Ready To Dive Back In? | The Underwater Grand Fishing Adventure Series 4 Preview | Q&A With Ali Hamidi

Series 4 of the Grand Fishing Adventure is nearly here and this time it’s bigger than ever! We are diving back underwater to immerse ourselves (and you) in the underwater unknowns that obsess anglers across the globe. Carp fishing myths and truths will be exposed. Baits, tackle and tech will be put through their paces. And the fine lines between success and failure will be revealed. Read on for a detailed and exclusive Q&A, as Ali Hamidi explains all...

"Fishing TV history is made in this series - you don't want to miss it!"

The Underwater Grand Fishing Adventure Series 4 is a brand new 2 x 90 minute feature length series starring Ali Hamidi, Bobby Zamora, Luc Boerrigter and Roo Abbott, coming to ITV4.

Episode 1 airs on Monday 27th April at 7:30pm, followed by Episode 2 on Monday 4th May at 7:30pm - so watch the Series 4 trailer now and get ready for something seriously special.

Q: What makes this series different from the previous ones?

Ali Hamidi: “This is our fourth season. The first two followed a more traditional format, with Season 2 introducing underwater filming. For Season 4, we’ve taken things a step further with two extended specials, each an hour and a half long — a first for TV fishing.

There’s so much depth, story, and narrative in each film that we didn’t want viewers to lose any of it through shorter edits. Our success underwater this time round exceeded expectations — we’re not just hitting targets, we’re smashing them.”

 Q: What was the inspiration behind the venues chosen for the series?

Ali Hamidi: “Millhayes is a venue I’ve always loved. It’s accessible to everyone — a proper holiday venue and somewhere I’ve fished with my family, so it holds great personal memories. Initially, we didn’t think underwater filming would be possible there, but the owners worked incredibly hard to improve water clarity.

It’s naturally a silty pool and can become quite murky, so it was touch and go. From a fishing perspective, it’s small and intimate, meaning the fish are constantly aware of your presence. These are often the toughest types of venues, and we had to work incredibly hard for results.

Grenville, on the other hand, has featured in three out of the four seasons. Our first visit produced plenty of fish, but in Season 3 we really saw how challenging it is to film underwater there. It’s a huge lake, with fish constantly on the move.

This time, we came back for redemption. We wanted more carp in front of the cameras and to truly unlock the venue underwater. It’s a special place with a special story, and both Bob and I have a deep connection to it.

The contrast between the two venues couldn’t be greater — from a vast, deep, ever-changing water to a small, intimate pool. They represent totally opposite ends of the carp fishing spectrum.”

 Q: Tactically, will we see anything different from previous series?

Ali Hamidi: “One major addition is the debut of the OMC bait range, which is a hugely proud moment for us.

In terms of tactics, we’ve refined rather than reinvented. Lessons from Season 3 — particularly from Iktus — remain key, including the Magic Wand, paste around the lead, and the Lock Hook Spinner. Our rigs are dialled in, so we haven’t strayed far from what we know works.

At Millhayes, the approach is more natural — trickling bait in, spreading it out and building confident feeding over a long session. At Grenville, it’s the opposite. This time we stayed mobile, actively chasing the fish rather than sitting it out.

That shift was heavily influenced by Bobby Zamora. His instinct to stay on the move proved vital, especially in spring conditions. It’s an aggressive, proactive style — and it paid off.”

Q: What were the three biggest challenges for you personally this series?

Ali Hamidi: “Water clarity was a constant battle. We eventually chose to prioritise results over perfect visuals. If a spot coloured up, we still fished it — waiting for crystal-clear conditions was certainly holding us back.

Another challenge was managing the dynamic within the group. I’m always conscious of keeping everyone happy and confident. Roo, in particular, felt pressure after not catching on camera last series, so I was keen for him to succeed this time.

With Bobby, I learned that he thrives when given freedom. Rather than trying to rein him in, it was about embracing his instinct to hunt. That energy became a huge asset — you could say the ‘naughty school kid’ turned into the hero.

On a personal level, my goal was to capture a live bite on camera. It’s something I hadn’t experienced in years, and I was determined to make it happen.”

 Q: Were there any moments where you learned something new or were particularly surprised?

Ali Hamidi: “Much of the fishing played out as expected, especially at Millhayes. Opportunities are limited there — often a single fish comes in, and if everything is working, you catch it. Hooklink length proved absolutely critical, and viewers will see exactly why.

At Grenville, however, I was caught out using hooklinks that were too short or too stiff — a reminder of how fine the margins can be.

One standout moment came when Bobby caught the ‘poster’ fish. There were huge carp present on his spot, alongside much smaller ones. What we didn’t realise until later was just how close any angler can be to landing either the smallest or the biggest fish in the lake.

That area had previously been a 'no man’s land' — a zone we’d tried in past series without success. This time, it delivered. The capture of a long-missing fish was incredible. It felt like the ultimate thank you to Paul, the owner — a true needle-in-a-haystack moment.

Seeing Roo’s relief and happiness after his success at Millhayes was a genuinely special moment too. This series definitely has a good balance of jaw-dropping segments but also some really feel-good moments that will make any angler smile.

“These aren’t just episodes — they’re proper carp fishing films.

So, grab your popcorn, watch it unfold, and witness underwater history being made — including the biggest carp ever caught in the UK on an underwater camera.

And yes… Bobby is now, without a shadow of a doubt, the undisputed underwater champion.”