Tackle Trade World - June 2024

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PAGE 16 

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PAGE 24 

www.tackletradeworld.com 

FAMILIAR FACE RETURNS 

TO RUN EFTTEX 2025 

EFTTEX 2025 has been 

confirmed… and it will 

be run by Resolutions 

Ltd, the company owned by 

former EFTTA and EFTTEX 

general manager Janet Doyle. 

Resolutions has been 

granted the licence to run the 

show by EFTTA AIBSL (the 

European Fishing Tackle Trade 

Association), which owns the 

EFTTEX brand. 

It has also been confirmed 

that it will take place at the 

Brussels Expo, Brussels, Belgium 

in September 2025, with final 

dates still being agreed as TTW 

went to press. It will be the 

only European fishing tackle 

trade show fully supported by 

EFTTA, which will continue its 

vital lobbying work on behalf of 

the industry. 

Janet has been involved in 

organising EFTTEX between 

2000 to 2019, so has plenty of 

experience behind her. 

She said: “I’m really excited to 

be back running the show. It’s 

great to see an industry backed 

show return to Europe. Brussels 

is centrally located, familiar to 

many and is where EFTTA 

carries out its lobbying work. 

Therefore it makes perfect sense 

to hold the show in the same 

city.” 

Ross Honey, representing 

the EFTTA board, added: “The 

recent restructuring sets EFTTA 

and its members on a path 

towards a bright future, allowing 

EFTTA to dedicate 100 per cent 

of its focus on lobbying efforts in 

Brussels. 

“As the association 

representing the European 

fishing tackle trade, EFTTA has 

an advocacy responsibility for 

recreational angling. While at the 

same time entrusting a separate, 

professional show organisation 

with the full responsibility of 

running a dynamic and purpose 

driven EFTTEX. With these 

changes, success is within reach.” 

The work of organising the 

event, as well as attracting both 

exhibitors and visitors, has 

already started and further details 

will be revealed in due course. 

janetdoyle@resolutionsevents.co.uk 

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 

PROFESSIONALS IN OVER 120 COUNTRIES EVERY MONTH

JUNE 

2024 

TackleTrade 


EDITORIAL 

Editor: 

John Hunter 

04 

+44 7990 542958 

john.hunter@dhpub.co.uk 

A journalist all his life and with 20-plus years 

of international business magazine experience, 

John was the founding editor of TTW and has 

now returned to the helm. He has helped 

many brands launch and grow over the years 

through B2B publications and via his own 

consultancy business. 

ADVERTISING 

North America: 

Bart Manganiello 

+1 914 722 7601 

bartalm@optonline.net 

For over 38 years, Bart has been working with 

trade magazines, 34 in the tackle industry. 

Since 2001, he has been TTW’s North American 

Director, providing the best communication 

programs to companies, helping them connect 

with current and prospective trade partners 

around the world. 

Rest Of The World: 

Guido Knegt 

+39 3475036436 

guido.knegt@dhpub.co.uk 

A born and bred Dutchman, he spent five 

years travelling the world as a scuba-diving 

instructor and English teacher before settling 

down in Sardinia. Guido previously worked for 

TTW between 2014 and 2017. 

China: Robert Li 

Li Ziwei 

+86 13451914155 

robert.li365@gmail.com 

Li Ziwei (Robert) has been working as news 

editor for over 20 years. He founded the most 

influential Chinese fishing forum in the Straits 

and successfully organised many industry 

events. His love for culture and tourism has led 

him to devote his entire life to the exchanges 

between China and southeast Asia. 

Magazine Manager 

Justin Fox 

+44 7813 327966 

justin.fox@dhpub.co.uk 

A hugely experienced communicator with 

more than 20 years at parent company DHP, 

Justin knows what it takes to grow brands 

and businesses across the tackle sector. 

Sub Editor: David Haynes 

Art Editor: Paul Evans 

Editorial Design: Brad Sharp 

DHP LTD 

Editorial, administration, subscriptions and 

accounts to: DHP Ltd, 1st Floor, Nene House, 

Sopwith Way, Daventry, NN11 8EA, UK 


THE RETURN OF AN 

OLD FAVOURITE 

So… now we know… there WILL be a in Hungary this September. 

European tackle trade show under the How that fares, given its timing and 

EFTTEX banner in 2025. 

location, is anyone’s guess but I can’t believe 

And it will be in September. And it will for a minute that the organisers intended 

take place in Brussels, where the European 2024 to be one single, standalone event. 

Fishing Tackle Trade Association (EFTTA), History will tell you that Tackle Trade 

which owns the EFTTEX brand, has its World dared to run a rival European industry 

headquarters. 

show in Amsterdam back in 2008 and, as 

What is even more interesting, though, is part of the organising team back then, I can 

EFTTA’s choice of organiser, Janet Doyle and tell you that we certainly intended for it to 

her Resolutions company. 

become an annual event. 

For many years Janet headed up the 

It was only the struggling European 

EFTTA Secretariat, which was responsible economy at the time – since it was unlikely 

for much of the administration work behind exhibitors would be able to attend two 

EFTTA as well as organising EFTTEX events in one year – that convinced us not to 

in various European cities, ever since its continue in 2009 and give EFTTEX a clear 

inaugural event in 1982. 

run. 

Indeed, it was only in 2021, following 

So it remains to be seen what the industry 

Brexit and Covid-19, that EFTTA Ltd in will make of having two European trade 

London, which Janet was general manager shows at the same time, should the newcomer 

of, closed its doors and EFTTA was reborn carry on into 2025. 

in Brussels, where it could be closer to 

Naturally, logic says that EFTTEX – with 

the European Commission and European its history, its name, a knowledgeable and 

Parliament. 

influential organiser plus the backing of the 

EFTTA is also focused on its lobbying EFTTA board and, doubtless, many members 

work on behalf of the trade, hence the need – will be a force to be reckoned with in 2025. 

to outsource the show organisation to a third You can also expect Tackle Trade World 

party – and there were several of those in the to be not only supporting but promoting 

bidding process, TTW understands. 

EFTTEX 2025. We believe in the sterling 

So, with her Resolutions company, Janet work of EFTTA – and indeed all trade 

certainly has the pedigree and the knowledge associations around the world – and we 

to deliver EFTTEX 2025, which I have no know the skillset and background that Janet 

doubt will return to a fanfare, having missed brings to the show organiser role; few would 

this year for a variety of reasons. 

bet against her making EFTTEX 2025 in 

But what makes the announcement even Brussels a huge success. 

more interesting is that it appears to be timed 

to go head-to-head with another European John Hunter 

trade show, set to take place for the first time Editor 

3,511 

6,466

Early bird registration ends June 10th 

Discounted hotel blocks close June 19th 

Avoid the lines on site! 

July 16-19 

Orlando, FL 

POWERED BY 

Orange County Convention Center 

ICASTfishing.org

JUNE 

2024 

18 

16 

22 

28 

Contents 

24 

36 

08 NEWS 

Rapala VMC agrees a deal to supply Okuma 

tackle to China, Pure Fishing restructures 

in the German, Austrian and Swiss markets 

and St. Croix plans another way of thanking 

its loyal customers. 

