Name: Leon Bartropp
Number of Years Fishing: 30 years
UK P.B: 48.8lb Mirror,
44.14 Common
Foreign P.B: 55.1lb Mirror
Other Sponsors: Fox International Favourite Venue: BCSG Korda Lake
Most memorable capture:
Woodcarving - Horton
About me and my favourite style of angling:
I'm probably mostly well known as a big fish angler as I've fished many of the recognised highly pressured big fish waters in the UK, but I'm just at home on a day ticket or runs water. I can adapt my approach to the situation whether that be spodding,floater fishing, Zig fishing or boilie fishing, I'm a bit of a rig boffin and always tinkering with bits and pieces and changing rigs to outwit those carp. I also take anglers on tutorials as I'm a qualified angling tutor, I try to limit these to once a month so I remain fresh and can give the angler 150% of my time. You will often see me in the carp fishing magazines writting on various subjects carp related which I really enjoy and get a buzz when I receive an email or Facebook post saying that I've managed to help someone.
Woodcarving - Horton
About me and my favourite style of angling:
I'm probably mostly well known as a big fish angler as I've fished many of the recognised highly pressured big fish waters in the UK, but I'm just at home on a day ticket or runs water. I can adapt my approach to the situation whether that be spodding,floater fishing, Zig fishing or boilie fishing, I'm a bit of a rig boffin and always tinkering with bits and pieces and changing rigs to outwit those carp. I also take anglers on tutorials as I'm a qualified angling tutor, I try to limit these to once a month so I remain fresh and can give the angler 150% of my time. You will often see me in the carp fishing magazines writting on various subjects carp related which I really enjoy and get a buzz when I receive an email or Facebook post saying that I've managed to help someone.
Name: Jamie Clossick
Number of Years Fishing: 31 now!
fishing (17 years carp fishing)
UK P.B: 58.10lb Mirror,
54.6lb Common
Foreign P.B: 42lb (only been once!)
Other Sponsors: Nash Tackle and NashBait
Favourite Venue: St. Ives Lagoon
Most memorable capture:
Banana Common from Colemere, one of only 8 Carp in 90 acres previously uncaught to my knowledge.
Funniest moment on the bank:
The only funny bits I can recall off hand are all definitely unprintable and certainly incriminating!
About me and my favourite style of angling:
Banana Common from Colemere, one of only 8 Carp in 90 acres previously uncaught to my knowledge.
Funniest moment on the bank:
The only funny bits I can recall off hand are all definitely unprintable and certainly incriminating!
About me and my favourite style of angling:
I learnt my trade the proper way by first learning the art of float fishing before trying the various ledgering tactics like the quiver and swing tip and feeder fishing before graduating to rivers and then match fishing.
I fished all the inter-county police matches in my younger teens but then got the real buzz when our family moved near a lake called Whirley Mere in Cheshire. The lake was full of decent size crucian carp up to about four pound and I regularly used to pick up large bags on the float and just before dark every night the float would dive under and I would strike to an almost instant snapping of the line from ‘the one that got away!’
Two rods soon became the norm with one on the bottom for these larger fish with the other being a float rod and you know how it goes though I’m sure, you lose a couple of bigger fish on the ledger rod, snapping five pound line like cotton so you then step up the tackle a bit and land a Carp after the most exciting fight that you have ever been a part of.
I then started to catch a few more and before I knew it the Carp buzz was firmly implanted and I had two rods out for the Carp.
30 years later I am still at it with over fifteen 40 pound plus fish to my name from 6 different counties including an upper 50 mirror and 50 pound common carp.
Name: Lee Birch
Number of Years Fishing: 26 years fishing (17 years carp fishing)
UK P.B: 55lb 8oz
Foreign P.B: 49lb 15oz
Other Sponsors: Nash tackle, Shimano
Favourite Venue: Bluebell lakes, Peterborough
Most memorable capture:
First ever thirty caught off the top two feet from the bank.
Funniest moment on the bank:
theres to many to mention but they always seemed to happen when i fish with my closest fishing pal Mick Henderson and cousin Carl Armitage we've fished together since we were kids so you can use your imagination to the wind ups we've all played on each other over the years.
About me and my favourite style of angling:
i started fishing when i was 6 years old, and to be quiet honest i wasn't the greatest angler throughout my teenage years, but im not the type of person to ever give up! i persevered and finally found my passion in carp fishing! it just seemed to click with me and like most anglers it became quiet obsessive! i spent every waking hour dedicating my life to catching carp! i see carp fishing as one big jigsaw puzzle that you can never solve thats the great thing about carp fishing you never stop learning! i grew up on a very rough crime ridden estate and i think carp fishing gave me a kind of escapism from normal life! even today i still love the escapism from work, bills etc you know? just being there! my favourite style of fishing is stalking, especially floater fishing i love the adreline rush when surface fishing you just cant get when fishing on the bottom! it feels like your one on one with the fish, and i honestly think theres no better way to improve your water craft! i hate being sat bivvy'd up with 3 rods out i think it really restricts you, For me thats camping not fishing! i can think of nothing better than walking around a lake all day setting traps, watching and learning as you go.
First ever thirty caught off the top two feet from the bank.
Funniest moment on the bank:
theres to many to mention but they always seemed to happen when i fish with my closest fishing pal Mick Henderson and cousin Carl Armitage we've fished together since we were kids so you can use your imagination to the wind ups we've all played on each other over the years.
About me and my favourite style of angling:
i started fishing when i was 6 years old, and to be quiet honest i wasn't the greatest angler throughout my teenage years, but im not the type of person to ever give up! i persevered and finally found my passion in carp fishing! it just seemed to click with me and like most anglers it became quiet obsessive! i spent every waking hour dedicating my life to catching carp! i see carp fishing as one big jigsaw puzzle that you can never solve thats the great thing about carp fishing you never stop learning! i grew up on a very rough crime ridden estate and i think carp fishing gave me a kind of escapism from normal life! even today i still love the escapism from work, bills etc you know? just being there! my favourite style of fishing is stalking, especially floater fishing i love the adreline rush when surface fishing you just cant get when fishing on the bottom! it feels like your one on one with the fish, and i honestly think theres no better way to improve your water craft! i hate being sat bivvy'd up with 3 rods out i think it really restricts you, For me thats camping not fishing! i can think of nothing better than walking around a lake all day setting traps, watching and learning as you go.
Name: Lee Collings
Number of Years Fishing: 30 years all together, 25 solely for carp
UK P.B: 48lb Mirror, 35lb 14oz Common
Foreign P.B: N/A
Other Sponsors: Mainline Baits Favourite Venue: Elstow
Most memorable capture:
I would have to say catching Petals at 48lb which was a lake record at the time and was a fish i was desperate to catch and also catching the 2nd biggest fish in the lake the orange fish at 35lb 6 hours earlier was a session i will never wont forget..
Funniest moment on the bank:
This would have to be in the Finals of the BCAC my partner for the event Roy Russell was just setting up before the start of the match and was pushing is banksticks in the ground all of sudden i heard him shouting in agony as he had slipped in his crocs down the bank and landed in a big bed of nettles he was lay there trying to get up but everytime he moved he kept getting stung at this point i was rolling around on the floor laughing watching him try and get up without getting stung even more
About me and my favourite style of angling:
I don’t really have any particular style of angling I just prefer to adapt my fishing to any situations whether that would be Floater fishing, Zigs, Stalking Distance fishing, Solid bags, Naturals as I fish quite a few different water throughout the year and each water differs from the rest so I find myself chopping and changing all the time to suit the venue like one water I just use boilies nothing else where as my other water I use a lot of spod mix and fish a lot of bits baits.
