Just started on itv4. First episode is in Thailand.

You enjoying it?

In reply to Post #1
brings back some happy memories

In reply to Post #1
Some cracking Julians, a great Siamese, does bring back the memories. Just wish there was only 3 fishing when I was there.

In reply to Post #1
Missed it. Going to record the repeat on Monday.

In reply to Post #1
Missus made me turn it off as Ali was annoying her. Got it on record so will watch back tomorrow

In reply to Post #4
What about on demand/catch up TV?

In reply to Post #3
lol, agree and also to prebait swims for days in advance. Glad there were a few blanks, as i also blanked a few days each trip

In reply to Post #1
Enjoyable watching, even the Mrs enjoyed it

In reply to Post #5
I did the same, turned it off, as Ali Hamidi was annoying me.

I did however turn back to watch the repeated River Monsters after.

In reply to Post #9
I watched the new episode of Mortimer and Whitehouse, now that is good

I watched it but certainly not fishing!! What an awful venue. Much prefer Gone fishing.
It does worry me what these shows do for newcomers to the sport.

I watched it on catch up cos I just couldn't find anything else to watch on YouTube. I thought oh god I'm gonna hate this. But actually I enjoyed it. I like travel shows. I watch a lot of them. To me this is a travel show that's got a bit of fishing it in. I thought the first venue looked awful. Little more than a day ticket muddy puddle. But I have to say the scenery at gillams looked amazing. I'd happily watch a few sunrises there. I'd be a bit worried I'd get eaten alive by mozzies though.

I must be the only person on the planet who doesn't mind Ali as a presenter. I genuinely don't get what people don't like about him. Loves his fishing. Enthusiastic. Likes a laugh. I'd rather watch that than someone who looks like they had a slice of toast and three Valium for breakfast. It's escapism.

In reply to Post #1
enjoy watching it,every other programme on tv is a repeat even watching old storage wars that how bad its got

In reply to Post #10
Yeah, enjoy that series, even my non fishing mate likes it

Bugger, missed it, not had the gogglebox on since the CL final, 1 for catch up tonight me thinks! Thanks for the heads up.

Oh to be back in Thailand, give me warm rain over cold any day.

@ Nick, Jeremy Wade over Ali at least everythings not trying to eat Ali or claimed half a village in mysterious circumstances only to turn out to be a tadpole

Yeah. I agree. I think it really should be called Jeremy Wades River Nonsense

In reply to Post #12
Ali is brilliant as are the other boys, haters will hate. Its a TV show and its a bit of fun, as with everything carp fishing related now its all green eyes coming out, every person would like to be in their shoes lets face it. what is annoying about Ali, he has personality in abundance and obviously a talented presenter and marketing man.

In reply to Post #17

I actually enjoyed it, I wouldn't ever go to Thailand to fish not my scene but it looks good and I enjoy watching them have a good time.

Unpopular opinion but I don't actually mind the Korda lot, I much rather them than the nash lot

If I had to choose one it would probably be mortimer and Whitehouse - purely for the joy and chat that is either poignant or plain silly

Luckily I don't have to choose so I can enjoy monster carp for a bit of commercial fun, river monsters for the fantasy element and Bob and Paul for something like a passion for angling

All better than bloody love island or golf....

In reply to Post #17
Ali, he has personality in abundance and obviously a talented presenter and marketing man.
please tell me your not serious and you posted that for the laughs ??
You can listen to spooner or dovey but............. FFS that idiot !! he needs his gob duct taping shut


IF he talked normally like spooner or Tom dove he would be ok

Was a good watch, fished in Thailand a couple years ago and had some nice fish, want to go back next year and try and catch some Julians carp as never managed to get amongst them. Had a massive Siamese carp that still beats the korda boys ones they caught 😂😂 how Tom played that fish for 6.5 hours I don't know. I played mine for a little over an hour and I was busted 😳😳

Only thing that I didn't like about the program was when Ali decided to put his rod on the floor for some bizarre reason when he had a perfectly good pod next to him? Lost the rod and then done same thing again and nearly lost another rod?? You know the type of fish you are fishing for and know some of the takes are blistering so why do something like that 🤷🏻‍♂️

the lgbt lot will enjoy it..seemed a lot man love going on there..been rooming together to much them 3.

In reply to Post #23
Just terrible.

Helmets on Tour

In reply to Post #17
Ali is great, obviously loves his job and has a laugh doing it. Appeals to all ages as even my 4 year old daughter watches it with me, though I can see the older generation who complain about ‘modern anglers' not liking it.

In reply to Post #1
Fun set of lads that they are I'd be seriously upset if I was within earshot of them on the bank.

