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SENT TO MORE THAN<br />
18,500<br />
TACKLE INDUSTRY<br />
PROFESSIONALS<br />
IN OVER<br />
120 COUNTRIES<br />
EVERY MONTH<br />
APRIL <strong>2023</strong><br />
INTRODUCING THE ALL NEW SIMMS CHALLENGER KIT MADE FROM<br />
100% RECYCLED MATERIALS FOR 100% COMFORT ON THE WATER.
COMMITTED TO INCREASING YOUR BUSINESS GLOBALLY<br />
www.tackletradeworld.com<br />
THE LURE OF LURES<br />
How to understand one of<br />
the largest product sectors<br />
in fishing. PAGE 20<br />
125 YEARS YOUNG<br />
How Platypus Fishing<br />
line has survived into its<br />
second century. PAGE 30<br />
TRADE SHOWS FORCED<br />
TO RESPOND TO<br />
CHANGING MARKET<br />
The after-effects of the<br />
Covid-19 pandemic<br />
allied to a shift in the<br />
way companies do business has<br />
brought about big changes with<br />
some of the key global trade<br />
events scheduled for this year.<br />
After almost four years,<br />
EFTTEX – the European<br />
Fishing <strong>Tackle</strong> <strong>Trade</strong><br />
Exhibition – will return this<br />
June, in the beautiful setting of<br />
Budapest, Hungary.<br />
Meanwhile, after last<br />
year’s returning but quiet<br />
International Fly <strong>Tackle</strong> Dealer<br />
(IFTD) show in Salt Lake<br />
City, the organising team have<br />
reimagined what a trade show<br />
and industry gathering should<br />
look like for late September.<br />
At the same time, aware of<br />
demand from fly tackle dealers<br />
on the east coast of the USA,<br />
the largest sportfishing show<br />
in the world – ICAST – has<br />
been courting fly fishing brands<br />
and suppliers to its Orlando,<br />
Florida event in July.<br />
For EFTTEX, which had<br />
to switch to a Digital New<br />
Product Showcase format late<br />
in the day in 2022, it is running<br />
an in-person product showcase<br />
alongside the trade event itself.<br />
Crucially, though, those<br />
launching new products can<br />
participate in the Showcase<br />
without having a stand at<br />
EFTTEX itself. Although they<br />
won’t be allowed to bring any<br />
physical products to subsequent<br />
meetings.<br />
It is also opening up the<br />
event to what it calls ’noncore’<br />
businesses in a specialist<br />
area. These might include<br />
logistics, IT, online marketing<br />
or packaging suppliers, for<br />
example.<br />
EFTTEX general manager<br />
Dr Zoltan Kekkoi said: “It is<br />
a great challenge to take on<br />
an exhibition with such a long<br />
and colourful history. The<br />
traditions such as the Best New<br />
Product Showcase and Gala<br />
dinner need to be honoured<br />
and retained but there is also an<br />
expectation among exhibitors<br />
that EFTTEX <strong>2023</strong> should be<br />
upgraded to a new level.”<br />
The American Fly Fishing<br />
<strong>Trade</strong> Association’s show in late<br />
September, meanwhile, has a<br />
new look and a new name.<br />
The AFFTA Confluence<br />
will reflect all of the various<br />
requirements of the fly<br />
fishing industry, both inside<br />
and outside the Salt Palace<br />
Convention Centre.<br />
• Continued on page 8<br />
S E N T T O M O R E T H A N 1 8 , 5 0 0 T A C K L E I N D U S T R Y<br />
PROFESSIONALS IN OVER 120 COUNTRIES EVERY MONTH
APRIL<br />
<strong>2023</strong><br />
<strong>Tackle</strong><strong>Trade</strong><br />
www.tackletradeworld.com<br />
EDITORIAL<br />
Editor:<br />
John Hunter<br />
+44 7990 542958<br />
john.hunter@dhpub.co.uk<br />
A journalist all his life and with 20-plus years<br />
of international business magazine experience,<br />
John was the founding editor of TTW and has<br />
now returned to the helm. He has helped<br />
many brands launch and grow over the years<br />
through B2B publications and via his own<br />
consultancy business.<br />
Co-Editor:<br />
David Haynes<br />
+44 7766 263908<br />
david.haynes@dhpub.co.uk<br />
ALL ABOARD<br />
FOR NEW<br />
OPPORTUNITIES<br />
A lifelong angler, David has tried his hand<br />
at most types of fishing and is a great<br />
accumulator of tackle and now focuses on<br />
competition fishing. Having worked at DHP for<br />
the last 18 years on every title in the company’s<br />
portfolio, he brings a wealth of knowledge and<br />
experience to the editorial team.<br />
04<br />
ADVERTISING<br />
North America:<br />
Bart Manganiello<br />
+1 914 722 7601<br />
bartalm@optonline.net<br />
For over 38 years, Bart has been working with<br />
trade magazines, 34 in the tackle industry.<br />
Since 2001, he has been TTW’s North American<br />
Director, providing the best communication<br />
programs to companies, helping them connect<br />
with current and prospective trade partners<br />
around the world.<br />
Rest Of The <strong>World</strong>:<br />
Guido Knegt<br />
+39 3475036436<br />
guido.knegt@dhpub.co.uk<br />
A born and bred Dutchman, he spent five<br />
years travelling the world as a scuba-diving<br />
instructor and English teacher before settling<br />
down in Sardinia. Guido previously worked for<br />
TTW between 2014 and 2017.<br />
China: Robert Li<br />
Li Ziwei<br />
+86 13451914155<br />
robert.li365@gmail.com<br />
Li Ziwei (Robert) has been working as news<br />
editor for over 20 years. He founded the most<br />
influential Chinese fishing forum in the Straits<br />
and successfully organised many industry<br />
events. His love for culture and tourism has led<br />
him to devote his entire life to the exchanges<br />
between China and southeast Asia.<br />
Magazine Manager<br />
Justin Fox<br />
+44 7813 327966<br />
justin.fox@dhpub.co.uk<br />
A hugely experienced communicator with<br />
more than 20 years at parent company DHP,<br />
Justin knows what it takes to grow brands<br />
and businesses across the tackle sector.<br />
Art Editor: Paul Evans<br />
Editorial Design: Brad Sharp<br />
DHP LTD<br />
Editorial, administration, subscriptions and<br />
accounts to: DHP Ltd, 1st Floor, Nene House,<br />
Sopwith Way, Daventry, NN11 8EA, UK<br />
www.tackletradeworld.com<br />
Ihave always marvelled at the<br />
crossovers between the fishing tackle<br />
industry and others in the outdoor<br />
sector.<br />
At the risk of repeating myself, one<br />
of those which continues to pique my<br />
interest is the recreational boating<br />
market.<br />
That’s not just because I am fortunate<br />
enough to own a very modest boat but<br />
because I also use it to fish from, so I<br />
see first-hand the synergy between being<br />
afloat and angling.<br />
That means, as tackle, accessory and<br />
clothing sellers, we have another allied<br />
market to target.<br />
This was brought sharply into focus<br />
recently when I attended the SBS<br />
BoatLife show in Birmingham, England.<br />
I was actually there as a guest of the<br />
organisers of the Sea Angling Classic<br />
event, who used the occasion to unveil the<br />
prize boat – a cool Extreme Boats Game<br />
King 745 if you must know – and trailer<br />
which the winner of the <strong>2023</strong> competition<br />
will be able to drive away.<br />
What was even more telling was that<br />
the craft and the Extreme Boats stand<br />
were sat within a designated angling area<br />
at the show.<br />
Brands there represented everything<br />
from hooks, rods and reels to rod mounts,<br />
electronics and survival gear. Indeed, a<br />
number of these have already partnered<br />
with the Sea Angling Classic for <strong>2023</strong><br />
and beyond.<br />
So we have companies like Penn and<br />
3,511<br />
6,466<br />
Eagle Claw rubbing shoulders with the<br />
likes of Lowrance and Yamaha, among<br />
others.<br />
Not only that but the angling section at<br />
SBS BoatLife appeared to be one of the<br />
busiest parts of the four-day show.<br />
Of course, many in the industry already<br />
see these synergies – the Recreational<br />
Boating & Fishing Foundation in the<br />
USA is testament to that.<br />
While ICAST’s On The Water<br />
showcase the day before the show is a<br />
terrific place to, quite literally, get to grips<br />
with this sector if you are new to it or<br />
have questions.<br />
Naturally, TTW has long recognised<br />
this, too. Our recent Watercraft and<br />
Accessories supplements in the November<br />
and December 2022 editions were the<br />
second successive year we have done this.<br />
Indeed, they proved so popular we are set<br />
to repeat the special sections at the end<br />
of <strong>2023</strong>.<br />
We’ll be at many of the international<br />
trade shows around the world this<br />
year and myself, Guido and Bart will<br />
be delighted to chat through the<br />
opportunities that exist and detail some of<br />
the success stories we have already seen.<br />
If you are open to new markets and<br />
diversification from ‘traditional’ tackle<br />
into the boating world, then get in touch<br />
with any of us as we’d be only too happy<br />
to discuss further.<br />
John Hunter<br />
Editor
ands in focus!<br />
Best New Product Competition has been renewed in 2022<br />
and becomes the most essential part of EFTTEX <strong>2023</strong>!<br />
We want to magnify every brand to take part in this exhibition. The only thing is to nominate your<br />
product and you become a BNP Exhibitor with nearly all the advantages of the Exhibitors.<br />
www.efttex.com/efttex-<strong>2023</strong><br />
GOT A QUESTION? CONTACT US<br />
AT INFO@EFTTEX.COM
APRIL<br />
<strong>2023</strong><br />
20<br />
08<br />
30<br />
18<br />
26<br />
Contents<br />
40<br />
8 NEWS<br />
Mayfly acquires Dyna-King, PRADCO makes<br />
a move in the UK while Mikado has designs<br />
on the Scandinavian market. Plus more<br />
stories.<br />
16 SEA ANGLING EVENT GETS BOOST<br />
A number of key brands sign up as<br />
partners to the UK’s unique Sea Angling<br />
Classic event. What’s the attraction?<br />
18 LIMITED EDITION RACING RODS LEAD<br />
THE WAY<br />
The flagship Tobizo rods are one of Zenaq‘s<br />
bestsellers. Its limited edition Racing<br />
collection looks set to accelerate that<br />
reputation.<br />
20 SPOTLIGHT ON… LURES<br />
Wherever anglers try their luck, if there’s a<br />
fish there then it can more than likely be<br />
caught on a lure, but what sort?<br />
06 www.tackletradeworld.com<br />
22 SHOP WINDOW<br />
Lures are such a vast product range, it can<br />
be hard to know which ones to stock. We<br />
have some suggestions to help…<br />
24 COMBINING TRADITIONAL AND<br />
MODERN SOLUTIONS FOR FISHING<br />
Product development is the key to<br />
sustainable operation for every player<br />
in the fishing industry. Energofish is one<br />
company offering solutions for almost<br />
every fishing method.<br />
26 DOING BUSINESS WITH… DENMARK<br />
Small but mighty, at around six times<br />
smaller than the UK but with 450,000<br />
anglers, Denmark still packs a trading and<br />
fishing punch.<br />
30 PLATYPUS LINES UP 125-YEAR<br />
CELEBRATIONS<br />
As Australia’s longest-running tackle<br />
brand, Platypus, marks its 125th year, TTW<br />
looks at where it came from and where it’s<br />
headed next.<br />
34 ICAST DAYS CAN PAY OFF YEAR-<br />
ROUND<br />
Not only is ICAST, the giant US trade show,<br />
great for manufacturers, suppliers and<br />
brands, it also gives retailers a leg-up on<br />
the competition.<br />
36 MAKING CONTACT<br />
More products from global suppliers that<br />
will be worth stocking in your outlet over<br />
the coming months.<br />
40 THE CHALLENGE OF RECYCLED<br />
MATERIALS<br />
With the advent of the Simms Challenger<br />
Suit, made of 100 per cent recycled fabric,<br />
innovation meets sustainability and<br />
performance.
Super<br />
Heat Dissipation<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Super<br />
Low-Friction<br />
Super<br />
Hardness<br />
Super<br />
Lightness
TRADE SHOWS FORCED TO<br />
RESPOND TO CHANGING MARKET<br />
• Continued from page 3<br />
A change in days to a<br />
midweek show is designed<br />
to allow retailers to attend<br />
more easily, while open-air<br />
celebrations will include food,<br />
drink, live music and product<br />
demonstration as well as<br />
those important networking<br />
opportunities.<br />
It will have focus on bringing<br />
buyers and the media together<br />
Mayfly Outdoors adds<br />
vise and tool business<br />
Mayfly<br />
Outdoors – the<br />
owner of brands<br />
including Ross<br />
and Abel Reels<br />
and Airflo – is<br />
buying Dyna-<br />
King, one of the<br />
world’s foremost<br />
manufacturers<br />
of fly-tying vises<br />
and tools.<br />
As a result,<br />
production of<br />
all of Dyna-<br />
King’s equipment will switch to<br />
Mayfly’s headquarters in Montrose,<br />
Colorado.<br />
President of Mayfly Group, Jeff<br />
Wagner, said: “This is a great day<br />
for our company as we continue to<br />
grow our family of brands. Dyna-<br />
King is perfectly suited to join<br />
the Ross and Abel brands as US<br />
made, premium, legacy, fly fishing<br />
products.<br />
“We look forward to partnering<br />
with the Dyna-King retailers and<br />
customers that have known and<br />
trusted the brand for so many<br />
years. We will carry forward the<br />
legacy of innovation, quality and<br />
customer service that Dyna-King is<br />
known for.”<br />
Karen Hall, Dyna-King’s current<br />
08 www.tackletradeworld.com<br />
with manufacturers even before<br />
the event starts to maximise<br />
time while there.<br />
Event director Kenneth<br />
Andres: “The event will have a<br />
different feel and cadence. All of<br />
which are a result of listening to<br />
what the fly fishing community<br />
wanted from their trade event.”<br />
When ICAST returns to<br />
Orlando on mid-July, there<br />
president, noted: “It is a positive<br />
move for Dyna-King. My mom<br />
and dad are giving me the ‘atta-girl’<br />
from Heaven. We are excited to<br />
see the family legacy continue with<br />
a company that is willing to care<br />
for it.”<br />
Mayfly will be transitioning the<br />
production and shipping of Dyna-<br />
King to their facility in Montrose<br />
over the coming months.<br />
Karen added: “During this time<br />
we will be setting up machining,<br />
customer services, warranty and<br />
repair and other critical operations.<br />
We know this downtime will cause<br />
some disruption for our dealers but<br />
we know this short wait will set us<br />
up for many years to come.”<br />
www.dyna-king.com<br />
will also be an enhanced focus<br />
on fly fishing, with more<br />
categories for this in its New<br />
Product Showcase and more<br />
opportunities to engage with<br />
this sector.<br />
Blake Swango, the American<br />
Sportfishing Association’s vicepresident<br />
of trade show and<br />
membership, explained: “Our<br />
goal is to represent the entire<br />
recreational fishing community<br />
and fly fishing plays a key role<br />
in reaching a specific audience<br />
of anglers. Most issues related<br />
to access, clean water and<br />
abundant fisheries overlap both<br />
conventional and fly fishing.”<br />
• You can read more about<br />
each event elsewhere in this<br />
edition.<br />
FLY FUNDING<br />
WILL GET MORE<br />
PEOPLE FISHING<br />
US organisation Fly Fishers International (FFI) has<br />
detailed significant funding for two distinct programs<br />
designed to engage and inspire youth and novice anglers<br />
interested in learning more about fly fishing.<br />
Both the youth and introductory fly fishing education<br />
programs will build on FFI’s culture of mentorship and<br />
teaching and be developed in partnership with other<br />
leading organisations in the sector, complementing its<br />
online and in-person resources for fly fishing education.<br />
FFI CEO and president Patrick Berry said: “FFI’s<br />
role as the go-to resource for fly fishing education<br />
will be further strengthened by the addition of these<br />
two new programs. By working with key partners and<br />
industry representatives, we will be able to create more<br />
universal programs to grow the sport we love.”<br />
The “Next Gen” youth program funded by the<br />
YOT Full Circle Foundation is being developed in<br />
partnership with Trout Unlimited (TU) to educate and<br />
inspire the next generation of fly fishing enthusiasts<br />
through a series of videos, tutorials, and social media<br />
campaigns.<br />
Meanwhile, a second but related fly fishing skills<br />
achievement program funded by the Howe Foundation<br />
will provide a friendly and accessible gateway for anyone<br />
who has an interest in fly fishing and allow them to<br />
approach the sport regardless of their experience in fly<br />
fishing.<br />
Starting with an easy-to-understand course of<br />
learning that participants can consume at their own<br />
pace, the program will offer an organised road map<br />
to guide their further exploration of the sport. Along<br />
with the FFI Education Committee, the program will<br />
be developed in collaboration with the American Fly<br />
Fishing <strong>Trade</strong> Association (AFFTA) and supported by a<br />
select steering committee from across the industry.
