YPC Bank 2024

Europe's most popular bank fishing tournament is BACK! 32 anglers, 16 knock-out tickets, 8 one-on-one battles, 6 finalists and 1 trophy! In this article we introduce the participants, explain the rules and format, and announce the provisional broadcast dates!

Here is the official YPC BANK 2024 trailer:

The Participants

Ready for the biggest YPC BANK of all time? The following 32 anglers are taking part this year. You'll find all their go-to lures and much of the tackle and accessories they use right here in our shop!

Group A

Dustin Schöne (Nays): The founder of the now pan-European tackle and clothing brand Nays is the only angler to have won both the YPC BANK (2018 & 2023) and the YPC BOAT (2022). Technically superb, endearingly chaotic and — despite a trophy cabinet that's already bursting at the seams — as hungry for success as ever. The Berliner is, as always, among the absolute top favourites!

Herbert Ziereis (Moby Softbaits): The Upper Bavarian is equally appreciated by camera crews, rivals and viewers alike for his rough-around-the-edges yet warm-hearted character. The predator fishing guide and tackle shop owner has already racked up several semi-final and final appearances — but 'Herbie' is still waiting for that one big breakthrough!

Florian Hassenpflug (Stroft): Flo is a true globetrotter who, guided by professionals around the world, has built up an enormous angling repertoire despite his young age. At the YPC BANK 2023 at the latest, he won the hearts of the audience with infectious enthusiasm and an incredible zander hat-trick, ultimately taking the bronze medal home. This year the Hamburger is firmly in the extended circle of favourites!

Sami Mouhib (Yo-Zuri): The content creator is an outstanding bank angler who knows his way around the Netherlands from Maastricht to Groningen. Sami has already made it through the intermediate round at the YPC BANK on several occasions. That he hasn't reached the final yet is purely down to the fact that the one big fish has been missing at the crucial moment. Given the Belgian's catch rate, though, it's only a matter of time before the right fish shows up at the right time!

Evert Oostdam (CWC): The 2021 Perch Pro Champion and organiser of the Predator Tour knows the waters of his home country inside out. The former marine soldier has put in very respectable performances at YPC BASS & BOAT, but at the bank tournament Evert has so far been missing that crucial slice of angling luck — at least until now!

Birger Domeyer (Fisch & Fang): Birger originally studied sports science before fairly quickly finding his way into the editorial team of 'Fisch & Fang' and 'Raubfisch' magazines. Exceptionally knowledgeable, eloquent and drily funny — we're proud to have won another outstanding German 'angling educator' for our tournament formats!

Max Guder (Savage Gear): At this year's YPC BANK it's no longer Toon Van Ham but Max who is the youngest participant! The trainee teacher hails from the Harz region and has been very active on the angling scene for quite some time. Over the years he has built up a successful social media channel with his mate Willi, writes regularly for various angling publications and is appearing in video formats more and more often. His Instagram gallery proves he can catch big fish — now he needs to prove he can do the same at our bank tournament!

César Valladares (FishUs): César is one of the creative minds behind FishUs, the tackle workshop founded in 1999. The Catalan is primarily responsible for visual design, but he also knows how to handle lures of all kinds in practice. After making his YPC debut at YPC BASS, he now becomes the first native Spaniard to compete in our bank tournament. We say: Vamos!

Photo Group A (left to right): Domeyer, Hassenpflug, Oostdam, Guder, Valladares, Schöne, Mouhib, Ziereis

Group B

Enrico Di Ventura (LMAB): The Minden-based angler with a German rap past is one of the finest predator anglers in Europe, having already won the WPC, Lure Masters and the YPC BANK. It goes without saying that the LMAB product developer is among the tight circle of favourites at every angling tournament.

Roman Giacuzzo (FishXplorer): For 2024, the French distributor and tool manufacturer is sending the North Rhine-Westphalian in place of Landry Rausens! Roman offers guiding sessions in the Netherlands for pike, perch and zander — though usually from a boat. We'll see whether his spot-finding instincts extend to the Dutch banks!