In reply to Post #27
why?

Just watched it, enjoyed it yes
Thoughts, not the same from the lads, bit blaze re Thai fish which may not come across with those watching who aren't anglers. As for a puddle...lol...get a grip.

Re Ali, the father in law was VERY sceptical about him but changed his mind when he was listening to talk sport, a prog featuring mental health in sport and how angling can play its part, he came across very well to a 71 year old who's hard to impress. Me personally, I see the salesman and every now and then the person underneath, then again I'm used to seeing it.

Can't find that bloody radio link I'd post it up if I could just so I could see what I think.

In reply to Post #28
Because they are all that's wrong with today's carping.

In reply to Post #30
And the other way of looking at it, venue exclusive, act as you like, who gives 2 hoots as to what others think as long as fish welfare is paramount...or is it me?

In reply to Post #31
i agree

In reply to Post #30
how can they be all thats wrong with carping ,mate they love as much as you .

Carp fishing isn't the same as it used to be, put your value on that, no doubt in the interests of commercial fisheries some relevance will be imbibed to some new 'target' and it's values.
Meanwhile those who love angling will 'just carry on'.

In reply to Post #33
Because its not a hobby to them, its a job. Wouldn't want the circus that surrounds them anywhere near my water, neither would the members.

In reply to Post #33
Fully agree. What's wrong with carp fishing is that everybody has some opinion that what others are doing isn't carp fishing. People go for various reasons so let's all just continue to do it for why we personally enjoy it and not worry about what everyone else says.

In reply to Post #36
Exactly! There's always someone moaning about something or being negative

Is it my ideal type of fishing? No! Do I find it entertaining? Yes!

Thankfully, there is something to watch on TV that is carp fishing related. To those who disagree with Ali's personality, the fishing approach or anything else, what would you want to see? How do you want it presenting?

Oh wait! They won't answer with proposed solutions, they'll just come up with problems and moan about it

Just be thankful that Korda are making TV programmes related to carp fishing and enjoy it.

In reply to Post #35
I will start off by saying that I don't know any of the Korda boys. But I do fish the same waters as many of them, and a good deal of other tackle industry related people and so called names. So I don't think it's fair if I don't give the other side of the argument. I've fished on the same waters as these guys for a long time, some of them nearly twenty years. You know what, I've never had an issue with a single one of them, and I don't know anyone else who has either. But I do know they have been extremely generous in organising prizes for the various charity raffles we hold etc etc.

I think it's important that you don't confuse their TV persona with their actual real life personalities whilst they are fishing. Far from not wanting them on my waters, in fact I'd have no issues at all, simply because they all just want to be left alone to quietly enjoy a bit of fishing without getting hassled or having a camera shoved in their face.

In reply to Post #37
Who gives a monkey's if they make programs or not, give me John Wilson any day of the week.

In reply to Post #39
What a guy for his day.

In reply to Post #23
Agree , it's all getting a bit weird , grown blokes kissing each other ffs , at one point I thought spooner was going to start necking with Hamidi

In reply to Post #37
Well said bud 👍

In reply to Post #37
Oh wait! They won't answer with proposed solutions
what the hell gives you that idea ?

and WTF exactly is wrong if you think the guy is a gigantic cock in saying so ?
I think Tom Dove or Spooner are a 100 times more watchable and are far better

ESPECIALLY when the dwarf thinks he is a tv presenter with his silly dramatic voice and as someone says whats with all the kissing ? whats up with a high 5 or a fist bump he just makes me press the mute button when he opens his gob
Forums
are for discussing and giving opinions and just like your arshole WE ALL GOT ONE

In reply to Post #37
I'm not being funny mate your hardly brain of Britain are you, you didn't even know what Pigeon Conditioner was till tonight.

In reply to Post #37
Yes it's great that korda put up the investment to put a fishing program on mainstream tv.
If you want an improvement. Get rid of Mr hamidi and replace him with mr fairbrass. That's not going to happen unfortunately. I've nothing against Mr hamidi other than his on screen presence which grates my gears. There are no doubt others who find him very appealing. Sadly I'm not one of them.

Good watch, if it upsets anyone in anyway then you may as well give up fishing......

In reply to Post #45
It would grate my ears if fairbrass appeared on it to. Every time he catches he gives it the “BOSH GOT HIM” which still makes me cringe

In reply to Post #38
I think it's important that you don't confuse their TV persona with their actual real life personalities

Exactly, they filmed the UK one on my syndi and Ali (who has a ticket) came back a few weeks later to do a session on his own, apparently you wouldn't have known he was there. At the end of the day he's selling a show to the ITV viewers and remember we are talking about viewers that think 'Love Island' and 'Britain's Got Talent' is quality TV. To have actually managed to get a Carp Fishing program on mainstream TV in itself is some big achievement, he may grate on some people but he's no idiot, he just knows the target audience.

