Beyond the Cast
They say an angler is only as good as their understanding of the environment. This blog is my way of sharing that understanding with you.
Think of this as the companion piece to the channel, a place for deep conversation an contempltion.
Grab a coffee, sit back, and let’s talk fishing.
Why I Chase Big Fish
Ask a non-angler why someone would sit in the cold all night waiting for a fish that might not show up, and they’ll look at you like you’ve lost the plot.
But cat and sturgeon anglers know the truth: we’re not just chasing fish. We’re chasing moments.
I recently wrapped up an intense 4 day, 3 night session on the bank. It was a total rollercoaster of sleepless nights, bankside chaos, incredible food, and the kind of raw heartbreak that leaves you genuinely sick to your stomach. But looking back, it reminded me exactly why we subject ourselves to the elements.
We do it for the moments where time stops.
Like waking up at 5:20am to a flatout, onetone screamer of an alarm. In those seconds, the world outside your bivvy fades away. There is no past, no future... Only the prehistoric weight of whatever is on the other end of your line.
When you finally slide a beautiful Wels catfish into the net, you’re looking at a creature perfectly engineered for its environment.
They are ancient and highly intelligent, navigating a world of sensory information we can barely comprehend.
We do it for the moments where your heart skips a beat when you hear a bleep!
You feel it when the line is ripping off the spool so fast your drag is locked tight, and the fish simply refuses to turn! On my third night, I hooked into a BIG sturgeon. The sheer, unadulterated power of that fish lunging down the lake and tearing through everything in its path was intoxicating and absolutely earns my respect.
And yes, we do it for the moments that break us, because that’s the tax you pay to stand in the presence of giants. Losing that fish right at the end, feeling the line go slack, was absolute, pure heartbreak. I was wounded, sick to my stomach, and left staring at the water in disbelief. Mate, I felt like crying! But that pain is the flip side of the passion. Without the real risk of failure, the victories wouldn't mean a thing!
We do it for the moments where you feel small in the best possible way.
There is nothing quite like witnessing the true potential of the water you are fishing. Sending the drone up into the air gave me a completely different perspective, watching a huge fish carve its own path through the margins. And when my mate Dave finally put a 114 lb sturgeon into the net, the atmosphere on the bank shifted. Standing over 114 pounds of pure, prehistoric muscle humbles you instantly.
Catfish and sturgeon remind you that the world is still wild. That strength still exists, and that you can still be completely humbled by these magnificent fish.
It’s a rhythm that resets your soul. And in a world full of screens, deadlines, and noise, chasing big fish is priceless.
Watch the FULL Video of this session here: https://youtu.be/6tc98eE6Sy8
Predator Fishing: Between Simplicity and the Modern Age
By Stuart Repon, Pro Team Rozemeijer Angler
Predator fishing has been part of my life for as long as I can remember. Back when I was 12 years old fishing ‘The Old River,’ a small lake that used to be a part of the old River Irwell that was full of pike! I still remember those early days and the first pike I ever caught on that water. It was only small, but it was all it took to get me hooked!
All I needed (and had) was a cheap rod and reel, and a couple spinners. I’d spend hours by the water, casting away, not caring if I blanked or if I caught the biggest pike in the lake. Back then it was simple: the excitement of a follow, the sudden bump on the line, the buzz of being outdoors and not thinking about anything else. I mean, there were no mobile phones back then, so there wasn’t anything else really to think about!
Of course, things change. Predator fishing today looks very different from when I was a kid. The sport has grown and advanced so much. There are more lures, rods, reels, and innovations than ever before. Social media has shone a spotlight on the sport, and with it comes more pressure: the chase for bigger fish, more likes, and more views… And don’t get me wrong, I love where predator fishing has gone, and I love creating fishing content to share with the world which is why I do it full time!
In addition, the quality of tackle these days is also incredible, and being a part of Rozemeijer's pro team is something I’m genuinely proud of. Their gear is built for anglers like us, that is practical, reliable, and designed with predator fishing in mind.