I tend to carry everything and the kitchen sink with me as I don’t like to think I have missed an opportunity of catching a fish by not have either a certain item of tackle like not having my floater rod with me or running out of bait when they are having it.
I would have to say catching Petals at 48lb which was a lake record at the time and was a fish i was desperate to catch and also catching the 2nd biggest fish in the lake the orange fish at 35lb 6 hours earlier was a session i will never wont forget..
Funniest moment on the bank:
This would have to be in the Finals of the BCAC my partner for the event Roy Russell was just setting up before the start of the match and was pushing is banksticks in the ground all of sudden i heard him shouting in agony as he had slipped in his crocs down the bank and landed in a big bed of nettles he was lay there trying to get up but everytime he moved he kept getting stung at this point i was rolling around on the floor laughing watching him try and get up without getting stung even more
About me and my favourite style of angling:
I don’t really have any particular style of angling I just prefer to adapt my fishing to any situations whether that would be Floater fishing, Zigs, Stalking Distance fishing, Solid bags, Naturals as I fish quite a few different water throughout the year and each water differs from the rest so I find myself chopping and changing all the time to suit the venue like one water I just use boilies nothing else where as my other water I use a lot of spod mix and fish a lot of bits baits.
I tend to carry everything and the kitchen sink with me as I don’t like to think I have missed an opportunity of catching a fish by not have either a certain item of tackle like not having my floater rod with me or running out of bait when they are having it.
Name: Roy Russell
Number of Years Fishing: 25
UK P.B. 37.12lb
Foreign P.B. N/A
Other Sponsors: Carp-Talk, Wychwood, Aqua Dynamix
Favourite Venue: Christchurch
Roy has been carp fishing for around 25 years to date, before this fishing the match and course scene from the age of 11. Fishing in excess of over 140 waters around the UK, including numerous day ticket waters, as well as club and syndicate venues (of course a few no fishing “commando” waters along the way) in and around the midlands landing fish to well over 20lb, and bigger, from 106 venues so far and counting.
7 years ago Roy achieved his Level 2 professional angling coach certification enabling him to do private tutorials around some of the UK’s best day ticket venues. This has given him personal satisfaction to assist up and coming anglers as well as experienced anglers just wishing to gain extra knowledge when approaching different waters to that they have been accustomed to.
For over 10 years now Roy’s main job in his angling journalism has been the Midlands regional reporter in Carp-talk, as well as contributions to a number of the established and top Carp Fishing publications in the UK. Roy is also a consultant for Wychwood, and has contributed to many ideas in the development of products in this role. His previous experiences and successes over the last 25 years on the Carp scene whilst fishing an array of different waters from Canal’s, intimate lakes as well as vast gravel pits.
Any method and tactic goes, his most favorable method is stalking and floater fishing, showing the way with his biggest float caught Carp just short of 38lb and on a worm to!
For well over 20 years he has made his own bait, and has been involved in the bait industry on and off at a number of companies as a consultant in the production of bait products and ideas. Roy uses a lot of natural baits thus being a big part in his fishing since his early days to the present day.
7 years ago Roy achieved his Level 2 professional angling coach certification enabling him to do private tutorials around some of the UK’s best day ticket venues. This has given him personal satisfaction to assist up and coming anglers as well as experienced anglers just wishing to gain extra knowledge when approaching different waters to that they have been accustomed to.
For over 10 years now Roy’s main job in his angling journalism has been the Midlands regional reporter in Carp-talk, as well as contributions to a number of the established and top Carp Fishing publications in the UK. Roy is also a consultant for Wychwood, and has contributed to many ideas in the development of products in this role. His previous experiences and successes over the last 25 years on the Carp scene whilst fishing an array of different waters from Canal’s, intimate lakes as well as vast gravel pits.
Any method and tactic goes, his most favorable method is stalking and floater fishing, showing the way with his biggest float caught Carp just short of 38lb and on a worm to!
For well over 20 years he has made his own bait, and has been involved in the bait industry on and off at a number of companies as a consultant in the production of bait products and ideas. Roy uses a lot of natural baits thus being a big part in his fishing since his early days to the present day.
Name: Lewis Clayton
Number of Years Fishing: 26 years fishing (17 years carp fishing)
UK P.B: 41lb
Foreign P.B: 59lb 14oz
Other Sponsors: Richworth Baits Favourite Venue: Capesthorne Top Pool
Most memorable capture:
First ever thirty caught off the top two feet from the bank.
Funniest moment on the bank:
This happened years ago whilst fishing Poynton Pool in Cheshire, it is extremely immature and childish and rather disgusting but it still brings a smile to my face even now! I was 16 at the time, I was fishing with my good mate Adam Entwistle, it was mid-January and not a lot was going on, the days were long and cold. Now Enty had to go to work during the days leaving me to fish on alone and mind his gear. I think it was the second day of a 3 day session when the previous night’s hotdogs started to make their presence known. Now anybody who knows the boathouse on Poynton will know it isn’t the most secluded of spots and has numerous dog walkers walking past. Fortunately it was bloody freezing so it was quiet but I still didn’t fancy taking the risk of getting caught out in the open. So through the old rusty railings of the boathouse I went with my toilet paper in hand, I think at this point I should point out that the boathouse was unused, run down and out of bounds to people not to mention crawling with rats. I found myself a sheltered spot and went about my business, now without being too graphic I couldn’t believe that that foot long had exited out of me, it was huge with some girth! Right then a mischievous thought flashed across my mind, I hurried back to Enty’s bivvy and there it was sitting on his bed chair, his camera! This was back in the day before digital cameras and it was a film that you had to get developed, see where this is going?! Back I went and filled Enty’s viewfinder with the foot long, click click and back went the camera. How I managed to contain myself when he returned from work I don’t know but I did and nothing was said.
About 8 days later the phone rang and it was a rather angry Enty turning the air blue with obscenities. He proceeded to tell me how 3 days previous he took his film to get develop and was chatting to a nice girl behind the counter but on his return today to collect the pictures she was rather rude and abrupt, he didn’t know why until he got outside and started to flick through his pictures, there in the middle of a bunch of his catch shots was the foot long!! I found it hilarious and still do looking back all these years later; you’d have to know Enty to really appreciate how funny it was. One day I might grow up but I doubt it us men never do! Hope you enjoyed that little stroll down memory lane, I know I did!!
About me and my favourite style of angling:
Fishing to me is first and foremost a hobby and always will be, fishing is what I do to escape from the pressures and strains of life and is to be enjoyed. Enjoyment is the most important thing because if you don’t enjoy it then there’s no point in going. I prefer to fish quiet secluded waters if I can but as time moves on waters like this are few and far between. Given the choice if circumstances allow I will fish as close in as possible, I love stalking and being able to see the fish you are fishing for, it makes it all the more real and exciting. I think moving forward the only real target I have at this moment in time is to get out and do more fishing as I haven’t done much in the last 2 years, hopefully it shouldn’t be a very hard target to achieve.
First ever thirty caught off the top two feet from the bank.
