Brad Lucas is this year’s FishOMania champion and £50,000 better off following a tight win at Westwood Lakes in Boston.
The 20-year-old Matrix angler from Yorkshire made history on Saturday, 19th July, becoming the youngest ever winner of the prestigious event after a tense, rain-soaked final hour saw him narrowly hold off veteran Steve Openshaw.
A Historic First Appearance
Drawn on peg 19, Brad came flying out of the blocks. By the fourth weigh-in, he had already posted a commanding 28.200 kg total to move into top spot, with former champion Harry Bignell offering guidance as bank runner. The signs were clear, this was a young man fishing with the confidence and composure of someone well beyond his years. Anyone following his Facebook page this year will know just how consistent he’s been.
As the skies darkened and the rain began to fall, Steve Openshaw, drawn on fancied end peg 25, mounted a serious challenge. Climbing from mid-table after the first few weigh-ins, the experienced Merseysider overtook Lucas by the sixth weigh-in and looked poised to stretch his lead in the remaining couple of hours.
Final Hour Nerves
Just when it looked like the momentum had shifted, Lucas produced a crucial 12.100 kg haul at the seventh weigh-in to regain a slender lead. A further 7kg catch on the eight weigh-in extended his lead. Persistent rain in the final hour made conditions incredibly difficult. At the penultimate weigh-in, Brad’s lead over Steve was a narrow 2.250kg heading into the final half-an-hour. Brad then failed to register a fish in the final 30 minutes, giving Steve one last opportunity to pounce. Luckily for Brad, it wasn’t to be. When the final tally was confirmed, his total of 54.225 kg was enough to clinch victory by 1.025 kg.
Massive congratulations to Brad Lucas, who has hit the pinnacle of UK match fishing at such a young age.
A Champion’s Reaction
Taking to Facebook shortly after the match, Lucas wrote:
FISH O MANIA CHAMPION😱🥳
Wow, just can’t believe it!
Words don’t even describe the feeling!
Massive thank you to everyone for the support I appreciate it all so much ❤️❤️
FishOMania 2025 – Final Standings
| Position | Angler’s Name | Peg No. | Total Weight (kg) |
| 1st | Brad Lucas | 19 | 54.225 |
| 2nd | Steve Openshaw | 25 | 53.200 |
| 3rd | Kerry Kirkwood | 5 | 51.175 |
| 4th | David Shires | 23 | 42.900 |
| 5th | Andy Power | 17 | 42.375 |
| 6th | Steve Forster | 18 | 42.150 |
| 7th | Sarah Challinor | 2 | 39.250 |
| 8th | Harry Michael | 7 | 39.225 |
| 9th | Jamie Hughes | 21 | 37.600 |
| 10th | Kristian Jones | 4 | 36.325 |
| 11th | Charlie Law | 14 | 34.375 |
| 12th | Andy Bennett | 8 | 32.725 |
| 13th | Andy North | 20 | 31.075 |
| 14th | Robert Swan | 16 | 29.650 |
| 15th | Daniel Squire | 10 | 29.600 |
| 16th | Callum Dicks | 6 | 28.850 |
| 17th | Lee Thornton | 12 | 28.000 |
| 18th | James Howarth | 15 | 27.275 |
| 19th | Dale Shepherd | 9 | 27.150 |
| 20th | Ben Lord | 1 | 26.875 |
| 21st | Dylan Mertens | 24 | 26.325 |
| 22nd | Jack Stamp | 3 | 26.250 |
| 23rd | Joost Vos | 13 | 25.500 |
| 24th | George Reynolds | 22 | 20.050 |
| 25th | Gary Thomas | 11 | 19.300 |
FishOMania 2025 Grand Final Prize Money
The prize money for this year’s FishOMania was split as follows:
- Winner: Brad Lucas – £50,000
- Runner-up: Steve Openshaw – £10,000
- Section Winners: Kerry Kirkwood, Harry Michael and Charlie Law – £2,000 each