0:00:03 > 0:00:09'The world's wildest rivers, oceans and lakes
0:00:09 > 0:00:11'are home to some extraordinary fish.
0:00:14 > 0:00:15'Across the globe,
0:00:15 > 0:00:19'people must contend with the elements to catch them.
0:00:19 > 0:00:22'And now, eight British anglers will do the same,
0:00:22 > 0:00:28'battling the most extreme temperatures and wild waters
0:00:28 > 0:00:31'in a fishing competition that spans the globe.'
0:00:31 > 0:00:33Oh, yeah! Hit it, hit it! Lift up!
0:00:33 > 0:00:35I think I've got Jaws on here.
0:00:35 > 0:00:37That has made my day.
0:00:37 > 0:00:41'All the while, they'll be watched by fishing legend Matt Hayes
0:00:41 > 0:00:44'and some of the best fishermen from around the world,
0:00:44 > 0:00:47'who will judge who stays on to the next location.'
0:00:47 > 0:00:51I think I'm the only one that hasn't had a hook up, even.
0:00:51 > 0:00:55'Last time, the anglers faced the frozen fjords of Iceland.'
0:00:55 > 0:00:58My shoulders are burning.
0:00:58 > 0:00:59'Sam and James shone...'
0:00:59 > 0:01:02I think that might have won it. Get in!
0:01:02 > 0:01:04That is what you come to Iceland for.
0:01:05 > 0:01:07'..while Geoff...
0:01:08 > 0:01:10'..Ripon...'
0:01:10 > 0:01:12At the moment, my body is just obliterated.
0:01:12 > 0:01:16'..and Jo failed to catch in the fly-fishing round.'
0:01:16 > 0:01:18That was pants.
0:01:18 > 0:01:22'And unfortunately for Geoff, his casting cast him out.'
0:01:22 > 0:01:24Not good, is it?
0:01:24 > 0:01:27'He was the first angler to leave the competition.
0:01:30 > 0:01:33'This time, the seven remaining anglers take on
0:01:33 > 0:01:36'one of the greatest sports fishing locations...'
0:01:36 > 0:01:39My legs are shaking, my heart is pounding.
0:01:39 > 0:01:41'..Cuba.'
0:01:41 > 0:01:44Probably the hardest fighting fish I've ever felt in my life!
0:01:56 > 0:02:01'Between the mighty Atlantic Ocean and the tropical Caribbean
0:02:01 > 0:02:03'lies the island of Cuba.
0:02:04 > 0:02:07'It might be most famous for its bustling capital Havana,
0:02:07 > 0:02:11'with its classic cars, cigars and music,
0:02:11 > 0:02:14'but that's not what the anglers are here for.
0:02:14 > 0:02:17'It's one of the best places in the world to fish.'
0:02:17 > 0:02:19As the largest of the Caribbean islands,
0:02:19 > 0:02:22there's plenty of fish in these waters.
0:02:22 > 0:02:24But a little like handling these boats,
0:02:24 > 0:02:28they're notoriously tricky. Whoa!
0:02:28 > 0:02:30'Cuba is surrounded by coral reefs
0:02:30 > 0:02:34'and saltwater flats, lined with mangroves.
0:02:34 > 0:02:36'These underwater forests
0:02:36 > 0:02:39'are one of the richest marine environments in the Atlantic.'
0:02:39 > 0:02:42They're going to have to cope with the heat, the humidity,
0:02:42 > 0:02:45the variable weather and some of the spookiest,
0:02:45 > 0:02:48most difficult fish to catch on the planet.
0:02:48 > 0:02:51This might be one of the best sport fishing destinations in the world,
0:02:51 > 0:02:55but let me tell you, these fish take some catching.
0:02:55 > 0:02:57'Matt will be joined by Lazaro Vinola,
0:02:57 > 0:03:00'legendary as a fishing guide in this part of Cuba.
0:03:00 > 0:03:04'He's grown up fishing in and around these waters.'
0:03:04 > 0:03:06I was ten years old when I catch my first fish.
0:03:06 > 0:03:10After that, all my life, I enjoy it.
0:03:10 > 0:03:12I know that Cuba is a fishing Mecca for a lot of people
0:03:12 > 0:03:15and its a dream place for a lot of people to come here.
0:03:15 > 0:03:18They've taken the Welshman out of his comfort zone here, eh?
0:03:18 > 0:03:20This place is nuts!
0:03:20 > 0:03:22If it's fly-fishing that we're doing,
0:03:22 > 0:03:24I learnt a lot back in Iceland. I should be OK.
0:03:26 > 0:03:30'Now, two hours' drive south of Havana,
0:03:30 > 0:03:32'in the largest swampland in the Caribbean,
0:03:32 > 0:03:36'the anglers face one of the most exciting fish in Cuba.'
0:03:37 > 0:03:39The motley crew are back!
0:03:39 > 0:03:41Welcome to La Salinas.
0:03:41 > 0:03:45Today, you're going to be fishing for bonefish,
0:03:45 > 0:03:47using a fly line on one of these skiffs.
0:03:47 > 0:03:50LAUGHTER
0:03:50 > 0:03:55These clear waters mean that the fish can see everything.
0:03:55 > 0:03:58You have a great challenge today.
0:03:58 > 0:04:00You don't make a noise,
0:04:00 > 0:04:03because the bonefish, they hear everything around.
0:04:03 > 0:04:06You need to try to make a good cast, in a good position,
0:04:06 > 0:04:08and in the best moment.
0:04:08 > 0:04:13We've put together a box of flies for you that imitate bonefish food,
0:04:13 > 0:04:16so if you can work out what the bonefish are feeding on,
0:04:16 > 0:04:19and give them a fly that looks pretty much like what they're expecting,
0:04:19 > 0:04:22then you're going to get some success.
0:04:22 > 0:04:26The guides on the boat are going to be our judges' eyes and ears.
0:04:26 > 0:04:31They're looking for technique, seizing your opportunities.
0:04:31 > 0:04:33This really is about precision.
0:04:33 > 0:04:38It looks like the rain may be easing off a little bit, so guys...
0:04:38 > 0:04:39Go fish!
0:04:39 > 0:04:41ANGLERS: Cheers.
0:04:50 > 0:04:53They've each been provided with identical fly rods
0:04:53 > 0:04:54and a selection of flies.
0:04:55 > 0:05:00The angler who catches and releases the most bonefish wins.
0:05:00 > 0:05:03I think, stealth-wise, I'm not the quietest, I'm not the smallest...
0:05:03 > 0:05:05James is as subtle as an earthquake!
0:05:06 > 0:05:10This challenge is all about fundamental fishing skills.
0:05:10 > 0:05:11So, here in Cuba,
0:05:11 > 0:05:14a lot of the fishing is about stealth and caution and accuracy,
0:05:14 > 0:05:16so we'll see how good they are
0:05:16 > 0:05:20at the basic skills of finding and not scaring fish.
0:05:23 > 0:05:27Good fishing today. Good fishing today, yeah?
0:05:27 > 0:05:29'In the middle of the Caribbean,
0:05:29 > 0:05:32'saltwater flats speckle the Cuban coastline.
0:05:32 > 0:05:36'La Salinas is part of the Zapata National Park.
0:05:37 > 0:05:41'These hot, shallow waters cover nearly 100 square kilometres.'
0:05:41 > 0:05:43It's like a boyhood dream being here, man.
0:05:43 > 0:05:46It's one thing I've always wanted to do.
0:05:46 > 0:05:50'The mangrove forest acts as a natural living barrier
0:05:50 > 0:05:54'that protects the young of hundreds of species.
0:05:54 > 0:05:57'Shrimps, crustaceans and small fish
0:05:57 > 0:06:01'attract the larger predators below and above the water.
0:06:03 > 0:06:07'Many fish have failed to adapt to these shallow, salty conditions,
0:06:07 > 0:06:09'but bonefish thrive.'
0:06:09 > 0:06:11It's really a fishy game of hide and seek.
0:06:11 > 0:06:14You seek the fish, but you hide yourself from them
0:06:14 > 0:06:19and these are some of the spookiest fish that you'll ever come across.
0:06:19 > 0:06:22The anticipation is incredible with this sort of fishing.
0:06:22 > 0:06:25Just looking for those tails, that nervous water.
0:06:25 > 0:06:28Comparing it to how we were fishing in Iceland for the trout,
0:06:28 > 0:06:31this is all about tracking the fish down, stealthily finding them,
0:06:31 > 0:06:34sighting your quarry and targeting an individual fish.
0:06:37 > 0:06:41I feel like a meerkat at the minute, just trying to...
0:06:41 > 0:06:44Almost the tiniest bloom looks like a huge fish. It's really weird.
0:06:47 > 0:06:50There was a few fish over there, but I spooked them.
0:06:56 > 0:06:59When they're feeding, they must be splashing -
0:06:59 > 0:07:01but it's just trying to spot them.
0:07:02 > 0:07:05- There, ten metres.- Can't see him.
0:07:05 > 0:07:07- Right there!- Oh, yeah.
0:07:09 > 0:07:12Oh! Just missed one, there.
0:07:12 > 0:07:14You've got to be really, really there,
0:07:14 > 0:07:16ready for the action at that split second.
0:07:16 > 0:07:19I wouldn't normally be fishing in this way at all.
0:07:19 > 0:07:21But I'm ready for the challenge.
0:07:22 > 0:07:25'Last week, Phil gave a solid performance,
0:07:25 > 0:07:29'but this time, he's under pressure to achieve his dream.'
