KAYLEIGH SMITH, the 27-year-old England International from Leeds defended the Fish’O’Mania Ladies title as she beat Emma Pickering by 4 kg to claim the crown. Smith, who works as a research scientist, lifted the same trophy a year at Cudmore for the first time. It was Kayleigh’s fourth trip to Fish’O’Mania.
She said, ““I had a big fish with 15-20 minutes to go that has probably been 12 or 13lbs and probably won me the match. I feel a bit sorry for Emma, she lost one around the same time which would have probably have put her in front.
“I went out and within the first half hour had one but then it died and I didn’t get any fish. I fed down the edge and had four bigger carp down there. I had to wait for them and I lost a couple of foul hookers but I managed to get a couple of big ones and that’s won me it.
“I have had a good year and hopefully it will continue – we have Ladies National next year, but defending this title I didn’t think I’d be able to do on a venue like this – it’s mainly carp and I prefer F1 fishing but it shows if you are in it, you can win it.”
| COMPETITORS | PEG | WEIGHT |
| KAYLEIGH SMITH | 6 | 21.210kg |
| EMMA PICKERING | 3 | 17.050kg |
| SANDRA SCOTTHORNE | 4 | 16.600kg |
| ABBI KENDALL | 1 | 11.250kg |
| SAMANTHA SIM | 2 | 10.800kg |
| JULIE ABBOTT | 5 | 5.325kg |
