Landsend open.

Off to Landsend today for one of Tony Rixon's open matches. We were on lake 3 today and as I've only fished it once, about two years ago, I can't say I know much about it. Left home at 8 o'clock for a nice drive down the M5 and got there in plenty of time for a nice cooked breakfast in the recently opened cafe on the venue. And very nice it was too.  Into the draw bag and first I hand off one to Tony Rixon and he wasn't too unhappy I'd given him peg 50. I drew 70 for myself which was a corner peg with a spit sticking out at 14 meters. Gotta admit with the wind forcast I was glad to see I was well sheltered from the wind. Plenty of options so I set up a .15 mugger with a size 16 to .015 to fish along the end bank.  Another .15 mugger, same end gear, to fish the deeper water tight over at 14 meter by the spit. A  .4 pencil with a 16 to .13 to fish 2+2  and at 9 meters out in front. And two more rigs on heavier gear to fish meat in the right hand margin at 4 meters and at 9 meters to my right to fish meat between the bankside reeds and a weed bed. Think I had it all covered. After feeding all lines it was out on the 2+2 pellet rig. Feeding three pellets every couple of minutes I was sure I'd be into a few F1's but it was a slow start. First fish was a nice silver ghosty after about 15 minutes then it was A wait for the next bite. Ten minutes later another small ghosty was in the net, then no more bites. So it was out to the 9 meter line and after just one missed bite in 15 minutes it was out to the spit. I'd been flicking 4mm pellets over there from the start and was pleased to see the float bury straight away and the elastic shoot out. A nice common of 5lb in the net another smaller one followed shortly but as before the bites died. Joe McMahon opposite had only a couple of small fish at this time and Rod Wooton next to him was also struggling for bites. As was Kev Molton next to me. We were all getting the same problem, struggling to get more than one or two bites in any one spot. Time to try the end bank. First drop in and straight into a small carp. But it was very snaggy and next drop in found a carp burried in the snags. Then no bites. The pattern continued. Back to the spit and straight into a good fish that went straight into the end bank snags. Bugger. That pattern continued for a while get one fish then move. Loose one in The snag then no bites. Very frustrating. Time for the meat lines. The short margin was void of life and the long line only produced roach and Rudd. So it was a case of regularly switching around picking off odd fish switching between 6 and 4mm pellets. The short margin did produce three late on including one pushing double figures.  At the end I got to admit I was in agony with my knee as stiff as hell from being sat all day. I thought I had 50lb tops today so wasn't confident of collecting any coin. Joe was first to wiegh and the few big fish he took late pushed the scales round to 84lb 12oz which gave him second place on the day. Walking round the other side and it was a different world. They had all been pummeled by the fierce wind and I was glad I wasn't over there. Martin Laneghan wieghed 106lb 6oz for the win with nearly all carp from peg 61. I managed 59lb 14oz for third. All in all it was a tough day for most with the wind. With the sheltered pegs doing best. First in the silvers was Tony with 8 lb 9oz, and he took great joy in rubbing Rods nose in it after beating him by just a few ounces. I guess revenge will be sweet.

1st Martin Laneghan 106 - 6.
2nd Joe McMahan 84 - 12.
3rd Stuart Barnett 59 - 14

1st in silvers Tony Rixon 8 - 9
2nd Rod Wooton 8 - 3