Funniest moment on the bank:
This happened years ago whilst fishing Poynton Pool in Cheshire, it is extremely immature and childish and rather disgusting but it still brings a smile to my face even now! I was 16 at the time, I was fishing with my good mate Adam Entwistle, it was mid-January and not a lot was going on, the days were long and cold. Now Enty had to go to work during the days leaving me to fish on alone and mind his gear. I think it was the second day of a 3 day session when the previous night’s hotdogs started to make their presence known. Now anybody who knows the boathouse on Poynton will know it isn’t the most secluded of spots and has numerous dog walkers walking past. Fortunately it was bloody freezing so it was quiet but I still didn’t fancy taking the risk of getting caught out in the open. So through the old rusty railings of the boathouse I went with my toilet paper in hand, I think at this point I should point out that the boathouse was unused, run down and out of bounds to people not to mention crawling with rats. I found myself a sheltered spot and went about my business, now without being too graphic I couldn’t believe that that foot long had exited out of me, it was huge with some girth! Right then a mischievous thought flashed across my mind, I hurried back to Enty’s bivvy and there it was sitting on his bed chair, his camera! This was back in the day before digital cameras and it was a film that you had to get developed, see where this is going?! Back I went and filled Enty’s viewfinder with the foot long, click click and back went the camera. How I managed to contain myself when he returned from work I don’t know but I did and nothing was said.
About 8 days later the phone rang and it was a rather angry Enty turning the air blue with obscenities. He proceeded to tell me how 3 days previous he took his film to get develop and was chatting to a nice girl behind the counter but on his return today to collect the pictures she was rather rude and abrupt, he didn’t know why until he got outside and started to flick through his pictures, there in the middle of a bunch of his catch shots was the foot long!! I found it hilarious and still do looking back all these years later; you’d have to know Enty to really appreciate how funny it was. One day I might grow up but I doubt it us men never do! Hope you enjoyed that little stroll down memory lane, I know I did!!
About me and my favourite style of angling:
Fishing to me is first and foremost a hobby and always will be, fishing is what I do to escape from the pressures and strains of life and is to be enjoyed. Enjoyment is the most important thing because if you don’t enjoy it then there’s no point in going. I prefer to fish quiet secluded waters if I can but as time moves on waters like this are few and far between. Given the choice if circumstances allow I will fish as close in as possible, I love stalking and being able to see the fish you are fishing for, it makes it all the more real and exciting. I think moving forward the only real target I have at this moment in time is to get out and do more fishing as I haven’t done much in the last 2 years, hopefully it shouldn’t be a very hard target to achieve.
Name: Joe Jaggar
Number of Years Fishing: 12
UK P.B. 40.09
Foreign P.B. 47.08
Other Sponsors: Nash Bait, Nash Tackle, Baitzone (particles)
Favourite Venue: Elstow Pit 2
Most memorable capture:
32.10 Mirror known as "Stars and Stripes" from a cumbrian club water in february 2009
Funniest moment on the bank:
Watching two lads brawl over a petty argument, you had to be there to really understand how funny it actually was, but the pictures go a long way to explaining!
About me and my favourite style of angling:
My Name's Joe, i'm currently 23 years old and live in my hometown of Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, which for those of you who dont know, is near the city of Carlisle. This obviously narrows down my chances of catching big carp, hence why I travel so far down south ever week in search of some proper lumps. Ive fished waters such as Redesmere, Elstow Pit 2, Christchurch, Manor Farm, Wyre Lake, the world famous Rainbow lake and many others all with a degree of success. My current UK PB came from a Lancashire syndicate that I was pre-baiting for several weeks a couple of times a week after work, despite the fact that it was a 200 mile round trip from my house, as I am a firm believer that effort equals reward.
I work full time as a plumber and have a girlfriend called Claire, both of which ensure that I dont get as much fishing time as I have enjoyed over the last couple of years, however, being limited for time makes the time spent on the bank much more special and makes you work much harder. I am currently fishing a relatively un-tapped nature reserve that is around 70 acres with a small syndicate that contains some truly special fish and I plan to get back on Elstow pit 2 some time in the near future to continue my quest for the mighty Mother as soon as I get a little more time on my hands.
I owe a lot of my success to the help i get from my sponsors and the inspiration i get from my angling friends. Although I have a few target fish firmly on my mind, my main wish for the future is that I continue to enjoy my fishing and the buzz is still there for many years to come!
32.10 Mirror known as "Stars and Stripes" from a cumbrian club water in february 2009
Funniest moment on the bank:
Watching two lads brawl over a petty argument, you had to be there to really understand how funny it actually was, but the pictures go a long way to explaining!
About me and my favourite style of angling:
My Name's Joe, i'm currently 23 years old and live in my hometown of Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, which for those of you who dont know, is near the city of Carlisle. This obviously narrows down my chances of catching big carp, hence why I travel so far down south ever week in search of some proper lumps. Ive fished waters such as Redesmere, Elstow Pit 2, Christchurch, Manor Farm, Wyre Lake, the world famous Rainbow lake and many others all with a degree of success. My current UK PB came from a Lancashire syndicate that I was pre-baiting for several weeks a couple of times a week after work, despite the fact that it was a 200 mile round trip from my house, as I am a firm believer that effort equals reward.
I work full time as a plumber and have a girlfriend called Claire, both of which ensure that I dont get as much fishing time as I have enjoyed over the last couple of years, however, being limited for time makes the time spent on the bank much more special and makes you work much harder. I am currently fishing a relatively un-tapped nature reserve that is around 70 acres with a small syndicate that contains some truly special fish and I plan to get back on Elstow pit 2 some time in the near future to continue my quest for the mighty Mother as soon as I get a little more time on my hands.
I owe a lot of my success to the help i get from my sponsors and the inspiration i get from my angling friends. Although I have a few target fish firmly on my mind, my main wish for the future is that I continue to enjoy my fishing and the buzz is still there for many years to come!
Name: Myles Gibson
Number of Years Fishing: Fishing for 18 years, 15 of which for carp
UK P.B. 43.12 Common, 42.1 Mirror
Foreign P.B. N/A
Other Sponsors: CC Moore, Korda, Thinking Anglers, Trakker
Favourite Venue: Stoneacres on the Linch Hill complex and Redesmear
Most memorable capture:
Catching the Snub Nosed Common from Redesmear in winter at 37.4, it was the end of a five year hunt. Also capturing my first 40lber was a memory that will never strays far from my mind.
Funniest moment on the bank:
It would probably when I was very young whilst fishing a local water called boundary water park, a few friends of mine had come down to see me, one of them on his bran new mountain bike, of course it wasn’t long till I chirped up with ‘Give us a go then’ well trying to show off doing the few tricks I could I peddled up to the front of my swim pulled the front brake and flew straight over the handle bars, straight in the lake, what made it worse was there was the middle of winter, not funny for me but all the lads were struggling to breath they were laughing so hard, funny looking back at it though.
About me and my favourite style of angling:
I just love fishing for big hard to catch old English classic shaped carp, I spend three nights a week fishing, fishing most weeks, I am currently fishing Stoneacres in Oxford in the hope of catching one or both (if I’m lucky enough) of the lakes big mirrors, Bite Mark and Choco. As for dislikes in angling or more so anglers is when people carnt do there own thing and see no problem in jumping on the back on others hard work just for a result.
Catching the Snub Nosed Common from Redesmear in winter at 37.4, it was the end of a five year hunt. Also capturing my first 40lber was a memory that will never strays far from my mind.
Funniest moment on the bank:
It would probably when I was very young whilst fishing a local water called boundary water park, a few friends of mine had come down to see me, one of them on his bran new mountain bike, of course it wasn’t long till I chirped up with ‘Give us a go then’ well trying to show off doing the few tricks I could I peddled up to the front of my swim pulled the front brake and flew straight over the handle bars, straight in the lake, what made it worse was there was the middle of winter, not funny for me but all the lads were struggling to breath they were laughing so hard, funny looking back at it though.