In reply to Post #48
When I was a nipper I'd have to sit through hours of Jack Hargreaves sat in his shed pillocking on about cleaning mole traps and oiling his spade handle in the hope of a three minute bit of him float fishing for roach.

You can watch the current stuff or turn it off, the fact that it's being made and broadcast and you have the choice to watch or not is a good thing.

In reply to Post #49
Agreed , got it easy now , so much free stuff we can't complain . In the 70s I used to cut fish reports in the paper and mags and keep them separate .

In reply to Post #49
Oiling his spade handle????!!!!!

Crikey! I know tv was a bit dodgy back in the 70's but that's a step too far

In reply to Post #49
Out of town wasn't a dedicated fishing program though was it? It was about living in the countryside.

In reply to Post #45
Watched it back and overall enjoyed it. Definitely fall into the less Ali on screen the better camp but I do not watch for it being a serious angling show and can appreciate it for what it is. In regards to Thailand, a place on my to visit list not on a specific fishing holiday but would prob try to get a few days in as is so different to anything I have done before

Having grown up with Jack Hargreaves Out of town and Old country, then John Wilson Go fishing, I have to say the loud/brash presenting style of Ali Hamidi and Danny fairbrass, backed up by Neil Spooner and Tom Dove does grate a bit.
And no thats not a personal attack on them as people, just my personal opinion on their way of doing things.
John Wilson could get a bit exitable at times too, lets not forget that.
Do I enjoy watching them all catching some carp?
Of course I do, some programs/episodes more than others, in particular the cassien session.

Prebaiting swims for the program to be a success?
Of course they did, John Wilson was no different, they were all there to make a TV program so stacked the odds in their favour.

We all have a choice in what we watch, we can turn over if its not to our particular taste.

With the multitude of programs, and videos on things like youtube, theres something out their for all of us.

In reply to Post #50
"we got it easy now"

Exactly. It's easy to start up, easy to get on a puddle with big fish in it, and it's easy to broadcast it to the world

You have people who have been fishing for five minutes fishing for fish that would make most of our knees tremble 20 years into the game. With that, bankside etiquette and rig safety are sometimes left lacking due to the lack of experience.

I believe this is what pisses people off. Thanks to COVID you have loads of joe public clogging up day tickets and clubs, and pushing the prices up of others. Plus, people watch monster carp and want their own instagram 'scaley banger' without having a clue how to trot a shirt buttoned float down a river for Dace. (a what?)

In reply to Post #48
. . totally agree. Like em or loath em Korda as a business have done incredibly well and on balance I believe have been very successful in promoting our sport, both to newcomers and old-timers alike.

To be honest most if not ALL famous 'personalities' are kn*bs . . .(their TV persona at any rate) and if they weren't most programmes would be tedious to watch. Whilst I appreciate Ali might not be everyone's cup of tea his enthusiasm is consistent and to have bought a nerdy hobby to life and on mainstream television is a massive achievement that should be applauded whatever you think of his presenting style. On the whole Korda productions are watchable / professional and generally informative . . they're also created for non-anglers, not just us carp nerds . . .

On a similar note I've just binged a lot of the podcasts on you tube - to be honest I didn't have a lot of time for his 'edited' personality previously, but have actually discovered a massive respect for Mr Fairbrass who comes across incredibly well on the podcast interviews - smart chap, excellent values, successful businessman who could have sold up years ago but has kept his dream and passion alive. Anyone that can turn their passion into a business at the level Korda has deserves a medal . . .jealous to be honest . .

In reply to Post #28
Why? Noise levels in the main - they carry on at the water's edge like they are in a beer garden, but as others have pointed out they are doing it for effect to try and make the show entertaining I guess but I'd honestly pack my barrow and move swims if i were close by.

In reply to Post #56
Totally agree mate

In reply to Post #38
nice one

Taking into account the massive over embellishment required in any successful advertising based entertainment I believe the show to be well crafted and balanced resulting in a more appealing format aimed at a more diverse audience and potential revenue stream than older angling shows which did little to advance and broaden the carp angling market further. Ali and the lads fall victim to the jealously that comes with success but even more so because of the sad dark underbelly which is riffe within a image obsessed element of modern carp angling

In reply to Post #57

In reply to Post #60
wow

In reply to Post #61
The irony of you telling someone to grow up after posting something that looked like it had been written by a seven year old.