10 NEWS 

Railblaza unveils a distribution plan for 

Finland and Denmark, EFTTA continues 

to grow with more key members signing 

up while the former boss of Rapala, Jorma 

Kasslin, is remembered. 

16 ROK’S FIRM FOUNDATION FOR CARP 

TACKLE 

In the competitive arena of carp fishing, a 

brand has emerged that carries the weight 

of decades of experience, dedication and 

passion. We explore the background of 

ROK Fishing. 

18 SPOTLIGHT ON… BAIT 

Whether man-made or natural, bait is a 

pre-requisite for catching fish. But the 

options available are, quite simply, vast… 

and still growing, as anglers strive for the 

perfect one. Here’s our guide to some of 

them. 

20 SHOP WINDOW 

A quick look at some of the latest baits to 

hit the market. Are any of these suitable for 

your retail shelves or web stores? 

22 KICK-STARTING THE INDUSTRY AT 

ICAST 

The ICAST New Product Showcase has the 

power to propel new products to instant 

stardom. We find out why it pays to get 

involved. 

24 DOING BUSINESS WITH… BENELUX 

Thanks to their low-lying nature, Belgium, 

the Netherlands and Luxembourg – 

collectively known as Benelux – have 

plenty of water for fishing… which makes 

them an ideal region to do business with. 

28 SEPARATING GOOD PRODUCTS FROM 

ALSO-RANS 

Plastilys, the France-based specialist 

manufacturer of plastic fishing tackle, has 

announced its new range of sieves. We 

take a look… 

34 MAKING CONTACT 

More tackle and gear recently released into 

the market that you might wish to consider 

adding to your inventory. 

36 MUSTAD RELEASES HOOK 

TECHNOLOGY 

Mustad’s heritage in innovation has led to 

yet another industry-first in cutting-edge 

hook-manufacturing machinery, designed 

to maximise wire strength and minimise 

fish loss. This is Ultra-Nor… 

38 MARKETING 

It’s the start of trade show season and 

exhibiting at one can reap rich rewards 

for your business. Here are a few ideas to 

maximise your presence. 

06 www.tackletradeworld.com

INTRODUCING CUTTING EDGE FORGING TECHNOLOGY TO BRING UNMATCHED HOOK STRENGTH THAT ANGLERS TRUST 

MUSTAD-FISHING.COM

ST. CROIX APPRECIATES 

ITS CUSTOMERS 

US manufacturer St. Croix Rod 

is preparing to celebrate the most 

important people in its business 

in June – its customers. 

The firm is inviting anglers to 

join a celebration of fishing at 

its 2024 Customer Appreciation 

Day on Saturday, June 22nd at 

the Park Falls, Wisconsin factory. 

Jesse Simpkins, St. Croix’s 

vice-president of marketing, 

explained: “Customer 

Appreciation Day has evolved 

and grown over the years but the 

event’s identity and purpose have 

remained the same. 

“It’s a chance for our entire 

team at St. Croix to express 

thanks to anglers and celebrate 

our collective passion for fishing. 

The opportunity to spend a really 

fun day getting to know and 

interacting with anglers face-toface 

from around the world is 

something special, and we look 

forward to it every year.” 

Visiting anglers – as many as 

2,500 of them – look forward to 

it as well. 

Vice-president of sales, Steve 

Self, added: “We have anglers 

who make the trip to Customer 

Appreciation Day (CAD) in 

Park Falls an annual pilgrimage, 

plus hundreds of new visitors 

each year. 

“They come from as far as 

Florida, California and Maine 

and we’ve had visitors from 

Australia and Europe, too. We 

do everything we can to give 

everyone who joins us – and 

even those who participate in 

CAD online – a meaningful 

and memorable experience. Our 

team starts planning months 

ahead of time, and when the big 

day arrives it’s all hands on deck 

to make sure we offer the best 

possible experience.” 

Anglers attending are drawn 

into the St. Croix family and 

experience something no other 

rod manufacturer offers on 

such a personal level. This year’s 

event will include multiple 

opportunities to learn 

about the rod-building 

process, informative 

fishing seminars from pros, 

casting demonstrations, 

a free lunch provided by 

Johnsonville, ample prize 

draws and – of course – a 

variety of special, one-dayonly 

deals on rods, combos, 

and apparel, which are available 

to both in-person and online 

participants. 

Jesse added: “This is our 

first full year after the launch 

of our SEVIIN Reels and our 

reinvigorated St. Croix Fly 

brands.So, this year, we’re able 

to offer CAD attendees even 

more unique experiences and 

opportunities. 

“We’ll have a dedicated 

SEVIIN tent where we can 

show visiting anglers some of the 

interesting tests we put the 

reels through in order to ensure 

reliability and deliver a worryfree 

fishing experience. We’ll also 

A St. Croix Customer 

have SEVIIN reels spooled up 

and ready to go at the casting 

pond so anglers can experience 

them first-hand. 

“On the fly side, our team 

is incredibly excited to show 

anglers the results of the work 

and energy we’ve put into our 

new, premium EVOS fly rods, 

along with another new model 

we’ll be releasing about the same 

time as CAD. We’re using a 

brand-new technology in these 

rods and can’t wait to get anglers 

out on the casting pond to let 

them experience why these rods 

are so special.” 

stcroixrods.com 

Leadership torch passed on at Fairpoint Outdoors 

After 30 years of dedicated leadership, 

Jens Buhl Jorgensen, the co-founder and 

CEO of Fairpoint Outdoors A/S, is to 

hand over the reins to former Svendsen 

Sport CEO Hans Maasbøl in May. 

With a very healthy outlook for the 

future, Jens bids farewell as CEO to the 

company he has nurtured and guided 

since its inception. 

This announcement marks a significant 

transition in the company’s history as 

Jens entrusts the reins of leadership to 

a new, highly capable successor – Hans 

Maasbøl. 

Jens will remain as a member of the 

board of directors and assume the role of 

vice chairman. 

Under his visionary guidance, Fairpoint 

Outdoors says it has achieved remarkable 

milestones, solidifying its position as a 

trailblazer in the fishing tackle industry. 

From humble beginnings to 

08 www.tackletradeworld.com 

becoming a cornerstone of innovation 

and excellence, Jens’s unwavering 

commitment has propelled the company 

to unprecedented heights. 

This change is a part of the succession 

plan initiated when Capidea acquired the 

majority of the company’s shares from cofounders 

Jens Thomas Petersen Eldor and 

Thomas Jespersen, back in autumn 2021. 

Reflecting on this pivotal moment, Jens 

expressed profound gratitude to dedicated 

team members, partners, and stakeholders 

who have been instrumental in the 

company’s success. He explained that 

their passion, dedication and unwavering 

support had been the driving force behind 

Fairpoint Outdoors’ journey this far. 

Meanwhile, Hans – who played a 

central role in managing Svendsen Sport 

during the challenging Covid-19 period 

– brings with him a proven track record 

of leadership, a deep understanding of the 

industry and a lifelong experience with 

consumer brands and brand building across 

different industries. 

He will join forces with the existing 

management team consisting of the 

two other co-founders Thomas Petersen 

Eldor and Thomas Jespersen – as well as 

COO Thomas Sanotra, CFO Jesper Lund 

Andersen and CIO Kenneth Aabenhus. 