Fishing matters for PRADCO in the UK<br />
US-based PRADCO Fishing<br />
has reached an agreement<br />
with British brand owner and<br />
wholesaler Fishing Matters to<br />
be its official distributor for the<br />
United Kingdom and Ireland.<br />
Fishing Matters, based in<br />
Somerset, England, is well<br />
known for its hook brands Cox<br />
& Rawle, Partridge of Redditch<br />
and SPRITE.<br />
PRADCO, based in Fort<br />
Smith, Arkansas in the USA,<br />
has made a name for itself with<br />
famous fishing lure brands,<br />
which include Heddon, Bomber,<br />
Cotton Cordell, Rebel, YUM,<br />
BOOYAH, Bobby Garland and<br />
more.<br />
Mark Hamnett, managing<br />
director at Fishing Matters,<br />
said. “PRADCO’s brands are a<br />
strategic fit for our business.”<br />
Mark actually lived and<br />
worked in the US for many<br />
years and began collecting<br />
Heddon Lures so has a good<br />
knowledge of PRADCO’s<br />
many brands and its products.<br />
Bruce Stanton, vicepresident<br />
and general manager<br />
of PRADCO Fishing, added:<br />
“Mark clearly understands<br />
where our brands fit in the UK<br />
landscape, both in saltwater<br />
and freshwater markets. We are<br />
very fortunate to be working<br />
with him and his team.”<br />
Fishing Matters has been<br />
distributing fishing products in<br />
the UK since 2005. PRADCO<br />
was founded in 1962 and the<br />
oldest brand in its portfolio –<br />
Heddon – can trace its history<br />
back to 1894.<br />
sales@fishingmatters.biz<br />
GIVE YOUR BRAND GLOBAL<br />
EXPOSURE AT EFTTEX<br />
Gaining global coverage for your latest tackle,<br />
clothing and accessories is now easier than<br />
ever, thanks to EFTTEX’s Best New Product<br />
Showcase.<br />
Alongside the return of the key trade show in<br />
Budapest from June 15th to 17th, the organisers<br />
are also hosting a vastly expanded Best New<br />
Product Showcase.<br />
And the beauty is that you don’t even need<br />
to be an exhibitor to take part – giving you a<br />
valuable presence without building a stand!<br />
Last year’s Digital BNP saw a flood of entries<br />
and plenty of coverage for the nominated<br />
products and, crucially, for the winners.<br />
For <strong>2023</strong>, the concept returns in physical<br />
form alongside EFTTEX itself – whether you<br />
book a stand or not – offering almost all the<br />
????? advantages of actually exhibiting on-site.<br />
If your brand is patent protected or officially<br />
registered, you’ll be able to enter a product for<br />
just €500, then add products in other categories<br />
for €250 each.<br />
You’ll also be able to book a meeting room<br />
in the new Business Lounge to discuss your<br />
product with potential buyers as well as<br />
receiving free tickets to the fun Goulash Party<br />
plus an entry badge for EFTTEX itself.<br />
After the awards, whether you are a winner<br />
or runner-up, the marketing opportunities are<br />
huge, with coverage in the media assured. As<br />
a media partner, <strong>Tackle</strong> <strong>Trade</strong> <strong>World</strong> will be<br />
offering exposure through the magazine to over<br />
Mark Hamnett (L)<br />
and Bruce Stanton<br />
18,500 industry professionals in more than 120<br />
countries while other publications will also be<br />
spreading the word.<br />
There are new categories covering the likes<br />
of carp fishing, more judges and, crucially,<br />
once again there will be a massive focus on<br />
environmentally friendly items.<br />
A ‘green booster’ will once again be applied<br />
to participating products and their packaging<br />
to ensure that those items with eco-friendly<br />
credentials are fully recognised as the show and<br />
showcased organisers look to the future and to<br />
the importance of sustainability in our industry.<br />
EFTTEX Trading general manager Dr<br />
Zoltan Kekkoi explained: “Our Digital Best<br />
New Product Showcase in 2022 was a big<br />
success and products received so much global<br />
coverage.<br />
“With EFTTEX taking place in Budapest<br />
this June, we can now run a physical BNP<br />
Showcase at the same time and those involved<br />
will benefit from expanded categories, more<br />
media exposure and the chance to actually<br />
display their products for show visitors, the<br />
media and judges to see them in person.<br />
“This makes a real difference when it comes<br />
to assessing new products. We have ambitions<br />
to widen the net still further as well as increase<br />
recognition for ‘green’ tackle. It all equals more<br />
exposure for brands and a recipe for success.”<br />
www.efttex.com/efttex-<strong>2023</strong>/bnp-exhibitor<br />
www.Bajiosunglasses.com<br />
Over 1,000 New Line<br />
items added to the<br />
2022-23 New Catalog<br />
Hareline Ceramic<br />
Zirconia Dubbing Rake<br />
The<br />
Bone Comb<br />
Hareline UV Flexi<br />
Squishenille
AFFTA’s Confluence event<br />
gAThering pACe<br />
The eagerly anticipated AFFTA Confluence<br />
is pacing well to bring the fly fishing<br />
industry together in Salt Lake City later<br />
this year, according to event director<br />
Kenneth Andres.<br />
Organised by the American Fly Fishing<br />
<strong>Trade</strong> Association, the event – scheduled<br />
for September 26th to 28th – is set to be<br />
unlike any other show before.<br />
Kenneth explained: “The event will have a<br />
different feel and cadence. All of which are<br />
a result to listening to what the fly fishing<br />
community wanted from their trade event.”<br />
Starting this year, the AFFTA<br />
Confluence will be hosted both inside the<br />
Salt Palace Convention Center for two days<br />
and then outside at nearby Pioneer Park for<br />
an open-air celebration. Food, drink, live<br />
music and product demonstrations are the<br />
goal of the new networking opportunity.<br />
Watercraft firm<br />
buoyed by fishing<br />
success<br />
Fishing has helped Johnson Outdoors, the company that<br />
owns brands such as Minn Kota, Humminbird, Cannon<br />
and Old Town kayaks, deliver higher sales for the first<br />
fiscal quarter ending in December.<br />
However, the business also revealed that – despite<br />
a hike in sales of 16 per cent to $178.3 million in the<br />
period compared to the same time last year – it was<br />
reporting decreased earnings results.<br />
Fishing sales were up by 27 per cent, mainly thanks<br />
to improved supply, component availability and rising<br />
prices while camping revenue dropped 18 per cent and<br />
watercraft recreation sales declined by just over a third.<br />
Helen Johnson-Leipold, the firm’s chairman and CEO,<br />
said: “We saw positive momentum in our fishing business<br />
as supply constraints continued to ease and we worked<br />
hard to fill customer orders.<br />
“In our camping and watercraft recreation businesses,<br />
we are experiencing some softening in the market after<br />
the pandemic-fuelled increase in demand of the last few<br />
years.<br />
“While it’s too early to predict how the fiscal year will<br />
go, we are monitoring consumer buying behaviour and<br />
are focused on filling customer orders as we enter into the<br />
primary selling season.”<br />
Total company operating profit was $5.5 million for the<br />
first fiscal quarter versus $13.8 million in the prior year<br />
first quarter.<br />
10 www.tackletradeworld.com<br />
The change is part of the<br />
evolution the AFFTA-owned<br />
and produced show has gone<br />
through.<br />
The Confluence is focused<br />
on bringing buyers and media<br />
together with manufacturers<br />
to see the latest innovations<br />
in fly fishing.<br />
A new matchmaking service will make<br />
it easier for retailers and media to connect<br />
with manufacturers before the show so they<br />
can make the most out of being there.<br />
To make it easier for retailers to attend<br />
the event, the show days were moved to<br />
Tuesday to Thursday so that they can be<br />
back in their shops for the weekend.<br />
“We are working hard to bring not<br />
only core brands but a diverse offering of<br />
products for retailers to sell in their shops,”<br />
Vista Outdoor Inc, the parent<br />
company of 41 major brands,<br />
including wader and apparel<br />
giant Simms, has appointed Gary<br />
McArthur from its board as interim<br />
chief executive officer.<br />
Gary, who has served as a<br />
director of the sporting and outdoor<br />
lifestyle designer, manufacturer and<br />
marketing company since February<br />
2015, succeeds Chris Metz, who<br />
agreed to resign as CEO and<br />
director at the request of the Vista<br />
Outdoor board.<br />
It is understood this followed<br />
the board’s loss of confidence in his<br />
leadership for reasons not involving<br />
financial reporting or internal<br />
controls.<br />
Board chairman Michael Callahan<br />
said: “Gary is a seasoned executive<br />
with extensive financial expertise<br />
and has played an integral role in<br />
driving Vista Outdoor’s success.<br />
“We are grateful for Gary’s<br />
willingness to step in as CEO on an<br />
interim basis and expect him to hit<br />
the ground running. We appreciate<br />
Chris’ contributions to Vista<br />
Outdoor and wish him well in his<br />
next endeavour.”<br />
Gary added: “I look forward to<br />
added Kenneth.<br />
“One new way we are adding to the show<br />
is the Artist Alley, which will highlight<br />
the great art in fly fishing. Our big rollout<br />
for this year will be the presentation of the<br />
TrackFly Report. Both manufacturers and<br />
retailers will get detailed information on<br />
sales data that has not been available before.<br />
This is truly going to be a ‘can’t-miss’ event.”<br />
www.affta.org<br />
Changes AT the helm<br />
for Simms owner<br />
serving as interim CEO at this<br />
pivotal time in Vista Outdoor’s<br />
history. The entire board, including<br />
myself, has been deeply involved in<br />
the oversight and execution of our<br />
strategy, and I am confident we will<br />
continue to capitalise on our strong<br />
momentum.<br />
“With our unmatched portfolio<br />
of iconic brands, resilient operating<br />
model and strong balance sheet,<br />
we believe we are well-positioned<br />
to deliver compelling value for our<br />
shareholders. I look forward to<br />
working closely with the leadership<br />
team and leveraging my deep<br />
knowledge of the company to drive<br />
Vista Outdoor’s strategic priorities<br />
forward during this transitional<br />
period.”<br />
Outgoing CEO Chris Metz<br />
commented: “It has been an honour<br />
to lead Vista Outdoor for the last<br />
six years. It has an excellent team<br />
of dedicated employees who will<br />
continue to drive the company’s<br />
future success. I stand fully behind<br />
the planned separation of the<br />
Outdoor and Sporting Products<br />
segments into two strong, standalone<br />
businesses and believe the company<br />
has a bright future ahead.”
