Neil Turnbull

Location: Coldstream, Scottish Borders

I have lived and breathed the sea since an early age. I was serially dragged out of my bed at 5am to haul creels on my school holidays, and I’ve never quite been the same. I have owned and shared in several boats, varying from 14' dinghies to a 26' charter boat. In winter I was never far from the sea. Invariably I could be found clutching a shore rod on a rocky skeer somewhere along the Berwickshire coast. A few years ago I took a step back and decided to have a go at kayak fishing… I wish I had stumbled upon this gem earlier in life

Personal bests/angling achievements:

I fished a few North East England shore Opens during the 90's and won a few quid. My match time is behind me and I fish purely for pleasure now. My most memorable catch was a 17lb cod from the local shore on a mackerel flapper intended for conger.

Favourite angling type/style:

Living on the Tweed, sea trout and salmon can't be ignored, however the majority of my time is spent using light gear and lures chasing cod and pollack on the coastal reefs.

Interests and hobbies away from fishing:

If the conditions are not right for the sea I keep fit on my mountain bike. It keeps you on form for those longer summer paddles. I also like a bit of photography: jump into your kayak with your camera round your neck on a sea loch in winter, and it's easy to forget that the main reason for being there was to go fishing.

Angling hopes and ambitions:

I hope to remain fit enough to paddle my kayak for a good few years yet and to improve my photographic skills. A ton-up fish, boated, weighed and released has yet to be done from a kayak. That would be a major achievement for me.

Best piece of advice or top tip:

Think about where the fish are likely to be, not where you would want to be!

I bet you didn't know:

I built my first kayak in 1984 from plywood and a set of Hartley's boat plans, unbelievably it still floats to this day.

Angling media / tackle company involvement:

PSF kayak series.

What would you sling in fishing's room 101?

Idiots on the shore that think all kayak fisherman need rescued because they are waving a rod around! And muppets that leave all their litter at their ar*se on the rocks!

Heroes & influences:

Too many to mention, but I suppose my father's interest in fishing rubbed off on me. And in all honesty, if he had been a great golfer, I would be talking a load of balls right now... come to think of it!!