Influence: noun; the capacity to have an effect on the character, development, or behaviour of someone or something, or the effect itself...
(THIS ARTICLE APPEARED IN ANGLING TIMES MAGAZINE IN DECEMBER 2025)
Every angler in the UK has, in some way, been influenced by the people on this list, which is the first ranking of its kind to be created in the history of our sport.
Whether you’ve read an article, bought a certain item of tackle, watched a clip on YouTube, liked a social media post or fished a particular venue, chances are that the 50 individuals detailed on the following pages will have in some way contributed to the experience. As a collective bunch, their reach is certainly impressive.
Of course, the meaning of the word ‘influencer’ has changed quite markedly over the past few decades. Scroll back 30 or 40 years and those who helped form opinion and inspire others were, in the main, masters of the written word or presenters of terrestrial TV fishing programmes. Think Dick Walker, John Wilson, Fred J Taylor and the like.
While many bemoan the rapid rise of the digital era, it’s safe to say that the growth of the internet and, in particular, social media, has in many ways created more of a level playing field, one where everyone has a voice.
Some of the names on this list are more influential than others across these different platforms, and therefore more well-known, but the rankings also include people whose names you may not be all that familiar with, but who have nonetheless played a significant role in determining the direction in which the sport of angling has headed over the past 12 months.
The ranking system
After drawing up a shortlist of more than 100 people, our expert editorial team scored each nominee on a range of factors including ‘inspiration and impact’, ‘tips and advice’, ‘social media influence’, ‘personal achievements’ and ‘product innovation’ to get an overall picture as to what degree they have each influenced the way you have enjoyed, and consumed, your angling over the last 12 months.
So, here goes – we hope you enjoy it!
50 - Sue Bloom
The owner of Nottinghamshire’s Springvale Fisheries has quickly turned the complex into one of the most famous commercials in the UK. The venue hosted its first Fish O’Mania qualifier and also the inaugural NuFish All England Championships. Both events helped to attract anglers from far and wide to sample the fantastic mixed fishing available.
49 - Original Jonny Boy
With a huge social media following, Original Jonny Boy has burst on to the fishing scene this year. Producing positive content for his hundreds of thousands of followers, Jonny runs a carp water in Barnsley, South Yorkshire, but perhaps what he’s best known for are the acts of generosity towards up-and-coming anglers.
On numerous occasions this year, he’s given out free bait and tackle to young anglers at local fisheries, doing his bit to grow the future of the sport. He’s someone we’re sure to see much more of in 2026.
48 - Andrew Race
The chairman of the Angling Trades Association and boss of highly-respected weighing scales manufacturer Ruben Heaton. As well as overseeing and supporting schemes such as Take A Friend Fishing and National Fishing Month , a lot of work has gone on behind the scenes to create a more unified angling industry, and some exciting projects are planned for the next 12 months.
47 - Matt Hayes and Mick Brown
One of angling’s favourite duos, Matt & Mick have just released their new Ultimate Rod Race, in which the pair travel on an adventure around the UK targeting fish of various species. The series was funded by a generous donation of £55k by loyal fans, and while many initially hoped that the show would be broadcast on national television, it will now instead be free-to-view on YouTube. Matt has also continued to interact with fans through his popular Facebook page, and is building a YouTube channel featuring episodes of his previous hit programmes.
46 - Mark Downes
It’s rare for anglers to receive national recognition for their work, but this year, England international and manager, Mark Downes, was awarded an MBE by King Charles III for Services to International Angling.
Mark also represented England in the Veterans World Champs, picking up team bronze in Portugal. Additionally, he managed the Men’s Float Team to a fifth-placed finish in the World Float Championships.
45 - Jim Murray
Although best known for his work as an actor in series such as The Crown, Jim Murray is a passionate angler and conservationist. This year, he launched Project White Heart – a mission to halt the extinction of English chalk stream salmon and put them on a path to sustainable, long-term recovery.