Chairman Ulla Iversen expressed 

confidence in Hans’ proven track record 

and his ability to build upon a strong 

foundation laid by Jens and the rest of the 

Fairpoint team, saying the board looks very 

much forward to working with Hans and 

taking the company even further. 

The board also extended its heartfelt 

appreciation to Jens for his exceptional 

leadership and invaluable contributions to 

the company. 

www.fairpoint.dk

TG Rocket 

Fuel lands in 

new home 

UK-based tackle company 

Breakaway has purchased TG 

Rocket Fuel and TG Ceramic 

Bearings from Tony Gittins, who has 

decided to retire to spend more time 

fishing. 

In a brief statement, Breakaway 

Tackle said it was very pleased to 

acquire this company’s iconic brands, 

which are market leaders and the 

plan is to continue looking after 

Tony’s many customers while also 

seeking new trade accounts. 

Breakaway Tackle’s Norman 

Bickers said: “We hope to be able to 

offer the same outstanding service 

that Tony has done over many years. 

These iconic brands, which are 

market leaders, are now available to 

all old and new customers.” 

www.breakaway-tackle.co.uk 

RESTRUCTURE FOR PURE 

FISHING IN GERMAN MARKET 

Following its acquisition of 

Svendsen-Sport in 2022, Pure 

Fishing has finally completed 

a series of changes to its 

sales team and operations 

in Germany, Austria and 

Switzerland (DACH). 

The sales team will be led 

by new sales manager Toni 

Wiese (pictured), who has 

been working in the tackle 

trade since 2009 and was 

formerly Svendsen Sport’s 

key account manager, taking 

over national management in 

March, 2023. 

One of his recent tasks 

was to help with the 

optimisation of both Pure 

Fishing and Svendsen Sport 

sales organisations. He is 

also a passionate angler and 

a current member of the 

German national Blackbass 

team, which was recently 

runner-up for the world title 

in Portugal. 

Toni said: “It is a great 

honour to be able to manage 

the distribution of such 

traditional brands as DAM, 

Berkley, ABU Garcia, PENN, 

Savage Gear, Mitchell, 

Prologic, JRC, Greys, Plano, 

Shakespeare and Hardy from 

now on. I have known and 

used many products from 

these established brands since 

I was a child. 

“It was also clear to me 

from the outset that we would 

have to continue with two 

separate sales organisations in 

German-speaking countries. 

The target was to build a new 

motivated and good, balanced 

team to create a breath of 

fresh air in our market. 

Initial successes confirmed 

this immediately after their 

introduction. With the now 

combined team, we are very 

Toni Wiese 

confident about our ability to 

better service your needs and 

a great future, together.” 

The two sales offices have 

also merged. The former 

Svendsen-Sport office 

in Georgensgmünd was 

closed in December 2023, 

with back-office functions, 

including customer service, 

now located in the offices of 

Pure Fishing Deutschland 

GmbH in Frankfurt am 

Main. The firm is currently 

recruiting for additional 

customer service team 

members there. 

OKUMA ‘THAIS UP’ ANOTHER 

DEAL WITH RAPALA VMC 

Two iconic fishing tackle names – Rapala 

VMC and Okuma – have agreed another 

landmark deal, this time for the Finlandbased 

giant to offer Okuma products to 

Thailand. 

Rapala VMC already owns the rights to 

sell Okuma-branded gear across Europe 

and Russia and recently added Brazil, 

Paraguay and Korea to its distribution 

model. 

Rapala VMC CEO Lars Ollberg sealed 

the deal for Thailand with Charles Chang, 

who set up the Taiwanese manufacturer 

more than 30 years ago. It will take effect 

from July 1st, 2024. 

Lars said: “The partnership with Okuma 

is strengthening year after year and we 

are working to expand it further on the 

common goals of both companies. 

“Okuma has been present in Thailand for 

many years with good success, and we can 

bring Okuma sales to the next level with 

our professional sales and marketing skills 

in Thailand. 

“Rapala VMC’s Thailand branch has 

been well established in the country for 

15 years. The office has an experienced 

team of seven people focusing on sales and 

marketing, with excellent knowledge about 

fishing products and in distribution and 

customer service, reaching about 200 shops. 

“Rapala Thailand is staying connected 

to the anglers, in innovating with passion 

and it is driven to grow the business in 

Thailand. It is an honour to represent 

Okuma in Thailand as it is a wellknown 

brand, renowned for quality and 

innovation. 

“Okuma is a well-known brand in 

Thailand and we are driven to grow the 

business there.” 

Lars also revealed a number of key 

products that he feels will be relevant to the 

Thai market and the species present there. 

These include the Cavalla reel, which is 

suitable not only for saltwater fishing but 

also for giant catfish in leisure ponds, which 

is a big market there. 

Rapala VMC 

CEO Lars 

Ollberg and 

Okuma’s 

Charles 

Chang 

With so many fishing ponds holding 

barramundi, not to mention freshwater 

dams with an abundance of local species, 

the Ceymar HD spinning reel will also 

have a key part to play. 

Meanwhile, the Ceymar ODT and 

Hakai baitcasting reel is just the job for 

giant snakehead and hampala, which 

demand accuracy and speed. 


09

BLAZING A TRAIL FOR 

FINLAND AND DENMARK 

EXPLR of Sweden, one of the 

largest distributors and retailers 

of paddle sport products 

in Scandinavia, is to help 

oversee growth of mounts and 

accessories expert RailBlaza. 

This move follows EXPLR’s 

huge investment in a new 

warehouse and showroom 

facility in Linköping, ideally 

located just a few hours 

from either Stockholm or 

Gothenburg. 

Established in 2017, EXPLR 

is a young, professional and 

dynamic company with a 

clear vision on providing 

market-leading brands into 

the paddle sport and boating 

market, with a key focus on 

fishing. Following its first order 

with RailBlaza back in 2020, 

EXPLR has become one of 

its most important strategic 

partners within Europe. 

Nick Edgington, RailBlaza 

EMEA’s sales director, said: 

“EXPLR’s recent investment 

into real estate, ecommerce and 

workforce was clear evidence 

that they have a strategic 

growth plan in place, and we 

want to be on that journey with 

them. 

“[Managing director] Felix’s 

knowledge and understanding 

of the Scandinavian market 

will be invaluable as they look 

to grow our market share in 

Denmark. During my recent 

visit, I met the EXPLR team 

who are all very knowledgeable 

about our brand and it was 

great to see their enthusiasm. 

Marius Juska, the most recent 

recruit, has been tasked with 

increasing sales in Finland and 

Denmark.” 

The doors to the new 

showroom opened in April, 

attracting over 600 customers; 

this facility provides EXPLR 

with a new dimension, allowing 

it to showcase brands, gain 

consumer feedback and present 

the products to the trade. 

EXPLR’s managing director 

Felix Frey added: “We have 

experienced expediential growth 

since forming the company in 

2017. This is largely thanks 

to the onboarding of great 

brands and having an excellent 

understanding of our markets. 

