to bread or pinkies fished on the pole. Contact:Old Town Angling Centre, Hemel, 01442 252373 Prices:£5 on the bank, London AA GRAND UNION CANAL, MILTON KEYNES, BUCKS Mill Road is seeing silverfish nets to near double figures. Contact:Gone Fishin MK, 01908 313158 Prices:£6 on the bank, Milton Keynes AA RIVER HUNTSPILL, WITHY GROVE, SOMERSET Bream and skimmer nets to over 20lb on maggot or worm. Contact:Somerset Angling Centre…

WEEDBEDS  Although much of the weed on the river will be starting to die off, the bits that remain will act as a haven for both tench and perch. OPEN WATER  When you have plenty of water to go at, you can afford to feed more than one swim. Feed both at the start and be prepared to move between them. NEARSIDE SHELF  Tench are known to be lovers of the marginal shelf and this applies as much to rivers as it does to stillwaters. This area likely to be most productive when the water’s coloured. OPEN WATER  As a session progresses, you’ll find that one swim is usually better than the other, so concentrate here but keep topping up both to provide alternatives. YOU might think that catching tench…

1 When you hook a lobworm tail add a maggot or caster to prevent the hookpoint being covered (below). 2 A cable tie on your pole allows you to twist the line around it when shipping out a bait dropper in deep water – once it’s in position, untwist the line and unload the feed. 3 Plumbing up is crucial – in this case I dragged the worm hookbait an inch overdepth. 4 Accuracy is essential, and so I used a far-bank marker and noted the exact spot where the pole sat on my knee. 5 Don’t be a slave to one tactic – consider the venue and the conditions before choosing yours.…

Catch carp on sloppy pellets GET on sloppy pellets! If you’re fishing on a stillwater then you’ve got to try this simple pole fishing tactic – it’s perfect for catching carp and F1s from shallow water. In this exclusive Angling Times video Steve reveals how you can make the perfect pellets and the best way to feed them to draw fish into your swim and keep them there. He also shows you why heavier rigs are crucial for success and explains how you can set up such a rig. How to fish Steve’s Hybrid feeders  JOIN Steve at Bishops Bowl Fishery as he puts the new Guru Hybrid feeders through their paces. Learn the best way to set up the feeders – including information on mainlines and the best hooks…

Getting the best from this section Rigs Baits Venues Tackle Species Float Feeder Pole Dibbers or pencils? I CAN never quite get to grips with the types of pole float needed to do certain jobs, and tend to stick to just one or two patterns. It all seems to be a bit of a minefield, so can you offer some advice on the floats I’ll need for general situations? Ian Pritchard, Hindley Green A MINEFIELD it certainly is, as floats can range from a tiny dibber taking just a single small shot to massive round lollipop floats over 50g in weight capacity for running water. The starting point in your quest should be to work out the type of fishing you do – is it on rivers, commercial carp fisheries…

PROFESSIONAL boxer Warren Fenn came out on top after a “brutal battle” with this 44lb 8oz Surrey common. The south Londoner beat the bell by catching the fish, known as Nina, shortly before he was due to pack up from a weekend session at Twynersh Fishery’s Pit Three. The capture gave Warren his first 40lb common and was the first time the fish had been caught in a year. “She’s the queen of the lake,” said the Korda and Urban Baits-backed angler, who fished a swim called the Treeline and had already banked a 31lb common on the first night of his trip. “The take came at around 10am on the Sunday, just hours before packing up. Fishing towards a snaggy bush on…

MOVING away from a swim full of showing fish is a ballsy move, but the gamble rewarded James Hibbard with his first UK forty. Fishing a syndicate water near his north Lincolnshire home, James arrived on a Sunday and immediately found the carp. He said: “The fish were active in one area of the lake so I dropped in the swim closest to them. They showed in front of me all night but I awoke to find I’d not had a bite. I sat it out until the sun came out, but it didn’t seem right where I was. “At 11am I saw one come out of the water at the opposite end of the lake, so I packed away and was round there in a flash. “I knew the…

