MEMORABLE CATCH:
A tricky one but I have to say my first Swedish 40lb
FUNNIEST MOMENT:
Haha, not for the public arena.
ABOUT ME:
I have fished all my life since I was a kid on and off, when I was 20 years old I started to target specimen carp. Unfortunately I did burn myself out by fishing the nights and working the days so I stopped fishing for a few years. After a few years I showed a friend of mine a place to fish for Tench and boom I was hooked again and I started to fish for carp soon after and I haven't looked back! Carp fishing is now a big part of my life, you can´t beat it. I love to be out by myself and put my mind into catching my quarry. I love a social session with friends and everything that goes with it. With work and family commitments I'd love to find more time to fish but this is not always possible. I have a lovely family who support me and thanks Frida for being so understanding. I'm extremely proud to join this journey with Phat Fish Clothing, many thanks for asking me to join the team Keep it simple and enjoy your time on the bank.
MEMORABLE CATCH:
My first carp from Savay Lake from a swim called Wilson's Island.
FUNNIEST MOMENT:
One moment that springs to mind was when John Harry the superintendent of Savay Lake filled the kettle with petrol instead of water by mistake whilst making tea, we were sitting around the kettle full of petrrol with 5 friends, the kettle boiled within 2 minutes......the tea was not the best!!haha
ABOUT ME:
My name is Francois Weemaes and I've been a carp angler for more than 50years, back in the day when equipment was very basic. We had to experiment for ourselves, not like these days where information is readily available. I have fished all over Europe from the UK to Romania. I've fished on Savay Lake for two weeks every year for the past 13 years which is something I look forward to each year. I had the opportunity to fish there for a while as I was very good friends with Bruce Ashby, we were friends for over 42 years and I learnt a lot of my carping skills from Bruce. (RIP Bruce)
I am co-founder of the VBK (Belgian Anglers Association) and board member where I spent more than 20 years as the Chairman.
I'm extremely passionate about my angling and have many very good friends over the years, it's not just about catching carp but sharing those experiences with friends along the way.
Greeting Frans
I’ve been fishing for just over 33 years now, I started out match fishing until the age of about 12 before the lure of bigger specimens really got its teeth into me, I’m probably more well known for carp fishing these days but like to class myself as an all-rounder enjoying many forms of angling from trotting in the winter on the pin for grayling to float fishing for tench on a summers morning, it’s all about the thrill of the chase and the unknown of what the day might bring.
I’d say my strongest angling skills lie in watercraft, bait application and the psychological side of the past time, I’m a deep thinker regarding angling and often I use this to give me the confidence to succeed by seeing out an idea or intention, where most might of changed approach with an unknowing detrimental effect.
After watching carp feeding on gin clear pits for many years now I have continually tweaked and moulded my presentations to suit most angling situations but always looking to develop for the future as carp fishing seems to follow some kind of natural evolution process and therefore the learning curve is ongoing, I think keeping one step ahead and recognising changes is key.
I’ve also worked a lot with carp baits over the years, rolling my own bait from the age of 12 brought me and invaluable experience in how to compile a good bait and a understanding of attraction and digestion which for me are the most important two things in any bait, I’ve worked and helped various bait firms over the years develop their baits with great success, during my time with Nash long conversations with Gary Bayes (bait guru) was very interesting to say the least, it was amazing how many the best attractors we agreed on…
MEMORABLE CATCH:
Catching two 30+ commons (2 of the 3 biggest fish in the lake) in 15mins from a very low stock venue, think prebaiting with 6kg of boilies every day for 7 days had something to do with it, think I fished for a total of 2 hours that trip.
I’ve seen loads of funny stuff on the bank over the years, all the obvious stuff!!! People falling in, blowing rods on the cast, bivvies on fire, people fishing up trees all night, people arguing over swims………loads of other stuff, one thing I do when fishing is enjoy myself and keep smiling, people that have fished with me over the years know there’s never a dull moment when I’m on the bank…. Cheers Apples
Most memorable capture:
Big common carp while snowing
Funniest moment on the bank: making a fake bait alarm sound near my friends bivvy :D Since I was 6 years old, I've been chasing my dreams along the shores of rivers and lakes.My desire for exciting and diverse challenges grew as I matured: Europe, and then Asia and America are and have been the key destinations of my adventures with one target: the big freshwater fishes (carp as first).I am a fisherman, before a pure carp-fisher even if I pratice carpfishing from 1994. My favourite carp "home waters" are close to the italian border where I live, usaully both natural and accumulation lakes.