In reply to Post #1
Watched it this morning after being away for a few days. Angling is many things too many different people and that's the way it should be. Found it like a poor episode of the Three Stooges with some poor angling on show as said earlier in post #22

Give me Mortimer & Whitehouse gone fishing anyday of the week

Absolutely oldgeezer. Episode of this series was just lovely.

Episode 2. Sorry ageing fingers.

In reply to Post #61
Not really a case of growing up but being able to express an opinion that's all. If my opinion doesn't agree with you then perhaps agree to disagree and leave it at that rather than insult me.

In reply to Post #60
wot a load of B******s

In reply to Post #69

I really do enjoy the show but I don't like all the noise and shouting, if that was in a swim next to me I would definitely move or go and ask them to quite down a bit. Tbh on some of the lakes I fish all the fish would be down the other end of the lake from them anyway with all that noise so that wouldn't bother me 😂

In reply to Post #71
On those venues I doubt it makes any difference. Did you not notice the two ghillies in the water to land the fish.

In reply to Post #60
F**k me, reading that I thought I was back at University doing cultural studies or something else completely pointless.

In reply to Post #73
Never watched - Couldn't put myself through it - find hamidi very irritating- he try's to hard very unnatural behaviour.

In reply to Post #68
Not trying to insult you ,just giving my opinion.

In reply to Post #65
Give me Mortimer & Whitehouse gone fishing any day of the week

Could not agree more, got the chance to catch up on the first two episodes last night

In reply to Post #81
Isi it a new series, watched the others very enjoyable & funny

In reply to Post #69
Apologies fella I'll dumb my point down more next time I just assumed you were literate lol

In reply to Post #82
Yes, series 3

I just watched the first episode, didn't think it would be my cup of tea but have to say it was far more entertaining than Love Island or Britains Got talent , that Gillhams looks a cracking place as well

In reply to Post #83

In reply to Post #83
well verbal diarrhoea was more your post IMHO I take it you work for Korda ?

or maybe your old and the gobby Dwarf is your love child

In reply to Post #87

In reply to Post #87
That's why I don't like them or watch it

If I performed like that I would expect a hiding everywhere I went. Gob ***** of the highest level , ****ing knob head

Like watching Geeks going fishing

Maybe he has ADD. Not normal?

In reply to Post #89
Hamidi and some of those Nash boys really grind my gears. Men acting like naughty little school boys!

TBH, as first a thought Hamidi was a 🐔 of the highest order, this was confirmed even more when i has an issue with some Korda Subline and he wasn't really interested In sorting anything out....

But my opinion did warm to him when we was doing monster carp and was looking after the stray mother dog and her puppies.....he ever arranged for them to be re-homed.....i must admit as a dog lover myself this did show a different side to him and not the celebrity personality he promotes

In reply to Post #25
Too many comments pn here now for me to reply to individually, those who find the program, the paid actors and the staged scripts, breach of lake rules and advertising annoying, I am in your camp! To the few who mentioned the late Jack Hargreaves who sadly I found out pulled a few strings to make sure he caught a few fish while being televised, I always respected him for his love of country life, not just fishing and it wasn´t always about carp fishing. Bring back the old days please!!

In reply to Post #91
Yes he did show some humility there and maybe did that part for free, I have no time for the guy sorry!!

Tonight their in Hungary at 8pm....

Looking forward to it

In reply to Post #94
Nice one will watch it now

Cant watch it 3 bellends ! Mortimer and Whitehouse best programme on TV at minute.

In reply to Post #96
I'm a fanatical carp fisher. Have been for 35 years, but I turned it over for something else. How can the producers and the actors create something so distinct from carp fishing that I know in order for me to be entirely uninterested? It's quite a accomplishment. I never thought it possible.

In reply to Post #97
so what was so wrong with it?? Looked ok to me, 3 guys fishing a lake in Hungary and catching some nice fish....yet you saw something else??

In reply to Post #97
If I'm honest, I watched it and thought it was alright.

I think the show peaked at Cassien last year. I'd be surprised there was another series after this one - Happy to be proved wrong on both counts though.

In reply to Post #98
I enjoyed it too, looked like fun... And as for "bring back the old days". In "the old days" a programme with John Wilson catching bream was considered a classic! Yes they had a certain charm and innocence but would anybody actually enjoy watching a man catching bream for 25 minutes these days? Instead we've got thousands of videos on YouTube dedicated specifically to catching carp. There's a world of choice out there. We've never had it so good.

Nice to see the boys using their RT4s in Hungary

In reply to Post #99
I think as long as they're getting good viewing figures in the show then they would make another series.

I quite enjoy the show some episodes are better than others as you say the Cassien episode was probably the best.