68lb carp on the pole? Are they mad? SO WHAT’S the biggest fish you’ve ever caught on the pole? A decent carp from a commercial, a chub on the canal or even a rogue barbel on the river – all are possible, and all are capable of giving you a nervous few minutes as the carbon in your hands creaks like an old shed door. However, I bet none of those fish would put the wind up you as much as the 68lb carp caught on the pole – see our story on page 3 . It’s not a one off or some fluke capture, either. This is the same fella who landed a 130lb catfish while pole fishing last year. I can remember hanging on to a near…

1 MAVER STRONG ARM A budget-priced pole which was one of the most popular in its day with its grey, black and green butt graphics. Maver has since brought out a revamped and improved Strong Arm in dashing red and black. 2 SHIMANO BEASTMASTER The original Beastmaster range comprised both a margin and long pole, and the margin version in particular was bullet proof. Despite its slim profile, the pole was deceivingly strong with a very smooth finish. 3 GARBOLINO POWER MAXIM  An absolute beast of a pole, which was used by Steve Gregory at the turn of the 21st Century to break the British match record with 414lb of carp. It was 12.5m and more versions have been brought out since. 4 PRESTON LERC CM80  The blue CM80 was…

100 AC, Lodge Park Fishery: 1 M Truman, 54-4-0, pellet, carp/bream; 2 G Ruch, 16-5-0; 3 B Startin, 15-15-0. Active AC, Oakford Farm Fishery: 1 K Mason, 23-2-0, maggot/corn, carp; 2 P Conway, 21-8-0; 3 R Mason, 17-0-0. Alliance & Leicester Liverpool, Chapel Pool: 1 M Crombleholme, 123-2-0, corn, carp; 2 J Bradshaw, 94-12-0; 3 B Smith, 56-8-0. Altrincham DAC, Dunham Fishery: 1 S Leaff, 44-6-0, maggot, carp/ide; 2 P Owen, 24-2-0; 3 C Wilshaw, 17-4-0. Alvis AC, Toft Fishery: 1 A Nettleton, 13-12-0, maggot, carp; 2 R Chater, 7-10-0; 3 D Edwards, 3-0-0. Andy’s Mob, Fakenville Fishery: 1 B Rowden, 103-4-0, corn, carp; 2 S Walboyce, 98-0-0; 3 A Webb, 83-4-0. Birmingham Thursday Club, Bonehill Mill Fishery: 1 B Edwards, 34-0-0, meat, carp/skimmers; 2 G Robertson, 27-0-0; 3 A…

Stafford Moor Autumn Festival (Tues – Fri) Oak, Pines, Tanner’s & Woodpecker Lakes (60 pegs) TURNING in a perfect four section wins, Scott Puddy took the Autumn title with ease. Closest to him were Rick Jonson and Tom Magnall on six points apiece, Rick taking second by virtue of a superior weight. Big weights were hard to come by across the week owing to the conditions. Martin Heard saved the best until last with 118-13-0 from the Woodpecker Lake on the last day of action to take the biggest weight of the festival. Adrian Marshall won Day 3 with 114-13-0, while Perry Stone recorded 83-14-0 for the Day 2 honours and Tim Hagg 93-7-0 for victory on the opening day. Daily winners: Day1: T Hagg, Stafford Moor, 93-7-0. Day2:P Stone,…

