The Hooked Pod

In this episode, The Chippy dives into the real highs and lows of owning a business in the fishing industry. From the early mornings to the tough financial decisions, he opens up about the sacrifices it takes to keep a company afloat. He shares candid stories about borrowing money, paying staff before himself, and carrying the weight of responsibility that comes with leadership. This is an honest...

In this in-depth reaction, Chippy breaks down how the WA Government’s decisions show a complete lack of respect for fishers, small businesses, and local communities. From tighter restrictions to poor consultation, these changes are driving fish prices through the roof and squeezing the entire supply chain. Chippy explains how wholesale prices are hurting his restaurant, pushing up menu prices, and...

Chunk and The Chippy reflect on the recent WA law changes and the commercial fishing bans they’ve already had to confront, just three weeks into the new year. The impact on the restaurant has been immediate, with fish prices rising sharply and customers now being forced to pay more. They question the government’s approach, pointing to the undeniable damage these policies are causing to small busin...

Commercial fisherman Brendan Balls joins Chunk and The Chippy to discuss the management of fisheries and commercial fishing in WA. Brendan shares his thoughts on the commercial fishing bans and the measuring, management and maintenance of fisheries on the west coast of Australia. They discuss the appetite for fresh local fish in WA and question the awareness the community has on the drastic impact...

Scott and Matt join the pod this week as Chunk and the Chippy continue the conversation about the new demersal fishing restrictions in WA. They focus on the impact to recreational fishing and what this will look like for the coming years. Scott sheds light on the potential long term benefits to recreational fishing and what species can be fished and targeted instead of demersals.  ● Follow us on F...

In unprecedented times The Chippy chats to local fisherman Ryan Bradley about the upcoming demersal fishing bans that have recently been announced. The boys unpack the huge impact this will have on fisherman, your local fish and chip shop to tackle stores and everything in between. They struggle to fathom how this decision was made and share their concerns on the future of WA’s fishing industry an...

Visiting from Wales, Dave Vale walked into Hooked on Middleton Beach and then found himself behind the mic chatting to Chunk and The Chippy. Dave shares his tales of fishing in Wales including fly and coarse fishing. The boys learn about Dave’s experience teaching fishing. They compare the fishing scene across Wales and Australia including fish stocks, sustainability and of course, the best eating...

Rod Dog jumps behind the microphone to chat with Chunk and Chippy about how he found himself in WA and the meaning behind his Youtube channel name. The boys chat about fresh water fishing in South Africa, sports fishing for Carp and the unusual animals you encounter. Rod Dog also shares his monster kraken story and speaks about his want to catch a Blue Groper. The team discusses what goes into cre...

Chunk and The Chippy are joined by Josh Berente from Pleasure Marine, Albany. Josh chats about how he found himself running Alban’s Pleasure Marine and becoming a mechanic. Chunk and Josh reminisce on how Chunk sank a boat on New Years Eve in their earlier years and fishing in WA’s North. Josh chats about the current advancements in the marine industry, diesel outboards and fuel efficiency. ● Foll...

Chunk and The Chippy welcome John Di Giusto to the studio. The team chat through John’s fishing experience mainly with his father, rock fishing in Western Australia’s north. The boys learn about Ballooning and spinning from cliffs and John’s favourite places to do this. John also shares his experiences of being in the army, med school and some sketchy spearfishing with The Chippy’s son.  ● Follow...

Grant Chitty joins the pod to chat about all things, Bill Fishing, the Montebello Islands and his favourite spot to fish, Coral Bay. Grant shares tales of his time fishing with The Chippy’s brother and catching a 240 pound Marlin. The Chippy and Grant recount trekking the Western Australian Coastline by boat and the adventures that were had. ● Follow us on Facebook→https://shorturl.at/mx8gV ● Foll...

The Hooked Pod turns French when Chunk and the Chippy are joined by Tom and Carla. Chunk and The Chippy chat to the pair about their experiences of life on an Australian farm, learning English and how they found themselves in Albany WA. Carla talks about growing up working in her family's French seafood restaurant and the differences between French and Australian seafood culture.  ● Follow us...

Chunk and the Chippy share their recent stories from their winter holiday break joined by Brad Vale. They chat about the only two team footy league in Australia and Chunk pulling on the boots. The boys describe their spontaneous day fishing off Hopetoun and Chunk debriefs about taking his young family of 4 caravanning for the first time. ● Follow us on Facebook→https://shorturl.at/mx8gV ● Follow u...

