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00:04Where am I heading this time?
00:07Gran Canaria is an angler's paradise
00:09and it's my next destination.
00:18That's a bit steeper than I thought it was going to be.
00:21Oh wow.
00:23That is some view.
00:27Well, welcome
00:28to Gran Canaria.
00:31This is part of the Canary Islands
00:33which is a Spanish archipelago
00:34about 150 kilometres
00:37off the west coast of Africa.
00:39This is the second biggest island in the Canaries.
00:41It's about 50 kilometres across.
00:43Its position in the Atlantic
00:45makes it warm for large parts of the year
00:47and half the island is a protected national park.
00:50It's even got its own microclimate.
00:53Now this means in the winter
00:55coldest is about 20 degrees
00:57and in the summer it's about 25.
00:59So pretty consistent all year round.
01:01They're also volcanic islands.
01:04Now that means two things.
01:05One, for a small island
01:06they've got some pretty high mountain ranges.
01:09And the other really interesting thing is
01:11just off the coast
01:12very deep water.
01:15This island has the image of a party destination
01:18but away from the busy ports and beaches
01:20it quickly becomes a sleepy, restful place.
01:24So there's a reason that I'm shunning the beaches
01:27and the nightlife.
01:28Well actually there's three reasons.
01:30I want to catch
01:32what's arguably
01:33the most beautiful carp
01:35in the whole world
01:36and they're in
01:37a very specific lake
01:39up in the mountains.
01:41Second thing I want to catch
01:42is a freshwater black bass.
01:45And the third thing
01:46there's a certain species of snake.
01:49It's an invasive species
01:50that's come from California
01:51but I'm desperate to see one.
01:54Anyway, these carp
01:56I've got to show you
01:57because there's actually no guarantee
01:58I'm going to catch one.
02:00They are awesome.
02:03Now this is Keith Gladden
02:04and I've enlisted his help for this trip.
02:07He was an angling guide here
02:08for over a decade
02:09before moving to France
02:11and starting up
02:12one of Europe's top carp venues.
02:15Now, Keith hasn't been back here
02:17for nearly five years
02:19and I've tempted him back.
02:21And he's come a long way
02:22so I don't want to keep him waiting
02:23any longer.
02:26Keith might be a world-class angler
02:28but he's also an ex-club promoter.
02:31He's no stranger
02:32to buzzing nightlife
02:34so perhaps that's why
02:35he's offered to meet me in a bar
02:36a few kilometres inland.
02:38Hello Tom, how are you going?
02:40Good.
02:41Good to travel up?
02:42Yeah, good thank you.
02:42Yeah, great.
02:43Nice to meet you.
02:44Great to meet you.
02:45Come on up, I'll get you a drink.
02:45Come on.
02:47Is there any carp and bass up?
02:49Any carp and bass up, yeah.
02:50Right.
02:51I've given myself
02:52five days on the island
02:53and Keith confirms
02:54that the Shearer Mountain Lake
02:56is ideal for the species
02:57I'm after.
02:58But there's more.
03:00Also what we have up there
03:01is real good-sized turtles.
03:03Do you?
03:04Yeah.
03:04Now and again
03:05you get them full lip hooked
03:06on a boilie.
03:07Really?
03:08And they really do proper hang on.
03:10Really?
03:10Really do hang on.
03:11Wow.
03:12Have you been up to the lake yet?
03:14Not as yet this morning.
03:15I've been waiting for you
03:15so if you get your coffee
03:17down your neck
03:17we can go and see what it's like
03:19for the first time
03:19in five years together.
03:20Oh, okay.
03:21Right.
03:21It should be a magical feeling
03:22for me, you know?
03:24The target is the mirror carp.
03:26It's found mainly in Europe
03:27and gets its name
03:28from the reflective scales
03:29that cover its body.
03:31Carp are an angler's favourite
03:33and the mirror variety
03:34is considered rarer
03:35and more distinctive
03:36as a trophy.
03:37And they're big here.
03:39They can grow in excess
03:40of 60 pounds
03:41or 27 kilos
03:42and the current world record
03:43is over 100 pounds.
03:45That's nearly 50 kilos.
03:55I can't wait to get fishing
03:56and Keith can't wait
03:58to see the lake
03:58as he hasn't clapped eyes
04:00on it for so long.
04:01It's going to be a great moment
04:02for both of us.
04:03So, what do you think?
04:04Looking good, mate.
04:05For me, this is amazing.
04:07You know, like,
04:07I've spent so many hours,
04:08hours, days
04:09and days
04:10and days
04:10of my life here.
04:12To come back
04:12after five years
04:13and see it,
04:14it's emotional.
04:15Really, really is.
04:16Nostalgic.
04:17I'm pretty nostalgic.
04:17To share it with you,
04:18it feels extra special,
04:20you know?
04:20It really does.
04:21Shearer Lake
04:22was created
04:23to protect water
04:24for locals and farming.
04:25It wasn't stocked
04:27with fish for sport.
04:28It was to reduce
04:29the mosquito larvae.
04:30But whatever the reason,
04:31the carp here
04:32have grown to a decent size.
04:34Now,
04:35when you're fishing
04:36for super rare carp,
04:37you need up-to-date intel
04:39and Keith has brought in
04:40Nick,
04:40who is also a local guide.
04:42Between the two of them,
04:43we should get the best spot
04:44to land a big fish.
04:49Well, well, well.
