Joe Taylor Director & J&K Founder International Specimen Angler Began fishing as a youngster on local venues like the River Cherwell & Oxford Canal in the 1960's. As he progressed into a specimen hunter he began fishing some famous venues like the Thames, Severn, Fens & TC pit. Joe began fishing abroad more, until nowadays he doesn't fish British waters at all. Has since travelled the world in search of bigger fish, in places like Thailand, Spain, Eqypt, USA, Canada, Kazakstan, France & Kenya, taking a string of enormous different specimen fish from Cats to Sharks, Sturgeon to Carp. Mark Taylor Joe's Son & Director of the business Specimen Angler Mark virtually grew up in his dad's tackle shop as a teenager, and thus has an extraordinary knowledge of fishing tackle products. No mean specimen angler himself, most of Mark's fishing is done overseas nowadays, in a trip in late 2004 saw him land an enormous Sawfish estimated in excess of 1,000lb from the waters off Florida. Mark does all of J&K's magazine adverts amongst other things, widely regarded as some of the best in the industry. Nigel Collier NIGEL COLLIER - Shop Manager Shop Manager Nige Collier is Bicester born & bred, and has fished extensively in stillwaters for Carp & Catfish with plenty of success. Recently Nige's notorious social life and recent engagement to long term girlfriend Helen, has meant that he has not fished as much as he has liked, but has been planning a campaign for big carp in the Oxford Canal for some time... Richard "Paddy" Paradine Sales Assistant Specimen Angler - and a true all-rounder Lives near Bicester Has a wealth of all round specimen fishing experience, having had a rod in his hand since he was a child! Caught Oxfordshire's first 40lb Carp, and has considerable experience of fishing in France for Catfish, with a best fish weighing a mammoth 162lb! In fact he has spent time pursuing most species and still fishes several times every week. Paddy has an enviable big fish list without seeking publicity, including double figure Barbel from the Thames, Severn and Cherwell. He's also had 6lb plus specimen Chub from four different rivers, and in recent seasons he has also banked a string of monster perch. Merv Wilkinson Sales Assistant & Rod Repair Manager One Of the UK's FIRST Specimen Anglers!! Lives in Coventry A living legend, with a wealth of experience pursuing all sorts of specimen fish. There are few better barbel fishing exponents than Merv, and he is a fountain of knowledge where the Warwicks Avon is concerned. Merv's techniques have influenced anglers of the calibre of Trefor West, Tony Miles & Phil Smith to name but a few, and his past exploits feature in a number of famous books. In recent times he has spent a lot of time on the midlands canal system fishing for zander, and has also caught some quality perch from small commercial waters. Handles all our in-house rod repairs. Adam Rooney Match Section Manager Match Angler, Kamasan Starlets - Adam is also sponsored by Garbolino & Dynamite Baits Lives in Northampton Began fishing at the age of 6 and soon progressed to match fishing with a local club, Argos AC. Having won their league at the age of 12, it was quickly apparent that he had a real talent for competitive fishing! It was no surprise therefore when some 10 years on he had progressed to crack match outfit MAP Garbolino Starlets. Adam really hit the big time when he won the Preston Innovations Autumn Festival in October 2003, and has been crowned individual winner and Man Of The Match at the 2006 Drennan Super League Final! Adam runs the match dept at J&K, and is a very likeable & approachable young man who always has time to help customers. Tom Rice TOM RICE - Mail Order Department Tom a new member of the J & K team has fished in the Abingdon area since the age of 5, including Linear and Orchid Lake where he has caught numerous specimen fish up to 35lb. Tom has also fished abroad in Spain, France and Irelend. His biggest fish in Spain, was a Catfish which weighed 134lb. Sean Trafford SEAN TRAFFORD - Sales Assistant Sean also a new member of the J & K team, lives in Kidlington and fishes local rivers, canals and still waters. He has also fished overseas in places such as Ireland and France with his personal best of 36lb 4oz. Will Clayton Carp Angler Lives in Bicester Will is a carp angler with a very bright future. Despite his tender years Will has already caught some staggeringly large carp on the continent, including a 71lb Sky Lakes Mirror. This fish helped Will win Young British Carp Angler of the Year for 2005, organised and voted for in Carptalk Magazine. He's a very likeable & approachable young man with a very good knowledge of carp techniques, tackle and local carp waters. Kath Taylor Joe's Wife & Partner in the Business