Jim appeared on an episode of Gone Fishing a few months ago to highlight the drive, in which he talked to Paul Whitehouse about the pivotal work.
44 - Marina Dombaj (nee Gibson)
The popular Marina Dombaj continued to be a positive light for angling in 2025. Not only does she do great work to promote female fishing, but also angling in general, with one highlight being an interview in Country Living magazine on the well-being benefits of angling. Additionally, Marina campaigned for many of the sport’s most pressing issues, including a film with global outdoor brand, YETI, on wild Atlantic salmon, highlighting how the angling community is at the heart of their conservation
43 - Bob Nudd
One of angling’s all-time legendary matchmen, four-time World Champ Bob has turned to social media in recent years to give people an insight into his adventures on the bank – and his fans have lapped it up! From targeting silvers on The Broads to taking on commercial experts at his local complex, Bob has gained over 37,000 followers since he created his own angling Facebook page.
IF YOU ARE NEW TO FISHING, OUR BEGINNERS GUIDE WILL HELP YOU CATCH MORE FISH.
42 - Jamie Clayton
A true force for good in angling, not only does he offer free fishing for juniors and serving military personnel on his Manchester Angling Club waters, but this year, he set up the North West Angler’s Alliance. This unique drive aims to unite and empower angling clubs and fisheries in the region by providing critical funding to improve angling facilities and opportunities. Jamie also created great links with the local community and has big plans to boost angling further in the region.
41 - Alan Blair
Although Alan faced the unenviable task of breaking the news that Nash Bait would be no more earlier this year, he has continued to promote the sport with his unrivalled energy and enthusiasm across both his own and Nash’s social media channels. With videos racking up hundreds of thousands of views, attending numerous shows and open days in the UK and Europe alongside his day job, we’re still unsure of when Alan actually finds time to sleep!
40 - Feargal Sharkey
Continuing to bang the drum and fight for justice in the light of the sewage scandal, Feargal Sharkey remains a powerful voice for not only angling, but for the health of rivers in general. His criticism of offending companies remained relentless this year, with his voice a powerful one that gets behind many campaigns. While some people tiptoe around criticism of authorities, Feargal dives in head-on.
39 -James Duffy
Perhaps better known as Big Duffs Fishing on his social media channels, James was instrumental in raising awareness and fighting North East Derbyshire District Council’s ban on angling at Wingerworth Lido earlier this year.
His grassroots campaign to reverse the decision included a petition for fishing to be reinstated, which quickly gained more than 5,000 signatures, and his efforts were covered by national newspapers and broadcasters such as The Telegraph and GB News.
38 - Tom Scholey
The Catch More Media boss has once again stepped up the amount of quality content that he has been able to produce through his social media channels, filming everything from tactical videos through to live match action. He’s teamed up with some of the best in the business, including Brad Lucas and Jordan Holloway, and has also launched a new YouTube channel that focuses on basic but essential angling skills.
37 - Steve Manley and Tim Price
Steve and Tim are the founders of the country’s most popular swim-booking platform, Catch. The website and app allow anglers to choose from more than 7,000 pegs across day-ticket, specimen carp, lake-exclusive and fly fishing venues. The Catch community also enables anglers to share information, and makes it easier for fisheries to advertise and take payments.
36 - Mo Metcalf-Fisher
The Countryside Alliance (CA) had a big impact on the fishing world this year, not only in bringing angling to schools, but also in its support during the Wingerworth Lido saga. Mo Metcalf-Fisher, its director of external affairs, played a key role in the latter, with local anglers singing his praises for the pressure that he and the rest of the CA team put on North East Derbyshire District Council, which recently reversed the ban. It’s hoped that fishing will soon return to the Lido for the long term.
35 - Zenia Drury-Gregorek
A huge ambassador for female anglers, Zenia continues to work tirelessly to make sure more ladies enjoy our amazing sport. She frequently posts uplifting content on her social media pages and regularly gives her time to support exciting initiatives. She is also the boss of Anglers Paradise fishery which has continued to go from strength to strength in 2025.
