Sibfest 2025
We were honored to be invited by Ross and Sophie Honey from the Sea Angling Classic to host the first-ever SIB (Soft Inflatable Boat) category, something the SIB angling community has been pushing for over the years — and it finally happened!
It was a long-awaited moment: small inflatable boat anglers going head-to-head with bigger boat owners, representing major brands and well-known YouTubers alike.
Originally planned for earlier in the year, the event had to be postponed after I was unexpectedly hospitalised with pneumonia. Even the rescheduled August dates were touch and go after I was taken back in for urgent tests and scans. After all the phone calls and back-and-forth with Ross to get SIBs included… I honestly thought I wouldn’t make it.
But as they say — the show must go on!
And it did.
SIB anglers travelled from as far as Birmingham to compete for the top prize: a Hydrus inflatable boat for the biggest overall catch of the weekend, with extra prizes up for grabs for the biggest bass, wrasse, and bream.
Day 1 saw plenty of bream caught and just a few bass across the fleet, but no wrasse yet — so that was the hot target heading into day 2. The highlight? Matt Chapman landing a stunning 110cm smoothhound, which would go on to win the overall prize.
Day 2 brought a change in pace. A few more SIBs joined the fun and the wrasse finally made an appearance, shaking up the leaderboard. With just 30 minutes to go, Henry landed a cracking 42cm wrasse, stealing the win in that category. Meanwhile, the bream competition came down to the wire — just 1mm separating 1st and 2nd place!
Final Results:
- 🐟 Biggest Bass: Michael Shearer – 43cm
- 🐟 Biggest Bream: John Charles – 34.2cm
- 🐟 Biggest Wrasse: Henry – 42cm
- 🦈 Overall Winner: Matt Chapman – 110cm smoothhound
Massive thanks to everyone who took part and helped bring the SIB category to life. It’s only the beginning!
