Quick Questions

Sitting in the Total Carp hot seat this time is bearded wonder Neil Golden.

Three words to describe yourself?
Bearded, old and happy.

How long have you been carp fishing?
At risk of showing my age again… 32 years!

Biggest carp you've ever caught?
51lb 4oz.

Most memorable carp you've ever caught?
It was a scaly bad man from Weston Park that I'd been after for 14 months. It weighed just under 30lb but I didn't care one bit.

How did you start carp fishing?
In a farmer's pond fishing pinkies on the pole, but I'd occasionally get snapped off. I'd wonder what else was down there and it just progressed from there

Scariest moment on the bank?
In France I was out in a boat in the middle of a thunderstorm. Lightning looked like it hit the field next to me and when the thunder cracked it actually put ripples on the lake!

Other sporting interests?
Golf!

One day left to go fishing, where would you go?
I think I'd go back to Weston Park in Shropshire. It's a syndicate of mine and I've got so many special memories there.

Worst fishing-related injury?
Uughh… it was actually last year. A fish had snagged me up in some pads and I had waded out to get him. I didn't have any waders so had to go out barefoot. I felt what I thought was a stone under my foot, but it transpired that it was a swan mussel and it split the bottom of my heel open!

Best three anglers you've ever worked with?
Ian Smith from Shimano, Mikey B from PB products and my mate Steve in France.

Your favourite moment in your carp angling career?
Growing a beard.

Three things you'd never go fishing without?
Rod, reel and line.

Stalking or sit behind your rods?
Stalking, all day.

Any regrets?
No.

What are your favourite bits about carping?
All of it, I love every aspect of carp fishing.

Your least favourite bits?
Again, none.

Tell us a secret?
My beard is slowly going grey.

The get the whole picture on Neil Golden, watch the video below.