It’s a great question – and one I get asked a lot! The name ‘The Gambling Angler’ comes from the simple truth that every time we go fishing, we’re taking a gamble. No matter how experienced we are, there's never a guarantee we'll catch – and that’s part of what makes the sport so exciting. But like any good gamble, there are ways to stack the odds in our favour. By fishing the right marks, at the right times, with the right approach and tackle, we massively improve our chances. It’s about making smart, informed decisions to give ourselves the best shot possible. That said, even when we do everything right, the fish don’t always play ball – and that’s the nature of sea angling. It’s unpredictable, humbling, and thrilling all at once. So, whether you’re just starting out or a seasoned match angler, at the end of the day, we’re all taking a chance – we’re all Gambling Anglers.

To be a successful angler, you need to understand the where, when, and how of fishing — and that knowledge doesn’t come overnight. It usually takes years of trial and error, countless hours by the water, and a lot of perseverance through all kinds of conditions before those vital patterns start to reveal themselves. That’s where a guided session comes in. A fishing guide is someone who’s already put in that time — who’s done the hard yards, learned the local marks, figured out the tides, and dialled in the techniques. Just like you might hire a personal trainer or a tennis coach to fast-track your progress, a fishing guide helps you skip the steepest part of the learning curve. I offer guided shore fishing and coaching sessions along the English coast of the Bristol Channel — an area I know inside out. Whether you're just starting out or looking to sharpen your skills, I’ll help you fish smarter, build confidence, and make the most of your time on the shore.

Simply select the type of booking you are interested in, choose a date from those available and click the buy now button. Please use the message box if you have any special requests or requirements on the day or to provide any information that may help me to help you.

Once your booking is complete, you’ll receive a confirmation email straight away to let you know everything’s been successfully arranged. Then, two days before your session, I’ll be in touch with all the important details — including the meeting time and exact location. I intentionally leave this final step until closer to the day so I can take into account the most up-to-date weather forecast, venue conditions, and any other factors that might affect how productive the session will be. At this point, we will also discuss your fishing tackle requirements. This way, you can be sure we’re fishing the right place at the right time, giving you the best possible chance of success on the day. You might be part of a group of no more than three other anglers, so punctuality is important- please. I can't hold back the tide!

On the day of your guided session, we’ll meet at a pre-arranged location at the agreed time. Before we head out, I’ll kindly ask you to sign a quick insurance form — just a standard part of the process to keep everything covered. From there, we’ll make our way to the chosen fishing spot. Throughout the session, I’ll be on hand to guide you through every aspect of your fishing — offering practical advice, coaching, and encouragement to help you get the most from your time on the shore (and hopefully catch a few fish along the way!). If you’re already a confident angler and prefer to do your own thing with minimal input, that’s absolutely fine too. This experience is all about you, and I’ll tailor my approach to suit your preferences and goals. The stated session duration is the minimum time you’ll spend under my guidance — I always aim to give a little extra where possible to ensure you have a rewarding and enjoyable experience. And if your session goes well (as many do!), there may be an opportunity to feature your catch on my social media channels. I’ll always check with you on the day to see if you’re happy with that — and of course, the decision is entirely yours.

We choose the venue around two days before your session. This gives us the best chance of putting you on the fish. By waiting until closer to the date, we can factor in the latest weather forecasts and how well different spots may have been fishing recently. It’s all about giving you the best experience possible on the day. We’ll always keep you in the loop and let you know exactly where we’re heading with plenty of time to prepare.

Whilst I can’t guarantee a catch — after all, fish are wild animals and don’t always play by the rules — I can promise that I’ll do absolutely everything possible to give you the best chance of success. That means carefully selecting a venue that suits the tide and weather conditions, making sure you’re using the right tackle and bait for the target species, and constantly adapting throughout the session to maximise your chances. Fishing is all about reading the conditions, being prepared, and sometimes a bit of patience too. I’ll be there to guide you every step of the way, using all my experience and local knowledge to give you the best possible opportunity to hook into something memorable. While nature can be unpredictable, I’ll make sure you're in the right place, at the right time, doing the right things — and that’s half the battle won.

This is another question I get asked a lot – and it's a fair one! While I genuinely love fishing, when I’m out with clients, your experience is always my top priority. My focus is on giving you the best possible chance of success – whether that means helping with casting, keeping baits fresh, watching for bites, or offering advice based on conditions. If I were fully focused on my own fishing, there’s a risk I could miss something important – and that could mean a missed opportunity for you, maybe even the fish of a lifetime. That said, on particularly quiet days, I might occasionally put a rod out if I feel it could help increase the chances of getting a bite for the group – but my attention will always stay on my clients. The session is about you, not me.

If you're unable to attend your guided session, don’t worry — we’ll work together to find a suitable alternative date that works for us both. If you need to cancel your session entirely, I’m happy to offer a full refund as long as you provide at least 7 days’ notice. For cancellations made within 7 days of the session, a 50% fee will be retained to help cover preparation costs and the lost booking slot. I always do my best to be fair and flexible, and I appreciate your understanding.

When you take part in a guided fishing session with The Gambling Angler, your safety is always my top priority. I take every reasonable step to ensure your well-being throughout the session and will offer clear, practical safety advice designed with your best interests in mind. While I’ll guide and support you, it’s important that you take personal responsibility for following this guidance during the session. Fishing along the coast can present natural challenges. You may find yourself near the water’s edge, navigating uneven rocks, slippery seaweed, mud, or occasionally fishing from elevated spots above the water. These conditions are all part of the experience — and with the right awareness and precautions, they can be managed safely and confidently. For further information, please take a look at my health and safety policy at the foot of this page.

Yes, of course you can. Place your desired booking, contact me and I'll see that the value of your Gift Card is deducted from your booking cost.

Absolutely! I’ve worked in the tackle trade with Veals Mail Order for over 20 years, during which time I’ve had hands-on experience with a huge range of rods, reels, and accessories. Over the years, I’ve seen what works, what doesn’t, and which combinations truly stand the test of time in real-world fishing conditions. I've also personally tested and used a wide variety of gear, giving me a solid understanding of the strengths and limitations of different tackle. In addition to my work at Veals, I’m proud to be a brand ambassador for Anyfish Anywhere, a respected UK-based sea fishing tackle manufacturer known for quality and innovation in the shore angling world. If you’re thinking about making a new tackle purchase — whether you're a beginner unsure where to start or a seasoned angler looking for honest advice — I’d be more than happy to help. I offer free, friendly, and impartial advice based on real experience, not sales targets. Just get in touch and I’ll do my best to point you in the right direction.

You can find a comprehensive list of full terms and conditions, Code of conduct, Environmental policy and more at the foot of this page. If you can't find the answer to your question here, please drop me a message and I will do my best to help.