Most memorable capture:
Big mirror carp in a mountain lake
Funniest moment on the bank: catch the biggest fish of the session angering my boyfriend!
Being born only 5km far from the big Po river, the water is an essential element for me that I need, and fishing is a way to feel a part of nature. Obviously I prefer it when it is accompanied to the capture of some big fish! With my boyfriend Gianluca I've also caught asian species in Thailand like siamese carps and mekong catfish for an high adrenaline fishing experience.
Most memorable capture:
big doubble tone river mirror 46,3lb Funniest moment on the bank: the last slovenian adventure with Francesco Alessandrini was really funny!
I live close slovenian and austrian border and in almost 20 years of carpfishing I've faced lot of big natural lakes in both regions. However, the most intriguing waters to me are the rivers which has transparent water where to hunt the fish. Walking for many miles into the wild to reach some big river carps and get them on the net, to me is one of the most exiting experience of angling.
Most memorable capture:
24 kg common in Bolsena lake. It was an hot summer and I caught it long range, more than 450m from the bank with a little pop up, in a hard ground close to the weed.
Funniest moment on the bank: two years ago in a week session with Mario Portelli, it was crazy! Fishing is magic when you don’t know what it hang on the other side of the line. That’s why I prefere to fish in the unknown big lakes or in the wild rivers. I love to stay and to feel the nature around me, and my approach is always with discretion
Most memorable capture:
I've got many great memories. But catching Shoudlers has to be the one, I could to tell you blow by blow from the take to landing the big girl.
Funniest moment on the bank: Well fair to many to mention and some I couldn’t mention lol. I wish I could but I just cant. But I've had some great times with my pal inside and outside of fishing Rob Marsh. I'm a overhead linesman and work on the power lines.Most of my fishing are overnighters due to work commitments. I enjoy all the technics to catch a carp, but I am a sucker for a bit of zig fishing. I also do love a trip aboard too, fishing different waters for different fish and also meeting some great people along the way. As I said I've been fishing for many years and always learning from people young and old, that’s one thing I don’t like people who think they know everything about fishing. Litter and bad angling manners, casting across people, noisy people etc.
On my very first trip to France I went down to Lac de St. Cassien, just wanting to catch one fish from that “holy” water. After a whole week of blanking and catching bream I finally made it. The rest is history.
Funniest moment on the bank:
Talking about fishing in summer on Lac de St. Cassien: Back in 2009, night fishing in the summer was already forbidden, but it was okay to stay on the bank as long as the rods where not in the water. So I sat with my girlfriend (today my wife) on the shoreline, just watching the water when we heard a motorboat. The only motorboat that’s allowed to drive on the lake was the boat of the guard. So we put up a little light on the shoreline, showing that we where there and had nothing to hide – this behaviour often helped to make the guards more friendly. Seconds later, a very bright light pointed directly into our faces and the boat held towards us. I helped the guys to get out of the boat, showed them our swim and we all had a little chat with a cup of wine. Then they left, driving further up the north arm. Janine and I decided to go to bed, and as you don`t need any more in the summer, we just had an open umbrella for bivvy. No fishing at night, little wine in the blood and a warm summer night - guess what we were doing – I`ll leave it to your fantasise. To cut a long story short: The motorboat returned and with it the powerful handheld searchlight - pointing directly into our”bivvy”. We heard the laughs and the searchlight did not leave us and our bivvy as long as the boat was “in sight”.
About me and my favourite style of angling: Hi, my name is Jan, I´m 32 years old and I come from a little Town named Achim, near Bremen in northern Germany. I caught my first fish with 5 years on a holiday trip to the United States. Back in Germany, it took quite a while to go fishing again as my Dad is not a fisherman. Anyway, within the age of 8 my name was well known at the local Trout-Pond and I was on the search for “new challenges”. It took not too long to find a little Lake in range of my bike. Soon later, I caught some small, fresh stocked common carp and was absolutely amassed from their power and their stunning look. I never forgot about that and years later, 95% of my fishing is for carp. Today I am a typical “bait-angler”. I like fishing on well prepared spods. Depending on the type and the size of the water, the temperatures and the number of the expected fish feeding on the spod, I change the bait and the amount of it to get the result we are all hope for. I like social fishing, but in fact I`m mostly on the water with Janine or all alone, because when you fish with 2 or more fisherman in one swim, you`ll always have to compromise your own fishing.
