AN ALL-NEW Angler’s Mail magazine hits the shelves this week (Tuesday, March 10) – with an exciting new look and new contents.
The magazine is still priced £1.90 but – following extensive research, talking to anglers – every issue delivers more of many key things.
Match anglers will love the first of a new series, where we join Andy May, twice winner of the Angler’s Mail Matchman of the Year series.
There’s also an exclusive new weekly match fishing column from one of the hittest anglers in the England set-up.
And exclusive news on the climax of match fishing’s No.1 league for individuals – the Preston Innovations-Angler’s Mail Matchman of the Year series.
Plus, if you are hungry for match fishing results, there are region-by-region venue results galore! Including new South East, South West and North East regions.
Amongst the exciting changes, you’ll find:
MORE VENUES – top places to fish, recommended by a regional team in a new look Where To Fish This Week section. This is a mega section, with over 200 top waters per week… easily accessed, and with info you can trust.
MORE COLUMNISTS – Matt Hayes, the TV star, reveals his Top Tips each week. Andy Little, the big fish legend, is back in the Mail’s new Specimen Hunters series. Plus there’s Lee Kerry, one match fishing’s hottest properties. And other new faces and guest experts.
MORE TIPS – throughout the mag there’s ideas galore to help you catch more fish.
There’s many more new things beginning in the new Angler’s Mail magazine this week…get a copy this week and every Tuesday to stay in touch with the whole coarse fishing scene.
A new match fishing blog will appear here, exclusively online, this week.
Kayleigh Smith achieved one of the best results by a lady angler with her runner-up spot in the 2015 Sensas Challenge on the River Soar, just before the end of the running water season. Here’s how the Leeds-based 24-year-old England international did it. Plus there's Bag 'em Matchbaits-sponsored Kayleigh's top tips for springtime fishing.
Lumpy perch did the trick for Kayleigh, using what her team had learned from practise sessions.
Lumpy perch did the trick for Kayleigh, using what her team had learned from practise sessions.
THE Sensas Challenge is a team match, fished over two days to international rules, and attracting teams from all over the country including the French international side.
During practice on the River Soar, this year’s venue, it was apparent it was going to be difficult and if everyone in the team could catch a fish we would be doing well!
My Matrix Dynamite Baits Trentmen team worked out that in certain sections there were some big perch to be caught, and we reckoned if we could catch one of these it would be mega team points.
One perch leads to another for section win
I drew B section (Sutton) and peg 31. This is one of the sections that we thought that those vital odd perch would get caught.
I fished a roach mix at 13m with bloodworm where I was just trying to catch a fish, and a perch line short where I fed worms in soil. About 40 minutes into the match John to my right caught a kilo perch at 13. But I knew I had to leave my perch line for at least an hour before having a go.
After fishing for a any kind of fish on bloodworm long for an hour and half without even an indication, I decided to have a go for a perch. After about ten minutes on the perch line float disappeared and I was into my first perch. It was roughly a kilo, maybe a bit smaller than John’s.
That was it; I decided it was pointless fishing long in hope of hooking a little roach as I have a fish in the net, which was more than what most of the section could say. I re-fed with worms in soil and sat back over it and waited.
The guy to my left hooked a perch but unfortunately lost it right at the net, then a guy a few pegs to my right landed one, they were all roughly the same size.
With 45 minutes left of the match my float went again and I landed my second perch which was definitely bigger than my first.
Time was called and as far as I was aware only a few roach had been caught at the bottom of the section. I was the first to weigh in my section as I was the first to have caught a fish, and I weighed 2.350kg. That proved just enough for the section win as Hadrian Whittle had 2.300kg of roach and skimmers from the last peg in my section.
Kayleigh (left next to winner Matt Godfrey). Read the new-look Angler’s Mail magazine for the new weekly column by Lee Kerry (on the left, and part of the winning Drennan Barnsley team at the Sensas Challenge.)
Another prickly pair brings a perfect score
I drew the same section but seven pegs downstream (B 38) toward an area where a few tiny roach had been caught the day before. I was confident for a few bites and maybe another big perch.
I set up the exact same as day 1, I was fortunate enough to catch a gudgeon second run down on the running rig at 13m which I knew would get me some team points as there were going to be some blanks in the section.
I fished this line for the first hour catching six tiny fish, as soon as an hour had passed I dropped on my perch line, the float was not even in five minutes before it disappeared and my first perch was in the net.
I dropped a ball of soil and worms in and went back out and caught four more small fish. After about half an hour I had another drop on the perch line and only had to wait ten-15 minutes before the float went again; I was into the biggest perch of the two days which was quickly landed.
With two perch safely in the net I thought I might as well drop a ball in and leave it half hour and try it again – but no more turned up.
The last two people in my section (Calum Dicks and Darran Bickerton) had been catching small roach most of the day and were admitting to just short of two kilos. I was pretty sure my perch were at least a kilo each but thought it might be quite close.
In the end my two perch weighed 2.630kg, Darren had 1.500kg and Calum had 1.700kg giving me another section win and a perfect 2 points over the two days.
The only other person to have a perfect two point score was Matt Godfrey. He ended up beating me on weight by 500gr, so I finished second individually.
My team (Trentmen B) also did very well ending up fourth overall qualifying for final in France in October!
All in all, an excellent two days which proves just how important practicing is in team events like this.
Katyligh’s now looking forward to some rod-bending and elastic-stretching action on the commercials. Read her three tips below.
Kayleigh’s top 3 spring tips
Now the weather is starting to warm up the fish will be looking to feed, it is always worth feeding a positive line just incase.
Natural baits such as worms accompanied by casters are very good this time of year.
It is worth setting a line up in the margin as this is where the water will warm up the fastest.
ALMOST A year after its amazing capture, a video has emerged of the UK's biggest fish being landed on a pole - a massive 64 lb 4 oz sturgeon. You can watch it below, right here on the Angler's Mail website, courtesy of Garbolino France.
Jason Le Bosquet (right) needs a hand from Neil Grantham to display the huge 64 lb sturgeon he landed on a Garbolino pole.
Garbolino and Bait Tech consultant Jason Le Bosquet caught the beast back in in April 2014, but the video has only just been made public now in March 2015, by Garbolino France.
Jason, a previous UK Champion, used his brand new Garbolino G MAX Power Legion Pole to land the 6 ft monster.
Whilst biger fish have been landed on pole tackle in other countries, including a monster 132 lb river catfish near Paris, Jason’s catch ranks as the best reported in the UK.
It came when he was attending the Garbolino Club Angler of the Year Qualifier at Lindholme Lakes near Doncaster. With the fishery full due to the competition Jason was forced onto Lindholme boss Neil Grantham’s one acre garden lake which had rarely ever been fished.
Fishing on his top 4 kit with a double worm hook bait, 10-12 Green Garbolino Bazookarp hollow elastic, Garbo Line 0.20mm main Line, with 0.18mm hook length with a size 12 Gamma Power hook and a float which he designed himself for shallow F1 fishing, a Garbolino DCX4!
Jason had been told there were three big sturgeon in the lake and joked to Lindholme owner Neil Grantham that he would get one out if he hooked it!
Now watch the video of Jason landing the giant!
What a battle that was!
Little did Jason know what was to come when he hooked the giant you see in the video, made live in France in March 2015.
After an hour-plus battle, the fish was coaxed into a keepnet…. as it was far too big for any of the landing nets on the fishery!
Speaking at the time (April 2014), Jason, no stranger to catching big carp on the pole, commented: “I can’t really believe what has happened to me today, to see a freshwater fish that big is amazing but to actually catch it myself on the pole blows me away! It just shows what you can get out on balanced tackle!”
He commented: “I have witnessed many top angling performances in my life time but Jason’s achievement landing such a huge fish today on the pole is right up there with the very best.
“There are very few anglers have the skill to land such a massive fish like that, amazing, it was certainly a good test for our new Garbolino G MAX Power Legion pole too!”
The pole that caught the giant
In 2014, Angler’s Mail reported that the G MAX range has raised the bar and models are sure to sell well, with prices from £975.
Garbolino boss Darren Cox said: “They’re built on the highest quality 900Gpa carbon-fibre available to the industry and a hybridised mandrel configuration, taking the best of everything we have learned over many years.
