Daryn Pahl Crowned 2024 Elite Pro League Champion After Epic Finale in London Docklands

On September 8th, 2024, the streets of London Docklands played host to the highly anticipated final of the UK’s Elite Pro League, where ten of the nation’s best street anglers battled it out for the title and a £2,000 cash prize—the biggest in UK lure fishing history. With tensions high and the leaderboard constantly shifting, the competition did not disappoint, providing one of the most dramatic finales in recent memory.

The day kicked off with Ben Sharp making an early impact, landing a 41cm perch. However, as the hours ticked by, Nick Wilson quickly took control of the leaderboard, filling his perch card with a total of 2m 19cm. Close behind were Adam Seeley with 1m 42cm and Tom Andrews with 1m 18cm. The race at the top was tight, reminiscent of past Elite Pro League events like the Bristol showdown.

As the competition heated up, Tony Pantling surged into the lead with a crucial Zander on his card, pushing his total to 2m 37cm. Close on his heels were Paul Danby with 2m 22cm and Nick Wilson holding steady at 2m 19cm. The battle for first place was far from over, and with the leaderboard closing for the final hour, it was anyone’s game.

In a dramatic twist, Daryn Pahl, who had been sitting in 7th place for most of the competition, mounted an incredible comeback in the closing moments. With precision and determination, he secured a total of 2m 79cm, vaulting himself to the top and snatching the Elite Pro League trophy. Pahl’s victory was a nail-biter, as he narrowly edged out Paul Danby (2m 53cm) and Tom Andrews (2m 42cm), who finished second and third, respectively.

The final standings saw Tony Pantling, who had led for much of the competition, finish in fourth place with 2m 37cm, while early leader Nick Wilson ended in fifth with 2m 35cm. Despite a strong start, Ben Sharp finished in eighth place.

This year’s Elite Pro League was a masterclass in skill, strategy, and perseverance, with Daryn Pahl’s come-from-behind victory cementing his place as the 2024 Champion and the first-ever inductee into the UK’s Hall of Fame for street anglers. Congratulations to all the top ten competitors for an unforgettable finale to the 2024 Elite Pro League!