Daiwa Sports Ltd
Feel Alive.
AGE: 47
LOCATION: Somerset
OCCUPATION: Essential Baits boss
SPONSORS: Daiwa, Dymag, ESP
Catching my first UK thirty, 'Lucky' from Ashlea Pool back in 1987. Catching Frampton's first forty in 1991 and a few years later catching Rainbow lake's first ever forty. Catching two different forties from Coate Water park including the awesome 'Resident' at 44lb 12oz, as well as river fish to 38lb 12oz and more recently the famous Black Mirror at 52lb 10oz.
Writing for most major angling publications and several guest chapters for books before finally self publishing my own book 'Carp Life'. Providing talk/slide shows in the UK and Europe.
Starting my own bait company in 1984 and establishing it as one of the longest standing and highly respected bait companies in the UK. Formulating the famous Shellfish B5 recipe which has possibly accounted for more big fish than any other bait in history.
Purchasing my own lake and from a 3-acre hole in the ground creating one of the most stunning venues imaginable and rearing our own 'home-grown' fish to almost 40lbs - but still growing!
The list of waters I fished over the years is endless really. Some have been brief encounters, others have involved a sustained effort, but out of the more historic/well known venues I've fished over the years I would have to include Ashlea Pool, Frampton Court, Warmwell, Harefield, Coate Water Park, Cons, Wraysbury, Colnemere etc, as well as some of the best waters in Europe such as Orient, Lac Du Der, Sky Lake, Rainbow, Biscarrose, Madine, Graviers etc etc.
Wow! That's a very difficult question and virtually impossible to single out just one. Some of them have been very personal and would probably be lost on anyone other than my 'nearest and dearest', particularly my son Lee who would figure in most of them. Some wouldn't even involve the capture of a fish, just wonderful memories covering a multitude of events.
If I was pushed into choosing a specific fish capture it would have to be the absolute euphoria and sheer satisfaction at catching the magnificent Black Mirror, which was the culmination of a sustained campaign of sheer hard work and dedication on a limited amount of time and from such a long distance away. This fish is without doubt the pinnacle of everything that swims and for my son and daughter to rush out of the house within a minute of getting the call to drive the 300-mile round trip to see the great fish just about sums it up. To have them by my side as we lifted the creature from the depths to take the pics and video was without doubt my proudest and most satisfying 'angling moment' ever!
To enjoy my fishing half as much over the next 20-years (God willing!) as I have done over the past 40-years!
Rods: My original Infinity 12ft 3.75lb TC rods have taken take care of my medium to long range fishing over the past 15-years but will be upgrading to the Magnums for 2009.
Reels: I'm still using my SS300's 17-years after first purchasing them and haven't needed to have them serviced once! I'll still be using these but will also be putting the new Basiar's through their paces in 2009, loaded up with Sensor mono.
A simple one really: Don't put yourself under too much pressure to succeed. Fishing is to be enjoyed, not endured!
I love all methods of fishing and like to be able to adapt to each situation, whether it's under the rod tip or extreme range - it all depends on location and where they are feeding. I love a challenge and in a sadistic sort of way, the harder the challenge the more I enjoy it. Just a handful of carp in 50-acres would give me a real buzz!
In more recent years I've been fishing one or two rivers, both at home and abroad and have found it offers a whole new challenge and approach. I've really enjoyed this and can see me doing a lot more river fishing in the future.
I love most sports particularly football and the whole family are big Chelsea supporters. Another hobby/small business of mine is fish farming/rearing. Having a lake with surrounding stock ponds, fry ponds, hatchery etc allows me too cross breed strains and we have some stunners, including some Black Mirror brethren!! I've also been partial to the odd drop of alcohol from time to time!
I used to be a road sweeper in Kensington and once got thrown out of Harrods for wearing my Road Sweeping uniform in there! I have also worked in No 10 Downing Street when Maggie Thatcher was the Prime Minister. I was also the victim of an armed robbery when I used to work as a postman but ended up getting the sack for failing to safeguard Royal Mail property!
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