0:07:29 > 0:07:31I would really love to have a go at bonefish.
0:07:31 > 0:07:34They say that the fight of them on a fly rod is unbelievable.
0:07:34 > 0:07:37My competitiveness in fishing comes from a friend of mine,
0:07:37 > 0:07:39who is no longer here, unfortunately.
0:07:39 > 0:07:43He was a superb fisherman and he taught me to never give up,
0:07:43 > 0:07:46because you only want one to take and its made your whole week -
0:07:46 > 0:07:48just that one fish.
0:07:54 > 0:07:55Fish over there.
0:07:55 > 0:07:58'Creeping up on the fish is just the first hurdle.'
0:07:58 > 0:08:00Spooked again.
0:08:00 > 0:08:02'Then, they've got to cast to them.
0:08:03 > 0:08:07'Fly-fishing involves casting out a line with an artificial fly,
0:08:07 > 0:08:11'designed to mimic an insect or small fish.
0:08:11 > 0:08:13'The fly must be securely knotted to the end,
0:08:13 > 0:08:16'to ensure it remains attached when a fish bites.
0:08:16 > 0:08:19'The cast must be carefully controlled,
0:08:19 > 0:08:22'so that the fly lands gently on the water without a splash,
0:08:22 > 0:08:24'to convince the fish it's real.
0:08:24 > 0:08:26'Accuracy is crucial.'
0:08:26 > 0:08:29Bonefish never stop. All the moments, they are moving,
0:08:29 > 0:08:31all the moments, they are looking for food.
0:08:31 > 0:08:32It's a moving target.
0:08:32 > 0:08:35You can't cast directly at the fish where you see it,
0:08:35 > 0:08:38you've got to work out where it's going and put the fly there -
0:08:38 > 0:08:42close enough so it sees it, but not so close that it scares it.
0:08:42 > 0:08:45It's really tricky. It's a steep learning curve.
0:08:47 > 0:08:49Argh. Nope.
0:08:51 > 0:08:53It's difficult to get it in dead the right place.
0:08:53 > 0:08:56It's all about that fly presentation, though.
0:08:56 > 0:08:58If you don't get it in the right place, you will just spook them.
0:08:58 > 0:09:02Too short. Spooked them.
0:09:02 > 0:09:05'Emma and James are the most experienced fly fishermen here.'
0:09:10 > 0:09:12What I'm trying to do is
0:09:12 > 0:09:16put the fly in front of the fish, by about two yards.
0:09:16 > 0:09:19'Ripon has only been fly-fishing for three months.
0:09:21 > 0:09:26'And after a shaky start last week, he has his work cut out for him.'
0:09:26 > 0:09:27I'm in the tree again.
0:09:27 > 0:09:29Getting too excited when they're coming past
0:09:29 > 0:09:31and I cast like an idiot, really.
0:09:31 > 0:09:35'But Ripon's not the only one struggling with the mangroves.'
0:09:39 > 0:09:41I see that Dan is stuck in the mangrove, there.
0:09:41 > 0:09:44This is very much "spot the fish and cast for them".
0:09:44 > 0:09:46And that's where I'm going to struggle,
0:09:46 > 0:09:49because my cast isn't as tidy as a lot of people's.
0:09:49 > 0:09:53I've been a coracle fisherman for 18 years now, down the River Teifi.
0:09:53 > 0:09:55Especially for my family and a few other families around here,
0:09:55 > 0:09:57it's a way of life.
0:09:57 > 0:09:58A fly fisherman will tell you
0:09:58 > 0:10:01that they use more skill to catch their fish.
0:10:01 > 0:10:03A coracle man will tell you that he puts more into it.
0:10:03 > 0:10:06A lot of the people who are on this competition
0:10:06 > 0:10:08are probably very good rod and line anglers,
0:10:08 > 0:10:12whereas I'm the netsman entry in a rod and line competition.
0:10:18 > 0:10:20Whoa, what?
0:10:21 > 0:10:24'Once hooked, the fish fight back.'
0:10:24 > 0:10:27By far, the strongest fish I've ever felt in my life!
0:10:27 > 0:10:29'In such shallow water,
0:10:29 > 0:10:32'strength and speed is their only means of defence.
0:10:32 > 0:10:34'They can swim up to 40mph,
0:10:34 > 0:10:37'which makes them one of the fastest fish on the planet.'
0:10:37 > 0:10:39Pick it up, pick it up.
0:10:39 > 0:10:42'Their initial run is so strong and so fast...'
0:10:42 > 0:10:46- That's unbelievable!- .. '..that the line could snap.'
0:10:46 > 0:10:49Bonefish picked up the fly, streaming out the line,
0:10:49 > 0:10:53straight down into the backing, fantastic. My heart is pounding.
0:10:53 > 0:10:56Trying to play this fish. It's getting stuck in the mangroves.
0:10:56 > 0:10:58It's really, really difficult.
0:11:03 > 0:11:04Look at that.
0:11:04 > 0:11:06My first bonefish on the flats, fantastic.
0:11:08 > 0:11:09OK, I can see him.
0:11:13 > 0:11:16Great. Absolutely super.
0:11:17 > 0:11:19Yes. Yes, you beauty.
0:11:21 > 0:11:23You little beauty...
0:11:23 > 0:11:25Go on, go on, go on!
0:11:25 > 0:11:28And we're in again. Boyhood dream come true.
0:11:28 > 0:11:30There we go, we're into another one.
0:11:30 > 0:11:33Blimey, all over the shop around these reefs.
0:11:33 > 0:11:34Absolutely beautiful.
0:11:34 > 0:11:37First ever bonefish. I'm going to release him now.
0:11:37 > 0:11:38I am out of breath.
0:11:38 > 0:11:41It's the adrenaline and everything else.
0:11:41 > 0:11:44And all you want to do now is really just catch another one,
0:11:44 > 0:11:46to be honest with you.
0:11:48 > 0:11:51That's all right, nice boney... You little beauty.
0:12:00 > 0:12:05'Emma might be far from home, but the fly-fishing is familiar.'
0:12:05 > 0:12:08I love fishing, mostly with a fly rod.
0:12:08 > 0:12:11Somebody said the other day, "Describe yourself.
0:12:11 > 0:12:14"Are you a woman angler or a wangler,
0:12:14 > 0:12:16"or are you a fly fisherwoman?"
0:12:16 > 0:12:19and either way, it doesn't really sound right.
0:12:19 > 0:12:22I think "wanglers" is great, but I love it
0:12:22 > 0:12:26and it just is something which, if I'm doing it, I just come alive.
0:12:33 > 0:12:36'Over halfway through their bonefishing challenge
0:12:36 > 0:12:41'and only Ripon and Jo are struggling to hook up.'
0:12:41 > 0:12:44I'm trying not to think about what the other people are up to,
0:12:44 > 0:12:47because I'm trying to keep my head in the game here.
0:12:47 > 0:12:50It's bit worrying to think other people have been catching
0:12:50 > 0:12:53and I might be, again, the only person that doesn't catch anything.
0:12:53 > 0:12:55OK, two nice fish there.
0:12:56 > 0:12:58'And despite catching early,
0:12:58 > 0:13:01'Phil's struggling to cast accurately.'
0:13:01 > 0:13:04I was casting onto the fish too much.
0:13:04 > 0:13:06You've got to cast a couple of metres away from them.
0:13:06 > 0:13:09It's no good casting right on the fishes' nose,
0:13:09 > 0:13:10because you'll spook them.
0:13:10 > 0:13:12This is really, really difficult fishing
0:13:12 > 0:13:17and it's all about producing that fly in the right place at the right time.
0:13:17 > 0:13:21'Ripon might be hooking fish, but he's losing them.'
0:13:21 > 0:13:23RIPON GROANS
0:13:23 > 0:13:24No fly.
0:13:24 > 0:13:29I had a run, finally managed to hook one, but he slashed me straight off.
0:13:29 > 0:13:32These are the knots I use back home and these have never let me down.
0:13:32 > 0:13:34My hands are shaking, because that was just mental.
0:13:34 > 0:13:37- That just rips off line. - I'm panicking a little bit.
0:13:37 > 0:13:41It's all a bit... Once you see the fish, it's all very much go, go, go.
0:13:41 > 0:13:42It just isn't happening.
0:13:44 > 0:13:46Is she in again?
0:13:46 > 0:13:50Emma's caught four fish today.
0:13:50 > 0:13:53So, she's on fire today. I just wish I could get one.
0:13:56 > 0:13:57That's not where I wanted it to go.
0:13:57 > 0:14:00We're longing to get close enough to Jo,
0:14:00 > 0:14:03because what's happening is, she's casting really well,
0:14:03 > 0:14:05but then, after she's casting,
0:14:05 > 0:14:07instead of having her rod tip near the water,
0:14:07 > 0:14:09her rod tip is up, like this.
0:14:09 > 0:14:11FISHERMEN WHISTLE
0:14:11 > 0:14:15- Rod tip down.- Rod tip down? What, after I cast?
0:14:15 > 0:14:17After you've cast, just chill.
0:14:17 > 0:14:19If I had a gin and tonic,
0:14:19 > 0:14:21I'd give you a huge gin and tonic now, and a hug.
0:14:21 > 0:14:24Just have an imaginary gin and tonic and go catch a fish.
0:14:24 > 0:14:26FLAMINGOS SQUAWK
0:14:33 > 0:14:38'With time running out, Jo is desperate to use Emma's advice.'