MONDAY TO SATURDAY Bait-Tech Viaduct Fishery (Thurs) Campbell & Cary Lakes (19 pegs) Result: 1 J Butcher, Wiltshire Angling, 122-6-0; 2 R Worth, Bait-Tech Viaduct, 52-3-0; 3 T Mackett, Isle of Wight, 48-15-0. Silvers: G O’Shea, Preston Innovations Thatcher’s, 30-9-0. Dynamite Baits Oakfield Fishery (Weds) Woodpecker Lake (11 pegs) Result: 1 J Emmerson, Dynamite Oakfield, 115-4-0; 2 P Alland, Dynamite Oakfield, 81-13-0; 3 D Stratfull, Dynamite Oakfield, 78-9-0. Framfield Fishery (Weds) Spring Lake (18 pegs) Result: 1 M Richardson, Sensas SE, 171-1-0; 2 N Greenwood, Sensas SE, 148-2-0; 3 C Dimmock, Cheam, 145-1-0. Lake John (Weds) Top Lake (17 pegs) Result: 1 G Bullock, Redbridge Lakes, 87-12-0; 2 S Harwood, Drennan Oxford, 40-4-0; 3 D Flanagan, Lake John, 38-4-0. Lake John Bottom Lake (10 pegs) Result:1 P Grant, Redbridge Lakes,…

MONDAY TO SATURDAY Daiwa Hallcroft Fishery Vets (Thurs) Bridge & Croft Pools (32 pegs) The entrants were scratching around for bites on the day and Keith Crummey needed just 38-3-0 to win. Maggot feeder tactics from peg 1 on Bridge Pool helped him take carp to 7lb. Result:1 K Crummey, Retford, 38-3-0; 2 I Donaldson, Notts, 35-8-0; 3 A Payling, Peg One Angling Centre, 32-12-0; 4 R Teigh, Handsworth, 31-6-0; 5 R Dowding, Notts, 30-14-0. Kidderminster DAA River Severn, Bewdley (24 pegs) Ten anglers returned double figures, with winner Geoff Brierley breaking the 20lb barrier, a barbel on the feeder plus 1lb of dace and perch on whip and stick float and maggot from peg 63 for 21-0-0. Result: 1 G Brierley, Willow Creek, 21-0-0; 2 J Rivers, Tubertini Ludlow,…

Norwich DAA Autumn Teams of Three (rnd 2) River Thurne, Martham & Potter Heigham (51 pegs) THE river produced an astonishing result, with huge nets of roach and skimmers taken throughout the length. Topping the field was Daiwa Angling Direct rod Rob Hubbard, who drew at the end of the boats at Martham and caught on the long pole with chopped worm and caster over groundbait taking skimmers and roach for 30-8-0. Coming close was Jim Randell, the Norwich rod fishing the feeder all day from the top end of the boats catching well on worm for 29-14-0 of skimmers. Teamwise, Daiwa Angling Direct Black won to top the league. Result:1 R Hubbard, Daiwa Angling Direct Black, 30-8-0; 2 J Randell, Norwich DAA, 29-14-0; 3 K Painter, Team Weavo, 29-7-0;…

MONDAY TO SATURDAY Dynamite Baits/Scunthorpe DAA Thursday League (Thurs) River Trent, South Clifton (14 pegs) Result: 1 R Moses, Brigg AC, 2-13-0; 2 M Firmstone, Lincoln Whisby AS, 2-0-0; 3 T Moroz, Worksop AC, 1-11-0. Fleets Dam Barnsley (14 pegs) Result: 1 B Soar, Barnsley, 38-15-0; 2 S Gelder, Barnsley, 26-3-0; 3 D Wright, Barnsley, 19-7-0 Hampton Springs Fishery Over 50s (Tues) Rock, Meadow & Long Island Pools (23 pegs) Result: 1 P Gerrard, Hampton Springs, 62-11-0; 2 J Cheetham, Widnes Angling Centre, 60-6-0; 3 R Rigby, Widnes Angling Centre, 44-5-0. Highfield Fisheries Over 60s (Weds) Oak Lake (21 pegs) Result: 1 S Barker, Ted Carter Preston, 29-12-0; 2 N Cox, Highfield, 24-12-0; 3 K Anderton, Highfield, 15-12-0. Highfield Fisheries Over 60s (Fri) Oak & Beech Lakes (22 pegs) Result:…

