Gavin Neal | Korda Thinking Tackle Podcast #117

Episode 117 of the Korda Thinking Tackle Podcast sees us joined by Gavin Neal — a carp angler who’s caught fish from some of the country’s most iconic venues, including Wellington Country Park, Wasing and plenty more. With years of experience behind him and an incredible hit list of carp, Gavin shares stories, lessons and plenty of honest angling insight along the way.We also get into the thinking behind Handcraft Baits, the company Gavin owns and runs, where the focus is on using less bait while ensuring it’s the very best quality possible. From big-fish tactics to bait theory and unforgettable captures, this is an episode serious carp anglers won’t want to miss!

The full team are back, and they are all enjoying that 'Gone Fishing' Spring buzz - Dovey, Spooner, Damo and Reed are back together for this one - and plenty is going on.Spooner’s finally getting bites on the new lake, the lads get into small-water pressure and fishing one rod properly, and there’s a wider conversation around just how many big carp there are now… and whether that’s changing carp fishing for good.There’s also chat around sponsorships, younger anglers trying to break into the industry, and what actually separates the ones who make it from the ones who just want the badge.🎧 In this episode:- Small lakes, angling pressure, and why location still beats everything- Fishing one rod vs three rods on pressured waters- Recasting, bite-time windows, and maximising short feeding spells- The rise in UK 50lb carp and whether big fish are becoming too accessible- Young anglers, sponsorships, and what actually gets you noticed- The reality of working in fishing vs what people see online- The latest Waterside common capture and British record talk- New films, mountain fishing chaos, and the latest Korda productionsThere’s plenty of proper fishing discussion in this one - from tight little lakes and single-rod thinking to how carp fishing keeps changing year after year.📬 Want to join the Spooner’s 50 Club in 2026?Send your UK 50 entries to: [email protected]

The FULL Uncut team are back with Damian Clarke joining Tom Dove, Neil Spooner and Adam Reed for a chat that goes off in a slightly different direction.With Damo back in the room, the lads catch up on a busy few weeks from Spooner completing the London Marathon to a spring that’s producing more big carp than ever.But it quickly turns into something else… as a challenge gets thrown out that could see Tom doing something he definitely didn’t sign up for.There’s also plenty of proper carp fishing chat in there - big fish trends, recent sessions, and the reality of how good (or bad) things have been on the bank.🎧 In this episode:Spooner’s London Marathon — the build-up, the reality, and what it was actually likeA spring full of 50lb carp and why they’re becoming more commonSpooner’s recent sessions - multiple 40s and consistent bitesSocial fishing vs Target fishing and how results can swing quicklyThe wing walk challenge - and whether Tom will actually do itA marathon bet linked to catching a UK 50… is it a DEAL?📬 Want to join the Spooner’s 50 Club in 2026?Send your UK 50 entries to: [email protected] more information, visit:http://www.kordatackle.co.ukhttps://www.facebook.com/kordaofficial http://instagram.com/kordaofficial

In this episode of Thinking Tackle Uncut, the lads get into a debate around bait boats. Anglers Tom Dove, Neil Spooner and Adam Reed talk about who’s using them, who admits to it, and whether they’re getting a bit too much credit (or not enough).This turns into a wider conversation about angling decisions, honesty, and doing things your own way.There’s also plenty going on away from that, including more 60lb carp, Spooner’s ongoing 50lb challenge, and a new Lac Luna trip where a proper challenge gets set.KONTENDER kordatackle.com/kontenderEmail Entries: [email protected]🎧 In this episode:The bait boat debate - using them, admitting it, and giving credit where it’s dueMore UK 60lb carp and just how common they’re becomingSpooner’s ongoing 50lb challenge & how long it will takeLac Luna filming trip - Can Reedy catch a 40, 50 & 60lbFishing for one bite vs going somewhere with numbersHookbait choice - bright baits vs match the hatchEmbryo venues, stocking, & what modern-day fisheries are becoming📬 Want to join the Spooner’s 50 Club in 2026?Send your UK 50 entries to: [email protected] more information, visit:http://www.kordatackle.co.ukhttps://www.facebook.com/kordaofficial http://instagram.com/kordaofficial

The Korda UNCUT Podcast returns and with Damian missing, the lads are joined by Big Carp fishing pro Oscar Thornton (Mindset) - fresh off the back of a session that was meant to take weeks… but was wrapped up in just 10 days.Fishing a low-stock lake with a handful of target carp, Oscar committed early: pick an area, bait it properly, and sit on it. While others were fishing light and moving on showing fish, he went the other way - find out exactly what he did to get the quick win. It’s a proper look at backing your own approach and letting it play out.🎧 In this episode:Oscar Thornton’s 10-day campaign and catching target carp quicklyFishing a low-stock venue and committing to one areaHeavy baiting in spring vs following showing fishLong-range fishing at 140+ yards and staying accurateHinged stiff rigs over seed, hemp and crumbUndertow, debris, and keeping rigs fishing properlySitting it out vs moving - and trusting the processDovey ending a long blank and why one bite changes everything📬 Want to join the Spooner’s 50 Club in 2026?Send your UK 50 entries to: [email protected] For more information:http://www.kordatackle.co.ukhttps://www.facebook.com/kordaofficialhttp://instagram.com/kordaofficial

In this episode of the Korda Thinking Tackle Podcast, we're joined by Ash Palethorpe. Ash has built an incredible carp fishing album over the years, featuring a huge collection of massive carp from some of the country's most renowned venues. In this episode, he dives into some of his most memorable captures, sharing the stories, tactics, and moments behind the fish that stand out the most. One story in particular comes from a very obscure and unexpected location — proving that big carp can turn up where you least expect them! Sit back, relax, and enjoy!

