Interview: The road to boat fishing - "from wooden boat to high-tech predator rig"

Today he is one of the best-known guides on the lake, driving a fully equipped PikeHunter 530 Gen3 from RheinlandBoote with 140 hp Tohatsu and state-of-the-art Garmin electronics. Despite all the technology, Fred has remained what he always was: an honest, direct, old-school angler who says what he thinks - and passes on his knowledge without showmanship.

Fred, what still gets you out on the water after all these years?

Quite simply, I feel more at home on the water than on land. I grew up with very little, so fishing wasn't a lifestyle, it was everyday life. Today, I could theoretically do less - but when the mist hangs over the lake in the morning, I know that this is where I belong. And as long as I can still learn something new on Lake Plau, I'll stay out there.

You grew up in the GDR. What was fishing like for you back then?

We don't need to romanticise it - it was very simple. I didn't have a big tackle shop round the corner. Many things were in short supply, most of them improvised. A simple barge, simple rods, line, a few hooks, that was it. But that's exactly what shaped me: You learn to read the water instead of just staring at a display. If you don't have high-tech, you have to fish with your head.

What from that time still characterises you as a guide today?

Two things: humility and honesty. Humility before the water - the lake owes you nothing. And honesty, also towards the guests. I don't promise anyone "ten pike guaranteed". Anyone who says that doesn't understand much about fishing on a natural lake. I tell my people clearly what the conditions are like: good, difficult or tough as nails. And then we work together to get fish on the line anyway.

What has changed the most?

Three things: boat control, electronics, safety. We used to be almost blind on the water, today position and electronics are everything: spot lock, drift, angle. Electronics show structures and fish, but only those who can read can catch better. In addition, life jackets, good clothing and redundancy are now standard, not optional.

How did you become a professional guide?

It wasn't a masterplan. I started out with a simple boat - no casting deck, no high-tech, no fancy design. Just a boat, a motor and me. Over the years, it became more professional, the demand grew, and at some point I said: Okay, I'll either do it right - or not at all.

Today you ride a PikeHunter 530 Gen3. How did that come about?

At some point, you will reach the limits of a simple boat. When you're out with guests in wind and waves, you want safety, space and a layout that you can really fish with. The PikeHunter 530 won me over straight away: very stable aluminium, lots of freedom of movement, practical storage space. It is also self-draining. That's great, because I leave my boat in the water for most of the year and never have any problems with rain run-off. With the 140 hp Tohatsu and the digital gearbox, I have enough reserves, even when it gets really uncomfortable on the lake. It's not a toy, it's work equipment.

And you've really upgraded the electronics ...

Yes, this is now a real working cockpit. The Garmin Force Kraken at the front as the bow engine, plus several 12″ GPSMAP echo sounders and LiveScope transducers - all neatly matched to LiFePo4 batteries. I spend many hours on the water every day, so the system simply has to work. No tinkering, no tangled cables. I want to concentrate on guiding and on the fish, not on troubleshooting.

You still describe yourself as an "old-school angler". How does that fit in with all the high-tech?

Quite simply, technology is a tool, not a substitute for fishing. Many people confuse the two. Live echo sounder does not automatically mean more fish in the landing net. If you don't know what you see on the screen, the best colours won't do you any good. My school was: read structure, wind, temperature, time of year, forage fish. That comes first. The electronics help me to refine that. But the basics remain old school.

What do you experience with your guests on board?

Everything. From absolute beginners who have never held a baitcaster in their hands to hardcore anglers who just want to tickle out the last percentage point. Typical mistake: getting impatient too quickly. Three casts, no fish - and you think you have to change everything. I teach people: Bring in a system, stay calm, recognise patterns. And yes, I also make it clear: you miss every third cast, concentrate. You have to come to terms with that.

You have a reputation for being honest and direct. How does that go down with your guests?

That's exactly why most people book me. If you just need a few nice Instagram photos, you've come to the wrong place. I tell you what's going on. If the weather is bad, I'll tell them in advance. If someone just wants to "test" their own bait and doesn't catch anything, I tell them: trust me, we're changing now. This honesty is sometimes uncomfortable, but in the end it brings fish - and above all learning progress.

You also have your own YouTube channel. What do you show there?

I'm not in the mood for glossy bullshit. Sure, you see my boat, my technique, my lures - but above all you see real everyday life: good days, tough days, failures, learning curves. I get a lot of requests from people who say: I've seen your video, now I want to experience it live. And that's exactly how it should be: Anyone who books me gets the same guy as on YouTube - unvarnished, sometimes grumpy, but always honest.

You are closely networked with the community at Lake Plau. How important is this network to you?

Very important. Nobody "owns" the lake. We guides, the local anglers, clubs, tourism - we're all in the same boat. I exchange a lot, pass on knowledge and get some back. This helps to keep the lake healthy in the long term. Catch and release, respecting closed seasons, not burning up spots - these are not just empty phrases. If you've been here for decades, as I have, you want the stocks to still be healthy in 20 years' time.

What advice would you give to someone who wants to start boat fishing today?

Firstly, don't let the material drive you crazy. You don't need a thousand-euro set-up. A solid rod, good line, a few tried and tested lures - that's it. Secondly, get to know the water. Depth contours, edges, weed beds, wind directions. Thirdly, take your time. Fishing is not a sprint. And if you want to make faster progress: book a guide - doesn't have to be me, but someone who really knows the water. And be humble before the water. Your boat has to fit the plan.

And finally: What can guests expect when they go out with you?

An honest day on the water. No promise of a metre fish, but everything in my power to make it possible. A modern boat with perfect technique, clear instructions, lots of practical knowledge - and no show. If you are prepared to learn, to be criticised and to respect the lake as much as I do, then we will have a good time. And with a bit of luck - and clean work - you'll catch a fish that you'll be talking about for a long time to come.