Frédéric Jullian (Adventer): Because hunting wasn't an option due to limited catch-and-release possibilities, Fréd became the very first angler in his family! The Frenchman fishes mainly in freshwater, and practically everywhere in the world. Most years, though, he also spends around 2 months saltwater fishing in Norway. He's not particularly fussy about which species takes the bait — his favourite fish is simply 'the one that's biting today'!

Simon Torenbeek (Berkley): After a year away, the likeable product developer returns and is keen to shift the surprisingly weak record of Dutch BANK participants a little closer to that of their Belgian neighbours Toon Van Ham and Landry Rausens. His angling ability is more than up to the task — as we've seen repeatedly at YPC BOAT. Can Simon finally break the Dutch bank curse in 2024?!

Alex Schmidt (Noike): At YPC BANK 2023 the Herford-based angler made his international tournament debut and came close to reaching the semi-finals. His strengths lie primarily in perch and zander fishing — very fitting, then, that this year he'll be competing in the colours of the tackle brand around Mitsushiro Takeuchi, celebrated worldwide for their soft plastics!

Sebastian Hänel (Zeck): Sebastian will be familiar to most of you. The co-developer of Kauli, Quappie and Co. has worked for many years as a print and video journalist and also offers zander coaching. But the Saxonian is equally at home targeting the other two key species!

Cristina Meldau (DUO International): Some of you will recognise Cristina's face from various advertising clips for DUO International! The sales manager isn't just professionally connected to angling — she's an enthusiastic angler herself, targeting both salt- and freshwater predators in her spare time. When it comes to know-how, she has absolutely nothing to hide. How well the Swiss angler knows the spots, however, remains to be seen!

Anton Holzleitner (Sportex): After his angling beginnings in his grandmother's garden, Anton has since fished his way across half the world, from Slovenia to New Zealand. The technically versatile Bavarian also knows the Netherlands well — the competition would do well not to underestimate this newcomer!

Photo Group B (left to right): Holzleitner, Schmidt, Giacuzzo, Jullian, Meldau, Torenbeek, Hänel, Di Ventura

Group C

Patrick Marrable (Fox Rage): Patrick was 14 years old when a fearless chub sparked his passion for lure fishing. Since then, the Rhinelander has fished almost exclusively with lures and an extraordinarily broad technical repertoire, targeting species all over the world. He has consistently proven at the YPC BANK that he performs under pressure — after three consecutive top-4 finishes, 2024 is the year he wants the title!

Veit Wilde (Seika Pro): After some carp and eel adventures, Veit gravitated increasingly towards lure fishing in his teens — initially mainly for pike, until a 94 cm Elbe zander finally tipped him over fully into the predator camp. The serial winner of the 'Fisch & Fang Profi-Liga' came close to reaching the final at his YPC comeback last year — maybe he'll make it this time around!

Luis Mendez (Leech): The Dortmund-based angler with a Mexican passport has competed in every one of our tournament formats and done so with considerable success! After a strong performance at YPC BASS (2024), a bank bronze medal (2022) and a double triumph at YPC FANS (2023 & 2024), he has once again declared Armageddon for the 2024 BANK series. We'll see, shall we? 😁

Christopher Jung (Shimano): Business consultant, YouTuber, blogger, angling coach... it's remarkable what the Mannheim-based angler gets through! Alongside outstanding time management, Christopher also possesses baitcasting skills that very few anglers in Germany can match. Technically, then, the very best prerequisites for going deep in the tournament — we'll see what the fish have to say about that!

Paolo Baragioli (Molix): The starting point of Paolo's enduring passion for angling was his father, with whom he caught his first fish at the age of 2. Now, over 35 years on, he boasts an absurdly broad technical repertoire and exceptional casting skills — whether with a spinning rod or a casting rod. As long as his spots don't let him down, the Italian can go far even in the unfamiliar waters of the Netherlands!

Rick Barten (Gunki): The Dutchman has been fishing from the bank since the age of 5 and from a boat since the age of 14, and he knows virtually every stone along the Merwede and beyond. His primary target species is zander — his competitors would do well not to underestimate Marc Ptacovsky's Perch Pro partner!

