The final five anglers are locked in, and the stage is set for one of the most open FishOMania finals in years. Part 5 of our series features a blend of new blood, international flair, and one returning champion looking to make it two on the bounce.
International duo Joost Vos and Dylan Mertens earned their places via the International Qualifiers in the Netherlands and Germany respectively, while Harry Michael booked his ticket as this year’s Youth Champion. Sarah Challinor came through a stacked Women’s Qualifier at Partridge Lakes, and David Shires returns to defend his 2024 crown and attempt the near-impossible: back-to-back FishO titles.
Meet the 2025 FishOMania Anglers:
Full name: Joost Vos
Age: 36
The first place you ever went fishing: In a canal at my front door with my father
Your favourite place to fish: Westwood Lakes! No, I don’t have a favourite – everywhere on the bank is a good day
What would you do with the £50,000 if you won?: I am going on holiday next week, so a lot of cocktails and pizza
Favourite fishing method: Pole fishing
Your first FishOMania memory (as a competitor or a viewer): I saw Jurgen Spierings fishing the final on Dutch public television in 2016
Bank runner’s name: Peter Urscheler
Best FishOMania finish to date: First time – and I hope a top 10
Full name: Dylan Mertens
Age: 32
The first place you ever went fishing: On my grandparents’ lake
Your favourite place to fish: The Neppe
What would you do with the £50,000 if you won?: I’m going to give my bank runner a share – he promised me two years ago! A keg of beer for my friends too, and the rest will go toward renovating my home
Favourite fishing method: Pellet fishing
Your first FishOMania memory (as a competitor or a viewer): Being a bank runner for my cousin Ibran Mertens two years ago
Bank runner’s name: Ibran Mertens
Best FishOMania finish to date: This is my first time
Full name: Harry Michael
Age: 18
The first place you ever went fishing: Raskelf Pond
Your favourite place to fish: Forest Lane Fisheries
What would you do with the £50,000 if you won?: I’d finally be able to insure the car I’d like to buy!
Favourite fishing method: Stick float fishing for barbel
Your first FishOMania memory (as a competitor or a viewer): Watching my good friend Rob Minikin come 4th in the 2016 final
Bank runner’s name: Scott Brady
Best FishOMania finish to date: It’s my FishOMania debut
Full name: Sarah Challinor
Age: 45
The first place you ever went fishing: On the Chesterfield Canal in Worksop with my dad and brother when I was about 10 – I caught a perch
Your favourite place to fish: Aston Park Fisheries – they’ve got seven lakes that all fish differently, and that’s where I developed the skills that got me here today
What would you do with the £50,000 if you won?: The sensible thing would be to pay the mortgage – I worked in a bank for 15 years and that’s what I’d have advised! But I feel like being a bit wild and making memories with my family
Favourite fishing method: Pole fishing
Your first FishOMania memory (as a competitor or a viewer): When Ian Turner won the first FishOMania in 1994 – he was from my hometown of Worksop. I remember watching it at Hallcroft Fisheries in 1996, just down the road from where I lived
Bank runner’s name: Steve Hardman
Best FishOMania finish to date: This is my first final
Full name: David Shires
Age: 46
The first place you ever went fishing: A small lake in Lowestoft with my family – I caught a perch and an eel!
Your favourite place to fish: My local venue Lindholme Lakes, Doncaster – it’s stuffed with fish!
What would you do with the £50,000 if you won?: A holiday with the family and looking after the kids’ future
Favourite fishing method: Shallow fishing with maggots or casters on the pole
Your first FishOMania memory (as a competitor or a viewer): My hero Steve Cooke scooping the prize – that was a few years ago
Bank runner’s name: Ryan Lidgard
Best FishOMania finish to date: Champion 2024 – fifth time in the final and fourth in a row
