Ed Matthews is one of predator fishing's brightest young stars, catching 
numerous big pike, perch, zander and eels in recent times. He's also a renowned big carp specialist and general all-round angler. With such an impressive big fish list at such a young age, he's one of the most exciting specimen hunters around.
"Some of my earliest angling experiences are from when I was a young lad fishing with family members on local lakes and family holidays. I soon became hooked and every spare minute was spent either thinking about fishing or sorting my tackle out for my next fishing trip where I would attach my rods to my bike and cycle down to the lake. After a chance encounter with a carp weighing 12lb and experiencing what was at the time the biggest fish, I'd hooked and landed my interest got drawn towards trying to catch more decent sized carp with a bit of pike fishing in the winter. After school, I decided I wanted to pursue my pastime in angling as a career so I studied Fisheries Management at Rodbaston College for three years. In 2006 I entered the World Carp Classic held on Lac de Orient in France. I won the biggest fish competition with the capture of a 51lb12oz mirror carp which also won us the team event, an achievement I am very proud of. After a few years chasing carp my focus changed to trying and catch specimen fish of any species.
Most of my fishing time is spent on venues close to home with the exceptions of the odd trip to France carp fishing or travelling to trout reservoirs in search of monster pike and Zander. I like the thought of fishing venues where there is still some mystery and the next bite could be the fish of your dreams!
My favourite River is the Severn, fishing for Zander in search of the next British record! My best Zander so far is a specimen of 18lb 1oz. I also have fond memories of Barbel fishing on the lower River Teme catching Barbel to 12lb 8oz on a number of different methods. My Eel fishing has taken me to a variety of different venues from small farm ponds to large reservoirs, they are a species which I find intriguing and have a great deal of respect for, I have been fortunate enough to catch Eels up to 7lb2oz.
In 2011 I caught the fish of a lifetime when I banked a personal best pike of 42lb 4oz, a fish which is still sinking in today. I spend a large part of my angling time amongst friends, talking fishing on the bank and sharing in the moment of catching fish together, some of my fondest angling memories are from seeing my mates land great fish. I enjoy being in the countryside and fish all year round watching the seasons change and fishing for different species accordingly.