40lb's, tactics, & the life of a sponsored angler.

Let’s start with an intro.

I’m Luke Meehan, 43, from Essex. I’m a sponsored angler and I’d define myself as an all-round ADHD angler, never sitting still, always tinkering, always convinced the next cast is “the one.” Away from the rods, I tried going self-employed and starting my own business… let’s just say it nearly aged me 20 years in six months! Fair play to those who can handle it, but the ups and downs were harder to ride than a double run in the middle of the night. Lesson learned… I’ll stick to chasing carp, it’s stressful enough on its own!

How’s this season's fishing going?

This summer, I’ve pretty much lived on a quiet syndicate in Essex. I have been on a serious mission trying to track down the queen of the lake. I spent weeks chasing her around this summer, and it hasn’t been easy. If I am honest, it’s had me questioning everything when it comes to my angling. That said, it’s all been worthwhile as she slipped up a few weeks back. The buzz from that capture made all the blanks, late nights, and dodgy bankside meals worth it.

 Any lessons learnt this season?

One thing I’ve learned is simple: be yourself. Not everyone’s going to like you, your fishing, or your style, and that’s fine. Don’t fish to impress anyone else, do it for you. And don’t overcomplicate things either. I used to spend hours overthinking rigs, only to end up catching on the same simple set-up I’ve trusted for years. Sometimes, less really is more, both in fishing and in life.

Highlights & plans for angling for what's left of 2025? 

The highlight of my summer? Easy, landing the queen of the lake Sammy. A proper UK forty, big scales, loads of history, the sort of fish you dream about while staring at the motionless bobbins. In the future, I just want to keep enjoying my angling, chasing a few more targets, and hopefully banking a couple more special ones. And of course, avoid any more nights of sitting there wondering if I should’ve moved swims.

Are there any dream waters or bucket-list fish you’d love to go after in the future?

Cassien is the obvious one, proper legendary. But honestly? I’d love to just catch one of those big old UK mirrors where you look at it and think: “That carp’s been around longer than me, and it’s probably smarter too.”

When it comes to tactics, how would you describe your angling style?

Tactically, I keep things simple and fish with confidence. Sharp hooks, solid rigs I trust, and a baiting approach that creates opportunities rather than filling the lake in. I’ve learned not to listen to the background noise; everyone’s got an opinion these days on one thing or another, but at the end of the day, you’ve got to fish your own way. If you’re happy, positive, and confident in your rigs and bait, the results will come. And if not? Well, at least you’ve done it your way. Still beats avoiding the DIY jobs at home for another weekend!



Do you have any pre-session rituals or superstitions before casting out?

Yeah, I give the rig a pep talk before it goes in. “Go on son, find me a forty.” Sometimes I even kiss the hook bait. It hasn’t worked yet, but at least the fish know I’m committed.



What’s the one item that you always have on you when fishing?

Baby wipes. Honestly. You can clean your hands, your face, your tackle… and your dignity after you’ve slipped in the margins. If I had to choose between rods or wipes, it’d be a tough call.

What’s one mistake you see anglers making too often?

Thinking carp are rocket scientists. People tie rigs with more moving parts than a Rolex. Meanwhile, Dave in the corner catches on a size 6 hook and half a dog biscuit. Keep it simple, the carp aren’t studying mechanical engineering.

You mentioned earlier about having ADHD. Would you say this helps or hinders when on the bank?

Helps in that I never stop looking, if a carp so much as sneezes on the far margin, I’ll see it. Hinders in that I’ll spend an hour tying the perfect rig… then spot a coot doing something funny and forget what I was doing. It’s like fishing with a built-in bivvy alarm constantly going off in my brain.

Have you had any disasters on the bank that you can laugh about now?

Oh, mate. I once launched a spod full of bait straight into a tree. Looked like it was snowing boilies. Another time I celebrated a PB so hard I slipped into the lake, fish in my arms, me half-submerged like some sort of soggy Neptune.



Who or what has inspired your fishing the most over the years?

Terry Hearn, obviously, the man could catch carp in a puddle. But also, all the random old boys I’ve met on the bank who fish in Crocs, use rigs from 1983, and still out-fish everyone with half a tin of sweetcorn. That’s inspiring and depressing at the same time.

How do you see the carp fishing scene changing in the next few years?

More social media, more podcasts, more people holding carp at weird angles for the ‘gram’. But I reckon a lot of anglers will start sneaking back to the quieter, old-school pits where you don’t need a selfie light to prove you went fishing.



Final thoughts, what advice would you give to the younger angler looking to earn money & work professionally within the industry?

Don’t expect to be rich, unless you’re starting a boilie company called “TikTok Baits” or something. Be reliable, be humble, and don’t call yourself a “pro angler” because you’ve got 2,000 Instagram followers and a bucket hat. Anything worthwhile and meaningful in life takes time, period.