In reply to Post #98
Like my Wife often says; 'If I have to tell you, you wouldn't understand'. Then she walks off tutting...

In reply to Post #102
I haven't bothered with the first 2 but I know episode 4 is on Wasing so I'll defo take a look at that.

In reply to Post #103
corrrect, I dont understand......what was wrong or is just Korda jealousy?

In reply to Post #105
got it in 1 mate

In reply to Post #106
Give over lads. It is possible to dislike a show presented by lads from Korda without being jealous lol.

In reply to Post #107
got it in 1 mate

I actually enjoyed it but I will say if I was on the lake and you had a few lads singing across the lake like Ali and spooner did I wouldn't of been happy

In reply to Post #107
well I know, I was just interested in why he found it 'unwatchable'. Then gives a strange answer like "if I have to tell you, you wouldnt understand"....correct, I dont, so please enlighten us

In reply to Post #110
Not 'us'; you. If I am going to take the time to articulate its dreadfulness, are you willing to explain what you consider to be its attributes?

In reply to Post #111
Firstly oldgeezer ..if you entered a Danny fairbrass looky likey comp ...just saying you'd get a 10 from LEN ...and secondly a pound to a pinch of **** everybody commenting on this thread watched the lot and both episodes to boot ...I can't prove I'm right I can't prove I'm wrong ......you've even got the fairbrass Mohawk ,what's that all about oldgeezer

In reply to Post #112
No need for personal attacks.... but he actually is DF's biological father.....

In reply to Post #112
Wrong. I have not watched any of this series. I watched a couple of the last one after all the talk on here. I watched one and tried to like it and thought, na, not for me, watched another and the clowns were back so not for me. Funny though, when these type of threads pop up, always the same, there must be a reason?

Every time I have seen the clowns, same **** different day

I haven't watched it as not really my thing but my dad (89 this month and still Carp fishing) told me today that he only managed half an episode Of that ******** and if them clowns were next to him he would tell them to shut up or F off. I love my old man.

In reply to Post #115
Serious respect for your Dad

In reply to Post #115
Your dad sounds spot on

I don't think the shows are aimed at carp anglers. I think its more aimed at non anglers as an insight and a bit of entertainment. which I think it does offer. 3 blokes fishing, ultimately on holiday in a lot of the episodes, and having a good time.

In reply to Post #118
why not aimed at carp anglers ? isn,t thats whats on the end of their lines

In reply to Post #119
Well its a prime time tv spot, and the terminology they use is clearly aimed at non anglers. There are lots of time on it where they are explaining stuff in very simplistic terms. Its hardly an instructional series is it.

In reply to Post #120
It may be Prime time but it certainly isn't a Prime channel, its one stop from Al Jazeera 514

They have to explain stuff in the most simplistic terms because the bulk of the viewers will be very simplistic themselves, look around any day ticket water.

In reply to Post #120
Aimed at all anglers 2nd episode carp & skimmers.

Itv4 shows one of the most watched sporting events in the world. The tour de france, id hardly put it
Down as some Mickey mouse channel. Either Way, i dont see the need to take something like monster carp so seriously. I enjoy it for what it is. As do most people. If you dont like it dont watch it. Im sure by season 4 people have seen enough to know they dont like it. Or are they watching each series so they can moan about not liking any of the previous episodes

In reply to Post #123
Lovers ,haters, but i enjoy , so mate i say with respect to all members each to their own.

In reply to Post #118
My mum , who's 80 enjoys it. However she does prefer Mortimer and Whitehouse. So do I.

In reply to Post #111
No youre just a waste of time..plenty think its good, you just suffer Korda jealousy......never mind. You would be there like a shot if you could, jealous of Hamidi and Dove??

Well I like it for what it is. A bit of carp porn for an hour. If I missed one then I wouldn't be bothered either. I don't find any of them annoying in the slightest. Ali has bags of enthusiasm. Dovey is a quality angler. Spooner is a good sport and on the end of a lot of piss taking. Three lads and a crew having fun and catching a few fish along the way. We get the same comments from pretty much the same people about all the ridgemonkey videos as well. Obviously this type of show suits some and not others. Such is life.

In reply to Post #126
Thank you. I wanted to establish if you warranted the effort.


On an unrelated issue...

Never play chess with a pigeon. The pigeon just knocks all the pieces over. Then ****s all over the board. and struts around like it made a meaningful point.

Enjoyed the second episode.......not serious and appealing to people who don't fish I think.......

Crikey is this still going...?

For info. I've discovered on my tv remote a series of numbered buttons. I've found that when I press them certain sequences (e.g. 164 ) the channel on my TV changes and I can view something else. It's great for those tricky moments when I don't like the thing that's currently being broadcast.