Most memorable capture: 28lb koi
Funniest moment on the bank: jumping in the ice cold water to save my mates rod from getting pulled in.
I started flyfishing for trout with my dad at age 12 in belgium , something i still enjoy doing , but i soon started to get an intresed in other species like perch , pike ,barbel and eventualy carp , wich is after more than 15 years still one of my biggest passions in live . I have fished channels and rivers in belgium , i do a trip to france every year , but what i enjoy most are the big wild lakes in spain in persuit of virgin carp . My favourite baits are boilies and pelets . For me carpfishing is not only about caching big carp , but also beeing outside in nature and spending time on the bank with friends who share the same passion .
Most memorable capture:
That will be the night when I caught 3 of my targets in 8 hours. Funniest moment on the bank: During every trip I have so much fun and we are always doing crazy things. For example, during our last trip, we slept behind the guardrail of a highway. Furthermore, another time, we got stuck with our car on an off road path at 4:00 AM. As you can image, at that moment it was not really that funny, but now we can laugh about it!
About me: My name is Tom de Maat and I’m 19 years old. I live in the south of the Netherlands, 3 km from Belgium. I like big adventures and to get the maximum out of a session. I describe my trips to France therefore not as relaxed trips. These trips often consist of days with 20 hours of driving, prebaiting and walking around. However, I really enjoy it! When I fish in the Netherlands and Belgium, I invest all my concentration on one lake and stay there until I have my targets. Observation, thinking about what you are doing and prebaiting are the key! 90% of the time I use a blowback rig on a helicopter system. Last but not least: Don’t forget to enjoy your style of fishing and don’t look to much at other anglers. Tight lines, Tom
Most memorable catch:
My first double many years ago. I had been catching some good fish and had increased my PB to 9.5lbs (for north England at that time, was a good fish) but the double was still avoiding me. I had just come out of my bivvie one morning, feeling happy with myself as I had caught a couple of carp in the night, when I noticed some fish movement in the far corner of the lake. This area of the lake was very flat, with a depth of around 30cm; it’s where the cows went to drink. I could see that the carp where in there feeding, you could see their backs breaking the water surface, or a tail would come out as they went nose down. I quickly pulled my rods in, and made one rod up just with a hook tied directly onto the main line, and then tied a hair onto the hook (we didn’t know about the knotless knot then haha) which I baited up with a small 15mm homemade boilie. As I approached the area I was worried that the carp would see me, so like an army commando I went down on my belly and started to worm my way forward with the rod cradled in my arms. I came to a point where I had to stop as I feared if I went further I would spook the carp. Keeping the rod as low as I could I flicked the boilie out about 6m in front of me and laid the rod down in the grass. There where around 7 carp in the swim, and all had their heads down feeding, and the big one was among them. My heart started to race as he started to move towards my boilie leaving a trail off bubbles like an old steam train, and then it happened, the rod tip whipped round and I was into the big one. He weighed in at 16lbs, a lovely mirror, and I was over the moon (I had just caught my first carp by stalking, but I didn’t know that then) my first double was caught, a new PB and a new club record. Over the years I have caught many fish, big and small, but this catch was my most memorable.
Funniest moment on the bank: I had taken to one swim in particular on the lake I was fishing. It was in a nice little bay where I had taken a few smaller fish, but had spotted the bigger ones there on more than one occasion. The bank was lined with reeds, and to one side was a strip off low bushes. I had decided to do a day session and got to the swim just as the sun was coming up. After a short time I had the rods out and was sitting in my chair watching the water for those tell tail signs of carp. I was feeling good, the sun was shining the birds where singing, the fish where topping. I had just poured myself a coffee when I noticed a movement out off the corner of my eye in the bushes. As I turned to look, two off the bushes stood up! And started walking towards me! I have to be honest, I was screaming like a baby as my chair toppled backwards and my coffee flew into the air. As I laid on my back looking up into the sky, watching the coffee falling down in slow motion to cover me (it’s amazing what detail you see when you think you are going to ravaged by walking bushes) a shadow fell over me, looking down at me where two faces enclosed in a mass off twigs and leafs, the faces where covered in camouflage paint. “You ok mate” said bush one. “We didn’t mean to scare you” said bush two with as we all started to laugh. My two walking bushes turned out to be two Territorial Army guys. Believe me; I now always check the bushes where I fish!
