A sharp overnight frost greeted competitors in the fourth Fish ‘O’ Mania qualifier at Colemans Cottage Fishery, Essex on Saturday 20th April 2013, which slowed things up for quite a few anglers. Although first and second placed rods, Les Thompson and Marc Jones started catching from the start.
Former Fish ‘O’ Mania finalist and reigning Champion of Maver Match This Final, Les Thompson drew a fancied peg 4 on Copse Lake where he fished pellet shallow on long pole to net carp to 5 lb in his winning 167 lb net. Les made his long trip from the West Midlands very worthwhile especially as it was his first visit to the qualifying venue.
In runners up spot was a former Fish ‘O’ Mania Champion, Marc Jones from Wakefield. Marc drew peg 1 on Wood Lake where he fished pellets on long pole to a small island, and short down the edge to land carp to 7 lb, and some F1s for his 143 lb net. Third place went to Godmanchester angler Ricky Young representing Browning Hot Rods. Ricky fished pellet shallow for his 132 lb 8 oz net of carp biggest fish 10 lb. In fourth place was former Fish ‘O’ Mania finalist Geoff Valance (Preston Innovations Delcac), who fished dead maggots down the edge on Wood 17 for his net of carp and barbel with 131 lb 5oz. Fifth place went to another former finalist, Warren Martin (Matrix/Barford Tackle) from Lyng in Norfolk, who took top weight on Pathfield lake peg 3 with 117 lbs of carp and barbel on pole and pellet.
On the day Wood, Copse & Pathfield Lakes fished very well with the lowest of the 8 by 10 peg section weights being 72 lbs 8ozs, with 7 anglers weighing over the ton. Unfortunately Stepfield Lakes was rather off form where most anglers struggled for the odd fish.
Gold Valley Lakes in Aldershot is set to host the fifth Fish ‘O’ Mania qualifier on Wednesday 24th April 2013.