04:50Hello, Nick.
04:52How are we doing?
04:52How are we doing?
04:53Nice to meet you,
04:54Mr. Keith Gladden, again.
04:55Nice to see you, Nick.
04:57Looking well.
04:57Hello, mate, Tom.
04:58Tom, nice to meet you.
04:59Nice to meet you.
05:00Well, it's looking good, isn't it?
05:01It's beautiful today.
05:02It's an incredible landscape
05:04as well.
05:05You really do feel like
05:07you're in the middle
05:07of an old Western movie,
05:09Daniel.
05:09You really do.
05:11Carp fishing
05:12is all about strategy
05:14and I'm lucky
05:15to be in the hands
05:16of two very experienced anglers.
05:20So you're an expert.
05:21You used to live here
05:22for 10 years.
05:23You haven't been here
05:24for four.
05:25Yourself,
05:26how long have you been here now, Nick?
05:27I've only been here five months,
05:28so I'm still quite wet
05:29beyond the ears.
05:29I will be listening
05:30to Keith today,
05:31being the oracle of the lake.
05:32That is the ears
05:33and the eyes
05:34of the lake, you know.
05:35Well, I'm going to be honest, boys.
05:37I've had my PB
05:38as a scraper 20.
05:40Right, okay.
05:41So if we could beat that,
05:42I would be over the moon.
05:43What do you mean scraper?
05:44Low 20?
05:45Very low 20, yeah.
05:47The bait is important,
05:48of course it is,
05:49and I'm going to need
05:50something that's known
05:51to work right here
05:52for this lake.
05:54Right now,
05:54this is the rig
05:55the guys have recommended
05:56and I'm a big fan of it.
05:57It's very, very simple.
05:59There's really only
06:00two or three components to it.
06:01First of all,
06:02big, heavy lead.
06:04As soon as the carp
06:05comes along
06:06and gets this in its mouth,
06:07watch this.
06:10So imagine my thumb
06:11is the bottom lip
06:12of the carp.
06:13See that lead?
06:14Ah!
06:15It's going to drive the point.
06:17You can see that
06:17right into my thumb.
06:18So,
06:19that's the first step.
06:20Second step is,
06:21you don't really want
06:23a heavy weight
06:23swinging around
06:24underneath the carp's chin
06:25as you're fighting it
06:27because it can get caught up
06:28or it can loosen the hook hold.
06:29See this clip?
06:32That will pull off
06:33and this weight
06:35while I'm playing the carp
06:37very, very easily
06:38lead can come off
06:40and just fall onto
06:41the bottom of the lake.
06:42Right,
06:43now this is the business end.
06:45We've got
06:45half of a pop-up boilie,
06:47the yellow one,
06:48pineapple flavour,
06:49smells good,
06:50and then half
06:51of a sinking
06:51fish-flavoured boilie.
06:53Now,
06:54the reason we want
06:54this to be pop-up
06:55is because
06:56it's critically balanced.
06:57The yellow bait,
06:58the pop-up,
06:59is buoyant
07:00and as I lower it down,
07:02just the weight
07:03of the hook
07:04is enough to sink it.
07:06So it's critically balanced.
07:08As soon as a carp
07:08comes in,
07:09if it opens its mouth
07:10to eat any of the baits
07:11in the surrounding area,
07:12it's going to go
07:14straight in.
07:16Let's hope it works.
07:17We've got three rods
07:19in the water,
07:20each cast to a different
07:20part of the lake.
07:22So the question is,
07:23which one's going to go first?
07:26Right,
07:27gentlemen,
07:2810 years experience
07:29but he hasn't been here
07:30for a while.
07:32Less experience
07:33but you've been here
07:33solid for the last
07:34five months.
07:35So I feel like
07:36a nice competition
07:37going on
07:38to make a call.
07:40Old versus no.
07:41Yeah,
07:41so which rod
07:42do you think
07:43is going to go off?
07:44How big's the fish
07:45going to be?
07:46Obviously,
07:46this one here.
07:49Yep.
07:49So I cast it out,
07:51I make the rig,
07:52I put the bait on.
07:53Happy with it.
07:5522 pound mirror.
07:5722 pound mirror,
07:58okay.
07:58Boom,
07:59that's my gambit.
08:00I'll be happy with that.
08:00Nick,
08:00go on then.
08:01Right,
08:02well I'll have the left hand rod
08:03being as I've done
08:04everything with that as well.
08:05Yep.
08:06Pretty confident
08:06in this little bay
08:07down to our left as well.
08:10And obviously,
08:11being a competitive
08:12type of guy,
08:14go on.
08:15I've got to try
08:15and beat him
08:16at 24,
08:17right?
08:1724.
08:19I'm clearly
08:19the newbie here
08:21and I chucked
08:22the middle rod out
08:23so I've got to go
08:23with that one.
08:24I'm going big,
08:25I'm going 40 pound
08:26straight off the button.
08:28Aiming aisle
08:28going on.
08:31Best of luck.
08:32Best of luck.
08:33Good luck.
08:34Next.
08:35Come on the carp gods.
08:38First bit of activity,
08:40just a couple
08:41of little bleeps
08:41on the alarm.
08:42now when you get a bite
08:44I think we are
08:45going to know about it.
08:46There's a little bit
08:47of activity
08:47which indicates
08:48that there might
08:49be a fish in the area.
