2017 Junior Carp Match Blunts Mere
This year’s junior carp match was held at Blunts Mere at the weekend. We had a good turnout with only one angler unable to make it.
The draw was done at 9 sharp and the juniors made their way to their swims. They all looked pretty keen.
10 o’clock the match started and the competition was on.
- Archie Eaglestone was the first to draw and pulled peg 7, which was on the island. He worked hard all day, but unfortunately the fish didn’t play ball and there was no fish caught.
- Jack Andrews drew second and pulled peg 6, also on the island. Jack was off to a flyer with the first fish caught at 13lb 2oz, he then proceeded to try every method he could, but no more fish for him.
- Ellie Jones drew another island swim, peg 5. She was using the pellet waggler and a zig rig on her second rod, spraying pellet over the top. However, she didn’t manage to catch any fish.
- Lewis Bradbrook drew peg 9, the first one off of the island. Lewis had a powerful take that took him straight into a snag and unfortunately he lost it. However, he persevered and managed to catch one more at 8lb 6oz.
- Liam Chamberlain drew peg 11, which was up the other end of the lake, where the wind was pushing up towards him. Liam had a slow start but decided to change tactics after lunch, which got him on the fish. He managed to catch 5 fish, totalling a weight of 50lb 6oz, resulting in him winning the match.
- James Bull, one of our younger competitors, drew peg 1, the first swim on the island. James did very well, chopping and changing his approach and an hour before the match ended, he managed to catch 2 carp, weighing in at 22lb 10oz.
- Jethro, our youngest angler, drew peg 8. He was patient all day but unfortunately no fish for him.
- Ben Harding drew peg 13, which was the last peg at the top of the lake. He tried all tactics including float fishing with luncheon meat. He caught 4 fish, totalling a weight of 39lb 10oz with his biggest fish weighing in at 11lb. this resulted in Ben receiving 3rdplace.
- Poppy Kennett drew peg 10, half way up the lake. She had a slow start, but constantly fed her swim with pellet, which led her to catching 2 fish, totalling to 18lb 8oz.
- Jack Houghton drew peg 15, also half way up the lake. He tried a variety of tactics; however no fish graced his landing net.
- Jordan Sage drew peg 4, another one on the island, did everything he could but no fish from peg 4.
- Danny Chamberlain drew peg 3, also on the island. Again tried to encourage the fish to feed but no luck.
- Alastair McGregor drew peg 14, he was using PVA bags and the fish seemed to like them as he landed 4 fish, totalling 39lb 10oz, which put him in second place due to having the same weight as Ben, in peg 8. However, Alastair caught the biggest fish of the day, at 16lb, which was discussed by myself and the marshal team to reward him second place.
- Toby Price drew peg 2, the final peg on the island. He worked really hard, like all the anglers competing, but no fish for him.
Winner Liam Chamberlain received 5kg of DT Bait +2 x Nash Siren S5R Alarms & Receiver + £40 Angling Direct Voucher + a set of custom distance sticks from Elite Tackle.
2nd Place Alastair McGregor received 5kg of DT Baits + 1x Nash terminal tackle pack + £30 Angling Direct Voucher + Advanta Landing Net.
3rd Place Ben Harding received 5kg of DT Bait + Nash Bait Cap + £20 Angling Direct Voucher + Advanta Cradle.
Angler of the day James Bull received 1kg of DT bait + £25 Angling Direct Voucher + a set of Elite Tackle Bobbin Heads.
I would like to say a massive thankyou to our sponsor, DT Baits, for supplying all anglers with bait and extra bait for the winners, organised by Paul Bocking.
Also to Nash Tackle for their donation for 1st 2nd 3rd prizes organised by Barry Davis
I would like to say a special thankyou to Kieran and the boys at Angling Direct Rayleigh for their donation of prizes and all the net floats for all the anglers.
I would like to thank the Air Dry Boilie Bag Company for supplying all anglers with an air dry bag. Organised by Barry Davis
I would like to thank Elite Tackle for the distance sticks and Bobbin Heads organised by Paul Bocking.
Thanks to our team of marshals who gave up there Sunday to help out, Lee Chamberlain, Mitchel Branton, Lee Goodchild, Mick Mosely, Phil Watts and Ian Stokes.
I would like to say thanks to one of our senior members Graham Blake. Who came over and walked round with me giving all the anglers tips.
And last but not least the parents and carers without them there wouldn’t have been a match.
I Hope to see you all again next year.
Mark Jones
