Larford Lakes hosted this Fish ‘O’ Mania qualifier on Sunday which saw 110 anglers compete in very changeable conditions. Finicky fish were tricky to tempt at first but ton-up weights were eventually needed to make the top five.

First on the day and qualifying for the final was Ben Sharp (Maver) from Melton Mowbray who drew on peg 64 on the Specimen Lake. Ben fished a steady match catching quality carp to 18lb and working hard for his 126lb 4oz. Tactics were method feeder and banded pellet early on and then switching to long pole shallow later in the day.

Runner-up was Mike Williams who travelled from Mynydd Cerrig in South Wales and drew just down from Ben on peg 67 Specimen Lake. Mike amassed 106lb 10oz in the five hours which consisted mainly of carp caught on both method feeder and bomb with pellet hook baits.

Pushing Mike close was Glen Picton (Garbolino) who took third position from peg 74 of the Specimen Lake. Glen missed out by just 1lb with 105lb 10oz rounding off a very close affair on the far side of the Specimen Lake. Glen also caught on the method and bomb, this time on a 10mm wafter.

Fourth spot went to Mark Malin from Studley who drew peg 72 on Specimen Lake and caught 103lb 10oz. Rounding off the top five was Rob Wiltshire from Caerphilly who caught 102lb.

Our thanks to Phil Briscoe and his team at Larford Lakes for hosting another cracking qualifier, despite the weather.

Next round of the Fish ’O’ Mania qualifiers is at Boldings Pools (Bridgnorth). Online bookings are closed for the event but there will still be a small number of tickets available on the day at the fishery.

Results;
1st Ben Sharp 126lb 4oz
2nd Mike Williams 106lb 10oz
3rd Glen Picton 105lb 10oz
4th Mark Malin 103lb 10oz
5th Rob Wiltshire 102lb 0oz