This June, leading into Men’s Health Week (June 15-21), Aussie men are being encouraged to swap small talk for real talk with a fishing rod in hand.
Backed by interim Head Coach for the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles in the NRL and Top Blokes Ambassador, Kieran Foran, the campaign is built on a simple idea: some of the best conversations happen side by side.
“Some of the best conversations you can have with your mates can be out on the water. I feel like men, particularly, when they’re together, they’re in an environment where they feel like they’re able to just chat openly about things that are going on in their life, whether it’s on a personal level or at work. I’ve always found it to be such a safe haven, like just such a place of peace and calmness out on the water where you’re away from any distractions, anything that’s high pressure going on in your life, and you can just talk.” – Kieran Foran
Top Blokes Foundation has launched the Reel Talk Fishing Challenge, a nationwide initiative inviting everyone to get out on the water, spend time with their mates, and have the kinds of conversations that don’t always happen face to face, as well as creating memories.
Foran chats with his son Jordy about why he loves fishing so much
“So, do you know why Dad enjoys fishing so much, Jordy?
Well, it’s sort of like my happy place, mate. It’s like that few hours that I can either go have a fish on my own or I can go with you or mates and I can get to spend that time away from my phone and work and that busy sort of stuff in my life and then I can just go and just enjoy and switch off.”
The campaign comes at a critical time.
Recent data shows that 1 in 4 young men experience social isolation – the highest rate of any group in Australia, highlighting the urgent need for more accessible, relatable ways to connect.
Top Blokes Foundation, which delivers mentoring programs to young men across schools, workplaces and communities, says the challenge isn’t just getting men together; it’s helping them feel comfortable enough to talk and to take care of their physical health. Reel Talk is about creating that space in a way that feels natural. Fishing is just the vehicle, and it’s not about the size of the fish; it’s the size of the conversation.
Fishing with a purpose
The Reel Talk Fishing Challenge runs throughout June, aligning with Men’s Health Month, and invites participants across Australia to:
- Set a fishing goal (15, 30 or 50 hours across the month)
- Get out on the water with mates
- Raise funds to support Top Blokes programs
Registration is free, and participants will receive a Reel Talk Welcome Kit, including conversation cards designed to help make meaningful conversations feel easier and more natural while fishing.
To support the challenge, Daiwa Australia is providing BaitJunkie Soft Plastics for welcome kits and fundraiser prizes throughout June, helping participants get out on the water and take part in the campaign.
Harrison Maskell from Daiwa Australia said the partnership was a natural fit.
“Fishing has always been a way to bring people together, and the Top Blokes Reel Talk campaign captures that in a really practical way. We’re proud to support an initiative that encourages everyone to get outdoors with their mates, slow down and start conversations that matter.”
Participants will also have the chance to win an Aeroo Pro Fishing Drone each week throughout June, with Aeroo joining the campaign to help encourage more people to take part.
For James Sesak from Aeroo, the cause is personal,“I’ve seen the damage that can come from bottling things up. Fishing with my best mate has given me space to talk about what’s really going on, and that’s why this campaign means something to me. It’s a simple way to help more people have those conversations.”
More than a day on the water
Funds raised through the challenge will help more young men access Top Blokes programs, where they build the skills to:
- Communicate openly
- Handle pressure
- Look out for their mates
Foran says the message is simple: Showing up matters.
“You don’t have to have all the answers. Sometimes just being there for a mate is enough,” he said.
“If this gets more people out there checking in on each other, that’s a good thing.”
Make it count this Men’s Health Week
With men still significantly less likely to seek help or speak up about what they’re going through, initiatives like Reel Talk aim to meet them where they’re at, in environments that feel familiar, relaxed and pressure-free.
Because sometimes, all it takes is a bit of time on the water to start a conversation that matters.
Join the Reel Talk Fishing Challenge
Sign up for free and take part this June: www.reeltalk.org.au