Mikado appoints to grow sales<br />
in Sweden and Finland<br />
Polish brand Mikado is pushing<br />
ahead with developing the<br />
Finnish and Swedish markets<br />
with the appointment of Jani<br />
Haavisto.<br />
Jani will call on dealers in<br />
the two countries while also<br />
supporting the marketing and<br />
promotion of Mikado products<br />
in the territory.<br />
He has a long track record<br />
of fishing and working in the<br />
tackle trade across Scandinavia.<br />
Starting as a retailer in<br />
2012, Jani has since been<br />
involved in sales, marketing<br />
and product development, with<br />
a strong background in ‘hands<br />
on’ experience, thanks to his<br />
guiding business.<br />
Jan Kolousek, Mikado’s<br />
export sales director, said: “We<br />
are pleased to welcome Jani to<br />
the team. His experience and<br />
knowledge of the industry in<br />
his region will be invaluable<br />
in supporting our further<br />
development in the territory.<br />
“As a lifelong angler and<br />
big fish specialist he will<br />
bring an additional level of<br />
support to the growth of the<br />
Mikado brand. Finland and<br />
Sweden are key markets for us.<br />
Having local representation<br />
Top TournAmenT Angler<br />
To hAng up his roD<br />
US professional angler Kevin VanDam –<br />
arguably the most successful bass angler of<br />
all time – is stepping down from the circuit<br />
after this year’s <strong>2023</strong> Bass Pro Tour season.<br />
Kevin explained: “This being my 33rd<br />
season as a touring pro, at the age and my<br />
place in life and career, I have decided I can<br />
be more impactful in the industry I love very<br />
much. I still have a lot to give back to the<br />
sport I am so passionate about.”<br />
Kevin is the most decorated tournament<br />
angler of all time with records that may<br />
never be broken, including seven BASS<br />
Angler of the Year (AOY) titles and an FLW<br />
AOY title; four Bassmaster Classic wins; 25<br />
total BASS wins and four MLF wins.<br />
and a contact<br />
point for our<br />
customers<br />
will increase<br />
our ability<br />
to respond<br />
to increasing<br />
demand for<br />
our products.”<br />
Already<br />
active with<br />
key retailers<br />
and chains in<br />
the territory,<br />
the addition<br />
of Jani to the<br />
team will<br />
accelerate<br />
the sales<br />
and popularity of Mikado<br />
through greater penetration<br />
and representation of products<br />
to the consumer. The product<br />
range is seen as an excellent fit<br />
to fishing styles there, especially<br />
in predator and ice fishing<br />
sectors.<br />
Wojciech Kurowicki, director<br />
and co-owner of parent<br />
company Abramis, added: “Our<br />
international development<br />
outside of our home market in<br />
Poland is driven by having local<br />
representation in the market<br />
so we have first-hand feedback<br />
Jani Haavisto and Jan Kolousek<br />
and knowledge to allow us to<br />
customise our offer to fit the<br />
market requirement.<br />
“We have been active in<br />
these markets for several years<br />
and adding Jani to our team<br />
is a sign of our commitment<br />
to continue developing our<br />
product and offering for<br />
consumers in these markets.”<br />
Retailers interested in<br />
learning more about the<br />
Mikado offering can contact<br />
Jani Haavisto.<br />
jani.haavisto@abramis.com.pl<br />
KVD, as he is known, has competed in<br />
over 320 BASS events with 121 top 10<br />
finishes and 183 top 20s.<br />
He will continue to work as an<br />
ambassador for brands like Strike King,<br />
Quantum and Lew’s.<br />
Rather Outdoors CEO Ken Eubanks<br />
said: “Kevin’s impact on this business has<br />
been profound and, among those who<br />
contribute to the success of Strike King<br />
and Lew’s, he is simply without peer. Yet,<br />
when Kevin walks through the shop at<br />
Strike King, or sits at the table with the<br />
Lew’s team, we don’t see him as a business<br />
collaborator, or a pro we sponsor; we see<br />
him as family.”<br />
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NEWS IN BRIEF<br />
KastKing adds to<br />
team<br />
As affordable tackle manufacturer<br />
KastKing begins its 10th<br />
anniversary, it continues to<br />
expand with the addition of Eric<br />
Knickerbocker as national sales<br />
strategist, leading retail and<br />
wholesale sales efforts across<br />
America. He will work closely<br />
with the marketing, product<br />
development and supply chain<br />
teams to plan and launch wide<br />
product assortments.<br />
Garmin plots<br />
B.A.S.S support<br />
Garmin, the global marine<br />
electronics manufacturer, has<br />
partnered with B.A.S.S to renew<br />
multi-year sponsorship of the US<br />
Bassmaster Tournament Trail.<br />
Dave Dunn, Garmin senior<br />
director said: “The Trail embodies<br />
the spirit of our brand and it’s a<br />
great place for us to showcase<br />
our award-winning products and<br />
technologies to anglers and fans<br />
of all ages and skill levels.”<br />
Yamaha awards<br />
grant cash<br />
Yamaha’s Outdoor Access<br />
Initiative contributed more than<br />
$500,000 in grant awards for 2022,<br />
supporting projects from desert<br />
clean-ups to trail maintenance.<br />
Yamaha Motor Group said it<br />
intends to deliver critical resources<br />
to those working to make public<br />
land available for motorised and<br />
outdoor recreation.<br />
NORTH WALES TACKLE SHOP UP<br />
FOR SALE AS OWNERS RETIRE<br />
Foxons <strong>Tackle</strong>, a leading<br />
fishing store in North<br />
Wales, is on the market for<br />
the first time in 55 years as<br />
the current owners look to<br />
retire.<br />
As a family run business,<br />
Foxons has built an<br />
excellent reputation as one<br />
the largest game fishing<br />
shops in Wales, with a wide<br />
variety of fishing products<br />
and a highly knowledgeable<br />
and experienced team of<br />
staff on hand to assist<br />
customers.<br />
The store is heavily<br />
relied upon by the fishing<br />
community and is in a<br />
strong trading position,<br />
with no immediate<br />
competition and sales also<br />
available online.<br />
The property is located<br />
on Lower Denbigh Road,<br />
just off the main A55 and<br />
next to the River Elwy in<br />
St Asaph, Denbighshire. It<br />
also features a large fourbedroom<br />
family duplex<br />
apartment that is included<br />
in the sale.<br />
Current owner, Renee<br />
Foxon, said: “Foxons has<br />
been in our family now for<br />
55 years. The last few years<br />
have been tough for small<br />
businesses but Foxons has<br />
survived the storm and,<br />
with fishing becoming more<br />
popular than ever, it’s great<br />
to see customers old and<br />
new coming into the shop,<br />
sharing their stories and<br />
enjoying their sport.<br />
“We feel that this year is<br />
the right time to offer our<br />
shop to a new, enthusiastic<br />
owner. We will be looking<br />
for a like-minded person<br />
or family to take care of<br />
the future of Foxons and<br />
hopefully see it through<br />
another 55 successful years<br />
or more, but customers<br />
should rest assured that it<br />
will be business as usual<br />
throughout the transition to<br />
new ownership.”<br />
Ashley Cobban, retail<br />
business agent at Christie<br />
& Co, who is managing<br />
the sale, added: “This is<br />
a fantastic and very rare<br />
opportunity to acquire a<br />
well-established business in<br />
the fishing tackle market,<br />
alongside a fantastic<br />
property well suited to<br />
raising a family in-situ.<br />
“The online side of<br />
the business could be<br />
expanded and grown to<br />
help significantly increase<br />
sales and further increase<br />
profitability. We look<br />
forward to helping Renee<br />
and her family find a<br />
suitable new owner to take<br />
the business forward.”<br />
If you are interested,<br />
please contact:<br />
ashley.cobban@christie.com
Wiley X marks anniversary<br />
with new HQ<br />
MUD HOLE DIGS DEEP<br />
FOR CONSERVATION<br />
As Wiley X celebrates its<br />
35th anniversary, the company<br />
has opened the doors to its<br />
expansive, state-of-the-art US<br />
headquarters in Frisco, located<br />
just north of Dallas, Texas.<br />
The 65,000 sq ft facility<br />
has everything the familyowned,<br />
premium protective<br />
eyewear brand needs to run its<br />
expanding global business: from<br />
a large production, assembly<br />
and warehouse space to a<br />
sophisticated and expanded<br />
testing facility for safety<br />
certifications, as well as all the<br />
necessary administrative and<br />
office space.<br />
The building also features<br />
the first-ever Wiley X flagship<br />
retail store, which will open<br />
in 2024 for local customers,<br />
resellers across the US and<br />
Wiley X fans from around the<br />
world to enjoy.<br />
Myles Freeman, co-owner of<br />
Wiley X ,explained: “We are<br />
beyond thrilled to open the<br />
doors to our new headquarters.<br />
The city of Frisco and the<br />
Frisco Economic Development<br />
Corporation have been so<br />
welcoming to us.”<br />
From ground breaking<br />
to ribbon cutting, both the<br />
city leadership of Frisco and<br />
the Frisco EDC have been<br />
working closely with Wiley<br />
X on ensuring a smooth and<br />
welcoming transition.<br />
Co-owner Dan Freeman<br />
added:“What a great way to<br />
celebrate 35 years in business.<br />
We are excited to get to work in<br />
Texas and thankful for all the<br />
support we’ve received here.”<br />
Frisco is an ideal location<br />
for Wiley X for many reasons.<br />
It, and all of Texas, is home to<br />
a large population of military<br />
veterans; Wiley X is veteranfounded<br />
and has been providing<br />
premium protective eyewear to<br />
the United States military since<br />
being founded in 1987.<br />
Wiley X also has a long<br />
history of providing eye<br />
protection for outdoorsmen<br />
and women who hunt, fish,<br />
and shoot, as well as the<br />
government/first responder<br />
network, all of which align with<br />
Texan pastimes and values.<br />
Frisco also provides Wiley X<br />
with a great business climate<br />
with a large talent pool, and<br />
the centralised location within<br />
the United States provides<br />
distribution and shipping<br />
efficiencies.<br />
wileyx.com<br />
Florida-based rod building and tackle crafting supplier mud<br />
Hole Custom <strong>Tackle</strong> kicked off <strong>2023</strong> by lending its shoulder<br />
to a major state conservation effort.<br />
Staff from almost all of the company’s departments<br />
volunteered alongside Coastal Conservation Association<br />
(CCA) Florida members to build 370 oyster rings, which will<br />
be used to restore damaged oyster reefs in the Indian River<br />
Lagoon.<br />
They were joined by a group of environmentally conscious<br />
students from the University of Central Florida Biology<br />
Field Research Centre for the day.<br />
Brook Oliva, Mud Hole Custom <strong>Tackle</strong> president and<br />
UCF alumnus, said: “It’s always a pleasure to bring our Mud<br />
Hole team together for such a worthwhile effort. So many of<br />
our team members regularly enjoy fishing the Indian River<br />
Lagoon, so recruiting a group of dedicated volunteers to get<br />
their hands dirty and help CCA on this project was easy.”<br />
The group of over 50 volunteers created 370 oyster rings,<br />
made of hemp burlap and quick-drying cement – one of the<br />
most environmentally friendly methods of supporting habitat<br />
restoration. In just a two-year period, each oyster ring will<br />
produce an average of 160 oysters that will provide crucial<br />
filtration and have a direct impact to water quality in the<br />
Indian River Lagoon.<br />
Greg Harrison, CCA Florida Habitat Committee<br />
chairman, added: “It was an exciting day for our oyster<br />
restoration efforts and we are always pleased to have the<br />
support of Mud Hole on these projects. [It] was a ton of<br />
work but thanks to the efforts of the hard-working Mud<br />
Hole volunteers and amazing scientific leadership of UCF’s<br />
Dr Linda Walters, those 370 oyster rings will provide habitat<br />
for almost 60,000 oysters over the next two years.”
Flying Fisherman<br />
looks to the future<br />
Polarised sunglasses<br />
brand Flying Fisherman<br />
is looking to the sport’s<br />
future by partnering with an<br />
organisation committed to<br />
getting more people into the<br />
sport.<br />
The US-based brand is now<br />
the official sunglasses eyewear<br />
of Fishing’s Future, and its<br />
master anglers and volunteers<br />
after founder Shane Wilson<br />
(pictured) tried some out for<br />
himself and being impressed<br />
by their AcuTint technology<br />
combined with their polarised<br />
triacetate lenses.<br />
He explained: “Flying<br />
Fisherman eyewear is a<br />
perfect fit for our educational<br />
efforts and for our<br />
participants.<br />
“Last year, I ordered<br />
two pairs of sunglasses<br />
from Flying Fisherman to<br />
see if they could compete<br />
with other brands I have<br />
been wearing for years.<br />
To my surprise, both pairs<br />
performed exceedingly well.<br />
They performed far above<br />
my expectations, and they<br />
have become my go-to glasses<br />
before leaving the house.<br />
“Flying Fisherman<br />
sunglasses are surprisingly<br />
lightweight and their<br />
AcuTint polarised lens<br />
colouring system uses a<br />
specific technology to<br />
enhance colour contrast<br />
without distorting natural<br />
colour.<br />
“I was impressed how these<br />
sunglasses sharpened my<br />
visual acuity and eliminated<br />
the glare, allowing<br />
me to see deep into<br />
the water and spot<br />
fish. I experienced no<br />
eye strain and, more<br />
importantly, they do<br />
not slide down my nose<br />
while on the water.”<br />
The news was<br />
greeted with delight<br />
by Flying Fisherman<br />
vice-president Linda<br />
Sheldon, who added:<br />
“We’re excited to partner<br />
with Fishing’s Future on their<br />
mission to connect youth and<br />
families to the joys of fishing<br />
and the outdoors.<br />
“Polarised sunglasses are<br />
a must for fishing and we’re<br />
proud to provide the Fishing’s<br />
Future team with the eye<br />
protection and performance<br />
needed to maximise the<br />
overall outdoors experience.”<br />
Flying Fisherman<br />
sunglasses have been around<br />
for decades and have been<br />
endorsed by thousands of<br />
anglers from all over the<br />
world.<br />
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Daiwa lends its backing<br />
to pro anglers group<br />
<strong>Tackle</strong> giant Daiwa joined the growing ranks of partners for<br />
the US-based National Professional Anglers Association, which<br />
promotes the sport and looks after its members with a range of<br />
benefits.<br />
Partnering with NPAA, says Daiwa’s senior marketing manager,<br />
Marc Mills, is one way the company can further invest in the<br />
future of the fishing industry.<br />
“This is a natural fit for us, and we’re very pleased to now be<br />
counted among the NPAA’s nearly 80 industry partners, which<br />
include some of the best-known brands and organisations in<br />
fishing, as well as newer and smaller companies that benefit from<br />
the association’s superior networking opportunities, sportfishing<br />
advocacy and efforts to recruit, retain and reactivate anglers at<br />
every level.<br />
“We feel the NPAA has the backs of all those making a<br />
living in the sportfishing industry, from guides and captains<br />
to tournament anglers, fishing department associates and<br />
management, manufacturing personnel, engine mechanics,<br />
professional rep groups, tackle shop staff, and more. We want to be<br />
a part of that positive force. For that reason, we’ve decided to sign<br />
on as a supporting partner.”<br />
NPAA president Patrick Neu added. “As NPAA continues<br />
to grow our partnership ranks, the addition of Daiwa is a very<br />
exciting development. Their products have a great reputation, are<br />
of exceptional quality and are used extensively by our members<br />
both in freshwater and saltwater environments. Working together,<br />