For extreme circumstances I have also found a button with a green circular design on it and the word 'power' underneath. This little fella makes all the pictures and sound go away from the tv. Very effective.

Do feel free to try this on your own tv. It's life changing.

In reply to Post #130
I can't believe people who claim they don't even watch it feel the need to post about it...Korda must be doing something right

I watch them all and enjoy them, if I'd watched one and didn't enjoy it then I wouldn't watch any more. Pretty simple really

In reply to Post #128
thesiluriain and justin_time, you two need to get a room

Yep I just enjoy it for what it is... Good fun and some very decent fish caught, my youngest who is 6 loves it 😊... He was even watching the Thailand one again this morn, telling me all the variety of carp they were catching... Bless him 😁

In reply to Post #133
Same here just enjoy good fun , don't take it to seriously .

In reply to Post #133
That,s so cool young carper

In reply to Post #135
The Thailand one bored me to death, but I quite enjoyed the Hungary one, quite entertaining. I just take it for what it is, three friends going on holiday and doing a bit of fishing.

Mortimer and Whitehouse Tonight. Pike

In reply to Post #137
Enjoyed ,funny to .nice pike.

It seems glaringly obvious that the majority of the negativity expressed about korda and much of the modern carp scene spews like bile from past generations of anglers who haven't moved with the times stubbornly sticking with the time old attitude which often starts with the when I was a lad mantra. Having been left behind in yesteryear and secretly knowing that they are irrelevant now they shout from the sidelines desperate to be heard, like it or not the scene has a new face but unintelligent pointless dissing with no practical reasoning or argument just serves to widen a already cavernous divide within a supposed beloved pastime.

In reply to Post #139
What a load of rubbish! Plenty modern films 🎥 being made That are excellent sticky baits and esp for starters! I think what most people dislike my self included is the lack of etiquette portrayed in some of these “cool” films. Oh and I happen to think some of the Korda films are good! 😉

In reply to Post #139
What a load of tosh.

In reply to Post #139
Or maybe they just don't like the format of the programme...

In reply to Post #141

In reply to Post #139
You are probably right. You will be in your arm chair at the age of 80, reminiscing about how Ali Hamandi and Spooner fake- squabbled for the camera about who was best, in the same way I recall Bob James and Chris Yates hooking Redmire care from the bows of a willow tree.

Nostalgia is what it used to be.

In reply to Post #139
Twaddle!

I may be older than many, and I may decry the attitude of many people within society today, on the banks of the lake, but the attitude of Ali Hamidi is what puts me off.

The original Korda Underwater DVD programmes while not really being my cup of tea, were presented on what Danny Fairbrass felt was happening in the swim. Some of us may or may not agree what was happening; our waters are different, a blooming great camera in the lake may have affected the fish behaviour, but it made people think.

There are many other programmes and DVD's that are positive, where the presenting is good, or where the action is natural, from now and years ago.

In my case, what puts me off every time is Ali Hamidi. I can watch Mortimer and Whitehouse, I'm not a fan of Bob Mortimer, but him and Paul Whitehouse are fishing and reminiscing.

Dean Macey, a decent presenter, sensible, makes the programmes watchable, but again it is Ali Hamidi that kills my enjoyment of The Big Fish Off.
The common denominator in what causes me to turn over is Ali Hamidi.

In reply to Post #139
people like you give the youth a bad name spewing your verbal diarrhoea never read such ill informed rubbish just your warped view feel sorry for you

Episode 3 tomorrow at 8pm if you fancy it. Remember, nobody is forcing you to watch it, it's totally voluntary.


The team head to the Netherlands, which is renowned for its extensive waterways, but they will be focusing their attention on a lake called Carplantis which is home to some fantastic-looking, and very large carp. Plus, they also take in a spot of barbel fishing on the River Meuse.

In reply to Post #148
i,m watchin

In reply to Post #145
What is it about his attitude that you don't like mate? Personally, I quite like the way he comes across.

