Reel Tails with Sweens

This episode I catch up with Aaron Cruden, Cruds is a professional rugby player and his career has had some amazing experiences.From starting out in the mighty Manawatu to play for teams in New Zealand such as, the Hurricanes, Chiefs and the All Blacks. Then abroad to play for Montpellier in France and Suntory in Japan then full circle to return to New Zealand and play here in the Waikato for the mighty Mooloos.Through this podcast you will get a great insight on professional sport from one of the very best to ever play the game of rugby here in New Zealand.We discuss the importance of leadership, game management and how he has a heavy focus on life blance. We also discuss the Chiefs winning back to back Super Rugby titles in 2012 and 2013, kicking the winning conversion to secure the All Blacks undefeted season and so much more.

This episode I catch up with Jimmy Brown.Jimmy is a professional skipper and has had some experiences that most can only dream of. His journey from a 12ft tinnie to skippering Jaruco a 90ft Jarrett Bay with a build cot of $24,000,000 USD has been amazing.Some of the tails he shares will blow your mind.Such as setting the world record of over 900 Blue marlin in a single year and at times travelling travelling over 200 nautical miles to the fishing grounds. We also discuss catching a 344 kg Swordfish with good friend Tony Carpenter off Hokianga, Giant Black marlin, fishing with the legend that is Chris Ash and so much more.

This episode I catch up with Mark Collins.Mark is a deckhand, skipper, boat builder and an extremely well rounded fisherman.As you will hear through this podcast Mark has gained a very high skill set over time when it come to all things fishing.We cover a range of topics from our first time meeting at a boat ramp to catching a marlin on our very first day fishing together.We also discuss targeting swordfish, the skills he developed fishing on a wharf, catching over 10 billfish with his son, kingfish over 50kg on Pursuit, 14 hour long battles with fish and so much more.

This episode I sit down with Tom Martin from Shard Studios.As you will hear during this podcast Tom is a very well balanced and self aware individual. Especially considering he is only 23 years of age. We cover a range of topics such as how his frustration in a rugby changing room pregame led to his world's first multi tool for rugby and football players.We also discuss the mental health challenges of back to back ACL injuries, how he fuels his creative side and how passionate he is to be successful in both rugby and his engineering career.

This episode I sit down with Bonze and we discuss the evolution of my boat Mini Chiefie.We share in detail the changes we have made and the learnings we have taken along the way.The podcast has been a great platform for us to share information to help keen fishos build their confidence when targeting marlin. As you will hear the journey has been extremely enjoyable for us both and we hope that you can take some learnings that we have had and apply them to your fishing.

This episode I catch up with Joe and Kate founders and directors of Ironclad. Ironclad as a company was founded in 2019 and have been producing cast iron cookware with a three generation guarantee.During this podcast you will hear a great Tail of passion, perseverance and loyalty. We cover some great topics such as starting a company during a global pandemic to losing it all over night and having to rebuild.We also get to know Joe and Kate, what drives them to deliver such an awesome product and so much more.

This episode I catch up with Joe Edlington or as many of you will know him J.E. Wilds.Joe is one of New Zealands leading content creators. He does this by documenting his Hunting and Fishing adventers through his YouTube channels JE Wilds Hunting and JE Wilds Fishing.Alot has changed for Joe since he was last a guest on the podcast and through this epidsode he shares the next chapter of his 'Tail'.Catching big Kingfish off the rocks, becoming a father, Hunting the red stag of a lifetime in the remote west coast bush, this episode has it all.

This episode I had the pleasure of sitting down and chatting with Amanda, Geoff and Jeremy Wells. Two of the three generations that have owned and operated Kilwell Sports.Kilwell Sports that started out as Rotorua Sports 90 years ago by Jeremy's late father John has grown into one of New Zealand's most iconic distributors of Fishing, Hunting and Outdoors goods. As you will hear in this podcast it's not only the sporting goods where the Kilwell brand has become recognisable both here in New Zealand and round the world.As you can imagine with 90 years of business there are many Tails to share, From Jeremy moving to USA in the late 1960's living off $19 a day and learning to produce fishing rod blanks, to Geoff becoming a New Zealand trap shooting champion and being fortunate enough to learn off the best to ever do it. We also discuss Amanda never really having a passion for the outdoors but is now one of the key figures in one of New Zealand's biggest outdoors distributors, the lasting impact the business has had on the Rotorua community and families, developing components for some of the worlds most successful businesses and so much more.

