Nigel Sharp's Bucket List

1 Beat my mirror PB

“Having caught a 52lb common from the UK I’d like to catch a mirror carp of similar proportions. Since way back in 1996 when I caught The North Lake’s Bazil at 46lb 10oz, my PB for a mirror hasn’t changed; the only fish that has come close and rocked this was The Royal 40 in 2007 which weighed in at exactly the same weight so I think it high time I upped it. This is not to say I’d be disappointed with an upper-forty PB because I wouldn’t but in this day and age where there are far more 50lb carp about, that’s what I tend to fish for so a mirror of 50lb+ is definitely a target of mine.”

2 To catch a big fish on a Zig Rig

“Having caught fish in excess of forty-pounds from the top and the bottom I’d love to catch one on a Zig Rig. By doing this, I’d be able to claim catching them from the top, middle and bottom which would add to my carp fishing CV of being a jack-of-all-trades and a master of none.”

3 To catch a brace of forties

“Over the years I’ve caught more than my fair share of big fish which includes a good line-up of forties. Being as I tend to target singular fish, catching a brace of forties is a bit of a long shot because the waters I fish normally only hold one or two at a push. To achieve this, I know I could get a ticket for waters like the local to me, Wellington Country Park which holds loads of fish around this weight but those kind of waters aren’t what I’m about at the moment. Maybe one day but in the mean time I’ll just hang on in the hope it happens on the lesser stocked waters and keep thinking nothing’s impossible.”

4 To catch a 4lb perch

Aside from carp fishing I like to have the occasional dabble for other species and one of these is the perch. Although I don’t do a great deal of perch fishing I’ve been lucky enough to catch a few three-pounders so the obvious next bracket is the mighty four-pound barrier. As always, once that’s achieved I’ll set my sights higher but for the time being a four would be very nice.”

5 Double figure barbel

Pretty much for the same reason as the last, I’d like to up my barbel PB from just under 13lbs to nearer the mid double-figure bracket. Like any specimen fishing these things can take time so at 44-years young I’m not ready to roll over just yet and I’ll be making a conscious effort to achieve this goal. The only problem I think I’ll have is the fact that a lot of the stretches close to my Surrey home are akin to the carp waters and have received a lot of pressure from good anglers over the years so I might have my work cut out with this one.”

6 A huge pike

“Another predator I’d like to catch by design at a large weight would be a pike. Unfortunately for me and those of you that read my book will know that the largest of these that I’ve caught was nailed on a Choddy. Yes, at 26lb 10oz it was an amazing fish but really in my heart of hearts I know it doesn’t count so that needs rectifying before I throw my legs in the air. Again, specimens of that sort of size are few and far between these days so just finding one to angle for could well be a challenge in itself.”

7 Double figure tench and bream

“Like the pike story, these are both fish I’ve caught whilst carp fishing but I’ve not broken the 10lb barrier whilst targeting them properly. I’m not so sure about the bream one but being as I used to do a lot of tench fishing in my younger days I’d love to catch a big one. There’s just something so magical and stunning about a really big tench. I know for a fact that one day I’ll be getting back on their trail so it’ll happen I’m sure - fingers crossed, eh.”

8 Own my own water

“This is obviously a long shot but being as I’ve owned a fish tank and bailiffed waters that I’ve been passionate about I’d love to own a lake. This to me is a dream most anglers have and many a time it’s been the subject of an evening’s conversation. Maybe one day, eh but I’ll have to sell a few more books or win the lottery to achieve this one.”

9 Start my own business in the angling trade

“Having worked in the trade for over a decade I’ve met, and in some cases, befriended some of the most successful men in the angling business. When I’ve asked them how they’ve done as well as they’ve done, they all pretty much sung from the same hymn sheet and it boils down to a lot of hard work and passion. Obviously I’ll never say I like hard work but I love fishing and everything to do with it so maybe one day I’ll slow down on the fishing and drag that book of ideas out from under the bed and go for it like the others did. I’m getting excited just thinking about it...”

10 Master the art of catching big carp abroad

“For some reason or another when outside of the UK I just can’t catch those big ‘uns. Why this is I don’t know, but it’s not for the lack of trying or fishing the right waters because I have. It just seems that if there are a few small fish in a lake I’ll be catching them. So hopefully one day this will all change and them big ‘uns will come like buses.”

11 Find another challenge like the Burghfield Common

“Although in my opinion the Burghfield Common was, and still is, the ultimate prize in modern-day carp fishing and having been there, done that, wrote the book, made the film and worn the T-Shirt I’d love to find another Burghfield for all that goes with it. I had to learn what I could about that 100-acres maze on my own and what a challenge it was right from square one to the date of the capture. Strangely enough I enjoyed every minute of the five-year quest because it was all about man vs. carp and not all the other glory hunting, inflated ego crap that happens on some waters these days. Basically pure fishing so give me some more of that carp Gods.”

12 Come up with a 'must-have'

“To develop an affordable product that would be a must-have for every angler and outdoor person. If this was achievable I could say the, “this time next year Rodney we’ll be millionaires” line. Basically this doesn’t take much explaining but the sooner I come up with this idea, patent it, produce and bring it to market the better so definitely an ambition. Can you hear the cogs ticking, eh?”