But every now and then, I have to stop and ask myself: do I still enjoy the simple side of it all?
The honest answer is yes. In fact, I’d say I need it. Sometimes I’ll leave the cameras and the fuss behind and strip it right back to the basics. No distractions, no overthinking. Just me, a small box of spinners, and the water. It’s in those moments I feel closest to why I started fishing in the first place. There’s something pure about standing on the bank, making cast after cast, and enjoying the peace. The world slows down. It’s not about proving anything, it’s just about being there.
And that’s the beauty of predator fishing for me. It can be whatever you want it to be. It can be about testing new lures, chasing trophies, and sharing your catches with the world. Or it can be about a quiet morning where the only thing you hear is the splash of your spinner hitting the water and a hot flask of coffee to warm your cockles. For me, it’s both. I love trying new tackle, seeing how it performs, and pushing myself as an angler. But I also love those back to basics sessions where the simplicity makes the experience even richer.
Because when you strip it all back, predator fishing is about connection… Connection to the fish, to the water, and to yourself. Whether I’m out testing the latest Rozemeijer lure or just flicking a spinnerbait in a local stretch, that connection is always there. And as long as I keep that balance, I know I’ll never lose the love I have for this sport
The Solo Angler’s Checklist: Everything You Need to Build a Career From Scratch
Two years ago, I walked out of a job at the Home Office . It was a proper salary with a pension and structure, but it was also intense enough that I was too tired to even think about getting to the bank. I swapped that security for a camera, a stretch of water, and absolutely no guarantee it would work.
I made every mistake available before figuring out what actually works for a creator at the level most of us are actually aiming for. If you’ve ever thought about making the jump, here is a glimpse at the reality behind the lens:
1. The 12-Month Rule
Most people fail because the money runs out before the channel finds its audience. I learned the hard way that you need a minimum of twelve months of living costs saved—this isn't negotiable if you want to build without panic.
2. Audio is Your Real "Crew"
Viewers will watch shaky footage, but they will not watch a video where they can't hear you clearly. Bad audio is the single fastest way to lose someone in the first thirty seconds.
3. The Myth of the Catch
If you can only make a video when you catch, your income will be unpredictable and you'll start resenting the sport. The best content often lives in the "blank sessions" where you talk candidly about what went wrong.
4. Specialise to Survive
YouTube rewards specificity. "Fishing in the UK" is too broad; you need to own a specific corner, like predator fishing on canals, to make the algorithm work for you rather than against you.
5. The "Business" Nobody Talks About
Being a full-time creator isn't just fishing; it’s managing HMRC, drone regulations, and sponsorship contracts. If you don't treat the admin like a job, the dream won't last.
Get the Full Blueprint
I wrote the guide I wish had existed when I left my job. From drone licenses and UK regulations to landing your first brand sponsorship, I’ve put everything I know into one place, no filler, no padding, just the real version of the journey.
Grab 'The Fulltime YouTube Angler Blueprint' Here
Stop dreaming about it. Start building the version of this career that actually lasts.
The Fulltime YouTube Angler Blueprint
Two years ago I walked out of a job at the Home Office and decided I was going to fish and film for a living. Just me, a camera, and no guarantee it would work.
This is the guide I wish had existed when I made that decision.
The Fulltime YouTube Angler Blueprint is an indepth 'in the trenches' handbook covering everything it actually takes to build a fishing YouTube channel into a career, from channel setup and gear to the algorithm, thumbnails, sponsorship, YouTube memberships, affiliate income, editing workflow, mental health, and the legal and tax side nobody explains until it's too late.
It's written from real experience at a realistic scale. In my time ive grown to over 11,000 subscribers, landed a fishing brand sponsorship, and learned a ton of stuff along the way that i'm now passing on... Not from a million-subscriber perspective that has nothing to do with where most fishing creators are starting from.
Includes three bonus tools: a Starter Kit Checklist, a Brand Pitch Template, and a Weekly Content Planner.
If you're thinking about making the jump, already in it and trying to figure out how to make it sustainable, or just want to build something real around the fishing you love then this is for you.