Becoming The UK's BEST Fisherman In 6 Months 

Carl , in my honest opinion, your videos have become as good as if not better than most TV shows. The quality is brilliant, and other than Bob and Paul in Gone Fishing you are the man . Keep up the great job mate 🍻👍🏼

Carl, I hope you understand that from my view point this is the greatest compliment i could give. As a 10 year old, John Wilson’s Go Fishing was my world. I would watch episodes whilst sorting takle with my Dad the night before every session. I still have VHS tapes recorded from TV that i’ll put on now and again (im 35 next month). Nowadays my 10 year old son watches you (and Alex) constantly, and we pick a few episodes to watch together whilst we no get ready the night before. Now… we live in Qld Australia now, so your content is somewhat irrelevant to the fishing here, yet it still gets us going each time. Thanks for being a part of my son’s future nostalgia when i’m no longer there to take a trip to the bank :)

Fair play to you for giving it a go. I took up match fishing after 25+ years of pleasure angling. It’s a massive step to take and a whole different mentality, and I’m only fishing at club level. The golden rule I was told at the start of my journey is never tell the truth (about your catch. Or your tactics) and never believe what others tell you (about their catch or tactics). It has served me well over the last couple of years! 😂 In all seriousness though, once you get past the nerves and self consciousness of fishing shoulder to shoulder with some very competent match anglers, it really does force you to think about how you’re fishing and it’s done more to improve my fishing than any amount of books/magazines/videos have ever done. Plus, that first time you frame, even if the prize is a mere tenner is an awesome feeling. Still waiting to get my first win (I’ve been within 2oz), but I’ll get there! Great video as always!

The fact Carl consistently pumps out content that is miles above 90% of the TV being made and with such a small team is insanity His potential is literally limitless

Geat video, Carl! Being a former match angler, I know that diving into the match scene as a newbie is no walk in the park. If you're a decent angler, you can rock it when you're in your element, fishing the waters you know and love. It's all about that know-how! But to keep knocking it out of the park in different waters, with various fishing styles, tackling different species, and handling all the different situations you might face, you've gotta clock in those years and years of experience. I'd love to see you giving it more tries in the future. You've got the gear you need now, and the best guys to support you, for sure! Keep up the great work!

They see the younger version of themself in you Carl. Great to see them helping you out to get going. I'm not that into competition fishing but any Carl video is worth the watch. Which you showed us again. Thanks.

Awesome vid as always Carl Hats off to the match men, catching as many as quickly as possible is a skill in itself but takes the fun out of fishing when there’s pressure and money involved. Pleasure and specimen fishing is definitely the best in my opinion.

Bloody awesome Carl. What ever it is you’ve got it. You’re becoming the new John Wilson. He was so watchable just like you and your team. Keep up the good work it’s so appreciated.

My dad was a match angler and remember him telling me tales about winning with small silvers. I enjoy pleasure fishing, I only started up again properly this year and have had some great sessions on my own and with friends. Even when I blank, that time spent outside engaging with your surroundings is priceless. Like you said at the end, fishing is what you make it and for me the removal of life’s stresses for a few hours is cathartic

The variety of fishing on your channel is what makes it so good! You've inspired me to get out there and do more different types of angling. Instead of just focusing on carp and then not going when I'm short on time. Thank you, you've changed my fishing for the better 😊

Please never stop man I’m from america and your videos single handedly made me go across the pond for carp. Love your videos

This is the only Chanel with long videos, of which i watch every single one in full length! Thx for the great content and greetings from Germany.

Awesome effort Carl! So close at the end. Just one more barbel 😩 Great film bud! Very thrilling 👊

It's really cool to see an insight into Match Fishing.. I've always been curious to what it's like, and thankfully your video has saved me the effort of failing miserably and wasting thousands of pounds. Love the vids Carl, and thank you for spending months creating this film!

Carl, a brilliant video, mate. I've been watching you and Alex for a long time. This is one of the best ones you've done. Please do more match fishing. I really wanna see you win, lad.