Sebastian Binapfl (Nays): Together with his friend Sascha, Sebastian recently claimed the YPC BOAT 2024 title for line manufacturer Stroft — now he's competing at the YPC BANK for the first time, aiming to back up that fantastic boat performance! In the bank singles, the Friedberg-based angler sticks with Stroft lines but officially runs under the Team Nays banner!

Nico Brohm (tailwalk): Nico is something of the wildcard in this year's field! Judging by his social media presence and personal bests, though, the Thuringian spends a very large amount of time on or near the water. Top-quality tackle certainly won't be an issue either: tailwalk, like its Japanese parent company A-Tec, is celebrated by many JDM fans.

Photo Group C (left to right): Binapfl, Baragioli, Wilde, Mendez, Barten, Jung, Marrable, Brohm

Group D

Toon van Ham (Westin): On his fourth appearance, the Westin youngster is no longer the youngest competitor — he's now second youngest behind Max Guder! In the all-time rankings, Toon already sits in second place following his victory in 2022 and runner-up finish in 2023. Anyone who has seen the Belgian at one of the previous tournaments will already know what his stated goal for this bank series is: to dethrone Dustin Schöne!

Marc Ptacovsky (Illex): The Hessian is one of Germany's best-known predator anglers, and thanks to his FIPSed Predator World Championship title (2014), WPC victory (2021) and career as a German black bass national team angler, he also carries considerable international prestige. Within the YPC universe, his trophy haul so far amounts to 'only' a BASS win (2022) — but the Illex ambassador is always counted among the tight circle of favourites at our bank format too!

Markus von Euw (Bullseye Fishing): Markus' preferred method is lure fishing with a spinning rod, though back home in Switzerland he also enjoys the occasional fly fishing session. In 2023 he fished his strongest BANK tournament yet and came close to reaching the final — naturally, he'll be looking to match and surpass that performance here!

Markus Eule (Zeck): Markus has competed in every YPC format (BANK, BOAT, BASS & FANS) since 2022 and is an absolute fan favourite thanks to his honest and straight-talking manner. When he's not fishing tournaments, the Palatinate expat lives the sweetest of lives in Italy, builds boats, looks after his pet raven and runs a successful YouTube channel under the name 'Mr. Waller'!

John Chowns (Hearty Rise): The German with British roots has been active in the angling industry for over 10 years as an author, product consultant, brand ambassador and — above all — guide in the Netherlands, offering tours both from a boat and from the bank. A lack of local knowledge shouldn't be what stands in the way of his YPC comeback after several years away!

Kevin Imhof (LMAB): Kevin is a true street fishing authority, with wins at the Open Street Amsterdam (2018), the Freestyle Live (2022) and the World Street Fishing (2022 & 2023). Technical skill, good local knowledge and extensive tournament experience certainly sound like very solid foundations for a successful YPC debut!

Alexander Wiltz (Rapala): Alex only really got into fishing in 2019, which on paper at least makes him the least experienced participant this year. His Instagram gallery suggests, however, that he takes his 'new' hobby very seriously indeed! The IT engineer has also already gained some tournament experience — we'll see how he handles his debut on the big stage!

Daniel Kowalczyk (Relax): Daniel's father Witold emigrated to the USA in the late 1970s. During his regular visits back home, he noticed that his American lure selection didn't perform in Polish waters the way it did in the States, and so he decided on the spot to develop his own soft plastics for the European market. Relax was born, and the rest is — as they say — history! The Kopyto Shad in particular is one that virtually every angler (and probably most fish) will have come across at some point. It'll be fascinating to see what Daniel — who has run the company since his father's passing — pulls out of his lure box on his YPC debut!

Photo Group D (left to right): Kowalczyk, Wiltz, Imhof, Van Ham, Eule, Chowns, von Euw, Ptacovsky

YouTube Predator Cup 2024 – Format and Rules

Location

The tournament takes place in the Netherlands. The competition area is once again divided into four zones:

In the group stage, anglers fish in the following zones:

• Group A: Zones 1 and 3
• Group B: Zones 1 and 3
• Group C: Zones 2 and 4
• Group D: Zones 2 and 4

The Group Stage

The 32 anglers fish in four groups of eight. The top four from each group on points qualify for the semi-finals (the 'Battles').

