Connor Barlow qualifies for Fish 'O' Mania final after win at Partridge Lakes

Connor Barlow has booked his spot at the Fish 'O' Mania final after winning the penultimate qualifier at Partridge Lakes.

The Warrington venue is considered by many to be one of the most picturesque and extremely well managed and hospitable venues in the country and has played host to many qualifiers over the years.

Cloudy and drizzly conditions greeted the 180 competitors that had booked in for this event and although the conditions were damp, it was expected that they would improve during the day.

The lakes in use were Covey 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 along with Holbar, Willow, Ribbon, Marsh and Spey, all of which were well stocked and pegged for this match to give the competitors as much room as possible.

Due to the varied weather conditions over the past weeks, changes in pressure, temperatures etc. many of the fish had not spawned properly and weights were not expected to be very high with 80lbs expected to win.

But the resulting weights were far bigger than predicted and Barlow was the eventual winner and 15th qualifier (Daiwa/Guru), with a weight of 154 lbs 11 ozs.

Drawn on Ribbon peg 8, one of the smaller lakes at this venue and stocked with mainly F1’s, he set his stall out to fish shallow at 11 metres as tight to the far bank reeds as he could. Using caster as feed and hook bait, he got through pour pints of caster during the match, with his biggest fish approximately 4lbs.

In second place, drawn on Holbar peg 16 with a weight of 101 lbs 14 ozs was Andy Bailey (Daiwa Dons). Initially starting on the bomb and pellet and then changing to the short pole he caught a mixed bag of carp, F1’s, barbel, skimmers and roach with his biggest fish being an 8lb Mirror.

Third place went to Wayne Kearney, (Tricast Rochdale), a joiner form Manchester with 93 lbs 11 ozs. Using groundbait and maggot down the edge he caught carp and F1’s with his biggest fish around 6 lb.

In fourth place with 91 lbs 11 ozs was Stu Conroy, while Grant Albutt took fifth place with 85 lbs 9 ozs.

The final Fish ‘O’ Mania qualifier for this year will be held at Garbolino Lindholme Lakes, Epworth, Doncaster on Wednesday June 24.