Q1 and Q2 Results!

The inaugural 2014 Fox Rage backed British Lure Angling Championship, got off to a flying start with 36 anglers sharing a 125 fish catch on the Exeter Ship Canal. With overcast and breezy conditions most anglers targeted the good head of quality pike that the venue is known to hold. During the first couple of hours of the event this proved a good tactic, with a number of pike landed. The best fish being a specimen of 79cm to Piotr Malinowski, from Slough. However, as the day wore on many of the visiting saltwater LRF (Light Rock Fishing) anglers began to catch good numbers of perch using both drop shot and jig tactics.

At the prize giving it proved that targeting smaller perch had indeed been a winning tactic. Adam Kirby, from Hampshire running away with first place having amassed an overall catch length of 498cm. Adam(37) said  ‘ I’m incredibly stoked to qualify. I’m proud to represent the rapidly growing number of modern lure anglers and I’m really looking forward to the researching and planning stage ahead of the grand final – I never tire of learning new skills!’  In second place was Piotr Malinowski with 3 pike for 207cm, narrowly beating third placed Dean Pilgrim on 205cm. The top three will be joined in the final at Chew Valley by Dan Sissons, Rado Pipiewski and Mariusz Rokicinski.

Just six days later, 36 anglers took part in the second qualifying event. This time on the RDAA stretch of the Kennet and Avon canal at Froxfield. At almost 2km, the stretch gave competitors plenty of room to explore. However, it was A section right beside the site of the draw that produced the early fish. With a number of pike and small perch caught around the resident house boats. Those who opted to fish further down the stretch were rewarded with some large perch topped by a stunning 36cm fish for Surrey’s Matt Boast. With the fish spread out, and falling to methods as varied as drop shot, crank baits, jigs and spinners it proved a close affair.

With all the catch cards in, it proved to be Grzegorz Pawlak who had taken first place with 3 pike and 13 perch for 266cm. Only just beating Q1 winner Adam Kirby, with an all perch catch of 241cm. Mariusz Rokicinski, Greg Bafia, Mark Taylor, and Paul Parnell completing the top six. With over 100 fish caught on the day competitors needed a total catch of over 150cm to make the top six. However, all was not lost for those who just missed out, as both Adam Kirby and Mariusz Rokicinski had already qualified. Meaning that 7^th and 8^th placed anglers Ben Church and Piotr Kruszewski had earned their place in the Grand Final.

Event organiser, Julian Chidgey said, ‘The next qualifying event takes place on April the 29^th at Chew Valley Reservoir, where we should see some amazing catches. So far the guys using smaller lures have done well, but I think this will be turned on its head as we tackle the big pike of Chew and then the Grand Union Canal a fortnight later. The events have a great friendly atmosphere, and it’s great to see so many anglers taking part’.  

There are tickets available for all the remaining events and you can enter now through the webpage (www.lurematch.blogspot.com). 

Grand Final announcement !

Just one month after we first launched the competition I am proud to say that the response has been amazing! As part of my aim to make this a showcase event for the sport, I have been working hard to source a venue for the final that will make it a real blockbuster!

I am pleased to announce that the 2014 Fox Rage British Lure Angling Championship final will take place at Chew Valley reservoir, on Saturday October 4th.  As you will no doubt be aware, the catches of pike and perch taken at the venue are unprecedented; this event will give those who qualify the chance to experience the sport for themselves. Whilst competing to become the British Lure Angling Champion!

A recent 38lb 8oz pike from Chew Valley for Ian Nadin.

However, it doesn't stop there! I can also announce that we have an additional qualifier also taking place at Chew Valley (Boat fishing) on Tuesday 29^th April, costing just £25 per person. Due to the costs involved I won’t be able to offer LAS member’s further discount for this event.  The lake has never been fished with lures at this time of year, and I predict huge catches which will most likely feature numerous 30lb pike and 4lb perch. Quite simply, this is a once in a lifetime opportunity for keen lure anglers. 

To make it fair to those who are supporting the wider event, application for the Chew Valley qualifier will be for people who have also applied for two other BLAC events, within this year’s calendar. If you haven’t already applied you will be able to apply for the other two (or more) qualifiers at the same time as the Chew event.

On Friday 28th February from 0900, we will accept applications for the Chew event. All you will need to supply is a completed Application Form . All applications are by email to our usual address (lurematch@gmail.com). We will then get back to you, offering the first 60 people tickets. 

There is no need to provide payment at the initial stage; you will be invited to do so if you are one of the lucky 60.

2014 Fox Rage British lure angling championships, events list.

In order to give anglers the best chance of qualifying we have selected various waters spread across the UK. You can enter as many qualifying matches as wish in your bid to reach the National Final.

Q1- Exeter Ship Canal, Sunday April 6th 2014.

