First Ton Of 2025!

A narrow and uninspiring peg 11 on Jennys

Saturday I was on the Winter Challenger at Tunnel Barn, held on Top and Jennys, with one qualifier off each lake. I sadly drew peg 11 on Jennys and knew I’d struggle to qualify off that. It’s the narrowest peg on the lake, only 11m and the first peg they’d normally take out if they can. It still holds fish, but usually just small F1s with an outside chance of a carp.

Nevertheless I’ve had a decent days winter sport, catching 45lb, but miles behind Andy Power’s 80lb+ off peg 6 and Paul Holland’s 60lb off 8. I’ve surprisingly still come 3rd on the lake and 3rd in the match but sadly no envelope.

Peg 10 on Lake 3 – the epicentre!

Sunday I fancied a change of scenery so booked on the open at Makins, which was split across Thames, Reptile and Lake 3. I’ve drawn peg 10 on Lake 3 and was quickly told it was the best section in the red-hot area!

It took an hour to catch my first fish, which was a chunky carp on a 6mm Fluoro Bandum wafter. Thirty minutes later they’ve finally settled on my pole line and I’ve had a brilliant day fishing pellets and maggots, catching 40lb of F1s and 60lb of carp for a 100lb 13oz total and the match win. That was double the next weight so I was clearly in the winter epicentre!

Saturday I used 8-10 Slik in short kits but geared up Sunday with 12-14 Slik in a long kit as the carp always pull back a bit at Makins. Deep peg, too, so I’ve used a 0.75g Matrix Finesse Slim Carbon, which seemed ideal.

The first of many 100lbs I hope this year!

You may also like...