The Lure Battle Pike & Perch 1v1 Final 2026
The stage was set for the 2026 Lure Battle 1v1 Pike and Perch Competition final (Brought to you by Predator Tackle) at the vast and demanding Linear Fisheries complex. With 16 lakes open to the finalists and 12 hours of fishing spread across two days, the stage was set for a tactical, high-pressure showdown. Clear water, heavy carp angling pressure and roving predators meant mobility and decision-making would be just as important as lure choice.
Three anglers remained after a long road to the final: Kev Cox, the self-described “local” with competitive pedigree; Lee Spillard, competing in his first-ever Lure Battle tournament final and Robbie Northman, returning with experience from the previous year’s event. All three opted to focus primarily on pike, aware that perch had proven elusive in past finals.
What followed was a tense, finely balanced contest decided by centimeters.
Kev Cox – Fast Out of the Blocks
Kev made the perfect start to the final. Casting a bright soft plastic in the opening minutes of Day One, he banked a solid 75cm pike within the first four minutes of competition time. It was a statement fish and immediately put pressure on his rivals. Later in the session, he added a smaller 51cm pike to his card, while a foul-hooked fish did not count toward his total. By the end of Day One, Kev sat on 126cm.
Day Two demanded an upgrade, and Kev fished with urgency. He covered water confidently, rotating through bright soft plastics and jerkbaits, returning to productive areas from the first day. After losing and missing chances earlier in the session, he finally secured a crucial 68cm pike late in the day. That fish lifted him to 143cm overall.
It was a strong comeback effort and briefly threatened the lead, but ultimately Kev’s total left him in second place, close but not quite enough to take the crown.
Lee Spillard – A Gritty Debut Performance
Lee’s first final began in frustration. After spotting fish in the margins early on Day One, he committed valuable time trying to tempt them, only to see his plan unravel. As the hours ticked by and rivals put fish on the board, pressure mounted.
Then, in the closing stages of Day One, everything changed. A late move to fresh water produced two quick-fire pike measuring 66cm and 67cm. The brace gave him 132cm and more importantly, lifted the dreaded blank. It was a vital turnaround that kept him firmly in contention overnight.
Day Two proved far tougher. Despite visible follows and missed chances, Lee couldn’t convert opportunities into a meaningful upgrade. He finished the final on 132cm, securing third place. For a first-ever competition appearance at this level, it was a composed and commendable showing.
Robbie Northman – Experience and Execution
Robbie entered the final with the advantage of prior knowledge, having competed at Linear the previous year. On Day One, he initially drew a blank in his first area but quickly adjusted. The move paid off, a 75cm pike came first, followed by an even better 78cm fish. That brace gave him 153cm and the overnight lead.
His approach centred largely on jerkbaits worked deliberately on the hang, a tactic that had delivered in the past. While others rotated more heavily through lure styles, Robbie stuck to what he trusted. A small pike on Day Two confirmed fish were still present, but crucially, it did not improve his tally.
Later in the session, he added a 68cm pike, though it wasn’t enough to replace either of his Day One fish. Nevertheless, his earlier brace proved decisive. Despite late pressure from Kev, Robbie’s 153cm total held firm.
The Lure battle – Final Standings and Conclusion
After two demanding days across Linear’s windswept lakes, the final scores were confirmed:
- 3rd Place – Lee Spillard: 132cm
- 2nd Place – Kev Cox: 143cm
- Winner – Robbie Northman: 153cm
In a competition defined by tight margins and tactical discipline, Robbie Northman’s consistency across Day One ultimately secured the title. Kev pushed hard with a Day Two upgrade, while Lee’s late rally on Day One ensured he didn’t blank in his debut final.
The 2026 Lure Battler 1v1 Final delivered drama, resilience and quality predator fishing in equal measure. At Linear Fisheries, centimeters mattered and this time, they belonged to Robbie Northman.
