Johnny Kindt, fishing guide in Belgium and Holland

Discover the portrait of Johnny Kindt, fishing guide in Belgium and Holland. Johnny has specialized for more than 10 years now in the tracking of predators with lures in boats, in particular of the pike perch in vertical.

Hello Johnny, before we start, could you briefly introduce yourself to our readers?

Hello, my name is Johnny Kindt, I am Belgian and live on the outskirts of Brussels. I am a competitor in national and international events with victories, podiums and many places of honor. At the same time, I am an ambassador and pro guide in partnership with the company Ultimate fishing. I have been fishing for predators in a boat for almost 20 years now.

Where does your passion for fishing come from?

Since my childhood already but without being able to give a rational explanation.

Today, fishing for you is synonymous with…?

Of exchange, meeting and sharing.

What fishing techniques do you offer in particular?

I offer all modern fishing with artificial lures with a predilection for vertical fishing on pike-perch

Do you have a favorite fish?

No preference between pike, perch and pike perch. But we still have to underline the subtlety necessary to track the pike perch which is really an evil fish.

Why did you decide to become a fishing guide?

Guiding has become a profession, pedagogy, technical skills, a very good knowledge of the environment are essential. I wanted to share my experience with others.

For those who do not yet know fishing in Belgium and fishing in Holland, can you tell us more about fishing in these two countries? What do you think makes these places so special?

The large Dutch water bodies are a sport fishing paradise, especially for perch, pike and pike-perch lovers. In the south-eastern part of Holland, we find the most important places in terms of predator fishing.

The Hollands Diep, the HaringVliet and below the Volkerak. The Volkerak is a lake of more than 4,500 hectares and exceeds 20 km². This one is famous for containing record pike but also a pretty population of perch and pike perch.

The Hollands Diep (19km) and the Haringvliet (28km) are a gigantic fishing lake well known for its richness in pike perches but also in pike (some monstrous) and perch of good size (50+).

You who guide in two different countries, what are the big differences between these two countries in terms of legislation and water management? Would there be good things to take back in France according to you?

It is very difficult at present to open a debate on this subject. The biotopes, the fish wealth and the management structures are totally different depending on the region or country. A new trend is more directed towards respect for fish and no kill by the new generations which is a very good thing in my eyes.

What appeals to you the most today in your job as a fishing guide?

To discover an extraordinary environment and share my passion for predator fishing

What qualities do you think are required to be a good fishing guide?

A fishing guide must be able to quickly assess the technical level of his client and especially to adapt his guidance according to and for the benefit of the latter. Very often a short demonstration is enough to correct a bad gesture of the fisherman who wants to learn. A good fishing guide should build self-confidence.

Very often the catch of the first fish is the trigger. Confidence that grows, of course as the catches multiply. The provision of ad hoc material is also important. But beware ! The best guide in the world will have a hard time getting the fish to move if they have their mouths shut.

Do you have any future projects you would like to tell us about (new guidance services, competition, association, travel, other?)

Soon a new destination: Sweden (on 2 different lakes), for pike-perch and pike.

Among your fondest fishing memories, do you have one in particular that you would like to tell us about?

My first rainbow trout !! In the early 70's my dad was a professional cyclist and Eddy Merckx teammate. At the end of the season, a fishing competition was organized bringing together the team of runners and the technical staff. Around 12 noon, when I was going to join the restaurant, Eddy Merckx told me “hey kid, while I'm going for lunch fishing with my rod”. And what had to happen happened!

The cork had disappeared with a trout at the end. All excited, I ran with my famous trout and gave it to Eddy Merckx who was seated with his teammates. General hilarity of the troops.

Of course, seeing this trout wiggling all over the place between glasses and dishes and spilling everything in its path, my father was confused. On the contrary, I was proud as a peacock.

What is also your fondest memory as a guide?

The stars in my client's eyes when the fishing was successful. And especially when it destroys their record.

I have an anecdote on the Pike. A young fisherman especially dreamed of a pike of more than the meter. After a morning punctuated by a few decent pikes, I felt this one won by despair ...

I decide to change to a more productive position at the end of the day (there was 1 hour of fishing left). When I arrived, I gave him one of my favorite lures, indicating the area to explore. At the 2nd throw, big cartridge! he announces to me a Hanged Fish.

I anchor the boat and watch the fight. Rush, diving under the boat, candles, I wait patiently with a landing net in hand. I already suspect the verdict at the sight of the fight. Here he is in the landing net and my fisherman, all trembling, who is almost falling for nothing. On the board, 113cm! A fat lady with an impressive waistline.

After the photo shoot to immortalize this capture and the reciprocal hugs, I slowly go back to the launch. I notice near it a hunting activity on the edge in 2 meters of water. I slip to my friend still quite moved by his capture “take my rod (he had already put away his equipment) and swing the lure” towards the area spotted a few seconds before.

On the first throw, bang, cartridge, heavy hooking and hanging fish. I'm asking, fat? He tells me no. The fish returns smoothly (normal because only 2 meters of water). But once he reached the break he took the direction of the depths and there was a big fight. He kept probing.

After a magnificent fight, here he is in the net. Result on the chart, again a Lady Pike but this time 121cm with an impressive waistline! At the time, I thought my fisherman was going to feel unwell. What happiness to be able to offer this fisherman these moments. It will remain forever etched in his memory and mine at the same time.

A message to pass on to those who wish to discover fishing in Holland or Belgium?

For fishing in Holland, the choice of the fishing period is essential in the species sought. Winter will be more favorable to deep fishing (vertical and linear). From June until the end of November, all techniques are effective

Fishing in Belgium is only focused on pike-perch fishing vertically or linearly all year round without interruption. It is an excellent school for those who want to improve their skills in vertical fishing.

Discover Johnny Kindt's guiding offers:

Predator fishing in Belgium with Johnny Kindt

Come learn or improve on the vertical or other predator fishing during a pleasant fishing trip in Belgium. You will be accompanied by a professional fishing guide.

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Predator fishing in Holland by boat with Johnny Kindt

Come learn or improve your skills during a pleasant fishing trip in Holland, accompanied by a professional fishing guide. The choice of the period is essential according to the species sought. As the pike, the pike perch or the pole on the great Dutch lakes or rivers. It is a hunt of another dimension that I propose to you with an extraordinary potential in predators.

In Holland, you will have a good chance of making big fish or even very big fish. It is not uncommon to find large perch or several pike-perch on the same post.

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Useful links to learn more about Johnny Kindt and his profession:

Learn to fish with a fishing guide

Start fishing with lures