0:14:38 > 0:14:40Yes, yes!
0:14:40 > 0:14:42Good girl. Good girl.
0:14:44 > 0:14:45Not too much pressure.
0:14:49 > 0:14:50Yes, yes!
0:14:51 > 0:14:53We're coming up on some fish now...
0:14:59 > 0:15:02There was a couple of fish there, right under my feet,
0:15:02 > 0:15:05but it's difficult to get it in dead the right place.
0:15:08 > 0:15:09There's another one. Whoa!
0:15:13 > 0:15:15And another one.
0:15:16 > 0:15:18I'm shaking.
0:15:18 > 0:15:20There we go.
0:15:20 > 0:15:23Oh, not again! Ugh.
0:15:24 > 0:15:27Frustrating. Normally, my knot skills are all right,
0:15:27 > 0:15:30but I think it's more that I'm panicking here.
0:15:32 > 0:15:36Ah, yeah! Yeah, he's on, he's on.
0:15:36 > 0:15:37Look at that beauty.
0:15:37 > 0:15:40I don't think one fish will be enough, to be honest with you.
0:15:40 > 0:15:42This is a nice fish.
0:15:42 > 0:15:45Oh! Not again, surely?
0:15:47 > 0:15:49Yeah... Go.
0:15:51 > 0:15:52Man alive!
0:15:54 > 0:15:56Yes!
0:15:56 > 0:15:57There he goes.
0:16:00 > 0:16:02Oh, that was disappointing.
0:16:09 > 0:16:12Coming back empty-handed is a bit...
0:16:12 > 0:16:14Could be another fine line again.
0:16:14 > 0:16:17Obviously worn out. The fish have worn us out.
0:16:17 > 0:16:20Never caught anything like it in my life.
0:16:20 > 0:16:22Not happy today.
0:16:22 > 0:16:26The fish were there, I seemed to fluff the casting quite a bit.
0:16:26 > 0:16:30'Over the four hours, 16 fish were caught.
0:16:30 > 0:16:33'Only Ripon failed to catch anything.'
0:16:35 > 0:16:38There was a huge number of fish out on the flat today,
0:16:38 > 0:16:40so I expected you to catch fish.
0:16:40 > 0:16:43It was all about stealth and presentation
0:16:43 > 0:16:44through accurate casting.
0:16:44 > 0:16:46Some of you fared better than others.
0:16:46 > 0:16:50Ripon, you hooked three fish - but sadly, you lost them.
0:16:51 > 0:16:54- You need to learn to tie knots better.- Do you know what, man?
0:16:54 > 0:16:57I use this knot back home, day in, day out -
0:16:57 > 0:17:00and today, it's let me down three times.
0:17:00 > 0:17:03- On to Phil.- You got opportunities, caught one.
0:17:03 > 0:17:05We've talked about speed with bonefish
0:17:05 > 0:17:08and the need to cast quickly, but you also need to take a moment
0:17:08 > 0:17:11to work out where you should put that fly.
0:17:11 > 0:17:14- Wait for the best moment.- Exactly.
0:17:14 > 0:17:16And you were trigger-happy, mate.
0:17:16 > 0:17:19'Jo and Dan each caught two bonefish
0:17:19 > 0:17:20'and Sam caught three.'
0:17:20 > 0:17:23We actually technically have a tie,
0:17:23 > 0:17:26because both Emma and James caught four fish.
0:17:26 > 0:17:28You did it all today, Emma.
0:17:28 > 0:17:31You got the stealth, you got the precise casting,
0:17:31 > 0:17:34demonstrating the ability to make cast in different directions.
0:17:34 > 0:17:36And onto James.
0:17:36 > 0:17:39I think you know your fish pretty well. You're a strong caster.
0:17:39 > 0:17:42At times, you were stripping the fly too slowly,
0:17:42 > 0:17:44and missing the opportunity to hook the fish.
0:17:44 > 0:17:48So, the judges have debated between themselves,
0:17:48 > 0:17:53taking into account technique, using the opportunities, sportsmanship...
0:17:54 > 0:17:56The winner today...
0:17:57 > 0:17:58..is Emma.
0:17:58 > 0:18:00APPLAUSE
0:18:00 > 0:18:06Your prize is that for tomorrow's task, you will choose your team.
0:18:06 > 0:18:11Fantastic. I was not expecting to win at all. I'm really chuffed.
0:18:11 > 0:18:14I'm really, really, really pleased.
0:18:14 > 0:18:17I don't think I could have done any better. I tried as hard as I could.
0:18:17 > 0:18:20It's been amazing, absolutely amazing.
0:18:20 > 0:18:21Boyhood dream come true,
0:18:21 > 0:18:23caught the fish which was at the top of my list,
0:18:23 > 0:18:26that I always wanted to catch, and I've done it.
0:18:26 > 0:18:30I was gutted, I really wanted to land one - just to hold it.
0:18:30 > 0:18:33Hopefully, something will be in my favour in the next two tasks.
0:18:33 > 0:18:36I think I've really got to man up now, in the next couple of days,
0:18:36 > 0:18:39because if I don't, it's going to be serious.
0:18:39 > 0:18:41So, I've got to man up.
0:18:44 > 0:18:47'As the first day in Cuba draws to an end,
0:18:47 > 0:18:50'the anglers stay in the homes of local fishermen.'
0:18:52 > 0:18:55The fishing we've been doing today, for the bonefish -
0:18:55 > 0:18:58- have you done that before?- Yes, yes.
0:18:58 > 0:19:00- Did you catch a lot?- Yes, yes.
0:19:00 > 0:19:03- More than us?- Yes, yes. LAUGHTER
0:19:03 > 0:19:05What do you say in Cuba? Salud?
0:19:05 > 0:19:08- Salud. ALL:- Salud! - CHEERING
0:19:08 > 0:19:11In Wales, we say "iechyd-da".
0:19:11 > 0:19:14LAUGHTER
0:19:14 > 0:19:16That went down like a lead balloon, didn't it?
0:19:22 > 0:19:24'Dawn on their second day in Cuba
0:19:24 > 0:19:28'and the anglers arrive at the infamous Bay of Pigs.
0:19:28 > 0:19:31'Just an hour from where they were yesterday,
0:19:31 > 0:19:33'it could be another world.
0:19:33 > 0:19:37'This iconic bay is a completely different marine environment...
0:19:38 > 0:19:41'..home to ancient caves,
0:19:41 > 0:19:42'coral reefs
0:19:42 > 0:19:45'and hundreds of species of fish.
0:19:46 > 0:19:49'The local Cubans fish here by boat,
0:19:49 > 0:19:51'or by any other means they can.'
0:19:54 > 0:19:56- Good morning, anglers.- ALL: Morning.
0:19:56 > 0:20:00Not a bad place to wake up to in the morning. Welcome to Paradise.
0:20:00 > 0:20:04Today, you're going to be fishing as the locals do.
0:20:04 > 0:20:08You may have noticed, I have a tyre inner tube here -
0:20:08 > 0:20:11and this, a reel known as a yo-yo.
0:20:11 > 0:20:14This is Lazaro's local fishing turf, Playa Larga.
0:20:14 > 0:20:16This is very easy to find here.
0:20:16 > 0:20:19They use it every day and when they have chance, they go fishing.
0:20:19 > 0:20:22It's very easy to try to fish in this type of bay.
0:20:22 > 0:20:23"Easy"!
0:20:23 > 0:20:25LAUGHTER
0:20:25 > 0:20:28No excuses today. It's full of fish out there.
0:20:28 > 0:20:31You might catch yellowtail snapper, red snapper...
0:20:31 > 0:20:34If you're really lucky, you might get something like a bonito.
0:20:34 > 0:20:37Emma, you won yesterday's task.
0:20:37 > 0:20:39Would you like to come and join me over here?
0:20:39 > 0:20:41You get to choose your team.
0:20:41 > 0:20:44There's no person that's more of a teamsman than Phil.
0:20:44 > 0:20:47Jo, please will you come and give us some girl power?
0:20:47 > 0:20:51And Sam, I think you fish with so many different things,
0:20:51 > 0:20:52I think you'd be great.
0:20:52 > 0:20:55- Right, go fish!- Good luck, guys.
0:20:55 > 0:20:58All right, team. Here we go.
0:20:58 > 0:21:00Let's go and get some tubos.
0:21:00 > 0:21:02OK, tubos...
0:21:02 > 0:21:04'They have just 30 minutes
0:21:04 > 0:21:07'to build their rafts and assemble their rigs.'
0:21:07 > 0:21:09It reminds me of me and my good friend Roger.
0:21:09 > 0:21:10We used to buy old barrels
0:21:10 > 0:21:13and there was this little stream by our houses
0:21:13 > 0:21:17and there was a few summers where we were trying to perfect this raft.
0:21:17 > 0:21:20We sank in them as well, so that wasn't fun.
0:21:20 > 0:21:24In some ways, this is sort of a Cuban coracle. It's round...
0:21:24 > 0:21:27It's black, and I've got my net at last.
0:21:27 > 0:21:31It's just a shame I can't use it to fish with, isn't it?
0:21:31 > 0:21:34I hope I never get stuck on a desert island.
0:21:34 > 0:21:37'The local Cuban way doesn't involve a rod at all.
0:21:37 > 0:21:42'Instead, a fishing line is thrown in and pulled out by hand.
0:21:42 > 0:21:45'A lead weight sinks the line into the water,
0:21:45 > 0:21:47'with hooks knotted on at different depths
0:21:47 > 0:21:50'that are baited with sardines, to attract the fish.'
