Born: 23rd August 1970
Started shore fishing: 1986
Personal Goal: to catch a decent sized shore caught conger

If you see me fishing please say hi and let me know what you think of the site. I would be really happy if you did!

I first started shore fishing back in 1986 when we moved to Torquay. My parents bought a hotel only yards away from meadfoot beach so whenever I wasn't working I would go fishing. It was one of my first times out that got me hooked (so to speak). One sunny day I hit a shoal of mackerel that remained in the area for over an hour. The result was 86 mackerel in 2 bin bags and the hotel serving up local caught mackerel over a 2 week period.

All I had then was one rod, one reel and the knowledge that even then sea fishing was something I was going to be into for the rest of my life.

During the early 90's I bought a boat and I would often go out for the day fishing. I would launch from Brixham and fish through Brixham, Paignton and Torquay while amazingly somehow always ending up moored at babbacombe and quenching my thirst in the pub there :)

During the mid 90's life was too busy and the fishing was put on hold and it was only in 2003 that I took it back up seriously because the stress of life needed an outlet. In the past year I have spent a lot on equipment and bait. Even my cars are bought with fishing rods in mind.

My normal fishing gear when I go out is an Abu Garcia 7500 and Abu Garcia 7000 multipliers. I have 2 Abu Garcia Conolon Xodus 13' 9" beach casters. Yup, I seem to have a thing about Abu Garcia :)

I am not fond of summer fishing but I still go. My idea of heaven, and this will seem strange to the non-serious fishing people, is a sub zero winter night with rain, sleet or snow and howling winds. I love winter fishing the most. I love facing the elements head on and battling through it all to get the rewards it offers. If you're sat at home look out the window saying to yourself there is no way you're going out in that then you can bet I'll be out there. Summer fishing to me seems a little easy and maybe even a little boring. The fish in the sea isn't the only challenge to me.

It was only in December last year that I bought my first flotation suit and this has made winter fishing the most enjoyable for me.

If the location I'm in is quiet of people you'll often see me with 3 or 4 rods all out experimenting with different rigs and bait to see what works in which areas. In just a short space of time it's amazing the knowledge you learn. One of the those reels is the one I first bought back in the 80's. I never use it but have it on show at home to remind me of those first few times I went out and caught the bug.

I also enjoy making all my own rigs because the thrill of catching a good fish on rigs you make yourself just adds to my enjoyment and the thrill of the experience.

I often take out people new to fishing and teach them how to set up rigs, cast and so on. I wouldn't call myself an expert by any means and I am not a member of any fishing club. Everything I know is self taught and by watching and asking others.

I am never more relaxed than when I'm staring at a rod or float. I also throw back everything except mackerel which I use for bait. I always take a camera with me so I always photograph and return fish. I don't enter competitions because I don't like having to kill a fish just to get it weighed.

When I'm not fishing I watch Henry Gilbey on the Home and Leisure channel because I think his programmes are brilliant.

If you see me fishing please say hi and let me know what you think of the site. I would be really happy if you did!

Personal Best Results for 2004

New Species not caught before
- Black Bream
- Red Mullet
- Bull Huss
- A daylight Dogfish. For some reason I only ever caught them at night.

Personal Bests broken this year
- Mackerel (2lb 3oz)
- Garfish (1lb 7oz)
- Ballen Wrasse (2lb 13oz)
- DogFish (2lb 6oz)