“We focus on five or six 

key brands and work hard to 

ensure we present these to our 

customers in a professional 

Nick Edgington, RailBlaza’s EMEA sales 

director with EXPLR MD Felix Frey. 

and dynamic way; we are a 

modern outdoor distribution 

company fuelled by a passion 

for making great products 

and services available.” 

EXPLR’s brand portfolio 

currently consists of RailBlaza, 

Rebelcell, Berkley Pro, 

Hultafors, CLC, Deeper Sonar 

and Hobie. 

Tackle launches are a market challenger 

US manufacturer Buffalo Tackle has released 

several products from Challenger Lures, 

Riversider and Sheffield, to reel in walleye, 

bass, salmon and steelhead anglers. 

The Challenger Marabou Jigs are made 

with premium hand-tied marabou with flash. 

Equipped with a Mustad 2X strong hook 

and an epoxy coated head and thread, the 

Marabou jig comes in three sizes and 18 

colours and are a great match for all game 

fish. 

Challenger Ball Jigheads, meanwhile, are 

available in three sizes, five and 25 packs 

and come in metallic Nickle and Gold. They 

feature a Mustad 2X hook with a round head 

and no collar. These jigs are good for anglers 


trying their own feather or hair jigs. 

Challenger Lures has also introduced a 

new colour featuring a silver orange back 

with white belly. It’s available in the two 

most popular sizes – Minnow and Junior 

Minnow – and joins the other 55-plus colour 

variations. 

Riversider has expanded its already 

popular line of IM8 carbon handle rods with 

the 9ft Fly Rod in three weights: 7/8, 8/9 

and 9/10. This 36-ton IM8 graphite blank, 

two-piece rod features aluminium oxide 

stripper guides with stainless steel snake 

guides and top. The strong carbon fibre 

handle with blank-through construction is 

said to be capable of landing prize-winning 

steelhead. 

Sheffield has added a Foam Slip Float, 

available in six sizes, to its vast variety of 

premium floats. The durable EVA foam body 

has a Hi-Vis top with black body. The float 

features an integrated brass sleeve at the top 

and bottom and the package also includes 

Hi-Vis beads and stops. 

Buffalo Tackle is part of Triple S Sporting 

Supplies and includes the Challenger 

Lures, Riversider, Sheffield and Three D 

brands, while Triple S Sporting Supplies is 

a wholesale tackle distributor servicing the 

Northeast and Great Lakes regions. 

www.buffalotackle.com

Precision products for 

perfect fishing gear 

Qinhuangdao 

Zhongwei 

Precision 

Machinery is 

urging tackle 

firms to get in 

touch to take 

advantage of 

its die casting 

and injectionmoulding 

facilities for their 

latest products. 

Established in 

1997, it was recognised as a 

technology-based small and 

medium-sized enterprise by 

the Hebei Provincial Science 

and Technology Bureau in 

2013 and the following year as 

a military-civilian integration 

enterprise; by 2019, it 

was rated as a high-tech 

enterprise. 

Zhongwei Precision covers 

precision die casting, precision 

casting and metal injection 

moulding MIM and powder 

metallurgy processes. 

The company has multiple 

five-axis machining centres 

and various CNC machine 

tools and boasts rich 

experience in the field of 

metal products. 

It says it can produce 

titanium alloy, tungsten alloy, 

carbide, stainless steel, carbon 

steel, alloy steel and other 

products. 

Its principles of quality 

first, treating people with 

integrity and serving buyers 

well have been recognised 

by customers in the United 

States, Germany, the UK, 

the Netherlands, Poland and 

many more. 

business-mall@zw-jm.com 

ANOTHER KEY 

PLAYER JOINS EFTTA 

TRADE BODY 

Prominent Danish tackle supplier Fairpoint Outdoors A/S has 

added its weight to the work of the European Fishing Tackle 

Trade Association (EFTTA) by becoming a member. It joins 

an esteemed list of industry leaders including Daiwa, Shimano, 

VMC Rapala, Rather Outdoors, Pure Fishing, Sensas, Visdeal, 

Saenger, Lotta Olt, Korda and Angling Spirit. 

In addition to manufacturing and selling its own brands – 

Westin, Kinetic and Unique Flies – Fairpoint Outdoors is proud 

to be the exclusive distributor of Sage and Rio in Scandinavia. 

EFTTA is a leading advocate for the fishing tackle industry, 

actively engaging in lobby work in Brussels to shape policies 

and regulations that impact businesses and anglers alike. 

COO Thomas Sanotra is enthusiastic about the collaboration 

and said: “Joining EFTTA aligns perfectly with our vision of 

advancing and supporting recreational angling for the industry. 

EFTTA’s advocacy work in Brussels is crucial for ensuring 

the sustainability and growth of our sector. We are proud to 

stand alongside fellow industry leaders in shaping the future of 

fishing.” 

EFTTA vice-president Ross Honey added: “We are thrilled 

to welcome Fairpoint Outdoors into the EFTTA family. Its 

expertise and commitment to the industry will undoubtedly 

enrich our collective efforts. Together, we will continue to 

champion the interests of our members and promote responsible 

angling practices for anglers today and future generations.” 

This partnership marks a significant step forward in 

Fairpoint’s commitment to amplifying its voice and support of 

the fishing community and comes at a time when EFTTA is 

experiencing a surge in membership, with more companies set to 

join in the coming weeks and exciting things on the horizon. 

www.eftta.com 

TRIBUTES PAID TO FORMER RAPALA CEO 

Long-time Rapala VMC Corporation board member and former 

chairman, president and CEO, Jorma Kasslin, passed away after 

a brief illness on April 14th, 2024 at the age of 70. 

Jorma had been a member of Rapala VMC’s Board of 

Directors since 1998, serving as chairman from 2016 to 2018 

and as president and CEO from 1998 to 2016. 

The board of directors, management and staff of Rapala VMC 

Corporation have extended their deepest condolences to his 

family and loved ones. 

During Jorma’s tenure as CEO, Rapala VMC expanded into 

an international enterprise, becoming a global market leader in 

several segments of the sports fishing business. He was a leader 

who placed great importance on the well-being of the staff. 

Colleagues from around the world say they will miss Jorma 

dearly. 

Current president and CEO, Lars Ollberg, said: “Jorma 

was my leader for many years, starting from 1998. He was an 

encouraging director who provided everyone with a common 

direction and vision. 

“Jorma always focused on finding positive solutions in his 

work. His contribution has been decisive in Rapala VMC’s 

journey to becoming one of the world’s leading companies in 

the industry.” 

www.tackletradeworld.com 11

NEWS IN BRIEF 

Hobie floats glasses 

Hobi Eyewear has added its popular 

Everglades and Snook polarised 

sunglasses to its line-up of Float 

models, after its Everglades Float 

emerged as a standout style at the 

2024 Bassmaster Classic. 

Featuring durable floating frames, 

they boast features including 

premium polarised lenses with 

Hydroclean 360 coating, which resists 

water/oils, and co-moulded rubber 

on the nose pads and temple tips for 

improved grip and performance. 

Sportsman’s reduces 

board 

US-based outdoor specialty retailer 

Sportsman’s Warehouse Holdings has 

confirmed the resignations of several 

board members prior to its annual 

meeting of stockholders. 