I expect we’ll accomplish some great things for the sportfishing<br />
industry in the years ahead.”<br />
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MAJOR SPONSORS LINE UP TO<br />
BACK SEA ANGLING CLASSIC<br />
The Sea Angling Classic has<br />
fired the imagination of key<br />
global brands – with three more<br />
partnering with the prestigious<br />
UK-based competition.<br />
Among those is one of the<br />
best-known sea fishing brands<br />
in the world, Penn, technical<br />
fishing wear and lifesaving<br />
solutions expert Mustang<br />
Survival and New Zealand<br />
brand Railblaza, known for its<br />
marine accessories and mounts.<br />
Penn is drawing on its 75<br />
years’ experience in saltwater<br />
fishing to support the<br />
international fishing event,<br />
which will be run out of<br />
Portsmouth, England, from<br />
June 15th to 19th.<br />
A major factor in its<br />
involvement is the fact the event<br />
combines a major sea angling<br />
competition, conservation<br />
and environmental initiatives,<br />
education and research, while<br />
introducing a whole new<br />
generation to the sport.<br />
With the largest and most<br />
valuable prize table ever<br />
offered in a UK sea fishing<br />
event – including a first prize<br />
of a fully kitted out Extreme<br />
boat, complete with Railblaza<br />
mounts, Penn gear and awardwinning<br />
Callan jackets and<br />
trousers from Mustang Survival<br />
– the Sea Angling Classic is<br />
set to attract boats and anglers<br />
from the UK and abroad, while<br />
also welcoming youngsters,<br />
environmental researchers and<br />
businesses.<br />
Dave McCartney, senior<br />
marketing manager<br />
at Penn Europe,<br />
said: “As Penn<br />
is one of the<br />
leading saltwater<br />
fishing brands<br />
in the world, it’s<br />
important that we<br />
support initiatives<br />
that represent the<br />
saltwater angling<br />
category.<br />
“When we were<br />
approached about<br />
the Sea Angling<br />
Classic, it was<br />
something that<br />
really excited us.<br />
There is currently<br />
no other saltwater<br />
event in Europe<br />
that can match the scale of this<br />
event. We knew we needed<br />
our brand, Penn, to be present.<br />
We’re looking forward to it and<br />
to making it a huge success.”<br />
Meanwhile, the Sea<br />
Angling Classic staff will be<br />
seen in Mustang Survival’s<br />
durable yet lightweight<br />
Taku products, perfect for<br />
all conditions an angler can<br />
face. The versatile range uses a<br />
combination of Marine Spec<br />
SP and Marine Spec BP fabric<br />
to offer an excellent blend of<br />
breathability and abrasion, plus<br />
saltwater and UV resistance.<br />
Aga Kosno, manager of<br />
global marketing and product<br />
development based in the<br />
Mustang Survival UK office,<br />
commented: “As a global<br />
leader of technical fishing<br />
Ross Honey and Peter Dudman, Railblaza<br />
wear and pioneer in the design<br />
and manufacture of lifesaving<br />
solutions since 1967, we are very<br />
excited to partner with the Sea<br />
Angling Classic, supporting the<br />
introduction of our technical<br />
apparel to the UK’s angling<br />
scene.<br />
“We’re looking forward to<br />
working with it to support the<br />
growing and environmentally<br />
aware angling community,<br />
whilst offering the on-water<br />
protection that’s needed for UK<br />
sea angling.”<br />
While Peter Dudman,<br />
Railblaza’s sales director,<br />
said: “With our ongoing new<br />
product development, the SAC<br />
provides a perfect platform for<br />
the further promotion of the<br />
HEXX range of electronics<br />
mounts and the HEXX Live<br />
Sonar Transducer Mounts (Live<br />
Pole).”<br />
The HEXX range of<br />
electronics mounts offers anglers<br />
a versatile and durable solution<br />
for mounting their electronics<br />
on their boats, while the HEXX<br />
Live Sonar Transducer Mounts<br />
means anglers can easily mount<br />
and adjust their transducers<br />
without having to drill holes in<br />
their boats.<br />
Event founder Ross Honey<br />
said that each of the partners<br />
was in tune with the event’s<br />
ethos; from great products such<br />
as Penn reels and rods to the<br />
safety of staff and competitors<br />
through Mustang Survival,<br />
while Railblaza has a keen<br />
focus on sustainability and the<br />
environment.<br />
He added: “The televised<br />
event was hugely successful last<br />
year and has already gained a<br />
tremendous following. As<br />
a condition of entry, all<br />
competitors do a shoreline<br />
clean-up, which has been<br />
embraced with open arms by<br />
all concerned and there are also<br />
our popular children’s crabbing<br />
days to encourage education and<br />
catch and release understanding.<br />
“The stage is set for a great<br />
event and Portsmouth is the<br />
perfect location complete with<br />
its amazing maritime history<br />
to stage it.”<br />
www.seaanglingclassic.com<br />
Mustangs’ Aga Kosno and Joel Chadwick with Ross Honey<br />
16 www.tackletradeworld.com
Introducing a new chapter in Total Boat Control with the Power-Pole MOVE Brushless Trolling Motor. These<br />
two models conquer the harshest conditions with unrivaled power, unmatched durability and unbelievable<br />
efficiency that operates with near absolute silence. Go farther. Fish harder. Make every move count.<br />
Power-Pole.com
FEATURE<br />
Zenaq<br />
LIMITED EDITION<br />
TOBIZO RACING RODS<br />
LEAD THE WAY<br />
The flagship Tobizo rod range has been one of Zenaq’s bestsellers and now its special<br />
limited edition Racing collection looks set to accelerate its reputation to the next level.<br />
Limited to just 100 rods and<br />
designed for targeting big<br />
species such as tuna and<br />
giant trevally, among others,<br />
the Racing concept features the latest<br />
cutting-edge technology to bring the rods<br />
to the forefront of the market.<br />
Breaking down stereotypes and<br />
constantly challenging the current<br />
standards, the Racing series has been<br />
developed to create attractive rods that<br />
are not bound by everyday constraints.<br />
KEY FEATURES<br />
Some important features make the<br />
Tobizo Racing rods stand out, not least of<br />
which is the newly developed and patentpending<br />
Hexagon carbon reel seat.<br />
Its solid frame – achieved by a<br />
combination of high-strength and longfibre<br />
carbon with a special moulding<br />
machine – holds even large reels firmly in<br />
place without shaking.<br />
The surface of the framework is<br />
covered with rubber of optimum hardness<br />
to ensure the highest level of comfort in<br />
the hand while the rod action is easy to<br />
control without unnecessary force.<br />
18 www.tackletradeworld.com<br />
The seat is shaped like a hexagonal reel,<br />
just like Zenaq’s Hexagon grip, which<br />
is effective during fighting and reeling,<br />
suppressing what the firm describes as<br />
the “left-right blurring of the reel” and<br />
transmits power without loss.<br />
It also contributes to the preservation<br />
of grip strength, which is the first thing<br />
to be lost, thereby increasing the chances<br />
of landing a fish.<br />
In addition, a “rubber cushion” has been<br />
developed for the area where the reel foot<br />
rests. This prevents the reel from working<br />
loose even if the cushion is not tightly<br />
tightened. Even when fishing hard, the<br />
cushion prevents the reel from rattling,<br />
giving the rod and reel a perfect sense of<br />
‘oneness’.<br />
Meanwhile, the guide installation uses<br />
a single wrapping for a feeling that is<br />
closer to the original blank design. It’s<br />
best described as a sharp rod action with<br />
a sharp feel.<br />
OPTIONS ABOUND<br />
There are four models in the Tobizo<br />
Racing limited edition range, as follows:<br />
Tobizo TC84-100G Racing<br />
Length: 8ft 4in / Lure: 60-150g / PE Line:<br />
MAX 8<br />
Tobizo TC86-110G Racing<br />
Length: 8ft 6in / Lure: 70-160g / PE Line:<br />
MAX 8<br />
Tobizo TC83-150G Racing<br />
Length: 8ft 3in / Lure: 90-180g / PE Line:<br />
MAX 8<br />
Tobizo TC80-200G Racing<br />
Length: 8ft / Lure: 120-230g / PE Line:<br />
MAX 10<br />
To place an order for one of these 100<br />
rods, visit: www.zenaq.com<br />
ZENAQ<br />
www.zenaq.com
Your B2B<br />
COMPONENT<br />
SUPPLIER<br />
Best-in-class wholesale pricing and services.<br />
YOUR RODS.<br />
YOUR WAY.<br />
MUDHOLE.COM/wholesale
SPOTLIGHT ON...<br />
LURES<br />
SPOTLIGHT ON<br />
LURES<br />
From mighty oceans to tiny creeks, from raging<br />
rivers to quiet farm ponds, if there’s a fish there then<br />
it can more than likely be caught on a lure.<br />
Lure fishing is probably the<br />
quickest and easiest method of<br />
fishing to get started in – a rod,<br />
a reel, some line and a lure…<br />
and hey presto you’re fishing.<br />
A lure is a type of artificial fishing bait<br />
used to attract fish and lures come in<br />
many different shapes, sizes, and colours,<br />
each designed to attract a specific range<br />
of fish species.<br />
Using a lure is the most common<br />
alternative to live baiting. Lures allow<br />
you to cast further than using live bait,<br />
are less messy and are good for catch<br />
and release fishing, as the fish are less<br />
likely to gulp the entire hook. Using<br />
lures allows you to target a species more<br />
accurately and are easily interchangeable<br />
when fishing.<br />
Lures are generally more expensive<br />
than live bait, can get snagged on<br />
underwater structure and require you<br />
to constantly move them in order to<br />
attract the fish – some lures<br />
require skill to use effectively,<br />
which can make it harder for<br />
beginners.<br />
They are equally effective in<br />
freshwater and saltwater and<br />
can be used to catch a wide<br />
variety of fish species.<br />
There are many different types of<br />
fishing lures. Plugs or crankbaits are<br />
hard plastic fishing lures shaped and<br />
coloured to resemble bait fish or other<br />
prey, made out of a solid or hollow piece<br />
of plastic, with a thin lip of metal or<br />
plastic attached to the front, and hugely<br />
popular with bass and pike anglers.<br />
The lip is often adjustable to make the<br />
lure wobble. Plugs feature two or three<br />
treble hooks and can float, sink, dive, or<br />
hover. Most plugs float on the water’s<br />
surface or suspend in the water, but dive<br />
sharply when retrieved, so by reeling,<br />
stopping and repeating you can imitate<br />
the behaviour of live, or injured bait fish.<br />
Changing twitching intervals and reeling<br />
speed adds variety.<br />
Jigs have a weighted head on one side<br />
and a hook on the other. Often featuring<br />
a plastic grub, jigs are one of the most<br />
popular types of fishing lures. They sink<br />
easily, making them great for bottom<br />
feeders – cast it out and let it sink to the<br />
bottom, then start jigging! Anglers need<br />
to experiment with different speeds and<br />
movements to see what works best.<br />
Spinnerbaits move horizontally<br />
through the water, come in many shapes<br />
and colours – depending on the targeted<br />
depth and species – and have a hook on<br />
one side, and one or more metal blades<br />
that spin like a propeller on the other.<br />
The spinning blades vibrate, flash and<br />
reflect colour to accurately mimic bait<br />
fish and attract predators, making them<br />
perfect for catching bass, perch and pike.<br />
Spoons are curved, concave metal<br />
lures that shine and wobble as they move<br />
through the water. The bigger the curve,<br />
the wider the wobble. A wobbling lure<br />
resembles injured bait fish, and this is<br />
something game fish can’t resist.<br />
Soft plastic lures imitate a variety of<br />
aquatic ‘bait’, from minnows to worms,<br />
from crawfish to frogs and are very<br />
popular for bass fishing. They work<br />
everywhere and the vast choice available<br />
is due to the fact that no one single lure<br />
will catch fish in all conditions on the day.<br />
There are designs for fast water, coloured<br />
water, dark days, light days and all the<br />
seasons of the year when fish behaviour<br />
and even species specific behaviour have<br />
to be taken into consideration.<br />
Many lure anglers who fish nothing<br />
else will have hundreds or possibly<br />
thousands of lures in various types<br />
to choose from. These will also vary<br />
depending on the country you’re in,<br />
although a pike in Scandinavia will be<br />
caught on the same lure as a pike in the<br />
UK, or a muskie in the USA, or a bass,<br />
or a crappie, or… well, take a look at our<br />
selection of just a few lures overleaf.<br />
20 www.tackletradeworld.com
Register Today!<br />
POWERED BY<br />
July 11-14 | Orlando, FL<br />
Orange County Convention Center<br />
ICASTfishing.org
SPOTLIGHT ON...<br />
LURES<br />
MIKADO<br />
REAL FISH ROACH<br />
This lure has won the recognition of anglers<br />
around the world, thanks to its incredible<br />
effectiveness when fishing for zander, perch,<br />
pike and asp. The selection of an appropriate<br />
mixture of ecological silicone without<br />
phthalates (phthalates free) combined with<br />
the highest quality hand painting allowed<br />
Mikado to obtain the most faithful imitation<br />
of a roach available on the market. The lure<br />
is characterized by a very good tail action,<br />
combined with fine mirroring of the body<br />
that replicates scale flashes on the flank,<br />
thanks to which no predator will pass by it<br />
indifferently!<br />
www.mikado.pl<br />
MEGABASS<br />
SLEEPER CRAW<br />
The long-awaited, bottom-scuttling stealth<br />
craw has arrived. Sleeper Craw harnesses<br />
the revolutionary performance of the<br />
Sleeper series, bringing a hidden-hook<br />
design, enticing realism, and undeniable<br />
fish-catching ability to the category of<br />
conventional craw imitators. Constructed<br />
with a buoyant, highly durable material<br />
with custom scent, Sleeper Craw navigates<br />
treacherous rock formations without the<br />
unnatural sounds of lead or tungsten<br />
contact. Bring it to life with light line shakes,<br />
a drag, or a vigorous hop; regardless of your<br />
technique, the unique design will let you<br />
target new areas and deliver fresh bites.<br />
www.megabassusa.com<br />
Z-MAN FISHING<br />
SALTY NED SHRIMPZ<br />
This industry-first saltwater-specific profile<br />
has been designed with the popular Ned<br />
rig finesse technique in mind.<br />
Made of 10x Tough ElaZtech for extreme<br />
durability, it features a lifelike shrimp<br />
profile with thin legs and antennae that<br />
quiver with the slightest movement.<br />
The naturally buoyant material allows<br />
for a slow sink rate and causes the<br />
bait to rise off the bottom for realistic<br />
presentation.<br />
The Shrimpz pairs perfectly with<br />
Finesse BulletZ, ShroomZ, NedlockZ and<br />
Texas Eye jigheads.<br />
www.zmanfishing.com<br />
PANTHER MARTIN<br />
INLINE SWIVEL<br />
Named the Best New Freshwater Lure at<br />
the <strong>2023</strong> Big Rock Sports Outdoor Expo<br />
this innovative new lure has a swivel built<br />
directly on to the spinner, reducing water<br />
resistance and weed snags. It makes it easier<br />
to cast, retrieve and troll while eliminating<br />
the chance that the swivel may impede<br />
the effectiveness of your casts or cause<br />
unneeded turbulence when retrieved or<br />
trolled. It also saves anglers time, money<br />
and space since there is no need to<br />
purchase, store or add a separate swivel to<br />
the spinner.<br />
Available in three sizes and 10 colours<br />
as well as a six-pack. Perfect for bass, trout,<br />
crappie, and more!<br />
www.PantherMartin.com<br />
22 www.tackletradeworld.com<br />
BERKLEY<br />
POWER BLADE.<br />
An old-school technique that has<br />
withstood the test of time, the spinnerbait<br />
has lived in the tackle boxes of anglers for<br />
decades. After vigorous testing, the team at<br />
Berkley, along with Pro Edwin Evers, have<br />
upgraded it with advanced modern design<br />
features.<br />
Available in two different technique<br />
specific styles – standard and compact<br />
– the Power Blade contains several<br />