“They’re poles which have the strength, rigidity, balance and durability to fish with total confidence knowing they are up for the job, wherever you are fishing!” added Darren.
The British Open is coming back - read about it, exclusively, in this week's Angler's Mail magazine. Below are some of the very latest match fishing results - read the magazine for results, tables and a whole lot more great stuff every week.
Preston Innovations Matchman of the Year Qualifiers, Feb.7/8
* Blundell’s, Rixton, Cheshire. Sun, 31, Rover. Rob Parker (Warrington Tackle & Guns) 74-7-0, F1s to 3 lb, pellet at 14m, peg 13 Trio Lakes; Lee Thornton (Middy Bag’em) 61-3-0; Gary Whalley (Bait-Tech) 48-11-0; Geoff Scott (Rochdale Angling Centre) 44-1-0.
* Bradshaw Hall, Bolton, Lancs. Sun, 31, Lodges 8/9. John Raby (Bradshaw’) 12-15-0, F1s, pellet at 3m, peg 3 Lodge 9; Mark Morris (Tongmoor) 10-6-0; Steve Millward (Bradshaw) 10-0-0; Tom Brownbill (Fisherman’s Way) 8-10-0.
* Brookside, Warrington, Cheshire. Sun, 34, Snake & Willow lakes. Wayne Kearney (Tri-Cast Rochdale) 62-2-0, F1s to 2 lb, pellet on deck, 11 & 13m, peg 17 Snake; Phil Hulme (Patricroft) 60-0-0; Dean Edwards (Fisherman’s Way) 53-2-0; Paul Caisson (Ted Carter Preston) 34-4-0.
* Heronbrook Fisheries Ind. WL, Slindon, Staffs. Sun, 65. Paul Williamson (Maver Gold/Bag’em) 90-0-0, four carp to 6 lb plus 40 F1s, maggot at 15m to hole in ice, Bridge peg 21; Gary Skerritt (Maver Pickerings) 80-12-0; Mark Fox (Maver Midlands) 35-9-0; A. Cunliffe (Stoke) 31-4-0; John Chapman (Ted Carter Southport) 31-3-0; Mark Lloyd (Telford) 26-7-0. Final League: Andy Dyson (Alsager) 10 (£700); Matt Barwell (Maver Gold/Bag’em) 15 (£600); Mark Fox (Maver Midlands) 16 (£500); Phil Holmes (Heronbrook) 17 (£300); Daz Johnson (Maver Gold/Bag’em) 18 (£200); Charlie Moran (Manchester) 19 (£100).
* Liverpool DAA Top Teams, Leeds-Liverpool Canal, Maghull, Merseyside. Sun, 30. Paul Charnock (MCA) 29-4-0, skimmers to 1 lb 8 oz, bread punch at 10m pole, peg 317 near cricket pitch; Geoff Jeffers (LAS Blue) 4-14-0; Jeff Stirratt (LAS Blue) 3-9-3; John Easton (LAS Blue) 3-8-8. Teams: LAS Blue 14; MCA 15; LAS Red and Wigan MG both 19. League: Ted Carter Preston 80; LAS Blue 84; Wigan MG 98; MCA 99.
* Northwich AA, River Weaver, Cheshire. Sat, 42, Mini League. Kenny Taylor (Rudd Heath) 23-13-0, bream, crumb feedered maggot and worm, peg 10 in town centre; Chris Gorrall (Ted Carter Black) 13-10-0; John Warburton (Bob’s Lot) 9-0-0; Tim Wright (Gloworms) 8-2-0. Teams: Rudd Heath 23-13-0; Ted Carter Black 13-10-0; Gloworms 11-12-0. League: Ted Carter Black 23; Vale Royal Red 32; Ballyforce 35; MAP 36. Sun, 35, WL. Andy Hamlett (Dave’s of Middlewich) 8-10-0, roach and skimmers, bomb and maggot, peg 27 on boats; Kevin Simpson (Vale Royal Angling) 7-9-0; Kathan Shillito (Old & New) 6-6-0; Steve Mitchell (Vale Royal red) 5-15-0. Final League: Vale Royal Angling 186; Edgeley Sports 172; Vale Royal Red 171; Gloworms 169.
* Old Hough Fishery, Middlewich, Cheshire. Sat, 33, all pools. Matthew Roberts (Old Hough) 42-4-0, carp, pellet; Stef Brown (Old Hough) 34-13-0; Craig O’Connor (Old Hough) 34-7-0; Roger Peet (Old Hough) 31-8-0; Andy North (Old Hough) 28-5-0.
* Partridge Lakes, Culcheth, Cheshire. Sat, 44. Covey Lakes. Gary Manion (Partridge) 64-6-0, F1s to 3 lb, pellet, 9m pole, peg 113; Peter Humphreys (Rochdale Angling) 52-12-0; James Howarth (Tri-Cast Highfield) 45-10-0; Paul Coyle (Preston Innovations) 39-2-0; Peter Tickle (St. Helens Tackle & Bait) 39-0-0. Sun, 47. David Rigby (St. Helens Tackle & Bait) 41-0-0, F1s, maggot at 11m, peg 39 Covey 6; Alan Dawson (Rochdale Angling) 34-13-0; John Jones (Garbolino Elton) 29-4-0; Paul Coyle (Preston Innovations) 25-6-0; Dave McDonnell (Mosella/Garbolino) 18-12-0; Clive Hill (Newton-le-Willows) 18-0-0. Sun, 74, Ind. WL. Connor Barlow (Drennan NW) 62-1-0, F1s, red maggot at 11m, peg 151 Covey 6; Dave Thornton (Patricroft) 50-11-0; John Unsworth (Partridge) 49-8-0; Mike Rogerson (Ashton Angling/Preston Innovations) 48-9-0; Tony Worrall (St. Helens Tackle & Bait) 47-12-0; Daz Shaw (Maver NW) 43-2-0. League: Andy Bennett (Daiwa Guru/Bait-Tech) 3; Tony Worrall (St. Helens Tackle & Bait) 3; Connor Barlow (Drennan NW) 3.
* Stapeley Teams of Four WL, Shropshire Union Canal, Nantwich, Ches. Sun, 40. Jeff Shaw (Team Guinness) 9-7-0, roach to 12 oz, poled punch, peg 6 on aqueduct; Phil Johnson (Browning Lifestyle Blue) 8-14-12; Neil Latham (Betley’s Monsters) 6-9-9; Simon Preece (Browning Lifestyle Red) 6-7-11; Harry Moulton (Wyche Anglers) 6-0-0; Fred Cheetham (Team Eclipse) 4-14-8. Teams: Team Guinness 24; Betley’s Monsters 23; Browning Lifestyle Red 23; Team Les ‘O’ 22; Team Eclipse 21; Browning Lifestyle Blue 21. League: Team Guinness 78; Team Les ‘O’ 74; Browning Lifestyle Red 72; Browning Lifestyle Blue 60; Tri-Cast Highfield 59; Wyche Anglers 57.
* Whitmore Fishery, Kirkham, Lancs. Sun, 31. Danny Maguire (Mosella) 48-12-0, 12 carp, bread punch over micro pellet, 6 & 13m, peg 14 Doughnut Lake; Simon Shepherd (Ted Carter Preston) 32-6-0; Bill Jolly (Blackpool Angling Centre) 31-14-0; Stuart Kennedy (Ted Carter Preston) 30-10-0; Peter Stuart (Greenlands) 28-10-0.
* Wigan DAA, Leeds-Liverpool Canal, Appley Bridge, Lancs. Sun, 32. Graham Mortimer (Sensas NW) 10-4-12, skimmers and roach, caster at 13m pole, peg 315; Brian Meadows (Chorley Social) 8-12-4; Joe Lawrence (Bolton) 7-5-8; Kevin Stothers (Gidlow Angling) 6-3-0.
For more match fishing results click the tab on the right
Be sure to read this week's Angler's Mail magazine for exclusive content. Below are some of the very latest match fishing results - the magazine for carries results, tables, top tips and venues.... and a whole lot more great stuff every week.