In the group stage, anglers have eight hours of gross fishing time across two fishing days to fill their scoreboard as well as possible. A maximum of six qualifying fish of sufficient size may be submitted in total, though every species must be represented at least once. A full card could consist, for example, of one pike, one perch and four zander.

If an angler catches one perch and twelve pike, however, they can only submit 5 fish in total (the perch and the 4 largest pike). That would not count as a full card, as the zander is missing.

The multipliers and minimum sizes for each species are as follows:

Species	Minimum size	Multiplier
Pike	45 cm	1
Perch	22 cm	2
Zander	42 cm	1.3

From 0.5 cm above a whole centimetre, the measurement is rounded up (example: 50.5 cm = 51 cm), but only once the minimum size has actually been exceeded (a perch of 21.6 cm, for instance, does not count as a qualifying fish). Squeezing the tail fin is permitted.

Semi-Finals: The Battles

For the semi-finals, we're bringing back the 1-on-1 duels this year — though under different rules. The match-ups are determined by the respective finishing positions in the group stage:

Battles A/B:

• A1 vs B4
• A2 vs B3
• A3 vs B2
• A4 vs B1

Battles C/D:

• C1 vs D4
• C2 vs D3
• C3 vs D2
• C4 vs D1

A battle consists of 3 to 5 sets of 90 minutes each, in which three fish (of any species) may be submitted. Fish lengths are multiplied by the usual factors; whoever has more points at the end of the 90 minutes wins the set. If neither angler catches a fish, neither wins the set. In the event of a tie on points, the angler who landed the highest-scoring individual fish wins the set. Once an angler has won three sets, the duel is over. A maximum of 5 sets are fished.

The group winners and runners-up choose the zone in which the battle is fished. They may pick either of the two zones they already fished during the group stage. Exception: if the opponent expressly agrees to fish in a zone that neither angler has used in the tournament so far, that is also permitted. The zone may not be changed mid-battle — all 3 to 5 sets take place in the same zone.

The group winners and runners-up choose the spots in sets 1, 3 and 5 (if a 5th set is played). The group third- and fourth-placed anglers choose the spots in set 2 (and potentially set 4).

Each angler has a total time allowance of 90 minutes for spot changes between sets (for example, 60 minutes after set 1 and 30 minutes after set 3). If the 90 minutes are exceeded, fishing time is lost. The spot-change clock for the next set starts as soon as both anglers are back in the car. The travel time from the water to the car is always deducted from the angler who chose the spots in the previous set.

At the water, a minimum distance of one rod length and a maximum distance of 50 metres must be maintained between the two anglers.

It is permitted to fish spots that the opponent has already chosen. However, an angler may not choose the same spot in two consecutive sets. Either the spots must be new waters, or a minimum distance of 2 kilometres must be maintained from spots at the same water that the angler has already chosen.

After a fish has been caught, the angler who did not catch it may insist that the spot is not changed for 10 minutes (i.e. that the water is not left for 10 minutes).

The angler who wins 3 sets wins the duel. In the event of a draw (for example because sets ended fishless), the angler with the highest-scoring individual fish wins. If neither angler catches a fish, both are automatically eliminated.

Should several duels end completely fishless, the final round will be reduced in size accordingly — though this is a very theoretical scenario.

One very important rule to finish: only three of the four duel winners per day actually advance to the final. What counts here is points per set (calculated as an average). The winner with the weakest average score does not reach the final round. So 3 anglers from Groups A and B, and 3 anglers from Groups C and D, reach the final. This rule is designed to ensure that an angler who is leading still seeks out good spots, because they don't just need to beat their opponent — they also need a decent result for final qualification. You're fishing against your opponent, but you should also be working with them, because a fish-light victory doesn't do either angler any good.

The Final

The final round also takes place in the Netherlands. The exact venue and rules will be announced in good time.

Bonus Points, Penalty Points & Time Penalties

In the group stage, up to 30 topwater points are available — 10 points per qualifying predator. For pike, perch and zander, the usual minimum sizes apply; for all other species, a minimum size of 40 cm has been set. This genuinely covers every species: alongside asp and ide, non-predatory species such as carp also earn bonus points, provided they were legally hooked on a lure.

