SIX OF THE BEST...

...Fish O’ finals

Andy May scooped the 2016 Fish O’Mania title. Here we look back at six other great finals of the event.

1 First outing

In 1994, Fish O’Mania was created and it was Ian Turner who got his name on the trophy. Leicestershire’s Mallory Park was the host venue, with the Worksop man needing a meagre 13.150kg to top the pile.

2 Silver success

Experts claimed that carp would be needed to win the 1997 final at Hayfield Lakes, but with the mirrors and commons not playing ball, Kevin Rowles fished for roach and orfe for his winning 17.590kg catch.

3 Mega weight match

Neil Machin was hot favourite when he drew the flyer peg at Hayfield in 2006 and ended the day with a staggering 98. 690kg – the biggest ever weight in a Fish O’Mania final.

4 Hall at the double

Having taken the glory 2003, Matt Hall returned to the final in 2009 to try and become the first ever man to win Fish O’Mania twice. He succeeded in style, putting 34.770kg in his nets in front of a bumper crowd.

5 Last minute magic

With time running out in the 2010 final, Tommy Pickering’s dreams were shattered in the dying seconds as Neil McKinnon banked his final big carp of the match to weigh 27.980kg and snatch the glory at the death.

6 Outsider victory

Arguably the biggest shock in the tournament’s history was sprung in 2011 as outsider Shane Atkin took the trophy with a 20.530kg winning catch.