This episode I catch up with my instagram pen pal turned great mate Aaron Styles. As many of you will know Azza is the founder of the clothing brand Just Another Fisherman.During this podcast we discuss the journey both he and the brand have been on. As you will hear they are both in a great space.We discuss a broad range of topics from personal routines, family, friendships, mental health, fishing, celebrating success, the importance of spending time with ya mates, Anglers Escape and so much more.

This episode I'm back with Bonze to share some insight into Teaser systems for lure fishing when targeting marlin. We follow along the same lines as we did with the ‘Boat Set Up' episode with the aim to share some of Bonze's knowledge on a very useful tool when targeting marlin, in particular striped marlin here in New Zealand. We both share our observations from our experiences of fishing with a well set up teaser system. We breakdown the different types of teasers from surface chain teasers to dredges and the part they play to help increase your chances. We also discuss how you can set up your system and the different levels of investment to do so, as well as an epic Blue marlin Tail.

This episode I had the pleasure of joining Hamish Beattie in his workshop to discuss all things NaCl Lures, but as you will learn there is more to Hamish than just being a great lure maker.We cover a broad range of topics, from spending his childhood on the rivers of Hawkes Bay fly fishing with his family, his first humbling experience of fishing East Cape with his Dad and being extremly under gunned.We also discuss what it was like to work for the United Nations helping develop communities in Kenya, how he credits his early days of tying flies to the development of his business NaCl Lures, his passion for fishing with sustainable practices, what success is for his business NaCl Lures, the development of his custom boat and so much more…

This episode I sit down with Alex Waller or as many of you may know him, the creator of New Zealand's leading fly fishing YouTube channel Trippin on Trout.During this podcast we discuss a broad range of topics such as, fishing stocked lakes as a kid and having to purchase capture tickets from a vending machine lakeside, the special bond he had with his grandad over their shared love of fly fishing and coming to New Zealand to be a skydive instructor.We also discuss our addictive personalities and how we use fishing to channel this, the grounding influence fishing has been for him through life, how important it is for mental health, using his YouTube channel to share knowledge and awareness, dry fly fishing the backcountry and so much more..

This episode I sit down with the founding fathers of Fish City Ross, Jono and Kev. All three share the highs, lows and their learnings of 30 years in business together.We discuss a range of topics such as, how the business came to be, Jono becoming New Zealand's first ever Marine Technician apprentice, the focus they have on creating a strong team culture and the joy it brings them to see their team develop.We also discuss how much the business has had to move with the times, the strangest requests from customers, displaying their personal fishing gear to make it look like they had more stock and so much more.

This episode I was lucky enough to sit down with four very talented individuals from the sport of fly fishing, Jeff Pierce, Alex Waller, Dion James and Ben Henton.All four share with us what it was that drew them to the sport of fly fishing and what it is about the sport that keeps them coming back.We discuss a range of topics such as, how to get started, where to best allocate your funds when choosing your first initial set up and what is their main area of expertise.We also discuss their favourite piece of kit and why, most memorable fish, fishing the beautiful New Zealand back country and so much more.

This episode I sit down with three fellow Hamilton Boys' High Old Boys' foundation, Andrew Miller, Seamus Marten & Ali Lennan. With the goal of highlighting the importance of such foundations and how they strengthen communities.We cover a range of topics including, why the foundation was formed, what support the foundation provides and share some Tails of our personal connections to each other and the school.We also discuss the events run and how they have become a marquee event on many social calendars, how to support, some of the amazing achievements and accolades of former students and so much more.

