MATCHROOM Sport can announce that the final of the 2008 PartyPoker.com Fish'O'Mania will take place at Cudmore Fishery on Saturday, July 19.

Cudmore becomes the fourth Fish'O'Mania venue following Mallory Park in 1994, Hallcroft Fisheries (1995-96) and Hayfield Lakes, home to the event for an 11-year period from 1997 to 2007.

The last competition at Hayfield Lakes was won by Clive Wright (right) from Tettenhall, Wolverhampton, who finished 14kg ahead of England international Will Raison in second place.

This year's 16-man match will take place on the spectacular Arena Lake, custom-made for televised events and designed and built by Cudmore owner Cyril Brewster in 1996.

With carp to 26 lbs, barbel to 8 lbs, chub to 6 lbs as well as plenty of bream, roach and tench, the Arena Lake will offer the finalists plenty of different methods with which to win the most prestigious prize in domestic match angling.

Situated a few miles outside of Stoke, on the 2,000 acre Whitmore Hall Estate, Cudmore was opened in 1990 and over the years has steadily gained a reputation as one of the UK's premier match fishing venues.

The 16 qualifying matches for Fish'O'Mania XV start on Saturday 5 April and conclude on Wednesday 2 July, with the 16 winners contesting the grand final.

In addition there will be the Ladies and Juniors Fish'O'Mania finals as well as the traditional celebrity match taking place on 19 July.

A spokesman for event promoters Matchroom Sport said: "It wasn't an easy decision to make after being at what was a first class venue for 11 years. However, we felt that perhaps it was time to move on and try somewhere else.

"Cudmore certainly measures up to all our requirements for a Fish'O'Mania final venue and I believe that the people at Cudmore will do everything in their power to make this a final to remember."

Cudmore's Cyril Brewster said: "We are, of course, very proud to have such a big match coming to Cudmore. I believe that the Arena Lake will prove to be an ideal water on which to stage the Fish'O'Mania final.

"Hopefully, if all goes accordingly, we have some ambitious plans to develop the event at Cudmore over the next few years in conjunction with Matchroom Sport and Sky Sports."

Date posted: February 20, 2008

Qualifying venues for the PartyPoker.com Fish'O'Mania XV
1. Saturday, April 5 - Viaduct Fishery, Somerset
2. Saturday, April 12 - Witherington Farm Lakes, near Salisbury
3. Wednesday, April 16 - Barford Lakes, Norwich
4. Wednesday, April 23 - Monk Lakes, Marden, Kent
5. Saturday, April 26 - Heronbrook Fisheries, near Eccleshall, Staffordshire
6. Saturday, May 3 - Tunnel Barn Farm, Warwickshire
7. Saturday, May 10 - Woodlands Lakes, Thirsk
8. Wednesday, May 14 - Barston Lake, Barston, near Solihull
9. Saturday, May 17 - Browning Cudmore, Whitemore, Staffordshire
10. Saturday, May 24 - Woodlands View, Droitwich
11. Saturday, May 31 - Maver Larford, Worcestershire
12. Saturday, June 7 - The Oaks, Sessay, Yorkshire
13. Saturday, June 14 - Whiteacres Holiday Park, Newquay
14. Saturday, June 21 - Willinghurst Fishery, near Guildford
15. Saturday, June 28 - Moorlands Farm, Kidderminster
16. Wednesday, July 2 - Lindholme Lakes, Sandtoft, North Lincolnshire.
Final - Saturday, July 19 - Fish'O'Mania XV - Venue TBC.

Date updated: February 21, 2008