19/07/2026
💥🎣💥🎣FishOMania 2026 final💥🎣💥🎣
Seems ages ago I qualified but finally the weekend came around, started of on Friday when we had the draw, I was second up and peg 3 stuck to my hand. On the walk around it was an area we thought might be good as the wind was due to turn over night. Anywhere on the inside stretch’s was a good one so happy with it as there was plenty of areas I didn’t want.
I had basically drawn a carp peg, which is what you had to catch to have any chance.
Once I got to the peg in the morning it was overcast and a lot colder than expected. I had a plumb down my edge and was ok. Not dead flat but felt I had space so would get a few late on. Set a short line to start on pellets and then switch to casters later. Then a line across but wasn’t sure as the wind was tricky and had struggled in the practice before.
I’ve had 3 fish first 30mins which was steady but not great. Then I really struggled for next two hrs. No experience of the venue and fishomania matches really showed. Caught the odd carp and a big barbel but could get any line going. I had slipped down to bottom 5 and 29th at one stage till I finally went across for the last two hrs in the shallowest water I could find.
It was really good. I’ve really enjoyed the last two hrs and was great to be next to bagger and the crowd. Even though it was a Fisho final I still learnt so much from him.
My final few weighs meant I flew up the leaderboard to finish 11th with 44kg 200g. 98lbs in better terms. 👍 I’m really happy with that and would have definitely taken it beforehand.
Finally want to say a few massive thanks to Barry Moger for coming up to support me, Pat Walker for everything and I hope you enjoyed the weekend. John Alexander as my bank runner. I know it’s a hard job when you really want someone to do so well. Trust me I’ve been there. Glad I managed a better second half so you could actually put some fish on the scales. lol mate been great, as we had to go to plan B and C during the match.
Finally my family, mum who is in hospital atm and couldn’t be there to watch me. Hopefully I made you proud and I love you. To dad, who was on standby if I had any issues. My two boys who sat by my peg for 5 hrs and gave me support and words of wisdom “Dad, just copy what Andy Bennett is doing” 😂😂
Then to my unbelievable girlfriend Sally Dudley who has just done basically everything. I honestly couldn’t have managed without your amazing support, patience and love. Hope you are proud.
To matchroom, please keep this amazing competition going, it’s the pinnacle of our great sport and gives people like me a chance to chase a dream and I can’t thank you enough.