About me and my favourite style of fishing: Original I come from a small town in Cumbria, Dalton-in-Furness, but I have been living in north Germany for many years now. I started fishing at very early age. I started of like many of us catching roach and perch and progressed onto tench. I then had a fling with pike, and one day one of the lads said let’s try carp, and I have been a carper ever since. My favourite style of fishing! I have had a few over the years, method fishing, surface fishing etc. But what I am really into at the moment is zig, and when the conditions are right I’ll always have one rod zigging away.
About me: My fishing "career" started at the age of 10, chasing perch and roach on local club waters. Catching plenty of them was some times disturbed by hooking in to something that’s seems to be unstoppable, my first encounters with carp. During that period my tackle was steadily upgraded and ended up catching and targeting these magnificent creature’s. When I got older a local river a few canals and some gravel pits became where the majority of my fishing took place. These place’s are still being fished by me up till this day. I also fish some lakes across the border in Germany. Sometime’s I fish in France, and when I do its etang laroussi near Le mans. My fishing exists mainly out of fishing short overnight sessions. Being a dad of 2 kids and working full time means the time to spend on the bank is very limited at some moments. I try to make the most out of it by searching the fish and fish where they are, other then pre-baiting and waiting for them to arrive. Fishing different then others is often the way to success for me, different area’s , different approach. I am not the type of angler that goes after one certain fish, but just enjoy every minute of being out there and sitting behind the rods watching the lake and its surroundings.
Most memorable capture: Most memorable capture was probably a big two tone 48lb + common from a large gravel pit that’s connected to a large river system. I caught it on a sunny summer evening within 30 minutes after putting the baits in. After a successful night I returned 2 days later to fish that area again but there where a few other anglers fishing a swim close to where I wanted to fish. I didn’t wanted to be in there way, or make them wiser about me fishing there so I went for area on the river itself. After building up camp and getting the rods in place I was in to a fish fairly quickly and after a short battle I found the same two tone common in the bottom of my landing net. The 2 pegs where 2 kilometers apart from each other making it a very special capture. The strange thing I never seen that fish again in the hands of a other angler.
Funniest moments on the bank.. Funniest moment on the bank: One of the funniest things that comes to mind was the moment a friend of mine tried to land a massive sturgeon in France in the middle of the night. Because a landing net is out of the question a grip by the tail was the only possibility to get it on the unhooking mat. He succeeded on grabbing it, but the sturgeon had other plans by pulling him in and filling his boots. After releasing this monster he left for his bivvy cursing and complaining and telling me I didn’t needed to shout again for assistance. The next cast wasn’t near where I wanted it and when reeling in a massive catfish grabbed the boillie, He did come to help in the end but as you can guess it needed allot of convincing to get him to help me out again.
That’s my Belgian pb of a single scaled mirror. It was a hard year at the local syndicate. Many carp were dead from a disease a couple of years before, so the original population was minimized to approximately forty fish. After stocking fifty new French carp, the future looked bright. Otherwise the amount of takes was not that high. I planned a couple of days mid October. 3 rods were on the hot spots with a lot of freebies, I positioned the fourth rod 30m away from the other rods. It was that rod with single hook bait that rattled off in the middle of the night with a fantastic pb.
During a cold winter trip in France, I decided to put the boxes of maggots in my car. I don’t want them dead… so what could go wrong if the lids are closed. The next morning they were everywhere in my car. And the next week there were flies in my car, I had to open the windows to let them escape…
My style of fishing is very flexible; I like different kinds of fishing. I fished eel, pike and roach before. That’s a good basis to start carp fishing, nowadays kids start carp fishing before they ever caught any other fish… My sessions are for 90% short day sessions, mainly before or after work. With a good bait campaign it’s possible to catch my targets during day time. Most of all I enjoy nature and the outside life. I enjoy carp fishing every minute, from the preparations till the catch of one of my targets. Tight lines Steven
Hello I am Yvo Klinkenberg I am 35 years old I \'ve been carp fishing since an early age.
I'm a Dutch angler but spend a large amount of time fishing in France. I prefer to fish on big water in excess of 600 hectres, it is a difficult and challenging fishing but if you put the effort in the rewards are definitely there.
Like most anglers I love spending time on the bank whether I catch or not and enjoy the peace and tranquillity that fishing offers.
