Our historian Keith extols the virtues of one of angling’s predator-fishing pioneers
FUTURE ‘RECORD BREAKER’ NEVILLE FICKLING, 1970
WHETHER this AnglingTimes photo of a very young Neville Fickling was the first time his angling exploits had dragged him into the public spotlight is hard for me to say.
What I do know is that the ensuing 54 years have seen him recognised as one of the leading authorities in UK predator fishing.
He’s held the British record for both pike and zander, I believe uniquely (and I’m sure he’ll soon put me right if I’m not!), and is the go-to font of knowledge for both species.
Neville has written and had published at least six major works on his specialist subject and, as he has reminded me a few times, isn’t ‘only’ a predator angler.
He really enjoys his carp fishing and has his own fisheries where big carp, and seriously big catfish can be caught, as well as the toothy critters you’d probably expect.
His tackle shop, close to the Trent in Gainsborough, is a specialist angler’s delight, especially those who want the gear and the ideas to catch predators.
His communications on social media regarding the availability of species and sizes of deadbaits available via his nationally famous ‘Lucebaits’ brand are always worth reading. He may disagree, but his laconic, self-effacing personality belies a wonderful sense of humour and a fierce determination to accept challenges.
I recall debating using big single, preferably circle, hooks for pike fishing rather than multiple, barbed trebles. After