34 - Rob Harris
Hitting the headlines earlier this year for his and Peterborough & District AA’s work in rescuing seals on the River Nene, Rob Harris has made a mark on angling in 2025. He and the club were a driving force, campaigning for change and fighting for a brighter future for the sport. Speak to members of angling clubs up and down the land and you’ll often hear Rob’s name mentioned in high regard.
Through his role at ClubMate, Rob has also hosted some of the sport’s biggest names on ‘The Casting Forward Podcast’.
33 - Terry Hearn
Often described as the GOAT of big-carp fishing, Terry remains one of this generation’s most influential anglers, despite not being in the limelight to the extent he once was. In fact, his lack of social media presence makes any content featuring him feel like an even bigger treat! Indeed, Terry’s Shire To Shire documentary on Sticky’s YouTube channel racked up 225K views, making it by far their most-viewed video of the year. And, of course, it wouldn’t be Christmas without Terry’s fireside tales on the E-S-P YouTube channel!
32 - Jamie Cook
It’s been a significant year for the Angling Trust and Fish Legal, headed by CEO Jamie Cook, which has included landmark court victories against the Government and the Environment Agency and bolstering the support of enforcement and fisheries via schemes such as FishNet and the Fisheries Support Service. On the campaigns front, the Trust played a crucial role in numerous victories, including providing evidence-based management plans to fight the angling ban at Wingerworth Lido. And in 2025 the Trust delivered 15 national championships across coarse, sea and game, and more than 200 domestic competitions.
31 - Jeremy Wade
Although he’s not made a new TV show this year, the mere existence of Jeremy Wade – arguably the most famous fisherman in the world – warrants his place on this list! Anyone who doubts Jeremy’s popularity need look no further than the River Monsters YouTube channel, in which repeated episodes and clips of his show regularly receive millions of views. The channel has 2.5m subscribers – more than the top five UK fishing channels put together, and then some!
30 - Chris Blunt
As Linear Fisheries’ General Manager, Chris Blunt has ensured that the well-run Oxfordshire day-ticket complex remains one of the most popular in the country. Long famed for its impressive carp stocks, the venue has also proved a huge hit with specimen anglers, producing tench to over 12lb, roach over 4lb, and 100lb-plus catfish in 2025.
Predator anglers are also well catered for, with the Linear Lure Champs which took place in November, and the fishery also hosted the final of Predator Tackle’s Lure Battle series earlier this year. The fishery has been committed to boosting angling participation with initiatives such as under-16s being able to fish for free on several of their lakes when sharing a swim with an adult at weekends or during the school holidays.
29 - Dean Barlow
Every world-class team has a world-class manager, and Dean’s behind the scenes efforts for the England Feeder Team led the nation to both World Championships and European Feeder Cup gold medals. His tactical intelligence played a big part in creating the plans that were required to be successful, while several squad members have openly spoken about his brilliant man-management.
28 - Mick Vials
The boss of the constantly growing NuFish brand, he was one of the major brains behind what proved to be the hugely successful All England Championships – a sellout match where purely silverware was up for grabs. He has also continued to innovate on the tackle front, bringing out dozens of products via his brand this year that have gone on to be big sellers.
27- Rich Chapman
Andy May and Jamie Hughes may be the frontmen of the hugely successful Winning Ways channel, but it’s Rich who makes the platform tick. A talented videographer and photographer, he is constantly coming up with new ideas for viewers, many of which have Andy and Jamie pitting their wits against each other in entertaining challenges.
26 - Peter Drennan
One of the industry’s most innovative tackle bosses, Peter Drennan has overseen the launch of some of the year’s best-selling products. The firm also funded the England Feeder Team who won gold at this year’s World Feeder Championship in Lithuania, as well as continuing to sponsor the prestigious annual Drennan Cup competition.
