Meet the Team

Mark Crompton

With a zest for fishing that’s infectious, Mark is the living definition of being hooked by fishing. A self-confessed fishing tragic much of Mark’s life is spent fishing, thinking about fishing, or planning to go fishing.

A bream tournament angler through and through, Mark loves few more that the thrill of testing himself against the fish, the elements and travelling Australia and fishing against the country’s best tournament pros. With his young family central to his life as an angler and a person Mark beams with joy at the thought of sharing his love of fishing with his son Alvey.

About Mark

Name:

Mark Crompton

Location (City/State):

Picton, NSW

Profession/Job:

Plumber

Favourite angling location?

Sussex Inlet NSW or anywhere in Tasmania.

Favourite species to chase?

Bream

Favourite style of angling?

Cast and retrieve lure fishing.

When did the love of fishing grab you and was there someone that got you into it?

As soon as I could walk, though my mum would say maybe even earlier than that. It was about 1982. My family had a caravan at Sussex Inlet in NSW, and we all spent our spare time there and around the water.

What was the style of fishing that you did when your first started fishing?

As with most kids I started by fishing for whatever would bite but I quickly learned that people actually targeted a specific species so I pestered every seasoned angler I could bump into to learn how to do what they were doing. This is where I learned “There’s no point knowing if you can’t teach it or share it.” I started by targeting bream, then flathead and then one of my still favourite fish, blackfish. Wow, how times have changed. I soon had my first tinny with a 6hp and I went off alone searching every square inch of Sussex Inlet for bream.

What (e.g. escapism, competition, connection with people/nature) does angling give you?

It’s basically what my little family’s entire being revolves around. We don’t lock anything in unless we have checked the ABT tournament calendar, and holidays generally involve some kind of fishing as well. We could be away on the other side of the country fishing for a few weeks and the first thing my little one will ask when we get home is when can we go fishing.

Who or what inspires your angling?

There are so many facets for me regarding inspiration. I’m inspired by people who share our sport with kids or anyone wanting to learn about it. I’m inspired by people who are learning about fishing tournaments. I’ve met men who have completely rejuvenated their entire lives by diving into tournament fishing. I’m inspired by those that think outside of square and challenge life’s norms. New technology and finding new understandings of what, when and why of fishing from embracing new equipment definitely inspires my angling. Seeing people get things out of angling that I’ve either experienced or want to experience inspires me daily. Knowing my son Alvey has so much to experience ahead of him inspires me to create an open path for him. My biggest hurdle currently is not bombarding him with my excitement.

What has been your favourite moment/memory in fishing?

I’ve been fortunate enough to experience almost every single high and low in tournament fishing there is, but my favourite moments are just fishing. Fishing with my mum in the middle of winter under the brightest moon I’ve ever seen. The moon was so bright you didn’t need lights to bait your hook. We caught a giant bream that night and won a prize in the Sussex Family Carnival. Honestly, however, watching my little boy Alvey catching his first bream is by far and away my favourite memory and moment in fishing. Not all fish are giants, but the memories definitely are.

What’s your angling goals for the future?

Currently it’s winning the Angler of The Year title on the ABT BREAM tour. Nothing else matters to me currently. It’s the only thing I haven’t achieved personally.

What advice would you give to new anglers entering the sport?

Fish more! Nothing will make you a better angler than time on the water.

What can we do as anglers to make our sport and the industry better in the future?

Simple! Share! Like I mentioned before “There’s no point knowing it if you can’t teach it or share it.” We are the custodians of the lands and the waters we share; we owe it to each other to protect our inherited grounds for future generations. We are only renting space and time so do what you can to leave it better than you found it.

What does the Daiwa brand mean to you?

Family, quality and optimism.