Erica Fortune, Gregory P Hickey 

and Philip C Williamson have all 

stood down, meaning the board 

currently stands at six members. 

Following a series of changes, half of 

the company’s board will have been 

added within the past year. 

Removing gold 

Volunteers from Australia’s fishing 

conservation charity, OzFish, have 

begun a restoration project to remove 

feral goldfish from the Vasse River. 

While these familiar pets may 

seem harmless in indoor tanks, when 

released into the wild they can wreak 

havoc on delicate ecosystems and 

impact on native fish populations. In 

the Lower Vasse River, feral goldfish 

weighing up to 2kg and measuring 

over 40cm have been recorded. 

On the record 

Aruguably angling’s most anticipated 

annual publication – the 2024 IGFA 

World Record Game Fishes – is now 

available from the International 

Game Fish Association (IGFA). 

As the world’s definitive publication 

of recreational angling records 

and the organisation’s signature 

membership benefit, the 2024 edition 

includes comprehensive information 

on all freshwater, saltwater and 

flyfishing world records for many 

categories, including new world 

records set within the last year. 

German anglers 

take it to the top 

The German Anglers’ Association – DSAV 

e. V – which sends its national teams to the 

European and World Championships, has 

appointed a executive board and president. 

At the annual general meeting, which 

took place near Bremen, members elected 

a new executive board on the organisation’s 

10th anniversary, designed to take on the 

mammoth task of structuring the association 

properly and putting it on a solid footing. 

Among those elected was a new president, 

Klaus Daeschler who, as a passionate angler 

and former president of the VHF, brings a 

lot of experience and expertise as the board 

works to make the organisation fit for the 

future. 

Other executive committee members 

includeThomas Heinecke (vice-president), 

Markus Howanietz (vice-president, finance) 

and Enrico Hofmann (vice-president, 

youth). 

A global leader in maritime 

safety equipment, Mustang 

Survival, is continuing to push 

the boundaries of innovation 

with newly released ISOapproved 

Atlas 190 Pro Sensor 

Life Jacket. 

Recipient of a Special 

Mention at the DAME 

Design Awards in the Personal 

Equipment category, the Atlas 

190 Life Jacket is said to be 

a ground-breaking inflatable 

platform with a re-engineered 

bladder for exceptional turning 

performance and airway 

protection. 

These life jackets, designed 

for offshore sailing, cruising 

and boating adventures, 

emphasise comfort during 

prolonged wear and impressive 

safety – 190N of buoyancy – 

when inflated. 

The Atlas utilises ADAPT 

Technology (Advanced Airway 

Protection & Turning); the 

bladder lobes’ shape turns the 

wearer face up effectively, baffle 

barriers dissipate incoming 

waves and an integrated pillow 

provides optimal head support 

and stability. 

Atlas developer Nigel 

Parkes, who has decades of 

experience engineering life 

jackets, said: “The primary 

goal was to make it super 

comfortable. 

“I wanted to design a 

product that is very free around 

the neck when you’re wearing 

it in its packed state but offers 

The coarse fish float and feeder 

department for men and women is headed 

by Peter Koenig, whose experience is 

invaluable, while the masters, veterans and 

handicap age groups are led with great 

commitment by Norbert Mertes. 

Michael Gschwind takes care of the 

commercial area, predatory fish from the 

bank and boat, fly fishing and trout are 

still managed by Thomas Engert. Soeren 

Dercks (web and social media) and Harald 

Ofenloch (press) are responsible for public 

relations. 

Another gain in terms of team manager 

is Thorsten Kuesters, who will coach the 

Under 25 feeder anglers. Karol Pacyna 

is team manager for the women’s teams 

and Stefan Reget is team manager for the 

handicaps. 

www.dsav.eu 

Mustang reveals Atlas life jacket 

ultimate performance when 

inflated. 

“The secondary goal was 

to challenge conventional 

bladders and increase the 

safety features without 

impacting comfort, resulting 

in a revolutionary new 

design. Our wearers can have 

confidence in knowing that, 

whatever their water adventure, 

the Atlas 190 has their back 

should they need it.” 


Zebco marks 75th anniversary with special edition reel 

To celebrate 75 years, Zebco 

– “the brand that taught 

America to fish” – is marking 

this milestone with the launch 

of a special edition Zebco 33 

spincast reel. 

Originating from the bomb 

industry, Zebco’s journey 

started as the Zero Hour Bomb 

Company, founded in Tulsa, 

Oklahoma. 

Collaborating with R.D. Hull, 

the innovative mind behind the 

iconic spincast reel, Zero Hour 

Bomb Company evolved into 

a highly successful fishing reel 

manufacturer, redefining its 

identity. 

The result was the legendary 

spincast reel, a groundbreaking 

invention that addressed 

the shortcomings of the 

rudimentary reels of the time. 

Hull created a reel that was 

so easy to operate that any 

novice could pick one up and 

immediately begin fishing. 

Many anglers have nostalgic, 

childhood tied to the Zebco 

33, fondly remembering it as 

their first fishing reel. Although 

the Zebco catalogue has grown 

RoD EXpo BUIlDING NICElY 

exponentially, the Zebco 33 

remains a cherished staple in the 

line-up. 

Following the inception of the 

reel, Zebco carved out a unique 

place in the fishing industry and 

in the hearts of anglers all over 

the world. 

The 75th Anniversary 33 reel 

will be on sale from July. 

www.ratheroutdoors.com 

The 21st edition of the International Custom Rod Building 

Exposition was another huge success for the custom-rod 

building craft and industry. 

Held in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, the event hall was 

packed and sales were brisk, with many companies reporting 

record sales on Saturday alone. 

“Many of the retailers told me that their single day sales on 

Saturday eclipsed their total two-day sales from the 2023 Expo,” 

said event owner and host Tom Kirkman. 

Nearly 40 vendors and manufacturers occupying 50,000 sq ft 

of exhibit hall space attended the 2024 edition, making it the 

largest custom rod building event in the world. 

The continued strong performance of the event appears to 

guarantee its future for many more years, even if that should 

happen under new ownership. 

Tom explained: “I am nearing retirement but want to make 

sure that any new owner would continue to host the event at the 

same level of quality and performance that the Expo has come 

to be known for during these past two decades.” 

Details of any possible sale of the event have yet to be 

announced. 

rodmaker@earthlink.net

Bauer Media Closes Key 

fisHing MontHly 

After 33 years, Bauer Media has ceased 

publication of its UK-based Improve Your 

Coarse Fishing, effective from May 2024. 

However, the closure doesn’t mean 

the end of the brand; instead it will be 

transformed into part of the media group’s 

weekly Angling Times publication. 

Improve Your Coarse Fishing’s legacy 

– tactics-led content that has offered 

invaluable insight and techniques for 

anglers of all levels – will soon be 

integrated into Angling Times, now Bauer 

Media’s only remaining fishing title. 

Bauer said the complementary content 

will further enrich Angling Times’ 

offering, which will continue to bring its 

audience equipment tests, plus interesting 

stories from the world of angling. 

With a combined monthly reach of 

over 300,000 anglers across print and 

digital platforms, Angling Times and 

anglingtimes.co.uk are still seen as key 

pillars in Bauer Media’s multi-platform 

media strategy. 