The road to the final starts in the South West this year, and what an opening venue we have in store for you! The Exeter canal offers exceptional predator sport with a huge head of perch from a few ounces to over 4lb, which could play into the hands of our local LRF experts who we expect to see entering this fixture. Not to be outdone, the pike in this venue grow huge with recent specimens of over 30lb having been landed (see image below of event organiser Julian Chidgey with a 31lb 2oz pike from the venue).  As if that's not enough, the last couple of years have also seen a number of huge catfish landed so this event is really going to be a tactical affair.

Q2- Kennet and Avon Canal, Froxfield. Saturday 12th April 2014. 

This popular venue offers some of the best canal predator sport in the UK, catches of 50+ perch in a day are common place, with individual fish over 4lb being landed every season. Will it be an out and out perch match? That depends on the mood of the pike, as it would only take a few of the many resident double figure pike to put in an appearance and we could see a very interesting event.

A typical K and A canal perch

Q3- Chew Valley Reservoir, Tuesday April 29th. *** Now Sold Out***

Our one boat-based qualifier. For the first time in history Chew opens to predator fishing outside of the normal predator trials. This wonder water has produced over 50 pike in excess of 35lb+, as well as huge perch. This qualifier is only open to those who also enter two other events.

Q4- Grand Union Canal (Lemington Spa)  Sunday 11th May 2014.

This stretch of the Grand Union Canal run by the Lure Anglers Society, will be the one to target for those of you based in the Midlands. Prospects look amazing with large shoals of good sized perch, a few larger pike as well as a great head of zander. With a meeting point at a canal side pub, and a function room booked afterwards for prize giving and drinks, this should be a great social event for all involved.

Q5- River Thames (Oxford) Saturday 5th July 2014.

7lb chub, 5lb perch, big pike and even zander, this event is going to offer competitors the chance of a real mixed bag. In test sessions (drop-shot and micro jigs) it seemed like every swim held at least a few predators so this should be a match where everyone should be getting a few bites. There is little doubt that the Thames is one of the UK's top predator rivers, so it will be interesting to see what turns up on the day.

Q6- Regents Canal (London) Saturday 6th September. 

In cities across the world street or urban lure fishing is growing in popularity. In this event competitors get the chance to explore an inner city venue known to hold big predators of several species in particular perch, pike and chub. This truly is a qualifier where anything could turn up!

Q7- Stainforth and Keadby Canal, Saturday 13th September. 

This water has a great reputation for big predators, with regular catches of good perch and some enormous pike. A popular venue that can throw up huge catches or a personal best for those entering.


Q8- Leeds Liverpool Canal (North West) Sunday 14th September.

The top lock to Chorley stretch proudly hosts the Division 2 national such is the head of silver fish present. Needless to say many predatory fish are resident too, with pike and perch being the target species. Tactics will be all important on the day, will it be a bag of perch or a big pike that see's the top 6 through to the final?

Q9-Ferry Meadows, Peterborough, Sunday 21st September 2014. 

Ferry Meadows is a picturesque country park near Peterborough. This stunning water features 160 pegs, gin clear water and a great head of pike, perch and zander. With 80 acres to go at there will be plenty of choice for competitors whether targeting the margins for pike, or deeper water spots for zander.

Grand Final- 4th October

CHEW VALLEY RESERVOIR!!!

30 boats, 60 anglers, HUGE fish, SKY TV, £1000 prize!!!

Our aim at the British Lure Angling Championships is to give you an opportunity to compete against like minded lure anglers, with the winner becoming the 2014 Fox Rage British Lure Angling Champion!

Over the coming months we will be holding qualifiers up and down the UK, so all anglers have a chance to fish in their region. You can of course, enter as many qualifiers as you wish. The top six anglers (longest cumulative length of fish landed)  from each qualifying event go through to the televised (Sky Sports) National Final, which will be held in late Autumn at a top venue. The overall winner walks away with £1000, as well as the prestige of winning the event. Runners up in the final, and all those who qualify will also receive great tackle prizes from our sponsor top lure brand Fox Rage!

The dawn of a new era for UK lure angling...

Our concept is simple and fair with anglers drawing a partner on the day, and spending the allotted time (6 hours) with that person. All fish are measured and released, your partner on the day witnessing catches and signing your catch card. This gives you a chance to spend the day with another keen lure angler, and I am sure many new angling friendships will be made along the way. We have set the entry fee at £25 per qualifying event (this includes your day ticket and match fees!), so that the competition is accessible to all anglers.

There is a short, simple list of common sense rules to follow which is issued to all entrants, as well as a map of the fishing areas. Anglers will need to secure a ticket in advance of the event, payment on the day or turning up without applying will result in anglers being turned away.

How to enter-

-Simply download an Application Form and a copy of the Rules.
-Return the application form to lurematch@gmail.com, along with your entry fee (£25 per event) which can be paid by cheque or Paypal.
-You will then issued with your ticket, map, and rules.  

Could you become the British Champion this year?

I hope to meet you all at the events over the coming months.

Julian Chidgey

Event Organiser.