About me and my favourite style of angling:
I just love fishing for big hard to catch old English classic shaped carp, I spend three nights a week fishing, fishing most weeks, I am currently fishing Stoneacres in Oxford in the hope of catching one or both (if I’m lucky enough) of the lakes big mirrors, Bite Mark and Choco. As for dislikes in angling or more so anglers is when people carnt do there own thing and see no problem in jumping on the back on others hard work just for a result.
Name: Sam Bascombe
Number of Years Fishing: 11
UK P.B. 52.8
Foreign P.B. Haven’t been not my thing
Other Sponsors: CC. Moore, Gardner Tackle, Phat Fish Clothing
Favourite Venue: Roach Pit
Most memorable capture:
Catching The Horse at 52.8 in November
About me and my favourite style of angling:
Hi, my names Sam Bascombe, I’m currently fishing a local club water which contains 3 very special carp, my style of angling is big carp fishing which tends to be pop ups and a lot of quality bait, I’m really looking forward to this season on the club lake.
Catching The Horse at 52.8 in November
About me and my favourite style of angling:
Hi, my names Sam Bascombe, I’m currently fishing a local club water which contains 3 very special carp, my style of angling is big carp fishing which tends to be pop ups and a lot of quality bait, I’m really looking forward to this season on the club lake.
Name: Andrew Blower
Number of Years Fishing: 28 years althogether, 20 years for carp
UK P.B. 31lb 6oz
Foreign P.B. 47lb 12oz Mirror,
44lb 8 oz Common
Other Sponsors: Aqua Dynamix, Phat Fish Clothing
Favourite Venue: N/A
Most memorable capture:
A couple of magical captures really, at the age of 14 (when I also had hair) catching my first Twenty in the shape of a beautiful Common. My dear Grandmother had passed away the week prior and it made the moment even more special as I felt she had made the moment happen.
The second was on a trip to Baden Hall in Staffordshire where on a particular session everything went better than planned and Five fish graced my net including a very beautiful looking Mirror and new UK PB of 31lb 6oz. What made this special was that the fish was only known to grace the bank a couple of times a year. My good friend Roy Russell also went on earlier the following year to catch her.
Funniest moment on the bank:
Wow this is a hard one as there have been so many and mostly with me involved. One was where a certain Roy Russell along with Rob Jennings, Joe Tighe, Phil Pace and numerous others made a sign that was around 24” x 8” in size and using black marker pen put the words “I Love C**k!”
They then stuck this over the front Audi badge on my car and obviously not being aware if this I proceeded to drive in total over 50 miles, stopping off at a petrol station, off licence and a take away along my route. I did wonder why people were looking at me funny and giggling but I put this down to me wearing my camou fishing t shirt.
It wasn’t until I got home that a neighbour rang me with a very odd greeting “Blower, I thought you were more into women?” of which I replied what the hell are you talking about to then be greeted outside by the neighbour holding the sign up with a big grin on his face.
I did eventually see the funny side, but what would the sport be if we can’t also have a laugh along the way!
About me and my favourite style of angling:
For me my fishing is my hobby and a huge passion in my life. It helps me to relax and get away from the stress and pace of my career. To see things that the 9 to 5ers would never see such as the glowing sunrises and sunsets, the world waking up in its natural chorus is something you cannot ever buy.
My Carp fishing began on the infamous Cuttle Mill fishery, Warwickshire, and at the time was one of the premier Carp water’s in the UK. I learnt and experienced a lot here and also met some very good friend’s, of which to this day are still my best mates.
My style of fishing will alter with what is going on in front of me at the time so I then adapt to the situation.
One minute I can have bottom baits / solid bags, whether its boilies or naturals, and the next with a blink of an eye Zig’s or surface baits could be the order of the day. It’s all about changing to suit the conditions and at the end of the day we are there to catch. I also like to stalk fish whether it’s in the margins or surface bait’s. The buzz from seeing a Carp take your hook bait is like nothing else. My dislikes in our sport is with Anglers who seem to be more interested in who has the best gear or fish against the guy in the next peg when they forget it’s the Carp we are fishing against. Also etiquette sometimes fails with some people and it only takes a small moment to go and chat with the guy in your vicinity and find out the spots he is fishing so that you eliminate upsetting people along the way.
A couple of magical captures really, at the age of 14 (when I also had hair) catching my first Twenty in the shape of a beautiful Common. My dear Grandmother had passed away the week prior and it made the moment even more special as I felt she had made the moment happen.
The second was on a trip to Baden Hall in Staffordshire where on a particular session everything went better than planned and Five fish graced my net including a very beautiful looking Mirror and new UK PB of 31lb 6oz. What made this special was that the fish was only known to grace the bank a couple of times a year. My good friend Roy Russell also went on earlier the following year to catch her.
Funniest moment on the bank:
Wow this is a hard one as there have been so many and mostly with me involved. One was where a certain Roy Russell along with Rob Jennings, Joe Tighe, Phil Pace and numerous others made a sign that was around 24” x 8” in size and using black marker pen put the words “I Love C**k!”
They then stuck this over the front Audi badge on my car and obviously not being aware if this I proceeded to drive in total over 50 miles, stopping off at a petrol station, off licence and a take away along my route. I did wonder why people were looking at me funny and giggling but I put this down to me wearing my camou fishing t shirt.
It wasn’t until I got home that a neighbour rang me with a very odd greeting “Blower, I thought you were more into women?” of which I replied what the hell are you talking about to then be greeted outside by the neighbour holding the sign up with a big grin on his face.
I did eventually see the funny side, but what would the sport be if we can’t also have a laugh along the way!
About me and my favourite style of angling:
For me my fishing is my hobby and a huge passion in my life. It helps me to relax and get away from the stress and pace of my career. To see things that the 9 to 5ers would never see such as the glowing sunrises and sunsets, the world waking up in its natural chorus is something you cannot ever buy.
My Carp fishing began on the infamous Cuttle Mill fishery, Warwickshire, and at the time was one of the premier Carp water’s in the UK. I learnt and experienced a lot here and also met some very good friend’s, of which to this day are still my best mates.
My style of fishing will alter with what is going on in front of me at the time so I then adapt to the situation.
One minute I can have bottom baits / solid bags, whether its boilies or naturals, and the next with a blink of an eye Zig’s or surface baits could be the order of the day. It’s all about changing to suit the conditions and at the end of the day we are there to catch. I also like to stalk fish whether it’s in the margins or surface bait’s. The buzz from seeing a Carp take your hook bait is like nothing else. My dislikes in our sport is with Anglers who seem to be more interested in who has the best gear or fish against the guy in the next peg when they forget it’s the Carp we are fishing against. Also etiquette sometimes fails with some people and it only takes a small moment to go and chat with the guy in your vicinity and find out the spots he is fishing so that you eliminate upsetting people along the way.
Name: Beverley Clifford
Number of Years Fishing: All of my life since my dad is an addicted specimen angler (carp historian Kevin Clifford), so that’s 27 years.
UK P.B: A 25lb common caught from Kevin Nash’s Church Pool, Essex, landed in July 2011.
Foreign P.B: A 33lb common that I landed from the River Ebro, Spain, in January 2012 during some really cold conditions.
Other Sponsors: Bearing in mind I’m the owner of Carp-Talk magazine I suppose I should say them! I also get a few bits and pieces from Nash, Fox, Taska and other supporters of Carp-Talk.