0:21:51 > 0:21:54It's really important to get the knots right at this stage,
0:21:54 > 0:21:58because yesterday, it was kind of a schoolboy error, really.
0:21:58 > 0:22:01I've got to prove to the judges I can tie knots,
0:22:01 > 0:22:04because that's pretty much a basic thing to do.
0:22:04 > 0:22:07Hello, hello. Have you had a bit of a chat about your distances?
0:22:07 > 0:22:10There's a clue out there, with the line of boats.
0:22:10 > 0:22:12I believe, out there, there's a reef.
0:22:12 > 0:22:13And the reef are where the snappers
0:22:13 > 0:22:16and where the other fish like that are going to be hanging out.
0:22:22 > 0:22:25Heath Robinson, that's the way to do it.
0:22:25 > 0:22:28I feel quite comfy in this, bobbing about.
0:22:29 > 0:22:34- Oh, yes.- OK, guys. You've got your rings, you've got your yo-yos.
0:22:34 > 0:22:36Remember, the winner will be the team who catches
0:22:36 > 0:22:38the greatest average weight.
0:22:38 > 0:22:43Once your rings hit the water, you've got two and a half hours.
0:22:43 > 0:22:47- Go fish!- Come on, guys. - The Bay of Pigs, here we come.
0:22:47 > 0:22:50'The local fishermen have just two rules.
0:22:50 > 0:22:53'Any fish smaller than your hand must be released.
0:22:53 > 0:22:58'Anything bigger is despatched humanely and brought home to eat.'
0:22:58 > 0:23:00Imagine if now, it just went psssh!
0:23:00 > 0:23:02PHIL CHUCKLES
0:23:04 > 0:23:07For these sports fishermen, used to their hi-tech equipment,
0:23:07 > 0:23:09this is back to basics.
0:23:11 > 0:23:12LAUGHTER
0:23:14 > 0:23:17- I haven't even got off the beach yet. - Come on, guys.
0:23:22 > 0:23:24How far do you think they need to go?
0:23:24 > 0:23:27They can go around 200 metres.
0:23:27 > 0:23:29Is it much deeper, further out there?
0:23:29 > 0:23:32- Where the boats are, is that the drop-off area?- Yeah.
0:23:32 > 0:23:35So, it's going like this - shallow, shallow, and then...
0:23:36 > 0:23:39- Somebody going to start here? - Yeah, do you want me to?
0:23:39 > 0:23:41- I don't mind. - Can I go in the middle?
0:23:41 > 0:23:45'As soon as they can, Dan, James and Ripon make a plan.'
0:23:46 > 0:23:48I think we're going to stagger where we go.
0:23:48 > 0:23:52One's going to be slightly closer and one's going to be a bit further out.
0:23:52 > 0:23:56So, when one starts catching fish, we know where to go.
0:23:56 > 0:24:00'Along with their hand line, they have a 12 metre anchor rope.
0:24:00 > 0:24:02'They can use this to moor themselves
0:24:02 > 0:24:03'above a good fishing spot,
0:24:03 > 0:24:06'as well as to test the depth of the water beneath them.'
0:24:06 > 0:24:08I'd be looking for rocks on the bottom, because I know
0:24:08 > 0:24:12that fish love to hang around rocks and structure. They find food there.
0:24:12 > 0:24:13Yeah, that is good.
0:24:13 > 0:24:16And the other thing is, they have to use the anchor,
0:24:16 > 0:24:19because if they go too deep, then the anchor doesn't have line.
0:24:19 > 0:24:22You can use the anchor like a weight on the end of a line
0:24:22 > 0:24:25and you lower it down and if you don't need much rope, it's shallow.
0:24:25 > 0:24:28If you have to let a lot of rope down to hit the bottom, it's deep.
0:24:28 > 0:24:33So, they actually have got a primitive echo sounder.
0:24:33 > 0:24:35- Yeah, yeah.- Let's hope they use it.
0:24:39 > 0:24:42One, two, three...
0:24:42 > 0:24:44I think we should go a bit deeper.
0:24:44 > 0:24:47It's only about two or three metres deep here.
0:24:47 > 0:24:50'Whilst the boys edge a little further out,
0:24:50 > 0:24:52'Emma's team are taking the plunge.'
0:24:53 > 0:24:56It's getting deeper. We're about two thirds of the way.
0:24:56 > 0:24:59Keep going. It'll be worth it. They're out there for a reason.
0:24:59 > 0:25:01We've got to exploit that.
0:25:01 > 0:25:03It's hard on the arms,
0:25:03 > 0:25:06because you've got these very short paddles and it looks like
0:25:06 > 0:25:08Emma's team have decided to go out
0:25:08 > 0:25:11to where all the other fishing boats are.
0:25:11 > 0:25:12Wait for me!
0:25:13 > 0:25:15So, I think we're probably nearly there,
0:25:15 > 0:25:18because I don't think we want to go that much further,
0:25:18 > 0:25:21otherwise we're going to use up all our fishing time.
0:25:21 > 0:25:23A little further, maybe. It's worth the effort.
0:25:23 > 0:25:26We could catch some really good fish out here.
0:25:26 > 0:25:30- Sam, I think you should start fishing. I really do.- Nearly there.
0:25:30 > 0:25:34- Emma, you OK?- Yeah, but I think we should start fishing.
0:25:34 > 0:25:39We could go on paddling for hours and use up all our fishing time.
0:25:39 > 0:25:42Another 50 metres, 60 metres?
0:25:42 > 0:25:45Let's hope our anchor ropes are long enough.
0:25:45 > 0:25:49'Back in the shallows, the boys have already begun fishing.'
0:25:49 > 0:25:52A bit of a change of colour in the water, so I think it's gone deeper.
0:25:52 > 0:25:54There's a little bit of structure around me here.
0:25:54 > 0:25:57Obviously, we're using hand lines that we use for crabs back home,
0:25:57 > 0:26:00but it's just keeping the weight dead on the bottom
0:26:00 > 0:26:01with two hooks just above it.
0:26:01 > 0:26:05Literally, all you're waiting for is a ding-ding-ding. It's like...
0:26:08 > 0:26:11This bit looks quite good, because it's quite rocky
0:26:11 > 0:26:14and it's in between the deep bit there and this bit here.
0:26:14 > 0:26:15There's quite a few rocks,
0:26:15 > 0:26:18so I'm hoping the snapper hide in these bits.
0:26:18 > 0:26:21Ripon got some coarse fishing experience with bait,
0:26:21 > 0:26:25freshwater in the UK. I think that will stand him in really good stead.
0:26:25 > 0:26:27For the some of the others, who haven't got that experience,
0:26:27 > 0:26:29it will be a little bit alien.
0:26:29 > 0:26:31I think this fishing is quite similar
0:26:31 > 0:26:34to my family's fishing, back in Bangladesh.
0:26:34 > 0:26:37Really rustic, really old school, but it does work.
0:26:39 > 0:26:41My family's from Bangladesh
0:26:41 > 0:26:43and most of it's rice land and flood plains,
0:26:43 > 0:26:46so your main source of protein is fish.
0:26:46 > 0:26:49Dad always used to go fishing, back home when he was in Bangladesh,
0:26:49 > 0:26:51but that was obviously for the dinner plate.
0:26:51 > 0:26:54He showed us the basics and you just run with it, you keep going.
0:26:54 > 0:26:57Just had this little thing.
0:26:57 > 0:27:00It's not massive, but I caught a fish. It's fine.
0:27:02 > 0:27:05Years ago, I used to work for a tyre company, back home.
0:27:05 > 0:27:07I used to repair these things and stick them back in the wheels.
0:27:07 > 0:27:09Now, I'm sat on one, fishing in the sea!
0:27:09 > 0:27:13- Maybe you repaired one of these yourself?- Well, you never know.
0:27:14 > 0:27:17- And here we go.- There you go. What have you got there?
0:27:17 > 0:27:20Double hook up. So, they look like grouper.
0:27:20 > 0:27:24I've got a fish. I'm happy that I've managed to get one.
0:27:25 > 0:27:27I think this is a snapper.
0:27:28 > 0:27:29I'm in, Dan!
0:27:31 > 0:27:32Oh, that's better.
0:27:34 > 0:27:36Found the little ones, anyway.
0:27:39 > 0:27:42'Almost halfway through their fishing time,
0:27:42 > 0:27:45'and Emma's team are finally mooring up.'
0:27:45 > 0:27:48We're just here. That's it. We'll start fishing.
0:27:50 > 0:27:53- You want the good news, or the bad news?- What's up?
0:27:53 > 0:27:56Our anchor ropes aren't long enough. It's not on the bottom.
0:27:56 > 0:27:57So, we're out too deep?
0:27:57 > 0:28:00Unfortunately, our first bit of the plan is scuppered,
0:28:00 > 0:28:03so we're going to row back in a bit - and we haven't fished yet.
0:28:03 > 0:28:05It's going to cost us a lot of time.
0:28:05 > 0:28:08A bit of a schoolboy error there, I think, by us.
0:28:08 > 0:28:12Without anchoring up, we're not going to do any good at all.
0:28:12 > 0:28:14- A bit frustrating, Jo?- Well, yeah.
0:28:14 > 0:28:18We paddled out a fair way to get to where we thought the fish were,
0:28:18 > 0:28:21because of where the local fishermen were fishing,
0:28:21 > 0:28:24just to find our anchors weren't long enough to reach the bottom,
0:28:24 > 0:28:26which is a bit pointless.
