The 2024 Fish O’Mania final fields arguably the strongest line-up ever. Fish O’ remains the ultimate prize in big-money match fishing... all 50k of it!
But the showdown at Westwood Lakes this Saturday will be hotly contested. Alongside former champs Andy Bennett, Jamie Hughes, Kristian Jones, Harry Bignell, and last year’s winner Matty Dawes are a host of huge stars hoping to have their names etched on to the trophy for the first time. Andy Power, Nick Speed, Pemb Writing, Jordan Holloway and Kieran Marsden... not to mention a host of other anglers in red-hot form.
But who will come out on top at the weekend? Take a look at our lowdown of the participants and get set for an event like no other!
Matty Dawes
Lives: Chester
Qualified from: Defending champion
We say: The defending champ is one of the favourites. Showed last year that he was well in tune with the venue, and he’s had lots of time to sharpen his skills even more.
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Gary Ainscough
Lives: Manchester
Qualified from: Westwood Lakes
Weight: 115lb 3oz
We say: Knows Partridge Lakes like the back of his hand, and it’s similar to Westwood’s Falcon. Likely to be well up to speed with the tactics required to do well.
Ted Stewart
Lives: Huddersfield
Qualified from: Partridge Lakes (Junior National Champion)
Weight: 55kg 950g
We say: Came third in a practice match which involved all the big guns and was heralded online as ‘the next Andy Bennett’. Clearly a massive talent.
Jamie Hughes
Lives: Eastham
Qualified from: Weston Pools
Weight: 176lb 7oz
We say: Probably the greatest-ever commercial fishery angler, who seems determined to set records that others find impossible to beat.
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Jimmy Brooks
Lives: King’s Lynn
Qualified from: Tunnel Barn Farm
Weight: 219lb
We say: Came second in the prestigious Daiwa Pole Fishing Masters at Tunnel Barn Farm and his talents are widely recognised on the open match scene.
Harry Campbell
Lives: Blackpool
Qualified from: Partridge Lakes
Weight: 188lb 7oz
We say: One of the hot prospects on show, and the venue could suit
him. A serial winner at Lancashire’s Whitmore Fisheries, where snake lake fishing is the name of the game.
Alex Dawson
Lives: Stoke-on-Trent
Qualified from: Old Hough Fishery
Weight: 116lb 9oz
We say: Tactically versatile and a brilliant commercial angler, he is likely to be challenging at the right end of the leaderboard come the final whistle.
Andy Bennett
Lives: Bolton
Qualified from: The Oaks Lakes
Weight: 166lb 12oz
We say: He’ll be tough to beat on a half decent swim. He has the added incentive of trying to join Jamie Hughes as only the second man to win Fish O’ three times.
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Jordan Holloway
Lives: Bewdley
Qualified from: Weston Pools
Weight: 164lb 3oz
We say: A regular in big money finals, it’s only a matter of time before he wins one. As adept on open water carp venues as he is on F1 snake lakes, he’ll be a threat if he draws a decent peg.
Kieran Marsden
Lives: Cheshire
Qualified from: The Glebe
Weight: 269lb
We say: In-form anglers tend to be fully in tune with decision making, and Kieran is right up with these. He’s had a series of big wins in 2024, and there’s every chance this event could add to the tally.
Adam Playford
Lives: King’s Lynn
Qualified from: Lindholme Lakes
Weight: 227lb 15oz
We say: Was bank runner for fellow finalist Jimmy Brooks in 2022 and will be looking to put what he learned that day into practice on his debut.
Andy Power
Lives: Wells
Qualified from: Monk Lakes
Weight: 207lb 8oz
We say: Finished second last year off a peg with little form, so he’ll be a very dangerous contender. An elite angler who rarely makes mistakes, he could be unbeatable on a flyer.
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Jason Redgrave
Lives: Coventry
Qualified from: Tunnel Barn Farm
Weight: 272lb 5oz
We say: Little doubt he’s an outsider, but those that know him are preparing to stake a few quid on him, which shows there’s belief he could cause an upset.
Chris Reilly
Lives: Kingston upon Hull
Qualified from: Boldings Pools
Weight: 172lb 9oz
We say: Fished a very tidy shallow match in the qualifier, and if the F1s sit close to the surface and he can replicate that form, he’ll be a real danger.
Dale Shepherd
Lives: Wakefield
Qualified from: Marston Fields
Weight: 86lb
We say: The final angler to qualify, he won’t have had much time to prepare. But that can be a blessing in disguise, allowing him to create a simple game plan that won’t be clouded by the results in practice.
Dave Shires
Lives: Pontefract
Qualified from: Partridge Lakes
Weight: 190lb
We say: An angler that rarely gets the credit he deserves, but this will be his third final on the bounce and fourth overall. Surely he’s due a win soon...
Kristian Jones
Lives: Ellesmere Port
Qualified from: Lindholme Lakes
Weight: 236lb
We say: Won one of the most dramatic finals ever back in 2022 and has become a household name since that victory. A skilled operator who pays great attention to his tactics.
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Nick Speed
Lives: Sheffield
Qualified from: Hallcroft Fishery
Weight: 287lb
We say: There aren’t many styles of angling this star can’t successfully turn his hand to. He practised in a festival at Westwood and got to grips with Falcon, where he bagged 140lb on the day.
Ben Townsend
Lives: Peterborough
Qualified from: Makins Fishery
Weight: 220lb
We say: Finally fulfilled his dream of reaching the final with a brilliant performance in the Makins qualifier. Living relatively close to Westwood has enabled him to practise a little more than most.
James Woodfine
Lives: Chester
Qualified from: Moorlands Farm
Weight: 203lb
We say: A regular at bagging venue Monkhall Fishery, this final could be in his grasp if Westwood is on form and a big weight is needed to win.
Pemb Wrighting
Lives: Hampshire
Qualified from: Gold Valley Lakes
Weight: 130lb 80z
We say: Westwood Lakes is a long way from home for Pemb, making practice difficult. But this is a seriously talented angler who has all the skills in his armoury to take the title, given the right draw.
Harry Bignell
Lives: Beverley
Qualified from: Westwood lakes
Weight: 159lb 8oz
We say: The former Fish O’ champ’s fourth final on the bounce. Previous experience will undoubtedly have given him plenty of ideas as to how he can become a two-time winner.
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Leanne Knott
Lives: Newark
Qualified from: Marston Fields (Women’s National Champion)
Weight: 31kg 975g
We say: The winner of the Ladies National, she’ll be looking to upset the odds and become the first female in history to take the title.
Overseas opposition
Two places in the final are awarded to anglers from the Continent, this year’s qualifiers being Belgium’s Kim de Page and Germany’s Nico Kremer. You might think these competitors would be out of their depth on foreign water but, last year, Germany’s Marvin Roettger finished in third place, and was a fish away from finishing second.