Preston Innovations Matchman of the Year Qualifiers, Feb.14/15
* Daiwa Hallcroft Silver Teams, Retford, Notts. Sun, 52. Moat, Bridge and Croft lakes. Ben Holmes (Matrix Dynamite Trentmen) 24-6-0, skimmers, long poled maggot over groundbait, peg 20 Moat island; Mick Elliott (Matrix Dynamite Trentmen) 23-11-0; Paul McIntyre (Kelly’s Stores) 23-10-0; Sean Cameron (Kelly’s Stores) 23-4-0; Steve Clark (Daiwa Drawbags) 22-8-0. Teams: Kellys Stores 25; Matrix Dynamite Trentmen 22. League: Matrix Dynamite Trentmen 159; Kelly’s Stores 158; Northern Inn 157; Daiwa Drawbags 156; Sullivan’s Slappers 154; Team Frenzee 152.
* Leeds DASA, River Ouse, Hunters Lodge to Linton, N. Yorks. Sun, 66. Noel Speight (Leeds) 46-4-0, 51 perch, poled worm at 10m, bungalows peg 227; Craig Turbitt (Tackle 2U) 19-0-0; Denis White (Maver) 18-4-0; Paul Bennett (Tackle 2U) 16-2-0; Dave Pollitt (Mirfield Willy Worms) 13-8-0; Ian Bowman (Drennan Barnsley Blacks) 12-14-0.
* Ripon AA, River Ure, Ripon, North Yorks. Sun, 33. Chris Smith (Bob-Co) 23-12-0, six chub, legered bread, meat and worm, peg 6; Steve Young (Helperby) 20-8-0; Martin Bush (Ripon) 15-12-0; Lee Furness (Union) 15-2-0; Steve Aldridge (Aireborough) 11-8-0.
* Valmaar Sideloaders, River Ouse, Widdington and Thorpe Underwood, N. Yorks. Sat, 36. Eddie Bridon (Maver) 17-4-0, 60 roach, long rod with stick and maggot, peg 50; Ian Bowman (Drennan Barnsley Blacks) and Phil Austin (Barlby Village Stores) both 10-10-0; Keith Hobson (Drennan Barnsley Blacks) 10-4-0; Denis White (Maver) 8-8-0.
FOR MORE MATCH FISHING RESULTS CLICK TAB ON THE RIGHT
Be sure to read this week's Angler's Mail magazine for exclusive content. Below are some of the very latest match fishing results - the magazine for carries results, tables, top tips and venues.... and a whole lot more great stuff every week.
Preston Innovations Matchman of the Year qualifiers, Feb.21-22
* Ancholme Spring League, River Ancholme, Brigg, Lincs. Sun, 35. Dave Brooks jnr (Drennan Barnsley Blacks) 30-2-0, roach and perch, punch at 10m and worm at 7m, pegged behind Lidl in town centre; Lee Harrison (Drennan Barnsley Blacks) 27-10-0; Helen Dagnall (Challenor Sports) 25-0-0; Terry Bontoft (Winterton) 18-4-0.
* Leeds DASA, River Ouse, Hunters Lodge to Linton, North Yorks. Sun, 40. John Smiles (Middlesbrough) 39-13-0, eight bream and four perch, feedered worm, pegged on the bungalows at Linton; Dave Topham (Tackle 2U) 7-4-0; Noel Speight (Leeds) 6-14-0; Tony Hewson (Leeds) 6-7-0; Dave Armitage (Cleckheaton) 6-1-0.
* RSPS River Swale Masters, River Swale, Morton to Assenby, North Yorks, Sat, 193. Bob Sinclair (Helperby and Brafferton) 62-7-0, 16 chub, waggler and maggot, peg E16 at Gatenby; Ian Parker (Eccleshill) 41-1-0; Andy Nelson (Darlington Brown Trout) 24-10-0; Pat Adams (Northallerton) 23-10-0; Adrian Evans (Northallerton) 17-0-0; Alan Ward (Darlington Brown Trout) 15-12-0.
* Tom’s Ponds, Otley, West Yorks. Sun, 30, Ponds One and Two. Jimmy Redmond (Bradford) 63-5-0, carp to 6 lb, pellet at 16m, peg 11 Pond 1; Barry Franklin (Tom’s Ponds) 58-10-0; Dave Rawson (Bradford) 57-5-0; Graham Smith (Tom’s Ponds) 53-14-0.
FOR MORE MATCH FISHING RESULTS CLICK THE TAB BELOW
This Angler’s Mail blog comes to you from England Ladies International and Browning Hotrods teamster Abbi Kendall, 21, whose winter campaign on the Fen drains included a big match win plus numerous section pick-ups amongst stellar company!
IT’S been a pretty nippy these past couple of months, but despite the elements there have still been plenty of fish to go at in matches on the Fenland drains.
With double-figures needed to win most sections, I have found a positive feeding approach combining groundbait, squatt and pinkie very successful.
This may seem a lot for winter, but bait-wise I’ve been taking three pints of squatts, two pints of pinkies, a pint of hemp and two kilos of groundbait.
My favourite groundbait mix has been Sensas Gros Gardons and Sensas River Black, mixed 50/50. I like to make sure the mix is on the wet side and thus sticky enough to carry large volumes of bait to the bottom without breaking up.
Two line approach
My winter drains strategy has centred around feeding two lines; firstly a short pole line at 5/6 metres which is fed with four balls of groundbait absolutely packed with squatts and pinkies.
I also set up a long pole at between 11-14 metres, depending on the peg, or a waggler line on really wide pegs. This is fed with a big pot of hemp and squatt at the all-in, then loose feed heavily via catapult during the session.
My rigs for the job
Short pole:
Main line: 0.10mm Sensas Feeling.
Hook length: 0.08mm Gamakatsu Super G.
Floats: 0.5 and 0.75gr Drennan Carbo.
Hook: Kamasan B511 size 20
Long pole:
Main line: 0.10mm Sensas Feeling.
Hook length: 0.06mm Gamakatsu Super G.
Float: Mick Bassett London Squatt in 4 x 10, 4 x 12 or 4 x 14 depending on depth, flow and wind conditions.
Hook: Kamasan B511 size 22
Waggler:
Main line: 2lb Maxima
Hook length: 0.08mm Gamakatsu Super G.
Float: Drake 8” insert waggler.
Hook: Kamasan B511 size 20.
Fishing my short line
When bites slow after the initial feed or if I start getting false bites, I’ve found it best to re-feed the short line with a ball of sticky groundbait packed with squatts plus a few pinkies.
I think false bites occur when fish start to come off bottom. Re-feeding takes them back to the deck so you hit more bites and put more in the net.
A positive rig is essential so your hook bait goes down fast, right over your feed.
Back-up line
On a long pole peg, loose feeding squatts positively at 10-11 metres and using strung out microshot rigs to catch through the water has worked well.
On a wider waggler peg at 13-15 metres, loose feeding pinkie with a similar slow drop has scored. I’ve gone onto these lines about 3-4 hours into matches once fish have backed off the short pole line. Loose feeding heavily has resulted in some better stamp roach too.
Finally, the key to getting a good weight on the drains is to ensure you come back with a fish every time…while always trying to figure out how you are going to catch your next one!
THE Angling Trust is looking for ace coarse anglers who would like to compete for the England under 18s and under 23s - and will soon stage assessments, looking at the cream of young talent from around the country.
The U18s and U23s Youth World Championships are to be staged at Smederevo in Serbia from 7th – 8th August, but now is when the managers really start to look hard at who is a contender to fish for England.
Mark Downes, who co-manages the full Drennan England team, is also the main man for the under-23s.
The Sensas Team England youth assessment for the under 18s is on Sunday 29th March at Makins Fishery, near Nuneaton, Warwickshire. Applicants must have been under 18 years of age on 31st December 2014 to apply, returning their applications no later than 2nd March.
The Drennan Team England youth assessment for the under 23s will take place on Saturday 14th March 2015 on the Gloucester Canal staged between Hempstead Bridge and the turning bay over a four-hour session. Applications have closed – anglers had to have been under 23 years of age on 31st December 2014 to apply.
Applicants who do get invited along to the assessements must impress the managers, both of whom have steered teams to glory many times on the big stages.
Sensas U18s England manager, Steve Sanders will be looking for young anglers who have the ability to fish under pressure and to international rules. The hopefuls must be proficient in fishing bloodworm on the pole for roach, skimmers and perch.
