Tournament Reviews

Comprehensive coverage of fishing tournaments. Read detailed reviews, participant diaries, and stay updated with the latest competition events.

Tournament catch

"Golden Rod 2025" Tournament - Complete Review

The "Golden Rod 2025" tournament brought together 150 anglers from across the UK for three days of intense competition. The event was held at the beautiful Lake District, providing perfect conditions for competitive fishing.

Tournament Overview

The competition featured multiple categories including freshwater species, fly fishing, and match fishing. Participants competed for prizes and the prestigious "Golden Rod" trophy.

Final Results

Position Angler Total Weight Species
�� 1st Sarah Mitchell 28.5 kg Mixed
� 2nd James Thompson 26.3 kg Carp, Pike
�� 3rd Emma Wilson 24.8 kg Trout, Perch

Key Highlights

  • Sarah Mitchell's impressive 28.5 kg catch on the final day
  • Perfect weather conditions throughout the tournament
  • Record participation with 150 anglers
  • Excellent organization and support from volunteers
Read Winner's Story View Participant Diary

Tournament Rules & Regulations

Understanding tournament rules is essential for all participants. Here's a comprehensive guide to tournament regulations:

General Rules

All tournaments follow these general rules:

  • Valid fishing license required for all participants
  • All fish must be caught using legal methods only
  • Fish must be measured and weighed immediately after capture
  • All fish must be returned to the water unharmed (unless specified)
  • Participants must fish from designated pegs only
  • No pre-baiting before the official start time
  • Respect other anglers and maintain proper distance

Scoring System

Tournament scoring varies by category:

Category Scoring Method Points System
Match Fishing Total weight 1 point per gram
Specimen Hunting Largest single fish Weight × species multiplier
Species Count Number of different species 10 points per species
Catch & Release Total length 1 point per cm

Equipment Regulations

Equipment must comply with tournament regulations:

  • Rods: Maximum 2 rods per angler (unless specified)
  • Hooks: Barbless hooks only in catch & release events
  • Bait: No live bait in some tournaments (check rules)
  • Nets: Landing nets must be knotless
  • Weighing: Official scales provided by organizers
  • Electronics: Fish finders allowed in some categories

Prohibited: Pre-baiting, chumming, multiple hooks on single line

Time Regulations

Standard tournament schedule:

  • Registration: 1 hour before start
  • Peg Draw: 30 minutes before start
  • Setup Time: 15 minutes
  • Fishing Time: 5-8 hours (varies by tournament)
  • Weigh-in: Immediately after end time
  • Results: Announced within 1 hour

Late Arrival: Participants arriving after start time may be disqualified

Upcoming Tournaments 2025-2026

Plan your tournament season with our comprehensive calendar:

Date Tournament Location Category Registration
Dec 15-17, 2025 UK National Championship Lake District Multi-species Open
Jan 10-12, 2026 Winter Pike Challenge Norfolk Broads Pike Dec 1, 2025
Feb 5-7, 2026 Trout Masters River Tay, Scotland Fly Fishing Jan 1, 2026
Mar 20-22, 2026 Spring Carp Classic Various venues Carp Feb 15, 2026
Apr 10-12, 2026 Coarse Fishing Open River Thames Coarse Mar 1, 2026
May 15-17, 2026 Match Fishing Championship Multiple venues Match Apr 1, 2026

Registration Tips

  • Register early - popular tournaments fill up quickly
  • Check entry requirements and license requirements
  • Review tournament rules before registering
  • Prepare your equipment in advance
  • Join our forum to connect with other participants

Tournament Statistics & Records

Explore impressive tournament records and statistics:

28.5kg
Largest Catch
150
Participants
12
Species Caught
8hrs
Longest Session

Record Catches by Species

Species Weight Angler Tournament Date
Carp 18.2 kg James Thompson Carp Classic 2024 Mar 2024
Pike 12.5 kg Emma Wilson Winter Challenge 2024 Jan 2024
Trout 3.8 kg Sarah Mitchell Trout Masters 2024 Feb 2024
Bream 4.2 kg Mark Roberts Coarse Open 2024 Apr 2024
Participant diary

Participant Diary: Day 1 - "Golden Rod 2025"

Morning Session (6:00 AM - 12:00 PM)

Arrived at the lake before sunrise. The weather was perfect - clear sky and light breeze. Set up my equipment at peg 45, which I had scouted the day before. Started with ledgering technique, targeting carp in deeper water.

First catch came at 7:30 AM - a beautiful 2.5 kg carp. The fight was intense, lasting about 10 minutes. Continued with the same technique and managed two more carp before midday break.

Afternoon Session (1:00 PM - 6:00 PM)

Switched to float fishing in the afternoon as the carp seemed to move to shallower areas. This proved to be the right decision - caught several roach and a nice perch. The competition was heating up, with other anglers also having successful sessions.

Reflections

Day 1 ended with a total weight of 8.2 kg, putting me in 12th position. I'm pleased with my performance, but I know I need to improve tomorrow. The key will be adapting to changing conditions and staying focused.

Equipment used: Shimano rod, Mitchell reel, 6lb line, sweetcorn and maggots for bait.

UK National Fishing Championship 2025

The UK National Fishing Championship is the biggest fishing competition in the country. This prestigious event attracts anglers from across the UK and beyond, competing for the national title and substantial prizes.

Event Details

  • Dates: December 15-17, 2025
  • Location: Lake District, Cumbria, England
  • Categories: Freshwater, Fly Fishing, Match Fishing
  • Registration Fee: �50 per angler
  • Prizes: Trophy, cash prizes, and fishing equipment

How to Participate

Registration is now open! To register for the championship:

  1. Complete the online registration form
  2. Pay the registration fee (�50)
  3. Receive confirmation and tournament details
  4. Prepare your equipment and techniques

Pro Tip

Start preparing early! Study the venue, practice your techniques, and read participant diaries from previous tournaments to learn from experienced anglers.

Discuss on Forum Read Preparation Tips