All you need to know about The Big One Show - Stoneleigh
Welcome to Angling Times’ bumper guide to our brand new fishing show - The Big One Stoneleigh.
It’s high time that anglers in the Midlands had a show of their own... now they have, and what a show it’s going to be!
Over the past 12 months we’ve worked really hard behind the scenes with our event partners, exhibitors, star anglers and past visitors to make our new-for-2019 event the best it can be.
Stoneleigh Park is a fantastic location for a fishing show as it’s right in the heart of the country and has some of the best facilities you’ll find anywhere, including loads of free parking and easy access to the two big halls. These will be packed out with top fishing manufacturers and retailers over the weekend, all revealing their new tackle and baits for the season ahead. There are also some seriously good, show-only deals to be had if you’re quick!
Our new John Wilson Legends Theatre was a huge hit at our recent Farnborough show, so we are excited to bring the stage to Stoneleigh as well. Not only does this entertainment area pay tribute to our much-loved fishing hero, but it will be packed with top fishing stars delivering unmissable talks and demos.
I’m proud to be able to welcome River Monsters TV superstar Jeremy Wade, plus World Feeder Champion Steve Ringer, carp legend Alan Blair, big-fish ace Des Taylor and many more famous faces to the stage. Proceedings will be hosted by England Carp Team manager Rob Hughes.
Inside this guide you’ll find a full rundown of what’s happening at the weekend, with a sneak preview of the new tackle to look out for, the timetables of who’s talking in the big theatre each day, and essential visitor information.
It’s not too late to get your tickets for the show – buy them in advance online now, or get them on the door from 9.30am each day.
How to get there
Make sure you allow plenty of time for your journey to The Big One. Traffic build-up can be considerable, and although there is ample parking for everyone, it will pay to arrive with plenty of time to spare
Date: Saturday, April 13 & Sunday, April 14
Location: Halls 1 & 2, NAEC Stoneleigh, Stoneleigh Park, Warks CV8 2LZ
Directions: Stoneleigh Park is located between the M6 and M40 motorways, close to Kenilworth and around six miles south of Coventry close to the A46. The Park is accessed from the B4113. The Big One will be well signposted from this point
SatNav postcode: CV8 2LZ
By rail: Royal Leamington Spa, Warwick, and Warwick Parkway rail stations are situated on the main London Marylebone to Birmingham line, while Coventry is a regular stop for the Virgin West Coast Mainline
By bus/coach: Coventry bus station is six miles from Stoneleigh Park. Warwick bus station is nine miles away
Meet the stars
Fishing’s biggest stars will be at The Big One Stoneleigh this weekend – and you can meet them all at the John Wilson MBE Legends Theatre and Demo Pool!
Hosted by TV star and England Carp Team manager Rob Hughes, there are 13 demos and insightful talks taking place over the weekend, when visitors can learn from the experts.
It’s also the place to see some sneak previews, especially during global TV legend Jeremy Wade’s appearance. He’ll be revealing his new ‘How to Think Like a Fish’ book, and giving visitors an exclusive look at his new TV series – Dark Waters.
In addition to his exclusive fishing demo, Steve Ringer will be signing copies of his latest Guide to Pole Fishing book on the Angling Times stand on Saturday – don’t miss out!
JOHN WILSON MBE LEGENDS THEATRE & DEMO LAKE
HALL 2 – Hosted by Rob Hughes
An unmissable mix of exclusive demos from the country’s top anglers, plus entertaining talks from the stars of fishing
SATURDAY APRIL 13
10.00am – 10.30am | Andy May – Fish O’ Champ and angling coach exclusively reveals how to catch more fish on the pole.
10.45am – 11.15am | Des Taylor – Angling Times columnist and Midlands fishing maestro talks about his fishing adventures and reveals some of his funniest stories from days on the bank.
11.30am – 12pm | Steve Ringer – Join the World Feeder Champion as he reveals his techniques for catching more on the Method and Hybrid feeders in this exclusive demo pool session.
12.15pm – 12.45pm | Dr Paul Garner – Enjoy a lure fishing masterclass on the demo pool with Angling Times’ resident predator expert – find out everything you need to know about catching bigger pike, zander, and perch.
1pm – 1.30pm | Mark Holmes – Top carp angler reveals his bait theories for catching bigger fish this spring and summer.
1.45pm – 2.30pm | Jeremy Wade – Behind-the-scenes insights into his River Monsters and Mighty Rivers TV shows, plus sneak previews of ‘How to Think Like a Fish’ book and Dark Waters TV series.
2.45pm – 3.15pm | Dave Harrell & Darren Cox – Don’t miss this exclusive match Q&A with these two Midlands river fishing legends!
SUNDAY APRIL 14
10.00am – 10.30am | Andy May – Fish O’Mania Champ and angling coach reveals how you can catch more fish on the pole in this exclusive demo.
10.45am – 11.30am | Alan Blair – Legendary carp fishing expert will help you put more, and bigger, carp in the net this season.
11.45am – 12.15pm | Dr Paul Garner – Enjoy a lure fishing masterclass on the demo pool with Angling Times’ resident predator expert – find out everything you need to know about catching bigger pike, zander, and perch.
12.30pm – 1.15pm | Jeremy Wade – Behind-the-scenes insights into his River Monsters and Mighty Rivers TV shows, plus a sneak preview of his new ‘How to Think Like a Fish’ book and forthcoming Dark Waters TV series.
1.30pm – 2.15pm | Des Taylor – Angling Times columnist and Midlands fishing maestro talks about his fishing adventures and reveals some of his funniest stories from days on the bank.
2.30pm – 3pm | Dave Harrell & Darren Cox – Don’t miss this exclusive match Q&A with these two Midlands river fishing legends!
SIX things to do at the show
1) See the latest tackle…
Stoneleigh show visitors will be treated to many new launches from the biggest names in fishing, with new gear for 2019 from the likes of Shimano, Nash, Garbolino, Maver, Rod Hutchinson, RidgeMonkey, Navitas, Prologic, MAP, Wolf, Thinking Anglers, Frenzee, NGT and Wychwood, to name just a few!
The big-hitters will be joined by many of our artisan brands, bringing a real mix of unique products for all styles of fishing – check them out!
2 …and buy it
The UK’s biggest retailers are at Stoneleigh with huge stands and huge bargains, including special The Big One show-only deals – so not only can you get your hands on the latest gear, but you’ll be able to save £££s on the full prices too!
Don’t miss top deals from retailers including Vale Royal Angling Centre, Eric’s Angling, Total Fishing Tackle and more.
3) Meet the stars
Fancy meeting Jeremy Wade and learning more about his new TV series? Want to ask Steve Ringer about catching more fish on the feeder, or Andy May on becoming a better pole angler?
What about planning your next carp session with tips from Alan Blair? We’ve got a whole host of top anglers doing demos and giving exclusive talks on the John Wilson MBE Legends stage and Demo Pool all weekend – you won’t want to miss them!
4) Stock up on baits
This year’s The Big One show has more big bait manufacturers than ever, with all the latest creations for carp, match and river anglers. Get your hands on new feeds from CCMoore, Sticky, Crafty Catcher, Blakes Baits, Shilham, Munch Baits and more.
5) Shop and Drop
Visitors will be able to take advantage of a new Shop&Drop facility at The Big One where you can leave your bulkier purchases until you’re ready to collect them and take them home. Getting them back to your car should be easy too, with parking close to the halls.
6) Relax and refresh
A fully kitted-out inside restaurant and outside catering facilities will be there to provide a huge variety of food and drink for all visitors throughout the weekend.