Mark Downes, who manages the Drennan-backed under 23s, will be looking for anglers who have the ability to fish calmly while under pressure and have the ability to think on their feet.
The World venue will be a tough one where the pole will play a major role, so the assessment will be concentrating on pole and bloodworm fished at 6-8m and a full 13m. All competitors will be fishing to full international rules.
Sam Hughes holds the individual and team trophies he won at World youth level in 2013.
Can they win gold?
Last time around, the Sensas-backed Under-18s team so narrowly missed out on emulating 2013’s golden glory which had also seen Sam Hughes also won individual gold (pictured above).
They finished second in the 2014 FIPSed World Youth Angling Championships in Holland. On a topsy-turvy Nord Willan Canal, the cream of England’s youth match talent produced an awesome Day 1 performance to lead by five clear points – only for France to match that score on Day 2 and overhaul them by two points in the 16-team event’s overall reckoning.
Sadly, the 2014 Under-23s event fished on adjacent sections of the canal ended with double disappointment for more senior Drennan England intermediates, with desperately poor sport resulting in fourth place overall despite the slight consolation of Day 2 victory.
Steve Sanders and Mark Downes will be pulling out all the stops to ensure that their lads – once they decide exactly who they are – do their very best to enhance the nation’s awesome reputation at top level.
Apply by form only
Anyone wishing to apply for the assessment trials in the future must complete an England youth assessment trial form. Find out more by contacting Sandra Drew, Competitions & Events Manager at the Angling Trust. Email: sandra.drew@anglingtrust.net, or telephone: 0115 9061 301.
Remember forms for 2015 must be returned by no later than 2nd March 2015 for the under 18s selections. Under 23 applications have now closed. Application forms are automatically sent to anyone who applied for the assessment trial last year.
For full match fishing results service, Preston Innovations Matchman of the Year exclusive coverage, and much more, be sure to read Angler’s Mail magazine this week, and every week.
Fresh from moving south, Drennan and Bait-Tech star Dean Barlow - son of late and much-loved Angler's Mail columnist Frank - has been really enjoying the challenges of a new match circuit. Here in our Monday match blog, he tells you all about it.
SINCE moving down to Wiltshire my fishing has taken a little turn, not having the amount of commercials on my doorstep like up north I’ve decided to have a good go on the local Kennet & Avon Canal.
Dean Barlow wrote this blog – check back each Monday for a new match fishing blog. For match results and much more, read Angler’s Mail magazine.
The stretches I’ve been fishing are run by Hungerford AA and the sport can be very good but, like most natural venues, conditions play a massive part.
The canal has a good head of big perch, skimmers and roach to target. At this time of year the perch and skimmers are the mainstay. Unlike most canals in winter where you cut back on the bait, the K&A is a little different… as I was to find out the hard way!
The first couple of matches I fished I approached it like any other canal; small hooks with small baits etc. I caught about 6lb and 3lb, which was nowhere. I had to change tactics as I felt I wasn’t getting the most from my peg.
Punch was my initial main form of attack.
Punching below my weight
The next match was a ‘knock up’ with about 15 brave souls fishing in the frost and snow. The canal was very clear so I decided to start on punch.
First chuck produced a skimmer then nothing. A change to my chopped worm swim got me a skimmer and a perch then nothing on any lines for three hours.
I decided to adopt more of a commercial fishery tactic and search around my peg. This gave me two more skimmers but I lost another two.
Luckily it didn’t matter, as I won the knock up and learned something for next time. That was the fact that I only caught using a big bait on the hook. This was to pay dividends in the next match.
I’ve been using these AS pole floats.
Going to church
The following week 30 anglers turned up at the church stretch. There was a tinge of colour in the canal and I drew where I had been on the very first match.
I decided to be more positive and fish the bigger baits that I hadn’t done previously. Three quarters across I fed liquidised bread to my left and Pro Natural Dark to my right with a decent amount of finely chopped worms and maggots. I also had a lobworm line down the track in front of me.
Rig-wise I had a Drennan AS2 float for my lobworm rig with a Kamasan B512 size 10 hook. I also set up a ‘small’ worm rig consisting of an AS1 with a 16 Kamasan B560. I then started on a punch rig, which was an AS3 float with a size 18 B511 hook.
You cannot beat a worm at this time of the year… sometimes!
First chuck produced a roach then nothing, so I changed to double fluoro pinkie, the float sailed under and metres of 2-3 elastic sailing round the peg! Five minutes later a 1.5lb hybrid was in the net. Next chuck a small skimmer.
A change to my small worm rig with double red maggot produced another skimmer. A move to my groundbait line with the same rig resulted in a couple more skimmers.
That’s how the match went; catching odd fish in little spells and also adding a couple of lobworm perch.
The scales arrived and my fish settled on just under 13lb. With the anglers having 5lb one side and 7lb the other I was very happy to finish third overall.
Fishing bigger baits had definitely done the trick. It’s been a really good learning curve for me, so until it warms up properly I can see myself paying a few more trips to the Kennet & Avon.
Until next time, be lucky,
Dean
For full match fishing results service, Preston Innovations Matchman of the Year exclusive coverage, and much more, be sure to read Angler’s Mail magazine this week, and every week.
FULL match results from every region, and lots more are in Angler’s Mail magazine this week and every week.
Here online at www.anglersmail.co.uk, we now bring you match fishing blogs to read from some of the sport’s biggest names, and rising stars – for free.
We recommend you check back each Monday for a new match fishing blog, delivering advice and insight.
Jon Arthur is one of our regular team of bloggers – read a different match fishing blog here every Monday from now onwards.
Don’t miss Angler’s Mail magazine for full coarse & match coverage
THIS week’s issue of Angler’s Mail reveals some exciting changes that are in store for the magazine – and brings you up to speed with what’s been happening throughout the coarse and match fishing scenes.
This weel’s Angler’s Mail cover star Andy Browne has just caught the huge chub you see him holding, and others. Find out how to do it!
Inside the magazine this week, exclusively, there’s all this – and more:
The best late-season river hotspots to ensure your season ends with a flourish.
Find out how to catch a 2 lb roach!
2015/16 rod licences, just unveiled – full report.
Anglers mourn death of a true float fishing master.
Bag-up on roach with a match ace – Action Replay reveals his tactics.
Exclusive Matchman of the Year latest including tables. See all the names in the frame in our exclusive Preston Innovations-sponsored series, with big money prizes.
Latest match fishing results and pictures.
GOT A MATCH FISHING RESULT TO REPORT? OR GOT SOME MATCH NEWS OR PICTURES?
Email to anglersmail@timeinc.com and it will be considered for our big value weekly magazine.
Full reports (results galore!!), pix and more on what’s proving to be the most exciting season for Matchman of the Year is in Angler’s Mail magazine – EXCLUSIVELY.
AN ALL-NEW Angler’s Mail magazine hits the shelves this week (Tuesday, March 10) – with an exciting new look and new contents.
The magazine is still priced £1.90 but – following extensive research, talking to anglers – every issue delivers more of many key things.
Match anglers will love the first of a new series, where we join Andy May, twice winner of the Angler’s Mail Matchman of the Year series.
There’s also an exclusive new weekly match fishing column from one of the hittest anglers in the England set-up.
And exclusive news on the climax of match fishing’s No.1 league for individuals – the Preston Innovations-Angler’s Mail Matchman of the Year series.
Plus, if you are hungry for match fishing results, there are region-by-region venue results galore! Including new South East, South West and North East regions.
Amongst the exciting changes, you’ll find:
MORE VENUES – top places to fish, recommended by a regional team in a new look Where To Fish This Week section. This is a mega section, with over 200 top waters per week… easily accessed, and with info you can trust.
MORE COLUMNISTS – Matt Hayes, the TV star, reveals his Top Tips each week. Andy Little, the big fish legend, is back in the Mail’s new Specimen Hunters series. Plus there’s Lee Kerry, one match fishing’s hottest properties. And other new faces and guest experts.
MORE TIPS – throughout the mag there’s ideas galore to help you catch more fish.
There’s many more new things beginning in the new Angler’s Mail magazine this week…get a copy this week and every Tuesday to stay in touch with the whole coarse fishing scene.
A new match fishing blog will appear here, exclusively online, this week.
