Working in the angling industry for more years than he would care to remember, Garry brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in to knowing what makes you guys tick. He always brings new ideas to the table for us to develop, Garry was very influential when designing and developing the ‘Prime’ range. He first brought the idea of a meat based bait to our attention and then tested it thoroughly catching some very big carp on it. What can we say about Garry’s angling, this man can catch fish whatever the conditions, he has everything in his album from huge leathery leviathans to black as your hat scaley ones.
What do you do for a living?
I am currently working in customer services at Cipher international, which is the umbrella company for Trakker products, Cygnet tackle and Aqua products. Prior to this, I have worked in retail for Angling Direct, Climax tackle and Bennett’s fishing tackle.I absolutely love working in the angling industry and have thoroughly enjoyed my time with all of the companies mentioned.
When did you start fishing and who was or still is your biggest influence?
I began fishing at the ripe old age of twelve, catching perch and tench from the local pond. Later I progressed to fishing for chub on the Retford canal and bream bashing on Underbank Reservoir, along with the occasional trip to the mighty River Trent. I caught my first carp in 1979 at Shireoaks, near Worksop, and what an impressive beast it was. A beautiful scaly mirror of around 4lb. I began fishing exclusively for carp in 1982/3, inspired by the writings of Kevin Maddocks and Rod Hutchinson and I have never looked back since.
What style of angler are you? Do you set your sights on one particular target whether it be a specific fish or do you go to catch as many as possible in the time you have?
I’m not really one for setting targets, these days. I enjoy every second of every day I spend on the bank and I’m happy to catch whatever comes along. Don’t get me wrong, I love fishing venues that are home to some absolute whackers, in the hope of getting lucky, but size isn’t everything.
What are your strengths and when are you out of your comfort zone?
I have to admit, I’m out of my comfort zone when it comes to long range fishing…..in fact out of my comfort zone is something of an understatement, I’m useless at it!!
I’ve never been a big caster and I’m maxed out at around 85 yards-ish (I’m not one for measuring every cast with the distance sticks either), and that’s with a good backwind.
As for strengths…..errrr…..I can make a really good cuppa!
What are your personal bests and what was your most memorable capture?
I don’t necessarily think that personal best means personal biggest. My biggest mirror to date weighed in at 55lb 10oz and my biggest common 49lb 8oz but I always consider my personal best as an elusive old common of 39lb.
My most memorable capture to date is the common mentioned above, a very elusive fish well over 40 years old and a close second was an incredibly stunning, scaley, black mirror of 26lb from the same venue.
What is your biggest bit of advice you can offer someone when it comes to the sport?
Simply enjoy it! There are far too many who seem to think that the only thing that matters is to get some sort of sponsorship deal and stress themselves silly chasing it! I’ve seen and heard of people getting themselves in a right state because of this and it leads to jealousy and fall outs, I’ve known lifelong friends turn on each other over the capture of a fish, which is absolutely ridiculous if you ask me!
What is your go to rig / bait / method when you first start on a water?
Regardless of where I go, I tend to fish a boilie only approach and fish for one fish at a time, rather than stoving 600 kilos in and creating a new island. I’ve seen this “going in heavy” backfire on multiple occasions where anglers fill it in and then sit there, reluctant to move , while fish are boshing out at the opposite end of the lake! There is a time and place but once you’ve put it in you can’t get it back out!
As far as rigs go, it all depends on the lake bed. If it’s clean a simple bottom bait on a knotless knot or a wafter on a German rig, if it’s a bit weedy, pop up on a Ronnie, if it’s well weedy a hinge.
Why RG Baits and what RG products do you use and why?
Confidence is a vitality important factor when it comes to carp angling and I do not believe you can fish effectively with a mind full of doubt. I have complete confidence in every product the guys at RG produce and I know, whichever bait I choose, if I can put it in the right place, it will come up with the goods.
My favourite bait from RG is the Vita-lac, made up from four milk proteins, milled nut meal, mixed bird seeds and fish proteins this is truly a bait for all seasons. I have caught carp on the Vita-lac throughout the year, whatever the weather or temperature. I have caught in heatwave conditions at the height of summer and from partially frozen lakes in the depths of winter on this awesome product.……… Confidence in a bag!
What three items couldn’t you be without when fishing?
I would think this question is related to creature comforts rather than tackle items, in which case it would simply be tea, tea and more tea!!