08:50It hasn't picked
08:51the bait up yet
08:51but sometimes
08:52if they're swimming along
08:53and they kick the line
08:55then it just gives you
08:56a small little indication
08:57and the alarm beeps
08:58just once or twice.
09:00I think our three
09:01main rods
09:02stand a good chance
09:03of catching
09:04but I can't resist
09:05peeling off
09:05and having a walkabout
09:07to see if I can scope
09:08out another spot.
09:10The scale of things
09:11that they do out here
09:12are way beyond
09:15what I'm used to
09:15back at home.
09:16So normally
09:17I'd use a catapult
09:18which has got
09:18a little pouch
09:20probably about this
09:21sort of big
09:21that you can fire bait out.
09:23He said no
09:23it'd take you an hour
09:24to get that volume
09:25of bait in.
09:26I'm not kidding
09:27look at this.
09:29So you have
09:29an ice scoop
09:31he said
09:32that's probably got
09:34ten catapult pouches
09:35worth in
09:36so you just scoop it out
09:37and sling it
09:38into the lake
09:39they're big carp
09:41the water is really
09:42warm here
09:43the metabolism's
09:43really high
09:44and they eat
09:45a lot of food
09:46so I've actually
09:48got to like
09:48sling it in
09:49via the scoop
10:01perfect
10:02good
10:05now
10:06it's a waiting game
10:08I feel good
10:09because we're set
10:10I've seen a couple
10:10of fish out there
10:11now this morning
10:12so look we know
10:12we've got fish around us
10:13yeah
10:14just a matter of now
10:15just sit tight
10:15hold the guns
10:16you know
10:16we've got the rods
10:17positioned well
10:17right
10:18another hour
10:19and I'm left
10:20hanging
10:21then suddenly
10:22do you hear that
10:23come on
10:23come on
10:24quickly
10:25we're off
10:26come on
10:34but as I start
10:35to play the fish
10:36I realise it's
10:37tangled the line
10:38from the other rod
10:39is that your
10:40it's like that lead
10:41isn't it
10:41that must be your
10:43we've run for so long
10:48right we've got to be
10:49super careful then
10:51these fish are so strong
10:53I've got a real battle
10:54on my hands here
10:57bloody hell
11:00I'm excited
11:02but I'm out of breath
11:03we've just
11:04it's all been a bit quiet
11:05for an hour or so
11:07we were just
11:08sat having a nice chat
11:09weren't we
11:11and then it went
11:12screaming off
11:13he's caught the other rod
11:15so we've just got to
11:16try and disconnect
11:20come on cop
11:22here we go
11:23oh you can hear the line
11:24singing as well
11:25yeah
11:25it's in the bag
11:27get in there
11:28yes
11:28oh man
11:31well that's what
11:32we come for
11:34that is exactly
11:35what we've come for
11:36oh Keith
11:38you're one
11:39mate
11:39I did
11:40I'm telling you
11:41I've seen some photos
11:42but when you see it
11:43with your own eyes
11:45colours are just
11:46stunning
11:47no wonder
11:48they've got such
11:49a good reputation
11:51look at the length
11:52of the barbels
11:53on their mouth
11:54I don't think
11:55I've ever seen
11:56anything like it
11:57the colours
11:57on a common carp
11:58before
11:59it's fine
12:00I think we should
12:01call this one
12:01fingers
12:02look
12:04not a scale
12:05out of place
12:06as well
12:08pristine
12:09this is a common carp
12:11it's not the rarer
12:13mirror I was after
12:14and I've even had
12:15one that's a shade
12:16larger than this
12:17before
12:17but I've honestly
12:18never seen one as
12:19beautiful in such
12:20great condition
12:21and with colours so
12:22vibrant
12:23this is an absolute
12:25result
12:25just under
12:26that's nine
12:28it's twenty pound
12:29exactly
12:29so we'll minus
12:30the sling
12:31right me beauty
12:32let's eat
12:34what we're calling
12:35our fingers
12:36fingers
12:41you've brought me
12:42a little bit of luck
12:43go on then
12:44off you go
12:45well done that man
12:47congratulations
12:49we're winning
12:49we're winning
12:50let us get you out
12:51of the drink
12:53just for the record
12:54the sling is four pounds
12:56so the carp comes in
12:57at sixteen
12:57that is a nice
12:58big fish
13:02it's getting to the
13:03end of the day
13:03and I'm not getting
13:04any more interest
13:05on the rods
13:06yes I've had a
13:07decent sized fish
13:08but I'm still hungry
13:09for that mirror carp
13:10that's why I came here
13:12I've been studying
13:13the water
13:13I don't know if you
13:14can see it
13:14just out here as well
13:15there's like a
13:16a wind line
13:18if I was ocean fishing
13:19I'd call that a tide line
13:20and it comes down
13:22right into the bay
13:23where we've got
13:24two rods down here
13:25and I don't know
13:27I'm always just
13:27scanning the water
13:28and I just
13:28I think
13:30warm wind coming down
13:32food catches in the bay
13:34just something feels right
13:36about the position
13:37that we're at
13:37so I don't think
13:38we're in the wrong place
13:40I think it's just
13:40a question of time
13:41we've just got to wait
13:45as the day winds down
13:47we're admitting
13:47it's a no
13:48to catching a mirror
13:49but I'm hoping
13:50a little dance
13:51to the carp gods
13:52will change our luck
13:53should we start doing
13:54like a dance
13:55or something
13:55hey
14:01end of the day
14:02like maybe I've won
14:04but
14:06there's always another day
14:13day one
14:15game over
14:25Grand Canaria
14:26usually has consistent weather
14:28but for us
14:29it's making an exception