Kayleigh Smith achieved one of the best results by a lady angler with her runner-up spot in the 2015 Sensas Challenge on the River Soar, just before the end of the running water season. Here’s how the Leeds-based 24-year-old England international did it. Plus there's Bag 'em Matchbaits-sponsored Kayleigh's top tips for springtime fishing.
Lumpy perch did the trick for Kayleigh, using what her team had learned from practise sessions.
Lumpy perch did the trick for Kayleigh, using what her team had learned from practise sessions.
THE Sensas Challenge is a team match, fished over two days to international rules, and attracting teams from all over the country including the French international side.
During practice on the River Soar, this year’s venue, it was apparent it was going to be difficult and if everyone in the team could catch a fish we would be doing well!
My Matrix Dynamite Baits Trentmen team worked out that in certain sections there were some big perch to be caught, and we reckoned if we could catch one of these it would be mega team points.
One perch leads to another for section win
I drew B section (Sutton) and peg 31. This is one of the sections that we thought that those vital odd perch would get caught.
I fished a roach mix at 13m with bloodworm where I was just trying to catch a fish, and a perch line short where I fed worms in soil. About 40 minutes into the match John to my right caught a kilo perch at 13. But I knew I had to leave my perch line for at least an hour before having a go.
After fishing for a any kind of fish on bloodworm long for an hour and half without even an indication, I decided to have a go for a perch. After about ten minutes on the perch line float disappeared and I was into my first perch. It was roughly a kilo, maybe a bit smaller than John’s.
That was it; I decided it was pointless fishing long in hope of hooking a little roach as I have a fish in the net, which was more than what most of the section could say. I re-fed with worms in soil and sat back over it and waited.
The guy to my left hooked a perch but unfortunately lost it right at the net, then a guy a few pegs to my right landed one, they were all roughly the same size.
With 45 minutes left of the match my float went again and I landed my second perch which was definitely bigger than my first.
Time was called and as far as I was aware only a few roach had been caught at the bottom of the section. I was the first to weigh in my section as I was the first to have caught a fish, and I weighed 2.350kg. That proved just enough for the section win as Hadrian Whittle had 2.300kg of roach and skimmers from the last peg in my section.
Kayleigh (left next to winner Matt Godfrey). Read the new-look Angler’s Mail magazine for the new weekly column by Lee Kerry (on the left, and part of the winning Drennan Barnsley team at the Sensas Challenge.)
Another prickly pair brings a perfect score
I drew the same section but seven pegs downstream (B 38) toward an area where a few tiny roach had been caught the day before. I was confident for a few bites and maybe another big perch.
I set up the exact same as day 1, I was fortunate enough to catch a gudgeon second run down on the running rig at 13m which I knew would get me some team points as there were going to be some blanks in the section.
I fished this line for the first hour catching six tiny fish, as soon as an hour had passed I dropped on my perch line, the float was not even in five minutes before it disappeared and my first perch was in the net.
I dropped a ball of soil and worms in and went back out and caught four more small fish. After about half an hour I had another drop on the perch line and only had to wait ten-15 minutes before the float went again; I was into the biggest perch of the two days which was quickly landed.
With two perch safely in the net I thought I might as well drop a ball in and leave it half hour and try it again – but no more turned up.
The last two people in my section (Calum Dicks and Darran Bickerton) had been catching small roach most of the day and were admitting to just short of two kilos. I was pretty sure my perch were at least a kilo each but thought it might be quite close.
In the end my two perch weighed 2.630kg, Darren had 1.500kg and Calum had 1.700kg giving me another section win and a perfect 2 points over the two days.
The only other person to have a perfect two point score was Matt Godfrey. He ended up beating me on weight by 500gr, so I finished second individually.
My team (Trentmen B) also did very well ending up fourth overall qualifying for final in France in October!
All in all, an excellent two days which proves just how important practicing is in team events like this.
Kayleigh’s now looking forward to some rod-bending and elastic-stretching action on the commercials. Read her three seasonal tips below.
Kayleigh’s top 3 spring tips
Now the weather is starting to warm up the fish will be looking to feed, it is always worth feeding a positive line just in case.
Natural baits such as worms accompanied by casters are very good this time of year.
It is worth setting a line up in the margin as this is where the water will warm up the fastest.
The British Open is coming back - read about it, exclusively, in this week's Angler's Mail magazine. Below are some of the very latest match fishing results - read the magazine for results, tables and a whole lot more great stuff every week.
Preston Innovations Matchman of the Year Qualifiers, Feb.7/8
* Bradford No.1 AA, River Swale, Thornton Bridge to Maundby, North Yorks. Sun, 40. Keith Mottram (Bradford No.1) 37-0-0, 11 chub, waggler and maggot, Maundby peg 37; Steve Young (Bradford) 11-0-0; Adrian Lewis (Bradford No.1) 8-0-0; John Smith (Bradford) 6-6-0.
* Leeds DASA, River Ouse, Aldwark and Hunters Lodge, North Yorks. Sun, 55. Tony Peel (Drennan Barnsley Blacks) 34-7-0, perch to 2 lb, feedered worm, peg 219; Wayne Bartholomew (Steel City) 16-6-0; Phil Austin (Barlby Village Stores) 11-0-0; Mark Rockingham (Leeds) 4-11-0; Shaun Tate (Mirfield Willy Worms) 3-10-0.
* Mosella Quaker, Woodlands Lakes, Carlton Minniot, North Yorks. Sun, 49. Mal Dunlop (Mosella Quaker) 24-12-0, skimmers, maggot and pellet at 13m, Kestrel Lake peg 16; Phil Noble (Darlington Angling Centre) 21-0-0; Josh Newton (Mosella Quaker) 19-15-0; Andy Simpson (Mosella Quaker) 19-10-0; Steve Etherington (Darlington Angling Centre) and Col Metcalfe (Mosella Quaker) both 16-0-0.
* Northallerton, River Swale, Scruton, North Yorks. Sun, 32. Mark Atkinson (Newcastle) 83-12-0, 23 chub, stick float and maggot, peg B10; Terry Morgan (Aireborough) 35-2-0; Paul Kozyra (York) 32-10-0; Charlie Burnside (Durham) 29-9-0; Mark Mossman (Durham) 29-3-0.
* Scunthorpe DAA, River Ancholme, Brigg, N. Lincs. Sun, 34. Graham Bontoft (Scunthorpe Tackle) 15-0-0, roach, poled bread punch, peg 10; Wayne Easter (Scunthorpe Tackle) 13-6-0; Pete Dimmock (Scunthorpe Tackle) 13-3-0; Graham Mumby (Scunthorpe Tackle) 12-14-0.
* Tom’s Ponds; Otley, West Yorks. Sun. 30, Ponds 1 and 2. Dave Rawson (Bradford) 55-12-0, trout to 3 lb, poled worm, Pond 2 peg 19; Alan Copperwaite (KL Tackle) 39-8-0; Jack Ferguson (Keighley) 37-10-0; Ross Pickles (Silsden) 36-0-0.
* Valmaar Sideloaders, River Ouse, Thorpe Underwood and Widdington, North Yorks. Sat, 42. Mark Calvert (Elton Tackle) 8-5-0, roach and dace, poled maggot at 10m, peg 49; Kevin Pybus (Yarm) 5-9-0; Mark Rockingham (Leeds) 4-10-0; Mick Ward (Pontefract) 4-2-0; Martyn Highe (Mirfield Willy Worms) 2-10-0.
* Wakefield, Calder and Hebble Canal, Calder Grove, West Yorks. Sun, 31. Owen Jackson (Maver NW) 21-15-0, roach, dace and chub, poled caster at 6m, peg 6; Steve Allinson (Tri-Cast Calder) 19-4-0; Warren McLeavey (Tri-Cast Calder) 13-3-0; Tony Tarff (Daiwa Dons) 12-10-0.
CLICK THE TAB ON THE RIGHT FOR MORE MATCH FISHING RESULTS
The British Open is coming back - read about it, exclusively, in this week's Angler's Mail magazine. Below are some of the very latest match fishing results - read the magazine for results, tables and a whole lot more great stuff every week.
Preston Innovations Matchman of the Year Qualifiers, Feb.7/8
* Bradford No.1 AA, River Swale, Thornton Bridge to Maundby, North Yorks. Sun, 40. Keith Mottram (Bradford No.1) 37-0-0, 11 chub, waggler and maggot, Maundby peg 37; Steve Young (Bradford) 11-0-0; Adrian Lewis (Bradford No.1) 8-0-0; John Smith (Bradford) 6-6-0.