In this episode of the Korda Thinking Tackle Podcast, we're joined by Ash Palethorpe. Ash has built an incredible carp fishing album over the years, featuring a huge collection of massive carp from some of the country's most renowned venues. In this episode, he dives into some of his most memorable captures, sharing the stories, tactics, and moments behind the fish that stand out the most. One story in particular comes from a very obscure and unexpected location — proving that big carp can turn up where you least expect them! Sit back, relax, and enjoy!

In this episode of Thinking Tackle Uncut Podcast, Tom Dove talks through with Neil Spooner, Damian Clarke and Adam Reed about one of his toughest runs in recent memory - weeks of effort, plenty of time on the bank, and very little back for it. The kind of spell every angler hits, but not everyone admits to. From there, it turns into a proper conversation about sticking things out, understanding bite times, and why one bite can completely reset everything. Along the way, the lads get into how modern fishing pressure, changing seasons, and bait are influencing how lakes fish now compared to years ago. 🎧 In this episode: Dovey's longest blank and fishing through it Why one bite changes everything Bite time windows and feeding spells in colder conditions Spooner's race weekend and pushing outside fishing Latest Spooner's 50s, including a 57lb+ common at 15 years old Another UK 60lb carp, and how many are really out there Why carp are getting bigger - bait, pressure, environment Is Autumn still what it used to be? Spring fishing, low baiting, and quick bites  📬 Want to join the Spooner's 50 Club in 2026? Send your UK 50 entries to: [email protected] For more information, visit: http://www.kordatackle.co.uk https://www.facebook.com/kordaofficial http://instagram.com/kordaofficial

In this episode of Thinking Tackle Uncut Podcast, Tom Dove talks through with Neil Spooner, Damian Clarke and Adam Reed about one of his toughest runs in recent memory - weeks of effort, plenty of time on the bank, and very little back for it. The kind of spell every angler hits, but not everyone admits to. From there, it turns into a proper conversation about sticking things out, understanding bite times, and why one bite can completely reset everything. Along the way, the lads get into how modern fishing pressure, changing seasons, and bait are influencing how lakes fish now compared to years ago. 🎧 In this episode: Dovey's longest blank and fishing through it Why one bite changes everything Bite time windows and feeding spells in colder conditions Spooner's race weekend and pushing outside fishing Latest Spooner's 50s, including a 57lb+ common at 15 years old Another UK 60lb carp, and how many are really out there Why carp are getting bigger - bait, pressure, environment Is Autumn still what it used to be? Spring fishing, low baiting, and quick bites  📬 Want to join the Spooner's 50 Club in 2026? Send your UK 50 entries to: [email protected] For more information, visit: http://www.kordatackle.co.uk https://www.facebook.com/kordaofficial http://instagram.com/kordaofficial

This week's Thinking Tackle Uncut takes a slightly different turn as Guru's Matt Godfrey joins Tom, Spooner and Adam in the studio. One of the most respected anglers in the match fishing world, Matt brings a completely different perspective - and the conversation quickly turns to something that both disciplines obsess over: bait. From casters and maggots to meat, boilies and feeding strategies, the lads explore The PERFECT bait to catch more so they can transform results. In match fishing, when fish want a specific bait and you feed only that, the results can be world championship-winning - and the same thinking often applies in carp fishing too. Alongside the bait chat there's also plenty of Uncut discussion around big carp captures, record fish, and the ongoing debate around stocking artificially grown giants into lakes. 🎧 In this episode: Guru's Matt Godfrey and the crossover between match fishing and carp fishing Why choosing the right bait at the right time can completely change your catch rate Casters, maggots, meat and how match anglers dial into feeding fish Spooner's 50s, including a 56lb mirror, and Lower Maynard's Big Common at 50lb+ The first "60" mug after George Bennos lands a 68lb carp RH Fisheries stocking 70lb+ carp and the debate around manufactured giants. Do newly stocked big carp feed easier before they wise up? The controversial overshotted rig in match fishing and why it was banned. It's a proper crossover episode - match fishing precision meets big carp thinking, with plenty of honest opinions along the way. 📬 Want to join the Spooner's 50 Club in 2026? Send your UK 50 entries to: [email protected] For more information, visit: http://www.kordatackle.co.uk https://www.facebook.com/kordaofficial http://instagram.com/kordaofficial