14:34up on the mountain
14:36it's barely possible
14:37to stand up
14:38we take refuge
14:39and wait to see
14:40if it improves
14:41but who are we kidding
14:42Keith has a great suggestion
14:44go down the mountain
14:46and head for the bar
14:49turning around
14:50and coming back down
14:51was the best idea
14:52it's a smart move
14:53for the day
14:53I think
14:53definitely
14:55with the conditions
14:55we had up there
14:56it was alright
14:57for windsurfing
14:58but carp fishing
15:00I don't think it suited today
15:01it was ridiculous
15:04this day is written off
15:05simple as that
15:12it's day three
15:13and I'm leaving the mountain lake
15:15and hoping to grab a different species
15:17in a new location
15:20welcome to another day
15:22in paradise
15:23when the sun's out like this
15:25it is paradise
15:26last night
15:27it actually snowed
15:29in the top of the mountains
15:30in Grand Canaria
15:32would you believe it
15:32this morning
15:34we've had some rain showers
15:35and some thunder
15:36heading out that way
15:37and it's a beautiful ravine
15:39that heads out towards the sea
15:40but this is what I'm interested in
15:42now this
15:43is one of Grand Canaria's
15:45famous bass fishing lakes
15:47Keith's down here already
15:49he thinks we're going to catch today
15:51but the forecast is
15:52thunder
15:53hail
15:54possibly some sleet
15:56and maybe some sunshine
15:57mixed in with there as well
15:58I think it's going to be good
16:01famous last words
16:04here we're after the famous black bass
16:07a variety also found in North America
16:10Canada and Mexico
16:11two interesting things about the bass family
16:14they're considered the most intelligent game fish
16:16who learn quickly which baits to avoid
16:19and have a highly sensitive lateral line
16:22which alerts them to threats
16:23they're large and can top 20 pounds
16:26or 10 kilos
16:30I always get so excited on a new lake
16:37Keith has seen some activity on the water
16:39I've already seen five down here
16:41I've been waiting for you
16:42I'm getting edgy waiting for you
16:43have you?
16:44yeah
16:44whereabouts?
16:45right along the bank line
16:46they're attacking
16:47only in about two three foot of water
16:50but I've just seen two good ones come up
16:52around a kilo
16:53I've got to be honest
16:54this mobile hunting
16:56you know
16:57going around all the nooks and crannies
16:58it's absolutely my style
17:00this is full on
17:00as I say
17:01we can get them off the top on a popper
17:02yep
17:03you know
17:03it will be awesome
17:04I mean
17:05they've got big gobsies bass
17:06and when they come up
17:07and swallow your little lure like that
17:08the tap of it
17:09is awesome
17:10yeah
17:10I mean this is
17:11as you say
17:12this is one of my favourites
17:13it's full on
17:14you're walking around the lake
17:15you never know when you're going to get one
17:17yeah
17:17because the attack happens at any time
17:19and that's what the buzz is in this
17:20in the bass fishing for me
17:21that full on
17:22boom
17:23attacking
17:23yeah
17:26oh hello
17:27who's your mate
17:29all right
17:30you're fiddling with the ducks
17:31I'm going to have a fish mate
17:32I'm making pals with the nature
17:37instead of the complicated rigs
17:38we've been using for carp
17:39for bass
17:40it's just a matter of casting
17:42an artificial lure
17:49the weather conditions change rapidly
17:51but I persevere
17:54it only rains on me and you Tom
17:57on his head Tom
17:58go on
18:01keep it coming back
18:02keep it coming back
18:05slowly
18:05oh there you go
18:06we're on
18:06oh it's a little one
18:07wrong size one though
18:08and we're off
18:10wrong one
18:11the one next to it is much bigger
18:14no he was just looking at it
18:15that other one come up
18:16bloody just in front of it
18:17let's get him in here
18:19here we go
18:20well we're off the mark
18:23ha
18:23it's a small fish
18:25but at least we have one
18:28very similar actually
18:30to the perch that I catch in England
18:32so spiky dorsal fin
18:35this is the best bit
18:36nailed it right in the bottom lip
18:39look at this jaw
18:40so from here
18:42he opens his mouth
18:44look how big
18:46that goes
18:47that can engulf something
18:48almost half the size
18:49of his body
18:51I set out to get a black bass
18:53and I've got one
18:54perhaps not quite as large as I would like
18:56but it's a result all the same
18:58now I want his big brother
19:00oh there you go
19:07yes
19:09oh man alive
19:11that's that big
19:12the one that we see next to it
19:15would have been his grandma
19:18another tiddler
19:19not good enough
19:21sorry
19:24with this style of fishing
19:26it's just so visual
19:27what you're trying to do
19:29is imitate
19:30a small fish
19:31or create an aggressive reaction
19:34from the bass
19:35so
19:36all I'm trying to do
19:37with the rod
19:39in fact let me show you
19:43these new lures
19:45you can see how soft they are
19:47made out of sort of jelly material
19:48and this tail at the back
19:50as you pull it through the water
19:52it's called a paddle tail
19:54so it waggles from side to side
19:55and the vibrations
19:56as soon as it goes in
19:58even as it's going on the drop
19:59the paddle tail is going to be working
20:01and then the bass knows straight away
20:03I mean
20:04I've had one hit second cast
20:05if you're in the right area
