Fishing & Adventure is about to launch its seventh season – what can people expect to see in this season? Which episode are you most looking forward to screening?

Scott: We are raising the bar again this season and are ticking off a few firsts for the show. Our viewers have told us that what we’re doing is being very well received but we’re still going to add a few more tweaks to keep it fresh.

I’m really looking forward to airing our South Island mission to Stewart Island, which will be a two-part episode.

Mig: This season we have focused on creating a much crisper end product with some exciting new locations and some extraordinary fish being caught. One of these trips was an awesome adventure to Stewart Island, where we made the most of fishing , diving, hunting and exploring – everything the island has to offer.

Where did the idea for Fishing & Adventure first come from?

Mig: We started out by filming a few clips while fishing out from Raglan back in the day, and we would edit them in our flat in Hamilton. After a bit of thought, we decided to have a crack at putting together a TV show. We saw a gap in the market for a fresh new approach with us at the helm.

What has been the most challenging thing about creating and shooting Fishing & Adventure?

Scott: Learning something from scratch, trying to generate income and build a profile with little experience in the industry. We always wanted to maintain the integrity of the show, so we weren’t willing to sacrifice our underlining values just to increase revenue – this certainly made it more challenging in the beginning.

Mig: Initially it seemed like every element was a struggle as there is no beginners guide to starting a fishing TV show. We had zero experience in the TV Industry, so dealing with production companies, tv networks and sponsors was challenging.

There are still plenty of challenges around filming and creating the show. It’s the close bond that the whole F&A team has that has kept, and continues to keep, everything running smoothly.

Your show centres around challenges, with the loser having to complete a ‘consequence’ – what is the worst consequence you’ve each had to do?

Scott: Hands down, Deep Heat cream in the undies.

Mig: Easy question – the bungy wedgie. This involved my underwear tied via a rope to our Colorado ute, then said ute driving away at a rate of knots.

The aftermath of this was quite a comical sight as the undies were stronger than initially thought, and I ended up being dragged from the safe grass area where I had planned to land onto the concrete driveway – with my underwear no longer covering anything at all.

Which episode has been your favourite? Why?

Scott: The Fiordland Two-part episode from last season was epic. We achieved so many things in one trip and it lived up to the hype. There’s always a bit of pressure on us when we go on a massive trip so to get the result was an awesome feeling.

Mig: It would definitely have to be our trip into Fiordland last season, it’s a stunning and very wild part of the country that lived up to every expectation. What we managed to achieve while there, with our vessel Holy Ship, couldn’t be matched anywhere else in New Zealand.

What is your favourite part of the country to fish in? Why?

Scott: Houhora – it has everything on offer all-year-round.

Mig: Hokianga on Northland’s west coast. This place has everything on offer and boasts some of the best fishing I’ve experienced.

Tell us your best/funniest ‘behind the scenes’ story

Scott: We have a great crew and the banter is always in full swing. We enjoy filming and fishing together and we think that this translates into the episodes.

Mig: There are so many, it’s hard to pick out just one. The whole time we are away on filming trips as well as in the edit suite it is a steady stream of jokes, pranks and funny moments. However, the funniest times probably happen when we are filming consequences – at least for the person who won the challenge along with the behind the scenes crew. Quite often, the 30 second consequence segment goes on for hours after the cameras stop rolling. One example of this would be the ‘deep heat in the undies’ consequence. The pain continued well after the cameras stopped rolling – to the amusement of our cameraman. The screams even brought one of the neighbours over to investigate suspicious noises.

What is your favourite species to catch, whether on or under the water? Favourite style of fishing or underwater hunting?

Scott: Big snapper – either straylining or soft-baiting in the shallows. Definitely targeting big snapper.

Mig: I love freediving for crays! In regard to fishing, straylining for big snapper would have to be my favourite!

When you’re not making Fishing & Adventure, what would we find you doing?

Scott: Working on my project car. Spending time at our seaside sections – Mokau or Coromandel. A little bit of travel, when I can fit it in.

Mig: Speedway is a massive passion of mine. I’ve been racing since I was twelve years old so you will often find me trackside throughout the country over the summer. I also enjoy mountain biking, hunting and travelling.

What do you believe needs to be done (if anything) to protect and revive our inshore fisheries?

Mig: As recreational fishers we have plenty we can do to help our fisheries and one of the best ways to do that is to support LegaSea. They have done and continue to do great things for our fisheries. Also, we can treat the fish and our environment with respect by not littering and applying the FishCare guidelines when catching fish and only taking what we need to feed our whanau.