0:28:26 > 0:28:28We won't be able to fish over a reef that way,
0:28:28 > 0:28:30so we're having to paddle a bit further in,
0:28:30 > 0:28:31to be able to get our anchors down.
0:28:31 > 0:28:35Well, I can see that Ben's just about caught them up now,
0:28:35 > 0:28:38but they seem to have gone quite a long way over.
0:28:38 > 0:28:39Are they in the right place?
0:28:39 > 0:28:43Perhaps it is a mistake, because they tried to go very deep,
0:28:43 > 0:28:46- and they moved so far... - That was a mistake.
0:28:46 > 0:28:48Yeah, because they moved too far.
0:28:48 > 0:28:51The other group was a little more intelligent, they're fishing closer.
0:28:51 > 0:28:54- They have more time.- It's funny you should say that, actually,
0:28:54 > 0:28:56because I'm looking at James...
0:28:56 > 0:29:00I actually think he's got a fish.
0:29:00 > 0:29:02I'm on again.
0:29:02 > 0:29:04Yeah, it's another good one.
0:29:05 > 0:29:08It looks like a yellowtail snapper, maybe.
0:29:08 > 0:29:10That'll be good eating tonight.
0:29:10 > 0:29:14The thing is, James is ticking over with the fish count for us.
0:29:14 > 0:29:17I'm catching fish, but I'm catching a lot of small ones, you know?
0:29:17 > 0:29:20If we could get another nice, tidy-sized one like James had,
0:29:20 > 0:29:21then we'd be laughing.
0:29:28 > 0:29:30That's your 30-minute call.
0:29:30 > 0:29:3330 minutes, anglers.
0:29:33 > 0:29:35- OK, that's us down, mate.- You down?
0:29:36 > 0:29:39After wasting almost two hours getting into position,
0:29:39 > 0:29:42Emma's team can finally start fishing.
0:29:44 > 0:29:46I think where we went right out in the beginning,
0:29:46 > 0:29:50- that may have cost us valuable fishing time.- It was too deep.
0:29:50 > 0:29:52Now we're trying to make up for lost time.
0:29:52 > 0:29:56- For the moment there's not a lot going on.- Fishy, fishy, fishy.
0:29:56 > 0:30:00Any moment now a giant grouper could come along and snaffle our bait.
0:30:00 > 0:30:02Are you jiggling it or leaving it still?
0:30:02 > 0:30:03No, I'm just leaving it still.
0:30:03 > 0:30:06I think the motion of the water with us bobbing up and down
0:30:06 > 0:30:10is jiggling it enough. I can feel something tugging.
0:30:10 > 0:30:12Oh, there it is again, look. It's a...it's a...it's a...
0:30:12 > 0:30:15not an octopus, it's a squid.
0:30:15 > 0:30:17Oh, it's all gone wild!
0:30:17 > 0:30:20- I'll leave him in the water.- You caught a squid, that's fantastic.
0:30:20 > 0:30:24After such a slow start, every second counts.
0:30:24 > 0:30:26You know, just keep trying right up until the last minute,
0:30:26 > 0:30:28that's all you can do.
0:30:28 > 0:30:30Two minutes, mate.
0:30:31 > 0:30:32Yep.
0:30:34 > 0:30:38Well, Sam, I don't think we're going to crack the case today, do you?
0:30:38 > 0:30:40- I don't think so, mate. - Yep, I'm on, I've got another.
0:30:40 > 0:30:43Time's up, everyone!
0:30:44 > 0:30:45And he's gone.
0:30:57 > 0:30:59Oh!
0:31:00 > 0:31:03Me rear end's numb, from sitting in there.
0:31:03 > 0:31:07One word to describe that, I'd say disaster.
0:31:07 > 0:31:10- Fiasco. I can think of some others. - Maybe some others.
0:31:10 > 0:31:12Yeah, complete and utter embarrassment.
0:31:12 > 0:31:14I've got a lot of respect for the locals because
0:31:14 > 0:31:16it's not the easiest thing in the world.
0:31:16 > 0:31:18It's not like you've got a proper paddle.
0:31:18 > 0:31:21Against the elements, it's a real challenge.
0:31:21 > 0:31:22Gracias!
0:31:22 > 0:31:25- Let's have a look. - Let's grab hold of this fish.
0:31:25 > 0:31:27Let's go and look at the bad boys.
0:31:27 > 0:31:32With Ripon, James and Dan each having caught fish,
0:31:32 > 0:31:34they all head back to face their judgment.
0:31:44 > 0:31:48You are looking like a rather ragged band of Robinson Crusoes,
0:31:48 > 0:31:52- washed up on the beach. - We're feeling like that.
0:31:52 > 0:31:55- How do you think the boys did?- Yes, I think you worked well as a team.
0:31:55 > 0:31:58- That much is fairly obvious. - You have a good plan.
0:31:58 > 0:32:03- They just go not so far and they use the time for fishing.- OK.
0:32:03 > 0:32:05And then on to Emma's team.
0:32:05 > 0:32:10Sadly the fishing plan didn't quite come off.
0:32:10 > 0:32:14I know that you went for deep water and it didn't pay off.
0:32:14 > 0:32:19They made a plan to catch deep fish, that don't work.
0:32:19 > 0:32:22Let's see how you did.
0:32:22 > 0:32:24Let's check your box over here.
0:32:26 > 0:32:28- 12.- 12!
0:32:28 > 0:32:29THEY LAUGH
0:32:29 > 0:32:32You sound shocked. Can we see how you did?
0:32:32 > 0:32:34That's it? That's it?
0:32:34 > 0:32:39Well, I think the winning team there is perfectly obvious.
0:32:39 > 0:32:42With 12 fish, it's the boys.
0:32:42 > 0:32:45- Well done.- Well done.- Very good.
0:32:46 > 0:32:51Ripon, I was pleased to see that you used your coarse fishing
0:32:51 > 0:32:55knowledge and you came in with six fish. Well done.
0:32:55 > 0:32:57James, you caught some good fish, I think
0:32:57 > 0:33:00you caught four smaller fish and one bigger fish.
0:33:00 > 0:33:01A good result, well done.
0:33:01 > 0:33:05Ripon, you caught six fish, but this was down to weight.
0:33:05 > 0:33:08James, you caught five,
0:33:08 > 0:33:11but your fifth one was a monster compared to the others.
0:33:11 > 0:33:15You got the greatest weight. You are the winner. Well done, James.
0:33:17 > 0:33:19- Very good.- Finally won something!
0:33:19 > 0:33:21Absolutely over the moon. Over the moon.
0:33:21 > 0:33:22Do you want a hand up?
0:33:22 > 0:33:26You know, I got the most fish, but mine were all small, so he was...
0:33:26 > 0:33:30Today's challenge was on weight, so, you know, I was second place.
0:33:30 > 0:33:32I'm really happy with that.
0:33:32 > 0:33:35Good effort, but not quite. Close, but no cigar. Yes.
0:33:35 > 0:33:39We had a plan, took a gamble, I kind of took the helm, as it were,
0:33:39 > 0:33:42and chivvied everyone along and we had the plan to go out and try
0:33:42 > 0:33:46for the deeper water and it didn't work for us, backfired on us.
0:33:46 > 0:33:48We spent nearly an hour paddling out to where we thought
0:33:48 > 0:33:51the fish were going to be. It didn't work.
0:33:51 > 0:33:53I've got to do well tomorrow or the next day.
0:33:53 > 0:33:56Else I will be on a one-way flight home.
0:34:04 > 0:34:06Hey-hey. Hey-hey.
0:34:06 > 0:34:08Chow down time, people. Chow down.
0:34:08 > 0:34:10Oh, it smells good. Oh!
0:34:12 > 0:34:14Look at that. Look at that!
0:34:14 > 0:34:17- Try a bit.- It is perfecto.
0:34:17 > 0:34:20- That's nice.- Does it taste extra good cos you caught it?
0:34:20 > 0:34:23Yes, it's always better when you caught it yourself.
0:34:33 > 0:34:37The anglers leave behind the Caribbean coast
0:34:37 > 0:34:41and head to the Atlantic, on the northern side of Cuba.
0:34:41 > 0:34:44In deeper waters, anglers from all over the world
0:34:44 > 0:34:47come to this part of Cuba in May
0:34:47 > 0:34:51to fish for one of the most spectacular game fish in the world.
0:34:54 > 0:34:57But a freak cold front has made temperatures plummet.
0:34:57 > 0:35:02No longer a fishing paradise, the anglers face treacherous conditions.
0:35:03 > 0:35:07- Be careful. - I don't want to fall in, no.
0:35:07 > 0:35:09The weather is shocking.
0:35:10 > 0:35:12It's just like being back at home.
0:35:12 > 0:35:16Everyone told me Cuba was supposed to be nice and hot and sunny, but...
0:35:16 > 0:35:19I think I've been sent to the wrong country.
0:35:23 > 0:35:25Welcome to the north coast of Cuba
0:35:25 > 0:35:29for the final part of your fishing expedition.
0:35:29 > 0:35:31You're going to be going for a fish
0:35:31 > 0:35:35I've no doubt is on many of your bucket lists.
0:35:35 > 0:35:39- It's known as the Silver King, the tarpon.- Yes!- Get in!- Excellent.
0:35:39 > 0:35:42I'm sure you all know this is a stunning fish.
0:35:42 > 0:35:47Around here they grow to 2½ metres in size.
