One of Australia’s most enduring television shows has reeled in its final catch, with popular fishing program Hook, Line and Sinker concluding after 25 years on air.
The show, which began as a humble Tasmanian production in 2000 before gaining national prominence on the Seven Network, has wrapped up after producing 300 episodes.
Co-creator and host Andrew Hart expressed mixed feelings about the show’s conclusion.
“I’m pretty happy that it’s all done and dusted. It felt like the right time to end the show. I mean, to be honest, I would have kept doing it forever, but the landscape in media has changed,” Hart told 7 Tasmania.
“The fact that fishing and a couple of mates just doing a TV show could take us and give us those experiences is quite remarkable.”
What started as an idea during a weekend news shift at then Southern Cross News between journalists Andrew Hart and Nick Duigan transformed into a weekend viewing staple for Australian audiences.
“We made two episodes in 2000 and they very fortunately put them on air for us and there was just enough interest for us to make a few more the next year,” Nick Duigan, who is now a state politician, said.
“It was an absolute pleasure to come into lounge rooms across the country every weekend.”
Editor Sally Wilson had a front-row seat to the action for 14 years and says the show was incredibly special
“It’s not just a fishing show, it’s also two mates going out, trying to catch fish, a lot of the time not catching any fish, but just taking the mickey out of each other and just having a great time,” she told 7.
While the television chapter has closed, fans may still be able to enjoy new content from the Hook, Line and Sinker team through digital platforms.
“We’re going to keep the brand alive and really start ramping up YouTube and might even open a TikTok account,” Hart said.
Hart is now working on new projects, including recent online video series ‘A Little Bit Agricultural‘.
The online show explores the people, innovations and challenges of Australian agriculture while having an “entertaining adventure”.
“After a few beers with Oscar at a pub on Tassie’s east coast, Andrew decided to find his land legs and explore Australia’s farming sector,” the show’s website reads.
“He doesn’t know much about farming, but in his uniquely clumsy way, he’ll learn.”
