Ahead of Saturday’s Fish‘O’Mania Grand Final at Hayfield Lakes in Doncaster we profile the 24 anglers taking part, continuing with the next six who qualified for this year’s Grand Final.
Andy May (Cheshire)
Qualified From: Weston Pools (59.93kg) Previous Fish’O’Mania Finals: 2008 (4th); 2011 (10th); 2016 (1st)
Andy was Fish‘O’Mania champion three years ago and fishes to the Grand Final for a fourth time this weekend. The Cheshire man is a full-time angler and was Matchman of the Year from 2000 to 2003. Andy lists two of this year’s other qualifiers – Jamie Hughes and Andy Bennett – among his favourite anglers, along with his dad, Steve and Kevin Ashurst.
Lee Riley (Manchester)
Qualified From: Heronbrook Fisheries (130.86kg) Previous Fish’O’Mania Finals: Debut
Lee makes his Grand Final debut on Saturday after qualifying via Heronbrook Fisheries with a mammoth 130.86kg. The Manchester man says the things is most enjoys about fishing are helping young talent progress and meeting new people along the way.
Vince Cross (Suffolk)
Qualified From: Decoy Lakes (114.59kg) Previous Fish’O’Mania Finals: Debut
Suffolk angler Vince has qualified for the Fish‘O’Mania Grand Final for the first time this year. He has been fishing for 42 years and is a painter/decorator by trade. He was 2011 Angling Times Suffolk Counties champion and once partnered Bob Nudd in a pairs match.
Steve Brindley (Nuneaton)
Qualified From: Makins Fishery (54.77kg) Previous Fish’O’Mania Finals: Debut
Steve lists qualifying for this year’s Fish‘O’Mania Grand Final as among his top three angling highlights. The Motor Vehicle Build Technician from Nuneaton has been fishing for 46 years, with a biggest match bag of 245lbs.
Jordan Holloway (Worcestershire)
Qualified From: Tunnel Barn Farm (64.35kg) Previous Fish’O’Mania Finals: Debut
Jordan has only been fishing for five years but the 20-year-old makes his Grand Final debut this weekend. He has fished the World Youth Championship in each of the last three years and rankings qualifying for Fish‘O’Mania among his top angling achievements so far.
Luke Gasson (Surrey)
Qualified From: Monk Lakes (83.86kg) Previous Fish’O’Mania Finals: Debut
Father of five Luke qualified for his FishO debut from a wet and windy match at Monk Lakes in June. The 30 year old says one of the most enjoyable elements of angling is turning a bad peg into a good one by working out what the fish want.
Spectator tickets to attend Fish‘O’Mania are free of charge and available to download at www.fishomania.net. Fish‘O’Mania will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Arena from 11:30am on Saturday, July 13.
