The Lure Battle: A Hard-Fought Finale at Linear Fisheries

The first-ever Lure Battle final was anything but easy. Held at Oxford’s renowned Linear Fisheries, this two-day showdown tested the skill, patience, and adaptability of three top anglers: Thom Hunt (Westin), Ash Costa (Gunki), and Robbie Northman (Savage Gear). With freezing temperatures, limited fishable water, and unpredictable fishing, the competition was a battle of minds as much as it was a test of fishing ability.

SPOILER ALERT – IF YOU DO NOT WANT TO KNOW WHO WON THIS COMPETITION DO NOT READ ANY FURTHER.

From the start, conditions were brutal. A deep freeze had locked over half the venue under ice, leaving just seven lakes in play. The finalists had a few hours to scout before the competition officially kicked off at noon, each hoping to unlock a winning pattern. Known more for it’s carp fishing, Linear Fisheries also offered the potential for monster pike and perch catches—but first, the anglers had to find unfrozen water.

A Fast Start and Tactical Shifts

Thom Hunt struck first, landing an early pike and setting the pace for the final. Ash Costa followed up with a solid fish of his own, keeping the pressure on, while Robbie Northman endured a frustrating start, ending the first session without a fish despite a couple of close calls.

As the afternoon wore on, Thom added another pike to his tally, while Ash kept his momentum going with a second fish. By the end of day one, the standings were tight, with Thom and Ash closely matched and Robbie looking for a big turnaround on day two.

The Final Push

Slightly warmer conditions greeted the anglers on the second morning, bringing renewed hope. Robbie wasted no time getting on the board, finally landing his first fish of the competition. Ash continued to fish methodically, searching for the bonus perch that could give him an edge. Meanwhile, Thom made a key tactical decision to move to another lake, and it proved to be a masterstroke. A string of crucial fish saw him surge ahead, creating a lead that would prove decisive.

With the final hours ticking down, Robbie made a late charge, landing one of the biggest pike of the session to put himself back in contention. But with perch refusing to cooperate, the battle ultimately came down to the biggest pike catches.

A Nail-Biting Finish The Lure Battle

When the final scores were tallied, Thom Hunt’s strategy and persistence paid off, securing him the win with a total of 169 cm. Ash Costa finished with 143 cm, while Robbie Northman’s strong comeback saw him close the gap with 159 cm, taking second place.

Premiered at The Big One event, the final showcased not only the anglers’ technical ability but their ability to read a venue under extreme conditions. Despite the absence of perch, the pike provided plenty of drama, and Linear Fisheries proved itself a worthy stage for the competition’s conclusion.

A massive thanks to Predator Tackle for putting together such a brilliant event. With season one wrapped up in style, one thing is certain—Lure Battle has set the bar high, and fans will be eagerly awaiting the next chapter.