Andy Bennett etched his name further into FishOMania folklore after becoming the second angler in history to win the prestigious title three times, claiming the 2026 CarpLife Competitions FishOMania Grand Final at Westwood Lakes, with a commanding winning weight of 78.600kg – the biggest winning total at the venue since 2021 – live on Sky Sports in the UK and Ireland.
Returning to the top for the first time since his back-to-back triumphs in 2019 and 2020, Bennett pocketed the £50,000 top prize and joined Jamie Hughes as the only anglers to lift the coveted trophy on three occasions.
The early stages belonged to Ted Wheeler, who set the pace after the opening weigh-in, while defending champion Bradley Lucas remained firmly in contention after the second weigh-in. Bennett, fishing from Peg 4, quietly positioned himself in third as the leading trio began to separate themselves from the chasing pack.
The turning point arrived at the sixth weigh-in as Bennett surged to the top of the leaderboard with an impressive total of 51.900kg. Momentum firmly swung in his favour before he delivered the catch of the day in the following weigh-in, adding a huge 11.675kg to his net. The remarkable haul not only strengthened his advantage but also saw him surpass Lucas’ 2025 winning weight of 54.225kg before the competition had even reached its conclusion.
From there, Bennett never looked back. He closed out the afternoon with a winning total of 78.600kg, finishing 16.650kg clear of 2022 champion Kristian Jones, who claimed second place with 61.950kg and the £10,000 runner-up prize. Wheeler completed the podium in third after leading the competition through the opening stages.
As the final whistle sounded, Bennett celebrated in trademark fashion, diving into the lake alongside his bank runner, Sam Slockett, for the third time to mark another unforgettable FishOMania triumph.
History Made
Six years after his last FishOMania success, Bennett returned to the summit of the sport to write another chapter in the event’s illustrious history. Already the only angler to win back-to-back FishOMania titles, the victory now sees him join Jamie Hughes as just the second three-time champion in the event’s 33-year history.
His winning total of 78.600kg also marked the biggest winning weight recorded at Westwood Lakes since 2021, underlining the dominant display that secured his place in FishOMania history.
Additional Highlights
Despite being unable to successfully defend his title, Bradley Lucas produced another impressive display to finish sixth overall with 50.325kg, while also topping his respective lake section.
Section victories also went to 2024 runner-up Keiran Marsden and Jordan Holloway, alongside Lucas, as they each collected £2,000.
The youngest ever Junior National Champion to qualify for FishOMania, Jenson Ludgate, gained valuable experience on his Grand Final debut, finishing 23rd with a total weight of 29.725kg.
Away from the main leaderboard, title sponsor CarpLife Competitions staged its own challenge, offering £500 to the first angler to land a barbel. Andy Power claimed the bonus prize after landing the first barbel during the opening weigh-in.
Also in attendance at the 33rd edition of the event was Matchroom Sport President Barry Hearn, who reflected on FishOMania’s enduring legacy.
“This event is a big part of my life. It was one of the first big shows we did on Sky when they launched in the UK, and everyone said it would be a one-hit wonder. But here we are over 30 years later and it’s still the greatest fishing show in the world.”