This episode I catch up with Scott Malcon.Scott has been a big part of the resurgence of the fishing brand Daiwa here in New Zealand.During this podcast we get some great insight to the brand that is Daiwa New Zealand and how strong Scotty's passion for fishing truly is.We cover a range of topics from starting out working for Fish City, the develop of products and how the team at Daiwa go about producing gear to suit our fishery here in New Zealand. We also discuss missions to Great Barrier Island and being caught out in bad weather, his earliest memories of fishing with Rick Pollock aboard Pursuit, the cultural shift the have made at Daiwa and so much more.

This episode I catch up with Mike Knight.Mike is the man behind the brand that is OTL or otherwise known as On Top Lures. OTL is run out of his garage in Waipu, New Zealand by both he and his wife Rita. What originally started off as a hobby has quickly become a way of life.During this podcast we cover a range of topics and get great insight to the man behind the brand, from the birth of the business to where it is now and everything in between.Including a 20lb snapper on a stickbait, the uniqueness of a hand made product and how you never know which lure might just be “The One”.Also encounters with yellowfin tuna land based in New Zealand, selling lures into Norway and Saudi Arabia, being invited to compete in an International top water tournament in Dubai, his use of recycled timber and so much more.

This episode I sit down over a coffee with David Galbraith. DG is well known for his work as a mental skills coach, having worked with the Chiefs, New Zealand Sevens and Japan rugby. His skills are also utilised by high performance sport New Zealand where he works with a number of Olympic athletes including New Zealand's most successful Olympian of all time Lisa Carrington.During this podcast we get some great insight into dealing with elite athletes at the top of their game. DG shares some background into his journey to becoming one of New Zealand's most renowned mental skills coaches. Including how his rural upbringing shaped his character, dealing with serious offenders in life or death situations and how speaking to a club rugby team on a cold winter's night changed his life forever. We also discuss the impact he had on my professional rugby career and so much more.

This episode I sit down with Rick Pollock. Rick was a professional charter skipper here in New Zealand for over 40 years.His trips were iconic. Anglers travelled from all corners of the globe to fish our infamous New Zealand waters, aboard his vessel “Pursuit”. He provided anglers from here and abroad the opportunity to fish in places most only dream of, with the chance of catching the fish of a lifetime. In places such as White Island, Ranfurly Banks, The Three Kings and everywhere in between.During this podcast we get some great insight into the life of a skipper that consistently spent over 250 days a year at sea for over 40 years. Including topics such as, a 32 hour Blue Marlin battle, world record kingfish, his first experience fishing White Island and catching kingfish with dog chain.We also discuss how catching sharks off the Motu river turned into one of the most memorable Black Marlin captures of all time, the true character of people when faced with horrendous weather at sea, the high caliber of deckhands he had, being the first skipper to fish the Ranfurly Banks and so much more…

This episode I sit down and chat with Andre Alipate. Andre is well known for being one of the hosts and the voice of The Hunters Club, a television show based here in New Zealand. It's not just on our screens where Andre's credentials end either as he has represented Tonga at the World Crossfit Games in 2019, played rugby with and against some of the true greats of the game and been on some trips and adventures that outdoorsman only dream of.During this podcast we get a “Reel” look at what makes Dre tick and why he is so successful at anything he challenges himself with.We discuss topics such as, The vision of The Hunters Club, his most epic hunts, the birth of South Sea Spearo, his love of fishing, balancing being a father and his outdoor lifestyle, 60 crossfit workouts in two days, running 100km off road and so much more..

This episode I sit down and chat with Matt Wallbank. Matt is taking on the monumental task of running 654 km during the month of October 2021. This is 1km for every suicide in New Zealand last year. A number that is far to high. His motivation for doing so is to help raise funds and awareness for I am Hope. I am Hope connect the youth of New Zealand with mental health counsellors and practitioners, so they can get timely support, without the added stress of how to pay the bill. During this podcast we discuss a range of topics and get to know Matt himself and his motivating factors to take on such a challenge. We also discuss some of his personal struggles, the support network he has, the importance of gratitude, the gift of giving and so much more.