In reply to Post #139
I actually think you are totally wrong there. The elder generation are generally a lot more layer back about stuff, letting people do what they want without letting it bother them too much, unless you are affecting them, I don't think they care.
I think it's more the younger generation that is the problem. Over opinionated, everything being about image. People feel they need to hate everything that isn't trendy, Korda tackle for example. And will like and use stuff that is trendy and pretend it is amazing. If the general consensus was Korda are in, it wouldn't receive the Level of hate it does.

youve only got to look around the world and the way people of certain generations are behaving at the moment. There's a band wagon, must jump on it, and have no rational answer as to why I'm doing it

In reply to Post #151
Young moaning about old and old moaning about young.
Blame culture.
Load of ******** if you ask me

In reply to Post #148
Episode 3 was best so far started with fishing for barbel,carp were amazing to,huge

In reply to Post #152
The way of the world. Everyone has an opinion and many people get offended if someone's opinion differs from theirs. I am very opinionated, sometimes I feel strongly and voice it, more often than not I just get on with my life and if it is ndot impacting me directly then I try to ignore it. The modern trend of putting opinion's in your face does annoy me an upset me and this is something that is coming more and more into carp fishing, which is sad and I try to stay away from it as much as I can.

Back to Monster Carp, I will get around to watching this week's but I feel it is getting a bit repetitive and stale with the same old jokes being pulled out to try and make it more entertaining. The one I am looking forward to is Wasing as fishing for big UK fish is something new to the series. I preferred the 1st series where they mixed up the anglers a bit and feel that if there is new series that could be a format to revert to

In reply to Post #154
Wasings is an amazing place. Will be watching their invasion of the lake through my fingers.

In reply to Post #148
Those fish at Carplantis, some right crackers! (no having a go required)

In reply to Post #156
Turned down a trip there a couple of years back. Gutted now

In reply to Post #145
Got to agree with you , tried to watch episode 2 this morning 15 mins in turned off same with episode 3 , everything about Ali bongo gets on my nerves.

I have enjoyed each series that little bit less, so much so that i have the first 3 of this series on the planner and haven't been bothered about watching them. As someone else said, it's going a bit stale now and some of the "stunts" are getting cringeworthy......I don't mind Ali Hamidi, (although he does appear to get a bit mardy.. ) it's Spooner who annoys me, don't know why, he just does!!

It might be because i have recently subscribed to Cypography and am going through their back issues and thoroughly enjoying most of them.....even the Jim Shelley ones....

In reply to Post #159
Its spooners hat.

In reply to Post #160
Can't believe nobody has yet started crowing how they never watched last nights episode either fpmsl

In reply to Post #161
Why do you assume people watch them Paul?

I tried to watch a couple of episodes of thinking tackle years ago, one word, painful. I think they are a bunch of ****s, one person in particular, proper gob *****, personally I don't like gob *****s.

The more these threads pop up it confirms my thinking too

Geeks go fishing, you write the theme tune you can be whatevery you want

In reply to Post #161
I watched it, same old same old with additional background noise.

Didn't think much of the venue either.

Enjoyed that one like the rest, forget the politics, forget the voices and enjoy the fishing.......

In reply to Post #164
Might try and watch the next one on mute Wayne

In reply to Post #165
There really are some utter nauses in this carp fishing game. I've been carping 25+ years now so have seen a lot of changes, why oh why people still Korda bash is beyond me. If you dont like it, dont watch it. Simple. I for one think its great seeing carp fishing on terrestrial tv, even the missus enjoys it. All those whinging on here need to get a grip

In reply to Post #166
I don't watch it Steve. I disagreed with a fan

There seems to be a common consensus? Every Time!

In reply to Post #165
Bet you enjoy it then......

I'm realise im a bit of a heathen but I cant read or watch tv shows re 'carp'

But I did come across a show a few weeks back with actor Tamar Hassan. The usual setup of
A fake rivalry etc........

But what I loved was Tamar didnt give a **** lol. And all their wide grinning over acting couldnt budge him.
Didnt even want to bivvy up. Didnt turn up on time etc.... im a fan of his, and loved it. 😂

In reply to Post #167
Wasnt aimed at you pal, just a reply to the last comment

In reply to Post #170
do you mean mine?

In reply to Post #170
Just internet discussions pal

Otherwise there would t be any

In reply to Post #171
God there's some sensitive souls on here isnt there? It was a general observation not aimed at anyone. Just watch what you enjoy, fish for what you enjoy and dont worry about it

In reply to Post #173
I dont give a **** mate, i was going to reply to your post that's all mate.

In reply to Post #174
This place just seems to be full of whiney little tarts (not you!) right now. Nobody is making anyone watch this. I cant stand the X Factor, watched it a couple of times and havent watched it again. Simple. I appreciate that Monster Carp isnt for everyone but its a bit of lighthearted TV, as its meant to be

In reply to Post #175
Im enjoying monster carp

In reply to Post #176
Thanks

In reply to Post #1
I love it......

Its the only fishing programme the Mrs takes notice of when ive had it on the TV and its slowly starting to bring her around to the idea of a camping holiday on some lakes in France next year.

