Two Out Of Three And A Tinca

Just been on the Daiwa Pole Fishing Masters three-dayer at the fabulous Tunnel Barn.

Hoped for a nice flyer to kick things off, so was disappointed to draw New 23 on Day One. Not the greatest, plus the wind ruled out fishing across. I’ve had a really tough day nicking an odd fish here and there, mostly small F1s for 71lb. That only beat one in the seven-man section. Not the start I was hoping for.

Well done Tom Edwards to my right who’s won the section, catching really well fishing long shallow into his corner. My peg was last in section the next two days, though, which was some consolation, but I also know I didn’t fish the best.

Day Two I wasn’t feeling 100 per cent but drew a very nice peg 13 on Canal. Really hot and still conditions with carp spawning in the reeds opposite most of the day. A few fish on worms at the start, then just fished casters all over the peg.

Loads of fish were less than 1lb, so I got my clicking totally wrong and had actually caught a lot more than I realised. I totalled 134lb for a lake win and 5th overall for a good pick-up. Highlight was a rare little Tunnel Barn tench on my very last drop.

Day Three I was up nice and early and even had time to retie a load of rigs. Circumstances then went a bit downhill and I ended up getting to the venue really late. Thankfully when I eventually arrived Sarah had drawn me a very nice peg 31 on House.

With overnight rain and a strong wind it’s fished a lot different and the weights have dipped a bit. I hoped to catch shallow but it’s actually been a deck match, fishing maggots and casters short plus a few on worm. My 96lb of big F1s was 2nd on the lake behind Gareth Walklate’s 108lb from House 6.

So two good days and one dipper. Not too bad in the end. A huge well done to the ever-consistent Andy Bennett winning it for the third time and all the other framers. Well done Daiwa, Catch More Media and everyone at Tunnel Barn for such a well run event.

Gearwise I’ve used my trusty Matrix XTR 700 pole with 2m Short Kits and 1.7m F1 Super Short Kits each day and mostly red 10-12 Slik elastic. Floats were 0.2g and 0.3g Stubby Slims, 0.4g Carbon Slims, 0.4g Mud Lines and 0.1g Dibber Shallows. Maggots, casters and a bit of worm, plus the obligatory Sonubaits Match Method Mix on the side tray.

Looking forward to a rest and then a bit of river fishing now.