The 2026 Golden Reel campaign began on Saturday, 28th March at Larford Lakes, where the opening qualifier produced two finalists under the new format. A total of 36 anglers competed across the Match and Specimen lakes. The field was split into two zones, with one qualifier progressing from each section. As a result, Perry Stone and Danny Ludgate secured the first places in this year’s £25,000 Grand Final.
Perry topped Zone One on Match Lake’s grass bank from peg 10. He finished with 99lb 1oz, a strong weight in what proved to be tricky early season conditions. The lake did not fully settle, and bites were at a premium for much of the match.
In the second zone, Danny came through from peg 12 on Specimen Burr with 76lb 13oz. His match required constant adjustment, with no single approach dominating for long. He started on the method feeder but struggled for early indications. He then moved onto the pole, although strong wind and tow made presentation difficult. Dropping to a shorter 6m line proved more effective, especially when combined with worm on the hook. From there, he began to build steadily. A mix of six carp and several skimmers kept the scales ticking over, which was enough to secure top spot in his zone by the final whistle.
Behind the two qualifiers, James Evans finished third with 58lb 12oz from peg 20 on Specimen Burr. Craig Challingsworth followed in fourth place with 55lb 11oz from peg 9 on Match Lake grass, rounding out the leading weights on the day.
This opening round also marked a key change to the Golden Reel structure. Anglers now qualify directly for the Grand Final, removing the previous semi final stage. The number of qualifiers depends on the size of the field, meaning each match now carries immediate reward.
Both Perry Stone and Danny Ludgate were pleased with the revised format, which places greater emphasis on delivering a result on the day rather than building towards later stages.
Golden Reel 2026 Finalists
- Perry Stone
- Danny Ludgate
Attention now turns to the second qualifier, set for Sunday, 5th April 2026, once again at Larford Lakes. With 60 pegs available, up to three more anglers will secure their places in the Grand Final. Tickets for all remaining Golden Reel qualifiers are available at GoldenReelAngling.co.uk and cost £50.