In our Spring 25 edition of Tackle Talk, Chunk and The Chippy are joined by Western Angler’s Scott Coghlan and Outback Breamer Bait’s Callum Dowell. This episode will take you through what tackle you need to get you set up for fishing in Spring. The team will show and explain the best rods, bang for your buck reels and what braid to match. If you are hoping to catch a bream and smaller fish in riv...

Chunk and the Chippy take their podcast to the screen to talk about everything filleting. They chat about how they learnt the skill, what knives to use and the importance of sharpening. The Chippy talks through how he has managed to hand fillet fresh fish to serve at his award winning fish and chips shop while explaining the tips on how to preserve the taste and quality for the best eating results...

The man who has tagged 1000 Billfish, Bomber Farrell joins the pod this week. Bomber describes his time living on Groote Eylandt and how he came to be a Billfish catching legend. The boys chat to Bomber about his vast experience in catching, tagging and releasing Billfish. Bomber recounts his time Barramundi, Spot Tail Bass and Trout fishing throughout the years. The boys have a laugh about Bomber...

Steven Plants joins the podcast and talks about his recreational fishing experiences. Steven chats about fishing with his father and brother throughout his childhood which cemented his love for fishing. The boys and Steven share stories of their fishing experiences throughout WA and his bucket list fish to catch.  ● Follow us on Facebook→https://shorturl.at/mx8gV ● Follow us on Instagram→https://s...

Chunk and The Chippy get nostalgic sharing their most epic fishing adventures. The Chippy shares a fishing trip to Bruboodjoo in WA’s north that was filled with surprising events, lost tinnies, medical emergencies and epic fish. Chunk relives a fishing adventure in Australia’s North East where the fish may not have been biting but the memories have stuck and Marty the crab is yet to be found. ● Fo...

Fishing guru and squid expert Tony Thwin joins the podcast to chat to Chunk and The Chippy. Tony shares how he gained fishing knowledge through magazines and became a tackle expert and rep. Tony tells the story of being a young entrepreneur, how he learnt to read the water and make the most of fish and chip Fridays at the pub. The boys talk about the best tackle and gear to use for squidding and l...

Chunk and the Chippy welcome fishing legend Korg to the podcast. Korg shares his stories of fishing the Mackerel Islands throughout the years and his toothless trip to the Scott Reef, catching Dogtooth Tuna. The team chat about their favourite fishing spots in the Great Southern of WA, including seeing flying fish. Korg talks about fishing safety and the importance of wearing PFD’s, sharing his ex...

Owner and editor of the Western Angler magazine, Scott Coghlan joins Chunk and the Chippy this week. Scott chats about his love for the Great Southern, kayak fishing and his experiences of Salmon fishing and light line fishing throughout the state. Chunk and The Chippy learn how Scott came to edit and own the Western Angler magazine and how it has evolved over the years. The team chat through the...

Brad Vale joins the podcast to chat to Chunk and Chippy about his experiences of fishing throughout WA. Brad shares stories of his spearfishing and freediving adventures and his time under the water. Chunk and the Chippy chat to Brad about his close encounter with a predator, going viral online and how to stay safe in the water. When the recording is interrupted by the newest arrival to the pod fa...

Chunk and The Chippy welcome Mitchell Holdsworth to the pod. Mitchell recreationally fishes from Walpole to Albany everyday the weather allows. Mitchell talks about how he found himself rebuilding a fibreglass boat and his experience recreationally fishing the South West of WA, including some tales of carnage. Mitchell talks about the unique experience of fishing the Mackerel Islands and his bucke...

Chunk and The Chippy welcome Chunk’s father Butch who has been recreationally fishing on the South West Coast of WA for most of his life. After planning to make his way around Australia, Butch didn't make it past Hopetoun where the fishing was so good he stated. Chunk and Butch relive their favourite fishing stories with Butch remembering how his Pop got him into fishing. The team talks about...

Chunk and The Chippy share their tips for four wheel driving while camping. From preparation, their must take items, safety and their top WA camping destinations. They share their favourite camping stories, where they want to camp next and their least favourite secret ingredient to a campfire dinner.  ● Follow us on Facebook→https://shorturl.at/mx8gV ● Follow us on Instagram→https://shorturl.at/1i...