Show Notes
This episode I had the pleasure of sitting down and chatting with Amanda, Geoff and Jeremy Wells. Two of the three generations that have owned and operated Kilwell Sports.Kilwell Sports that started out as Rotorua Sports 90 years ago by Jeremy’s late father John has grown into one of New Zealand’s most iconic distributors of Fishing, Hunting and Outdoors goods. As you will hear in this podcast it’s not only the sporting goods where the Kilwell brand has become recognisable both here in New Zealand and round the world.As you can imagine with 90 years of business there are many Tails to share, From Jeremy moving to USA in the late 1960’s living off $19 a day and learning to produce fishing rod blanks, to Geoff becoming a New Zealand trap shooting champion and being fortunate enough to learn off the best to ever do it. We also discuss Amanda never really having a passion for the outdoors but is now one of the key figures in one of New Zealand’s biggest outdoors distributors, the lasting impact the business has had on the Rotorua community and families, developing components for some of the worlds most successful businesses and so much more.
More from Reel Tails with Sweens
This episode I sit down with Hayden Wright overlooking the beautiful Tutukaka harbour.During this episode Hayden shares some incredible ‘Tails’ of his journey growing up with the sport of game fishing.We cover a range of topics, from catching his first marlin with his late great Pop Wynne Going to winning this years Kubota Billfish Classic, the largest Billfish tournament in the world.We also discuss, the incredible fishing he has experienced at the Whanganella Banks, chasing Blue Marlin in Tonga, kingfish on light tackle, using an omni directional sonar and so much more.
This episode I catch up with Luke Davis to discuss all things Marlin fishing.We get a ‘Reel’ insight into Luke’s journey from taking four years to catch his first marlin, to now being one of New Zealand’s most consistent Marlin fisherman.We cover a range of topics from his introduction to using light gauge hooks, to then being a big part of the development of the hook so many of us use today.We also discuss the phenomenal fishing location that is the Whanganella Banks, the magical spot that is Hokianga, catching Marlin without a hook, tips, tricks, the secrets and so much more.
This episode I catch up with Bonze to discuss all things Blue Marlin. During this podcast you are going to get some awesome information on how to find, hook and land Blue Marlin, from someone that has been on the journey from beginner to 2x World Billfish champion skipper for the most tagged and most captured Blue Marlin in the Atlantic Ocean. Throughout his journey he has also been lucky enough to fish with and alongside some of the greatest Blue Marlin fisherman of all time. Which has helped him build up an incredible amount of knowledge to share from the lessons he has learnt along the way. also includes fishing in some of the best Blue Marlin fisheries in the world such as Kona, Hawaii, Cape Verde and the Azores.
This episode I catch up with Aaron Cruden, Cruds is a professional rugby player and his career has had some amazing experiences. From starting out in the mighty Manawatu to play for teams in New Zealand such as, the Hurricanes, Chiefs and the All Blacks. Then abroad to play for Montpellier in France and Suntory in Japan then full circle to return to New Zealand and play here in the Waikato for the mighty Mooloos. Through this podcast you will get a great insight on professional sport from one of the very best to ever play the game of rugby here in New Zealand. We discuss the importance of leadership, game management and how he has a heavy focus on life blance. We also discuss the Chiefs winning back to back Super Rugby titles in 2012 and 2013, kicking the winning conversion to secure the All Blacks undefeted season and so much more.
This episode I catch up with Jimmy Brown.Jimmy is a professional skipper and has had some experiences that most can only dream of. His journey from a 12ft tinnie to skippering Jaruco a 90ft Jarrett Bay with a build cot of $24,000,000 USD has been amazing.Some of the tails he shares will blow your mind.Such as setting the world record of over 900 Blue marlin in a single year and at times travelling travelling over 200 nautical miles to the fishing grounds. We also discuss catching a 344 kg Swordfish with good friend Tony Carpenter off Hokianga, Giant Black marlin, fishing with the legend that is Chris Ash and so much more.