25 - Rob Hughes
Possibly one of the busiest men in angling, Rob Hughes continued to host TNT Sports’ On The Bank (one of the few remaining angling shows on TV) alongside Andy Ford, and once again compered the main stage at The Big One show.
In addition to continuing to stir opinion with his weekly column in Angling Times he also appeared on Fox’s All Ways Carp podcast. He did squeeze in some fishing too, catching a 60lb-plus carp from a sixth different country, and he was also part of the Carp Team England which was victorious in this year’s Home Nations event.
24 - Tom Maker
A ‘carp catching machine’ is the only way to describe Tom Maker. He has a knack of catching wherever he goes – from busy day-ticket waters to urban wharfs, both in the UK and Europe. As well as regularly posting content on his own CineCarp YouTube channel he has starred in a whole host of Korda’s most viewed videos of the year.
23 - Charles Jardine
Although best known in the fly fishing world, Charles Jardine had a huge impact on the wider UK fishing scene this year when he played a pivotal role in getting angling on to the school curriculum. Launched through his award-winning Fishing for Schools programme, he and the Countryside Alliance Foundation launched a series of ‘Angling and Countryside’ qualifications, available in schools from 2026 – a game-changer for the future of fishing and thousands of kids.
22 - Adam Penning
Adam is the man behind the Penning’s Carp Academy channel which was voted Subscription Platform of the Year by Angling Times readers for the second year in a row. Undoubtedly a huge part of the platform’s success has been Adam’s ability to impart his vast angling knowledge in an informative and no-nonsense format, and 2025 saw the launch of the channel’s app, making it more accessible to a wider audience.
21 - Dave Lyons
Founder of the hugely impactful and successful Tackling Minds project, which this year celebrated its fifth anniversary, Dave Lyons has helped to change the game when it comes to fishing being recognised as an alternative form of therapy. This year, his efforts were recognised with the King’s Award for Voluntary Service – the equivalent of an MBE. Tackling Minds continues to grow, with big plans for 2026.
20 - Steven Crowe
As CEO of tackle giant Angling Direct that continued to dominate the industry in 2025, Steven Crowe deserves a place on the list. In their half-year results, the group reported that revenue had increased by 17 per cent, with total UK sales also growing by 17.7 per cent. The group also opened numerous new UK stores this year at destinations including Stourport- on-Severn and Grimsby, and the firm continues to grow in Europe.
19 - Andy May
One of the most vibrant characters within angling, he combines the somewhat tricky task of educating anglers on a multitude of tactics while making them laugh at the same time. The Preston Innovations-backed star is also the face of the Winning Ways channel alongside Jamie Hughes, which has gained tens of thousands of followers over the years.
18 - Tom Stokes
Voted the 2025 Carp Angler of the Year, Tom Stokes enjoyed a year when he didn’t seem able to put a foot wrong. His season highlights included catching the two biggest known carp from a rock hard, low-stock southern pit, banking the first 40-pounder from Norton Disney’s Billy’s Lake, and also catching a 57lb fully-scaled mirror carp elsewhere. Oh, and did we mention that he also took a 44lb 2oz common on a piece of floatfished sweetcorn? A regular on Korda’s YouTube channel, Tom has featured in some of their most popular videos, including the two-part Underwater film at Carplantis, and has fished alongside Tom Maker in the Spooner & Dovey VS... series.
17 - Lee Kerry
The England international and Drennan Barnsley Blacks captain has had an hugely successful year on both the individual and team front. He’s continued to be a regular contributor to Preston Innovations and SonuBaits social media channels, helping anglers improve their skills by sharing top tips and tactics from his armoury. He’s also a leading figure on The Edge social media channels and continues to help shape the elite match fishing scene, contributing to the brand-new format of the Bait-Tech Feedermasters Super League that’s set to debut in 2026.
16 - Adam Rooney
The Tackle Guru boss works tirelessly behind the scenes and has played a big part in the creation of new gear that has gone down a storm with anglers. A very talented angler himself, he joins Matt Godfrey and Steve Ringer on Guru’s ‘The Weigh-In’ podcast each week and has also starred in plenty of tactical videos that have been watched by countless thousands.
