Ahead of this Saturday’s Fish‘O’Mania 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 Power (Somerset)
Qualified From: Tunnel Barn Farm (108.13kg)
Previous FishOMania Finals: 2009 (5th), 2013 (10th), 2014(3rd), 2016 (10th), 2017(2nd), 2018(2nd)
Two-time UK Champion Andy Power makes his seventh FishO appearance this weekend, hoping to finally land the winner’s cheque after three previous podium finishes. He was 3rd in 2014 and had back-to-back runner’s up finishes in 2017 and 2018. Having previously won Maver Match This and the Golden Reel, Power is hoping to complete a hat-trick of big-match wins by adding FishOMania to his trophy cabinet.
Matthew Higgins (Liverpool)
Qualified From: Woodland Lakes (67.78kg)
Previous FishOMania Finals: Debut
After a string of second-place finishes at qualifiers over recent years, Matty Higgins has finally bagged a peg at FishOMania. The Liverpool angler is hoping to follow in the footsteps of The Reds this summer and finally a long-awaited prize at Hayfield this weekend. The father-of-two was Maver Pole Champion in 2015 and his biggest catch was a whopping 170lbs catfish landed in Spain.
Matthew Dawes (Wrexham)
Qualified From: Partridge Lakes (75.32kg)
Previous FishOMania Finals: Debut
‘Dawesy’ bagged his debut at FishOMania when he took the honours at June’s Partridge Lakes qualifier. The 2018 Pole Master and two-time Maver Match This finalist lists competitors Andy Bennett and Jamie Hughes among his favourite anglers, and will be hoping to follow in their footsteps by adding his name to the FishO roll of honour.
Luke Sears (Retford)
Qualified From: Lakeview Lakes (38.22kg)
Previous FishOMania Finals: Debut
It may be in a different county, but Luke Sears’ hometown Retford is just 15miles from Hayfield Lakes, so he’ll have a bit of home advantage this weekend. Sears has been fishing since the age of six but spent his teenage years as part of the England Cricket setup, captaining the Under-19 team. The right-hand batsman was a Hampshire Youth Team captain, leading his side to national success, and spent two years as a professional with the county.
Jamie Hughes (Wirral)
Qualified From: Heronbrook Fisheries (106kg)
Previous FishOMania Finals: 2008 (9th); 2012 (4th), 2013 (1st), 2014 (12th); 2015 (1st); 2016 (10th); 2017 (1st); 2018 (11th), 2019 (3rd).
Three things are certain in life: taxes, death, and Jamie Hughes qualifying for FishOMania. The Wirral angler’s unprecedented success in this competition means he has now qualified ten times, nine of them now consecutively, and he’s taken the victory dip in the lake on three occasions. He says Andy May is his favourite angler, but many of Hughes’ competitors list him as their angling idol.
Aidan Mansfield (Tamworth)
Qualified From: Moorlands Farm (72.77kg)
Previous FishOMania Finals: Debut
Mansfield celebrated his 29th birthday earlier this month. The Construction Lecturer from Tamworth has a string of festival wins under his belt as is a former Golden Reel finalist. He says Steve Ringer is his favourite angler and enjoys kayaking in his spare time.