blade design styles that were built from<br />
scratch in order to feature maximum<br />
performance. The Fusion19 hook contains<br />
an extended shank and O’Shaugnessy<br />
design that eliminates the need for<br />
a trailer hook. In addition, the Power<br />
Blade possesses premium components,<br />
premium wire, conical style keeper and<br />
a hand-tied PowerBait infused skirt to<br />
round out its modern design.<br />
www.berkley-fishing.com<br />
SPRO<br />
RK CRAWLER 50 DD<br />
The SPRO RK Crawler 55 has been one of<br />
the best-selling winter/spring crankbaits<br />
the past few years. New for <strong>2023</strong>, comes the<br />
addition of a smaller deep-diving version<br />
– MLF angler Mike McClelland’s goal was<br />
to create a smaller size RK Crawler that<br />
would dive deeper. The DD 50 weighs ½oz<br />
and is 50mm long and features the famous<br />
“hunting action” of the original RK Crawler.<br />
It dives fast, covering deeper fish-holding<br />
structures with every cast. When targeting<br />
fish in nine to 12 feet of water, the new DD<br />
50 will quickly become an angler’s favourite!<br />
The RK Crawler DD 50 features sticky<br />
sharp Gamakatsu treble hooks and comes<br />
in 12 proven colours.<br />
www.spro.com
SPOTLIGHT ON...<br />
LURES<br />
PRADCO<br />
BOBBY GARLAND MAYFLY<br />
An insect-profile crappie bait with realistic<br />
features and a natural oil scent that in<br />
combination appeal to multiple sensory<br />
functions that crappie depend on for<br />
feeding, including sight, sound, smell, and<br />
taste. The Mayfly fits most jighead sizes and<br />
all crappie fishing techniques.<br />
www.pradcooutdoorbrands.com<br />
SAVAGE GEAR<br />
DEVIATOR SWIM<br />
The Deviator was launched 10 years ago,<br />
a classic and effective jerk bait brought to<br />
market when the traditional jerk bait fishing<br />
was on top of the predator game. Savage<br />
Gear has now launched the Deviator Swim,<br />
and the name (and some cool colours) are<br />
the only remains from the past. This lure is<br />
new.<br />
The Deviator Swim swims with an<br />
incredible side shifting action on the retrieve<br />
and makes eye-catching side flashes on the<br />
twitch. A highly durable construction with<br />
thru wire can withstand anything you or<br />
brutal predator fish can throw at this lure,<br />
which is also long-casting, easy to fish and<br />
features a built-in rattle. It’s the ideal search<br />
lure for just about any predator fish out<br />
there.<br />
www.savage-gear.com<br />
RAPALA<br />
X-RAP MAGNUM STICK<br />
Featuring a tough, through-wire construction<br />
and a textured translucent body, the<br />
17cm X-Rap Magnum Stick is a showcase<br />
of Magnum durability and detailed X-Rap<br />
finishes.<br />
Made for fast and aggressive retrieves,<br />
the lure swims in wide, S-shaped curves.<br />
Adding rod sweeps to the retrieve induces an<br />
exaggerated kicking action, triggering bites<br />
from cautious fish. On pauses, the lipless bait<br />
dives head-down with a flutter.<br />
Comes in 14 saltwater prey patterns,<br />
combining X-Rap finishes, textured translucent<br />
body constructions, 3D holographic eyes and<br />
internal holographic foil for detailed and flashy<br />
looks. Each is equipped with two VMC 7266 TI<br />
Inline single hooks.<br />
www.rapala.com<br />
MUSTAD<br />
OTO DIVING PENCIL<br />
For an unbeatable intense flash, the Oto<br />
boasts a transparent body with internal<br />
reflective material and ribbed construction,<br />
making wire-through obsolete. This design<br />
improves strength and buoyancy, leading to<br />
the stable action expected from a premium<br />
diving pencil. Adjust the action with a feather<br />
or blade on the added ringed eye. Fish will<br />
struggle to throw hooks on this bait because<br />
of the partially integrated swivels both in<br />
the belly and tail. Pre-rigged with Mustad’s<br />
new Jaw Lok Treble Hooks, triple forged for<br />
impressive strength.<br />
www.mustad-fishing.com<br />
WESTIN FISHING<br />
FREDDY THE FROG WAKEBAIT<br />
In France, frog legs are a delicacy – on this<br />
lure creation, they are a work of art! Freddy<br />
the Frog comes hopping on to the scene<br />
with a crazy, crawling action while those<br />
lifelike legs will stir curiosity in the most<br />
cautious of predator fish. Freddy’s body<br />
is 9cm (3½ in) long, with the free-moving,<br />
jointed legs taking his total length to 18.5cm<br />
(7¼ in), making him a versatile snack for<br />
predators of all kinds who hunt on the<br />
surface, including bass and pike. His moves<br />
on the surface are complemented by a glass<br />
rattle stick with internal steel balls. A simple<br />
cast-and retrieve method will bring plenty of<br />
surface action.<br />
www.westin-fishing.com<br />
DAIWA<br />
EVERGREEN SB-150 LURE<br />
Designed with big bass in mind, the SB-150 is<br />
now available in more patterns to strengthen<br />
the bass angler’s armoury.<br />
Its distinctive design moves water like a<br />
subdued popper – splatters, spits and bubbles<br />
– while locomoting in walk-the-dog fashion,<br />
making it a truly novel hybridisation. At 5 7/8in<br />
(150mm) and 1 9/16oz (44.5g), the SB-150<br />
sports a trio of #2 trebles, the rear tied with<br />
tantalising feathers.<br />
New colours include Full Metal, Flash<br />
Wakasagi, Flash Clear Shad, Ghost Olive Shad<br />
and Silver Flitter Shad, adding to existing<br />
patterns, Bone, Natural Gill and Black Bone.<br />
daiwa.us<br />
BERKLEY<br />
SLOBBERKNOCKER<br />
The Berkley Slobberknocker features an innovative through-head design that is completely unique<br />
to other bladed jigs. After countless hours spent testing on and off the water, this unique design not<br />
only delivers a consistent vibration but is also perfectly suited to come through heavy cover while<br />
staying engaged.<br />
Backed by science, the Slobberknocker features a signature hand-tied Berkley silicone skirt<br />
infused with PowerBait flavour to help ensure that every fish that bites will hold on longer, helping<br />
anglers put more fish in the boat.<br />
The Slobberknocker also features a chip-resistant paint finish, as well as the sticky sharp Fusion19<br />
hook, with 12 premium forage matching colourways to choose from. This grand combination makes<br />
the new Berkley Slobberknocker the ultimate solution when it comes to fishing bladed jigs.<br />
www.berkley-fishing.com<br />
www.tackletradeworld.com<br />
23
FEATURE<br />
Energofish<br />
COMBINING<br />
TRADITIONAL AND<br />
MODERN SOLUTIONS<br />
FOR FISHING<br />
Product development is the key to sustainable operation for every company in the fishing<br />
industry, with new products the focus of customers’ interests year after year, both retailers<br />
and anglers. Energofish is one company offering solutions for almost every fishing method.<br />
Everybody is curious about<br />
the latest equipment, baits<br />
and solutions as fishing<br />
changes constantly and being<br />
competitive as a shopkeeper or an angler<br />
requires the best strategy, based on the<br />
best products.<br />
The supply of Energofish tackle<br />
is immensely wide, offering complex<br />
solutions for the fans of nearly every<br />
fishing method.<br />
For the company’s distributors, this<br />
large assortment is also a guarantee of<br />
smooth, continuous service. If we take<br />
a closer look at the major elements of<br />
Energofish’s product range, it becomes<br />
immediately obvious that the company<br />
offers a supply of both traditional and<br />
brand new, modern items at the same<br />
time.<br />
HOOKED ON BAITS<br />
Corn is the most traditional bait for carp<br />
and feeder anglers. This seed is rich in<br />
protein and carbohydrates as well and is<br />
often used for feeding or as a hook bait<br />
when carp, bream or carassio fishing.<br />
Energofish, through its Carp Expert<br />
brand, offers dozens of corn-based<br />
products, including flavoured and natural<br />
versions.<br />
Two things they have in common<br />
are the exceptionally high quality and<br />
the cooking process, which makes the<br />
products easy to digest for fish. Carp<br />
Expert corn is available in different<br />
sizes, not to mention various colours and<br />
flavours.<br />
As natural hook baits, Carp Expert<br />
bottled corn is the perfect choice. These<br />
flavoured seeds are available in two main<br />
categories – pickled or preserved and<br />
soaked version. Both will prove attractive<br />
to fish and, thanks to their ‘clean’<br />
packaging, to anglers as well.<br />
When it comes to both transport and<br />
margin, Energofish really does look after<br />
the interests of distributors. That’s why<br />
the available margin is relatively high,<br />
while shipping is completely free for<br />
these products.<br />
IN A TWIST<br />
Compared to the above-mentioned cornbased<br />
products, Benzar Mix Concourse<br />
Twister hook baits are the most modern<br />
elements of Energofish’s range.<br />
The Concourse Twister family is made<br />
up of special, unusual-shaped wafters<br />
with two colours and strong flavours. The<br />
wafters’ soluble nature and their circular<br />
shape makes them ideal four-season hook<br />
baits, not only for occasional anglers but<br />
for match fishermen too. As this is a<br />
premium segment product, its packaging<br />
is ultra-modern, exclusive and, of course,<br />
the margin is larger than with average<br />
hook baits.<br />
Last but not least, it’s worth<br />
mentioning a really special, absolutely<br />
premium product range, the Carp Expert<br />
Master Inox Bank Sticks and Buzz Bars.<br />
These useful accessories are made<br />
of 100 per cent stainless steel, which<br />
guarantees the maximum lifespan, no<br />
matter what conditions and stresses they<br />
are subject to.<br />
The 50cm or 80cm sticks have a<br />
telescopic design, offering a good choice<br />
whether as a front or rear mount, while<br />
the Buzz Bar is available in two- and<br />
three-rod designs.<br />
It is also important to note that Carp<br />
Expert Master Inox equipment is all<br />
made in Hungary, which is why their<br />
quality meets and exceeds the highest<br />
expectations.<br />
ENERGOFISH<br />
www.energofish.com<br />
24 www.tackletradeworld.com
THE ROD DESIGNER’S GUIDE<br />
ALSO AVAILABLE IN<br />
BLACK DIAMOND<br />
FINISH<br />
The TiForged Family of guides is the most<br />
requested by rod designers worldwide.<br />
American <strong>Tackle</strong> set out to design a family of<br />
guides that were ideal for casting, spinning,<br />
offshore, and more. With materials from<br />
316SS or solid Titanium alloy in a snagless<br />
frame design, the TiForged Guide family has<br />
something for every rod builder. Rod designers<br />
can choose from single-foot, double-foot,<br />
different ceramic rings or no rings, and multiple<br />
color options. And with a range of sizes from 5.5<br />
ring size all the way up to 50, there is nothing<br />
that the TiForged family of guides can’t do.<br />
(800) 516-1750<br />
americantackle.us<br />
SCAN HERE<br />
TO LEARN MORE
DBW...<br />
DENMARK<br />
D O I N G B U S I N E S S W I T H . . .<br />
DENMARK<br />
Small but mighty, at around six times smaller than the UK but<br />
with 450,000 anglers earning a high average monthly disposable<br />
salary, Denmark still packs a trading and fishing punch.<br />
F<br />
amous for its LEGO, sweet<br />
pastries and the fact that it<br />
has no mountains, Denmark<br />
is a Scandinavian country<br />
in northern Europe, located<br />
south of fellow Nordic<br />
nations Sweden and Norway<br />
and bordered to its south by<br />
Europe’s largest economic<br />
power, Germany. Small it may<br />
be, but Denmark exported<br />
US$125 billion worth of<br />
goods around the globe in<br />
2021, with its top five trading<br />
partners being Germany,<br />
Sweden, Norway, the UK and<br />
the USA.<br />
Denmark supports a high<br />
standard of living – its per<br />
capita gross national product<br />
is among the highest in the<br />
world – with well-developed<br />
social services. The economy<br />
is based primarily on<br />
service industries, trade and<br />
manufacturing; only a small<br />
percentage of the population<br />
is engaged in agriculture and<br />
fishing.<br />
The highest dollar values<br />
in Danish global shipments<br />
come from pharmaceuticals<br />
(US$19.4 billion), machinery<br />
including computers ($16.6<br />
billion), electrical machinery<br />
and equipment ($9.6 billion),<br />
mineral fuels including<br />
oil ($6.1 billion), optical,<br />
technical and medical<br />
apparatus ($4.7 billion)<br />
and meat ($4.3 billion) –<br />
Denmark is rightly famed<br />
for its quality bacon and its<br />
pigs outnumber its people,<br />
with 215 pigs for every 100<br />
humans.<br />
The highest dollar values in<br />
Denmark’s import purchases<br />
come from machinery<br />
including computers<br />
(US$14.7 billion), electrical<br />
machinery and equipment<br />
($11.6 billion), mineral fuels<br />
including oil ($10.1 billion),<br />
vehicles ($9.8 billion),<br />
pharmaceuticals ($6.5 billion)<br />
and plastics and plastic<br />
articles ($5.4 billion)<br />
Next to its well-educated<br />
labour force, the soil is still<br />
Denmark’s most important<br />
raw material. About half<br />
of the land is intensively<br />
exploited and extensively<br />
fertilised. More than half of<br />
26 www.tackletradeworld.com
DBW...<br />
DENMARK<br />
ECONOMY FOCUS<br />
$398.3 billion GDP (USD)<br />
$68,007.76 GDP per capita (USD)<br />
4.9% GDP growth rate<br />
4.8% Unemployment rate<br />
Top export partners:<br />
- Germany<br />
- Sweden<br />
- Norway<br />
- UK<br />
- USA<br />
Top import partners:<br />
- Germany<br />
- Sweden<br />
- Netherlands<br />
- China<br />
- Poland<br />
FACT FILE<br />
Capital: Copenhagen<br />
Dialling code: +45<br />
Population: 5.857 million<br />
Prime Minister: Mette Frederiksen<br />
Official language: Danish<br />
Time zones: Central European Standard Time GMT+1<br />
Currency: Danish Krone (DKK)<br />
Internet domain: .dk<br />
Copenhagen – the real thing (above)<br />
and here’s the LEGO version of it.<br />
the cultivated land is devoted<br />
to cereals, with barley and<br />
wheat accounting for a large<br />
percentage of the total grain<br />
harvest. Sugar beets are<br />
another leading crop. Oats,<br />
rye, turnips, and potatoes are<br />
grown in western Jutland,<br />
where the soil is less fertile.<br />
Domesticated animals are<br />
an important feature of life<br />
in Denmark. Dairy cattle,<br />
pigs, and poultry are raised in<br />
great numbers to supply both<br />
the domestic and the foreign<br />
markets.<br />
The fishing industry<br />
remains economically<br />
important, and Denmark is<br />
among the world’s largest<br />
exporters of fish products.<br />
Herring, cod, and plaice<br />
account for most of the total<br />
catch; other important species<br />
include salmon and eels.<br />
Danish commercial fishing<br />
also extends into foreign<br />
waters in search of Atlantic<br />
cod, Norwegian pout, and<br />
North Sea sprat. Aquaculture<br />
accounts for a small portion<br />
of fish production.<br />
Danish natural resources<br />
are limited and during the<br />
early 1970s the economy<br />
suffered from dependence on<br />
imported petroleum for the<br />
vast majority of its energy<br />
needs. The discovery of oil<br />
and natural gas fields in the<br />
Danish sector of the North<br />
Sea later permitted selfsufficiency<br />
in this regard.<br />
The country also began<br />
using coal-fired power<br />
plants to produce most of<br />
the country’s electricity. The<br />
switch from petroleum was<br />
accompanied by economies<br />
of production: the otherwisewasted<br />
heat that results from<br />
the production of electricity<br />
began to be used to heat<br />
water that is piped to homes<br />
and factories. By the early<br />
21st century Denmark was<br />
exporting more electricity, oil,<br />
and gas than it was importing.<br />
In addition, the Danish<br />
government had moved<br />
toward more environmentally<br />
friendly power sources,<br />
banned the construction of<br />
additional coal-burning power<br />
plants and subsidised wind<br />
www.tackletradeworld.com<br />
27
DBW...<br />
DENMARK<br />