15 - Martin Bowler
Britain’s best-known big-fish angler continued to influence the specimen fishing and pleasure fishing worlds this year, with his long-standing Angling Times column and his FishFlix subscription channel. On this, he and camera ace Laurence Hanger produce stunning films, a highlight being the moment that Simon Baker landed a 22lb 3oz British Record barbel this year.
14 - Brad Lucas
The winner of this year’s Fish O’Mania final proved that young anglers can mix it with the very best in the game. His profile has grown apace since that victory, making regular appearances on Catch More Media’s channels where he discusses the tactics that have helped him succeed. He is also sponsored by Matrix and is playing a role in the development of their upcoming tackle launches.
13 - John Ellis
A decade ago, the future of junior fishing in the UK looked bleak, but today many angling clubs boast thriving junior sections. A huge influence is the work of John Ellis, National Fisheries & Angling Manager at the Canal and Rivers Trust. Through the organisation’s hugely successful Let’s Fish drive, thousands of kids have been introduced to angling, and nearly 500 juniors fished the National Celebration of Young People and Fishing, making it the biggest match of the year.
12 - Snagged Bro
Angling has had its fair share of popular double acts over the years, but without doubt the pairing proving most popular with the new younger generation of anglers is the duo of Tom Synnott-Bell and Sean Edwards, better known as Snagged Bro.
Their fun and entertaining content across YouTube and social media has garnered them an army of followers and has undoubtedly played a part in the rise in popularity of lure fishing for pike and perch among many anglers.
11 - Des Taylor
There are few more passionate or enthusiastic anglers around than Des, airing his opinions on a wide range of topics including pollution, participation levels, predation and access to angling, while frequently challenging those in positions of power. His ever-growing Des Taylor Angling Facebook group now boasts a following just shy of 55,000 members, who he actively engages with via regular posts and his popular Friday Night in the Tackle Den live streams.
10 - Neil Spooner and Tom Dove
Despite the loss of the Monster Carp TV series, the popular duo have continued to keep their fans well entertained with their incredibly popular Dovey & Spooner VS...series on Korda’s YouTube channel, as well as giving followers regular behind the scenes updates on everything their up to via their social media channels. They also host the Korda Uncut Podcast alongside Damien Clarke and Ads Reed.
The most popular has surely been their Dovey and Spooner VS … series on YouTube, which has seen them undertake various challenges against other anglers. We’re all hoping for another seasonof Monster Carp soon, though!
9 - Scott Lloyd
One of the best big-carp catchers around, Scott organised the inaugural The Fish n Show at Linear Fisheries, offering anglers the chance to fish alongside some of the carp fishing’s biggest names, enjoy exclusive talks and slideshows and get their hands on the latest gear from a number of top brands. The show was such a hit that there are already only a limited number of tickets remaining for the 2026 event.
Not content with just branching into events, Scott also launched his Fisherman’s News series which has proved to be a huge hit across YouTube and social media.
8 - Jamie Hughes
Jamie continues to deliver regular content via the Winning Ways online channels, taking part in entertaining challenges alongside Andy May, while also putting himself in front of the cameras for live matches. He’s continued to perform to a high level throughout 2025, coming second in the Maver Match This final and third in the Golden Reel final.
7 - Bob Mortimer and Paul Whitehouse
It’s hard to comprehend the impact that Bob Mortimer and Paul Whitehouse have had on angling since the start of their TV series, Gone Fishing, but after their eighth season aired this year, it’s safe to say that they’ve been a hit! Although the programme is a favourite of many anglers, it’s the non-angling public that they’ve had the biggest influence on.
Often, when speaking to angling coaches and guides, they tell us that new or lapsed anglers picking up the rod are doing so having been inspired by the programme. For painting fishing in a friendly and positive light, rather than an overly macho and tacky pursuit, as many fishing TV shows have done, the future of angling has much to thank Bob and Paul for.
