Josh Pickett

  2023 was the year of trying new techniques! I kicked off the year quite late (March) with a little carp fishing, followed by targeting the catfish. Then in June, my fishing mates started getting back into their kayaking, so I borrowed a colleagues kayak to test the water, and got hooked! Ended up buying my own for the next session; a great introduction to sea fishing, but catching some unusual species on my first outing, ended up introducing me to light rock fishing in September — which would go on to dominate the rest of my fishing this year. All photos/icons are my own catches

    A review for the crowdfunded British fish documentary, directed by Jack Perks and narrated by Jeremy Wade. As seen in Practical Fishkeeping Magazine , December 2023. Buy the issue here .    

The event was filmed by Andy Ford, which you can watch here .   The Cornish Lure Festival 2023, was my first fishing competition, and there were three categories; Bass, Wrasse, and the one I took part in, Species. The Species category came in multiple events, the first being a species race at Mevagissey (which I only caught the very end of due to being at work). The second was 90 minutes of fishing unscented lures only into darkness. The main event, we were split into three groups, where we had to rotate around 3 zones (B, C & D), and eventually we would all gather at zone A in the evening for the final leg. This was less of a species hunt, as your points were earned by length of fish, with bonus points if it's a new species, and the biggest caught. Between the events, you were allowed to go off on your own and add to the species tally, which I ended up having little time for. A = Prince of Wales Pier , B = Fish Strand Quay , C = Custom House Quay , D = Tesco Forte Marker ...

    A Polypteridae feature by Joshua Pickett in the new book Freshwater Fishes of Cameroon by Michel Keijman, launched in October 2023. The book, also contains contributions from The Bichir Handbook collaborator Zuzana Musilová, provides a comprehensive overview of a large number of freshwater fishes found in Cameroon. It contains more than 200 pages on cichlids alone, but it will also showcase and cover Mormyrids, all the Killis from Cameroon and many more fish genera. Furthermore, there will also be a chapter dealing with aquatic plants.  *Be aware, images of Polypterus delhezi were mistakenly used by the book's author for P. endlicherii.    

    "Just as electrical as their order is ancient, Josh Pickett reminds us how peculiar this obsidian Jurassic Spark really is." As seen in Practical Fishkeeping Magazine , September 2023. Read the full article here .    

    "Josh Pickett, author of the acclaimed Bichir Handbook introduces a whole medley of care tips, facts, and trivia that you should know before taking on these prehistoric-looking fish." As seen in Practical Fishkeeping Magazine , July 2023. Read the full article here .    

    "Long term lungfish keeper Josh Pickett leads the way explaining just how much character these air breathing lumps have." As seen in Practical Fishkeeping Magazine , June 2023. Read the full article here .    

While 2022 was far from a yearly species hunt, it marked a renewed interest in angling. I had shattered my clavicle in a cycling accident late the previous Summer, so had spent weeks awaiting surgery, with nothing to do but obsess over specimen carp fishing. I used to do a lot of day ticket angling on just one complex, now I wanted to branch out! I refreshed my tackle box, bought a bivvy and bedchair, and was ready to get out in the new year, once I was recovered. All photos/icons are my own catches #1a - European/King [Mirror] Carp (Cyprinus carpio var.“Specularis”) PB For the longest time, my personal best was 14lb, something I was content with, as it matched my dad's PB, but I had been craving a 20lb carp. The venue I always fished no longer produces carp of this size, so I decide to try out a little known private lake. The anglers I spoke to said it's a difficult lake to jump onto, having taken them two or three sessions before they've been able to land a fish. Eventua...