Most memorable capture- Catching The Twin from White Swan....
Funniest moment on the bank- Casting out and hooking a dead rabbit through its top lip from out in the middle of the lake.
About me and my style of fishing I love the challenge of fishing for true English carp on hard tricky lakes, I am currently fishing Dinton pasture white swan and have been lucky enough to get amongst some of there elusive carp. Dinton has taught me a lot, location is key so I do my best to stay mobile and be on the fish and try not to over complicate matters .
Most memorable capture:
A night on the Trent, when I had 2 barbel on the mat at the same time, 1 weighing 11lb and the other weighing 12lb
Funniest moment on the bank: Daniel caught a little roach while fishing at newbridge in hull and as it was the first fish out that day he was excited and showing everyone it. then the roach squirted loads of white stuff all over his t-shirt (funny to see)
I don’t really have a style of fishing I enjoy all types of fishing including sea fishing, barble fishing and carp fishing. I have not tried pike fishing yet but I hope to have by the end of the year. I am not a big fan of float fishing, I do endure it as my partner loves it and was brought up float fishing... I hate the idea of a bait boat, my theory is "if you cant cast there, then you cant fish there". I only started fising when I started to work at chapmans angling and now I cant imaging my life with out it, I am definatly not the most experienced in the shop but I learn new things every day from collegues and my partner.my other hobbies are gardening (I have a allotment). I love drawing and listening to music.
Most memorable capture:
Several come to mind, back in the day of Waveney Valley, catching the largest two residents in consecutive bites, Big Scale & Five Star! In France, banking 40 x 40lbers in one session, secondly, first tonne up week, amazing over 2,400lb of carp in just 5days.
Funniest moment on the bank:- I have to be a tad mindful here!! and not mention the angler in question: let's just say a household named carp angler who managed to sink a brand new micro cat which was borrowed for the fishing session!!! Only saving grace for him is that he neglected to drop the rig and after what seemed an internality, managed to get it back to the bank!
About myself: Being 47years of age I started my angling life at the age of 11, like many youngsters just fooling around the local parks, catching what seemed at the time to be monsters, but in reality just small fry in comparison to what is now Available to today's youngsters smitten with the bug upon their first capture! During these early years growing up I very quickly became passionate about the sport and never tired with the usual disappointment of failing to catch due to my inexperience. As time went on, I learnt, the hard way in some cases that it's not about following the crowd, it's more about finding your own level and developing a passion which drives you increasingly to learn and ultimately becoming more & more successful as you develop the skills-knowledge, ultimately leading to putting fish on the bank, however just as important reflecting on your achievements. A real turning point came within my late teens-early twenties when I set about fishing a number of the circuit waters, again gaining a valuable insight as to what made for a successful day/night out on the bank, believe me, I made a number of mistakes and no doubt there are a few anglers today who will take pleasure in reminding you of my failings and mishaps. Unusually, At the time I choose the path to keep away from the limelight and focused instead on doing what I enjoy most, and that's just the pleasure of fishing. This like my work and family ethics has by far given me even more passion for what I do today and the results without doubt had aided my captures and results to this very day. I particularly enjoy session fishing and In recent years I have spent a considerable amount of time in France, targeting off the radar waters and a number of big fish waters. in the last 5 years or so I have become mainly known due to some of my big fish captures and achieving notoriety with several well publicised 'tonne up' weeks. For myself, fishing although a hobby, it's one of passion! Like so many of us, work and family commitments ensures what time we spend in the bank is precious and therefore should not be wasted! I have a simple approach to the way I set out my stall and I always try to be different, whether this be by means of keeping things simple, or indeed trying alternatives to the latest techniques, I always ensure I personalise my approach to put as many fish in the mat given the time I have! One aspect that gives my enormous pleasure is helping others,whether this be by parting with hints and tips, or mapping out a swim or venue, I enjoy watching others succeed and it's rewarding when they come back to you with a photo of a personal best that they have caught as a result of your involvement.
Most memorable capture:
My first ever carp, I will never forget the feeling when's alarms went screaming off! The bend in my rod (baring in mind the biggest thing I had caught to date was a 2lb bream!). I netted it and couldn't believe how beautiful it was, it was just a small common but I didn't want to put it back. Since that moment I've been well and truly hooked.