Steve Prentice, UK group co-CEO 

at Bauer Media Group said: “In a 

challenging period for many magazines, 

we’re pleased to bring the Improve Your 

Coarse Fishing content under the Angling 

Times umbrella. Our mission has always 

been to give anglers more confidence and 

enable them to catch more fish; this move 

allows us to do that more effectively than 

before.” 

Angling Times editor James Furness 

added: “Improve Your Coarse Fishing 

has been a trusted friend to thousands of 

anglers for three decades, thanks to its 

inclusive tone and easy-to-understand tips 

and tactics to help people catch more fish. 

My team and I will be incorporating that 

tone and ethos into Angling Times.” 

Farlows’ flagship store unveils makeover 

The London flagship outlet for 

famous outfitter Farlows has 

revealed details of its extensive 

two-month refurbishment. 

The redesign of the Pall 

Mall building includes an 

eye-catching aqua feature 

wall to draw visitors in, an 

overall modernisation plus new 

displays and layout, which has 

transformed the store. 

Robin Philpott, director and 

group CEO said: “After two 

months of upheaval, Farlows has 

completed its refurbishment and 

now has a store which properly 

represents its status and values 

as a brand, built on 184 years 

of experience and expertise, as 

well as the prestige and quality 

of the third-party brands it 

carries, whilst at the same time 

being a modern, functional 

and cohesively laid out retail 

premises. 

“We are extremely proud of 

what has been achieved and very 

grateful to our loyal customers 

who put up with the disturbance 

while it was going on. If you are 


a fly fisher, a shooter or a lover 

of the great outdoors come and 

see us – there is no other store 

like it, anywhere.” 

In addition, the Farlows 

Group has confirmed 

support of three new local 

charities for 2024. Farlows 

has partnered with Southeast 

Rivers Trust, while Sportfish is 

backing The Wye & Usk 

Foundation and Ark – Action 

for the River Kennet. 

www.farlows.co.uk

GSM Outdoors 

acquires Mid-America 

Rod Company 

GSM Outdoors has added manufacturer the Mid-America Rod 

Company to its growing portfolio of fishing brands. 

Located in Arkansas, Mid-America Rod Company has been 

building quality rods since 1976 and is well-known for its signature 

Vertis rods series as well as a producer of OEM rods for a number of 

companies. 

Crispin Powley, GSM senior vice-president of fishing, explained: 

“When we decided to enter the rod category, we had a clear vision of 

offering the highest quality products at the best possible price. 

“We had an opportunity to get involved with Mid-America Rods 

and immediately realised their ability to help us attain our goals. 

Specifically, their history and ability to produce incredible fishing rods 

that are 100 per cent made in the USA.” 

He added: “Our goal, which you’ll see come to market soon, is a 

‘Made in the USA’ series of Phenix Rods that will utilise Phenix’s 

signature technology combined with decades of experienced 

craftmanship and manufacturing from Mid-America. We also look 

forward to continuing their longstanding OEM relationships and 

partnerships.” 

www.gsmoutdoors.com 

Wiley X expands 

support for Angling 

Spirit events 

Eyewear specialist Wiley X is 

extending its Angling Spirit 

sponsorship in 2024 to include 

three prestigious angling 

tournaments, namely the 

World Carp Classic, the World 

Predator Classic and the Sea 

Angling Classic. 

Through this extended 

partnership with Angling Spirit, 

Wiley X aims to further solidify 

its dedication to angling and its 

participants. 

The World Carp Classic 

attracts anglers from around the 

globe. Wiley X’s support will 

ensure participants have access 

to top-quality eyewear designed 

to enhance their performance 

and protect their eyes in the 

demanding conditions of carp 

fishing. 

The World Predator Classic 

showcases the skills of anglers 

targeting predatory species 

such as pike, zander, and 

perch. By partnering with 

this event, Wiley X reaffirms 

its commitment to providing 

anglers with the specialised 

eyewear needed to excel in their 

pursuit of predator fish. 

Wiley X’s support for the Sea 

Angling Classic highlights its 

dedication to all facets of the 

angling community. From shore 

fishing to deep-sea angling, the 

firm offers a range of eyewear 

options designed to meet the 

unique needs of sea anglers, 

ensuring they can perform at 

their best while enjoying their 

time on the water. 

www.wileyx.eu 

A GROUNDBREAKING SERIES OF GUIDES AND TOPS, 

TONY ENGINEERING, PATENT PENDING! 

TONY HUANG 

PACBAY MINIMA - X offers an unparalleled level of durability, solving the problems commonly associated with inner rings 

popping out or getting crushed. Through extensive reform and innovation, PACBAY MINIMA - X is constructed using highstrength 

, one-piece stainless steel. Both the guides and tops utilize mirror polishing, multi-layer Hard Chrome plating, and 

Titanium plating processes, resulting in corrosion resistance, low friction, and high thermal conductivity. As a result , the friction 

force during long-distance casting or retrieving is significantly reduced. 

If you’ve ever experienced the nightmare of losing or breaking your inner ring while battling a tough fish, you’ll appreciate the superiority of PACBAY 

MINIMA - X. Currently, we offer sizes ranging from #05 to #20, with plans to expand up to #50. More sizes and models will be available soon. We believe 

these guides are ideal for lure anglers, particularly carp anglers who often face issues with the #50 stripper guide getting damaged during transportation. 

With PACBAY MINIMA - X, this problem has been entirely eliminated. 

In summary, PACBAY MINIMA - X guides and tops are renowned for their exceptional durability and ability to withstand heavy use and harsh conditions. 

This innovation in the fishing world, through the abandonment of ceramic and stainless-steel rings, allows fishermen to bid farewell to the nightmares of 

ring breakages, crushing, and detachment. 

Build Great Fishing Rods 

www.fishpacbay.com 

info@fishpacbay.com

FEATURE 

ROK OFFERS FIRM 

FOUNDATION FOR 

CARP TACKLE 

In the competitive arena of carp fishing, a brand has emerged that carries the weight of 

decades of experience, dedication and passion: ROK. 

The company is proud of 

its slogan “ROK Fishing 

Performance”, which 

demonstrates attention to 

detail at every stage of a product’s life. 

The company’s in-house design office 

enables rapid interaction with field 

testers and the gradual refinement of 

products to perfection. 

Tooling is machined in a factoryintegrated 

workshop for greater 

responsiveness while a fleet of latestgeneration 

machines enables rapid 

production of both large and small runs, 

allowing the brand to take risks and, for 


example, test new colour combinations 

for baits. 

Efficient logistics mean that deliveries 

can be made anywhere in Europe at short 

notice. This exclusive integration of 

the entire product chain within a single 

company means that it can offer the best 

products to anglers, with year-round 

availability and no pressure for seasonal 

orders. 

Efficient manufacturing in Europe has 

many advantages for retailers: virtually 

no stock-outs throughout the season, 

products with controlled quality and a 

rapid capacity for innovation. 

ROK is also proud to also offer both 

competitive public prices and some of 

the most attractive margins in the sector, 

thanks to this direct relationship with a 

manufacturer. 

tRieD anD testeD 

The brand has been successfully tested 

and developed on the French market over 

the last four years, starting with the most 

comprehensive and effective range of 

artificial baits. 

