Maver man wins £30,000 prize!Maver and Bag 'em Matchbaits ace Jamie Hughes has won the 2013 Fish ‘O’ Mania Final with a 68kg net of carp and barbel. Jamie alternated between fishing casters on the short pole at eight metres, where he found barbel, and fishing the long pole shallow with pellets for carp. An elated Jamie commented: “I am over the moon to have won – it's still sinking in really. I was definitely on a good peg as it turned out, and everything went right for me on the day.
Garbolino and Lindholme Lakes back new Angling Trust venture. Lindholme Lakes, and venue-sponsor Garbolino, are backing the Angling Trust Commercial Team Stillwater Championship to the tune of £2,500, which will be paid out to the winners of the competition on the day. The contest is taking place over three venues – Garbolino Lindholme Lakes, Daiwa Hallcroft Fishery and Hayfield Lakes – on Saturday, August 17th. The Angling Trust has extended the deadline for entries to Friday, July 19th and places are still available for teams of 10 anglers to take part.
New research busts early morning myth. Angling social-network app FishBrain, which collates catch information and statistics from anglers, has discovered that early morning angling may not be as productive as many people think. After analysing more than 40,000 catches, FishBrain has found that it is actually most effective to fish in the evening. The FishBrain app for iPhone and Android was released in March and has more than 80,000 members worldwide.
Anglers and organisers reflect on last week's Winter League Final. Following last weekend’s Angling Trust Winter League Final – which saw a large proportion of the field blank – forums and social network sites have been awash with criticism of the event and its organiser, the Angling Trust. To establish what went wrong, Match Fishing has questioned several of the sport’s top rods to gauge their opinion of the event and, importantly, see what can be done to improve proceedings next year. To share your thoughts on the final, or offer advice on what you think could be done to improve it, click here to join our Facebook debate!Des Shipp, Preston Innovations consultant and member of Drennan Team England“The Angling Trust needs to tread very carefully or it will kill off the Winter League altogether.
The Fish ‘O’ Mania Final is almost upon us. Speculation is mounting in the build-up to this year's Fish ‘O’ Mania Final, which takes place on Saturday, July 13th. The Arena Pool at Stoke’s Cudmore Fisheries is to play host to the match, which sees 16 anglers do battle for one of angling's most coveted prizes and the £30,000 cheque that goes with it. Fishery coach and top match man Andy May knows the venue better than most and expects a good match between competitors.
Ted Carter ace in Match This Final. Ted Carter ace John Brogden has won the Maver Match This qualifier at Heronbrook Fishery. The venue regular drew well on Canal Peg 11 and opted to fish long pole over to the reeds for most of the match to top the talented field with a winning 130-03-00. One of the hottest days of the year so far greeted the 106 anglers for this latest Mega Match This qualifier.
Captain delighted with new deal. The Channel Islands have secured a sponsorship deal with tackle company Sensas. Captain, Greig Owen explained: "This will help us with our preparation for this year's World Championship, and for future world and European championships as well as any other events in the UK or France that we may attend. Finding the right tackle for the venues we use in these championships has always been a challenge for us living in a small group of islands.
No tickets left for prestigious match. This year's Match Fishing and Pole Fishing Subscriber Classic, held at Barston Lakes and Packington Somers fisheries, has sold out in record time. Match Fishing editor Alex Bones commented: “It is great news that the event has sold out in record time, and a fitting tribute to just how popular it has become. The team and I always look forward to meeting and greeting our readers and, if last year's event is anything to go by, a good day will be had by all who attend.
Northeast rods in Winter League gloryBrowning Quaker have won the Angling Trust Winter League Final on the tidal River Trent. The team consisted of Martin Robson, Johnny Maddison, Peter Close, Andy Dargue, Andy Nelson, Neil Nicholson, Mala Dunlop, Louis Mackintosh, Scott Lister and Chris Gowling. A delighted team captain, Martin Robson, explained: "I don't think that it has quite sunk in to the lads yet just what they have managed to achieve. This really is the proudest moment in our team's history, and the nice thing is that its been a real team effort.
Retail giant hosts star-studded open day. One of England's biggest tackle dealers – Fosters Of Birmingham – is to host a special open day. Taking place on Saturday, July 27th, the day will see some of angling's biggest names on hand to answer questions. Nick Speed, Jan Porter and Iain Macmillan have already confirmed their attendance – and can be booked for prearranged tuition sessions on request.
Insurance company offers special deal to readers. Anglers First Insurance has increased its maximum sum insured to a whopping £10,000, and will cover any single item up to the value of £2,000. The premium for £10,000 is only £249 per year. Currently, Anglers First offers a 10 per cent discount to readers of our magazine, and anyone who takes out the insurance is automatically entered into a draw to win £750 of fishing tackle!Click here for more information, or call 0800 0355842 to arrange immediate cover.
Manager upbeat about team's chances. The Welsh international team has announced backing from top tackle brand Tri-Cast and Shropshire fishery Weston Pools. The
Senior Welsh Team, under new manager Andy Johnstone OBE, will compete in
the World Championship in Poland on September 14th and 15th on the
Zeranski Canal, near Warsaw. Andy said: "It is always
difficult to find a sponsor, so I was delighted to agree a deal with
Weston Pools and Tri-Cast.
New 10-part fishing series starts Monday!
A new fishing-competition TV series from the maker of Come Dine With Me is set to debut on the National Geographic Channel. King Fisher will see spirited anglers trying their hands at different kinds of fishing around the world, with the aim of finding out who is a fish out of water, and who will emerge as the King Fisher. Jenny Heaton, from National Geographic, explained: "Each adrenaline-filled episode pits three highly skilled anglers against one another during three separate fishing expeditions. Competitors challenge each other in their home waters, setting the stakes high while the others must learn different fishing styles and adapt to fishing in foreign waters.
Lee Edwards signs exciting new bait deal. Welsh international and Daiwa Dorking ace Lee Edwards has signed a new bait deal with Angling Bait Club (ABC). The deal will still see Preston Innovations sponsor Lee for tackle, but ABC will now supply all the bait, as opposed to his old sponsor, Sonubaits. ABC boss Denzel Thorpe explained: "I am a Welshman, and a very patriotic one too – and with Lee being from Caerphilly, I relished the opportunity to give my fellow countryman the chance of lifetime.
Trentmen ace in Match This FinalNottingham ace Lee Wright has won the Maver Match This qualifier at Makins Fishery, earning himself a place in the £50,000 Maver Match This Final. Matrix, and Dynamite baits backed Lee drew Peg 9 on Reptile Lake and opted to fish casters in the shallow water up to the island, with maggots on the hook to end the match with 74-11-00. Lee commented: "I am over the moon to be in the final, and to be honest it still hasn't quite sunk in yet. I had quite a slow start to the match, but when the fish turned up, they turned up in numbers and I was able to really clatter them for the last hour.
