The worldwide LRF species hunt is back for 2022. After the huge success of last year we are back again to see if we can do even better!

Starting at 11am on Friday 9th September, wherever you are, all you need to do is go lure fishing, upload your catches to Facebook or Instagram with the hashtag – #biglerfweekender22 to join in. 

It doesn’t matter if you are fishing fresh and saltwater, all species of fish count. Finesse fishing is encouraged but not essential, as long as it’s artificial your catch goes towards the tally and that includes fly fishing. The main aim is to see if we can beat last year’s total of 157 species caught on lure and artificial bait. Last year we had entries from 9 different countries, ranging from Bulgaria to Portugal and the USA. Think of it as one massive social where all like minded anglers are welcome and whether you are landlocked or on an island you can join in. 

As always we want this event to be open to all, so there is no charge for entry. And like last year there will be prizes and not just for the UK either…

To be eligible for any prize, you must print off the Big Lerf Weekender 22 Logo to take photos of your fish with. We will put the logo on Facebook and Instagram for you to print off the day before the event. You then have to upload your catch to Facebook or Instagram by 8pm on Sunday 12th September. The event finishes at 6pm but this should give all anglers a chance to upload in time. All uploads must have the hashtag : #biglerfweekender22

These will be for the following:

UK & International – Sponsored by Majorcraft & Keitech 

Coolest/Rarest Catch (UK)
This will be voted for by the members of The Big Lerf Group on Facebook. You can join the group by clicking here. The Big Lerf team will choose up to ten catches from the entrants and the photo with the most ‘Likes’ when put to the vote will win.
The winner will sent a bundle of Majorcraft & Keitech lures.

Most Species On Lures And Artificial Bait (UK) – Fresh & Saltwater
This is simple, most species photographed next to the Big Lerf Weekender card caught in the UK wins. Photos must be clear to count and common gobies can only count if clear pictures are taken in a viewing tank. The winner will sent a bundle of Majorcraft & Keitech lures.

Junior Angler With The Most Species (UK)
We really want to see the young Lerfers getting involved, so anyone who enters who are 17 and under are eligible for this prize. The winner will be the Junior who catches the most species – we will be sharing a ‘Junior Card’ closer to the time. The card can be printed off and all entries with this card will be counted. Uploads can be from an adult’s social media account, we just ask that you play fair and that all catches must be genuinely hooked and landed by the young angler to count.
The winner will sent a bundle of Majorcraft & Keitech lures.

Most Species On Hard Lures – Fresh & Saltwater (UK)
The winner will be the person who catches the most species on metal jigs, plastic hardbaits or similar.  We ask that photographs of the fish must include the lure to be accepted. Preferably try to photograph the lure in the fish’s mouth before removing. As the event is in September, we think this is prime Shore Jigging season, we hope to see lots of fish caught on metal jigs, big and small.
The winner will sent a bundle of Majorcraft & Keitech lures.

Coolest Catch (International)
This will be voted for by the members of The Big Lerf Group on Facebook. The Big Lerf team will choose up to ten catches from the entrants and the photo with the most ‘Likes’ when put to the vote will win.
The winner will be sent a bundle of Majorcraft & Keitech lures.

Coolest Catch By A Junior Angler – 17 and under (International) 
This will be voted for by the members of The Big Lerf Group on Facebook. The Big Lerf team will choose up to ten catches from the entrants and the photo with the most ‘Likes’ when put to the vote will win. We will be sharing a ‘Junior Card’ closer to the time. The card can be printed off and all entries with this card will be counted. Uploads can be from an adult’s social media account, we just ask that you play fair and that all catches must be genuinely hooked and landed by the young angler to count.
The winner will be sent a bundle of Majorcraft & Keitech lures.

Ireland – Sponsored by Southside Angling
There will be a special Ireland card to print off for our Irish entrants. 

Coolest/Rarest Catch (Ireland)
This will be voted for by the members of The Big Lerf Group on Facebook. The Big Lerf team will choose up to ten catches from the entrants and the photo with the most ‘Likes’ when put to the vote will win.
Prizes to be decided by Southside Angling

Most Species On Lures And Artificial Bait (Ireland)
This is simple, most species photographed next to the Big Lerf Weekender card caught in the Republic Of Ireland wins. Photos must be clear to count and common gobies can only count if clear pictures are taken in a viewing tank. 
Prizes to be decided by Southside Angling

Junior Angler With The Most Species (Ireland)
Anyone who enters who are 17 and under are eligible for this prize. The winner will be the Junior who catches the most species – we will be sharing a ‘Junior Ireland Card’ closer to the time. The card can be printed off and all entries with this card will be counted. Uploads can be from an adult’s social media account, we just ask that you play fair and that all catches must be genuinely hooked and landed by the young angler to count.
Prizes to be decided by Southside Angling

Although there are prizes, this is just a big virtual get together, celebrating the fish and the lures that we use to catch them. The main aim is to jointly catch as many species as possible in salt and freshwater.

Myself, Richard Salter & Joe Mole will be fishing in Cornwall that weekend and we will be organising a couple of meets as the event nears. This is not a Cornwall only event though and we encourage anglers across the world to organise their own meets, wherever they may be. Upload your photos, record your own videos, write your blogs, however you want to get involved, this is your weekend, not ours. 

Most importantly, do not feel bad if you can’t fish all weekend either, just get out at some point and wet a line. This is a celebration of lure fishing and our incredible fish species across the world, so get involved! 

You can find the Facebook event here

You can join The Big Lerf Group on Facebook here

And search The Big Lerf on Instagram to find us.