The first Fish ‘O’ Mania qualifier for 2014 took place on Saturday 5th April at Bait-tech Viaduct Fishery, Somerset.
The weather was overcast, but the sun did shine on the winner Kevin Dicks of Bathhampton. Kevin a Senior Clerk of Works was fishing for Maver, Bathhampton. Drawing peg 86 on Cary Lake. Fishing either waggler or the bomb, to 0.18 lines with 14/16 P911 hook, Kevin fed nearly two pints of 6m pellets during the match. He took carp up to 16 lbs and with some 19 fish taken to the scales for a winning weight of 149 lbs 6 ozs booking his place in the grand final at Cudmore Fishery in July.
A long drive from Surrey saw Peter Upperton fishing for Middy draw peg 66 on Lodge Lake. Fishing 14.5 m down the edge on luncheon meat to an over- hanging tree, Peter used nearly two tins cut to 4/6 mm cubes fished on a 12 hook, to take second in the match with 134 lbs 12 ozs of an all carp catch to 16 lbs.
Robert Jones of Neath fishing under the Frenzee South West banner draw peg 87 Cary and on the next peg to the winner. Fishing the bomb and pellet waggler with 8 mm and 11 mm pellets. Robert took carp up to 16 lbs plus four skimmers for third place with 116 lbs 8 ozs. Local Angler Dan Squire of Somerton drew peg 120 Campbell, fishing the long pole with either pellet or caster to take 23 carp and 4 tench for fourth place with 115 lbs, and fifth place was taken by Robert Giles of Blackwood, another member of the Frenzee South West team. Robert drew peg 96 Cary, fishing the pellet waggler, carp to 15 lbs which made up his final weight of 112 lbs 01 ozs.
