Ringers Roundup - Defending the Crown, My UK Championship Journey So Far

Well, I've got a lot to catch up on! In fact, there's too much to write here, so instead I'm going to concentrate on my defence of the UK championship title I won last year.

Ringer's 2025 UK Championships title defence

Round 1 - Makins

Round 1 was Makins, the closest venue to me, but one I hadn't visited since last year. As usual, there was a real buzz at the draw. That buzz died a little for me when I pulled out Lizard 21. Lizard 21 is located on the back bank and in a corner. My only hope was the wind blowing in…That hope was extinguished on arrival at the peg to see the wind blowing straight out of it!

There was, of course, still a job to do, so set up three main lines: a long line to the island, and then a long pole up either edge. The right-hand edge was my banker, though, as there is a big willow there that overhangs the water, providing both shade and cover.

Kicked off by slapping a 6mm hard pellet to the tree, using a 0.25G Guru MW carbon cookie to a size 16 Super MWG. Had a decent start, catching 4 carp in the first hour, and after two hours, I had 8 carp. Mainly slapping at the tree and feeding nothing at 16m. Hard work for not many bites. It was very noticeable that resting during the swim was essential, as every time I did so, I would get one chance to get back in.

Come the halfway point, though, with nine carp in the net, I literally hit a wall! In fact, I never managed another fish. Looking back, I lost my way trying to win the section, which, in reality, was impossible. I should have settled down and just fished for a bite. But I didn't!

At the scales, my nine carp weighed 67lb, good for 3rd place, 112 lb behind Roame Frizzell's 179 lb. But with 75lb 2nd, I left a point behind! So, not the best start, and only section wins would do from here.

Round 2 - Hallcroft

Round 2 was at Hallcroft, where a draw is always needed, and I got a decent one in Moat, outer peg 9. The only issue is that 6 is the end peg and is regarded as the best peg on the venue! I also had Adam Wakelin on my right, so it was definitely a tough section to win. Decided on a three-line approach, long pole shallow slapping, short pole on meat and an edge to my left.

Really slow start, nothing shallow, but did nick a carp short on meat. Then started to get an odd carp shallow, again 0.25 MW carbon cookie to a size 16 SMWG.

With 90 minutes to go, I was ahead in the section. Dropped in down the edge and had 6 carp in 6 drops on bunches of dead maggots over my Bombay mix of 2mm pellets, casters, corn and dead maggots. Small stamp of carp, but lovely, clean bites. Felt like a big last hour was on the cards, and then it just died.

In fact, I never managed another carp. In hindsight, I should have just gone back shallow for 2 or 3 bites, but instead, I chopped and changed too much, and by the end, I was desperate for the whistle to blow as my lead was evaporating. Luckily, I weighed 199lb to just hold on to Ryan Lidgard's 185lb from the famous peg 6. So, an all-important section win in the bank, but poor decisions late on nearly cost me.

Round 3 - Rookery Waters

Round 3 and Rookery Waters: unbelievably, I drew the same peg as last year, in Jay 23. It's not a great peg, but at least I had some knowledge of how to approach it. Unbelievably, the wind was the same too, as it was strong and gusting from left to right.

Kicked off down the track on casters, fishing a 0.5g Guru JL to a size 14 Kaizen hook using bits of worm hookbaits. Had a great start catching 25lb of F1S in the first hour before it died off, the wind making it impossible to feed it effectively. Dropped in short against my platform again with casters for nothing. This surprised me, as last year, this line was the banker.

Couldn't hold a pole across either in the wind, so all of a sudden, I was really struggling. Two fishless hours went by, and I needed a rethink. The casters weren't working, so I switched both edges to micro pellets and maggots. The wind also dropped just enough to let me get across, and by fishing a really long line and lots of backshot, I caught an odd small carp, so at least I was ticking over again. The wind was still awful, so I had to feed via a catapult as opposed to potting like I wanted to.

The turning point, though, was my edges, as after switching to feeding pellets, I managed to catch 6 carp for 50lb in the last hour. Not many bites, but great stamp. Two against my platform and four long to my left on the empty platform, all in 3 feet of water. Rig choice is a 0.4g JL to a 14 XS spade.

This late flurry was enough to win me the section as I weighed 105lb, with 85lb being second. Looking back, the switch to pellets made all the difference, as for whatever reason, the carp just didn't want casters like they usually do.

That brings us up to date: one round left at Barston in two weeks. Overall, I'm now on 5 points with Steve Forster and Roame Frizzell leading the way on 4 points. So very much all to play for! In the following catch-up, I'll let you know how it went. Barston is a favourite of mine, so we will see how it pans out.