The Golden Rod Feeder Championship is returning for the 2025/26 season. This is the feeder-only counterpart to the popular Golden Reel series, designed specifically for anglers who focus on feeder tactics. This winter-long competition provides feeder enthusiasts a dedicated path to one of match fishing’s top prizes.
The complete list of venues and qualifier dates has now been announced on the Golden Reel Angling Facebook page. In total, there will be 22 qualifiers held at some of the UK’s best feeder waters. The first qualifier will take place at Larford Lakes in October 2025, with the final opportunity to qualify occurring in March 2026 at the same venue.
Tickets for the Golden Rod will go on sale on Friday, June 20th, at 6 pm. As in previous years, tickets are expected to be in high demand, so anglers are encouraged to act quickly. The series will conclude with a two-day Grand Final at Larford Lakes next March, where the 2025/26 Golden Rod champion will be crowned.
New Golden Rod Venue and Format Highlights
For the 2025/26 season, the popular Glebe Fishery will be included in the rotation for the first time. Although it is well-known for its pole and pellet fishing, the Glebe will present a new challenge under the strict feeder-only rules of the Golden Rod series. Importantly, the venue has a minimum hook length requirement of 50 cm (20 inches) and prohibits the use of Method feeders, requiring competitors to adapt their strategies accordingly.
The series will follow a familiar format, with all qualifiers adhering to a combination of the official Golden Rod Feeder rules and fishery rules. The Golden Rod Feeder rules include:
- Feeder only
- One rod at any time.
- Rod & Reel only.
- Feed can only be introduced via swim feeder
- No Bombs other than for plumbing the depth.
- Bait limits and hook sizes are subject to fishery rules.
- No PVA
- No Bloodworm & Joker
- No Floating Baits
- One hook only
- No use of catapults
The prize fund and ticket price for this year are still to be confirmed, but if previous years are anything to go by, it’s set to be one of the most lucrative feeder-only events on the match calendar.
Golden Rod 2025/26 Qualifier Dates & Venues
Here’s the full list of qualifiers for this season:
- Sunday, 5th October 2025 – Larford Lakes – 60 Pegs
- Saturday, 18th October 2025 – Lindholme Lakes – 60 Pegs
- Saturday, 1st November 2025 – Meadowlands – 60 Pegs
- Sunday, 2nd November 2025 – Boddingtons – 60 Pegs
- Saturday, 8th November 2025 – Barston – 60 Pegs
- Saturday, 15th November 2025 – Hallcroft – 60 Pegs
- Saturday, 22nd November 2025 – Barston – 60 Pegs
- Sunday, 23rd November 2025 – Boddingtons – 60 Pegs
- Saturday, 29th November 2025 – The Glebe – 60 Pegs
- Thursday, 20th November 2025 – Larford Lakes – 60 Pegs
- Saturday, 6th December 2025 – Meadowlands – 60 Pegs
- Sunday, 14th December 2025 – Lindholme Lakes – 60 Pegs
- Saturday, 20th December 2025 – The Glebe – 60 Pegs
- Sunday, 28th December 2025 – Larford Lakes – 60 Pegs
- Saturday, 3rd January 2026 – Hallcroft – 60 Pegs
- Saturday, 10th January 2026 – Larford Lakes – 60 Pegs
- Saturday, 17th January 2026 – Hayfield Lakes – 60 Pegs
- Saturday, 24th January 2026 – Larford Lakes – 60 Pegs
- Saturday, 7th February 2026 – Larford Lakes – 60 Pegs
- Saturday, 14th February 2026 – Hayfield Lakes – 60 Pegs
- Sunday, 22nd February 2026 – Larford Lakes – 60 Pegs
- Saturday, 14th March 2026 – Larford Lakes – 60 Pegs
Two-Day Grand Final
- Saturday, 21st and Sunday, 22nd March 2026 – Larford Lakes
For full Golden Rod Feeder Championship rules and to purchase tickets once they go live, visit the official website: rod.goldenreelangling.co.uk