Thinking angler Giles Cochrane takes you through a simple yet deadly approach that just keeps on winning him matches!
When tackling any commercial in the winter there are a few basic approaches that work well and have done for years but, due to the popularity of certain methods, ultimately they lose their effectiveness. Perhaps it has more to do with the ease and convenience of the approach and the number of anglers using them that leads to fish wising up and becoming more difficult to catch.
The Method feeder and pole, for example, now result in much lower weights than they did in previous years and consequently, I seldom set up either through the winter. Chucking the Method through the summer does account for some respectable weights of fish but it’s nowhere near as effective as a straight lead and loose-feeding approach, simply because the fish have associated it with danger and have learned to avoid it.
Angler's Name
Weight (lbs/oz)
Peg # / Lake
Rob Wootton (Dynamite Baits)
146-09-00
2 (Lake 1)
Jon Whincup (Frenzee / Bait-Tech)
145-08-00
17 (Lake 1)
Andrew Bailey (Daiwa Dons)
141-07-00
109 (Lake 7)
Keiron Rich (Middy)
127-14-00
1 (Lake 1)
Bryan Travis
119-11-00
105 (Lake 7)
Barry Mason (Guru / Bag 'Em Baits)
116-11-00
98 (Lake 7)
Stephen Rothery
108-13-00
38 (Lake 2)
Simon Fry (Garbolino)
108-09-00
100 (Lake 7)
The 2017 Mega Match This qualifier campaign began on a high with a sell-out event at The Glebe. Conditions on the day were very cold for the first couple of hours with quite a blustery Westerly wind, which eased off during the latter stages of the match. Temperatures, as a result, warmed up a couple of degrees, which saw respectable weights recorded given the time of year.
First to secure his place in the minimum £50,000 Match This Grand Final on Saturday September 2nd was Dynamite Baits rod, Rob Wootton.
Last Thursday, I decided to do something a little bit different, and do a feature with the guys from fishing in the northwest. The lads are great and do some great work, helping new anglers gain lots of information and tips on, loads of north-west commercials and natural waters.
After a bit of discussion, we decided to pay Lloyds Meadow Fishery a visit, the lake we fished was Badger, A lake I fished for the first time only a few weeks ago. This time was decided to go for some of bigger carp in the lake on the pole, now the weather had improved.
Angler's Name
Weight (lbs/oz)
Peg # / Lake
Leigh Hodgkinson (Marukyu)
64-12-00
68 (Adams)
Andrew Bailey (Daiwa Dons)
58-11-00
42 (Island)
Martin Wood (Markham Main)
56-02-00
80 (Adams)
Liam Miller (Barnsley Bait & Tackle / Frenzee)
49-09-00
47 (Adams)
Luke Hawksworth (Colmic Woodlands)
46-11-00
36 (Adams)
Andrew Fulleylove
45-10-00
69 (Adams)
David Burley (Hayfield Lakes)
44-05-00
12 (Island)
Kevin Smith
43-14-00
81 (Adams)
The second Mega Match This qualifier in as many days marked another sell out event at Maver Hayfield Lakes. Conditions on the day were mixed with temperatures overnight dropping as low as 3°C coupled with period of bright warm sunshine later in the afternoon. Fishing on the day was extremely difficult with many anglers catching just odd fish. That said, however, despite the weights being relatively low, it was an incredibly close match which, going into the final hour, anyone could have won.
Lewis Breeze explains how to make the most of your peg, if you are lucky enough to draw opposite the moored boats in a marina.
Words and photos: Steve Martin
The UK’s canal system can be almost as busy as its motorway network during the summer months. However, once the cooler weather arrives, most canal boats are moved to moorings to overwinter in a marina. Once moored, the boats create the perfect sanctuary for fish to use as protection from predators in the clear-water conditions.
UK Championships has new Sponsors
The long-running and highly successful UK Angling Championship has a new sponsor.
Cresta Match / Gamakatsu have recently been announced as the new sponsors in a deal which secures the future and TV coverage of one of the UK’s most credible and highest profile competitions.
The UK Champs has been running since 1984 and has been won by some of the biggest names in history. Dick Clegg, Alan Scotthorne, Tommy Pickering and in more recent years the likes of Jon Arthur, and angling young gun Andy Power who is the current champion.
Match/Event Name:*
Saturday Open Match
Date (dd/mm/yyyy):*
25. 03. 17
Location of Match:*
Covey 1, 2, 3, 4, 6
Number of Pegs/Anglers:*
86
Report:
A warmer and drier weekend at Partridge Lakes, bringing a great turn out of anglers and atmosphere around the fishery. A few different baits being used across the complex including maggot, pellet, worm, caster.
Match/Event Name:*
Sunday Open Match
Date (dd/mm/yyyy):*
26. 03. 17
Location of Match:*
Covey 1,2, 3, 4,
Number of Pegs/Anglers:*
57
Report:
For Sundays Open Match there were limited spaces available due to the final round of the Winter League (Teams of Four) so 57 anglers fished on Covey 1, 2, 3, 4 with the water temperature rising, Winner Ste Openshaw caught on caster shallow. Congratulations to Mike Hayes who has qualified for the Partridge High Flyer, The All Winners Final in October as Ste has already qualified!!
Top 3 Anglers & Weights:
Winner:
Ste Openshaw
Lbs
105
Oz
01
Sponsor:
Lingmere Fishery
Runner Up:
Mike Hayes
Lbs
90
Oz
07
Sponsor:
Third Place:
John Vernon
Lbs
60
Oz
13
Sponsor:
.
Match/Event Name:*
Black Prince Fishing Club
Date (dd/mm/yyyy):*
26/03/2017
Location of Match:*
Bowsaw Lake (Bowsaw+Billhook Fishery)
Number of Pegs/Anglers:*
11
Report:
James caught most of his carp on pellet waggler, Gavin and Steve caught on method feeder.
Top 3 Anglers & Weights:
Winner:
James Horton
Lbs
133
Oz
8
Sponsor:
none
Runner Up:
Gavin Thomson82
Lbs
82
Oz
8
Sponsor:
none
Third Place:
Steve Ward
Lbs
57
Oz
10
Sponsor:
none
. . .
Daiwa are pleased to announce that well known and highly popular match angler Cameron Hughes has joined Daiwa UK’s consultancy team. Based in Derby, Cameron has extensive match fishing experience at home and across Europe, having already represented England at International level.
Daiwa UK’s Deputy MD, Robin Morley comments – “We are delighted to bring someone with Cameron’s youth on aboard. He is very well known in the match scene, has an excellent background in the sport and we are looking forward to his input.