* Leeds DASA, River Ouse, Aldwark and Hunters Lodge, North Yorks. Sun, 55. Tony Peel (Drennan Barnsley Blacks) 34-7-0, perch to 2 lb, feedered worm, peg 219; Wayne Bartholomew (Steel City) 16-6-0; Phil Austin (Barlby Village Stores) 11-0-0; Mark Rockingham (Leeds) 4-11-0; Shaun Tate (Mirfield Willy Worms) 3-10-0.
* Mosella Quaker, Woodlands Lakes, Carlton Minniot, North Yorks. Sun, 49. Mal Dunlop (Mosella Quaker) 24-12-0, skimmers, maggot and pellet at 13m, Kestrel Lake peg 16; Phil Noble (Darlington Angling Centre) 21-0-0; Josh Newton (Mosella Quaker) 19-15-0; Andy Simpson (Mosella Quaker) 19-10-0; Steve Etherington (Darlington Angling Centre) and Col Metcalfe (Mosella Quaker) both 16-0-0.
* Northallerton, River Swale, Scruton, North Yorks. Sun, 32. Mark Atkinson (Newcastle) 83-12-0, 23 chub, stick float and maggot, peg B10; Terry Morgan (Aireborough) 35-2-0; Paul Kozyra (York) 32-10-0; Charlie Burnside (Durham) 29-9-0; Mark Mossman (Durham) 29-3-0.
* Scunthorpe DAA, River Ancholme, Brigg, N. Lincs. Sun, 34. Graham Bontoft (Scunthorpe Tackle) 15-0-0, roach, poled bread punch, peg 10; Wayne Easter (Scunthorpe Tackle) 13-6-0; Pete Dimmock (Scunthorpe Tackle) 13-3-0; Graham Mumby (Scunthorpe Tackle) 12-14-0.
* Tom’s Ponds; Otley, West Yorks. Sun. 30, Ponds 1 and 2. Dave Rawson (Bradford) 55-12-0, trout to 3 lb, poled worm, Pond 2 peg 19; Alan Copperwaite (KL Tackle) 39-8-0; Jack Ferguson (Keighley) 37-10-0; Ross Pickles (Silsden) 36-0-0.
* Valmaar Sideloaders, River Ouse, Thorpe Underwood and Widdington, North Yorks. Sat, 42. Mark Calvert (Elton Tackle) 8-5-0, roach and dace, poled maggot at 10m, peg 49; Kevin Pybus (Yarm) 5-9-0; Mark Rockingham (Leeds) 4-10-0; Mick Ward (Pontefract) 4-2-0; Martyn Highe (Mirfield Willy Worms) 2-10-0.
* Wakefield, Calder and Hebble Canal, Calder Grove, West Yorks. Sun, 31. Owen Jackson (Maver NW) 21-15-0, roach, dace and chub, poled caster at 6m, peg 6; Steve Allinson (Tri-Cast Calder) 19-4-0; Warren McLeavey (Tri-Cast Calder) 13-3-0; Tony Tarff (Daiwa Dons) 12-10-0.
CLICK THE TAB ON THE RIGHT FOR MORE MATCH FISHING RESULTS
The British Open is coming back - read about it, exclusively, in this week's Angler's Mail magazine. Below are some of the very latest match fishing results - read the magazine for results, tables and a whole lot more great stuff every week.
Preston Innovations Matchman of the Year Qualifiers, Feb.7/8
* Blundell’s, Rixton, Cheshire. Sun, 31, Rover. Rob Parker (Warrington Tackle & Guns) 74-7-0, F1s to 3 lb, pellet at 14m, peg 13 Trio Lakes; Lee Thornton (Middy Bag’em) 61-3-0; Gary Whalley (Bait-Tech) 48-11-0; Geoff Scott (Rochdale Angling Centre) 44-1-0.
* Bradshaw Hall, Bolton, Lancs. Sun, 31, Lodges 8/9. John Raby (Bradshaw’) 12-15-0, F1s, pellet at 3m, peg 3 Lodge 9; Mark Morris (Tongmoor) 10-6-0; Steve Millward (Bradshaw) 10-0-0; Tom Brownbill (Fisherman’s Way) 8-10-0.
* Brookside, Warrington, Cheshire. Sun, 34, Snake & Willow lakes. Wayne Kearney (Tri-Cast Rochdale) 62-2-0, F1s to 2 lb, pellet on deck, 11 & 13m, peg 17 Snake; Phil Hulme (Patricroft) 60-0-0; Dean Edwards (Fisherman’s Way) 53-2-0; Paul Caisson (Ted Carter Preston) 34-4-0.
* Heronbrook Fisheries Ind. WL, Slindon, Staffs. Sun, 65. Paul Williamson (Maver Gold/Bag’em) 90-0-0, four carp to 6 lb plus 40 F1s, maggot at 15m to hole in ice, Bridge peg 21; Gary Skerritt (Maver Pickerings) 80-12-0; Mark Fox (Maver Midlands) 35-9-0; A. Cunliffe (Stoke) 31-4-0; John Chapman (Ted Carter Southport) 31-3-0; Mark Lloyd (Telford) 26-7-0. Final League: Andy Dyson (Alsager) 10 (£700); Matt Barwell (Maver Gold/Bag’em) 15 (£600); Mark Fox (Maver Midlands) 16 (£500); Phil Holmes (Heronbrook) 17 (£300); Daz Johnson (Maver Gold/Bag’em) 18 (£200); Charlie Moran (Manchester) 19 (£100).
* Liverpool DAA Top Teams, Leeds-Liverpool Canal, Maghull, Merseyside. Sun, 30. Paul Charnock (MCA) 29-4-0, skimmers to 1 lb 8 oz, bread punch at 10m pole, peg 317 near cricket pitch; Geoff Jeffers (LAS Blue) 4-14-0; Jeff Stirratt (LAS Blue) 3-9-3; John Easton (LAS Blue) 3-8-8. Teams: LAS Blue 14; MCA 15; LAS Red and Wigan MG both 19. League: Ted Carter Preston 80; LAS Blue 84; Wigan MG 98; MCA 99.
* Northwich AA, River Weaver, Cheshire. Sat, 42, Mini League. Kenny Taylor (Rudd Heath) 23-13-0, bream, crumb feedered maggot and worm, peg 10 in town centre; Chris Gorrall (Ted Carter Black) 13-10-0; John Warburton (Bob’s Lot) 9-0-0; Tim Wright (Gloworms) 8-2-0. Teams: Rudd Heath 23-13-0; Ted Carter Black 13-10-0; Gloworms 11-12-0. League: Ted Carter Black 23; Vale Royal Red 32; Ballyforce 35; MAP 36. Sun, 35, WL. Andy Hamlett (Dave’s of Middlewich) 8-10-0, roach and skimmers, bomb and maggot, peg 27 on boats; Kevin Simpson (Vale Royal Angling) 7-9-0; Kathan Shillito (Old & New) 6-6-0; Steve Mitchell (Vale Royal red) 5-15-0. Final League: Vale Royal Angling 186; Edgeley Sports 172; Vale Royal Red 171; Gloworms 169.
* Old Hough Fishery, Middlewich, Cheshire. Sat, 33, all pools. Matthew Roberts (Old Hough) 42-4-0, carp, pellet; Stef Brown (Old Hough) 34-13-0; Craig O’Connor (Old Hough) 34-7-0; Roger Peet (Old Hough) 31-8-0; Andy North (Old Hough) 28-5-0.