20:07they're going to hit it straight away
20:11a lot of lure anglers don't do this
20:13but it's a top tip
20:14I actually always got one finger
20:17on the rod
20:18the actual blank
20:18the carbon bit
20:19not just on the cork
20:21or the duplon
20:22because that finger
20:24has got so many nerve endings in it
20:26every tiny little pluck
20:28just everything
20:30you just get this kind of sixth sense
20:31and you can feel everything
20:33through the line
20:34I know there's a big bass in here
20:36I've seen it
20:37I just need to keep moving
20:39if I'm going to catch him
20:46but I don't manage it
20:47yet
20:51I try to get close to the water
20:53but the sides of the lake
20:54are dangerously steep
20:56perhaps I should have brought a climbing harness
21:02eventually I admit defeat
21:04and decide to swap locations
21:08right
21:09we have to leave that
21:10come back for him
21:10yeah that monster
21:11for this afternoon
21:13we know he's here
21:17at least the rain arrives
21:18to cool us down
21:26right
21:27I've tried the deep end
21:29I think it's worth having a shout
21:31up that shallow end
21:33that sun's come up
21:34it's going to warm the water
21:36so we're going to try somewhere else
21:37yeah look at that turtle
21:39look at that
21:39look at that
21:40that's a fish
21:40look at that
21:42oh I've got it
21:43that's massive
21:44that's got to be a carp
21:45that's got to be a carp
21:45isn't it
21:46just gone down
21:47good in here
21:47oh yeah
21:48just come up on the top there
21:49oh yes
21:50it's like a zoo down there
21:51it is
21:54this is awesome
21:56I mean look at this landscape
21:58behind me
22:00it's just epic
22:01it's like we're in the middle
22:02of like some
22:04biblical movie
22:05or something
22:08getting down to the water
22:10isn't quite as simple
22:11as it looks
22:11but we do make it
22:13without injury
22:13and I'm hoping
22:14there's a larger bass
22:15hiding out here
22:26now this is
22:28grand canaria fishing
22:30it's cooking hot now
22:53there's actually not many species of fish in here
22:55so these guys are going to be cannibalistic
22:59so I'm actually trying to imitate
23:00a small one
23:07even the small ones
23:10look at that
23:17I do my best to keep moving
23:19bass are wily fish
23:21that quickly assess threats
23:27but then it starts raining
23:29again
23:30we've probably managed
23:31five minutes of fishing
23:33rain's come down
23:34and all the fish that were on the surface
23:36have gone down again
23:39just our luck
23:45Keith is dressed literally
23:47for a walk in the park
23:48and bottles out of getting in the water
23:50I'm obviously made of tougher stuff
23:52and as the rain increases
23:54I decide to chance it on the mud bank
23:56it could all go horribly wrong
24:05right last cast
24:14yes
24:15get in there
24:19I would come and net it for you
24:21but
24:22you're a little bit too far away from me
24:28right
24:31well in that man
24:34perseverance
24:36oh my god
24:37the things I do to catch a fish
24:40so big mouth
24:42big eye
24:43and razor sharp gills
24:46and he's got me once already
24:53one of the many advantages
24:55to having a guide
24:56who knows this turf
24:57is having access to places
24:59you wouldn't come across otherwise
25:00like a cave
25:02which is an ideal shelter
25:04oh
25:05oh look at that
25:11oh mate
25:13I am absolutely soaked through
25:19well I think when this clears up
25:21I'm keen to get up onto that top lake
25:25the weather clears
25:26and it's time to move on
25:27there's another lake a bit higher up
25:29which is worth a try
25:44now we've been using artificial lures so far
25:47to catch the bass
25:48but
25:48there's never going to be a better bait
25:51than a natural one
25:53and in this long grass here
25:54we've seen some grasshoppers
25:55now it's just pure luck
25:57I have a very technical piece of equipment
26:00for catching grasshoppers
26:02it's called Keith
26:04and a net
26:05and a net
26:06right come on then
26:07there's a good method
26:08there's
26:09there's a net
26:10oh
26:11see that's what I spotted
26:12alright let's get him
26:13got him
26:13I was expecting to catch some grasshoppers
26:16it's sort of a grasshopper
26:17it's like it's halfway between a grasshopper
26:19and a stick insect
26:19it's flying
26:21it's got wings
26:24bait
26:25dinner
26:33well er
26:35that didn't go too well
26:36we've managed three though
26:38although
26:39one of them
26:40isn't exactly a grasshopper
26:41it's
26:42looks like it's something from a different planet
26:48right
26:48come on then
26:49let's chance our luck
26:50yep
26:51grasshopper fishing
26:55deciding to be uber scientific about all this
26:58we've put my theory to the test
27:00Keith will use grasshoppers
27:02or whatever they are
27:03and I will stick with the artificial lures
27:07grasshopper challenge
27:08you're on
27:09well the first hour proves somewhat inconclusive
27:13largely because neither of us actually catch a fish
27:16not that it seems to bother Keith
27:18who doesn't seem to be taking this terribly seriously
27:25then
27:25confounding my theory that natural baits will be better
27:28it's my artificial lure that draws first blood
27:31not that I'm complaining
27:33it feels like an absolute monster
27:37oh it's gone solid
27:39no it hasn't
27:40oh it's a good one
27:43oh my god
27:46but Keith knows
27:48something I don't
27:56is that you?
