WARREN MARTIN, a 35 year-old project manager from Lyng in Norfolk, became the 19th annual Fish'O'Mania champion with a comfortable win over his rivals at Cudmore Fishery outside of Stoke-on-Trent.
Martin, a 14/1 shot on the eve of fishing's most prestigious competition, was still in the pack after two hours of fishing but a huge catch of 8.30 kilos in the fifth 30 minute period saw him shoot to the top of the leader board.
Martin, a 14/1 shot on the eve of fishing's most prestigious competition, was still in the pack after two hours of fishing but a huge catch of 8.30 kilos in the fifth 30 minute period saw him shoot to the top of the leader board.
He lost the lead to Ben Emery after 3 hours 30 minutes but regained the lead following another big session and never took his foot off the pedal as he cruised to victory by over eight kilos.
There were four different leaders in total and after an extremely slow start, Martin made the right decisions at the right time and it paid off as he never got disheartened and clawed his way back into the match.
"I didn't come here thinking I would win it, only that I was in the final and after two hours I didn't think I had a chance. I saw everyone along that bank catch fish I hadn't but I didn't worry about it," said a delighted Martin.
"Winning here is incredible. It's the biggest achievement I've ever had and probably always will be. I think this will sink in next week sometime as it certainly hasn't now," he added.
Martin collected a big cheque for £31,000 which included a £1,000 bonus for
catching the biggest fish of the day, a carp of 5.59kg.
Ladies Fish'O'Mania
In the Ladies Fish'O'Mania match, England International Samantha Sim was on top form once again as she easily retained the title she won last year with a winning bag of 27.97kg.
That was a whopping 14 kilos ahead of her nearest rival Emma Pickering, a winner of this event in 2005, and Sim took home £1,000 and a highly prestigious trophy.
There were four different leaders in total and after an extremely slow start, Martin made the right decisions at the right time and it paid off as he never got disheartened and clawed his way back into the match.
"I didn't come here thinking I would win it, only that I was in the final and after two hours I didn't think I had a chance. I saw everyone along that bank catch fish I hadn't but I didn't worry about it," said a delighted Martin.
"Winning here is incredible. It's the biggest achievement I've ever had and probably always will be. I think this will sink in next week sometime as it certainly hasn't now," he added.
Martin collected a big cheque for £31,000 which included a £1,000 bonus for
catching the biggest fish of the day, a carp of 5.59kg.
Ladies Fish'O'Mania
In the Ladies Fish'O'Mania match, England International Samantha Sim was on top form once again as she easily retained the title she won last year with a winning bag of 27.97kg.
That was a whopping 14 kilos ahead of her nearest rival Emma Pickering, a winner of this event in 2005, and Sim took home £1,000 and a highly prestigious trophy.
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