Number of Years Fishing: All of my life since my dad is an addicted specimen angler (carp historian Kevin Clifford), so that’s 27 years.
UK P.B: A 25lb common caught from Kevin Nash’s Church Pool, Essex, landed in July 2011.
Foreign P.B: A 33lb common that I landed from the River Ebro, Spain, in January 2012 during some really cold conditions.
Other Sponsors: Bearing in mind I’m the owner of Carp-Talk magazine I suppose I should say them! I also get a few bits and pieces from Nash, Fox, Taska and other supporters of Carp-Talk.
Most memorable capture:
This would have to be a Siamese Carp that I landed over in Thailand at the end of 2011 from Stuart Gilham’s holiday resort. It weighed in at 55lb and was a mega battle, fighting for twenty minutes or so. My arms were aching like crazy afterwards; a great memory.
Funniest moment on the bank:
This was during the World Catfish Classic 2012 when myself and team-mate Jason Ingley were in the water holding a catfish whilst the media took some pictures. Jason was still wearing his life jacket which was one of those packed down types that is triggered by water. He completely forgot he was wearing it and as he bent down to pick the fish up, the lifejacket touched the water and inflated! It was caught on dvd and uploaded to Youtube on one of the World Catfish Classic films, it’s priceless!
About me and my favourite style of angling:
Having grown up with angling in my life, it is a massive part of me. I spend more time talking about it that actually doing it because of my business. However, every spare minute I get I’m out on the bank. One of the most memorable bits of carping I’ve done recently was catching fish off the top from Emmotland up in Yorkshire; the buzz I got from watching the fish take the hookbait was incredible! I’m already addicted to surface.
This would have to be a Siamese Carp that I landed over in Thailand at the end of 2011 from Stuart Gilham’s holiday resort. It weighed in at 55lb and was a mega battle, fighting for twenty minutes or so. My arms were aching like crazy afterwards; a great memory.
Funniest moment on the bank:
This was during the World Catfish Classic 2012 when myself and team-mate Jason Ingley were in the water holding a catfish whilst the media took some pictures. Jason was still wearing his life jacket which was one of those packed down types that is triggered by water. He completely forgot he was wearing it and as he bent down to pick the fish up, the lifejacket touched the water and inflated! It was caught on dvd and uploaded to Youtube on one of the World Catfish Classic films, it’s priceless!
About me and my favourite style of angling:
Having grown up with angling in my life, it is a massive part of me. I spend more time talking about it that actually doing it because of my business. However, every spare minute I get I’m out on the bank. One of the most memorable bits of carping I’ve done recently was catching fish off the top from Emmotland up in Yorkshire; the buzz I got from watching the fish take the hookbait was incredible! I’m already addicted to surface.
Name: Alfie Russell
Number of Years Fishing: 9
UK P.B. 35.10
Foreign P.B. N/A
Other Sponsors: Nash tackle - Nash bait
Favourite Venue: River Lea
Most memorable capture:
My p.b barbel 16lb 15oz..
Funniest moment on the bank:
None, I don't do funny when fishing.
About me and my favourite style of angling:
My style of fishing is quite secretive. I do my own thing when im on the bank and like to be as secret and as far away from the crowds as possible. I would call my self an 'Adventurous' angler, i like hunting for carp, keeping mobile and always on the lookout for fish. I want to catch a fish in the amount of time i have been given to do so, whether that is a 2 hour stalking session after school or a quick overnighter. I also have gained an addiction to river fishing in the last year or so, and it has really done me well. I snatched angler of the year 2011 from fox & anglers mail earning myself £3,000. Another thing is i am a self taught angler, no one in my family has any indepth angling knowledge, this I have gained myself. I am growing up in the heart of London, and couldnt be further away from the ideal carp fishing locations, fishing waters that are far from well known. I love my park lake fishing and have had great success fishing parks, i have caught 5 uk 30s from parks plus shed loads of others. Proper fish, and you never know what you are going to catch next.
My p.b barbel 16lb 15oz..
Funniest moment on the bank:
None, I don't do funny when fishing.
About me and my favourite style of angling:
My style of fishing is quite secretive. I do my own thing when im on the bank and like to be as secret and as far away from the crowds as possible. I would call my self an 'Adventurous' angler, i like hunting for carp, keeping mobile and always on the lookout for fish. I want to catch a fish in the amount of time i have been given to do so, whether that is a 2 hour stalking session after school or a quick overnighter. I also have gained an addiction to river fishing in the last year or so, and it has really done me well. I snatched angler of the year 2011 from fox & anglers mail earning myself £3,000. Another thing is i am a self taught angler, no one in my family has any indepth angling knowledge, this I have gained myself. I am growing up in the heart of London, and couldnt be further away from the ideal carp fishing locations, fishing waters that are far from well known. I love my park lake fishing and have had great success fishing parks, i have caught 5 uk 30s from parks plus shed loads of others. Proper fish, and you never know what you are going to catch next.
Name: Andy Glasspool
Number of Years Fishing: 23
UK P.B. 48lbs 6oz
Foreign P.B. N/A
Other Sponsors: CC Moore
Favourite Venue: Roach Pit
Most memorable capture:
The capture of my PB.
Funniest moment on the bank:
Too many to be specific.
About me and my favourite style of angling:
I started fishing when i was 10 yrs old. i remember my best friend at the time was a keen angler as was his dad who taught him. most people that start young, are taught to fish with 10ft rods, fixed spool reels and a box full of floats and ledgers. we were different! in fact i knew no other 10yr old fly fisherman and havent met one since. the freedom to walk miles at a time with next to no gear, and a very realistic chance of catching fish on every trip. i did of course develop additional skills later on and added the forementioned match type rod and fixed spool reel to my armoury. it was essential on most of our chosen venues as flycasting wasn't possible due to alot of narrow and extremely overgrown banks. the rivers took a back seat when i reached 13yrs old as i was finally allowed to apply for a permit on my local club, and fishing lakes, was something i was to get right into in a short space of time. although i wasnt allowed to fish nights until the age of 16, i had been introduced to floater fishing not long after joining and i couldnt think of a better way to spend my summers. again with minimal kit, i could roam the banks of my local pit, (the entrance of which was a whole 30 yards from my front door), for the entire day and many a time, loosing track of time and not returning home til dark.
Although there were many friendly faces on the lake, as i didnt fish the nights, i was often separate from alot of the goings on over there so i was left to get on to do my own thing. i started readin alot of text, anything that was available and soon became aware of alot more than just freelined dog biscuits and having the advantage of being very much under the radar, i managed to get to know the water in more ways than the local night anglers, without attracting any attention. i cant remember exactly when it happened but i can still remember the buzz i felt when everything started to fall into place and i started catching more than just a few fish. i cant begin to explain how much i felt i had achieved when i went from, "The young nipper who lives over the road? you know, the floater fishing one?", to "Andy". although it seems irrelevant now, at the time, it was great to be one of the lads.
i dont consider myself an amazing angler, but from doing my apprenticeship on the rivers and small ponds and then progressing at a comfortable pace, i have a good idea of how to approach a new water without consulting the latest issue of a magazine. i feel there are far too many 'Wannabe' anglers out there who realistically have no chance of achieving anything that someone hasnt already done. there is alot of pressure from big companies to fish in a certain way to boost profits but they dont explain why it works or how it works. i dont approve of ready made anglers. most clog the banks and have a severe lack of etiquette which does make fishing for the rest of us, difficult and frustrating at times. im not sayin i think they dont belong there or have no right to be there, its just they havent learned along the way as they have come straight in without the experience of that apprenticeship.