* Partridge Lakes, Culcheth, Cheshire. Sat, 44. Covey Lakes. Gary Manion (Partridge) 64-6-0, F1s to 3 lb, pellet, 9m pole, peg 113; Peter Humphreys (Rochdale Angling) 52-12-0; James Howarth (Tri-Cast Highfield) 45-10-0; Paul Coyle (Preston Innovations) 39-2-0; Peter Tickle (St. Helens Tackle & Bait) 39-0-0. Sun, 47. David Rigby (St. Helens Tackle & Bait) 41-0-0, F1s, maggot at 11m, peg 39 Covey 6; Alan Dawson (Rochdale Angling) 34-13-0; John Jones (Garbolino Elton) 29-4-0; Paul Coyle (Preston Innovations) 25-6-0; Dave McDonnell (Mosella/Garbolino) 18-12-0; Clive Hill (Newton-le-Willows) 18-0-0. Sun, 74, Ind. WL. Connor Barlow (Drennan NW) 62-1-0, F1s, red maggot at 11m, peg 151 Covey 6; Dave Thornton (Patricroft) 50-11-0; John Unsworth (Partridge) 49-8-0; Mike Rogerson (Ashton Angling/Preston Innovations) 48-9-0; Tony Worrall (St. Helens Tackle & Bait) 47-12-0; Daz Shaw (Maver NW) 43-2-0. League: Andy Bennett (Daiwa Guru/Bait-Tech) 3; Tony Worrall (St. Helens Tackle & Bait) 3; Connor Barlow (Drennan NW) 3.
* Stapeley Teams of Four WL, Shropshire Union Canal, Nantwich, Ches. Sun, 40. Jeff Shaw (Team Guinness) 9-7-0, roach to 12 oz, poled punch, peg 6 on aqueduct; Phil Johnson (Browning Lifestyle Blue) 8-14-12; Neil Latham (Betley’s Monsters) 6-9-9; Simon Preece (Browning Lifestyle Red) 6-7-11; Harry Moulton (Wyche Anglers) 6-0-0; Fred Cheetham (Team Eclipse) 4-14-8. Teams: Team Guinness 24; Betley’s Monsters 23; Browning Lifestyle Red 23; Team Les ‘O’ 22; Team Eclipse 21; Browning Lifestyle Blue 21. League: Team Guinness 78; Team Les ‘O’ 74; Browning Lifestyle Red 72; Browning Lifestyle Blue 60; Tri-Cast Highfield 59; Wyche Anglers 57.
* Whitmore Fishery, Kirkham, Lancs. Sun, 31. Danny Maguire (Mosella) 48-12-0, 12 carp, bread punch over micro pellet, 6 & 13m, peg 14 Doughnut Lake; Simon Shepherd (Ted Carter Preston) 32-6-0; Bill Jolly (Blackpool Angling Centre) 31-14-0; Stuart Kennedy (Ted Carter Preston) 30-10-0; Peter Stuart (Greenlands) 28-10-0.
* Wigan DAA, Leeds-Liverpool Canal, Appley Bridge, Lancs. Sun, 32. Graham Mortimer (Sensas NW) 10-4-12, skimmers and roach, caster at 13m pole, peg 315; Brian Meadows (Chorley Social) 8-12-4; Joe Lawrence (Bolton) 7-5-8; Kevin Stothers (Gidlow Angling) 6-3-0.
For more match fishing results click the tab on the right
Be sure to read this week's Angler's Mail magazine for exclusive content. Below are some of the very latest match fishing results - the magazine for carries results, tables, top tips and venues.... and a whole lot more great stuff every week.
Preston Innovations Matchman of the Year Qualifiers, Feb.14/15
* Daiwa Hallcroft Silver Teams, Retford, Notts. Sun, 52. Moat, Bridge and Croft lakes. Ben Holmes (Matrix Dynamite Trentmen) 24-6-0, skimmers, long poled maggot over groundbait, peg 20 Moat island; Mick Elliott (Matrix Dynamite Trentmen) 23-11-0; Paul McIntyre (Kelly’s Stores) 23-10-0; Sean Cameron (Kelly’s Stores) 23-4-0; Steve Clark (Daiwa Drawbags) 22-8-0. Teams: Kellys Stores 25; Matrix Dynamite Trentmen 22. League: Matrix Dynamite Trentmen 159; Kelly’s Stores 158; Northern Inn 157; Daiwa Drawbags 156; Sullivan’s Slappers 154; Team Frenzee 152.
* Leeds DASA, River Ouse, Hunters Lodge to Linton, N. Yorks. Sun, 66. Noel Speight (Leeds) 46-4-0, 51 perch, poled worm at 10m, bungalows peg 227; Craig Turbitt (Tackle 2U) 19-0-0; Denis White (Maver) 18-4-0; Paul Bennett (Tackle 2U) 16-2-0; Dave Pollitt (Mirfield Willy Worms) 13-8-0; Ian Bowman (Drennan Barnsley Blacks) 12-14-0.
* Ripon AA, River Ure, Ripon, North Yorks. Sun, 33. Chris Smith (Bob-Co) 23-12-0, six chub, legered bread, meat and worm, peg 6; Steve Young (Helperby) 20-8-0; Martin Bush (Ripon) 15-12-0; Lee Furness (Union) 15-2-0; Steve Aldridge (Aireborough) 11-8-0.
* Valmaar Sideloaders, River Ouse, Widdington and Thorpe Underwood, N. Yorks. Sat, 36. Eddie Bridon (Maver) 17-4-0, 60 roach, long rod with stick and maggot, peg 50; Ian Bowman (Drennan Barnsley Blacks) and Phil Austin (Barlby Village Stores) both 10-10-0; Keith Hobson (Drennan Barnsley Blacks) 10-4-0; Denis White (Maver) 8-8-0.
FOR MORE MATCH FISHING RESULTS CLICK TAB ON THE RIGHT
Be sure to read this week's Angler's Mail magazine for exclusive content. Below are some of the very latest match fishing results - the magazine for carries results, tables, top tips and venues.... and a whole lot more great stuff every week.
Preston Innovations Matchman of the Year qualifiers, Feb.21-22
* Ancholme Spring League, River Ancholme, Brigg, Lincs. Sun, 35. Dave Brooks jnr (Drennan Barnsley Blacks) 30-2-0, roach and perch, punch at 10m and worm at 7m, pegged behind Lidl in town centre; Lee Harrison (Drennan Barnsley Blacks) 27-10-0; Helen Dagnall (Challenor Sports) 25-0-0; Terry Bontoft (Winterton) 18-4-0.
* Leeds DASA, River Ouse, Hunters Lodge to Linton, North Yorks. Sun, 40. John Smiles (Middlesbrough) 39-13-0, eight bream and four perch, feedered worm, pegged on the bungalows at Linton; Dave Topham (Tackle 2U) 7-4-0; Noel Speight (Leeds) 6-14-0; Tony Hewson (Leeds) 6-7-0; Dave Armitage (Cleckheaton) 6-1-0.
* RSPS River Swale Masters, River Swale, Morton to Assenby, North Yorks, Sat, 193. Bob Sinclair (Helperby and Brafferton) 62-7-0, 16 chub, waggler and maggot, peg E16 at Gatenby; Ian Parker (Eccleshill) 41-1-0; Andy Nelson (Darlington Brown Trout) 24-10-0; Pat Adams (Northallerton) 23-10-0; Adrian Evans (Northallerton) 17-0-0; Alan Ward (Darlington Brown Trout) 15-12-0.
* Tom’s Ponds, Otley, West Yorks. Sun, 30, Ponds One and Two. Jimmy Redmond (Bradford) 63-5-0, carp to 6 lb, pellet at 16m, peg 11 Pond 1; Barry Franklin (Tom’s Ponds) 58-10-0; Dave Rawson (Bradford) 57-5-0; Graham Smith (Tom’s Ponds) 53-14-0.
FOR MORE MATCH FISHING RESULTS CLICK THE TAB BELOW
This Angler’s Mail blog comes to you from England Ladies International and Browning Hotrods teamster Abbi Kendall, 21, whose winter campaign on the Fen drains included a big match win plus numerous section pick-ups amongst stellar company!
IT’S been a pretty nippy these past couple of months, but despite the elements there have still been plenty of fish to go at in matches on the Fenland drains.
With double-figures needed to win most sections, I have found a positive feeding approach combining groundbait, squatt and pinkie very successful.
This may seem a lot for winter, but bait-wise I’ve been taking three pints of squatts, two pints of pinkies, a pint of hemp and two kilos of groundbait.
My favourite groundbait mix has been Sensas Gros Gardons and Sensas River Black, mixed 50/50. I like to make sure the mix is on the wet side and thus sticky enough to carry large volumes of bait to the bottom without breaking up.