farms, which now provide<br />
a growing portion of the<br />
country’s electricity.<br />
An extensive road and<br />
highway system serves<br />
the country and cities and<br />
towns maintain bicycle lanes<br />
located parallel to roads and<br />
pavements.<br />
The Danish transportation<br />
system has many bridges<br />
and harbours, including the<br />
Great Belt bridge, which<br />
links Zealand with Funen,<br />
and the Øresund Link,<br />
which connects Denmark<br />
with Sweden. Good<br />
harbours provide favourable<br />
conditions for both domestic<br />
and international shipping.<br />
Kastrup, near Copenhagen,<br />
is one of the busiest airports<br />
in Europe and a centre for<br />
international air traffic.<br />
Wind farms are an important<br />
source of Danish energy.<br />
F I S H I N G T A C K L E I N D U S T R Y<br />
A new trade association has recently<br />
been set up by the fishing tackle<br />
industry in Denmark. While some<br />
European countries, including<br />
Germany and Italy, have discontinued<br />
their trade bodies in recent years,<br />
Denmark has launched the Danish<br />
Angling Association.<br />
Founding members of the<br />
organisation include tackle<br />
manufacturers, wholesalers, tackle<br />
shops, fishing guides, tourism<br />
companies, NGOs (non-governmental<br />
organisations), boat and put and take<br />
operators who hope that their unified<br />
voice will have political impact.<br />
Further support has come from<br />
the Danish Sportfishing Association,<br />
which represents the country’s<br />
anglers. “We welcome the new<br />
trade association and see important<br />
collaboration opportunities,” said<br />
chairman Torben Kaas.<br />
“The sooner Danish politicians<br />
understand the trade, and the<br />
numbers and jobs involved, the better.<br />
A collaboration with the commercial<br />
part of the angling business will<br />
benefit our NGO when negotiating<br />
fish and angling politics.”<br />
The Danish fishing tackle retail<br />
market is largely dominated by<br />
independent retailers, some of the<br />
biggest of which lie in the capital<br />
city Copenhagen, in the east of the<br />
country.<br />
Outside of the city centres you will<br />
find larger stores with a more modern<br />
feel, similar to the types of shops<br />
you might find in the USA, with<br />
larger floor space, cleaner layouts and<br />
products displayed in a more orderly<br />
format.<br />
They also have large online retail<br />
operations that expand their reach,<br />
although online retail is relatively<br />
modest in Denmark as many Danish<br />
anglers prefer visiting a local store to<br />
browse and get advice, and the fact<br />
that Denmark is quite a small country<br />
means there is usually at least one<br />
within driving distance.<br />
Nearly all of the fishing tackle<br />
stores in Denmark deal directly with<br />
fishing brands themselves, so there<br />
are very few remaining wholesalers<br />
or middlemen in the chain. Even<br />
overseas brands tend to be handled by<br />
Danish brand owners and then sold to<br />
shops directly.<br />
A recent survey found that in the<br />
Danish tackle market the estimated<br />
number of recreational anglers is<br />
around 451,000, with an estimated<br />
160 tackle shops, 10 wholesalers,<br />
15 manufacturers/brands and a<br />
total economic value of recreational<br />
fisheries to Denmark’s economy of<br />
around $335 million.<br />
F I S H I N G I N D E N M A R K<br />
With thanks to John Petermann<br />
There’s a lot of spin fishing<br />
but with coarse fishing in<br />
general, there aren’t now a<br />
lot of bream, perch and those<br />
kinds of fish as the cormorants<br />
have had a very negative<br />
impact on their populations<br />
in the lakes. Years back I<br />
believe cormorants mainly<br />
ate saltwater species close to<br />
the shore but now they feed<br />
in freshwater on all kinds of<br />
fish. They take big trout, 50cm<br />
pike, bream and perch.<br />
It’s a very sad situation with<br />
the cormorants in general in<br />
Europe. Twenty years ago we<br />
had some of the most amazing<br />
grayling fishing in the rivers<br />
in Denmark but now they are<br />
an endangered species. You<br />
can still fish for grayling but<br />
personally I stopped fishing<br />
for them as there are very<br />
few left in Denmark – where<br />
you used to catch 20 or 30 of<br />
about 40cm in a day, now if<br />
you catch one grayling that<br />
size in a year you’re happy.<br />
The dry fly fishing is not<br />
as popular as it used to be<br />
20 or 30 years ago due to the<br />
Fishing from the coastline is a<br />
popular pastime in Denmark.<br />
28 www.tackletradeworld.com
DBW...<br />
DENMARK<br />
cormorant issue and the lack<br />
of game fish in the rivers, but<br />
the main target now is sea<br />
trout on the coastlines. It’s<br />
very popular and anybody<br />
can do it, with a fly rod or<br />
spin rod, and you can fish for<br />
garfish as well in the spring.<br />
Then there’s the salmon<br />
fishing because you have a lot<br />
of stocked salmon and stocked<br />
sea trout released that have<br />
been bred from wild fish. The<br />
stocking has helped those<br />
populations.<br />
Salmon fishing is growing<br />
and there’s a very famous<br />
salmon river in Denmark<br />
called the Skjern River;<br />
this year you’re allowed to<br />
take about 500 salmon, last<br />
year it was about 400 so the<br />
population is growing.<br />
Pike fishing is quite popular,<br />
there are still lakes and rivers<br />
in Denmark where you can<br />
fish for them. It was more<br />
popular a few years back. The<br />
spawning season is about in<br />
<strong>April</strong> so it’s quite popular to<br />
fish for them in March and<br />
then again in May.<br />
I N D U S T R Y V I E W<br />
JOHN PETERMANN, CEO, Fluebindinding ApS (The Fly Company), Viby J.<br />
Established 1995.<br />
We distribute fly tying<br />
materials and fly f ishing<br />
equipment in general. We<br />
have a large variety of<br />
fly tying materials from<br />
Hareline, Wapsi, Tiemco<br />
and more, plus tools and<br />
vises, as well as distributing<br />
Renzetti, Winston, Bauer<br />
and Nautilus reels in Europe,<br />
and Templefork Outf itters<br />
in Scandinavia and a few<br />
countries in Europe as well.<br />
We are purely a<br />
distributor so we sell<br />
business to business. Our<br />
market is Europe; of course<br />
Scandinavia is a big market<br />
for us but our market share<br />
has grown, particularly in<br />
southern Europe as well. We<br />
get more European requests<br />
every week.<br />
When the Covid pandemic<br />
was starting a lot of new<br />
f ishermen came on board<br />
and the sport grew quite a<br />
lot, and then we ran into a<br />
situation where our suppliers<br />
were f inding it diff icult<br />
to supply us with what<br />
we needed in the way of<br />
products. Several different<br />
fly tying materials were sold<br />
out, some have remained sold<br />
out for a long time, so that<br />
was quite a big issue. I think<br />
we lost maybe 20 per cent<br />
of sales because we couldn’t<br />
get hold of the product. The<br />
new interest and amount of<br />
new people starting f ishing<br />
was very high and as we ran<br />
into lockdowns we couldn’t<br />
get hold of a lot of different<br />
materials from suppliers.<br />
We didn’t lose anything but<br />
I think we could have sold<br />
maybe 20 per cent more if we<br />
had been able to get hold of<br />
the products. It’s starting to<br />
become better but it’s still an<br />
issue.<br />
And then with the energy/<br />
f inancial/war crisis, I’m<br />
pretty positive about the<br />
future but it seems like in<br />
Europe the demand has<br />
calmed down a bit. People are<br />
waiting to see how much fuel<br />
is, how much food is going to<br />
cost next month, how much<br />
hot water is going to cost,<br />
gas and oil, and it appears to<br />
have an impact on customers’<br />
ways to spend money. It<br />
seems like there are still a<br />
lot of people who don’t have<br />
any issues, still have a good<br />
living but maybe they are<br />
holding back a little, seeing<br />
how it will be next year, next<br />
month or next week. Will<br />
they have a job next year? I<br />
think that has def initely had<br />
a little bit of an impact on<br />
the way that customers are<br />
purchasing products.<br />
The ‘cost of living crisis’<br />
has had a huge impact in<br />
Denmark too; where some<br />
families were spending say<br />
1,000 DKK on electricity per<br />
month now it’s 2,000 to 3,000<br />
DKK, so that’s something<br />
that has had a huge impact<br />
on their disposable income.<br />
On fly tying materials these<br />
are products where that<br />
has had the least impact<br />
because they’re not expensive<br />
products, but if you want<br />
to buy a new f ishing rod<br />
from one of the high-end<br />
brands from the USA then<br />
the exchange rate on the US<br />
dollar has been very high<br />
compared to Europe, and<br />
on top of the energy prices<br />
that makes a difference. But<br />
they still purchase a lot of fly<br />
tying materials.<br />
T A R G E T S P E C I E S<br />
SEA TROUT PIKE SALMON<br />
www.tackletradeworld.com<br />
29
FEATURE<br />
PLATYPUS LINES UP<br />
CELEBRATIONS FOR<br />
125 YEARS<br />
Australia’s longest running fishing tackle brand, Platypus Fishing Lines, is celebrating<br />
its 125th year in business. As it does so, TTW looks at where it came from and where it’s<br />
headed next.<br />
Platypus Fishing Lines truly had<br />
humble beginnings when, in<br />
1898, George Ross McPherson, a<br />
Scottish immigrant rope maker,<br />
began making fishing line from twisted<br />
linen to meet the demands of local<br />
anglers.<br />
In 1902 the first ‘factory’, a corrugated<br />
iron shed at the back of the house, was<br />
established at Chermside in Queensland<br />
and, over the next 15 years, ‘Mac’s<br />
Platypus Brand’ cemented itself as a<br />
quality product.<br />
The Platypus name, chosen because the<br />
products were good on the land and in<br />
the water, reflected both the production<br />
of rope and fishing line.<br />
GENERATION GAME<br />
George’s son, George William, eventually<br />
purchased the business, adding more<br />
machinery while experimenting with a<br />
wonder thread called nylon.<br />
30 www.tackletradeworld.com<br />
During the tough period of the war<br />
years, he could also be found buying<br />
thousands of shoelaces, due to shortages<br />
in linen thread, which were dismantled<br />
and re-spun into yarn to manufacture<br />
fishing line – a reflection of both angler<br />
and Aussie ingenuity.<br />
As nylon lines improved in the 1950s,<br />
George’s son Don became involved in<br />
the business, purchased the company’s<br />
first nylon extruder and began developing<br />
nylon fishing line technologies in<br />
Australia.<br />
This was a pioneering time in<br />
sportfishing, as linen gave way to nylon<br />
lines in the 1960s and throughout the<br />
1970s, with help from some highprofile<br />
Australian anglers who embraced<br />
Platypus lines. Soon, these Australianmade<br />
nylon lines became THE lines to<br />
use.<br />
Don’s intimate knowledge of nylon<br />
lines allowed him to control elements<br />
such as diameter, stretch and memory<br />
as he developed lines for specific<br />
applications, such as Lo-Stretch and<br />
Pre-Test, with its hundreds of IGFA and<br />
ANSA records.
Platypus<br />
FEATURE<br />
A larger factory was established at<br />
Strathpine and Don’s knowledge allowed<br />
the development of many other products<br />
used in medical, mining, farming, and<br />
other fields, while never losing focus on<br />
the development of quality fishing line.<br />
AUSTRALIAN AND PROUD<br />
Stewart McPherson joined his father<br />
Don in the late 1990s, before<br />
taking over the company, making<br />
Platypus a fourth-generation<br />
Australian owned company.<br />
This was an exciting period, with the<br />
development of high-tech fibres that<br />
saw a rapid growth in the popularity<br />
of braided lines, with Platypus at the<br />
forefront of this new line category.<br />
In 2018 an opportunity arose for<br />
Australian-owned and operated family<br />
business <strong>Tackle</strong> Tactics to take on the<br />
brand, ensuring that it remained an<br />
Australian-made product.<br />
Key Platypus team members remained<br />
with the business, including two fishing<br />
line technicians with over 70 years of<br />
combined fishing line development and<br />
manufacturing experience.<br />
Under the supervision of new owner<br />
Gareth Williams, the team has gone on<br />
to develop what it describes as its “best<br />
monofilament line ever” – Pulse Mono –<br />
the cutting-edge Hard Armour Leader<br />
range and a selection of new braids<br />
that utilise the latest in materials and<br />
machinery, including Pulse X4, Pulse X8<br />
and Bionic Braid X9.<br />
Many anglers have memories of<br />
spooling and fishing Platypus lines<br />
with their parents, grandparents, and<br />
great grandparents, so it’s exciting to<br />
see Australia’s longest running fishing<br />
tackle brand still at the forefront of<br />
fishing line development, continuing<br />
to manufacture quality, cutting edge<br />
products in the country, for anglers<br />
locally and globally.<br />
PLATYPUS<br />
www.platypusfishing.com.au<br />
UNI PRODUCTS J.G. Cote Inc.<br />
1004 Principale<br />
Ste-Melanie, QC. Canada JOK 3AO<br />
Tel: 450-889-8054<br />
Toll-Free: 1-877-889-8054<br />
Fax: 450-889-5887<br />
Email: info@uniproducts.com<br />
NEW FROM UNI<br />
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IRON GRAY<br />
Look to UNI for the best in spooled fly-tying materials!<br />
www.uniproducts.com
FEATURE<br />
Grizzly Jig Spring <strong>Tackle</strong> Show<br />
A FEW DAYS AT ICAST CAN<br />
PAY OFF YEAR-ROUND<br />
Not only is ICAST – the giant US trade show held each July – great for manufacturers,<br />
suppliers and brands but it also gives retailers a leg-up on the competition.<br />
Each week, the orders would pour<br />
in. They came from California,<br />
Wisconsin and Arkansas. They<br />
came by the dozens… and in<br />
large quantities, too. At one point, Wade<br />
Mansfield’s Grizzly Jig Co. was selling<br />
more crankbaits than some of the largest<br />
bass fishing stores in the United States –<br />
but Mansfield had a problem.<br />
Grizzly Jig Co, perched on the banks of<br />
the Mississippi River in the boot heel of<br />
Missouri, was a crappie store. Regionally,<br />
they have been a mover and shaker for<br />
decades, at one point even running a<br />
thriving magazine business and email<br />
marketing empire.<br />
And, though the small town, familyrun<br />
business had proven successful<br />
34 www.tackletradeworld.com<br />
enough to be a major contributor to<br />
its hometown economy, Mansfield was<br />
having issues securing recognition from<br />
national crankbait manufacturers. What<br />
he needed was a deal.<br />
“You always need to know the person<br />
to get the deal,” says Mansfield. “You<br />
need to know the end decision maker. In<br />
our case, we had, at times, sold more bass<br />
baits than the big box store down the<br />
road, because crappie fishermen have so<br />
many poles and they want a bait in each<br />
colour for every pole. But it took going<br />
to ICAST, and actually meeting with the<br />
manufacturer’s decision makers, to get the<br />
best deal.”<br />
Mansfield has been attending ICAST<br />
– the sportfishing industry’s trade show<br />
produced by the American Sportfishing<br />
Association (ASA) – for 23 years. And, in<br />
that time, he says the connections made<br />
on the show floor have paid off yearround<br />
for Grizzly Jig Co.<br />
“People do their research,” he adds.<br />
“When you meet somebody, they ask<br />
around to find out who has buying power<br />
and who is and isn’t a player. In our case,<br />
I had to meet the right people initially for<br />
them to know who we were.”<br />
MORE THAN EVER<br />
Last year, some 12,000 people from 72<br />
nations made the trek to the iconic trade<br />
show. This year, ICAST has announced<br />
enhancements that could make it better<br />
than ever.