Can’t wait to watch love the videos thanks for getting me into this sport loved the video keep it up

Thanks for sharing your humble journey! All the best👍👍

I just subscribed to this channel but from what I‘ve seen so far the quality of his videos is far beyond the other fishing channels I know. Keep up the good work man 💪🏻👍🏻

As a match angler this film was right up my peg! Big fan of Matt and Rooney. Would love to see more content like this, maybe try tackling a a match on a commercial venue on the pole would be amazing! Well done on coming so heartbreakingly close though hope you have another go in The future!

I don't even really like coarse fishing, but yet find myself watching all your videos. They are so well put together, epic content mate. Please try this again, I want to see you make the final..

One of the best and most well put together videos I have watched in a long time , had my heart in my mouth the whole time 😂👏

Fabulous demonstration of skill and sportsmanship. How these guys do this week in week out is beyond me.

I can't say how good of a video this is !!! Keep it up Carl, looking forward to the next upload

I’ve never understood match angling. Does take the fun out of it. Great video as always Carl! Making sure to watch those adds fully as well!

Loved this! Don't give up but do try to keep sane as I bet matches will test your mind management! It would be great to see more near-misses so keep them coming 🎣 👏

The balls it take to put yourself out on youtube from zero! Respect man and you are a great great fisherman! Literally best RU-vidr too!

well done buddy, absolute well done. for me this was one of your bests this year.

I started up fishing again after 16 years back in august and done nothing but non stop what your vids and the quality is amazing keep up the great work

Awesome video.Also a big shoutout to Adam and Matt for supporting you on this venture.Much love and don’t give up❤

I look forward to watching your videos with a cuppa every time you upload them. It's great to watch and see that you remind me of me in many ways. This match fishing journey was great to watch and I hope you have another chance to do this again next year and prove to GURU that you have what it takes.

we need more of these type of videos! again great!

As usual and as expected top quality video yet again 👌🏻 hard lines mate u gave it a go 🎣🎣

Way to go Carl!!!!! I made the same journey with match shooting. Its a whole different thing to go to a match than it is for pleasure! I love shooting matches now, and the more you put into matches the better you will get. Its a huge challenge that can be soul crushing at times, but intensely rewarding as well. Hope to see you fish more of them!!!!!!

Your face when you land that 1st Barbel, is why you definitely should do more match fishing videos. Brilliant. Merry Xmas .

That face "big fish!" 😂 Really enjoyed this new fishing goal. Please try again next year... You will be one of the best with the fishing passion (and sponser) that you have! Thanks for the great video!!!

Great video Carl, it always comes down to what you know. You smashed it bud 🎉

Really enjoyed!!! More like this please mate

Enjoyed that video, makes me realise just how much I have to learn about video creating. I'm inspired by your content. Thanks

Very enjoyable to watch thanks Mate! Keep at it :)

There is never a dull moment with you Carl, great angler and my favourite.. also thank you for my new jumper and hat from yourself!

Love your vids, Started fishing in 2008 and love it like day one and you make the best content about that 🫶🏻🤌🏻

Fantastic video. I started young on match fishing also. Probably played into the competitiveness of youth haha. Quickly moved away from it. Can become so incredibly stressful. But it also has that 'buzz' of anticipation that you get from other sports. Amazing to see how professional the top pros really are. Loving the videos

Absolutely loved this video and I’ve literally minimal interest in match fishing, really appreciate your efforts, thanks buddy!

Good effort Carl. Not a match angler myself but throuroughly enjoyed the video. Would love to see more 👍

Amazing effort, it's so annoying when you lose the winning fish and it's happend to me LOADS. Don't give up, match fishing pays A LOT. Great vlog again carl, and I can't wait for the next one!

I work in an fishing shop and the talk I hear about the match scene (I'm a carp angler) tells me two things. It is always the luck of the draw and getting a good peg. And also knowing the venue and how it fishes in various conditions is also key. The guys that do well, fish a LOT of matches and fish the venues on a regular basis. Personally I think it was an incredible result to do as well as you did. Keep it going.