The capture of my PB.
Funniest moment on the bank:
Too many to be specific.
About me and my favourite style of angling:
I started fishing when i was 10 yrs old. i remember my best friend at the time was a keen angler as was his dad who taught him. most people that start young, are taught to fish with 10ft rods, fixed spool reels and a box full of floats and ledgers. we were different! in fact i knew no other 10yr old fly fisherman and havent met one since. the freedom to walk miles at a time with next to no gear, and a very realistic chance of catching fish on every trip. i did of course develop additional skills later on and added the forementioned match type rod and fixed spool reel to my armoury. it was essential on most of our chosen venues as flycasting wasn't possible due to alot of narrow and extremely overgrown banks. the rivers took a back seat when i reached 13yrs old as i was finally allowed to apply for a permit on my local club, and fishing lakes, was something i was to get right into in a short space of time. although i wasnt allowed to fish nights until the age of 16, i had been introduced to floater fishing not long after joining and i couldnt think of a better way to spend my summers. again with minimal kit, i could roam the banks of my local pit, (the entrance of which was a whole 30 yards from my front door), for the entire day and many a time, loosing track of time and not returning home til dark.
Although there were many friendly faces on the lake, as i didnt fish the nights, i was often separate from alot of the goings on over there so i was left to get on to do my own thing. i started readin alot of text, anything that was available and soon became aware of alot more than just freelined dog biscuits and having the advantage of being very much under the radar, i managed to get to know the water in more ways than the local night anglers, without attracting any attention. i cant remember exactly when it happened but i can still remember the buzz i felt when everything started to fall into place and i started catching more than just a few fish. i cant begin to explain how much i felt i had achieved when i went from, "The young nipper who lives over the road? you know, the floater fishing one?", to "Andy". although it seems irrelevant now, at the time, it was great to be one of the lads.
i dont consider myself an amazing angler, but from doing my apprenticeship on the rivers and small ponds and then progressing at a comfortable pace, i have a good idea of how to approach a new water without consulting the latest issue of a magazine. i feel there are far too many 'Wannabe' anglers out there who realistically have no chance of achieving anything that someone hasnt already done. there is alot of pressure from big companies to fish in a certain way to boost profits but they dont explain why it works or how it works. i dont approve of ready made anglers. most clog the banks and have a severe lack of etiquette which does make fishing for the rest of us, difficult and frustrating at times. im not sayin i think they dont belong there or have no right to be there, its just they havent learned along the way as they have come straight in without the experience of that apprenticeship.
Name: Kieran Lack
Number of Years Fishing: 12 years (since i was a nipper)
UK P.B. 39.8lb
Foreign P.B. 55.14lb
Other Sponsors: Sticky Baits, Baitlogic
Favourite Venue: Fryerning Fisheries
Most memorable capture:
My first english 30 I turned up at Fryerning main lake and it was empty, this was very unusual for Fryerning, after picking a swim that commanded the most water, I got the rods out as quick as possible on the spots and within a few hours I had a 39.8lb mirror on the bank, landed by myself in the dark with no head torch. Followed up a few hours later with a 34.9lb mirror..
Funniest moment on the bank:
When over in france I had a fish snagged up on someone else's line hanging from a tree the fish wasn't budging, there was a boat in my swim, although I'm not sure it could be called a boat it had holes in the bottom and all sorts, but putting the fish first I grabbed a make shift ore... Bait spoon and pole and the net. I began to pull myself out there, the fish was still pulling hard, I got out there over the top of the fish. It gave a good account of it's self making the boat spin around I almost fell out so many times, but eventually I got the fishes head up i knew it was a lump, I got it in the net and let out a huge sigh of relief. Now U had to get me and the fish back to the bank, I tried my make shift ore but it was no use, my dad and his mate dave were watching as I struggled, they then came up with a plan, dave picked up my spod rod and launched the empty spod onto lap then pulled me and the fish back in. The fish was a huge common weighing 48.10lb, it was a comical moment.
About me and my favourite style of angling:
I would say I'm a modern young carp angler who just enjoys catching fish! I fish all over england at day tickets and syndicates. I also fish over in france I enjoy doing a week out there every year looking for french monsters. I can adapt to any situation to catch some carp... zigs, solids, sticks, margin fishing or at range when its needed. I enjoy adapting these to suite the conditions at the lake I'm fishing. My favoured tactic is solid bags I use them at almost every venue I visit. I work in a tackle shop so I'm around fishing 24/7, I also enjoy sharing my experience with customers that visit the shop, and enjoy great pleasure with some of the results I feel I took part in. I'm hooked on fishing and always will be, in my eyes you cant beat waking up by the lake with a cuppa in hand waiting for that next run.
My first english 30 I turned up at Fryerning main lake and it was empty, this was very unusual for Fryerning, after picking a swim that commanded the most water, I got the rods out as quick as possible on the spots and within a few hours I had a 39.8lb mirror on the bank, landed by myself in the dark with no head torch. Followed up a few hours later with a 34.9lb mirror..
Funniest moment on the bank:
When over in france I had a fish snagged up on someone else's line hanging from a tree the fish wasn't budging, there was a boat in my swim, although I'm not sure it could be called a boat it had holes in the bottom and all sorts, but putting the fish first I grabbed a make shift ore... Bait spoon and pole and the net. I began to pull myself out there, the fish was still pulling hard, I got out there over the top of the fish. It gave a good account of it's self making the boat spin around I almost fell out so many times, but eventually I got the fishes head up i knew it was a lump, I got it in the net and let out a huge sigh of relief. Now U had to get me and the fish back to the bank, I tried my make shift ore but it was no use, my dad and his mate dave were watching as I struggled, they then came up with a plan, dave picked up my spod rod and launched the empty spod onto lap then pulled me and the fish back in. The fish was a huge common weighing 48.10lb, it was a comical moment.
About me and my favourite style of angling:
I would say I'm a modern young carp angler who just enjoys catching fish! I fish all over england at day tickets and syndicates. I also fish over in france I enjoy doing a week out there every year looking for french monsters. I can adapt to any situation to catch some carp... zigs, solids, sticks, margin fishing or at range when its needed. I enjoy adapting these to suite the conditions at the lake I'm fishing. My favoured tactic is solid bags I use them at almost every venue I visit. I work in a tackle shop so I'm around fishing 24/7, I also enjoy sharing my experience with customers that visit the shop, and enjoy great pleasure with some of the results I feel I took part in. I'm hooked on fishing and always will be, in my eyes you cant beat waking up by the lake with a cuppa in hand waiting for that next run.
Name: George Benos
Number of Years Fishing: Ever since I can remember
UK P.B. 59lb 12oz Mirror
and 49lb Common
Foreign P.B. N/A
Other Sponsors: Field Tester for Nash Bait and Trade account with atomic Tackle
Favourite Venue: North Met Pit
Most memorable capture:
The Fighting Machine from Manor Farm in Essex at 40lb 8oz off the surface
Funniest moment on the bank
Playing a game with large berries, with my mate Alex. We were throwing them at each other to see if we could get them in our mouths, I won and Alex nearly choked to death.
I have been fishing since I was a small boy. Growing up in the Lea Valley I was surrounded by rivers and gravel pits, spending most evenings and weekends fishing. During my school years, Junior through to Secondary, I would always bunk off on the 16th June – back then, that was the first day of the new fishing season.