27:57you got one
28:00it's a real good one
28:02oh mate
28:03I thought I had a proper one on there
28:05I wondered why you were being quiet
28:06I thought bloody I've got one
28:08it's at least 66 kilos
28:14I had a fun of fishing though
28:25oh yes here we go
28:28oh yes we're on already
28:30yeah it's a bass
28:31I'm up
28:33ah he's throwing the hook
28:35bugger
28:37oh second cast though
28:38that was exciting
28:39now those familiar with 20th century Spanish history
28:43will tell you all about General Franco
28:45a rather unsavoury fascist dictator
28:48who came to power in the 30s
28:50he wasn't very popular
28:51but he did like fishing
28:53and he was responsible for introducing bass to Spain
28:56look at the size of the tail
28:59okay that's how they can swim
29:01they're so powerful
29:02so they swim so quickly
29:04now in this lake they go to
29:07four, five, six times the size of this
29:10really want to latch in
29:13love ya
29:14love ya
29:15there you go
29:16you've earned your freedom
29:22oh tickle tickle
29:23it's like electricity
29:25I can feel it through the rod
29:27using this braid
29:28there's zero stretch in this braid
29:30and you can feel everything
29:33we fall into a pattern of moving
29:35fishing
29:36and I do score a couple more bass
29:38but whether it's me
29:39or the weather
29:40or just a bit of bad luck
29:41I don't manage a big one
29:44and I head back to the first lake
29:57those small ones seem pretty easy to catch
30:00I've had quite a few now
30:04these big ones have proven elusive
30:08right now is the perfect time of day
30:11that light has just come down
30:14there's hardly a breath of wind
30:16it feels good
30:17it feels fishy
30:25still nothing
30:26it looks like the sun is falling
30:28so I have to call it
30:32it's been a good day
30:33it's been brilliant
30:37what a day
30:38that was an absolute adventure
30:41I've been off the back of that storm yesterday
30:43we've been in the wind
30:45in the rain
30:45in the sunshine
30:46been in the caves
30:47been in the mud
30:48but despite the conditions
30:50we caught a few
30:51and for me
30:52that's an absolute result
30:54Keith wait for me
30:56coming in
31:01it's day four
31:02and the conditions up on Lake Shearer
31:04aren't great
31:05and Keith has disappeared
31:06to buy a new pair of trainers
31:07with time to myself
31:09I've decided to head down to the coast
31:11I won't grab a mirror carp
31:12or a bass
31:13but that's okay
31:14I just want to see what's in there
31:19haha lizard fish
31:22if you have a look at his face
31:24looks just like a reptile
31:26one third lizard
31:28one third sort of regular fish
31:30and sort of one third snake
31:37right let's pop him back
31:44now rather aptly
31:46that little lizard fish
31:47brings me on to one of the other targets
31:49I've set myself
31:50the California kingsnake
31:52that might seem a bit random
31:54but bear with me
31:55the key to finding the snake
31:57is its food source
31:58there's a local lizard
31:59that lives in this fantastic landscape
32:01and I was hoping to catch sight of one
32:05for me
32:06being able to go fishing
32:08is about much more
32:09than just catching fish
32:10it's about being able to interact
32:11with the environment
32:12and see other bits of wildlife
32:14and this lizard
32:15should be
32:16all over this landscape
32:18in fact I've heard stories
32:19of anglers saying
32:20that they're quite cheeky little things
32:22they come up
32:22and they steal your bait
32:23and they're quite good fun
32:25I can't find a single one here
32:29one place on the island though
32:31that I'm guaranteed to find one
32:33is at Palmetas Zoological Park
32:41these lizards
32:42have a massive sense of irony
32:45they've actually hopped the fence
32:47to get inside the zoological park
32:49most animals are trying to get out
32:51this is Ayose
32:52who's the park's vet
32:54so there's good sized ones here
32:55but how big can they get?
32:57they can get 80 cm long
33:00with the tail?
33:01with the tail
33:02so that's
33:04yeah something like this
33:05that's big
33:06and one kilogram weight
33:07wow
33:08now the snake that's eating
33:10these beautiful little creatures
33:12is the Californian kingsnake
33:14originally brought over here as a pet
33:16but which has subsequently escaped
33:18into the wild
33:18and multiplied
33:21this species of lizard
33:22is endemic to this island
33:24you can't find it anywhere else
33:25so if you lost this species
33:27due to the kingsnake
33:28that means gone completely
33:31I can't leave the island
33:33without at least seeing one of these snakes
33:35can I?
33:36but how?
33:37well I've joined Ramon and Rafa
33:39part of the team
33:40dedicated to keeping this snake issue under control
33:43at a nearby house
33:44they've managed to trap two of them
33:46the first is an albino
33:48they're constrictors
33:49so not dangerous to humans
33:51and it was this mutated albino version of the snake
33:53that were first kept as pets
33:55but once they'd escaped and started to breed
33:57they've reverted back to their original camouflage form
34:00which is what we found in the other trap
34:02wow
34:03yes
34:03so same species
34:05yes
34:05it's the same species
34:06alright ready?