First, I would like to thank you. I enjoy your channel immensely and you have taught me a lot about carp fishing. Being an American, we know virtually nothing about carp fishing. The one thing we're passionate about here in the states is tournament fishing. Granted, it's not quite the same as what you gents do but it's still a competition. My area of expertise and tournament style was Ocean Surf fishing. In 1980's through the 1990's, my self and my team became moderately "known" on the North Eastern Shoreline at these events. We finished in the top three numerous times over the years but eventually life got in the way of tournaments and I moved on. Not to brag but over the years I honed my style and abilities and some might say I got it right. For some reason, probably my ego, I returned to tournaments in 2010. I thought "Oh yeah, I'm back baby! Here we go!". Over the course of the next year what I learned was a very humbling. Smacked by numerous disappointments, accidents and bad luck I realized that some of us just should not tournament fish. Tournament fishing is a rabbit hole. Some should not venture down that hole because it will effect your passion for the sport of fishing. After a year of tournaments I left tournament fishing for ever. I even considered stopping fishing completely but decided to just fish recreationally instead. I believe I am better for it. You are an amazing fisherman. Your videos are amazing and I wait patiently for every new release. Thank you for all you do. But Carl, be careful of that rabbit hole. Some people are just not meant to be Match/Tournament fisherman. Some of us just need to be happy with our skills and spread the joy of fishing to others... Regardless, good luck if this is the course you decide to pursue. As always, another excellent video! Thanks!

Carl your videos make me want to go fishing and try new techniques. I never watch match fishing videos as im a carp and sea angler but i watch your videos and you bring the sport to life . Awesome channel and good photographer

Loved this one, keep doing what you’re doing man!

Enjoyed that carl. Your summary at the end is spot on for me-its all fishing,but everyone has there own preferences and what/how they like to fish. We can all learn from each other,personally match angling teaches you how to fish then you can scale that whatever way you want for whatever species. Keep the videos coming,looking forward to seeing you try fly fishing! Now that's an art .tight lines

Great video and insight to match fishing and your experience

The rollercoaster of emotions... this is like TV productions! Well done!

Class as always Carl 💪🏻 great video.

What a nice thing to give you all that tackle. He knows your capabilities 😊

That was so exciting,at the end. Really thought you was going to do it. Just started club match fishing myself...so intense..it's addictive.

Superfun to watch. Thanx Carl!

I defo want to see more of these competitive videos - Never seen you so competitive!

Such a amazing production and truly inspiring

Great reel. Really enjoyed your journey. Going to my first pike lure match tomorrow.

Lovely! So happy to see the brilliant production.

Great vid Carl really enjoyed it. One of your best!

I competed to a high level when I was younger and my takeaway was that you can win club and local comps by being a good angler and knowing the venues but to compete with the top guys you need to be a good angler, to know the venues, to get a good draw and to be super efficient with everything you do. Time is critical particularly if it's become obvious that winning on bits (large numbers of small silvers) is the way to go on that day, if you can shave seconds off of every fish through being organised and almost robotic in the way you bait the hook to shipping the pole/recasting to feeding and landing and dealing with the fish then that can add up to a substantially better weight when time is called. Be prepared, have every eventuality catered for and make sure every hooklength is identical particularly on the pole because you're wasting time if you've got to adjust everything because your fresh rig was half an inch shorter and now the float keeps sinking under the weight of the bait. Good luck but be careful, I burned out hard at the end of my match fishing career because it is stressful and it does take a lot out of you if you're aiming high.

I've always wanted to start match fishing but have no idea on where to begin. Seeing other anglers with heaps of gear and experience is really daunting especially for newcomers. Hopefully in the next year or so I can start grasping the basics

Thanks for the video, i watched like a kid, good luck for the next year! Gooo on! From Hungary!💪🏻💪🏻💪🏻👌🏻

What another great video. You got me back loving angling again. You came close don't give up. In a few of your other videos you said with fishing you shouldn't give up so you should keep going and you can easily win

Not really into Fishing, but you caught my eye and I watched the whole thing. Great Video bud

Brilliant 👏👏

best video I have seen for a while fishing wise, you should deffoo do this again! might of even inspired me to take up match angling again!

Fantastic video Carl! You may not have won but the knowledge and memories will last you a lifetime. Keep up the amazing content. Cheers

Great video Carl! That was a great effort at the end and Personaly I don’t like match fishing because I just like the relaxing part of fishing and not stressful fishing. Keep up the amazing work have a good week

You have to try this again! Great video!

Great video mate Keep em coming!!!

Damn, that's the content if didn't know i needed : Carl quality of video and competition is so good !🔥

We need a part 2!

Awesome video! Would love to see maybe one of these kind of videos per year as long as its something you would enjoy.