Wigan DAA Leeds-Liverpool Canal, Appley Bridge (55 pegs) THERE was a big turnout for this big-money match, with the winner scooping a £300 payout. Unfortunately, there were no big weights to go with a handsome winner’s envelope, Colin Cliffe taking the honours with a very modest 3-13-0. Drawn four pegs below the lock, the Ted Carter Preston rod started on breadpunch at 10m and caught roach, but then they went off the feed, so he started two new lines at 7m and 12m with a little chopped worm and pinkie and picked up small perch, ruffe and roach to see him home. Result: 1 C Cliffe, Ted Carter Preston, 3-13-0; 2 S Wharton, Gidlow Angling, 3-11-0; 3 L Ryding, Chorley, 3-4-4; 4 L Killinger, Sensas NW, 2-15-8; 5 S Bird,…

Saturday, April 2, 2016 – Mallory Park/The Glebe Saturday, April 9 – Preston Innovations Woodland View Saturday, April 23 – Heronbrook Fisheries Sunday, May 1 – Garbolino Lindholme Lakes Saturday, May 7 – Westwood Lakes Saturday, May 14 – Maver Larford Lakes Saturday, May 21 – Partridge Lakes Saturday, May 28 – Gold Valley Lakes Sunday, May 29 – Mallory Park/ The Glebe Wednesday, June 8 – Decoy Lakes Saturday, June 11 – Lakeview Fishery Sunday, June 12 – Maver Larford Lakes Saturday, June 18 – Bait-Tech Viaduct Fishery Saturday, June 25 – Bait-Tech/ Frenzee Hayfield Lakes Saturday, July 9 – Monk Lakes Saturday, July 16 – Partridge Lakes Sunday, July 17 – Maver Larford Lakes Saturday, July 23 – Coleman’s Cottage Fishery Wednesday, July 27 – Mallory Park/ The…

WITH this year’s nail-biting Maver Mega Match This Final still fresh in the mind, organisers have released the dates and venues of the 24 qualifiers for 2016. Seventeen venues up and down the country will host them, but hopefuls will have to wait until the New Year to book their tickets for a pop at the minimum £60,000 top prize. The long road begins at Mallory Park and The Glebe on April 1 and ends on August 13 at Tunnel Barn Farm. One venue making its debut is Leicestershire water Lakeview Fishery, and for the first time midweek matches will run to accommodate demand. Top wates including Maver Larford Lakes, Partridge Lakes and Heronbrook Fisheries are all involved, with Decoy Lakes near Peterborough returning for…

IN THE same week that Match This dates were unveiled, Matchroom Sport and the Angling Trust released details for Fish O’Mania XXIII – and it’s going to be a very different format. As previously reported, the 2016 campaign will feature 28 qualifiers as opposed to the standard 16. Some matches will take in 200-plus pegs and offer an extra qualifying slot to see 32 anglers win through to an additional match the day before the final. From this, the top 16 anglers will earn their place by right in the final to fish for £50,000 – a move that has not been greeted with total enthusiasm by match anglers. Qualifiers will also take place on a Sunday for the first time in the event’s long history. It all begins in…

THE next Fish O’Mania is set to be the best ever following a radical overhaul of the competition. The 2016 event will see the expansion of the number of qualifiers being held, a bigger first prize and a ‘Semi Final’ match just 24 hours before the main final which will see the winner receive £50,000. Anglers will have 28 qualifiers to have a crack at, four or which will see two people qualify to fish a 32-peg match the day before the July final at Cudmore Fisheries in Staffs. From this, the top 16 will go through to the big match in front of the Sky TV cameras 48 hours later. For the full list of dates and how to apply, turn to page 56.…

BARBEL fishing often results in the accidental capture of other species, but Nottingham’s Terry Ramsden didn’t mind one jot when he hooked this specimen bream. The 45-year-old was using a heavy feeder set-up on the River Trent near Colwick when the huge slab weighing 9lb 15oz took a liking to his Mainline Cell 15mm boilie. Terry also managed to bank a 15lb carp as well as numerous specimen barbel during the two-day stint on the waterway.…

