Overcast conditions with a light breeze greeted the 130 competitors at the fifth Fish ‘O’ Mania qualifier at Gold Valley Lakes, Aldershot, Hampshire on Wednesday 23rd April 2014.  

It was perfect conditions for catching carp you might think, but sadly no, for many it was a dour struggle resulting in only a couple of fish by the end of the day.  But that did not phase three of the Gold Valley regulars whom drew well, and showed their impressive local knowledge to each break the magic ton barrier. 

29 year old Pemb Wrighting (Guru/Bagum Baits), a Plasterer from Whitehill, near Bordon saw off some big names by taking the one and only qualifying place after catching 115-15-0 of carp up to 13 lb.  Pemb caught on pellet and method feeder to fish against the island at peg 5 on Gold Lake.  

Jeb Attwood (Gold Valley), a builder from Wavendon, Bucks does not own a pole, and having drawn an out and out pole peg in the corner of Middle Lake he was very thankful of Graham Dack after he lent him his pole for the day. 

Despite Jeb not having used a pole for a while he soon got into the swing of things by hauling out carp up to 12 lb by fishing sweetcorn down the edge into the corner of his peg. 

His catch of 104-8-0 was just ever so slightly ahead of third placed Richard Taylor (Sensas SE) whom put 103-6-0 onto the scales. 

Richard, a tackle shop owner from Tonbridge and fishes for DELCAC, caught using white boilies and method feeder at peg 49 opposite the winner on Gold Lake.  Some big Fish ‘O’ Mania names picked up section wins and double Champion Nathan Watson made fifth place, but no one got near the top three who were outstanding on a very hard day.

The Angling Trust would like to thank John and Will Raison and their staff at Gold Valley Lakes for making the day run smoothly.

The Fish ‘O’ Mania trail now moves to Maver Larford Lakes, Worcestershire for the sixth qualifier this year on Saturday 26th April.

Top 6 results
1st        Pemb Wrighting         Guru/Bagum Baits    115-15-0
2nd       Jeb Attwood              Gold Valley               104-8-0
3rd        Richard Taylor           Sensas SE                103-6-0
4th        Matthew Crowe          Norwich                     69-8-0
5th        Nathan Watson           Louth                        68-8-0
6th        Louis Lopes                Fleet                         61-14-0