In the semi-finals, topwater points are capped at two fish, i.e. a maximum of 20 points.

Any angler who loses a fish during the fight due to a broken leader receives a 30-minute time penalty; lifting a fish out of the water by the line costs 10 minutes.

During the group stage, these time penalties are not served immediately but are deducted from fishing time at the end.

During the Battles, however, they are applied immediately, and if the remaining time in a set is insufficient, they are carried over into the next set.

Other Rules at a Glance:

• Every angler must hold a valid Vispas.
• At club waters or spots where an additional permit is required, this must be filmed by the camera operator.
• Only lures may be used — no bait fishing.
• Any number of rods may be brought along, but only one lure may be in the water at any time.
• Fishing time begins for all anglers at a fixed, pre-determined moment — no longer from each angler's first cast.
• Catches must be confirmed by the camera operator or tournament management.
• If two anglers are fishing the same spot, the angler who arrives later must maintain a minimum distance of 10 metres.
• For moral support, each angler may bring a maximum of one person to the water. That person may NOT actively assist (carrying the landing net, building rigs, fishing alongside, etc.).
• Fish must be hooked in the mouth area (in front of the gill cover); otherwise they are considered foul-hooked and do not count towards the score.

Commentator & Host

Charles Rettinghaus is once again lending his world-class narrating voice to the tournament. Acting as tournament organiser this year is Ihno Tamminga!

Sponsors

The following brands and companies are supporting YPC BANK 2024 as main sponsors:

• • Hearty Rise Europe (rod manufacturer — Feel the difference!)
  • Anglerschmiede (your online route to your fishing licence)
  • LURE DROP (THE monthly lure subscription for predator anglers)

Would you like to support the YPC as a sponsor or book advertising slots with enormous reach? Simply send an email to toni@hechtundbarsch.de.

Broadcast Dates

Here is the provisional broadcast schedule (subject to change):

• Episode 1: 18:00 on Sunday, 25 August 2024 — Episode 1 Group A
• Episode 2: 18:00 on Sunday, 1 September 2024 — Episode 2 Group A
• Episode 3: 18:00 on Sunday, 8 September 2024 — Episode 1 Group B
• Episode 4: 18:00 on Sunday, 15 September 2024 — Episode 2 Group B
• Episode 5: 18:00 on Sunday, 22 September 2024 — Episode 1 Group C
• Episode 6: 18:00 on Sunday, 29 September 2024 — Episode 2 Group C
• Episode 7: 18:00 on Sunday, 6 October 2024 — Episode 1 Group D
• Episode 8: 18:00 on Sunday, 13 October 2024 — Episode 2 Group D
• Episode 9: 20:00 on Thursday, 17 October 2024 — Episode 3 Group A
• Episode 10: 18:00 on Sunday, 20 October 2024 — Episode 4 Group A
• Episode 11: 20:00 on Thursday, 24 October 2024 — Episode 3 Group B
• Episode 12: 18:00 on Sunday, 27 October 2024 — Episode 4 Group B
• Episode 13: 20:00 on Thursday, 31 October 2024 — Episode 3 Group C
• Episode 14: 18:00 on Sunday, 3 November 2024 — Episode 4 Group C
• Episode 15: 20:00 on Thursday, 7 November 2024 — Episode 3 Group D
• Episode 16: 18:00 on Sunday, 10 November 2024 — Episode 4 Group D
• Episode 17: 18:00 on Sunday, 17 November 2024 — Episode 1 Battles AB
• Episode 18: 18:00 on Sunday, 24 November 2024 — Episode 2 Battles AB
• Episode 19: 18:00 on Sunday, 1 December 2024 — Episode 1 Battles CD
• Episode 20: 18:00 on Sunday, 8 December 2024 — Episode 2 Battles CD
• Episode 21: 18:00 on Sunday, 15 December 2024 — Episode 1 Final
• Episode 22: 18:00 on Sunday, 22 December 2024 — Episode 2 Final
• Episode 23: 18:00 on Wednesday, 25 December 2024 — Episode 3 Final
  
  

Thank you for all the feedback, the many suggestions and your support in whatever form it takes!

Let the games begin!