RUTLAND Water is becoming more and more popular among predator anglers and angling guide Rikki Cooper proved why when he boated this giant 13lb 12oz zander. The fish was taken during a lure fishing session spent on the Midlands stillwater with his client, Charlie Smith, who also netted a specimen weighing 10lb 1oz. Rikki’s fish was tempted on a 13cm Fox spikey gold fleck shad cast into a 69ft deep hole. “We had caught a couple of fairly big zander to 8lb with jack pike in their mouths, so we matched the pike colour with the lures and it worked a treat.” Rikki offers a professional guiding service. Anyone interested should visit his website: www. predatorpro.co.uk.…

THE French government has given permission for wolves to be hunted in the Alps, completely against EU law. They have been causing problems for farmers who, being French, protested and had their protests heard. We all know what carnage goosanders and cormorants can inflict on our natural fish stocks, and last week I had an email from the Angling Trust stating that Natural England has failed in its duty to process licences to control these predators. This situation has apparently been remedied, and the appropriate licences will be sorted out by the end of October. It’s fantastic that many rivers are now seeing unprecedented catches of roach, dace and, even more encouraging, small chub. However, where Nature has worked for us it can just as easily remove that bounty by…

I KNOW Dave Harrell thought long and hard before putting a RiverFest event on Kent’s River Medway. It was almost included last season and was one of the very last venues picked this year. I think the results exonerated the decision. Okay, both end pegs ‘framed’ but neither qualified, which must have irritated my old pal John ‘Lasher’ Larraman! It would be interesting to know when the last important river match was won using a centrepin, too... because Richard Leduc did just that, with a long rod to aid presentation of his hemp and tares. Good angling! In fact it was ‘proper’ fishing all round, with roach forming the bulk of most catches. On the other weekend qualifier at Upton on Severn it was again silvers all the way, as…

THIS WEEK’S 2 FOR 1 WATERS 1 Aldin Grange Farm, Durham 2 Barlings Country Holiday Park, N Lincs 3 Cunneries Fishery, Lancs 4 Lakeside Fishery, Notts 5 Lindholme Lakes, S Yorks 6 Messingham Sands Fishery, 7 Poplar Farm Fishery, Cheshire 8 Curborough Fishery, Staffs 9 Lakeside Leisure Fishery, S Lincs 10 Ockeridge Fishing Lakes, Worcs 11 packington Somers, Warks 12 Rysons Lake, Northants 13 Shearsby Valley Lakes, Leics 14 Suffolk Water Park, Suffolk 15 A12 Cuton Lakes, Essex 16 Avalon Fisheries, Somerset 17 FLE Fishery, Hampshire 18 Hartleylands Fishery, Kent 19 Peterstone Fishery, Wales 20 Shear Water Lake, Wilts FISHING VOUCHER This week’s venues  Aldin Grange Farm • Barlings Country Holiday Park • Cunneries Fishery • Lakeside Fishery • Lindholme Lakes • Messingham Sands Fishery • Poplar Farm Fishery • Curborough Fishery • Lakeside Leisure Fishery • Ockeridge Fishing…

IF YOU’VE GOT A CATCH TO REPORT CALL OUR HOTLINE ON 01733 395103 RIVERS AND CANALS RIVER SEVERN, SHREWSBURY, SHROPSHIRE A LOW and clear river isn’t stopping anglers from catching well, with nets of perch and roach to worm. Try the pegs below the toll bridge. Contact:Total Angling, 01743 462699 Prices:£5 from Total Angling Shrewsbury, Shropshire Federation of Anglers BIRMINGHAM FAZELEY CANAL, TAMWORTH, W MIDS Alvecote Marina can throw up big pike and zander and give consistent sport with other canal species. Contact:01827 66701, Lamb AC Prices:£20 for one rod, canal only, Lamb AC NORTH LEVEL DRAIN, TYDD GOTE, LINCS Consistent sport with small roach and skimmers on the pole. Contact:Tydd Gote AC, 01945 463913 Prices:£4 on the bank, Tydd Gote AC RIVER AVON, STRATFORD-ONAVON, WARKS The river is carrying…