Funniest moment on the bank: I'm always having a laugh but you can't help but giggle when the fish fight back! I remember I'd just pulled My first 20lb carp out and a few dog walkers stopped to watch. As I tried to hold it up for a photo its started thrashing so I held it close to my body but somehow he managed to pull my top down, flashing the innocent bystanders. The look of disgust from the dog walkers was the icing on the cake and definitely made my day. Fishing is my passion and it's my little piece of heaven. Getting out on the bank is a great achievement for me, I have a 1 year old daughter and being a mum is my priority but I think fishing is for families. My brother was a great teacher and I can not wait to pass my knowledge down to my little girl ( I'm already eyeing up a mini shimano rod and reel). It's not just the catch for me it's everything leading up, setting up, baiting an area sitting and waiting not knowing what's below the surface. I'm not super serious and it's not a bad day if I blank because I know I will get back out there next week and get to try again.
Most memorable capture:
An awesome boat battle that resulted in the mighty “BITEMARK” from stoneacres
Funniest moment on the bank: I've had loads of funny moments on the bank with my bro, but him falling down a steep bank once and landing on top of his rods leaving them absolutely trashed has got to be up there. And being set up on st johns linear fisheries once and a family of 50 turning up they set about setting up numerous 12man tents with ensuite then once the rods were flung out a huge cricket match commenced with fielders the lot it was so funny.
At a very young age i started out float fishing with my grandad for anything that came along and once i got abit older i piece of floating bread was cast alongside a reed bed shortly followed by a explosion n a battle of a lifetime a 6lb carp was the culprit but i was well and truly hooked. so that was it the floater gear was traded in for carp gear and i set about serving my apprenticeship around various cheshire waters. After many years honing my skills i was ready to go further a field. it was off to Oxfordshire in search off them super scaleys. and thats where i still fish today i absolutely love the place. from 1 acre cheshire farm pits to huge 50 acre Oxfordshire gravel pits, from 4lbers to 40lbers i love it all, that buzz, that feeling, is just unexplainable…
Most memorable capture , My 3 20lb+ carp from Ladywood stand out all in one session with the 'Bellino Mirror' and 'The Patch Common'
Funniest moment - getting dad to wake Darrell Peck up at stupid o’clock in the morning whilst I was into a fish ...dad came back and said I think I just scared Darrell half to death he then pops his head out his bivvy and says what are you two doing ? lol
I'm James Junior a 10 year old fishing addict . I've been fishing from an age 3 with dad and with help from my friend Gus I've moved onto Carp Fishing and from there ‘Bushnell Carp Diaries’ was born I have my own dedicated Facebook page and you tube channel where I show you guys my carp fishing adventures so far I've had some great success in my first 12 months . Getting a few P.Bs along the way along with my current pb mirror of 20lb 3oz and pb common of 25lb and my pb surface caught carp of 20lb 11oz I even managed to win Sky’s young angler of the month competition which got me a great day out to fish Barston Lakes. I'm hoping to get to a few different lakes next year but this winter will see me hitting the banks of my local water to try bag a chunk or two.
My passion for canals and rivers!
I grew up on the banks of the large Belgian Albert Canal. My youth I stayed many nights on this large and busy water. 25 years ago our record fish were carp of 20 lbs. Today these are the smallest copies, but my passion kept growing and I spied on to Belgian largest river "la Meuse" big and rough, shipping and industry do not make it easy to catch big carp. But precisely that is what carp angler for me so special! A merit at each catch "a totally different carp fishing, the fish are there strong and crude" that's what I like to share with you together with Phatfishclothing! Raf Swinnen
I don’t have a angling style that I prefer, I usually try to measure out the conditions and circumstances, I do my best to fit into the situation. If having to make a bait spot, or using different types of baits. Like said above I adapt to the situation, so my luck is dependent on more factors. I like fishing in all lakes in Germany, also all over Europe. Being in natural surroundings and being able to fish, (even blanking) is a big hobby of mine, always learning something new every time. The thing I don’t like is envious and backstabbing carpers. We are all in the same game
Most memorable capture: Is the result of catching my personal best plus the second biggest fish in the low stock lake after one hour. Before having blanked for many hours.
Funniest moment on the bank: There are many funny moments on the bank. Especially when many of my good friends come to visit. Fun is guaranteed.
Most memorable catpture:
My first carp on the Lac du Der. A common of 27lbs, but so happy to get this tresssure out of this massive big lake.
Funniest moments at the bank: about ten years ago I was fishing in France with my brother in law. We had a few drinks to much. When staring at the water we both saw a huge monster crossing over. Never drink on the bank!
