10 Greatest Fish O’Mania catches revealed
THE Fish O’Mania final is moving back to Hayfield Lakes in 2018 after an absence of 11 years. And in a further boost to the event, Sky Sports and Matchroom Sport have committed to screening it live for the next seven years. The match has seen some big catches and thrilling finals over the years, so we’ve taken a look back in the archives to relive some of the very best! 1 THE FIRST-EVER Barry Hearn’s Fish O’Mania concept began in 1994 when 16 finalists lined the banks of Mallory Park in Leicestershire. Ian Turner of Worksop took the £25,000 prize with a 13.15kg catch of mainly skimmer bream. But there was early Fish O’ drama when the runner-up Dickie Carr hooked a big carp with just minutes left...
then his line parted. 2 RINGER BEATEN BY 4oz The closest result in Fish O’ history came in 1996 when Manchester man Dave Pimlott’s modest 6.6kg (14lb 9oz) catch was enough to win at Hallcroft Fisheries. This was just 4oz ahead of a young Steve Ringer and was also by far the lowest winning weight to take the crown. 3 SILVERS WIN FISH O’ In 1997 the final made its third move, this time to Hayfield Lakes in Doncaster. In searing 30-degree heat the venue’s carp switched off, which paved the way for the silver fish approach of Kevin Rowles of Wiltshire. Fishing light tackle with caster close in to the reeds, he recorded 17.59kg of golden orfe and quality roach to take the title. 4 MACHIN’S RECORD WEIGHT Fish O’Mania’s biggest final weight came in 2006 when five anglers caught over 45kg (100lb) of carp at Hayfield Lakes, topped by a massive 98.69kg for Neil Machin from peg 16 in the corner.
With heavy rain and storms, the carp in Hayfield went on a serious feeding frenzy! 5 LIFE-CHANGING RESULT A real fairy tale result came in 2011 when Shane Atkin was crowned champion at Cudmore. Teesside man Shane had entered his first and only qualifier at The Oaks fishery and won it.
As a care worker with four children, the £30,000 changed his life and meant he could finally afford to take his wife on honeymoon. Well done that man! 6 FISH-FOR-FISH BATTLE The Hayfield crowds were treated to a proper head-to-head battle in 1999, between Steve Cooke and Steve Jackson on adjoining pegs 8 and 9.
They slugged it out fish for fish for the duration, with Cooke landing two carp in the dying minutes, and Jackson netted one 30 seconds from time. Cooke eventually weighed in 69lb 11oz to Jackson’s 67lb 15oz.
7 DARREN COX DENIED
Another last-gasp carp decided proceedings at Hayfield in 2003. This time Nottingham’s Matt Hall enjoyed the first of his two Fish O’ wins, netting the winning carp with seconds to spare. It pushed him ahead of Darren Cox, but only just, on 22kg to Darren’s 21.23kg.
8 HUGHES’ FIRST OF THREE
The first of Jamie Hughes’ record three Fish O’ titles in 2013was also the most convincing victory in its history. The Wirrall man destroyed the field with 68.47kg of carp and barbel, some 30kg ahead of the next-best weight.
9 PICKERING PIPPED AT THE POST
In 2010 the second year of the final at Cudmore saw another grandstand finish. For most of the match Tommy Pickering had led the field with his patient Method feeder approach paying dividends, and he had a 6kg lead going into the final hour.
But Neil McKinnon had other ideas and a late surge of good carp on the pole shallow saw him pip Tommy to the post, with 27.98kg.
10 RINGER POWERS TO VICTORY
In 1998 it was third time lucky for a 22-year-old Steve Ringer. A long cast to the island at Hayfield with a Method feeder gave him 32.54kg of carp and a convincing win.
The 4oz deficit of two years before was put behind him, and the rest, as they say, is history!