Great effort Carl. Would love to see more river matches.

Your content speaks for itself, we all watch your videos because they are so informative and entertaining to the audience. Match fishing just doesn’t have that fun factor and calmness that comes from being by the river or lakeside. Fishing is meant to be peaceful and enjoyable, not stressful as you experienced during match fishing. Keep up the great work and I can’t wait to see more content soon. 👌👍🎄

Absolutely fantastic watch mate 👍 👌. I believe this will drop a lot of anglers into the match scene . Originally how I started and the feeder rod has some dust gathered on it . Burst of energy to get it out and catch some fish again on the feeder ! . Awesome film 🎥 keep up the hard work guys .

Carl you have so much humanity and class and you are a natural always loved watching you hopefully see you at the Essex carp show....

This was awesome , would have loved it if you made a series attempting all the big money matches , best watch so far

Another great video mate, can't wait till the one on the 23rd !!

Watch all your stuff Carl, enjoy it so much. Though this one was one of your best. Would ,ove to see you try again this coming season. All the best.

You didn't need to become the best fishermen, you already are! Keep up the vids mate! -Ethan

Nice picture! Very well made narration with a nice protagonist!👌

If its of any interest carl Im 54 and i started match fishing 5 years ago. For the first 2 years I used only rods - feeder, bomb and waggler fishing on commercials. About 3 years ago i bought myself my first real pole, the MTX 2. This year I won innumerate matches against anglers who have match fished for years longer than I, also won the summer league at my local commercial. The first year of pole fishing was more readily learning how best to set up my box and gear etc lol, with an occasional lucky section win to keep me going predominantly getting hammered every match was the norm. The hardest part is planning your match IMO. My advice is to firstly focus on rods - get on the reservoir matches golden rod series etc, if you decide you want to use pole then start pole fishing after about 2 years, then you know you have your rod work if needed reasonable. All in all to really have a basic clue and a chance at some wins (including section win results) - I would argue 4-5 years for normal circuit open match wins, add talent and frequency maybe 2 - 3 years - the big events fisho etc I couldnt even begin to say, they on another level truly. PS you arent going to beat the river guys whom use pole most likely - although that couple of 4lb chub or barbel could take it. (ps I wrote this before watching the video fully.) After watching im lmao - all the reminiscence - that fish I lost IF id ... yadda yadda. You know your river fishing already for sure so you are always in with a chance on rivers, but they are called pros for a reason. Your own intuition is always your best... on wild venues Carl use the force so to speak but hey what do i know i dont even river fish. If you'd pole fished for the Dace at the start you would have prolly qualified. great vid..!

I'm so happy that you posted another video 😊🎉🎉🎉, I will go fishing tomorrow , just I can't watch your video yet because I'm going roller hokey😅!!!

You’re a true asset to angling. Likeable, your fishing shows are better than television shows 🎉

Best video in a while, really looking forward to the future ones

Awesome watch Carl and unlucky on the second match I fished my first river match last year on the Wye in Hereford and finished 1 from last lol but had a great day hoping to enter another one soon hopefully do better this time round but as a pleasure angler match fishing is so unreal the speed at which they do things is unbelievable

Brilliant vid truly a enjoyable watch

Watching all your videos make me want to visit there. Congrats carl your'e the best ❤

Brilliant - best video i’ve seen for a while which captures match fishing. As a keen sea match angler i’d love to see your take on that - there’a a thriving scene in Sussex so i’m sure it’d be easy enough organise. :)

Well done Carl don’t give up your clearly a very good angler just try again in the future. Was a gripping video and awesome try you should be proud of your effort 👊🏻👊🏻

Jesus been waiting for this since you done the new garage set up can’t wait to give it a watch FairPlay to you all your videos are spot on 🎣🎣

A cracking video Carl, really enjoyable.

Love the videos finally got what u deserve #1 keep up the good work

Brilliant video. Educational, interesting and bloody stressful! Loved it! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Awesome effort Carl. The bitter sweet, highs, lows, frustration and, jubilation of match angling. Ah how, i miss it 👍

Heartbreaking end😅, your editing is insanely good amazing video Carl 100% worth the wait, keep up the good work 🎉🎉🎉

Woow❤ I really enjoyed this video.. thanks 4 sharing