The weather forecast for this last Fish ‘O’ Mania qualifying heat of 2016 held at Garbolino Lindholme Lakes, Epworth on Wednesday 29th June was for persistent rain from 11am until around 4pm, and for a change it was almost spot on. 

Whilst the grim forecast had clearly deterred a number of anglers it was very disappointing for all involved in this final qualifier to have quite so many absentees.  That said it was undoubtedly their loss as Lindholme once again truly delivered the goods. It was an awesome match with 16 weights beating the “ton” and in one case 144 lbs was only good enough for a section win.

Bennys Pool produced the top two weights.  Winner with a tremendous 177 lbs 12 ozs was Harrogate angler Robert Minikin at peg 14.  He fished pellet shallow at 11metres to take F1’s to 1 ½ lbs.  Just a couple of fish behind was Barry Bush from Birkenhead. Barry fished pellet shallow on a top three to record a fabulous 173 lbs 3 ozs of  F1’s 10 just over a pound from peg 9. Both anglers, of course, qualify for the Finals at Cudmore on 8th and 9th July.

In third place was Geraint Powell who made his long journey from Beddau in Wales worthwhile by taking F1’s to 5 lb shallow on caster at Willows peg 42 to amass 162 lbs 3 ozs. Geraint used 6 pints of casters to keep the fish feeding.  Andy Geldart took fourth spot with the best weight from Bonsai. He put 152 lbs 7 ozs on the scales at peg 41. Fifth was Connor Barlow who weighed 150 lbs 5 ozs at Bennys 11 just ahead of  Nick Speed who finished with 148 lbs 10 ozs to clinch sixth place from Loco 34.