Guru‘s Mikey Williams put in a perfect performance at Tunnel Barn Farm to secure the 2025 Daiwa Pole Fishing Masters title, finishing as the only angler on a perfect three-point score after three days of intense competition.
This year’s event followed the familiar three-day rotational format, with anglers competing on a different lake each day and aiming to score as low as possible via section wins. With each match featuring stacked sections and tightly packed weights, consistency was key to success.
For Mikey Williams, consistency wasn’t just a target; it was a reality. The Welsh star kicked off his campaign with 137lb 5oz from peg 38 on New Pool, winning his section by 9lb on day one. Day Two saw him draw peg 11 on Canal Pool, where he again came out on top with 131lb 13oz, before rounding off a faultless campaign with 137lb 9oz from peg 34 on High Pool on the final day.
Three matches, three section wins, and a combined weight of 406lb 11oz was more than enough to secure the title, the £3,000 first-place prize, and a Daiwa Air Z Pro pole.
I’ve had a really nice three days. Obviously, you have got to draw well to win things like this. Things have got to drop in your favour. This week I think everything has just sort of gone my way. It costs me a lot of money to fish these events, but it’s all worth while when it all drops into place for you. I’m well chuffed.
Behind Mikey, a tight battle unfolded for the remaining podium places. Matty Dawes finished runner-up on 4 points with a combined weight of 356lb 14oz, edging out John Harvey, who matched the score but settled for third on 344lb. Andy Bennett and Tom Edwards also finished on 4 points after three days, but were pushed into fourth and fifth place with 331lb 8oz and 328lb 5oz respectively.
Daiwa Pole Fishing Masters 2025 Top 10
| 🥇 1st | Mikey Williams | 3 | 406lb 11oz |
| 🥈 2nd | Matty Dawes | 4 | 356lb 14oz |
| 🥉 3rd | John Harvey | 4 | 344lb |
| 4th | Andy Bennett | 4 | 331lb 8oz |
| 5th | Tom Edwards | 4 | 328lb 15oz |
| 6th | Chris Reilly | 5 | 393lb 15oz |
| 7th | Matt Redman | 5 | 333lb 8oz |
| 8th | Steve Openshaw | 5 | 307lb 11oz |
| 9th | Callum Dicks | 5 | 296lb 11oz |
| 10th | Andy Benwell | 5 | 262lb 5oz |
You can view the final leaderboard for all 122 anglers competing in the Daiwa Pole Fishing Masters 2025 on the Hot Fishin’ website here. The daily leaderboards are also available below.
Andy Bennett and Martin Waters Win Mystery Pairs
As tradition dictates, the final day also hosted the fun-yet-competitive Mystery Pairs event, with partners randomly assigned and combined weights used to decide the result.
The win went to Andy Bennett and Martin Waters, whose combined total of 279lb 4oz secured top spot and earned each angler £750. Andy’s huge 196lb 1oz catch from peg 13 on Extension Pool did the heavy lifting, supported by Martin’s 83lb 3oz from Canal Pool. Runners-up were Brad Lucas and Ryan Watson with 270lb 14oz, ahead of Jordan Holloway and Robert de Haas in third on 237lb 4oz.
Andy Bennett Bags Biggest Weight of the Week
While his 4 points weren’t enough to take the title, Andy Bennett’s final day display was the individual performance of the event. Drawn on peg 13 on Extension Pool, the Guru-backed angler put together a huge 196lb 1oz to secure his section and record the biggest weight of the 2025 Daiwa Pole Fishing Masters. That haul earned him the Daiwa Airity Pro pole prize for top individual weight.
Congratulations to Mikey Williams, all of the framers and everyone involved in the organisation of this fantastic event. You can find more coverage via the Catch More Media Facebook page.