0:35:47 > 0:35:51The winner is the angler who catches the biggest tarpon,
0:35:51 > 0:35:54but don't forget our judges are looking for technique,
0:35:54 > 0:35:58your choice of lure and, of course, how you handle the fish.
0:35:59 > 0:36:01Go fish!
0:36:01 > 0:36:03Oh, my God, that's so exciting.
0:36:07 > 0:36:11Jo, don't forget, the Silver King always needs the Queen.
0:36:13 > 0:36:16The anglers have just one day to track down
0:36:16 > 0:36:19one of the most sought-after sports fish in the world.
0:36:19 > 0:36:21I'm not going to say I'm as nervous as the day I got married,
0:36:21 > 0:36:25but it is pretty close to the nervous excitement I had that day.
0:36:25 > 0:36:28I did quite well at the bone fishing at the beginning of the week,
0:36:28 > 0:36:31but then totally flunked it on the rubber ring challenge.
0:36:31 > 0:36:33I should have done better, really.
0:36:33 > 0:36:35I think there's a statistic like, you will hook ten
0:36:35 > 0:36:39and you'll land one. This is how hard they fight.
0:36:39 > 0:36:42Catching such an enormous fish can be daunting
0:36:42 > 0:36:45and Emma has the least experience with this kind of fishing.
0:36:46 > 0:36:49I am so scared. This is really crazy.
0:36:49 > 0:36:51I've never caught anything really very big.
0:36:52 > 0:36:55Everything everybody's been telling me about these fish,
0:36:55 > 0:36:58and about the ferociousness of the take.
0:36:58 > 0:37:01Um...I got my...
0:37:01 > 0:37:04I got myself into a bit of a state about it
0:37:04 > 0:37:07and I really don't want to scupper this.
0:37:09 > 0:37:13The tarpon is one of the most formidable predators
0:37:13 > 0:37:17of the salt flats, growing up to eight feet long.
0:37:17 > 0:37:20They are one of the few fish that can gulp oxygen
0:37:20 > 0:37:26at the water's surface, giving them an extra burst of energy and speed.
0:37:27 > 0:37:31It's a giant herring-like fish really, with huge, polished,
0:37:31 > 0:37:34mother of pearl scales, like a coat of armour.
0:37:34 > 0:37:38It's immensely strong, hugely acrobatic.
0:37:38 > 0:37:41When it jumps, it throws water like a fire hose.
0:37:41 > 0:37:44It can play every dirty trick in the book from
0:37:44 > 0:37:47dogging it out on the bottom, running under the boat, jumping,
0:37:47 > 0:37:50throwing the lure - it's got the lot.
0:37:50 > 0:37:52It's one of the world's greatest sport fish.
0:37:53 > 0:37:56Let's just have a quick look at our lure selection here.
0:37:57 > 0:37:59Maybe this one.
0:37:59 > 0:38:02The anglers will be using very heavy rods and lures
0:38:02 > 0:38:07to catch these huge tarpon, with a technique known as spinning.
0:38:07 > 0:38:12Spinning's a form of fishing that uses a lure on the end of the line.
0:38:12 > 0:38:16This is cast then pulled rapidly through the water.
0:38:17 > 0:38:20The lure is an artificial fish with hooks.
0:38:20 > 0:38:24They're each designed to behave differently in the water...
0:38:25 > 0:38:29..to resemble a real fish and attract a predator.
0:38:29 > 0:38:32I would err more towards the smaller lures that they've got
0:38:32 > 0:38:35in the box because I know that a lot of these tarpon eat sardines,
0:38:35 > 0:38:39so you bring it back carefully and then you flip the lure.
0:38:39 > 0:38:43Really put a bit of imagination into the way you move the rod tip.
0:38:43 > 0:38:46After all, what you've got there is a piece of wood or plastic
0:38:46 > 0:38:48and until you move it, that's all it is.
0:38:50 > 0:38:52It is quite a fun way of fishing.
0:38:52 > 0:38:54Also as well, these have got a fair bit of weight
0:38:54 > 0:38:57so hopefully I'll be able to chuck that out quite far.
0:38:57 > 0:39:00The lures are attached to the rig by knots which have to be
0:39:00 > 0:39:04strong enough to withstand the pull from one of the most powerful fish.
0:39:04 > 0:39:06The knots I've been using are just based on what I'd use
0:39:06 > 0:39:08back home, but I've upscaled them.
0:39:08 > 0:39:11It's a lot harder to do with the thicker line cos I usually use
0:39:11 > 0:39:1412lb line and this is 80lb line, so it's a hell of a difference.
0:39:14 > 0:39:18Previously let down by his knots, Ripon's not taking any chances.
0:39:18 > 0:39:20I'm using superglue on my knots
0:39:20 > 0:39:24and this is just purely just to strengthen the knot.
0:39:25 > 0:39:28Oh! OK, calm down, girl, calm down.
0:39:28 > 0:39:31Steady. OK, so far, so good.
0:39:31 > 0:39:34Nerves are still there, but definitely getting better.
0:39:35 > 0:39:38Well, I've got all the confidence in the lure,
0:39:38 > 0:39:39just waiting for the fish.
0:39:41 > 0:39:45You'll see how the lure moves in the water.
0:39:45 > 0:39:48All we need now is for that to go through past the fish.
0:39:50 > 0:39:51Oh!
0:39:51 > 0:39:54It's not good casting at the moment.
0:39:54 > 0:39:58The lure is a bit light to get any kind of distance
0:39:58 > 0:40:01and it's raining and its windy.
0:40:01 > 0:40:03It's not amazing conditions.
0:40:03 > 0:40:06The weather's thrown all the worst things it possibly could at us.
0:40:06 > 0:40:07We've got a cold front come through.
0:40:07 > 0:40:10This puts the fish down, it sends them into deeper water.
0:40:10 > 0:40:13If the fish are down deep, we've got to fish deep.
0:40:13 > 0:40:15THUNDER RUMBLES
0:40:15 > 0:40:17Oh, there's some weather.
0:40:24 > 0:40:27The weather not only affects the WAY they fish,
0:40:27 > 0:40:28but IF they can fish at all.
0:40:30 > 0:40:31Oh, man.
0:40:33 > 0:40:36We are in relative luxury here on a larger boat,
0:40:36 > 0:40:39we've got a bit of shelter, but they are close to these elements.
0:40:39 > 0:40:41This weather is changing all the time.
0:40:41 > 0:40:44We've got a horrible cold front swirling around us.
0:40:44 > 0:40:47We could have three or four foot waves in ten minutes' time.
0:40:47 > 0:40:50# Oh, what a beautiful morning... #
0:40:51 > 0:40:54- That is Jo, I seem to think, over there.- Is she actually fishing?
0:40:54 > 0:40:57Back home, it's never been as bad as this.
0:40:57 > 0:41:00You look at your window and you don't feel like it, you just stay in.
0:41:00 > 0:41:04It's days like this that make you realise the true love of fishing.
0:41:04 > 0:41:07- Lightnings.- Lightnings.
0:41:07 > 0:41:10- We've got to stop.- We'll go under the bridge for a while.
0:41:10 > 0:41:11Yes?
0:41:16 > 0:41:20It's... I might die, basically. With the lightning.
0:41:21 > 0:41:23This is getting dangerous.
0:41:23 > 0:41:26We've had to come under the causeway here, because although it's raining,
0:41:26 > 0:41:29we can live with the rain, but we've just heard a clap of thunder
0:41:29 > 0:41:31and we've seen some lightning, and when you're fishing with
0:41:31 > 0:41:34a carbon rod, that's not good news at all.
0:41:35 > 0:41:38It doesn't look good for the rest of the day, to be fair.
0:41:38 > 0:41:41I mean, the fishing seems to be a write-off.
0:41:47 > 0:41:50After sheltering for an hour, the weather lifts
0:41:50 > 0:41:53and the anglers head back out onto the water.
0:41:54 > 0:41:57But, with no idea how long this weather will hold,
0:41:57 > 0:41:59every minute matters...
0:41:59 > 0:42:01for everyone.
0:42:01 > 0:42:02I want to get a tarpon.
0:42:02 > 0:42:05I want to really surprise Matt. It can't be THAT hard.
0:42:09 > 0:42:11Yeah!
0:42:11 > 0:42:13We've hooked into a fish.
0:42:13 > 0:42:16I don't know what it is, but... you'd hope that it was a tarpon.
0:42:22 > 0:42:23Yeah!
0:42:26 > 0:42:29Oh, snapper. Dramatic fishermen there, he says,
0:42:29 > 0:42:33"feels like a good fish," and it ends up being a three-pound snapper.
0:42:33 > 0:42:35Fighting hard, so I think it...
0:42:35 > 0:42:38No. It's a bloody snapper!
0:42:40 > 0:42:42Oh, I thought my luck was in again.
0:42:42 > 0:42:44Not what we came for.
0:42:44 > 0:42:46Beautiful looking fish, though.
0:42:46 > 0:42:47Look at that dorsal.
0:42:49 > 0:42:52I like that. Right, time to let him go.
0:42:55 > 0:42:59Hopefully where there's snappers, there's tarpon.
0:42:59 > 0:43:02- Yes!- Hold it there, hold it there, hold it there.
0:43:02 > 0:43:07Well, Mr Fogel, you've caught your first jack crevalle,
0:43:07 > 0:43:10it's one of the strongest fish pound-for-pound in the ocean, this.
0:43:10 > 0:43:13They go around in packs, bullying the sardines.