Their effectiveness was put to the test 

during the 2023 World Championships, 

where they attracted the attention and

ROK 

FEATURE 

trophies of top competitors. 

Particular attention has been paid by 

the designers to seek out highly effective 

densities and contrasts, capitalising 

on years of experience in competition 

to offer all anglers effective baits to 

maximise catches. 

Among the brand’s exclusives are 

Ultra Pop-up baits, made from a highly 

buoyant foamed material, and the Ultra 

Soft range, which is extremely soft to the 

touch. 

Unlike most lures or baits on the 

market, ROK baits are made from foodor 

medical-grade elastomers, with no 

harmful substances. The baits are also 

designed to be optionally boosted with a 

range of flavoured dips. 

Defining details 

In addition to the artificial baits for 

which it is renowned, ROK pays 

particular attention to the details of 

every product it offers. 

For example, ROK manufactures what 

is considered the best range of buckets 

on the market: they are an excellent 

example of the brand’s attention to 

detail. 

Thanks to its manufacturing position, 

ROK has been able to design and 

manufacture thicker square buckets, with 

a flexible lid that’s pleasant to open and 

close, rather than offering a standard 

paint bucket with a pretty decoration. 

ROK also makes a point of offering 

a wide choice for each of its products, 

to adapt to all fishing conditions and 

regional specifics. 

Over 200 artificial bait variants are 

available, with colour combinations 

specially crafted to attract carp and 

densities adapted to all types of bottom. 

The range of ready rigs is also a good 

example of the brand’s ability to provide 

a very wide range (fluorocarbon, braid, 

barbed or barbless, wide gape or curve 

shank and so on…) 

It’s a perfect range with Europeanquality 

hooks and lines, offered at an 

affordable price with a retail price of less 

than €2 per rig. 

The tackle range has also been 

particularly optimised. The lead clips 

feature an innovative design with 

self-locking of the brand’s swivels, 

illustrating the benefits of complete 

control of the product chain to offer 

customers optimum quality. 

Many more products are in the 

pipeline for the coming months, each 

with the same attention to detail. 

ROK is now ready for a full-scale 

European launch and is currently 

recruiting to expand its sales presence 

in most European countries. Pioneer 

retailers in each country will be 

welcomed with preferential conditions to 

help them get off to a good start. 

ROK is also looking for new 

ambassadors to represent its brand. 

Enquiries for distribution are 

welcome. 

ROK 

export@rokfishing.com 


17

SPOTLIGHT ON... 

BAIT 

SPOTLIGHT ON 

BAIT 

Whether man-made or natural, bait is a prerequisite for catching fish. But the 

options available are, quite simply, vast… and still growing, as anglers strive for the 

perfect one. 

Working out which baits 

to use for which species 

and when – never mind 

which ones to add to 

your shelves as a retailer – is a veritable 

minefield. 

Even back in the 1600s, when Izaak 

Walton wrote The Compleat Angler, 

there were a wealth of choices. Indeed, 

he wrote: “As for pastes, there are almost 

as many sorts as there are medicines 

for the toothache; but doubtless sweet 

pastes are best.” 

Leaving aside ‘artificial’ baits such 

as lures or flies – which are still the 

favourite in some parts of the world – 

let’s concentrate on actual foodstuffs 

for fish, which is one of the biggest 

and most competitive markets in our 

industry. 

From maggots and worms to bread, 

boilies and the aforementioned pastes 

to live and dead baits, not to mention 

groundbait, chum and even additives and 

attractants, in all sizes and colours of the 

rainbow, there is something for pretty 

much every species swimming – and for 

every angler. 

STOCKING UP 

While some baits – bread, corn, meat, 

prawns and so on – are available from 

supermarkets and others can be foraged 

naturally – such as worms, crabs, live 

prey fish – it is the tackle store where 

most people head to purchase their 

chosen bait. 

This might be maggots or worms, 

frozen fish, groundbaits, pellets and the 

ubiquitous boilies – which are now in 

use for far more species than just carp 

– and the latter are available in so many 

bewildering colours, flavours, sizes and 

shapes it’s hard to know where to even 

start. 

Indeed, a new boilie or pellet 

manufacturer or brand seems to spring 

up in Europe, in particular, every week. 

Bait is the ultimate consumable, which 

is what makes it such a great item to 

stock. Anglers buy it, pop it on the hook, 

then throw large quantities into their 

chosen fishing spot – whether before, 

during or after their session. 

So, provided they catch on it, they 

are more than likely to keep coming 

back for more – leaving you with a 

high turnover product and the task of 

keeping those shelves full of the latest 

‘must-have’ products alongside some old 

faithfuls. 

Of course, what you stock will largely 

depend upon your customer base, where 

they fish, what type of angling they do 

and so on. So knowing your local market 

is crucial. Indeed, you should also keep a 

check on what baits are catching where 

so you can advise customers accordingly. 

Their success will keep them returning 

and establish you as an expert in the 

field. 

BAITING UP 

If you are planning on selling maggots 

then you’ll need to understand the 

process and be prepared for some hard 

work and early mornings, even if you 

find a good supplier. 

Keeping them fed, alive and in good 

condition, not to mention riddling off 

good amounts of casters each day, can be 

a challenge. 

Thankfully, worms and frozen 

fish baits can be bought in regularly 

although you will still need refrigerated/ 



BAIT 

freezer units to store them. 

So let’s look at a few key 

manufactured baits. 

Groundbait in all its various forms is 

used mainly as an attractant to entice 

the fish into your swim where it will 

then eat the bait that carries your hook. 

The most basic form of groundbait 

is simply crumbed up dry bread but 

manufacturers nowadays add this to 

more expensive blended ingredients, 

using it as a carrier for flavours and 

additives. 

As well as being thrown or ‘balled’ 

into waters in advance and during 

fishing, some groundbaits (and crushed 

pellets) can be moulded around weights 

for the Method or placed into feeders to 

be cast to the required spot. 

Some makers keep the exact 

ingredients and blends a closely guarded 

secret, often adding their own special 

additives known only to them. 

Boilies are, without doubt one of the 

biggest selling bait lines across the UK 

and much of mainland Europe. 

Once the preserve of carp anglers 

everywhere, for their ease of use and 

the variety of flavour and colour – not 

to mention buoyancy – options, boilies 

have also been attracting other species; 

specialist offerings for catfish, barbel 

and other ‘silver’ fish are also available. 

Another bait that has crossed over 

from carp circles to mainstream fishing 

is the pellet. 

Initially used in 

aquaculture as a cheap 

and easy way to feed 

large quantities of fish 

in farms, several key 

manufacturers began 

offering them to the 

wider angling brands, 

who took them and 

added their own unique 

twists. 

They are so easy to 

use and can be utilised 

as both feed (thrown in 

dry, or wet and moulded 

around a feeder) and 

hook bait. Again, the range of 

flavours, colours, styles and sizes can 

seem bewildering but it’s wise to have 

a fair mix of these to appeal to all your 

customers. 

With these and other hard baits such 

as boilies have come accessories like 

pellet banders, needles and drills, PVA 

bags, spods and so much more – another 

profitable addition to your burgeoning 

shelves. 