READ THE BAIT DOCTOR’S TIPS EVERY WEEK IN Angling Times IF THERE is one tactic that makes my heart quicken like no other then it has to be lure fishing. The electricity transmitted through my braid as a predator hits an artificial bait still has me jumping out of my skin, even though it has happened thousands of times. Lure fishing is also a great way to search a piece of water, and contrary to popular belief, with the right baits it is just as likely to turn up a whacker as fishing with live or deadbaits. We still have an awful lot to learn about lure fishing in this country, but the biggest single factor stopping more anglers from taking up lure fishing, I believe, is the sheer range…

WE’RE at that time of the season when things usually change quite dramatically for river anglers. Water temperatures are dropping, and any time soon it’s a fair bet that we’ll be getting some prolonged periods of rain that will put extra water and flow into our rivers. We often moan about high rivers in the depths of winter, but it’s a fact that without rain our rivers would suffer. We’ve had a very dry start to the season so far and low, clear rivers have been a struggle for many anglers, especially those who have put all their faith in feeder fishing. This time I’m going to take you through five float rigs that will help you to put more fish in your net over the forthcoming weeks. Give them…

DURING my research for ‘Ivan Marks and the Likely Lads’, I knew I had to discover whatever happened to Britain’s most famous match team, a team still revered more than 30 years after it disbanded. The story of the Leicester Likely Lads begins in the early 1960s, when Ivan teamed up with Don Rowley and Brian Holland to share information and take part in events. They did this with plenty of success, but by the mid-1960s there was another group of rising Leicester stars including Roy Marlow, Dave Rossi, Dave Downes and Brian Envis, and for events requiring a team of six Ivan joined his group to this one, leaving out Don Rowley. Over one glorious weekend the group of six won both team and individual titles in the CIU…

IF I were a betting man I’d wager that 2016 will be a bumper year for Svendsen Sport. The Copenhagen-based firm, which distributes quality fishing tackle all over Europe, has a wealth of exciting new products all ready for launch. Boasting recognised brand names such as Okuma, Savage Gear, Imax, Scierra and Prologic, there is something on offer for all match, specimen, sea and game anglers. Sure to be of much interest to club match and pleasure fishermen who spend their time on commercials will be Okuma’s new and very affordable Carbonite Slim match, bomb and feeder rods. Lure anglers are sure to be wowed by the astonishing quality and diversity of Savage Gear’s latest creations, while drop shot and light lure enthusiasts will be impressed by the company’s latest…

BAITING up with a kilo of snails helped Mark Munson to land this new pb common and tick off the last of the lake’s ‘A-Team’. The fish weighed in at 45lb 9oz and rounded off the Navitas clothing company boss’s time on his Essex syndicate. “In four seasons over there I have managed 10 forties and a fifty,” Mark said. “The common was the last one of the A-Team for me.” The 45-year-old, who is also a sponsored skateboarder, has been on a roll at the water in recent weeks, banking a number of decent fish. He added: “My pb common was caught on a new bait on test from Sticky, fished snowman-style with an XL Baits’ white pop-up topper. “I fished at 50 yards to a clear spot in…

HISTORIC Savay provided its longest-serving syndicate member with a hat-trick of memorable carp. Brian Hankins caught the trio during a single night at the Colne Valley venue as a new weather front put the fish on the feed. “I started the session on Sunday and a dramatic change in the weather, with low air pressure moving in, brought heavy rain on Monday,” said the 61-year-old factory technician, who has fished the venue since 1981. “I had the first fish, weighing 34lb, at 10pm. It’s the same fish I’ve caught before, 23 years ago in 1992. It’s a proper history fi sh. “I then had a scaly mirror of 38lb at 3am before the final fish came at 6am and weighed 36lb 8oz. “I fished the Daisies swim on the Colne…