This episode I catch up with 2 x world billfish champion Bonze. Bonze has been on the podcast before but this time we are going to drive deeper into a particular area of game fishing, the boat set up. Those of you who listened to previous episode with Bonze will know that we were setting up my boat Mini Chiefie in preparation for last season and with the changes made I had my best season yet. This is an area that Bonze is very passionate about and also credits a lot of his personal success to, trust me I now know why. During this podcast we talk in depth and great detail of the changes made, with the hope that the information shared helps all you keen fisho's become more successful. We cover areas such as rod holder placement, outrigger set up, dredge and teaser systems, lures and so much more.

This episode I catch up with an old High School friend who just so happens to be New Zealand cricket's best ever wicket-keeper batsman, BJ Watling.BJ has recently retired from a 13 year career at the top playing a total of 75 tests and goes out a World Test champion.Through this podcast we get a “Reel” look into the career of one of New Zealand's most respected players. We discuss how his time at Hamilton Boys' High shaped him, our memories of playing 1st XI together, his introduction to the Black Caps and being sledged by Ricky Ponting.We also discuss what it was like at the non striker's end during Brendon McCullum's famous Test 300, the different leadership styles of Brendon McCullum and Kane Williamson, being a world champion and so much more.

This episode I catch up with Ben Tapuai. Ben is someone I met through rugby when we played together for the Barbarians back in 2015.Ben has a very impressive professional rugby CV, representing the Queensland Reds and Western Force in Super Rugby, Bath and Harlequins in the UK Premiership and also represented Australia when he was a member of the Wallabies from 2011-2013. During that time he won a Super Rugby title with the Reds and just this year a UK Premiership with Harlequins.During this podcast we discuss what it was like to win those titles, to represent the Wallabies, living away from family and having his first child during a global pandemic. We also discuss the friendships that rugby has formed, growing up in Australia with his Samoan Culture, winning a club title with his brother, his decision to head to South Africa and play for the Sharks, developing through the Australian rugby system and so much more.

This episode I was lucky enough to sit down with New Zealand and World cricket icon Brendon McCullum. Brendon represented the Black Caps from 2002-2016 playing 101 Tests, 260 ODI's and 71 T20 internationals. He was also the first Kiwi to score a triple Test century when on the 18th of February 2014 he played an innings that stopped the nation. During this podcast we get a "Reel" look into the life of a true great of the game of cricket. We discuss what it was like to become the first Kiwi to score 300, his captaincy style, scoring 156* in the opening game of the IPL, implementing the ramp shot vs Shaun Tait. We also discuss the recent successes of our world champion Black Caps test side, importance of having a plan, setting out to inspire a generation in the 2015 Cricket World Cup, why he retired when he did and so much more.

In this episode I catch up with Tim Seifert. Tim is an International cricket player who currently specialises in the short forms of the game. He is a Blackcap who has represented the team in both ODI and T20 cricket as a wicketkeeper batsman. It has been T20 cricket where he has really made a name for himself for his aggressive batting style at the top of the order, and is currently the New Zealand record holder for the fast century which came off only 40 balls. He has also competed at both the CPL and world famous IPL. In this episode we discuss a range of topics such as, what it's like to travel the world playing the sport he loves, being mentored by New Zealand cricket icon Brendon McCullum and his introduction to the Blackcaps. We also discuss the enjoyment he gets from the sport of golf, getting covid in India, growing up with dyslexia and so much more.

This episode I sit down with New Zealand track cyclist Jessie Hodges. Jessie is going to be competing at the 2021 Olympic games in Tokyo. When most people think of Olympic athletes they assume a lifetime of dedication to their chosen sport, with Jessie this definitely isn't the case. She only developed a passion and drive for the sport of cycling when she suffered a serious knee injury in her last year of high school competing in her then, chosen sport of netball. It was the hours spent on a stationary bike during her rehabilitation that fuelled a fire in her that has seen her go on to represent New Zealand within her first two years in the sport and now become an Olympic athlete. During this podcast we discuss some great topics and get an insight into the life of an extremely promising Olympic athlete. From her sporting childhood and extremely supportive family to her four world cup medals in her first year of international competition, what drew her to track cycling and her rapid rise in the sport. We also discuss dealing with concussion and the dangers of track racing, the focus she has on her mental skills, her hatred of peanut butter, training with New Zealand high performance, the beauty in enjoying the moments and so much more.

