The 2024 FishOMania is just around the corner, returning once again to Westwood Lakes, Lincolnshire, on Saturday, July 27. To kickstart the excitement for this standout event, we present an exclusive profile of all 25 participating anglers, offering insights into their backgrounds.
The reigning champion Matthew Dawes returns, looking to keep his crown at this year’s angler showdown. Joining him are the Women’s National Qualifier Leanne Knott and the Junior National Qualifier Ted Stewart. Additionally, the FishOMania cast will be joined by two International Qualifiers, Kim de Page and Nico Kremer, both making their debut after completing this year’s qualifiers.
Meet the 2024 FishOMania Anglers:
Name: Matt Dawes (Champion)
Age: 30
Place you first went fishing: Beeston Canal
Favourite place to go fishing: Weston Pools
What would you do with the £50,000 if you won?: Treat the family
Favourite method: Waggler
First FishO memory (competing or watching): When Clive Wright won
Bank runner name: Sam Slocket
Best FishO finish?: 1st (2023, Reigning champion)
Other sports you follow: Football and F1
Name: Ted Stewart
Age: 15
Place you first went fishing: Brookfoot Lake in Brighouse
Favourite place to go fishing: Lindholme Lakes
What would you do with the £50,000 if you won?: Buy a shiny new pole for me and a pony for my sister
Favourite method: Margin fishing for big carp
First FishO memory (competing or watching): Watching the 2022 final at home on TV
Bank runner name: AJ Boardman
Best FishO finish?: This will be my first final
Other sports you follow: Thai boxing (competing and watching)
Name: Leanne Knott
Age: 36
Place you first went fishing: Willow Lakes, Foston
Favourite place to go fishing: Portland Fishery
What would you do with the £50,000 if you won?: Tom and I would get married
Favourite method: Feeder or bomb & pellet
First FishO memory (competing or watching): Watching on TV when I was younger and thinking I would fish in FishOMania one day
Bank runner name: Tom Faz (my better half)
Best FishO finish?: This is my first time qualifying
Other sports you follow: I watch some darts
Name: Kim De Page
Age: 40
Place you first went fishing: Lakes in Berlare
Favourite place to go fishing: Rowning Coarse, Ghent
What would you do with the £50,000 if you won?: Make a fishing trip with my colleague
Favourite method: Pole fishing
First FishO memory (competing or watching): 2018, with Belgian angler Kristof De Busser
Bank runner name: Lars Bakkovens
Best FishO finish?: This is my first time
Other sports you follow: Darts
Name: Nico Kremer
Age: 24
Place you first went fishing: On a small lake with my father
Favourite place to go fishing: Every commercial lake
What would you do with the £50,000 if you won?: I would like to fish for one year in England
Favourite method: Paste fishing and pellet waggler
First FishO memory (competing or watching): I saw the first video ten years ago. Since then, it has been a dream of mine to take part
Bank runner name: Jochen Drescher
