mat holland

ABOUT MAT HOLLAND

In the beginning, I started out fishing with my dad and more so with my late uncle Fred. I used to fish the likes of the river Chelmer in Essex trotting a stick float was great fun as a child.

With age, I began to focus on catching specimen-sized fish. For a few years, I fished for tench in an attempt to catch a 16-pounder, then moved on to carp fishing.

When I joined the Royal Navy at 16, I was away for 9 months at a time. So, I fished for big game fish while away and did as much carp fishing as I could when home on leave.

After 14 years in the Royal Navy, I was medically discharged and back in the civvy world. The only upside to that was I could get a lot more fishing in.

My fishing experiences have taken me to some incredible locations, from a well-known Devon syndicate to Ashmead and a very private Somerset syndicate.

I fished the famous Dinton complex for several years catching the twin was by far the highlight of my time

Nowadays I prefer to fish in unpublicized waters more than most. I've had some of my most successful fishing in the last 5 years or so. This is not easy for a travelling angler. I've managed to catch UK 40lbs plus fish from Devon Somerset Berkshire and Essex that most will never see print!!

I started Max Attract Baits for a few reasons. First of all, my mental and physical health was not doing well, and I knew my time on my tools was over.

Secondly and more importantly I wanted to take something that's been an underground passion for many years and make it mainstream so others could enjoy the level of success myself and friends have had for many years. Still, I wanted my company to be different from others. I will not compromise on quality over cost and I make no apology for that yes it comes at a price but all premium products do!!

I've drawn on 35-plus years of fishing my fishery management background and my desire never to compromise (definitely a military thing) to try and produce the highest quality I can in carp foods and bespoke baits.

Large gravel pots estate lakes farm pool French wild lakes or French commercials I've fished them all. Attending the Sparsholt fishery management course running a syndicate for 5 years writing articles for magazines coming runner up in the carp talk angler of the year award.