For that reason alone I'm all in for it. Its the top gear of fishing - I don't like the mulch in between catching but always good to see some carp on the TV.


As for the man who causes so much contention- Love him or hate him..... he played a big part in getting a lot of people out fishing this year during lockdown, and I bet the people who pan him on here weren't staying im at home because they didn't like him then.

In reply to Post #178
Were they fishing during lock-down?

In reply to Post #179
No it was just after fishing was allowed again

In reply to Post #178
I think Ali Bongo would make a very good used car salesman. Cocky persona, good at spouting ****, and loves himself

In reply to Post #180
OK. Thanks Chuffy.

In reply to Post #169
I think I saw that one too. The big fish off with dean macey and mr hamidi?

You're right, Tamar just didn't care and it was very funny to watch him next to two lads who are so excitable. Really good episode

In reply to Post #183
cool. glad I wasn't the only one. well funny. if they had woken him up they would have got lamped lol

I enjoy it, good too see carp fishing on the tv and it's a way of showing my young children big carp. My son especially enjoys it.

Now this is my own opinion but carp fishing is similar to any past time, and that the community around it contains some right miserable *******s who see everything in a negative light, a few who couldn't give a toss and sit on the fence, and a small minority who are open minded and positive about things. Guess so of it is dependent on life outside of said past time but, what we should all be is respectful of everyone's opinion as if we all agreed it would be a boring place and forums I doubt would exist

In reply to Post #185
you said we should all be is respectful of everyone's opinion
having said

it contains some right miserable *******s who see everything in a negative light, a

In reply to Post #186
A generalisation on people's persona's, nothing critiquing opinions ?

Sure you notice some people always see the bad?

In reply to Post #187
I see people bitching about people criticizing a program and getting their pantys in a twist telling them if you dont like it switch it off blah blah blah

and I think Mmmm if YOU dont like reading the comments ? them just scroll on and dont look at the thread then ? Pot Kettle !


at the end of the day its a forum for discussions and if someone wants to criticize and say why they dont like something then they can and say why
OPINIONS ARE LIKE ARSHOLES WE ALL HAVE ONE !

and mine is I quite like Ali as a bloke but as a TV commentator he ****s up the program for me as I find his silly attempt at dramatic commentating irritating beyond belief
now if it was just 3 blokes talking the way they would when there were no cameras it would suit me a lot better so I just mute the sound when he opens his gob
THATS my opinion and Im entitled to say without some **** telling me I shouldnt watch it

Starting to grate on me now. If i was on the same lake as them with all the whooping, hollering, high fivin' n' kissing, I would pack up and go home. It's like watching football!

In reply to Post #189
They're not doing it on lakes full of people though are they...I doubt they fish like that in real life. Mind you, go to pretty much any day ticket lake (or Burghfield ) these days and you'll get similar anyway

In reply to Post #190
collingham can be a bit errrrmm

Like the show good to have carp fishing on the TV.

My only grip would be that the exclusive syndicate fishery with various rules were not adhered too. They did so well as they were wading in spots that don't normally get fished.

If I was a member I'd have kicked off.

Having said that look forward to the programme.

In reply to Post #191
Yeah I don't fish the circus at Collingham! Heard it's been ‘interesting' this season! I fish the BS syndicate at Sutton which is much much quieter, I often have half a mile of bank to myself. It's an awful lot harder than fishing the weirpools though, or should I say ‘hook a duck' .

Having been a critic of Korda for so long I actually like this program , even the wife watches it .

Perhaps I'm getting mellow in my old age 🤔

In reply to Post #192
Those spots get fished

There's a obvious bullseye on Ali for reasons which should be irrelevant but as with all mentally challenged simpleton brain activity it surfaces through reasoning and comments born of intolerance saturated masked bigotry. Unfortunately the face of carp angling is so monochromatic and masculine in its accepted appearance means Ali is singled out constantly. Carp anglers are pretentious beings and stand alone in the constant need to judge others and stand alone as a body of people like no other. I'm in my mid forties and although fished from childhood turned predominantly a carp angler in 1990 so have seen a fair amount of change within the last 30 years and have always kept relevant moving with the flow but it's high time the mentality caught up with the technology and style.

Did they only do the 4 shows for this series??

In reply to Post #197
Yes mate I asked Ali on Facebook and he said it is to time consuming to do anymore apparently

In reply to Post #6
Spent today watching all four episodes on catch up TV. Really enjoyed them, even second time around. I've met all three of them at some time on the bank and the banter is very genuine I can tell you. Fishing's Top Gear (the Clarkson version). Looking forward to many more shows... and if you don't like it, you don't have to watch it!

In reply to Post #199
Perfectly put. Could not agree more.