This episode I sit down with Matt Watson to discuss all things fishing and so much more. Matt has become a household name both here in New Zealand and abroad for his energetic presence on our media screens hosting Ultimate Fishing TV. This episode is full of amazing content and some Tails that us fishermen often dream about. From 17 hour swordfish battles, to our involvement in “Pack the Park” and getting to play along side some of the true greats of the game, his passion for the sport of rugby and the respect it teaches, the time he spent working on “Primetime” with John Gregory and becoming one of New Zealand's premier game-fishing boats. We also discuss his move from “Primetime to “The Ultimate Lady”, what it was like to discover the Whanganella Banks for the first time, the need for recreational fisherman to tag more Marlin, the balance of fishing as a job and doing it for personal enjoyment with family and friends, his son Shaw's his new found love for fishing and so much more.

In this episode I sit down around the fire over a few Good George beers with my long time Instagram pen pal Aaron Styles. Aaron is the founder and director of Just Another Fisherman, a fishing lifestyle clothing brand based here in New Zealand. In this podcast we cover some great topics including the four year journey to catch a marlin on his boat Critter Collector, how the brand originally started as a hobby, Aarons true passion for fishing and how it inspired the brand, chasing snapper on soft-baits in the shallows and putting his boat on the rocks. We also discuss marlin fishing from small boats, pressures of working in the fashion industry, the Crewman Shorts and how epic they really are, Instagram pen pals, the importance of having a process and so much more.

This episode I sit down with Ross and Max Christensen who are the father son duo behind FC Boats and Fish City. During this podcast we cover some great topics such as, the birth of FC Boats, working in the industry you have a reel passion for, dealing with a global recession. We also discuss the balance of working together as a father and son team, Ross shares some Tails of game fishing from trailer boats in the early days, Max 's passion to continue to grow the business, the importance they place on valuing their staff and so much more.

This episode I sat down with Graeme "Bonze" Fleet of Bonze lures in his factory which is based in the home of marlin fishing in New Zealand, The Bay of Islands. Bonze is not only a great lure maker but also an outstanding game fishing skipper. He was the first New Zealander to receive the Billfish Foundation award for both Top Tagging captain and Top Release captain for Blue Marlin in the Atlantic. Bonze has been fortunate enough to fish in places that many of us only see on YouTube, read about or dream about and has some great Tails to tell about his adventures. Bonze opens up about what it was like for him to have a mentor like Mike Rand the skipper of Spellbound, the crazy adventure that was Cape Verde and the Happy Hooker not looking like she did in her photos. We also discuss how a school project turned into the business that is Bonze Lures, pressures of social media, catching Blue Marlin at 18 knots, his ideal lure spread and so much more.

This episode I chat with former All Black Troy Flavell, Troy has a very charismatic nature and tells a great Tail. We cover a vast array of topics such as, what it was like to star in the new hit TV show "Match Fit", Taking on Willie Mason in a charity boxing event, the early days of professional rugby and his passion for fishing. We also share how special the New Zealand Maoris team culture is for us, what it was like to play professional rugby in Japan and how we found the culture. Troy also gives great insight into his time in France and so much more.

This episode I sit down with the three founders of Good George Brewing. Good George is a brewing company based in Hamilton and is one of the fastest growing in the country. We discuss some great topics and the guys share some great insight into how they have grown and made the brand so successful. From how it all began, the importance they place on the quality of people, messy staff do's at Huka Lodge, being the most drunk beer at the New York Beer festival, the importance they place on supporting the local community, partnering with The WaterBoy and so much more.

