Extreme Fishing with Robson Green - Season 4

Robson’s journey begins in the dead of night, at RAF Brize Norton. Only from here can he reach his first destination; a tiny outpost in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean and the most remote place Robson has ever fished – Ascension Island. There’s less than a thousand people here at any one time and, with its underfished waters, it promises Robson the fishing of his life. Here, he gets the chance to go after his biggest ever fish; the Six Gill Shark. This prehistoric beast grows to well above 500 kilograms and Robson feels every bit of it as he tries to reel it in. Ascension Island is teeming with fish, so just about every local is handy with a rod and line. The unspoilt waters also give him a chance to go totally old school, wading into the sea to try and catch one of the local Triggerfish with his bare hands. And, he’ll go out with local fisherman Noddy, who is assuring him of a fish fest like he’s never experienced. After only an hour on the water, Robson’s exhausted, and back at shore they need a crane to bring in the catch.

Robson’s journey continues in Patagonia, a region spanning the southern parts of Chile and Argentina. He is on a mission to fish at the southernmost city in the world, Ushuaia. This place really is the end of the Earth – if Robson went much further south, he would end up in Antarctica. But before Robson gets there, he is after an extra-special prize. Ushuaia is in Argentinean Patagonia. But on the Chilean side of the border, in Torres del Paine, there could be waiting one of the catches of Robson’s life. Robson was raised on salmon fishing, and in the waters here swim Chinook salmon, the largest on the planet. The biggest Robson has ever caught was round 18lb. In these waters, he hopes to get one double that size. When he gets one on the end of his line, he can barely believe the fight this mighty fish puts up. With its runs and leaps, this is one of the most spectacular sights ever seen on the water. But with a fish like this, there are no guarantees – and just because Robson has it on the line, it doesn’t mean he is going to get it to the shore. However, fishing at the ends of the Earth holds still bigger worries in store for Robson. Just as he arrives, a fuel protest sees locals blocking the roads. Suddenly, Robson and his crew are trapped and his whole journey to Ushuaia and the ends of the Earth is in jeopardy. Still, it gives him the chance for more fishing. In a deserted spot, he celebrates a big catch as nature intended – shouting at the top of his voice, whilst running for the hills… naked. But, Robson cannot stay in Chile forever. He may have only come here to fish, but soon he finds himself making a thrilling break for the border. In Patagonia, commercial fishermen go after another prize catch, and it gives Robson a chance to bag the biggest crab of his life, the centolla. These things get to well over 3 feet across and look like the stuff of nightmares. As Robson tries to get his hands on one, he quickly realises that these guys do not take any take prisoners. Soon, the Geordie actor is a working Patagonian crab fisherman, dealing with some of the most foul- smelling bait of his life – and some of the scariest-looking creatures he has ever plucked from the water.

Robson touches down in Papua New Guinea, a volatile, volcanic island that is home to multifarious tribes who speak over 800 languages. It is also home to the Papuan black bass, cited by many as the top prize when it comes to freshwater fighting fish. After a journey involving 3 flights and 5 days, Robson Green touches down in Papua New Guinea, a volatile, volcanic island that is home to multifarious tribes who speak over 800 languages. It is also home to the Papuan black bass, cited by many as the top prize when it comes to freshwater fighting fish. In Kimbe, the capital of West New Britain, Robson meets hunter Riccard Reimann who takes him to the jungle rivers where the fiercely territorial bass makes its home. And its reputation as one of the world’s toughest fighters is soon confirmed as the first specimen they manage to hook has no intention of getting in the boat. A volunteer is sought to dive into the crocodile infested river to see if the monster can be brought to the surface. Away from the water, Robson gets his hands dirty on the hunt for megapode eggs in the smoking shadow of the volcano Mt Tavurvur. The megapode, a kind of tropical turkey, incubates its eggs in a pungent cocktail of sand and rotting compost. The eggs are highly prized and they make the perfect gift for Robson’s next hosts – fishermen who ply their trade on the edge of a reef, using just hand lines that reach a depth of over 500ft. It is hard graft, but a tropical feast awaits after a day’s toil. His last Papuan mission sees Robson sail out in the open ocean in the biggest boat he can find to see if he can bring in a goldfish. The ruby snapper, or giant goldfish as it is commonly known, turns out to be one of the most bizarre creatures he has ever landed. This escapade leaves just enough time for one last fisherman’s tale about a mammoth of the deep, with the power to break 250lb lines, and which no one has ever brought to the surface. Robson’s reel goes from twitchy to smoking and maybe, just maybe, one of these huge predators is about to make its presence felt above the waves.

This time Robson’s way past Australia and out into the Pacific, where he finds a fishing paradise waiting. New Caledonia is a sun-kissed island, home to the world’s largest lagoon and a place where new fish species are still being discovered. Robson’s aiming to travel to the outer reaches, where westerners rarely venture, and learn the fishing ways of the tribes people who live there. Today, Robson’s hunting for a New Caledonia speciality; the Flame Snapper. It’s a fish he’s never seen before, but one he’ll not forget quickly. Father and son team, Yann and Joelle, are amongst the best fishermen on the island and today Robson’s their apprentice, and he’ll need to impress as he quickly learns Yann doesn’t suffer fools. It’s not long before Robson’s fighting to bring in a one-metre long Spanish Mackerel. To the north of the island lie the territories of the island’s native population, the Kanak. These lads know how to fish and they give Robson a warm welcome, but the fish aren’t so accommodating, as Robson is singled out for a jellyfish attack. New Caledonia is the destination for one fish; the Giant Trevally, and Robson has permission to fish the Kanak waters for them. When he gets it on the hook and feels the fight on the end of his line, he realises he’s not going to be disappointed. Now all he has to do is land it.

Robson heads to the town of Itatí in the northeastern province of Corrientes in Argentina. On the southern shores of the second biggest river in south America, the Paraná, Robson lays some baited-lines to catch the largest freshwater fish in world – the short-tailed river stingray. Further down river he searches for the pacu, a close cousin of the piranha. Using a curried-fruit lure, the boys mix up the bizarre fish food, then cast towards the reeds and wait for the normally timid fish to feed. But Robson’s first real bite is not at all timid! Leaving the river behind, Robson’s next stop is the Iberá marshes, to a traditional working cattle ranch. Robson is here for the lagoons which are home to packs of piranha. But before getting near the water, Robson earns his Gaucho spurs fishing for cattle with a lasso. Robson gets a chance to catch both yellow and river piranhas, the hook just has to be in the water for a second or two before there is a tug. Robson’s last visit is to a place renowned for producing record breakers, the Salto Grande Dam on the river Uruguay.