ICAST<br />
FEATURE<br />
The vaunted New Product<br />
Showcase pits hundreds of new<br />
products against each other<br />
in a voting contest – lead by<br />
retailers and media members – to<br />
determine category winners in<br />
divisions ranging from fishing<br />
reels to outerwear, kayaks and<br />
women’s apparel. This year, ASA<br />
has expanded the number of<br />
categories by eight, including<br />
six new categories devoted to fly<br />
fishing.<br />
The expansions complement<br />
the addition of an all-new ICAST<br />
Fly Shop, a boutique replica<br />
fly fishing store complete with<br />
artwork, casting exhibitions and a<br />
lounge for attendees to unwind in.<br />
With a sprawling show floor<br />
jam-packed with exhibitors,<br />
ICAST attendees have no<br />
shortage of entertainment options.<br />
Casting ponds and the lure tank<br />
showcase new products on and<br />
beneath the water.<br />
Outside, events like ICAST On<br />
The Water Product Demo Day<br />
put items like rods, reels, SUPs<br />
and kayaks in the hands of buyers<br />
and media on the ponds outside<br />
the Orlando Convention Center’s<br />
North Building.<br />
Meanwhile, the ICAST Cup<br />
bass fishing tournament hosted<br />
by Major League Fishing, daily<br />
Lunch & Learn business seminars<br />
and the State of the Industry<br />
Breakfast provide options for<br />
attendees to connect and learn<br />
from a diverse spectrum of minds<br />
representing the sportfishing<br />
world.<br />
“The business seminars provide<br />
valuable information,” says<br />
Mansfield. “You can get a lot of<br />
raw data and better understand<br />
your situation, like how many<br />
people are buying saltwater, how<br />
much of your business is impacted<br />
by bass fishing, and so on.”<br />
Annually, more than 100<br />
exhibitions provide special deals<br />
for attendees placing orders on<br />
the show floor. Meanwhile, daily<br />
cash giveaways for buyers and a<br />
fishing trip for two to Crocodile<br />
Bay, Costa Rica, enhance the<br />
value-added proposition of<br />
attendance.<br />
Registration for ICAST <strong>2023</strong> is<br />
open now.<br />
ICAST<br />
www.icast.org<br />
Wade Mansfield,<br />
from the Grizzly<br />
Jig Co.<br />
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MAKING<br />
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Making Contact<br />
2<br />
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of charge? Then get in<br />
touch, we’d love to hear<br />
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1 WESTIN<br />
W6 BRAIDED LINES<br />
2 SFLYING FISHERMAN<br />
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3<br />
3 STONFO<br />
MICRO LOOP TYERS<br />
JOHN HUNTER<br />
+44 7990 542958<br />
john.hunter@dhpub.co.uk<br />
DAVID HAYNES<br />
david.haynes@dhpub.co.uk<br />
Contact John or David directly<br />
for details of how to send your<br />
product and a short description to<br />
<strong>Tackle</strong> <strong>Trade</strong> <strong>World</strong>’s office.<br />
These lines have been developed<br />
using a unique construction<br />
process for all-round lure fishing,<br />
using premium-grade Japanese<br />
UHMPE (Ultra High Molecular<br />
Polyethylene) fibres for incredible<br />
performance and strength.<br />
To achieve higher abrasion<br />
resistance and greater strength<br />
W6 braid uses a weave called<br />
“Advanced High PIC”. This 8X (eight<br />
braid carriers) braided line has a<br />
36 PIC construction (weaves per<br />
inch) that gives a stronger line for<br />
its diameter. The tighter weave<br />
also gives a smoother surface<br />
for longer, more accurate, casts.<br />
Casting performance is further<br />
enhanced by a process that gives<br />
the braid a smoother, hydrophobic<br />
surface, reducing water absorption<br />
and lowering friction.<br />
The latest addition to the<br />
brand’s Action Angler Series of<br />
affordably priced eyewear for<br />
anglers and outdoor enthusiasts.<br />
The medium fit, casual lifestyle<br />
frames sunglasses are built for<br />
adventure with performance and<br />
comfort features normally seen<br />
with higher priced eyewear, like<br />
recessed nose pads, non-slip<br />
temple pads, and saltwaterresistant<br />
lenses. The polarised,<br />
AcuTint lens colouring system<br />
enhances contrast without<br />
distorting natural colours,<br />
blocking glare and 100 per cent of<br />
harmful UVA & UVB rays. Available<br />
in three colourways: matte crystal<br />
black frames with amber-red<br />
mirror; matte crystal grey frames<br />
with either amber-green mirror or<br />
smoke-ice blue mirror lenses.<br />
Designed to make it easier to tie<br />
very small loops for hooklengths<br />
and hair rigs, for example, these<br />
micro loop tyers are proving very<br />
popular with anglers.<br />
The smaller size tool allows you<br />
to tie 4mm loops with the larger<br />
one capable of producing 6mm<br />
ones.<br />
www.stonfo.com<br />
www.westin-fishing.com<br />
www.flyingfisherman.com<br />
36 www.tackletradeworld.com
MAKING<br />
CONTACT<br />
4<br />
6<br />
5<br />
7<br />
4 FIRST DART<br />
HALS LOW STRETCH LINE<br />
5 WORTH CO<br />
TACKLEPACS<br />
6 DAIWA<br />
TANACOM 800 REEL<br />
7 ST CROIX<br />
AVID PANFISH SERIES<br />
HALS Low Stretch nylon<br />
monofilament enhances<br />
sensitivity for better bite<br />
detection and hook sets and is<br />
said to stretch less than 20 per<br />
cent at what is claimed to be the<br />
lowest in the industry.<br />
In addition, the line also<br />
features three times more<br />
abrasion resistant properties<br />
compared to standard nylon<br />
monofilament.<br />
info@firstdart.com<br />
The Worth Company, an industry<br />
leader in lure component<br />
manufacturing, is offering its<br />
world-famous components in<br />
sample pack sizes. The Americanmade<br />
precision parts are great<br />
for building new lures, replacing<br />
inferior components and repairing<br />
your favourite lures.<br />
These industry-standard<br />
items are used by many leading<br />
lure manufacturers. Fishing lure<br />
component packs are available for<br />
spinner blades, split rings, beads,<br />
lure bodies, clevises, swivel and<br />
wire forms.<br />
Worthco.com<br />
The Tanacom 800 aims to improve<br />
the angling experience while kite<br />
fishing, as well as deep dropping<br />
and bottom bouncing for monsters<br />
of the depths like halibut, snowy<br />
grouper, tilefish and more.<br />
It retains the power, ease of<br />
operation and super-fast retrieval<br />
rate of the others in the Tanacom<br />
line in a package that clearly stands<br />
out on its own. Saltwater sealed<br />
and with a capacity of 660 yards of<br />
80lb Daiwa J-Braid capacity – 200<br />
yards greater than the Tanacom<br />
750 – it also has a 30 per cent<br />
faster retrieval rate, sports 20<br />
per cent more winding power<br />
with a 22lb max and features a<br />
beast-taming 50lb maximum drag<br />
pressure.<br />
These rods encompass nine<br />
models with St Croix’s new<br />
SCIII+ hybrid carbon blanks and<br />
Seaguide’s innovative Delta<br />
TYG stainless steel guides for<br />
improved casting distance with<br />
micro-diameter lines.<br />
Made in the USA, the Avid<br />
Series Panfish rods retail at a<br />
mid-price point and feature a 15-<br />
year warranty backed by St Croix<br />
Superstar Service.<br />
dealersupport@stcroixrods.com<br />
daiwa.us<br />
38 www.tackletradeworld.com
STOPPIONI s.n.c. Firenze Italy Prod. Effevuemme s.r.l.<br />
Tel.+39 0558739615 -Fax +39 0558739648 stonfo@stonfo.com<br />
Art.687<br />
APICALE SOFTLINK<br />
The quickest and safest device to connect line<br />
and elastic. The Softlink elastic connector is<br />
composed of an highly resistant body with rubber<br />
knot cover. It is ideal for solid or hollow elastics up<br />
to 4 mm of diameter.<br />
rubber<br />
knot cover<br />
Art.694<br />
PTFE CURVED<br />
Bush in pure curved PTFE realized to facilitate<br />
the elastic retrieving outside the pole during the<br />
fight. It ensures the maximum smoothness of<br />
both solid and hollow elastics.<br />
Other features:<br />
small, lightweight, elegant design with reduced<br />
overhang. The mounting on the pole, thanks to an<br />
exclusive click system, is very easy, quick,<br />
secure and doesn't need the use of glue.<br />
Supplied with 2 useful elastic holders.<br />
NEW PACBAY<br />
CHARONOSAURUS<br />
ROLLER GUIDES<br />
The world’s best-known saltwater anglers trust in PACBAY’s fishing tackle components and accessories for their<br />
reliable and faultless performance. With a view to preserving its valued reputation, PACBAY has maintained a strict<br />
program of quality control in the making of each and every product with the PACBAY name carved on it.<br />
In the same spirit as always, PACBAY has now launched its brand-new Charonosaurus roller guides.<br />
- Aluminum openwork construction reduces weight but doesn’t reduce strength - Deeply embedded roller design restricts line from cramming between<br />
roller and frame - Inbuilt Teflon tube bearing to diminish friction and heat - Tube bearing treated with TEFLON for performance and constant lubrication<br />
- Perfectly shaped guide feet to fit blanks with tip size - The structure of the arch-bridge design reduces weight as well as reducing the restrain between<br />
blank and guide - Structure designed to accommodate knots and connection of wind-on leader – line never gets stuck<br />
- PACBAY roller tip-tops (model # ERT,EMRT,EJRT) are an excellent match for these guides - All products patented.<br />
Build Great Fishing Rods<br />
info@fishpacbay.com<br />
www.fishpacbay.com
FEATURE<br />
Simms<br />
TECHNICAL<br />
OUTERWEAR<br />
GOES GREEN<br />
One of the most exciting aspects of today’s tackle trade is the fact that<br />
recycled fabric is becoming less and less of a buzz-worthy topic, and<br />
more and more of a new standard to strive for. Simms’ new Challenger<br />
Suit is made from 100 per cent recycled fabrics.<br />
However, like all innovative<br />
leaps forward —<br />
achievements of this<br />
magnitude aren’t without<br />
their own unique set of hurdles and<br />
challenges.<br />
You don’t have to look back too far<br />
at all to realise that rods, reels, marine<br />
electronics, boats, engines, monofilament,<br />
lures, flies, you name it – virtually every<br />
single category of fishing gear has<br />
radically progressed.<br />
Although not always viewed through<br />
the lens of “gear”, fishing apparel has<br />
also seen its fair share of performative<br />
advancement. It’s hard to believe that<br />
we’ve only been reaping the rewards<br />
of waterproof breathable waders and<br />
outerwear for the past 30 years.<br />
When Simms launched that wader<br />
back in 1993, it was nothing short of<br />
a game changer – now, simply put,<br />
waterproof breathability is the norm.<br />
The fishing industry has always been<br />
rife with innovators – individuals that<br />
possess the unique ability to look ahead,<br />
identify a need, and creatively problem<br />
solve to meet that need in the most<br />
efficient way possible. Thankfully, today,<br />
more and more innovators are considering<br />
environmental impacts as they develop<br />
the next best thing.<br />
40 www.tackletradeworld.com<br />
Using recycled materials in<br />
performance apparel is only one of<br />
many environmentally conscious<br />
manufacturing strategies the fishing<br />
industry actively has in the works;<br />
it’s a concept that consumers easily<br />
recognise and understand.<br />
It would be nice if transitioning<br />
to performance textiles and fabrics<br />
made from 100 per cent recycled<br />
materials was as simple as flipping<br />
a switch, but it isn’t.<br />
The truth is, it’s an incredibly<br />
complicated topic. Recycled<br />
material doesn’t always mean that it’s<br />
“greener” material.<br />
And of course, there’s the performance<br />
aspect manufacturers have to take into<br />
consideration.<br />
CHANGING THE GAME<br />
So, what does that mean for consumers?<br />
For years and years, whether it’s hard<br />
goods or apparel, anglers have more or<br />
less only seen advancements in their<br />
fishing gear.<br />
Staying warm on the coldest days,<br />
staying dry in the midst of torrential<br />
downpours, moisture wicking capabilities,<br />
breathability, having gear that lasts season<br />
after season has not only become the<br />
norm, it’s what consumers expect – all<br />
The Challenger Jacket and Bib<br />
use recycled fabrics yet retain<br />
superb performance.<br />
because the<br />
wheel of<br />
innovation has<br />
never stopped.<br />
Are anglers<br />
willing to<br />
sacrifice the performance and durability<br />
they’ve become so accustomed to as long<br />
as their apparel is made from recycled<br />
materials? Of course, the answer really<br />
depends on who you ask.<br />
However, brands like Simms have<br />
been working hard to prove that recycled<br />
fabrics have a bright future in the ongoing<br />
evolution of performance driven, technical<br />
fishing gear and its all-new Men’s and<br />
Women’s Challenger Jacket and Bib serve<br />
as a shining example of exactly that.<br />
• Continued on page 42
Registration’s Open Now!<br />
Salt Palace Convention Center<br />
September 26-28, <strong>2023</strong> in Salt Lake City, Utah<br />
Need more info? Go to AFFTA.org or email kenneth.andres@AFFTA.org<br />
FULL RANGE OF TERMINAL TACKLE AND ACCESSORIES<br />
It’s a<br />
family<br />
thing<br />
EST.<br />
1958<br />
F J Neil has been family owned and operated since the<br />
1950s… and is still going strong! Under the Dolphin brand<br />
we supply all types of terminal tackle and accessories, from<br />
traditional bamboo poles to the latest rigs and lures.<br />
• Competitive pricing<br />
• Large stock inventory – no order delays<br />
• Rapid turnaround • Export specialists<br />
• Able to source any special requirements<br />
FOR FULL TRADE DETAILS<br />
PLEASE CONTACT US AT CANEFISH@AOL.COM / +1 631-957-1073<br />
FJ NEIL COMPANY INC, 1064 ROUTE 109, PO BOX 617, LINDENHURST, NY 11757-0617 USA<br />
We are looking for experienced agents or distributors for the European market. If qualified, email Neil Miritello at nmfjn@aol.com
FEATURE<br />
Simms<br />
The Challenger Suit has a<br />
range of features fishermen<br />
(and women) will love.<br />
Simms’ CX Hoody (above),<br />
Santee Flannel hoody (below)<br />
and Tributary Hip Pack (left)<br />
all use recycled materials.<br />
Continued from page 40<br />
RISING TO THE CHALLENGE<br />
With an outer shell built from 100 per<br />
cent recycled waterproof/breathable Toray<br />
and a 100 per cent recycled polyester<br />
liner, the new Challenger Jacket and Bib<br />
has only improved.<br />