0:43:13 > 0:43:14- He's gone.- There she goes.
0:43:14 > 0:43:18- There he goes.- Swim well, fish, that's my first Cuban fish.
0:43:21 > 0:43:25Ripon and Dan have finally found fish, just not the right ones.
0:43:25 > 0:43:30Every cast counts if anyone's to catch a tarpon now.
0:43:30 > 0:43:33I've still got a feeling someone's going to get one, you know.
0:43:33 > 0:43:35Someone's got to, man.
0:43:35 > 0:43:37Well, I just decided to have a cast
0:43:37 > 0:43:40and a really big fish came up quite near the boat.
0:43:40 > 0:43:42It was as if someone had turned on about
0:43:42 > 0:43:44ten washing machines under the water.
0:43:44 > 0:43:48Is this reassuring for you that the fish, there are fish around.
0:43:48 > 0:43:51Well, I've only had a couple of casts. I've got a response.
0:43:51 > 0:43:52Me too.
0:43:52 > 0:43:55THEY LAUGH
0:43:56 > 0:43:59- It's so easy, this fishing lark. - Oh, man.
0:43:59 > 0:44:02I'm getting fishing lessons off Fogel now, I can't believe it!
0:44:07 > 0:44:09Oh!
0:44:09 > 0:44:11It didn't hook right.
0:44:11 > 0:44:14Oh, that's so frustrating!
0:44:14 > 0:44:17He was big, weren't he?
0:44:17 > 0:44:21Once hooked, a tarpon's instinct is to leap out of the water,
0:44:21 > 0:44:24causing the line to go slack.
0:44:24 > 0:44:27This is the most common way to lose a fish.
0:44:27 > 0:44:31The rod should be kept pointing down to keep the tension on the line,
0:44:31 > 0:44:34not as easy as it sounds.
0:44:35 > 0:44:38That's done it, that's done it.
0:44:40 > 0:44:41Oh!
0:44:41 > 0:44:43Got one.
0:44:43 > 0:44:45I've just had a fish hit the lure.
0:44:45 > 0:44:47- Monster fish.- Monster fish.
0:44:48 > 0:44:52- It's gone. Oh!- I want to cry!
0:44:53 > 0:44:55It is not fair.
0:44:59 > 0:45:00I want to cry.
0:45:00 > 0:45:02Oh, that is so disappointing.
0:45:07 > 0:45:09Almost defeated by today's freak weather,
0:45:09 > 0:45:11there are only minutes left.
0:45:11 > 0:45:14One last gasp, then call it a day.
0:45:16 > 0:45:19Yes, yes, yes. Yes!
0:45:19 > 0:45:22Yes! Tarpon! Tarpon on!
0:45:22 > 0:45:24Here we go.
0:45:24 > 0:45:27Almost literally the last minutes of the day.
0:45:27 > 0:45:29Look at that reel go.
0:45:29 > 0:45:30My heart is pumping.
0:45:30 > 0:45:33Jeez! Holy Moley!
0:45:33 > 0:45:35What a fish.
0:45:37 > 0:45:39That's got some power, that has.
0:45:39 > 0:45:42Everything, my legs are shaking, my heart is pounding.
0:45:42 > 0:45:45There you go, look at that on the surface, look at those fins.
0:45:45 > 0:45:48Getting it to the boat is a fragile moment.
0:45:49 > 0:45:52Uh-oh, it's going under the boat.
0:45:52 > 0:45:54He doesn't want to come up.
0:45:54 > 0:45:56Off again. Just when you think they're beat,
0:45:56 > 0:45:58another searing run.
0:45:58 > 0:46:01These fish just hang on and hang on.
0:46:01 > 0:46:03That is why they're one of the world's
0:46:03 > 0:46:06prized sport fishing species.
0:46:08 > 0:46:10- Oh, well done, sir!- I got it!
0:46:10 > 0:46:13- I got it!- Well done, well done! - I got it!
0:46:13 > 0:46:14Hang on there, hang on there.
0:46:14 > 0:46:18What a fish! One metre 24.
0:46:19 > 0:46:22OK. Fantastic. Thank you very much.
0:46:22 > 0:46:25OK, you're welcome. I'm very happy to help.
0:46:25 > 0:46:29Now, that, that is the Silver King.
0:46:29 > 0:46:30Megalops atlanticus.
0:46:30 > 0:46:33You can see why people come
0:46:33 > 0:46:34all around the world to places like this.
0:46:34 > 0:46:38There she goes. She's kicking. There she goes, for the release.
0:46:40 > 0:46:41I am beaten.
0:46:45 > 0:46:49That has made my day.
0:46:50 > 0:46:51Oh, man.
0:47:03 > 0:47:06After a day of unseasonably bad weather
0:47:06 > 0:47:08and with a better forecast today,
0:47:08 > 0:47:13the judges have allowed the anglers just one more hour on the water,
0:47:13 > 0:47:17and one last chance to catch a tarpon.
0:47:17 > 0:47:20The sea's absolutely flat calm, so hopefully
0:47:20 > 0:47:24we'll have a better chance of actually seeing the tarpon.
0:47:24 > 0:47:27I hadn't caught a fish yesterday, I really need to get one today
0:47:27 > 0:47:30to take me out of the danger zone hopefully.
0:47:30 > 0:47:34But sadly, one angler has caught something else.
0:47:34 > 0:47:36Got, um...
0:47:36 > 0:47:38Got the worst sickness I've ever had.
0:47:38 > 0:47:40I am feeling absolutely ill, shocking.
0:47:42 > 0:47:46I'm most gutted about missing the fishing today.
0:47:46 > 0:47:48I'm devastated. I'm devastated.
0:47:51 > 0:47:54I feel so much better today,
0:47:54 > 0:47:57you can literally see straight through the water as well.
0:47:57 > 0:47:59There you go, look, they're going crazy.
0:47:59 > 0:48:03The calmer water allows the anglers to see the tarpon clearly
0:48:03 > 0:48:06as they come up to the surface to breathe.
0:48:06 > 0:48:08You can see these big flashes of silver in the water
0:48:08 > 0:48:11as the fish are coming up and looking at the lures.
0:48:11 > 0:48:13You can eyeball the fish eye-to-eye.
0:48:13 > 0:48:16There's a lot of big fish around the boat now. Loads of big fish.
0:48:16 > 0:48:20- Look at all these.- There's tarpon rolling on the surface here.
0:48:20 > 0:48:23- Right there.- Got another one. Jeez.
0:48:23 > 0:48:27This is nowhere near my kind of angling.
0:48:27 > 0:48:30This is like spinning for monsters.
0:48:30 > 0:48:34Now that they can see them, the pressure's on to land them.
0:48:34 > 0:48:37Bowing the rod will be more important than ever.
0:48:37 > 0:48:38Oh!
0:48:39 > 0:48:41Oh!
0:48:42 > 0:48:44Got a tarpon on.
0:48:46 > 0:48:48There's not one in the boat yet.
0:48:48 > 0:48:49If I land it,
0:48:49 > 0:48:52that will be the biggest fish I've ever caught.
0:48:52 > 0:48:53Oh...
0:48:55 > 0:48:56HE SIGHS
0:48:58 > 0:49:00Yes, tarpon.
0:49:04 > 0:49:06Cast again, cast again.
0:49:06 > 0:49:08Forget that, forget that. Cast again.
0:49:13 > 0:49:15Fish on!
0:49:18 > 0:49:20Oh!
0:49:23 > 0:49:25Big fish, that.
0:49:27 > 0:49:28Massive tarpon.
0:49:33 > 0:49:34I'm quite conscious, I think that
0:49:34 > 0:49:37I'm the only one that hasn't had a hook-up even, yet.
0:49:37 > 0:49:40But Emma has gained some rather unwanted attention.
0:49:40 > 0:49:42Oh!
0:49:42 > 0:49:44- Shark?- No, remora.
0:49:45 > 0:49:48There's a bigger one down below.
0:49:48 > 0:49:51I think Emma's on, but I don't think it's a tarpon.
0:49:51 > 0:49:54Here's another one trying to take it. I don't want to catch you.
0:49:54 > 0:49:57Can we go to another place, maybe, where there's not quite so much...
0:49:59 > 0:50:00There we go.
0:50:05 > 0:50:08Someone's got a tarpon on the line.
0:50:15 > 0:50:16Yes!
0:50:18 > 0:50:20Oh!
0:50:21 > 0:50:22Oh!
0:50:22 > 0:50:24Oh!
0:50:24 > 0:50:27Although the weather is better, their luck hasn't improved.
0:50:27 > 0:50:30You've got to keep going right up until the very last minute,
0:50:30 > 0:50:31the last second,
0:50:31 > 0:50:34because you just never know when one's going to grab your bait.
0:50:34 > 0:50:37One fish now could make all the difference.
0:50:37 > 0:50:39We've got about ten minutes.
0:50:43 > 0:50:45Yes, just got a tangle.
0:50:45 > 0:50:48You can't afford to have a knot in it with fish this size,
0:50:48 > 0:50:50because it will just break.
0:50:50 > 0:50:51Don't lose your confidence.
0:50:51 > 0:50:53No, no, I never lose confidence.
0:50:56 > 0:50:58Last minute.
0:50:58 > 0:51:01All the fish seem to have disappeared.
0:51:02 > 0:51:04The last Cuban cast.
0:51:04 > 0:51:07First or last gasp, get a fish.
0:51:09 > 0:51:11Time up.
0:51:11 > 0:51:12No more fishing.
