Interview: The path to boat fishing – ‘from a wooden boat to a high-tech predator rig’

Today, he is one of the best-known guides on the lake, sailing a fully equipped PikeHunter 530 Gen3 from RheinlandBoote, fitted with a 140 PS Tohatsu engine and state-of-the-art Garmin electronics. Despite all the technology, Fred has remained what he always was: an honest, straightforward, old-school angler who speaks his mind – and shares his knowledge without any fuss.

BOATS: Fred, what’s it that still draws you out onto the water after all these years?

Fred Kotowski: It’s quite simple: I feel more at home on the water than on land. I grew up with very little; back then, fishing wasn’t a lifestyle, it was just part of everyday life. Today, I could theoretically do less – but when the mist hangs over the lake in the morning, I know: this is where I belong. And as long as there’s still something new for me to learn on Lake Plau, I’ll stay out there.

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

There’s no need to romanticise it – it was very simple. I didn’t have a well-stocked tackle shop just round the corner. A lot of things were in short supply; most of it was improvised. A simple boat, basic rods, line, a few hooks – that was it. But that’s exactly what shaped me: you learn to read the water, rather than just staring at a screen. When you don’t have high-tech gear, you have to fish with your wits.

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

Two things: humility and honesty. Humility towards the water – the lake owes you nothing. And honesty, including towards the guests. I don’t promise anyone ‘ten pike guaranteed’. Anyone who says that hasn’t really understood much about fishing on a natural lake. I tell my guests clearly what the conditions are like: good, difficult or absolutely tough. And then we work together to get fish on the line anyway.

What has changed the most?

Three things: boat control, electronics, safety. In the past, we were practically blind out on the water; today, position and electronics are everything: Spot-Lock, drift, angle. Electronics show us structures and fish, but only those who can read the data catch more. What’s more, life jackets, suitable clothing and redundancy are standard practice these days – not just optional extras.

How did you become a professional guide?

It wasn’t some grand plan. To start with, I just set out in a simple little boat – no casting deck, no high-tech gear, no fancy design. Just the boat, the motor and me. Over the years, it became more professional, demand grew, and at some point I said to myself: Right, either I do this properly – or not at all.

You’re driving a PikeHunter 530 Gen3 today. How did that come about?

At some point, you’ll reach the limits of a basic boat. When you’re out on the water with guests in windy and choppy conditions, you want safety, space and a layout that really lets you fish. The PikeHunter 530 really won me over straight away: very sturdy aluminium, plenty of room to move about, and practical storage spaces. What’s more, it’s even self-bailing. That’s brilliant, because I leave my boat in the water almost all year round and so never have any trouble with rainwater drainage. With the 140 PS Tohatsu and the digital gearshift, I’ve got plenty of power in reserve, even when conditions on the lake get really rough. This isn’t a toy; it’s a workhorse.

And you’ve really upgraded the electronics …

Yes, it’s become a proper working cockpit now. Up front, the Garmin Force Kraken acts as the bow motor, along with several 12-inch GPSMAP fishfinders and LiveScope transducers – all neatly optimised to run on LiFePo4 batteries. I spend many hours on the water every day, so the system simply has to work. No makeshift solutions, no tangled cables. I want to concentrate on steering 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 gear?

It’s quite simple: technology is a tool, not a substitute for fishing. Many people get this wrong. A live fish finder doesn’t automatically mean more fish in your landing net. If you don’t know what you’re seeing on the screen, even the most beautiful colours are of no use to you. My approach has always been: reading the structure, wind, temperature, season, baitfish. That comes first. The electronics help me refine that. But the basics remain old-school.

What sort of experiences do you have with your guests on board?

Everything. From the absolute beginner who’s never even held a baitcaster before, right through to the hardcore angler who just wants to squeeze out that last percentage point. A common mistake: getting impatient too quickly. Three casts, no fish – and you’re already thinking you need to change everything. I teach people to: establish a system, stay calm, recognise patterns. And yes, I’ll say it plainly: you’re messing up every third cast – concentrate. You’ve got to learn to deal with that.

You have a reputation for being honest and straightforward. How do your guests react to that?

That’s exactly why most people book me. If you just want a few nice Instagram photos, I’m not the right person for you. I tell it like it is. If the weather’s rubbish, I’ll tell you that in advance. If someone just wants to ‘test’ their own lures and isn’t catching anything, I tell them: ‘Trust me, let’s switch now.’ This honesty can be uncomfortable at times, but in the end it brings in fish – and, above all, helps you learn.

You’ve got your own YouTube channel as well. What do you post there?

I’m not interested in glossy nonsense. Sure, you’ll see my boat, my gear, my lures – but above all, you’ll see real everyday life: good days, tough days, setbacks, learning curves. I get loads of enquiries from people who say: ‘I’ve seen your video, now I want to experience it for myself.’ And that’s exactly how it should be: anyone who books me gets the same bloke as on YouTube – unvarnished, sometimes grumpy, but always honest.

You’re closely connected to the community around Lake Plau. How important is this network to you?

This is very important. Nobody ‘owns’ the lake. We guides, the local anglers, the clubs, the tourism industry – we’re all in this together. I share a lot of information, pass on my knowledge, and learn from others too. That helps to keep the lake healthy in the long term. Catch and release, respecting closed seasons, not overfishing spots – these aren’t just empty phrases. If, like me, you’ve been here for decades, you want there to still be healthy stocks here in 20 years’ time.

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

Firstly: Don’t let the kit drive you mad. You don’t need a set-up costing thousands of euros. A decent rod, good line, a few tried-and-tested lures – that’s all you need. Secondly: Get to know the water. Depth contours, edges, weed beds, wind directions. Thirdly: Take your time. Fishing isn’t a sprint. And if you want to make faster progress: book a guide – it doesn’t have to be me, but someone who really knows the water. And remain humble when you’re out on the water. Your boat must be suited to the task at hand.

And finally: what can guests expect when they go out on a trip with you?

An authentic day on the water. No promises of a metre-long fish, but I’ll do everything in my power to make it happen. A modern boat with top-notch equipment, clear instructions, plenty of practical know-how – and no fuss. If you’re ready to learn, to take a critical look at yourself from time to time, and to respect the lake as much as I do, then we’ll have a great time. And with a bit of luck – and some skilful fishing – you’ll land the fish you’ll be talking about for a long time to come.