WOMEN-ONLY FISH O’ MANIA QUALIFIER SHOULD BE BIGGER

I COMPLETELY understand Matchroom Sport’s decision to run a women-only Fish O’Mania qualifier.

What I don’t quite understand is why it is only 50 pegs. I’m sure it’s that which has caused several well-known anglers and keyboard warriors to object.

I reckon the ladies’ event run alongside the Grand Final should be cancelled (it may well have been – at the time of writing I hadn’t heard). The top six women from the Ladies National should be awarded entry to the women’s qualifier, and it should be a 120-pegger.

Any arguments after that would be spurious, because it’s essential to encourage more women into fishing. Opening a door a little via a women-only qualifier may do just that.

Will current ladies Fish O’Mania champion Kayleigh Smith be joining the men in next year’s final?