It is that time again where we ask you to vote for your Match Angler of the Year in our inaugural National Angling Awards.
Voting closes at midnight Monday 1st December 2025 and you can place your vote using the link at the bottom of the page!
Brad Lucas
Arguably the most talented young match angler on the scene, he shot to stardom this year with a dramatic victory in the Fish O’Mania final at Westwood Lakes. He also managed to reach the prestigious Parkdean Masters final at White Acres and left the comfort zone of his commercial roots to get involved in the annual River Wye festival.
Steven Forster
Those of the top level match circuit have known just how good Steve has been for years, but his skills were watched by a nationwide audience as he stole the show in the UK Champs. Not content just taking that title, he also qualified for the Fish O'Mania and has already bagged his spot in the 2026 Angling Trust Silverfish final.
Steve Openshaw
Undeterred by finishing runner-up in the Fish O’Mania final by just 2lb, the Lingmere Fishery boss went on to win the silverware and £10,000 prize in the inaugural Over 50s Fishing Masters final at Marston Fields. He has also won numerous other events including the Monkhall Fishery festival in spring.
Lee Kerry
The all-round match fishing superstar has tasted success of both the individual front this year, helping secure winner’s medals on home and foreign soil. He was part of the England team that won both the World Feeder Champs and European Feeder Cup, and also played a key role in helping Drennan Barnsley Blacks win several titles including the coveted Angling Trust Winter League final. On the individual front, he secured the gold medal in the Angling Trust Individual National.
Steve Ringer
The Feedermasters title was one of the few missing from Steve’s CV, but he put that right with a stunning victory in the final at Tamar Lakes. He was also part of the England team that won gold in the World Feeder Championships and was crowned the individual champion in the European Feeder Cup for the second-year running. He narrowly missed out on holding on to the UK Champs title that he secured in 2024, finishing third in this campaign.
Matt Dawes
He joined an elite club that has won more than one of the ‘big three’ commercial fishery finals when he added the Golden Reel title to the Fish O’Mania trophy that is already in his cabinet.
Phil Foster
A whole host of top river anglers lined the banks of the River Trent to compete in the RiverFest final, but it was the 78-year-old that produced a huge shock to bag the silverware. Staged over two days, it was the second of them where he did most of the damage with a highly impressive 102lb of barbel.
James Howarth
The winner of one of the most gripping Maver Match This final’s ever, the Guru-backed star also won numerous festivals including the Middy Masters. He also qualified for the Fish O’Mania final and was part of squads that tasted victory in two teams of three events at Tunnel Barn Farm.
