#113 - Stuart Brookes

In this ep of Thinking Tackle Uncut, the lads are BACK together - Spooner, Damo, and Tom get straight into this week’s Spooner’s 50s entries, including some incredible fish from across the country — plus a few heated debates about which one deserves the win. But that’s not all... Tom shares the full story behind his New PB, a carp that stood for over 12 years! From swim choice and rig tweaks to that unforgettable 66lb capture, he reveals how a few subtle changes turned a busy session into one of his most memorable ever. Expect plenty of laughs, classic Uncut banter, and a few controversial opinions along the way — including a chat about what counts as a “real big one” at Gigantica! 🎣 In this episode: This week’s Spooner’s 50 winners Tom’s 66lb PB from Gigantica Why maggots and casters make “fishing too easy” Behind the scenes on future Uncut guests Catch-up on Strongbow Pete’s 63lb Big Carp 📬 Want to join the Spooner’s 50 Club? Send your UK 50 entries to: [email protected]

This episode of the Korda Podcast welcomes Stuart Brookes – carp angler and the man behind DaveDog Publications, publishers of standout titles like Beyond the Green Gate and Hiding in the Long Grass. Stuart’s passion for storytelling is matched by his own angling success, with years spent tackling the big waters of the Colne Valley and banking some truly special carp. We talk about publishing, fishing, and the experiences that shaped his journey. A relaxed chat full of great stories and inspiration for any carp angler.

Who’s your phone a friend? The Thinking Tackle Podcast Uncut team welcome Scott Sweetman. A respected big fish angler with an incredible track record, Scott has quietly built a reputation for targeting some of the UK’s most special carp. Damian Clarke introduces Scott as “the only person I was going to call when I was struggling on the Underwater film” – praise that says everything about his ability. Known for his sharp observation skills and making the most of limited time on the bank, Scott is widely respected both within Korda and across the wider carp fishing scene. In this podcast, the team talk about: • Scott’s approach to targeting big, individual carp • The story of “The King” from Pit 2 in the Colne Valley • Life as a limited-time angler and balancing family with fishing • The importance of location, watercraft, and observation • Memorable captures and lessons learned along the way   📬 Want to join the Spooner’s 50 Club? Send your UK 50 entries to: [email protected]

In this episode of Thinking Tackle Uncut, the team answer your questions and ask themselves – what would you change in carp fishing? With Tom Dove away, it’s down to Neil Spooner, Damian Clarke and Adam Reed to share their thoughts in a wide-ranging Q&A. Expect honest discussion, personal stories and plenty of laughs. The one thing the lads would change about carp fishing The latest Spooner’s 50 entries – including a UK 50 caught by a 13-year-old The story behind the first 50lb carp from the Norton Disney complex The rematch against Tom Maker and Tom Stokes (aka Team Satnav) and what really happened Exclusive updates on NEW Mindset clothing, a very special launch for Korda clothing. As always, the podcast mixes serious fishing chat with the banter you’d expect when the team get together. 📬 Want to join the Spooner’s 50 Club? Send your UK 50 entries to: [email protected]   #Korda #ThinkingTacklePodcast #CarpFishing #UncutPodcast #Spooners50

We are back to the full team (including Neil Spooner, finally!), and the guys get together around the table. One of the big debated topics – should you fish a high-vis hookbait, or match the hatch? From fluoro pop-ups to subtle food baits, the lads break down when, where, and why each approach can make the difference between a blank and a red-letter day. Expect plenty of real-world examples, laughs, and a few strong opinions.  We also take a look back at the first-ever Kontender young carp angling event, which brought together some of the best young talent in the country for a weekend of learning, competing, and serious fish catching. With over 1,400 entries for just 50 places, it’s clear the next generation of carp anglers is stronger than ever. Plus, we find out a little bit more from Tom Dove and Neil Spooner as they discuss Underwater Carplantis Pt2 (Out Now).  In this episode, you’ll also hear about: • When to use high-vis hookbaits – and when they’ll work against you • Why matching the hatch can sometimes outsmart pressured carp • Real captures and stories that prove the point on both sides • Highlights from Kontender, and what it means for the future of carp fishing 📬 Want to join the Spooner’s 50 Club? Send your UK 50 entries to: [email protected] Packed with tips, experiences, and plenty of banter – this is one you won’t want to miss.   #Korda #ThinkingTackle #UncutPodcast #CarpFishing #HighVis #MatchTheHatch #Hookbaits #FishingTips #Kontender

Join us in the studio for an unforgettable episode of the Korda Podcast as we sit down with none other than Martin Finan – a highly respected carp angler with an incredible story to tell. From the iconic banks of Christchurch and Farriers to Pingewood Lagoon, Martin takes us on a deep dive into his epic angling journey. Hear first-hand how he targeted and caught some of the UK's most elusive carp – including the Brute, a jaw-dropping specimen weighing over 50lbs! Whether you're a seasoned carp angler or just starting out, this episode is packed full of insights, inspiration, and technical gems. Martin shares not just the highs and challenges of his angling career, but also the tactics, mindset, and dedication it takes to land such monumental fish.

