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Boss of Solar Tackle and angling innovator Martin Locke takes his turn in the hot seat.

Three words to describe yourself?
I can probably bring that down to one – determined.

How did you start carp fishing?
Like many people I started out fishing for little things, progressing to the likes of bream, then tench. One day the guys in green boiler suits caught a carp and I finally plucked up the courage to speak to them. From then on I wanted to be a carp angler like them and they were all so willing to show me the ropes.

One day left to go fishing, where would you go?
Well I hope that I have more than one day left to go fishing!

Scariest moment on the bank?
I was fishing a lake in France and I thought I was going to be eaten by a panther. I heard this snarling going on and when I shone the torch on it, it didn’t run away; the eyes just beamed back at me. I ended up cowering in the brolly holding on to a frying pan. It got to the point where I was under my sleeping bag and it was growling just inches from my face, I really thought that this was the end. Eventually I made it through to the morning and I couldn’t believe I’d survived. When I looked down it turned out the lake owner’s giant red setter was asleep in front of my bed!

Other sporting interests?
I enjoy watching F1, but fishing and working in the industry takes up the vast majority of my time.

Worst fishing-related injury?
That would have to be a time at Savay when I’d headed off to the Horse & Barge pub for a quick one with the lads. I came out the pub and was hit by a car and sent flying into the air like a rag-doll. Everyone thought I was dead. Thankfully I’m still here to tell the tale!

Your favourite moment in your carp angling career?
That would have to be catching Sally from Savay – the fish that adorns the Solar logo.

Three things you’d never go fishing without?
Apart from the obvious ones, the main thing I would never be without is my satnav. God knows how I ever got the lakes in the past! No matter where you’re going, whether it’s somewhere in the UK or on a massive road trip abroad, the satnav makes finding the lakes easy!

Any regrets?
I’ve had a few… No, you shouldn’t have any regrets. Grab the bull by the horns and live life to the fullest.

What are your favourite bits about carping?
Everything, I love the whole package. You’ve got to take the good times with the bad. When the fishing is hard it just makes the good times all the better.

Your least favourite bits?
Probably all the keyboard warriors that have appeared in recent years with the explosion of the internet. Thankfully I never really look at any of these things so they don’t really affect me

Tea or coffee?
A coffee in the morning then tea after that.

Favourite biscuit?
Whichever you are offering!

Tell us a secret?
Well it wouldn’t be a secret then, would it!