Gianoncelli & Bowman win first round of PF Pairs.
Frankie Gianoncelli and his partner on the day, Ian Bowman have won the first round of the Preston Innovations backed Pole Fishing pairs league at Barston Lakes and Packington Somers Fishery near Solihull.
Taking place at four of the UK’s best commercial fisheries, the Preston Innovations Pole Fishing Pairs Championship is a pole only winter league, with an overall prize pot of £5,000. To make the competition more interesting, carp are not allowed, and the only allowed baits are maggots, casters, pinkies, corn, hemp, worms, bloodworm, joker and groundbait.
Frankie won his section at Barston with a 22kg 725g net, and was supposed to be fishing with Nick Speed – though Nick was substituted on this round for Drennan Barnsley ace, Ian Bowman. Ian won his section at Packington Somers with 20.95kg. Frankie and Ian picked up £50 each for their section wins, and a cheque for a whopping £1,000 for being top pair on the day.
Close behind were Kamasan Starlets duo Brad Titmuss and Dan Varney, who also recorded two section wins, but lost out on weight countback finishing with a total of26kilo 175g.
Top weight at Barston, and winner of the match overall was Grant Albutt, from peg 120 on the road bank. Grant fed four balls of Bait-Tech’s sweet coconut groundbait, containing a generous amount of sweetcorn at 16m. After taking a few small fish from his short bloodworm line, Grant went long and caught quality skimmers and F1s fishing sweetcorn over his initial feed. Later in the day, he started loosefeeding sweetcorn via catapult to keep fish coming.
Runner up from the peg next to Grant was Drennan Barnsley ace, Lee Harrison. Lee caught quality skimmers and F1s on bloodworm for a final weight of 38 kilo 605g. Third in the match (and in the section) with a massive 36kg 625g was Alan Scotthorne. Alan also caught the bulk of his fish on the long pole with bloodworm.
Top weight at Packington Somers fell to Tri-Cast Weston Pools team Wales angler, John Harvey. John caught F1s on bloodworm early in the day, before changing to maggot, to finish with 25 F1s for a total weight of 31 kilo 400g.
Overall Result:
1 Grant Albutt (Matrix/ Bait-Tech) 36kg 625g (Barston 116)
2 Lee Harrison (Drennan Barnsley) 33kg 925g (Barston 122)
3 Alan Scotthorne (Drennan/ Sensas) 36kg 625g (Barston 116)
4 Nigel Bull (Shakespeare Superteam) 33kg 925g (Barston 118)
5 Andy May (MAP/ Bait Tech) 32kg 800g (Barston 110)
6 John Harvey (Tri-Cast Weston Pools) 31kg 400g (Little Gearys 27)
7 Eddie Brydon (Drennan Barnsley) 30kg 175g (Barston 92)
8 Lee Klimzcuk (Bait-Tech) 29kg 050g (Barston 70)
9 Tom Scholey (Pole Fishing) 28kg 550g (Barston 112)
10 Dan Tresigne (Barston) 28kg 150g (Barston 96)
