"Golden Rod 2025" Tournament - Complete Review
Published: November 18, 2025 | Tournament Date: November 10-12, 2025 | Location: Lake District, England
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
Tournament Rules & Regulations
Published: November 20, 2025 | Category: Tournament Guide
Understanding tournament rules is essential for all participants. Here's a comprehensive guide to tournament regulations:
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
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 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
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
Last Updated: November 2025
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
Last Updated: November 2025
Explore impressive tournament records and statistics:
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: Day 1 - "Golden Rod 2025"
Written by: Mark Roberts | Published: November 11, 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
Date: December 15-17, 2025 | Location: Lake District, England | Registration Open
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:
- Complete the online registration form
- Pay the registration fee (�50)
- Receive confirmation and tournament details
- 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.