Tunnel Barn Farm played host to the seventh round of Fish’O’Mania XXV of Wednesday and 106 anglers made their way from around the country to the midlands F1 Hotspot. Conditions on the match were very changeable with bright sunshine and some heavy showers, however this didn’t seem to deter the fish!
Several anglers got off to a good start with a few big names in the mix; Jon Arthur with an unfavourable draw on Extension peg 4, Lee Thornton on House 29 had taken a few fish down his margins, and the reigning champ Jamie Hughes was also out of the blocks in a flash.
Come the end of the five hours there were a few anglers admitting to over 150lbs, but it was Mr Fish’O’Mania himself, Jamie Hughes, that had done it again with a massive 193lb 5oz. Jamie drew peg 17 on Club pool and fished a relatively simple match on pellet to take carp to 8lb. Jamie now has the chance to be both the first back to back champion and four-time winner!
Second on the day was the ever-consistent three times finalist Jon Arthur with 172lb 2oz from Extension pool peg 4. Jon caught on both caster shallow and meat down the edges, taking smaller F1s to 2lb. John remarked ‘Thankfully Jamie’s out of the way so us mere mortals can now qualify’.
Rounding out the top three on the day was Lee Thornton, who travelled all the way down from Merseyside for a shot at qualification. Lee drew House pool peg 29 and put together an impressive 166lb 11oz. Lee’s tactics were Maggots shallow and few fish short on pellet.
A huge thanks to Sarah, Mike and the team at Tunnel for hosting another very well received qualifier. Our thanks must also go to Joe Roberts for running the event. The eighth qualifier moves to Heronbrook Fisheries on May 2nd and there are still a few tickets to be swooped through the link below.
RESULTS:
1. Jamie Hughes 193lb 5oz
2. Jon Arthur 172lb 2oz
3. Lee Thornton 166lb 11oz
4. Nick Smith 162lb 5oz
5. Adam Richards 158lb 9oz
