Name: Meik Pyka

A ge: 30

Family situation: I have a girlfriend of seven years

Years carping: 15

PB mirror: 29.5kg mirror (Big Scale), Lac de St Cassien, France
PB common: 23kg

Most memorable capture: It was back in 2002. I was going to fish on Lac du Der Chanteqoc with a friend for a three-nighter. We minimized our tackle completely and only took one boat. In the middle of the night we arrived. For a long time we just stood close to the church and observed the miles of surface water. The strong wind made the surface reflect the full moon like a sky of stars. The moon, it was talking to me: “Go where the wind blows Meik, go to Camee!” A three kilometre drive through the forest and we arrived at our swim. In the morning, at 3am, I rowed out my rods against the wind. Just 30 minutes later I had a run and was in! My friend and I were in the boat in a second and he rowed me to the fish. At least, he tried to as he is kind of heavy and water was coming in steadily! The boat was soon half full with water and there was no chance other than we had to row back to the bank. From there I then had to get the fish through the tree stumps. I was lucky and to the net came the most beautiful linear I have ever seen: immaculate and longer than one meter! It was one of the greatest fish I have ever caught!

Favourite venue: Lac de St Cassien, Bin el Ouidane and other waters bigger than 500 hectares because there I can smell them…

Most memorable carp fishing experience: I have a dog called Berry, a Labrador. When it was three he hated water. Whatever I did, he wouldn’t touch it (not good for an angler’s dog). One day I was enjoying the sun at Cassien when I saw Berry playing with another angler sitting around the corner. He was a nice lad from Britain and they were playing all day. At the end of the day, Berry and the guy were swimming all over Cassien and ever since he’s loved water!

Venues you'd like to fish: I love travelling. I would like to see more of the world and destinations in Europe I’d like to see are: The Orient, Lago di Endine and Lac de Madine.

Normal length for a session: Two nights.

Angling CV: I had the luck to be extraordinary successful on Cassien in the 1990s and came into contact with some sponsorship from Pelzer Baits. For a few years now I have worked on baits together with my friend Sebastian Rozwadowski under the brand name of Black Label Baits. I am very much looking forward to a good cooperation with Venture, which in my opinion is the best quality tackle on the market!

Angling icons: I never really had one, but a few of the big names have inspired me.

Likes outside of angling: I don’t really have any!

All time dream girl: My girlfriend of course! Oh, and Drew Barrymore soon after her!

Dislikes: Envious people and liars.

Unfulfilled angling ambitions: To catch a 30kg-plus from a big water.