This episode I catch up with Joe Edlington or as most will know him J E Wilds. Joe is a professional hunting guide and is also a hunting and fishing video content creator. His artistry to capture and share his adventures is unmatched and he has a real gift in sharing the journey, making you feel like you are there with him. We cover Joe's Tail in great depth and he shares some awesome yarns. From gaining a passion for hunting in the library, spending 8 days in the mountains with only his dog Nigsy Boy and a camera, his new nine part solo hunting series, the upcoming adventure fishing series, hunting Wild Boy and so much more.

This episode I chat with the world's most skillful number 10. We cover the highs and lows of professional rugby in New Zealand and the pathway Fletcher took to get there. From playing for Nelson College 1st XV as a year 10 but then making the move south to Christchurch Boys' High, meeting with Tony Brown and making the decision to head to Dunedin for a chance at a professional career, All Black defence coach Scott McLeod running it straight at training. We also discuss the importance we both place on team culture and the importance of feeling like you are valued, his move to the mighty Mooloo's, winning the Ranfurly Shield then losing it to his old team, end of season sunday sessions and so much more.

I give some insight into my personal memories of the famous Log O' Wood. The great Waikato victory over Auckland in 1993 which ended the longest ever reign of 61 games spanning eight years, winning it for the first time, unsuccessful challenges, captaining the side to victory, losing it, the pressures of being the holders, the joy it brings a region and its fans, sharing it with family and everything in between.

Brad shares with us the challenges and setbacks he has endured in his professional rugby career and how they have shaped him into becoming an All Black. He talks about how missing out on the Otago squad effectively helped him get a Super Rugby contract with the Chiefs, being told he was too small to be pro, how the basketball great Spud Webb inspired him, dealing with the horrific injury of breaking his femur, scarfie life in Dunedin, his love of grassroots rugby and so much more.

I catch up with some of the awesome crew at Raglan Roast Coffee. We discuss how a couple of like minded dudes turned a hole in the wall coffee store into a cult like figure with 12 locations spread across New Zealand. This podcast is with two of the company directors Tony and Bobo but we also have a couple of special guest's drop in. As well as talking coffee and business the lads share some of their life experiences and challenges, from only being awake for an hour a day for six years, creating the world's largest indoor skate park, receiving the late great Jerry Collins All Black test jersey and so much more.

Ben shares what it's like to leave home at the age of 16 to race motocross professionally in Europe, how good his Championship winning bikes really were, training with the GOAT Ricky Carmichael, his passion for coaching his two boys, winning the MX2 World Title, being part of the greatest battle for the AMA Motocross title of all time and so much more.

Chelsea shares some of her amazing experiences. From being the first female to represent the Waikato Under 13-yo boys' side, hosting Taylor Swift album release parties with her best friends and how important those friendships have been to keep her life balanced. She also shares her emotional “Tail” of being called into the Black Ferns and walking onto Twickenham in front of 80,000 people, how supportive her family has been especially her big brother Nate during her career and so much more.

Teresa shares what it's like being a female working in the male dominated sport of rugby, her involvement in Ranfurly Shield victories, balancing work and study while being a Black Fern, her view on the state of womens rugby here in New Zealand and so much more.

Adam shares with us what it's like to be a plant based athlete, how a spinal infection nearly ended his career leaving him bedridden for six weeks, winning the Rugby World Cup, using rugby as a tool to travel and experience the world, rebuilding himself in Bail and so much more.

Anton opens up about the importance he places on his Mental Health and wellbeing, being a caddie for Damian McKenzie at the NZ Golf Open, the emotion of his All Blacks debut and we share our views on two of the worlds best coaches Wayne Smith and Warren Gatland. All this and much more.

Ben shares with us what it was like to be New Zealand's first Red Bull athlete, Kayaking the Huka falls and the Nile River, going to the GoPro summits with some of the worlds best extreme athletes, how his fishing show Built to fish was born and much more.

Sam Cane opens up about how his Mum's Deer Velvet capsules saved his career, catching Marlin with Matt Watson, playing professionally in New Zealand vs Overseas, All Blacks Captaincy speeches and much more.

Join the journey on how I will connect with good people and help share their tails.