‘MY DARKEST, MOST DANGEROUS YET...’
“I found myself in some testing situations – that’s what makes the programme” Jeremy Wade’s verdict on the latest series of his acclaimed TV show
THESE are images from what Jeremy Wade described ‘as the most dangerous and testing series of River Monsters yet.’
In an exclusive interview with Angling Times, the TV star opened up about getting up close and personal with some of the most dangerous fish on the planet and also filming the final series of the show that’s brought angling into the homes of millions across the globe.
What can viewers expect from the new Series 8 on ITV? This was a real test. I enter some of the most dangerous environments ever in the history of River Monsters.
I spend lots of time in the water, getting up close and personal…diving in some tough places in order for me to find out how best to catch some really incredible creatures.
You don’t want to miss this.
Did you have any really close calls? I don’t want to give too much away at this point, but I can say that I had an encounter with a tiger shark in Australia. I also plunged into dark, creepy and seemingly bottomless holes in the Bahamas, which have very little in the way of an escape route.
I found myself in some very intimidating and testing situations, but it’s pushing the boundaries and such conditions that allow us to keep making better and better shows.
How is this series different to previous ones? There are many firsts for me and the team in this series, as some of the footage with creatures that I meet on camera have never been filmed in that way before.
It was a real honour and a privilege for myself and the incredible River Monsters team to be able to be involved in capturing such unique footage.
There’s also a point when I really lose it on camera! I’ve lost my temper before after fish have got the better of me, but this time it was off the scale and I have to say looking back it’s very entertaining.
What’s your favourite fishing moment from the new series? I had one of the best bites I’ve ever encountered while filming in Florida.
I was lure fishing for barracuda in shallow water, which is hard work because you have to keep the bait moving all the time and retrieve as quickly as possible.
This fish just slammed into my lure at 100 miles an hour and the rush of adrenalin really was something else. I’ve been to many different venues and battled some incredible monsters, but I’d go back for some more of that for sure.
The power of a barracuda has to be experienced to be believed.