The Carp Fishing Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

We've got a great podcast this month and for a change our special guest slot is occupied by a fantastic angling duo, Otto and Emma. If you haven't watched their fishing adventure film on the Fox YouTube channel than I urge you to check it out. Otto decided to bring his girlfriend on a tour of the French public lakes and film it!

Emma had never been fishing before and was thrown in at the deep end but what the pair captured on film was hilariously funny, real, witty and it was also full of carp. I loved it and if you read the video comments you'll soon see I'm not alone.

So we decided to get the dynamic duo on as our guests and delve into the trip in a bit more detail. This one is full laughs as you can imagine and Emma stole the show (sorry Otto)

As always me and Mark ramble on a bit to fill the gaps, while waiting for a bite in tropical conditions  that feel far to warm to be fishing in!

We kick off this month's podcast live on the bank as Mark attempts to catch a carp off the top, live for the podcast, while I do my best to help you all understand events with some running commentary. As we multi-task we touch on Mark's stalking tactics, bait and tackle as he has some crafty little edges up his sleeve. We've also got a great interview with Lewis Porter from Fox. Now Lewis has worked in the trade all his working life, his drive and passion for the industry has helped him tackle and progress into many roles over the years from magazine editing through to Senior Marketing positions at one of the biggest angling brands in the market. Lewis gives an honest account of life in the trade, touches on what carp motivate him before offering his first hand account of catching one of the best carp this country has ever produced, the caravan park linear. We thoroughly enjoyed recording this one, we hope you enjoy over 4 hours of carpy chat! 

Tom Loraine is our special guest this month and is a name that seems to be everywhere in recent years. His catches have not only been consistent on almost every water he's wet a line in but the carp he's added to his album over the years have also been from some rock hard venues too. Some anglers just stand out from the crowd, to be consistent on such a variety of waters is no coincidence. It often comes through dedication, sacrifice and hard graft and Tom ticks all those boxes and has an album to prove it. Not only that, Tom is far from full time, owning his own business means life needs to be balanced and that is never easy but Tom seems to have it down to a fine art. Mike and Mark also discuss the political challenges to stocking carp in our rivers and canals and how this sadly impacts carp fishing in the UK, especially at grass roots level. Will it ever change, we doubt it but we'll keep trying to establish a way of stocking our waterways with free fish! Enjoy!  

In this month's podcast we had to cover the topic that seems to have broken the internet and that's the Magic Twig. We also discuss baiting patterns that helped Mark catch a recent forty pounder and Jon Pack is back for the second part of his brilliant interview as he takes us on a journey that covers life after catching a British Record. Jon delves into his obsession with Heather the Leather and one that nearly ended in hyperthermia! Enjoy! 

This month we welcome Jon Pack to the microphone to delve into his historic British record capture of two tone, a carp of gigantic proportions. Jon's trip down memory lane is a two part chat with Yateley and St Ives among others to follow. Mark also recalls a meeting with the iconic Terry Hearn and we've added a few new features into the months ramblings, titled The Great Debate and As Seen on Screen. Enjoy and once again, thanks for your support. 

This months podcast has a little twist. We got asked to be a guest on the wonderful VBK podcast in Belgium. For those that have no idea who or what the VBK do then I'll try to explain. They're a non profit Carp Fishing organisation that offers it's members waters to fish. They also home grow carp and help stock waters for the future. They produce great books and magazines, they're even lobbied over the years to get night fishing approved in Belgium and thats just for starters. They're created something, that since the early 90's has really united carp anglers together with a platform aimed at benefitting all carp anglers. Me and Mark has always admired the success of the VBK and have often felt something like this is solely missing in the UK. It was great to be able to sit down and discuss what the VBK really means with none other that Alijn Danau, a man who gives some much back to carp angling through his VBK work and one that has the respect of so many anglers all over the world. We hope you enjoy a rare insight into what's possible when anglers unite. Enjoy. 

This month Mike and Mark continue to explore Europe and record the podcast while on the road in search of the unknown. Our special guest this month is none other than Jason Hayward. The first man to bank what later became one of the best known carp we've ever produced, the Colne Meres Black Mirror. Mike delves into his pursuit for a carp beyond his wildest dreams and also discusses life after such a monumental capture, one that rocked the carp world and still stands as one of the most iconic carp captures of all time. Sit back, grab a cuppa and enjoy Jason's enthusiasm and trip down memory lane!  

Mike and Mark record this months intro while driving back from Belgium. They delve into the highs and lows of the trip and discuss Mark's phobia for dog poo! Mike also catches up with Gaz Fareham during a cold, spring morning on Stoneacres to discuss a variety of topics while urging his rods to rip off live on tape! Enjoy. 

We've been looking forward to getting this one out. Mike sits down with Elmo (Elliott Staff) in the Valley to discuss his lifelong obsession with angling. One that led him down a rather unusual path of discovery. Less trodden tracks, zero social media interaction, strong friendship bonds and carp that rarely see the light of day are just some of the things that make Elmo tick. This is part one, we only scratch the surface of Elmo's personal angling adventures but now we've warmed him up we'll be back at some stage for more stories of adventures that sometimes end in a pot of gold. Mike and Mark chew the fat as usual and cover carp communication, pre baiting routines, feeding windows and predicting the future. Enjoy. 

This month we have a carp fishing veteran on as our special guest. A man that's been around carp fishing forever. His album of special carp takes some beating and he's one of a tiny group of anglers that can say they've caught a 40lb Mirror, Leather, Common and Fully Scaled. You've probably guessed it, Nigel Sharp joins us for some old skool tales and a trip down memory lane. Mike and Mark chew the fat as normal and take some listeners' questions regarding drones and sustainable ingredients in the bait industry. Enjoy.