A HECTIC few days for me, but that’s how I like it – I’ve never been good at sitting watching telly for hours on end! I can do that in later years, but at the moment I’m still fit enough to get up and at ’em! Here’s how the week went… MONDAY Spent the morning getting my gear ready for a busy month, which includes Fishing TV shoots, a trip to Holland and a number of guide days. Believe me, it takes a lot of planning to keep so many balls in the air! Late afternoon I headed down to the Thames in London for a Fishing TV shoot about catching predators in the nation’s capital. I had a good journey down and met my guide Warwick Salzer, who runs…

Dream comes true with a double-figure barbel LANDING a double-figure barbel is the dream of many coarse anglers. For Perry Davis, the Angling Trust’s Angling 4 Health project helped that dream come true. Perry fished with legered luncheon meat under overhanging trees on the lower River Derwent in Derbyshire to catch the 10lb 4oz specimen. But if it wasn’t for the project, Perry says he wouldn’t have had the confidence to pursue his love of angling. Angling 4 Health promotes the therapeutic value of the sport and engages mental health service users in socially inclusive activity to help prevent relapses. “It’s been great to get out fishing,” said Perry. “I’ve had an interest in angling in the past and it’s only through involvement in this project that I’ve gained the…

FIND OUT HOW TO... CATCH BIG ROACH Julian Chidgey targets the forgotten roach stocks which have grown big on carp baits. BAG ON THE WAG Think the baggin’ waggler is a summer only tactic? Think again says Grant Albutt. MASTER THE MINI Guru’s Pemb Wrighting explains why a mini pellet feeder will catch you more. BOOST YOUR BOILIES Dave Levy shows you how to get more out of your boilies and catch bigger carp. TRICK SILVERFISH Andy May has 13 top tricks that will result in bigger nets of day-ticket silverfish. WIN A £730 POLE WIN one of two brand new Drennan Red Range RX Carp poles.…

KENT complex Monk Lakes continues to churn out the big weights for club anglers. Brunswick Bros AS man Les Fidlin crashed out a an impressive 212-5-0 of carp to win the London club’s visit to Lake 2, maggot on the pole doing the damage, but it was very close, Steve Coppin needing one fish to overhaul him as he banked 211-15-0 of carp and barbel, again on maggot. Weights were a little lower for the White Hart Dagenham side over on Lake 3, where Dave Slatford won with 117-0-0 of carp, including a 14lb 8oz beast, as he fished dead maggots mainly in the margins. Jimmy Ryan took second with 107-0-0. Not too far away, at Chart Fisheries, the Wednesday Club enjoyed their midweek outing, topped by Peter Allen with…

Bait-Tech Viaduct Fishery Silverfish All-Winners Campbell, Cary & Lodge Lakes (46 pegs) THE lakes at this fishery are full of big carp, but this match saw silverfish winners from throughout the summer lining the banks looking for skimmers and bream rather than carp. The match fished really well, with Mark Saunders topping a strong field from peg 112 on the Campbell Lake with 35-1-0. The Newton Abbot rod fished caster over groundbait on the long pole line for most of the day, netting skimmers and bream and then coming in short loosefeeding caster to take a few bonus tench and perch. Second place went to Graham Scarborough, who drew Cary Lake peg 92 and fished soft pellet over micro pellet and groundbait to finish with a net of skimmers for…

