No.1 angler - Talk Angling fishing chat and tackle advice

Ian.B · 27th August 2008, 10:31 AM

Is there a ranking system for UK match anglers like there is in say tennis ? If so who is the no. 1 seed in UK match angling ?
Or is it just a case of Joe Bloggs won the 2008 Euro Champs. Fred Bloggs won the 2008 UK Champs, Mark Bloggs won 2008 Fishomaina etc. Or is it whichever UK angler finishes highest in the World Champs is considered the best for that year ?

If there isn't a ranking system, wouldn't it be a good idea - not that I'd know how it would work !

stevelockett · 28th August 2008, 06:52 AM

It would be too difficult to assess accurately. Although many of the real top flight fish against each other, some only fish certain types of venues.
How could you compare Steve Ringer, say, to Alan Scotthorne? Steve is probably very good fishing International rules and Alan is more than competant on commercials, but would either of them totally dominate in that field?
But swap that around and you could be looking at the best in the World.

Then where would you fit an all-rounder like Will. But some would say he is not so dominant when fishing on snake-lake type venues. But I've heard it said by some of the best in the business that he is awesome when fishing into open water.

The only way to put a ranking system together would be on a UK Champs type event, if all the contenders were to fish it. But there are still too many random events that could affect the results to make it truly fair, I feel.

If I had to put an opinion out there, I would say:
1. Alan Scotthorne due to his 5 World Golds
2. Will Raison
3. Steve Ringer

There are plenty of others who would be in the mix for the top ten, but I feel those three are head and shoulders above the rest.

Ian.B · 28th August 2008, 08:42 AM

I know what you're saying, we would end up with an angling decathlete (like a fishing Daly Thompson) who is good at everything but not the best at anything - although is that a bad thing in angling ?
Might make the 'venue experts' branch out a bit if they weren't getting any 'angling media' recognition for fishing/winning 90% of the time at one spot.
Or then again maybe there could be a panel of experts like in footbal where somebody picks the player of the year.
It is a tricky one but I'd have thought there'd be a lot of pride in being named no.1 all round match angler of the year.
Most peoples top ten names would be very similar (& include the three you mention) even if the ranking was slightly different... but think of the debate it would generate ! especially when a new name breaks into the top ten.

I would agree with you on one point though that at this moment in time it would be hard to argue against someone with 5 world golds/titles not to be considered no1 seed.

blobnob · 28th August 2008, 11:46 AM

My Top 3 Would Be
Jamie Masson
Will Raison
Steve Ringer

bazh · 28th August 2008, 12:08 PM

blobnob you need to stop reading fishing magazines!

rive t · 28th August 2008, 02:33 PM

Larry t/pot The mincers number one by a pink country mile

big g · 28th August 2008, 08:46 PM

It looks like these Bloggs fellas are going to take some beating.

stevelockett · 29th August 2008, 10:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blobnob

My Top 3 Would Be
Jamie Masson
Will Raison
Steve Ringer

So we get into the personal choice part of this debate. He is without doubt a talented angler, but what has Jamie Masson done to deserve a plac in the top ten, let alone 'Best match angler in the UK or the World'?
Even given his last few World Champs appearances, and consequent experience, I can't imagine him breaking into the England side.

Ian.B · 29th August 2008, 12:20 PM

Yes, it was always going to be easy for this to drift on to peoples favourites.
There will probably never be an official ranking system for UK match anglers because of all the variables - but I still think it would be a good if there was one.
Anglings elite might get more main stream recognition if they could be introduced as 'the official UK no. 1' , rather than 'this is Fred he has won some high level fishing matches'.

From a novices point of view I would have thought that the best match angler in the country must be someone who fishes for England, i.e. in the current squad (& that's not a jibe at anyone who doesn't fish for the country).

Andycarpcatcher · 29th August 2008, 01:43 PM

I think the problem arises from the fact fishing is fragmented. International fishing is totally different to the commercial match fishing scene. Other things like football, tennis are'nt fragmented so its easier to define the elite.