I’m a 37 years old carp addicted fellow, living in the east Flanders in Belgium. To earn the daily fare, I work as a freelance interior designer. I’m also responsible for the sale and distribution of the German Imperial Fishing. I love a busy life full of challenges. When I go fishing I want to be left alone. Maybe that is why my preference goes to the big lakes. Calm, tranquility, nature,… Often find no other anglers, carps without names. Working hard for a fish. But the satisfaction is so great, and the unknown attracts me like a magnet back to it. Tight lines!
Most memorable capture:
Catching at that time the biggest common of Belgium Skup at 29 kg, was at that time the biggest common in the Benelux.
Funniest moment on the bank: When I am out on the bank, I always have so much fun.....but my down moment on the bank I will never forget......one day during a night session I found a dead body in my lines.....that was hard.....to deal with.
The last couple of years I became more and more I short overnighter angler, due to my work and family, I am after all a father of two young doughters who also need care and attention.... But I must say that never the less, I don't fish to fish, what I mean is the simple fact that I always prepare my spots (finding spots, pre baiting etc). Every year I do also a couple of long sessions, I must admit that I am one of the happy few who can fish Rainbow lake on a regular base. Last year I also had my membership on a syndicate lake in Germany, so I am more than happy with my fishing these days.
Most memorable capture:
I’ve had some memorable captures over the years, so this one is quite a tough question! However, recently I managed to bank a new PB Mirror, but the weight was irrelevant. It is a fish I have dreamt about since I was 10 years old. When I was a nipper and growing up, my brother and I would take it in turns every other Friday to do an overnighter with my dad, as he could only have one guest at a time, and we were only allowed to fish one rod. This particular fish was one of the lakes crown jewels and at 60 odd years old, it really it is an incredible fish and one I always wanted. During my teens I fished a couple of other waters, until I was 18 and got my full ticket through and concentrated on this water. Finally on my first session on there this year, after one of the most mental battles from a ridiculously weedy environment, I managed to land one of the fish of my dreams!
Funniest moment on the bank: I don’t advise anyone to do this, as looking back it could be quite dangerous, but as kids, everyone has played a silly old prank somewhere – especially if it’s your twin! One summer I met up with a few mates for our yearly get together/social and my brother, Rob was the first one to go off to bed that night.. So I decided to tie his crocs with about 8 foot of 50lb braid as a lead to the legs of his bedchair. In the middle of the night, I promptly gave his alarm an absolute one toner. He jumps up, slips on his crocs, goes running towards to the rods when BANG! The braid tightens from the crocs to the bedchair, sending him flying, along with his bedchair and the entire contents of his bivvy up in the air!
Most memorable capture: Fully scaled mirror 58lb+
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.
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.
Funniest moment on the bank: It was a stormy period in the spring. Despite the bad weather I had to out fishing, the urge to fish won me over. And there I was ... completely soaking wet and cold, and feeling I had no chance but fortunately I got a bite. It was a powerful fish that made a run for the snags, I needed the boat to keep it from getting stuck solid. After a fierce battle the fish was in the net and when I went rowing back I found out again how bad the weather was as I nearly capsized on a few occasions. I finally made it back to the bank to weigh the fish as quickly and safely as possible. When I put my foot on the slippy bank, I slipped and hit the water with fish and fishing rod in my hands. Fortunately the carp was fine as this was first worry. It took all me strength and effort to climb the high side but I was lucky that I still had the fish and my rod...
A few words talking about myself: My name is Sebastiaan Barendrecht, I was born in 1990 and living in South Holland. In daily life I work as a gardener and am by my profession always busy with nature. Fishing is a passion I’ve has since a small boy and I spent all my spare time pursuing any species of fish and I love being by the waterside. My first contact with the carp soon followed, and I saw my line after a brief battle for one of these giants. With trembling knees I wondered how something so big could ever be caught? That question kept me awake at night and I could not wait to catch a carp. No mather what! We now are a quite few years on, but I still experience the same feeling each time I’m doing battle with a carp. When the carp slips over the draw cord I think back to that time: the beginning of my hobby and how I longed to bank such monster carp. I’m always striving to improve, so I keep myself sharp and focused. Downtime can lead to deterioration in my opinion and never an opportunity to catch is missed! Finally I want to thank the guys for their trust and wish all readers a good catch.