6 - Ali Hamidi
Getting fishing content on terrestrial television seems to be becoming increasingly challenging, so it was a great achievement when The Underwater Grand Fishing Adventure aired on ITV4 in April. The series consisted of four one-hour-long episodes featuring Ali fishing alongside Bobby Zamora at venues in the UK and France, and boasted groundbreaking underwater footage. Ali’s own brand, One More Cast, has continued to grow its product range, and this year added higher- end products such as the Black Pearl rods to its stable as well as branching out with the iScream and Paella bait ranges.
5 - Carl Smith
The growth of junior participation in angling has been one of the biggest success stories of 2025.
And while there have been numerous schemes and factors driving this upturn in young anglers, there’s no doubting the role that Carl has played. His immense popularity among this generation has clearly given them a relatable angling role model.
His Fish With Carl YouTube following alone – 614K subscribers – is bigger than many of the sport’s biggest brands combined, and his videos this year, including sessions in India and Thailand, and targeting a UK 50lb-plus carp, have racked up figures most anglers can only dream of.
As well as content creation, Carl also branched out into the world of tackle this year with his FWC range of lure rods. Unsurprisingly, these quickly sold out after their launch, but there should hopefully be more on the way soon.
4 - Matt Godfrey
One of the most talented match anglers in the country, Matt’s enthusiasm for all things fishing shines through in everything he is involved with.
Whether that be on camera for the Tackle Guru or Mainline Match companies, during tuition sessions with young anglers that aspire to achieve what he has, or simply while out fishing for his personal pleasure, he strives to display everything that is amazing about our brilliant sport.
His hard work with both the Guru Talent Pathway and England Under-15s goes a long way to making sure the conveyor belt of future stars continues to operate smoothly.
3 - Mark Pitchers
Mark Pitchers is a man with his finger firmly on angling’s pulse, and if something big is happening in the sport, there’s a good chance that he’ll be a part of it. His raffle-style competitions of Capital Catch and Capital Carp continue to dominate the angling landscape.
Spectacular prizes are on offer, ranging from sports cars to tackle bundles, and yet tickets often cost less than £1. Additionally, in a groundbreaking move, Mark’s range of Hippopotachunk clothing hit the shelves of national supermarket giant, ASDA. He and George – ASDA’s clothing department – worked together to create an affordable yet high-quality product, and the range has proved a hit with anglers and non-anglers alike.
Mark has a strong presence on social media, and continues to produce exciting films on YouTube, teaming up with other angling influencers to create engaging content.
2 - Steve Ringer
The Guru-backed superstar has had a stellar year, even by his own lofty expectations, winning Feedermasters individually while also helping England’s Feeder Team to gold in both the World Championships and European Feeder Cup. His weekly column in Angling Times continues to inspire thousands, while his strong and honest views on Guru’s weekly The Weigh In podcast have sparked plenty of debate among anglers.
1 - Danny Fairbrass
The driving force behind Korda, Danny Fairbrass’ commitment to innovation, education, and the advancement of carp angling earns him the number one spot for the third year running.
The brand’s extensive product range was bolstered with several new additions this year, including Shot on the Hook beads, as well as new inclusions to the best-selling Kaizen Green rod and landing net range.
In terms of content generation there are few who can rival Korda, and this year audiences were treated to multiple releases across franchises including Underwater, Thinking Tackle, Masterclass, Dovey & Spooner VS... and Mindset.
The brand retained a continued presence at consumer shows in the UK and across Europe, and you’d be hard-pressed to find a carper’s tackle box without at least one Korda product in there.
Further to all this, Danny and his team continued the amazing work carried out by the Embryo Angling project, and its waters now contain some of the biggest and most sought-after carp in the country. He has also continued to boost awareness of the cancer risks anglers face, and helps to raise money for the Melanoma Focus charity.
