Quick Questions With… Tom Gibson

Three words to describe yourself?
Lanky, happy and loud.

 

Who have been your biggest influences in carp fishing?
That’s a tough one; as far as choosing an angler is concerned I’d say Darrell Peck as I followed his angling religiously when getting right into it, but in terms of my life and work ethic I’d say Bev, as cheesy as it sounds. Her work rate and drive is like no one I’ve ever met, and her outlook on life pushes me to better mine.

Scariest moment on the bank?
When the dog managed to clip his collar on Weston Park, forcing me to run around in bare feet after him –he thought it was one big game while I’m on the verge of a heart attack!

How long have you been carp fishing?
I couldn’t count the first time I went with my uncle as I didn’t take it up after his introduction, but as far as I can remember it would’ve been around 12 years ago when I left school and met a group of friends who also fished.

How did you start carp fishing?
Purely out of coincidence and the fact that I’d met a few friends that enjoyed it on their weekends away from the dull days of school education. I soon tagged along so to speak, until I bought a little 9ft feeder rod and started joining them. We’d all get dropped off for the day at this little dam; thinking back it wasn’t even an acre, just a small club water that usually had a Sunday match.

Full of single figure carp with the odd mid double to go at, but they fought like hell and gave you such an enjoyable day regardless of the weather. Good times looking back on it!

Other sporting interests?
Anything to do with the outdoors, mostly walking and hiking in the mountains. Anyone that works in the industry will understand you need other interests away from angling to keep you sane, and what better way to do it than 800 feet up with no phone signal and aching muscles as you reach the summit… when you put it like that it doesn’t sound so great does it?! 

One day left to go fishing, where would you go?
Now that is a tough one; somewhere that has copious amounts of ale and good food right next to a lake full of beautiful carp? Surely somewhere has a place like that?! If not, it’d have to be Cassien just for the bucket list tick.

Worst fishing-related injury?
Never actually had a bad injury while the rods have been out, but I had snapped/dislocated my finger while loading up to go when the dog tried doing a runner and my hand got stuck in his collar as he charged off. I can still hear the crack now!

Best three anglers you’ve ever worked with?
Adam Penning – absolute terminator with an effort level like no other, along with a mind brimming with knowledge.

Tom Maker – relentless and one of the most skilled anglers out there for sure.

Jake Wildbore – as much as it pains me to put this in print as we do love a good wind-up, he’s a bloody good angler and every time we’ve been out filming, he doesn’t disappoint! 

Your favourite moment in your carp angling career?
As far as my job’s concerned, there are too many to choose from. I feel blessed beyond belief that I get to help create content for people to watch/see and enjoy; it’s too difficult to nail it down to one certain moment.

Favourite capture?
The 50lb common from our European adventure when I started with Sticky. A week full of highs and lows, which still remains one of the best week’s angling I’ve ever experienced.

Three things you’d never go fishing without?
Coffee, camera, phone (as bad as that is).

Any regrets?
You can’t live with regrets, life’s too short to worry about them. Everyone makes mistakes, you’ve just got to learn from them.

Biggest character you have met through fishing?
I think it’d have to be Scott Lloyd, just as good to be around when rolling with the cameras as you see from his vlogs and Instagram feed.

What are your favourite bits about carping?
The outside element and the unwinding feeling it gives you.

Your least favourite bits?
The people who shouldn’t be able to voice their uneducated opinions on social media!

Who do you most admire in carp fishing?
Tough one, in terms of his knowledge, it’d have to be Kevin Clifford. Leaving a room after having a conversation with him makes you sometimes feel like you were very uneducated growing up! His wealth of knowledge is inspiring.

Tell us a secret?
I can do more pull-ups than Rob Hughes?

Tea or coffee?
Coffee EVERY TIME!

Favourite biscuit?
Caramel digestive, just sublime.

Favourite take-away?
Has to be an Indian.

Funniest moment on the bank?
Every time we’re filming, each shoot is different but always brings the same amount of laughter, making the long days more than worth it.

One fish you would have loved to have caught – past or present?
It doesn’t have a name, and I couldn’t tell you how big it is either, but there’s a common that Tom Anderson caught from Cassien under the bridge and it’s possibly one of the most incredible looking carp you’re likely to see. It’ll be on social media somewhere no doubt.

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