Two line approach
My winter drains strategy has centred around feeding two lines; firstly a short pole line at 5/6 metres which is fed with four balls of groundbait absolutely packed with squatts and pinkies.
I also set up a long pole at between 11-14 metres, depending on the peg, or a waggler line on really wide pegs. This is fed with a big pot of hemp and squatt at the all-in, then loose feed heavily via catapult during the session.
My rigs for the job
Short pole:
Main line: 0.10mm Sensas Feeling.
Hook length: 0.08mm Gamakatsu Super G.
Floats: 0.5 and 0.75gr Drennan Carbo.
Hook: Kamasan B511 size 20
Long pole:
Main line: 0.10mm Sensas Feeling.
Hook length: 0.06mm Gamakatsu Super G.
Float: Mick Bassett London Squatt in 4 x 10, 4 x 12 or 4 x 14 depending on depth, flow and wind conditions.
Hook: Kamasan B511 size 22
Waggler:
Main line: 2lb Maxima
Hook length: 0.08mm Gamakatsu Super G.
Float: Drake 8” insert waggler.
Hook: Kamasan B511 size 20.
Fishing my short line
When bites slow after the initial feed or if I start getting false bites, I’ve found it best to re-feed the short line with a ball of sticky groundbait packed with squatts plus a few pinkies.
I think false bites occur when fish start to come off bottom. Re-feeding takes them back to the deck so you hit more bites and put more in the net.
A positive rig is essential so your hook bait goes down fast, right over your feed.
Back-up line
On a long pole peg, loose feeding squatts positively at 10-11 metres and using strung out microshot rigs to catch through the water has worked well.
On a wider waggler peg at 13-15 metres, loose feeding pinkie with a similar slow drop has scored. I’ve gone onto these lines about 3-4 hours into matches once fish have backed off the short pole line. Loose feeding heavily has resulted in some better stamp roach too.
Finally, the key to getting a good weight on the drains is to ensure you come back with a fish every time…while always trying to figure out how you are going to catch your next one!
THE Angling Trust is looking for ace coarse anglers who would like to compete for the England under 18s and under 23s - and will soon stage assessments, looking at the cream of young talent from around the country.
The U18s and U23s Youth World Championships are to be staged at Smederevo in Serbia from 7th – 8th August, but now is when the managers really start to look hard at who is a contender to fish for England.
Mark Downes, who co-manages the full Drennan England team, is also the main man for the under-23s.
The Sensas Team England youth assessment for the under 18s is on Sunday 29th March at Makins Fishery, near Nuneaton, Warwickshire. Applicants must have been under 18 years of age on 31st December 2014 to apply, returning their applications no later than 2nd March.
The Drennan Team England youth assessment for the under 23s will take place on Saturday 14th March 2015 on the Gloucester Canal staged between Hempstead Bridge and the turning bay over a four-hour session. Applications have closed – anglers had to have been under 23 years of age on 31st December 2014 to apply.
Applicants who do get invited along to the assessements must impress the managers, both of whom have steered teams to glory many times on the big stages.
Sensas U18s England manager, Steve Sanders will be looking for young anglers who have the ability to fish under pressure and to international rules. The hopefuls must be proficient in fishing bloodworm on the pole for roach, skimmers and perch.
Mark Downes, who manages the Drennan-backed under 23s, will be looking for anglers who have the ability to fish calmly while under pressure and have the ability to think on their feet.
The World venue will be a tough one where the pole will play a major role, so the assessment will be concentrating on pole and bloodworm fished at 6-8m and a full 13m. All competitors will be fishing to full international rules.
Sam Hughes holds the individual and team trophies he won at World youth level in 2013.
Can they win gold?
Last time around, the Sensas-backed Under-18s team so narrowly missed out on emulating 2013’s golden glory which had also seen Sam Hughes also won individual gold (pictured above).
They finished second in the 2014 FIPSed World Youth Angling Championships in Holland. On a topsy-turvy Nord Willan Canal, the cream of England’s youth match talent produced an awesome Day 1 performance to lead by five clear points – only for France to match that score on Day 2 and overhaul them by two points in the 16-team event’s overall reckoning.
Sadly, the 2014 Under-23s event fished on adjacent sections of the canal ended with double disappointment for more senior Drennan England intermediates, with desperately poor sport resulting in fourth place overall despite the slight consolation of Day 2 victory.
Steve Sanders and Mark Downes will be pulling out all the stops to ensure that their lads – once they decide exactly who they are – do their very best to enhance the nation’s awesome reputation at top level.
Apply by form only
Anyone wishing to apply for the assessment trials in the future must complete an England youth assessment trial form. Find out more by contacting Sandra Drew, Competitions & Events Manager at the Angling Trust. Email: sandra.drew@anglingtrust.net, or telephone: 0115 9061 301.
Remember forms for 2015 must be returned by no later than 2nd March 2015 for the under 18s selections. Under 23 applications have now closed. Application forms are automatically sent to anyone who applied for the assessment trial last year.
For full match fishing results service, Preston Innovations Matchman of the Year exclusive coverage, and much more, be sure to read Angler’s Mail magazine this week, and every week.
Fresh from moving south, Drennan and Bait-Tech star Dean Barlow - son of late and much-loved Angler's Mail columnist Frank - has been really enjoying the challenges of a new match circuit. Here in our Monday match blog, he tells you all about it.
SINCE moving down to Wiltshire my fishing has taken a little turn, not having the amount of commercials on my doorstep like up north I’ve decided to have a good go on the local Kennet & Avon Canal.
Dean Barlow wrote this blog – check back each Monday for a new match fishing blog. For match results and much more, read Angler’s Mail magazine.
The stretches I’ve been fishing are run by Hungerford AA and the sport can be very good but, like most natural venues, conditions play a massive part.
The canal has a good head of big perch, skimmers and roach to target. At this time of year the perch and skimmers are the mainstay. Unlike most canals in winter where you cut back on the bait, the K&A is a little different… as I was to find out the hard way!
The first couple of matches I fished I approached it like any other canal; small hooks with small baits etc. I caught about 6lb and 3lb, which was nowhere. I had to change tactics as I felt I wasn’t getting the most from my peg.
Punch was my initial main form of attack.
Punching below my weight
The next match was a ‘knock up’ with about 15 brave souls fishing in the frost and snow. The canal was very clear so I decided to start on punch.
First chuck produced a skimmer then nothing. A change to my chopped worm swim got me a skimmer and a perch then nothing on any lines for three hours.
I decided to adopt more of a commercial fishery tactic and search around my peg. This gave me two more skimmers but I lost another two.
Luckily it didn’t matter, as I won the knock up and learned something for next time. That was the fact that I only caught using a big bait on the hook. This was to pay dividends in the next match.
I’ve been using these AS pole floats.
Going to church
The following week 30 anglers turned up at the church stretch. There was a tinge of colour in the canal and I drew where I had been on the very first match.
I decided to be more positive and fish the bigger baits that I hadn’t done previously. Three quarters across I fed liquidised bread to my left and Pro Natural Dark to my right with a decent amount of finely chopped worms and maggots. I also had a lobworm line down the track in front of me.
Rig-wise I had a Drennan AS2 float for my lobworm rig with a Kamasan B512 size 10 hook. I also set up a ‘small’ worm rig consisting of an AS1 with a 16 Kamasan B560. I then started on a punch rig, which was an AS3 float with a size 18 B511 hook.
You cannot beat a worm at this time of the year… sometimes!
First chuck produced a roach then nothing, so I changed to double fluoro pinkie, the float sailed under and metres of 2-3 elastic sailing round the peg! Five minutes later a 1.5lb hybrid was in the net. Next chuck a small skimmer.
A change to my small worm rig with double red maggot produced another skimmer. A move to my groundbait line with the same rig resulted in a couple more skimmers.
That’s how the match went; catching odd fish in little spells and also adding a couple of lobworm perch.
The scales arrived and my fish settled on just under 13lb. With the anglers having 5lb one side and 7lb the other I was very happy to finish third overall.
Fishing bigger baits had definitely done the trick. It’s been a really good learning curve for me, so until it warms up properly I can see myself paying a few more trips to the Kennet & Avon.
Until next time, be lucky,
Dean
For full match fishing results service, Preston Innovations Matchman of the Year exclusive coverage, and much more, be sure to read Angler’s Mail magazine this week, and every week.
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