I have fished for all species of fish, starting the proper way fishing for Course fish like Tench, Perch, Pike etc. Then caught the Carp bug after catching my first Carp out of a local Brook at about 4lb.
I now spend two/three nights a week Carp fishing and would say I thrive off targeting big Carp. Although, I feel that when targeting big Carp it does sometimes pay to sit a wait. I would say that my favourite methods are, fishing for them off the top and stalking in the edge. You can’t beat watching them take your bait.
As for dislikes, how busy waters get and the way some fisheries are run more like prison camps with their rules and regulations, after all its hunting isn’t it!
The Fighting Machine from Manor Farm in Essex at 40lb 8oz off the surface
Funniest moment on the bank
Playing a game with large berries, with my mate Alex. We were throwing them at each other to see if we could get them in our mouths, I won and Alex nearly choked to death.
I have been fishing since I was a small boy. Growing up in the Lea Valley I was surrounded by rivers and gravel pits, spending most evenings and weekends fishing. During my school years, Junior through to Secondary, I would always bunk off on the 16th June – back then, that was the first day of the new fishing season.
I have fished for all species of fish, starting the proper way fishing for Course fish like Tench, Perch, Pike etc. Then caught the Carp bug after catching my first Carp out of a local Brook at about 4lb.
I now spend two/three nights a week Carp fishing and would say I thrive off targeting big Carp. Although, I feel that when targeting big Carp it does sometimes pay to sit a wait. I would say that my favourite methods are, fishing for them off the top and stalking in the edge. You can’t beat watching them take your bait.
As for dislikes, how busy waters get and the way some fisheries are run more like prison camps with their rules and regulations, after all its hunting isn’t it!
Name: Bernd Werner
Number of Years Fishing: 36 (24 years for carp)
UK P.B: Common named Bob 66,47lb, Mirror 59,41lb
Foreign P.B: Mirror with 45,86lb
Other Sponsors: KGB-Baits, All Carp Products
Favourite Venue: Gravel Pits from 4 – 100 ha
Most memorable capture:
My first captured carp at the age of 13.
Funniest moment on the bank:
Having a size 6 hook stuck in my finger, a drive to the hospital Sunday morning, small op.
Then back to the bank, had a good laugh remembering what the doc said: “ Do you want the hook back or shall I keep this as a souvenir?”
About me and my favourite style of angling:
My first captured carp at the age of 13.
Funniest moment on the bank:
Having a size 6 hook stuck in my finger, a drive to the hospital Sunday morning, small op.
Then back to the bank, had a good laugh remembering what the doc said: “ Do you want the hook back or shall I keep this as a souvenir?”
About me and my favourite style of angling:
Hi, my name is Bernd, i´am 41 years old and I come from Cologne, Germany.
I´ve been fishing from the early age of 5 years, my dad used to take me on the River Elbe in the North of Germany where we caught Eels and Plaice. That is when I got hooked on fishing.
I started carp-fishing at 17 and is now my greatest passion. My style of fishing depends on what type of water I am fishing.
When fishing on big gravel pits or on the River Mosel in France, it may happen that I need to use an amount of quality Baits in different sizes, Pellets and Particels, as the carps are harder to catch there.
On the small lakes I use smaller amounts of feed, because the carps are to sensible and shy away from too much food. I like to use single hookbaits and also with every new cast of the rod, I use a special Bag & Stickmix in a PVA-Bag.
I don’t like people, who don’t treat the carps with the respect they should have.
I also don’t like hate and envy against other carp-anglers. We all have the same hobby.
Name: Michiel Martijn
Number of Years Fishing: More than 16 years
UK P.B: 46.29 lbs mirror
Foreign P.B: 61 lbs. mirror
Other Sponsors: Consultant for Taska
Favourite Venue: Undisclosed difficult lakes in France and Rainbow Lake
Most memorable capture:
My first 25 kilo mirror from the mighty Lac Du Der.
Funniest moment on the bank:
Standing on top off a plateau when all of a sudden the ground under my feet broke off and ended in the lake laughing my ass off.
About me and my favourite style of angling:
I have been fishing for over more then 16 years, love going to France a couple of times a year to fish the big lakes such as Lac du Der, St.Croix and the smaller pressured lakes in the south of France. In Holland I’m fishing mostly for target fish and see that as a big challenge. In 2005 I caught my target of 46.28 mirror called “The Painting” after spending an entire season on that lake. No night fishing and a very hard lake. So I was really stoked when I caught that beautiful carp.
I was born in Amsterdam and lived there for 25 years, Now I live with my girlfriend in The Hague very close to the beach. I work as a publisher for my own newspaper to bring local news to expats,diplomats and embassies.
Bait wise I used to fish for Nash Bait but at the moment still looking around what to use, really like the bait of Frank Warwick. Caught me some good fish already ;)
Dislikes for people who are not true to themselves.
My first 25 kilo mirror from the mighty Lac Du Der.
Funniest moment on the bank:
Standing on top off a plateau when all of a sudden the ground under my feet broke off and ended in the lake laughing my ass off.
About me and my favourite style of angling:
I have been fishing for over more then 16 years, love going to France a couple of times a year to fish the big lakes such as Lac du Der, St.Croix and the smaller pressured lakes in the south of France. In Holland I’m fishing mostly for target fish and see that as a big challenge. In 2005 I caught my target of 46.28 mirror called “The Painting” after spending an entire season on that lake. No night fishing and a very hard lake. So I was really stoked when I caught that beautiful carp.
I was born in Amsterdam and lived there for 25 years, Now I live with my girlfriend in The Hague very close to the beach. I work as a publisher for my own newspaper to bring local news to expats,diplomats and embassies.
Bait wise I used to fish for Nash Bait but at the moment still looking around what to use, really like the bait of Frank Warwick. Caught me some good fish already ;)
Dislikes for people who are not true to themselves.
Name: Antonie De Naeghel
Number of Years Fishing: 21 years (17 years carp fishing)
UK P.B. 46lb+ common (Belgium)
Foreign P.B. 61lb+ mirror (France)
Other Sponsors: Consultant for Vardis Tackle / Fieldtester for Sticky Baits
Favourite Venue: Integra lake (Belgium) / Lac de St-Cassien
Funniest moment on the bank:
In my first years as a young carp angler I targeted a local canal with great results. After 6 nights in September, resulting in 26 carp on the bank, my dad decided to join me on an overnighter. Proud as I was I wanted to prove myself and show my skills. Of course things turned out totally different than I hoped for. In the first hours a few coots decided to have their supper in my swim, I lost a decent fish and it just kept raining. On the next screaming take, I ran to the rod, slipped and fell completely head over heels in to the canal. At that time I was very angry and disappointed. I’ll never forget how I felt when my dad helped me out of the water. Nowadays it’s one of so many memories and funny moments I’ve experienced.
About me and my favourite style of angling:
I’m 29 years old and live in Maldegem, which is near to the city of Bruges (Belgium). I guess I was 5 or 6 years old when my dad joined me and my brother to the local canals where we took our first steps, fishing for eel, roach and bream.
At the age of 12 I bought a first carp rod for 20 euro’s. From that moment my journey in our fantastic hobby has grown to the angler I am today.
My fishing contains a mixture of various lakes. On the one hand a pressured syndicate lake which contains the bigger ones, carp with a history,… . I simply can’t resist chasing them. On the other hand I like to search for secret, forgotten lakes surrounded by nature where I can escape from the way too busy daily life. In such a places, every capture gives an added value and pleasure. The circumstances, the experience, environment,… are very important to me. I also like to adapt my approach to the situation, the time of the year, the lake I’m fishing. Nothing beats a capture, stalked from the margins or the surface.
