Fish’O’Mania XXV wound its way to the ever-consistent Tunnel Barn Farm for the second 2018 Qualifier. Upon arrival anglers were met with some awful conditions, temperatures were barely above freezing, and the snow was continuing to fall! At the draw bag there were a few noteworthy draws with Andy Bennett drawing New pool peg one and James Taylor drawing House peg seven, both having shown decent form in the recent cold conditions.

Contrary to many people’s expectations it was Extension pool that eventually threw up the winning weight and Mancunian Shaun Cooke was the elated second man to make the Hayfield final. Shaun caught steadily across the match for his 117lb 12oz which was made up F1’s and Carp to 3lb. Winning tactics were pole fished maggots, on light gear 0.10 hooklengths and size 20 hooks.

Second on the day was the Mancunian bagger Andy Bennett, Andy put a decent draw on New Pool peg one to good use and caught a level 92lb in the five hours. Andy also caught on pole fished maggots and took skimmers and F1’s to 3lb.

Rounding out the top three was James Taylor. James was another angler that had put in the miles to get to the qualifier, all the way from Bishops Stortford. James drew House peg seven and amassed a cracking 83lb 10oz in the five hours, catching F1’s short on pellet.

Our thanks must go to Sarah and all the staff for their assistance at the qualifier. Our next qualifier is at Viaduct fisheries on Saturday 7th April and at time of press there are three tickets remaining.

RESULTS:

1. Shaun Cooke 117lb 12ozs

2. Andy Bennett 92lb 10ozs

3. James Taylor 83lb 10ozs

4. Jason Redgrave 82lb 0oz

5. David Brown 82lb 0oz

6. Connor Barlow 77lb 15ozs