0:51:13 > 0:51:15No fish today.
0:51:15 > 0:51:18Beaten by the Silver King.
0:51:20 > 0:51:24The take wasn't, you know, like a boom! Like a pike take,
0:51:24 > 0:51:26it was quite, it's quite a gentle take,
0:51:26 > 0:51:29but then once it realises it's hooked,
0:51:29 > 0:51:33it's just phenomenal, like, wow!
0:51:33 > 0:51:35Just absolutely wow!
0:51:37 > 0:51:40Today, again, has been another really hard
0:51:40 > 0:51:42man-against-fish challenge.
0:51:42 > 0:51:45I mean, even if you hook one of these monsters,
0:51:45 > 0:51:47you've still got to get it out.
0:51:51 > 0:51:54After two very different days on the water,
0:51:54 > 0:51:58the judges discuss the anglers' performance with their guides.
0:52:06 > 0:52:08Welcome back, everyone.
0:52:08 > 0:52:11Not necessarily the experience you all expected.
0:52:11 > 0:52:15For the first time in your lives, you're up against a fish that
0:52:15 > 0:52:18can not only beat you, it can actually humble you,
0:52:18 > 0:52:23and that, guys, is sport fishing. That's what it's all about.
0:52:23 > 0:52:26I think it was a very good experience for them
0:52:26 > 0:52:29because they had a very bad day at the beginning
0:52:29 > 0:52:31and then today they have a good morning
0:52:31 > 0:52:35and then they have a chance to come put right everything.
0:52:35 > 0:52:39We wanted the angler who caught the largest tarpon.
0:52:39 > 0:52:42We were, of course, looking at technique, how you handled the fish,
0:52:42 > 0:52:44but, I think for this task,
0:52:44 > 0:52:46you'll all agree the proof was in the pudding.
0:52:46 > 0:52:51- We bow to the king of the Silver King - Sam.- Thank you very much.
0:52:51 > 0:52:54- Cheers, guys. Thank you.- Well done. - It was a great day.
0:52:54 > 0:52:59Well, Sam, it was the 94th minute in injury time,
0:52:59 > 0:53:02you were under immense pressure really to land that fish
0:53:02 > 0:53:07because it was the chance and you took it. Your focus was fantastic.
0:53:07 > 0:53:10It was amazing, absolutely amazing experience.
0:53:10 > 0:53:14Obviously this was our final task, one of you will be going home.
0:53:14 > 0:53:16We'll be back shortly, OK.
0:53:17 > 0:53:20- Well done, guys.- Cheers.- Well done.
0:53:25 > 0:53:29We've covered the three main areas of fishing, really, this week.
0:53:29 > 0:53:32We started with fly fishing, for bonefish, we had bait fishing
0:53:32 > 0:53:36from tyres and obviously finishing off spinning for tarpon today,
0:53:36 > 0:53:37so, actually, with the three tasks,
0:53:37 > 0:53:40we're going to get a good idea of the all-rounder.
0:53:40 > 0:53:42This has been a really good test.
0:53:42 > 0:53:45It's got skill and stealth, strength.
0:53:45 > 0:53:47It's been a veritable assault course of challenges.
0:53:47 > 0:53:50Bonefish is more presentation.
0:53:50 > 0:53:53Here is more casting but power,
0:53:53 > 0:53:55it's a little different.
0:53:55 > 0:53:57Obviously James, absent today,
0:53:57 > 0:54:00what are your thoughts on his overall performance?
0:54:00 > 0:54:02He really is a very good sportsman.
0:54:02 > 0:54:05He had a good day for fishing, for bonefish.
0:54:05 > 0:54:08The casting and the movement and everything was good.
0:54:08 > 0:54:12You know, sometimes it's quite hard to see the chinks in his armoury.
0:54:12 > 0:54:14Ripon did terribly in the bonefishing.
0:54:14 > 0:54:17He was the only one to not bring a single fish.
0:54:17 > 0:54:20Well, you say that, but, actually, here is a guy
0:54:20 > 0:54:23who has had very, very little fly-fishing experience.
0:54:23 > 0:54:25He is not bad, he tried.
0:54:25 > 0:54:27He learned to cast a little.
0:54:27 > 0:54:30He saved himself a little bit out in the bait fishing.
0:54:30 > 0:54:33On a day when most people struggled,
0:54:33 > 0:54:35he brought back six keepable fish.
0:54:35 > 0:54:39A good performance. He had a couple of chances with tarpon.
0:54:39 > 0:54:42He also had contact and brought to the boat one decent snapper.
0:54:42 > 0:54:46- Moving onto our Silver King, Sam. - Sam took that chance.
0:54:46 > 0:54:48It was very, very impressive.
0:54:48 > 0:54:51Under that pressure, he still had to keep it on the line.
0:54:51 > 0:54:55- It was a very, very impressive performance.- Let's move on to Dan.
0:54:55 > 0:54:58Well, here is a man who is actually living on great instinct.
0:54:58 > 0:55:02He's been very steadily pegging away in this one.
0:55:02 > 0:55:05He didn't get a tarpon, but he did get a snapper.
0:55:05 > 0:55:08Emma, of course, she won the bonefishing.
0:55:08 > 0:55:10Yes, she was very, very good on the bonefishing,
0:55:10 > 0:55:12did some very good casting.
0:55:12 > 0:55:15Didn't catch any tarpon but, hey, she had a very strong start.
0:55:15 > 0:55:21I mean Phil wasn't amazing, he caught one bonefish, he had several chances.
0:55:21 > 0:55:23He was actually not really waiting to see
0:55:23 > 0:55:26where he needed to present the fly.
0:55:26 > 0:55:28And, of course, tarpon fishing, I'm assuming
0:55:28 > 0:55:31had he actually brought that fish in, he'd have cleaned up.
0:55:31 > 0:55:34Yes. Basically a nutshell, yes.
0:55:34 > 0:55:36That's how cruel it can be,
0:55:36 > 0:55:39but you've got to take your chances.
0:55:39 > 0:55:42Jo performed and delivered in the bonefishing.
0:55:42 > 0:55:44- Mmm...mmm.- Er...
0:55:44 > 0:55:45She hard work.
0:55:45 > 0:55:49What seems to happen with Jo, and it's happened again in this one is,
0:55:49 > 0:55:53a bit of a slow start and then she picks up momentum.
0:55:53 > 0:55:57What I would like to see with her is for her to hit the deck running,
0:55:57 > 0:56:00then we'll see what she's about.
0:56:00 > 0:56:02OK, I'll leave you guys to discuss.
0:56:02 > 0:56:04- I'll see you a bit later. - Thank you.
0:56:15 > 0:56:17I feel your nerves.
0:56:17 > 0:56:20We have thrown everything at you this week.
0:56:20 > 0:56:22Rain, sunshine.
0:56:22 > 0:56:24Food poisoning.
0:56:24 > 0:56:27- Welcome back, James.- Cheers, mate.
0:56:28 > 0:56:31After much deliberation the judges have decided...
0:56:33 > 0:56:35..there are two of you...
0:56:35 > 0:56:37who risk going home.
0:56:38 > 0:56:40Ripon.
0:56:44 > 0:56:45Phil.
0:56:49 > 0:56:52The judges here have debated long and hard...
0:56:53 > 0:56:59..and they have decided the angler who leaves us here is...
0:57:03 > 0:57:04..Phil.
0:57:04 > 0:57:06- I'm so sorry, Phil. - No worries, guys.
0:57:06 > 0:57:10- Well done to the rest of you. You're carrying on.- No worries.
0:57:10 > 0:57:13I didn't have a particularly good week here, to be honest.
0:57:13 > 0:57:15If I could have only got one of those fish I hooked this morning,
0:57:15 > 0:57:18it may have been a different story, I'm sure it would.
0:57:18 > 0:57:20I will definitely continue fishing, yes,
0:57:20 > 0:57:22I'll be out next week probably, one of the evenings after work.
0:57:23 > 0:57:27And I'll be on the bank thinking, "I wonder where the guys and girls
0:57:27 > 0:57:30"are this week, and how they're getting on."
0:57:30 > 0:57:34I think the pressure's on now so I really need to pull my socks up
0:57:34 > 0:57:38and hopefully this time have a bit of good luck, cos over the last
0:57:38 > 0:57:42two locations, I've just had bad luck following me every time.
0:57:42 > 0:57:45Phil, we're going to miss you. We'll miss you heaps.
0:57:45 > 0:57:47Really looking forward to the next fishing adventure.
0:57:47 > 0:57:50As we found out, it could be literally anywhere,
0:57:50 > 0:57:51we could be doing literally anything.
0:57:51 > 0:57:54Of course I want to know where we're going. Come on!
0:57:55 > 0:57:57Next time:
0:57:57 > 0:58:00Deep in south-east Asia, the anglers head to Laos...
0:58:00 > 0:58:02I'm absolutely buzzing.
0:58:02 > 0:58:04I think that we're going to catch some interesting fish.
0:58:04 > 0:58:07..fishing the widest rapids in the world...
0:58:07 > 0:58:11Never, ever fished anything like this in my life.
0:58:11 > 0:58:12It's ridiculous.
0:58:12 > 0:58:14..and braving the extreme heat.
0:58:14 > 0:58:16Oh, Jeez, I feel faint.
0:58:16 > 0:58:18The competition reaches breaking point.
0:58:18 > 0:58:19Snapped my rod!
0:58:20 > 0:58:23I think my 100% record is going to disappear today.