Tight lines!
Antonie
In my first years as a young carp angler I targeted a local canal with great results. After 6 nights in September, resulting in 26 carp on the bank, my dad decided to join me on an overnighter. Proud as I was I wanted to prove myself and show my skills. Of course things turned out totally different than I hoped for. In the first hours a few coots decided to have their supper in my swim, I lost a decent fish and it just kept raining. On the next screaming take, I ran to the rod, slipped and fell completely head over heels in to the canal. At that time I was very angry and disappointed. I’ll never forget how I felt when my dad helped me out of the water. Nowadays it’s one of so many memories and funny moments I’ve experienced.
About me and my favourite style of angling:
I’m 29 years old and live in Maldegem, which is near to the city of Bruges (Belgium). I guess I was 5 or 6 years old when my dad joined me and my brother to the local canals where we took our first steps, fishing for eel, roach and bream.
At the age of 12 I bought a first carp rod for 20 euro’s. From that moment my journey in our fantastic hobby has grown to the angler I am today.
My fishing contains a mixture of various lakes. On the one hand a pressured syndicate lake which contains the bigger ones, carp with a history,… . I simply can’t resist chasing them. On the other hand I like to search for secret, forgotten lakes surrounded by nature where I can escape from the way too busy daily life. In such a places, every capture gives an added value and pleasure. The circumstances, the experience, environment,… are very important to me. I also like to adapt my approach to the situation, the time of the year, the lake I’m fishing. Nothing beats a capture, stalked from the margins or the surface.
Tight lines!
Antonie
Name: Tino Musschootl
Number of Years Fishing: 20 years
UK P.B. 62lbs common
Foreign P.B. 58lbs common in France
Other Sponsors: Consultant for Sticky baits and Atomic tackle
Favourite Venue: A pit called “Hombeek” in Belgium( Belgian carp society lake), Rainbow lake
Most memorable capture:
That was the moment were I was lucky enough to catch to biggest common and mirror from hombeek within a month time..… both Pb’s.. happy days...
Funniest moment on the bank:
To be honest my time on the bank is always classed as funny, constantly new things to discover and to play with. But I also enjoy the company off my fishing partner Bouli and when we do a session we always have a great laugh.
About me and my favourite style of angling:
I like to fish on low stocked pits with a good size and to target the ones I dearly want.
I don’t like it very busy but it is a fact were the big girls are swimming there is always some pressure involved! But I just love it when a plan comes together and a big kipper goes in the net.
I love to be in the nature and sometimes just being there is enough, the wildlife, the weather…. Also to wake up in the early morning and to see fish crashing over the baited area is a very exciting prospect. Every day is a new one and a different one to the day before…to enjoy every minute of it!
That was the moment were I was lucky enough to catch to biggest common and mirror from hombeek within a month time..… both Pb’s.. happy days...
Funniest moment on the bank:
To be honest my time on the bank is always classed as funny, constantly new things to discover and to play with. But I also enjoy the company off my fishing partner Bouli and when we do a session we always have a great laugh.
About me and my favourite style of angling:
I like to fish on low stocked pits with a good size and to target the ones I dearly want.
I don’t like it very busy but it is a fact were the big girls are swimming there is always some pressure involved! But I just love it when a plan comes together and a big kipper goes in the net.
I love to be in the nature and sometimes just being there is enough, the wildlife, the weather…. Also to wake up in the early morning and to see fish crashing over the baited area is a very exciting prospect. Every day is a new one and a different one to the day before…to enjoy every minute of it!
Name: Angel Luis Bonal
Number of Years Fishing: 20
UK P.B. 40lb
Foreign P.B. 41lb 80oz
Other Sponsors: CARPdiem Magazine Spain and Dynamite Baits
Favourite Venue: A lake in Madrid
Number of Years Fishing: 20 years of fishing different styles. I started sea fishing on holiday when I was younger, I had the chance to learn from several friends of mine, who became winners of various Sea National Fishing Events. After that, I started fishing alone on my local lakes in Madrid, I began catching different regional species like comizo barbel, black- bass and carp. Since then, I realized that we have some big fish here in Spain, and I embraced the philosophy of carp fishing, I got totally hooked.
P.B: 40lb. Mirror carp caught during my first session in an unknown lake here in Madrid. It was a very special session because I could see from the top of a big rock how the carp were feeding, I basically stalked the fish, I watched the carp take my hook bait and run!!
Foreign P.B: 41lb 80z. Common carp in an amazing lake in France called Cavagnac, it was a very hard session because the weather was changing all the time from sunny skies to rain, sleet and snow, but I adapted to each situation and landed a lot of fish during the session.
Favourite Venue: My favourite venue is a small mountain lake in Madrid, with crystal clear waters, its a reservoir with many fish trout, pike and a small population of very large carp. A beautiful and charming place, ideal for stalking. Most memorable capture: I must confess that I appreciate each catch, however the most memorable capture was the huge mirror carp I mentioned before, caught short range in the margin, next to a snag. This fish opened my mind in the way of hunting and catching carp.
Funniest moment on the bank: I was very surprised when a fish I had caught before, took my hook bait again after 4 years. It was very funny to compare the changes of the colours of the skin and scales.
P.B: 40lb. Mirror carp caught during my first session in an unknown lake here in Madrid. It was a very special session because I could see from the top of a big rock how the carp were feeding, I basically stalked the fish, I watched the carp take my hook bait and run!!
Foreign P.B: 41lb 80z. Common carp in an amazing lake in France called Cavagnac, it was a very hard session because the weather was changing all the time from sunny skies to rain, sleet and snow, but I adapted to each situation and landed a lot of fish during the session.
Favourite Venue: My favourite venue is a small mountain lake in Madrid, with crystal clear waters, its a reservoir with many fish trout, pike and a small population of very large carp. A beautiful and charming place, ideal for stalking. Most memorable capture: I must confess that I appreciate each catch, however the most memorable capture was the huge mirror carp I mentioned before, caught short range in the margin, next to a snag. This fish opened my mind in the way of hunting and catching carp.
Funniest moment on the bank: I was very surprised when a fish I had caught before, took my hook bait again after 4 years. It was very funny to compare the changes of the colours of the skin and scales.
Name: Frank van den Berg
Number of Years Fishing: 25
UK P.B. 54lb
Foreign P.B. 51lb
Other Sponsors:de voerboot specialist, smartboat
Favourite Venue: Amsterdam , Germany
Most memorable capture:
40lb Common.
Funniest moment on the bank:
When I take my rod i slipt and i fell in the water.
Hello, My name is Frank van den Berg , I’m 47 years old and I was born in Amsterdam, The Netherlands! I was started fishing with my dad when I was 5 years old, when I was 20 I dedicated fishing to carp fishing. Now I’ve got my own bait boat shop in Zaandam and fish a lot in Germany with a close friend Bernd werner!
40lb Common.
Funniest moment on the bank:
When I take my rod i slipt and i fell in the water.
Hello, My name is Frank van den Berg , I’m 47 years old and I was born in Amsterdam, The Netherlands! I was started fishing with my dad when I was 5 years old, when I was 20 I dedicated fishing to carp fishing. Now I’ve got my own bait boat shop in Zaandam and fish a lot in Germany with a close friend Bernd werner!
