In a field of 55 crews, Latvian duo Mareks Mercs and Jānis Malnačs triumph at the “Garmin Predator Cup 2025”
On August 15–16, Riga hosted the international sport fishing competition “Garmin Predator Cup 2025,” bringing together 55 crews – 110 anglers from seven countries.
In a dramatic finish, with the winner decided just 20 minutes before the end, first place went to the Latvian team “Laiks Copei Baltic XL” – Mareks Mercs and Jānis Malnačs – who scored 578 points.
Silver went to the crew “Asakainie” (Mārtiņš Adrickis / Andris Adrickis) with 565 points, while bronze also stayed in Latvia, claimed by team C1/SD (Romans Astapovs and Marks Petunovs), who finished with 547 points.
International competition and the challenges of Riga’s waters
This year marked the fourth edition of the tournament, offering anglers the chance to showcase their skills in boat spinning. Over two days, participants had to catch three species – zander, pike, and perch – three legal specimens of each.
Adding intrigue was the strong presence of international teams. Finnish competitors J. Siitonen and T. Pohjolainen remarked: “The waters of Riga are not easy. Compared to Finland, here you need to search for fish far more creatively and use long-forgotten skills.”
Live coverage and expert insights
The competition was broadcast live on Facebook, YouTube, and Best4SportTV, followed by fans and fishing experts alike. The studio welcomed ichthyologist Matīss Žagars, who explained how water temperature affects fish behavior. That, he noted, was why pike activity was low on the first day but rose sharply on the second.
As soon as the tournament wrapped up, preparations began for next year’s edition – the fifth in a row. Very soon, we will announce the Garmin Predator Cup 2026, sharing details about the competition and participation rules.
See you in the summer of 2026 at the most powerful boat fishing competition of the year!
The Garmin Predator Cup Team
