NAME: Rene Hawkins

AGE: 41

STARSIGN: Virgo

FAMILY SITUATION: Married with 3 children

YEARS CARPING: 25 years or more

PERSONAL BEST MIRROR: 57lb 4oz from Lac de St Cassien during the summer of 2003.

PERSONAL BEST COMMON: 57lb 8oz from Lake Raduta, Romania, during 2003.

MOST MEMORABLE CAPTURE: My first fifty-plus at Raduta which came during my first ever trip to the lake in October 2001. I knew that day I would have something big!
 
MOST MEMORABLE ANGLING MOMENT: Catching a 46lb and a 55lb 5oz within 4-hours of each other from Lake Raduta.
 
FAVOURITE VENUE: This is a tough one to call, but it would be very close between Lake Raduta in 2001 -2004 and Cassien. However, I’d say that Raduta just pips it!

VENUES YOU’D LIKE TO FISH: Italian lakes and anywhere that holds a challenge.

FAVOURITE VENTURE PRODUCT: I am excited about all of them especially the limited edition rods. They look good, feel great, and basically are the nuts!
 
WHO ARE YOUR ANGLING ICONS: Martin Locke is the main man for me, a lovely bloke who’s caught some superb carp all around the world. Then next it would have to be the legendary Steve Briggs, who not only has caught more big carp than I could count, he’s also a very NICE bloke!

ANGLING CV: Was a member of the England team to fish in the 2001 World Carp Cup in Romania. I partnered Chris Woodrow and came in 13th overall.

FAVOURITE TV PROGRAMMES: Match of the day (football programme), Crimewatch UK and coverage of any major golf tournament.

FAVOURITE MUSIC: I like a wide range of music, especially Northern Soul, Mowtown, Paul Weller and Nirvana

WHAT MAGAZINES AND PAPERS DO YOU READ: The Sun/Times and Golf Punk, Scootering mags, and sometimes I pick up Carp-Talk for a browse.

DO YOU LIKE SPORT: Most sport interests me, especially golf, football, and boxing.

ALL TIME DREAM GIRL: Catherine Zeta-Jones and any women that ride horses!
 
PEOPLE YOU ADMIRE: Richard Branson, Jack Nicholas and anyone who exceeds in adversity.

LIKES OUTSIDE OF ANGLING: My family and living life to the full.
 
DISLIKES: Arrogance and laziness
 
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOURSELF: Hard Working, focused and considerate (to some!).