Les McBride

Location: Edinburgh, Scotland

Les has been sea fishing since he was 10 or 11 years old when his dad used to take him to Dunbar fishing for ‘puddlies’ (small coalfish) with a handline almost 40 years ago. He trails his own small boat, but also enjoys charter fishing, shore, match and bluewater sea angling. He particularly enjoys fishing with his teenage sons, Liam and Sean, who both have some tremendous fish under their belts.

Personal bests/angling achievements

Several black marlin to over 300lb on 50lb class stand-up gear; two common skate over 200lb; a 45kg Giant Trevally in Kenya and a 40kg sailfish on a spinning rod. He also broke the Florida State record for Ladyfish at 5lb, beating previous the best by 6oz. The fish was returned alive. Les was part of a UK team that caught 50 halibut to 174lb in one week in Norway. He also has a 75lb Scottish tope to his credit.

Les has won several major boat fishing titles including the Highlands & Islands Cod Championships, EFSA Individual Championships and NFSA Sea Shanty to his credit. He could definitely have represented Scotland once upon a time, but he enjoys his fishing too much for that.

Most memorable fishing trip / fish

The first day on the 2008 Kenya trip stands out with four bronze whaler sharks between 100 and 130kg, four sailfish, a 100kg plus black marlin and perhaps 30 kingfish, wahoo and yellowfin tuna to 25kg were shared between Les and his great friend Tony Voss. On the same trip Les hooked what everyone assumed was a bull shark by the way it was fighting. After almost an hour he boated his biggest ever giant trevally at an estimated 45kg.

Favourite angling

Boat fishing, particularly from small boats, whether in the UK or abroad. Les is just as at home catching codling and pollack from his Seahog Seatrooper off Dunbar as he is on game boats chasing marlin or brutes like GTs and amberjacks in the Indian Ocean.

Interests and hobbies away from fishing

Photography, movies, sci-fi and beer.

Angling hopes and ambitions

To see some powerful effectual solution to the terminal problem of over fishing, so that his sons might experience some of the excellent fishing that he enjoyed 30 years ago. To catch a dogtooth tuna over 100lb on a jig... now that would be something!

Best piece of advice or top tip

Keep baits in the water at all times... you can't catch otherwise. Patience is a fishing virtue which more of us would do well to learn to cultivate. Never be afraid to ask questions of successful anglers, most are happy to help.

Guess what?

In 2006 Les auditioned for the BBC program 'Castaway'. He almost made it through to the final few but unfortunately lost out on three months marooned in New Zealand.

Dislikes

Small boat anglers who disrespect the sea and take chances - death wish. People who leave their rubbish at their backsides instead of taking it home - ignorant. People who knowingly kill undersized fish - no excuses. Dingily-dangly bells on rod tips - irritating as hell. Warrior 165s - overrated.

Heroes & influences

“John Darling: his stories were always both entertaining and informative... I wish I could have met him. Bob Gledhill who I met many years ago, again a natural angler and writer. Jack Hargreaves and his 'Out of Town' programs which I rushed home from school to watch, simple gentle fishing from a master presenter.”