I've just booked a spot in the Larford Maver Match This winner-takes-all £50K Final in August - and a strategy of potting in Sonu Tigerfish groundbait down the edge for big carp did the damage.

The qualifier was on Moat Lake at Hallcroft, just outside Doncaster. I'd drawn a peg which had brambles sticking out in the water to my left and right but I could just about perch on the edge of the bank amd I targeted an area, 13 metres to my left, in two-and-a-half feet of water. With two hours gone I had not had a bite but by cupping in Sonu Tigerfish groundbait with sweetcorn, I drew some big carp to my margin swim and went on to catch nine fish for a total weight of 109lb 12oz.

Tacklewise I used my Preston GiS 14 Absolute Pole, rigged with a 15H Hollo elastic through a Pullakit. I used a Durafloat Plus 6 model with .17mm diameter Preston Powerline to a size 12 PR456 hook, with double corn the preferred offering. The carp went up to 18lb but the balanced tackle was just perfect. As long as you don't rush things and take your time when playing big fish on such tackle, you'll get them out.
I mixed the Sonu Tigerfish to a normal texture, neither too wet or too dry, and it certainly pulled those fish into the peg to give me a memorable second half of the competition.

In the final I will be up against some top-class anglers like Preston Innovations and Sonu-sponsored colleague Des Shipp and Adam Wakelin, but you have got to back yourself for a win, otherwise there would be no point turning up.

I'm just keeping my fingers crossed for a good draw on the day and who knows what might happen!