34:08alright
34:08here we go
34:10to gain a better understanding of the snake's behaviour
34:13they've installed a microchip into one of them
34:16and released it back into the wild
34:17so they can track its movements
34:19alright
34:19so we've got the opportunity to actually see one of these snakes in the wild
34:23but we've got to find it first
34:26it was this part of the process that I've been desperate to see
34:31in many ways it appeals to the same part of me that likes catching fish
34:35there's something almost primeval about pitting your wits against nature
34:40this is pretty cool
34:44oh look at
34:45look at
34:47look at Tom
34:4919
34:5119
34:51ah so it's come down to we're closer now
34:54we're much closer
34:54you think
34:55I look at 18
34:58yep
35:00with the aid of two tracking devices
35:02we're able to gradually hone in on our quarry
35:0640 so we're in the right direction
35:09snake hunting
35:10we've got the trackers down too
35:14definitely in this area somewhere
35:17and apparently he's a big boy
35:19what's his name?
35:20Anton
35:21Anton
35:22they called him Anton
35:23it's funny because anglers also like to name fish
35:27but he's about a metre long
35:29and he's striped
35:31so but they can be hiding under rocks and in the bushes
35:37Anton
35:43come on
35:44Anton
35:51oh yeah it's a strong signal under here
36:07aha found him
36:09yes he's right here
36:10yes
36:12yeah look
36:14look
36:14look
36:17yes
36:18found him
36:19he he
36:20he he
36:22it is warm
36:23oh wow
36:26oh he is a big boy
36:28hello
36:29welcome
36:30Anton
36:31now we've found him and marked his location
36:33it's time to put him back
36:38thank you very much for saying hello
36:40it's time for you to go back under a rock
36:44so far on Gran Canaria I've had a carp but not the species I wanted
36:48I've had a bass but not a biggie
36:51and I've had face time with an American snake
36:53tomorrow on my last day I'm going to have a final go at landing a mirror carp
36:58that is so celebrated locally
37:03day five morning and the conditions look pretty good
37:09yes
37:10we're back at Shearer
37:12because
37:14I'm desperate to catch one of these fully scaled mirror carp
37:18so I've managed to convince these two
37:20come on one last shot
37:23um
37:25and they said all right weather's got better
37:29in fact the weather's got much better
37:32had a good few days of sun the water's warmed up
37:35however it's warmed up so much at this time of year
37:40there's actually been a little bit of spawning activity
37:43which is not ideal for fishing
37:46but as long as they're not in full
37:49spawning mode
37:50we will be all right
37:53I get to the water
37:55it's not great news
37:57oh there you go look
37:58spawning
38:0350 yards ago
38:04I was feeling good
38:06we've got down to the edge
38:07and they are crashing and spawning
38:10all the way in that shallow water
38:12all the way along the edge
38:14look they're even down right in front of us down here
38:20might still be in with a chance
38:23but typically when they start doing this
38:25they're not on the feed
38:28at least we'll be able to see them up close though
38:30come on
38:33if I need to stay later into the evening
38:35we have bivvies for shelter
38:37these are our little homes
38:39for the next day or so
38:43and Nick has very kindly
38:45set them all up for us
38:47so we can just hit the ground running
38:48and start fishing
38:57I only need one
38:58that's what I always tell myself
38:59you only need one
39:01well today
39:02just a total different scenario
39:03from our last one
39:04yeah
39:05it's another challenge to face us now
39:07look we've had wind
39:08we've had rain
39:08we've had snow
39:09we've caught one
39:11colour's gone better
39:13but we've got fish spawning
39:15it's scent to test us
39:16but that's fishing for us
39:17you know
39:18I'm still quietly confident
39:19we're near one of the day
39:20are you
39:20yeah I am quietly confident
39:21look at that
39:22look
39:24and on that far bank
39:26they seem to be up
39:27into this bit up here
39:28look at that
39:29oh for this guy
39:30I'm around three of them
39:31that is amazing
39:38what a sight
39:41it's not ideal for the fishing
39:42but I tell you what
39:43it's just so exciting
39:45to be able to see them
39:46so close
39:48so I've finally laid my eyes
39:50on a fully scaled shearer mirror carp
39:52and this morning
39:53they just couldn't care less
39:55you could virtually walk across them
39:59it's brilliant to see though
40:01so these carp are laying
40:02the females lay eggs
40:03and then the males come over the top
40:05and there's so much activity
40:06because the males
40:07it's what's called milt
40:08they're putting their milt
40:09over the top of the eggs
40:12there'll be thousands of them
40:13and they'll hatch
40:14in a relatively short space of time
40:16within the next few weeks
40:17and they'll be tiny
40:18but it's just a numbers game
40:20lots will be lost to birds
40:22and other predators
40:22the bass that are in here
40:24will eat quite a few of them
40:25but I would imagine
40:27this is a good healthy lake
40:29a lot of these guys
40:29are going to survive
40:32it's great to watch
40:33they're all along this bank
40:37I'm desperate to make the day count
40:39so I get proactive
40:40the best fishing area
40:42is away from the spawning
40:43and the smart way
40:44of getting a bait
40:45into the water accurately
