Decent weather greeted the 130 competitors for the 13th Fish ‘O’ Mania qualifier at Partridge Lakes Fishery where 11 lakes were in use, including the new Covey Five Lake, and the fishery staff were expecting good weights to be recorded – they weren’t to be disappointed as the top six anglers all recorded over 100lb.
Drawing fancied peg Pine 2 Fish ‘O’ Mania regular Jamie Hughes set out his stall out to fish shallow at 11 metres and loosefeeding casters with caster as hook bait and he caught almost straight away. They weren’t quite the stamp of fish he was hoping for though, mainly rudd and the odd small F1 thrown, but he persevered and after an hour was rewarded when bigger F1s and carp moved into his swim, whereupon he caught steadily for the remainder of the match to put 148lb 14oz on the scales.
In second place, drawn on Covey Five peg 105, was Brian Shepherd who caught over 200 F1s to 2lb to finish with 127lb 11oz. His tactic was different to the winner, using 6 mm pellet at 11 metres and at depth. Third place went to another regular Fish ‘O’ Mania competitor, Neil Machin who drew Holbar peg 12 and fished pellet and paste to record a total of 122lb 10oz catching carp to 8lb.
The Fish ‘O’ Mania action heads to Woodlands View Fishery, Droitwich for heat 14 tomorrow (05 June)
