Celebrity Fishing Interview - Andrew Hart says "fish light for fun"

Exclusive FishMax Interview

Andrew Hart's enjoying the Eight Series of HL&S

Andrew Hart, one half of the terrific Hook, Line & Sinker  team for over 10 years, shares a few minutes with us to answer our questions and share his views of some of the best fishing spots in Australia . Andrew and his co-presenter Nick Duigan, are  currently on their eighth season  of Hook, Line and Sinker.

FM: What’s your earliest fishing memory?
AH: From a very young age I had an older cousin who used to take me fishing, so my first memory was with him while on holiday on the Gold Coast. I can remember catching a little bream on a handline.

FM: Where is your favourite fishing spot?
AH: My home state of Tasmania! We are lucky in that we get to fish right around the country and have come across some of most mind blowing fishing in some of the most spectacular and remote places. But, Tassie tops the list for me. The Central Highlands for fly fishing for trout, the East Coast estuaries for huge bream and then offshore for tuna and striped trumpeter. And the best part – it’s never busy! Just don’t come in winter!

FM: Your best fishing story?
AH: My wife wanted to catch a marlin so we went to Cairns and I talked a mate into taking us out for a night. She got her fish in the first afternoon, a nice Black of about 200 pounds. The next morning it was my turn and after an epic 2 hour fight on 37kg, we somehow got a look at the biggest fish I’ve ever seen. Not prepared to say how big, but bloody big. The worst part – no cameraman to make an episode of HLS. I fear that a fish that size will be very hard to catch on camera!

FM: Favourite fish recipe (either describe the dish or give the recipe if you prefer)?
AH:Very spoilt living on the East Coast of Tasmania to eat plenty of Abalone and Crayfish – but favourite would be crumbed flathead or striped trumpeter. Use Panko crumbs and add a bit of parmesan.

FM: What’s the biggest fish you’ve caught?
AH: The marlin mentioned earlier. Let’s say she was 950 pounds.

FM: How often do you go fishing?
AH: When making the show (around 6 months of the year) we go fishing usually every second week to somewhere in Australia. But I’m lucky I have a fishing mad wife, so I guess I get out at least once a week.

FM: Where is the most exotic place you’ve been fishing?
AH: Recently did a fishing/filming trip to a little place called the Kimberley… Wow! It was our first visit and you can believe the hype. Barra, Jacks, Queenies, GT’s, Jewies, Fingermark – and heaps of other hard pulling fish. We visited Kimberley Coastal Camp in the Admiralty Gulf. Will definitely be back!

FM: Do you have a fishing tip you’re willing to share?
AH: Fish as light as you possibly can. Lighter line, lighter leader, lighter sinker/jig head and smaller hooks will all result in many, many more bites. Then the fun starts, trying to catch a big fish on light line!

Nick and Andrew show us what it's all about!

You can catch the eighth season of Hook, Line and Sinker with Andrew Hart and Nick Duigan, on 7Mate at 5pm on Saturdays.

Words: Stevo Perry Pics: Hook, Line & Sinker