40:46is to do it from a boat
40:48he's running backwards
40:49he certainly is
40:50he's got a little bit of a wind
40:51against him though
40:52bless him at the moment
40:54it's not a short distance
40:55he's just had to go over there
40:57he's only got five more to do
41:01he's got to be on the mark now
41:03hasn't he surely
41:09Dan
41:11there you go
41:12a bit of bait over the top
41:13not too much
41:13that's it
41:14a couple of animals
41:16that's all we need
41:18we've definitely got it
41:19against us
41:19with the
41:20with the spawning
41:21fish have definitely
41:22got other things
41:23on their mind
41:25numero uno
41:38I'm not sure why
41:39it's me that gets
41:40all the hard work
41:41while my guides
41:41are taking it easy
41:42from the shore
41:43I think he thinks
41:44he's down the
41:46what do they call it
41:46venice
41:47you know
41:47in one of them punts
41:48on a gondola
41:49with his girlfriend
41:50nothing
41:54I do this for six rods
41:56and make sure
41:57each area
41:57is full of bait
41:58it's tiring work
42:00but it will give me
42:01the best chance
42:02of catching
42:05the magic hour
42:06is often
42:07just as the sun
42:08goes down
42:08and if we need to
42:09we're going to
42:10stay into dark
42:11all I want
42:12is one bite
42:15what's our chances
42:16of Nick
42:16it would have
42:18been slim
42:18throughout the day
42:19because of
42:19obviously the spawning
42:20I'm hoping
42:21as the sun
42:21starts dropping
42:24we might have
42:25half a chance
42:25you think
42:26we've seen more
42:27today than we
42:28would realistically
42:29catch
42:29oh yeah
42:30so when you're
42:31kind of looking
42:32on the flip side
42:32of the coin
42:34instead of seeing
42:35them on the bank
42:35we've seen them
42:36in the water
42:37I'd rather be
42:38holding one
42:39for a photo
42:39though
42:39to be honest
42:40with you
42:44the evening
42:45passes
42:46but we've
42:47finally managed
42:47some action
42:48at 11pm
42:50are we on
42:51if he's grating
42:52is he grating
42:54if he's grating
42:55we need to get
42:55out of the boat
42:59are we clear
43:00I'm on
43:01keep that rod up
43:02I think it's clear
43:03now
43:03just keep it up
43:04if you think
43:04he's clear
43:07yeah I think
43:08we're clear
43:08now
43:08I'm going to
43:09take it steady
43:09yeah
43:10just keep your
43:11pace coming
43:11because
43:12the main thing
43:12is just keep
43:13that rod up
43:13in the air
43:14watch the clutch
43:14oh this is
43:16absolute
43:17last chance
43:18saloon
43:20oh man
43:22something feels
43:22really horrible
43:23dot com
43:25it's coming
43:26towards me now
43:28hang on
43:29it might have
43:30come off
43:34I've got a feeling
43:35it's come off
43:36yeah
43:40yeah it's come off
43:41oh no way
43:44we ain't popped it
43:47snagged and off
43:48yeah
43:49there was something
43:50odd with that
43:51as soon as I hit it
43:52it was like grating
43:53there wasn't a rock
43:54it felt like line
43:57well
44:01that's fishing for you
44:04and it being
44:05a little pitch black
44:06and all
44:06we can't see
44:07what's happening
44:08not the greatest
44:09at pick up
44:15how long have we
44:16waited
44:16got me 10 hours
44:17waiting for a bite
44:18a lot of bleep
44:20all day long
44:24oh I feel sick
44:26it's horrible
44:28it's a massive
44:29disappointment
44:30first I lose the fish
44:32and now I've got to
44:33get in the boat
44:33in the pitch black
44:34to go and free the line
44:50I think that's it
44:51we're going to call it
44:51a night on me
44:52yeah
44:53didn't quite happen
44:54oh finishing on a low
44:56I hate that though
44:57the one that got away
44:59and that's what makes
45:00you come back
45:01just for that
45:02one that got away
45:03what was it
45:03how big was it
45:04what did it look like
45:05I was just dreaming
45:07of a fully scaled mirror
45:08straight away
45:09I thought you was
45:10going to get your wish
45:11of the faulty panda
45:12that you wanted from
45:13it was a nice fish
45:14and all
45:14the boat was over
45:15yeah
45:17if
45:17buts
45:18and maybes
45:19so would you come back
45:21then Tom
45:22mate
45:22I've got to come back
45:23I came here
45:25specifically wanting
45:26to catch one of those
45:27beautiful fully scaled
45:28mirrors
45:29and it hasn't happened
45:30so we've had it hard
45:31today
45:31we have
45:32we have
45:33spawning fish
45:34we've had to avoid them
45:35you know
45:36that's fishing
45:36right
45:37that's what makes you come back
45:38yeah
45:39I think it's been a good trip
45:40been unlucky
45:41we've had some good fishing
45:42good fun
45:42and that's what fishing's about
45:44no it's been great
45:45it's not all about the catching
45:46it's about the fun
45:47and the taking part
45:48and having a good time with friends
45:50yeah we've had a good time
45:51you know
45:52right come on then
45:53let's pack this kit up
45:54until next time then
45:55yeah
45:55hasta luego
45:56until next time
45:58get these rods on
45:59this island
46:00has been intoxicating
46:02I came here
46:03for the stunning
46:03but rare
46:04mirror carp
46:05and was rewarded
46:06for the common carp
46:07still a beautiful fish
46:08I wanted a black bass
46:09and although I didn't
46:10break any size records
46:11it was great fishing
46:12and I even clapped eyes
46:14on a rare snake
46:15how can this trip
46:16be anything
46:17other than a success
46:18I've also developed
46:20a deep affection
46:21for Gran Canaria
46:22and I'm sure
46:23I'll be