A last-minute decision to fish the Gloucester Park Open rather than a canal match proved a master move for matchman Paul Stanley.
At the canal match he would have been hoping for two or three pounds of tiny roach, while at Gloucester Park he took the 37lb winning weight.
Even better, his catch included 24lb 13oz of quality roach.
Paul pole-fished at the western end of the cockle bank where he started catching immediately.
Fishing well over depth to counteract the flow Paul used both maggot and caster baits to get a bite every put-in.
A couple of hours into the match he changed his light pole rig for a heavier one and was able to increase his catch rate even more.
At the scales Paul weighed in 12lb 3oz of bream and tench to compliment his tremendous 24lb 13oz bag of roach.
Second place in the match went to Gloucester Park regular Sid Hammond who weighed in 28lb 13oz from the big bay.
In contrast to the winner Sid fished a quivertip to take an all-carp haul.
Luncheon meat presented tight to the island produced Sid's haul, which could have been even bigger -- during the match he lost three big carp.
Del Smee took third place with a 25lb 8oz mixed catch from the Eastern end of the island.
He fished a pole to land 16lb 13oz of tench and skimmers, adding three carp for a further 8lb 11oz.
Published Wednesday November 26, 2003
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