In this week's Thinking Tackle Podcast Uncut, we’re joined by Tom Stokes – fresh from one of the biggest achievements of his angling career, landing The Lord of the Manor, the Big Fully.  Stokes talks to Tom Dove, Damian Clarke and Adam Reed about his planning, preparation, and mindset behind targeting such a special fish in a limited window of time. From picking the perfect moon phases to making the most of having a lake to himself, Tom reveals how he stacked the odds in his favour and turned opportunity into success. We also cover: The latest Spooner’s 50 winners – including some truly incredible massive carp How Moon Phases Influence Big Fish Captures - Tom Stokes is a big believer. Spot finding, baiting strategy, and reading the water when targeting individual fish Behind-the-scenes of Underwater filming with both Toms talking about the NEW Underwater 2 Part Films (Out Now)  📬 Want to join the Spooner’s 50 Club? Send your UK 50 entries to: [email protected] #Korda #ThinkingTackle #CarpFishing #UncutPodcast #TomStokes #BigCarp #FishingTactics #MoonPhases #UnderwaterSeries

A slightly reduced crew this week as Adam Reed, Tom Dove and Damian Clarke take over while Spooner’s off fishing (or possibly sunning it up in Morocco). In this episode, the team delves into the development of the new Kaizen High Performance Mono, Korda's brand-new fishing line, which will hit tackle shops on August 1st. With years of real testing and feedback from top anglers, they break down why “The BEST We’ve Ever Used!” and how it will be the best all-purpose line on the market today. You'll also hear: We put an end to the rumours that Adam Reed is getting “Bullied” Stories from the “Syndicate Lake” that “fished its nuts off” Highlights from “Spooners 50 cup” challenge, including two mega UK 50-pound carp. Behind-the-scenes chat about product design, banter, and podcast mishaps 📬 Want to join the Spooner’s 50 Club? Send your UK 50 entries to: [email protected]

Want to catch more carp like Tom Maker, Tom Dove, Neil Spooner and Adam Reed? Our guest will help you Learn to bait like Tom Maker… because he is Tom Maker. In this episode of the Thinking Tackle Uncut Podcast, Tom shares the exact baiting routines and consistency tricks that put him ahead of the game—but it’s not just Tom in the spotlight. Join the regular podcast hosts Tom Dove, Neil Spooner and Adam Reed for a packed session full of tactics, laughs, and jaw-dropping catches.   Tom Maker’s full baiting routine: How he plans, adapts, and keeps carp feeding all week Team banter & honest discussion: Why sharing (or not sharing) catch photos causes friendly controversy How much bait is too much? The crew debates baiting quantities, timing, and the surprising impact of small tweaks The science behind success: Hear from the team on barbless hooks, pressure tactics, and how even top anglers lose fish Epic recent catches: The team breaks down recent 50lb+ carp, family photos, and standout angling moments Practical session advice: From reading the water to outsmarting nuisance species, everyone weighs in with proven tips   Tom gives a behind-the-scenes look at his recent Gigantica session (available on YouTube). Still, the whole team gets involved, with Tom Dove challenging some of Maker's ideas, sharing hard-won lessons, and keeping the conversation authentic and relatable. It’s a true deep dive into what works for catching more (and bigger) carp.   #podcast #carpfishing #kordapodcast #thinkingtacklepodcast #carpfishinguk #teamkorda #kordapodcast #carpfishingvideos #fishing #carpfishingpodcast #korda  #tomdove #adamreed #damianclarke

Danny Fairbrass is back in the Korda podcast studio for another deep dive into his earlier fishing journey — and this one's packed with nostalgia, stories, and serious carp! 🎣 In this full-length episode, Danny takes us back to his time at the legendary Wellington Country Park. From some of his most iconic captures to moments that have never been shared before, this is a must-watch! Expect plenty of laughs, lessons, and those classic Fairbrass moments that only he can deliver.