Equipped with fishy features such<br />
as an adjustable/stashable storm hood,<br />
oversized zippered chest pockets with a<br />
built-in sunglass chamois, adjustable cuffs<br />
designed to lock water out, the jacket also<br />
features reflective branding for safety.<br />
Constructed from the same recycled<br />
fabric as the jacket, the Challenger Bib<br />
offers ample on-body storage, adjustable<br />
suspenders, knee high zippers for easy<br />
on/off and rugged overlays in high wear<br />
zones for increased durability.<br />
When paired together, the Challenger<br />
Suit provides unmatched protection<br />
against the elements, long open water<br />
runs and choppy conditions.<br />
Simms’ director of product marketing,<br />
Patterson Leeth, explained: “When we<br />
initially launched the Challenger Suit<br />
back in 2016, it was a pivotal moment for<br />
Simms.<br />
“It was one of the first times we offered<br />
an accessible, performance driven product.<br />
Since then, the Challenger collection has<br />
not only become a staple in our product<br />
line, but also a standby for hardcore<br />
anglers that rely on performance,<br />
reliability, and durability day in and day<br />
out.<br />
42 www.tackletradeworld.com<br />
“It’s really exciting to know that we<br />
are able to implement recycled fabrics<br />
into products that are as important as<br />
Challenger and still offer anglers the<br />
same level of confidence they demand<br />
and deserve.”<br />
While the new Challenger Suit<br />
isn’t Simms’ first foray into products<br />
using recycled materials, it’s certainly<br />
an important one because, to date, it is its<br />
most technical.<br />
Products such as the Fall Run have<br />
now been in the Simms line for multiple<br />
seasons and have even earned multiple<br />
environmentally conscious industry<br />
awards.<br />
These accolades have led to others<br />
such as the Tributary Hip Pack, the CX<br />
Hoody, the Guide Flannel, the Santee<br />
Flannel, the Henry’s Fork Crew and<br />
Hoody – all using recycled fabrics in<br />
some shape or form and do so without<br />
sacrificing the performance, comfort and<br />
durability consumers expect from Simms.<br />
STAYING TRUE TO THE CAUSE<br />
Innovation is the single most important<br />
strand of Simms’ DNA. It’s the<br />
cornerstone that the brand was built<br />
upon.<br />
For decades, Simms has never stopped<br />
looking for cutting-edge technologies,<br />
more performative fabrics, and new<br />
innovations.<br />
When you think about it, identifying<br />
and executing environmentally friendly<br />
solutions is just another form of<br />
innovation and that’s where Simms<br />
excels.<br />
In the case of the Challenger Suit,<br />
consumers can rest assured, Simms<br />
has sacrificed nothing in terms of<br />
performance and durability. Its new<br />
recycled fabric was held against the same<br />
longstanding set of demanding standards<br />
as all of its other technical outerwear –<br />
and that’s a promising sign for the future<br />
of such an important innovation.<br />
SIMMS<br />
www.simmsfishing.com
The Classic never<br />
goes out of fashion<br />
Carp Expert corns from<br />
800 grams to 5 kg packages!<br />
Besides the natural<br />
scents, also available<br />
in fermented and<br />
flavoured versions.<br />
Special bait<br />
corns in<br />
2 versions!<br />
(Dipped / in Liquid)<br />
Carp Expert<br />
Master Inox<br />
Buzzbar and<br />
Banksticks!<br />
Accessories for<br />
anglers who love high<br />
quality products!<br />
NEW Size!<br />
Mega Corn!<br />
Partners Wanted!<br />
Energofish Ltd. is looking for new Partners<br />
all over the <strong>World</strong>. Free delivery on orders<br />
over €300. Registration and other details:<br />
NETHERLANDS GERMANY SWEDEN POLAND FRANCE ITALY<br />
INFO@ENERGOFISH.COM<br />
WWW.ENERGOFISH.COM
<strong>2023</strong> FISH TALES CUP<br />
THE LURE MASTER CHALLENGE<br />
Start registration, welcome to sponsor us<br />
Dates: 13-17 August <strong>2023</strong><br />
Location: Yunbing, Pahang, Malaysia<br />
VENUE:Kuala Rompin,Pahang,Malaysia<br />
consultation:robert.li365@gmail.com
<strong>2023</strong> Global Fishing Classic held a press conference<br />
The Malaysian Inbound Tourism Association<br />
(MITA) and Otelly Management Co., Ltd.<br />
jointly organize the 14th "Malaysia Fishing Cup<br />
Series-Global Chinese Fishing Classic <strong>2023</strong>", which is<br />
expected to bring 500 to 600 Chinese tourists to Malaysia.<br />
Uzaidi, chairman of the Malaysian Inbound Tourism<br />
Association, held a press conference recently and said that China<br />
is a very important market for Malaysia's inbound tourism industry. In 2019 alone, it received nearly 3 million Chinese<br />
tourists.<br />
"The "Malaysian Fish News Cup" is held again after a 2-year absence, and MITA is very happy to hear the latest news,<br />
and believes that local tourism operators are preparing to receive Chinese tourists."<br />
"The "Malaysian Fish News Cup" is scheduled to be held in Kuala Yunpin, Pahang from August 13 to 17, <strong>2023</strong>.<br />
This competition is expected to have 250 to 300 participants, and participants usually bring Family members will<br />
participate together, so about 500 to 600 Chinese tourists will be welcomed.”<br />
He said that the fishing tourism market in China is huge. According to statistics, there are an estimated 120 million<br />
fishing enthusiasts in China, of which 2% (2.4 million) go abroad for fishing activities at least once a year.<br />
“An angler spends an average of US$2,500 to US$3,000 per fishing trip in Malaysia, which will boost our economy.”<br />
He pointed out that this event has received strong support from the Pahang State Tourism Bureau and partners<br />
such as the Malaysia-China Friendship Association, Yunbing Fishing Association and Wailea Resort; transnational<br />
partners include the China Fishing Association, the China Recreational Fishing Association, and the Jiangsu Fishing<br />
Association. and media partners in China, Singapore, UK, US and Australia.<br />
Contact email: robert.li365@gmail.comv
Beijing Bihai Fishing <strong>Tackle</strong> Company signed a project<br />
cooperation agreement with the National Convention<br />
and Exhibition Center (Tianjin)<br />
On February 15, Wang Xiangfa, general manager<br />
of Beijing Bihai Fishing <strong>Tackle</strong> Co., Ltd., attended the<br />
project cooperation signing ceremony of the National<br />
Convention and Exhibition Center (Tianjin) and<br />
signed a cooperation agreement.<br />
The <strong>2023</strong> Spring Bihai Fishing <strong>Tackle</strong> Industry<br />
Expo will be held at the National Convention and<br />
Exhibition Center (Tianjin) from March 23 to 26.<br />
The move to the National Convention and<br />
Exhibition Center (Tianjin) is another major strategic<br />
turning point for Bihai Fishing <strong>Tackle</strong> Exhibition. The<br />
National Convention and Exhibition Center (Tianjin) is a national-level exhibition hall cooperated by the Ministry<br />
of Commerce and Tianjin City, and has intelligent and modern operating conditions. After three cold winters of the<br />
epidemic, the domestic fishing tackle market has recovered strongly. Bihai Fishing <strong>Tackle</strong> was exhibited in just one<br />
week, and the booth was scheduled to reach 100,000 square meters.<br />
Choosing the National Convention and Exhibition Center (Tianjin), whether it is software management or hardware<br />
equipment and facilities, will be improved to a higher level. Bihai Fishing <strong>Tackle</strong> Industry Expo will welcome the<br />
victory of the <strong>2023</strong> Spring Festival with new concepts, new experiences, high quality, and a new look of the whole<br />
industry Held!<br />
Many authoritative media such as China News Agency, Xinhua Net, Tianjin Daily, Tonight News, China Enterprise<br />
News, and Chinese and foreign exhibitions attended and reported on the signing site. Wang Xiangfa, general manager<br />
of Bihai Company, accepted interviews from Tianjin TV Station, Tianjin Radio Station, Jinnan Financial Media and<br />
other media on the spot.
Chinese fishing tackle industry watch Fishing<br />
Show SAKA <strong>2023</strong><br />
As the epidemic subsided, people from the Chinese<br />
fishing tackle industry returned to Japan after three<br />
years to visit Fishing Show OSAKA.<br />
It is the largest fishing show in Japan visited by more<br />
than 50,000 people every year, "Fishing Show OSAKA<br />
<strong>2023</strong>" was held at Intex Osaka in Nanko, Osaka from<br />
February 4th to 5th (the 3rd is a business meeting day).<br />
144 companies participated in offline physical<br />
exhibition activities for the first time in three years.<br />
The new products of various manufacturers will be<br />
displayed for fishing friends, and all well-known<br />
fishing tackle companies in Japan will participate in the exhibition.<br />
"Fishing Show OSAKA <strong>2023</strong>" is celebrating its 60th anniversary this time. Normal events will be canceled in<br />
2021 and 2022 due to the novel coronavirus. Although it will be conducted through TV and video, it will be the<br />
first real event in 3 years after thorough measures to prevent infectious diseases such as masks and disinfection.<br />
"Due to the coronavirus, we've actually been unable to do it for the past two years, but there are a lot of people<br />
who say, 'I've been waiting for a regular event offline,'" said Tomoyuki Oi, secretary general of Osaka organizers.<br />
This time, 144 companies participated in the exhibition with the theme of "Dreams and Touches Encountered by<br />
the Water". The booths in Areas A and B of Hall 6 and Hall 3 will display hot-selling new products from domestic<br />
manufacturers and rare products that are rarely seen in the store, and you can actually touch them. As a personal<br />
experience before the official season Innovative fishing gear and opportunities for creative fishing gear attract the<br />
attention of all parties, including fishing enthusiasts.<br />
Not only new products, but also various activities, food, courses, etc.<br />
Building No. 4 has a special pool where you can catch real fish, and the trout<br />
you catch can be taken home. The "Fun Lottery" (500 yen) where fishing<br />
gear such as fishing rods and reels and electrical appliances are drawn is also<br />
popular every time.<br />
"Because of the pandemic, there aren't many events like this, and some say<br />
more than 60,000 people will visit, which is the highest number ever," Oi said.<br />
The total number of visitors for the last real event 2020 was 45,907 (3 days).<br />
With a record 59,636 visitors in 2019, it was the 10th year in a row that more<br />
than 50,000 people flocked to the show.
Classifieds<br />
SPLIT RING PLIERS<br />
4 Sizes<br />
CLASSIFIEDS<br />
UNIQUELY DIFFERENT (NEW-PATENTED)<br />
The EASIEST... The FASTEST... The BESTEST...<br />
for changing hooks or spinner blades<br />
visit www.Texas<strong>Tackle</strong>.com for demo video<br />
WHOLESALE ONLY<br />
www.Texas<strong>Tackle</strong>.com<br />
RIGS !!!!<br />
TO BOOK THIS SPACE CONTACT:<br />
NORTH AMERICA<br />
BART MANGANIELLO<br />
T: +1 914 722 7601<br />
E: bartalm@optonline.net<br />
REST of WORLD<br />
GUIDO KNEGT<br />
T: +39 347 503 6436<br />
E: guido.knegt@dhpub.co.uk<br />
COMING UP…<br />
JUNE <strong>2023</strong> – EFTTEX PREVIEW<br />
Ad Copy: <strong>April</strong> 21st, <strong>2023</strong><br />
Mailed: May 11th, <strong>2023</strong><br />
Special issue: Fishing Technology<br />
Spotlight: Bait<br />
Doing Business With: Australia<br />
& New Zealand<br />
JULY <strong>2023</strong> – ICAST PREVEW<br />
Ad Copy: May 19th, <strong>2023</strong><br />
Mailed: June 7th, <strong>2023</strong><br />
Special issue: ICAST<br />
Spotlight: <strong>Tackle</strong> Storage<br />
Doing Business With: Florida<br />
AUGUST <strong>2023</strong><br />
Ad Copy: June 23rd, <strong>2023</strong><br />
Mailed: July 12th, <strong>2023</strong><br />
Special issue: Predator Fishing<br />
Spotlight: Hooks<br />
Doing Business With: Hungary<br />
To submit news or editorial for<br />
any of these issues, contact:<br />
To advertise or discuss a marketing campaign in any of these editions,<br />
contact our business development team:<br />
EDITOR<br />
JOHN HUNTER<br />
T: + 44 (0)7990 542958<br />
E: john.hunter@dhpub.co.uk<br />
NORTH AMERICA<br />
BART MANGANIELLO<br />
T: +1 914 722 7601<br />
E: bartalm@optonline.net<br />
REST of WORLD<br />
GUIDO KNEGT<br />
T: +39 347 503 6436<br />
E: guido.knegt@dhpub.co.uk
WWW.NOMURALURES.COM<br />
TOURNAMENT IN 4 ROUNDS<br />
SERIES OF 3 RACES<br />
A SPECIAL THANKS TO ALL PARTNERS AND PARTICIPANTS.<br />
FOLLOW US TO FIND OUT ABOUT UPCOMING EVENTS!
<strong>April</strong><br />
<strong>2023</strong><br />
WAVEARMY / FORUM<br />
Wave Army News and Updates<br />
HIGHLIGHTS<br />
Fitzgerald Fishing Wins Again<br />
WAVE ARMY Wins Again!!<br />
Fitzgerald Fishing Angler Kennie Steverson took the win at the opening MLF Toyota Series event on the<br />
Harris Chain of Lakes. Kennie used his Fitzgerald Fishing rods with Microwave Line Control System to<br />
catch 20 lbs on the last day to jump to 1st place. This is Steverson’s first win in the MLF Toyota Series<br />
and adds another win to anglers using the Microwave Line Control System!<br />
visit Fitzgerald Fishing at<br />
www.fitzgeraldrods.com<br />
YakRods Black Line<br />
Wave Army Product<br />
The YakRods ‘Black Line’ is an industry<br />
first with a retention system<br />
designed for kayak anglers. Built<br />
with Kayak anglers in mind Yak-<br />
Rods looked at performance over<br />
everything and added the Micro-<br />
Wave Line Control System to add<br />
to all these rods. “We undertand<br />
the demands of Kayak anglers and<br />
wanted to make sure we build<br />
rods specific for them and thier<br />
needs.”<br />
Visit YakRods at<br />
www.yakrods.com<br />
The “Wave Army” is comprised of users and enthusiasts of the MicroWave Line Control System, the world’s only award-winning guide system.<br />
SCAN HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE WAVE ARMY AND THE MICROWAVE LINE CONTROL SYSTEM!
ONE-OF-A-KIND, DURABLE REFRACTIVE EYE<br />
MEZASHI CASTING JIG<br />
DEFINING<br />
FISHING GEAR<br />
SINCE 1877<br />
The Mustad Mezashi Casting Jig presents an enticing erratic action with irresistible reflective patterns. The<br />
translucent colored eye refracts light to create an attractive natural shine sure to produce a bite. For an intense<br />
wobbling action on retreival, this jig has been built with an asymmetrical body. The 45:55 weight distribution<br />
enhances the fierce action and unmatched presentation. Concept and design by Mustad Japan. Coming soon.<br />
/MustadFishing<br />
@mustadfishing<br />
www.mustad-fishing.com