MONDAY TO SATURDAY Alvechurch Fishery (Thurs) Canal Lake (12 pegs) Result: 1 W Beech, Alvechurch, 55-9-0; 2 T Hodges, Alvechurch, 47-11-0; 3 R Knowles, Alvechurch, 40-10-0. Alvechurch Fishery Horseshoe Lake (20 pegs) Result: 1 R Gandley, Alvechurch, 61-15-0; 2 W Beech, Alvechurch, 61-8-0; 3 L Ayres, Alvechurch, 60-0-0. Cross Drove Fishery (Weds) Hockwold (16 pegs) Result: 1 T Watling Snr, St Neots, 46-3-0; 2 T Brooks, Thetford, 40-2-0; 3 D Pearce Snr, Wisbech, 39-4-0. Cross Drove Fishery Hockwold (11 pegs) Result: 1 D Smith, Coleman’s Bait & Tackle, 52-1-0; 2 J McGuire, Rib Valley, 46-12-0; 3 N Parkinson, Dynamite Baits, 38-6-0. Daiwa Hallcroft Fishery (Fri) Moat Pool (12 pegs) Result: 1 D Oldham, Matlby, 127-2-0; 2 J Masson, Colmic, 105-8-0; 3 D Newman, Leegem Angling, 104-0-0. Daiwa Hallcroft Fishery Vets…

Nisa (Thurs) Dynamite Baits Makins Fishery, Crater & Reptile Lakes (20 pegs) BOTH lakes were clear, and although carp could be seen cruising around, they were not interested in feeding! Roy Henry was on Crater Lake peg 12 and included around 19lb of skimmers alongside 30lb of carp, all taken on soft pellet to win with 49-2-0. Result:1 R Henry, Team Marukyu, 49-2-0; 2 G Cook, Mosella, 36-0-0; 3 A Thompson, Burton-on-Trent, 34-12-0; 4 J Adamson, Nisa Feeders, 30-12-0; 5 C Armes, Belgrave, 22-8-0; 6 A Williams, Team Marukyu, 18-12-0.…

Mouncey League (rnd 2) River Ancholme, Brigg (25 pegs) WEIGHTS improved a lot for round 2, and Drennan Barnsley Blacks star Simon Fields swept to victory. He landed an impressive 31-2-0 from peg 25, where he took two tench, backed by lots of perch, fishing maggot at 13m and chopped worm and caster at 8m. Second-placed Graham Tock also found plenty of fish at next door peg 26 as worm and caster gave him 25-4-0 of perch and a few big skimmers. Result:1 S Fields, Drennan Barnsley Blacks, 31-2-0; 2 G Tock, Scunthorpe, 25-4-0; 3 L Waldron, Grimsby, 19-2-0; 4 L Harrison, Drennan Barnsley Blacks, 18-2-0; 5 C Williams, Brigg, 17-14-0.…

2016 qualifiers, and some waters hosting multiple matches in recognition of their popularity and consistency. “The 2015 Maver Mega Match This qualifier campaign was the most successful to date, recording the largest number of tickets sold since the event was first staged in 2011, with an increase of just over eight per cent on the previous year,” said event manager Ben Hughes. “It’s encouraging to see how Maver Mega Match This continues to gather more and more momentum as times goes on. “We’re expecting demand for tickets to be high again, especially given the inclusion of midweek qualifiers, and the 2016 campaign will see more repeat qualifiers at venues that proved popular in previous years.” Tickets go on sale on Friday, January 1 2016, with the final at Maver Larford…

ANDY Geldart has now won £55,000 in two matches using a Method feeder, the 2014 Fish O’ Mania final and the 2015 Parkdean Masters at White Acres last week. The Leeds angler is one of the best in the business at this style of angling and certainly made it pay by catching an unassailable 84lb 2oz in four hours on Jenny’s Lake to scoop the big £25,000 cheque. Now Matrix and Dynamite-backed Andy unveils some of the cutting-edge tips that have propelled him to success and will undoubtedly put more fish in your net when fishing the Method feeder on commercial fisheries… 1 SMALL METHODS RULE I use a small feeder for all my Method work for a number of reasons. I’m positive that a small feeder casts much more…