In the last few years several companies 

have also begun making jelly-like 

pellets, designed to be hooked easily 

and directly. In smaller sizes, these are 

finding favour with competition and 

pleasure anglers alike. 

Amazingly, even though the bait 

brands have spent months and 

even years refining their products, 

many anglers like to think they 

have to give themselves an added 

edge and look to additives and 

extra flavours to boost their baits 

even more. 

Once again, having a wide range of 

these – whether as powders, liquids, gels 

or sprays – on display is a real way to 

maximise profits. Talk to the sales reps 

who call on you – they know what works 

well together and which products have the 

best margins. 

And don’t just stock the big names that 

everyone knows. As anglers search for the 

edge over their pals, they’ll start looking 

for the smaller, more niche or specialist 

companies who perhaps do things a little 

differently or offer specific options. 

Talk to your reps, your local fisheries 

and waters and ask the customers 

themselves to build a picture of the best 

and most lucrative way to navigate the 

minefield of bait. 


19


BAIT 

BAIT-TECH 

PRO NATURAL BREAM & BREAM/DARK 

Bait-Tech has used all of its manufacturing experience to 

develop Pro Natural for targeting wild fish on natural waters. 

Designed for rivers and natural stillwaters, this versatile 

sweet range can be used to target all silver fish. The Pro 

Natural Range is rich in coconut, molasses and hemp and 

will hold feeding fish in your swim for longer. 

Pro Natural BREAM is a classic bream mix – packed with 

brazem, this easy to mix, sweet blend meets all your feeder 

and pole fishing requirements. Pro Natural BREAM/DARK 

has the same great ingredients but with a dark natural 

pigment for use in cold water, which means it will not wash 

out. It’s fine, it’s dark, it’s delicious. Available in 1.5kg bags. 

www.bait-tech.com 

FISHBITES 

FIGHT CLUB GRUB 

The Fishbites Fight Club 6in Grub is now available in eight different colours 

including the latest Slugger and Pink Shiner. These additions are part of the 

continued innovation at Fishbite. Slugger is a green, pink, glittery larger profile 

grub perfect for big flounder, large reef fish, bull redfish, and more. 

The Pink Shiner has the same bait profile but the perfect balance of pink and 

white with a beautiful sheen ready to catch fluke, cobia, halibut, big snapper, 

and so much more. 

Each utilises Fishbite’s proven no-stink Flavour/Scent technology to infuse 

those formulas into a line of irresistible baits. 

They come in five shapes and a variety of colours, so there is something for 

every fishing style. 

fishbites.com 

FJUKA 

SENSATE POWDER RED 

Brand new from exciting bait 

brand Fjuka, this Sensate Fish 

Accelerant Powder has been 

developed with the 9,000 

Fjuka Anglers Group, who 

tested it and saw catches 

rocket. 

The red powder coats 

maggots perfectly and Fjuka 

claims it spreads far more 

evenly around groundbait 

and paste mixes than liquid 

attractants. Underwater it 

produces an expanding cloud 

of attraction and a vivid red 

glow to increase catch rates. 

It instantly boosts maggots, 

meats, pellets, corn, boilies 

or bread, with billions of 

quick release attractants in 

every pinch, while micronutrients 

release taste and 

flavour into water. Containing 

eight different attractants, 

stimulants and taste 

enhancers, it’s offered in 100g 

bottles. 

www.fjuka.shop 

DYNAMITE BAITS 

PEPPERED SQUID RANGE 

This high-quality fishmeal with a peppery twist has been created by blending 

high quality fishmeals, milk proteins, powdered peppers, omega-rich seed 

meal and cereal meals. 

The end result is a highly digestible food bait that carp just can’t seem to 

get enough of. Peppered Squid is suitable for all year-round use, because 

of its clever formulation and blending of meals but has proved exceptional 

particularly in the spring, summer and autumn periods. 

Its creation began by taking a tried and tested Dynamite classic – the 

renowned Squid & Octopus – then adding a combination of Black Pepper 

essential oil, blended fish oils and liver hydrolysate. 

Peppered Squid boilies have a firm texture but a surprisingly soft inner, 

which allows you to bait with catapult and throwing sticks while resisting 

unwanted attention from nuisance species, all whilst still dispersing the 

irresistible flavour and attractors from within. 

Available in standard 1kg bags, as well as 1.8kg session bags and bulk bags 

of 5kg too and in sizes 12, 15, 20 and 26mm, though only the two mid sizes 

are available in the larger sized bags, complemented by hook baits, a liquid 

attractant and a hook bait dip. 

dynamitebaits.com 


STOPPIONI s.n.c. Firenze Italy 

Tel.+39 0558739615 -Fax +39 0558739648 stonfo@stonfo.com 

MEMBER 

Art.738 

MICRO LOOP TYERS 

Tools to make very small loops ideal for 

hooklengths and hair rigs. 

The small size allows you to tie 4 mm 

loops, while the large 6 mm. 

4 mm 6 mm 

1 2 3 

4 

1 or 2x 

5 6 

7 8 

www.stonfo.com 

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FEATURE 

SPORTFISHING’S 

BEST KICK-START 

COMES AT ICAST 

The ICAST New Product Showcase has the power to propel new products to instant stardom. 

Once a year, the migration 

happens like clockwork. 

On a Tuesday evening in 

the middle of summer, the 

sun begins to sink behind a glowing, 

herculean ferris wheel towering over 

Orlando’s International Drive. 

At a convention centre nestled between 

an interconnected hive of hotel rooms, 

an escalator slowly springs to life, and a 

steady stream of retail store owners and 

outdoor media members descend on to 

the ICAST show floor for the first time. 

They’re here to experience the world’s 

largest sportfishing trade show, one 

presented annually by the American 

Sportfishing Association. 

looKIng AheAd 

This is not the official opening of the 


show; rather, a sneak peek for voters 

at the ICAST New Product Showcase 

Preview Reception. The honoured guests 

are ferried around the outskirts of a stillhidden 

show floor obscured by draped 

curtains and led over a red carpet to an 

area set aside for the brightest stars of 

sportfishing’s largest trade show – the 

hundreds of new products staged inside 

the show’s New Product Showcase. 

This floor is where stars are born. 

Before most of these products hit retail 

shelves or ever reach a consumer, they’re 

pitted against a gallery of their peers in 

a no-holds-barred showdown of kayak 

versus kayak, fishing rod versus fishing 

rod, sonar versus sonar and fishing line 

versus fishing line. 

This year, manufacturers will compete 

in 41 categories on the show floor, an all- 

time record that opens the door for the 

massive spotlight garnered by winning 

Overall Best of Show. 

That turn of phrase is no hyperbole, 

either. From the largest manufacturer 

to the smallest, every manufacturer at 

ICAST knows the impact of the New 

Product Showcase. 

SoundIng ouT 

In 2024, few fishing products hog dock 

talk the way Garmin Panoptix LiveScope 

does. The product, which debuted at 

ICAST 2018, is now nearly synonymous 

with live imaging sonar in the way 

Nintendo was with video games in the 

1990s or Kleenex is with tissues. 

The real-time sonar is a hot button topic 

on fishing podcasts, in fishing magazines 

and in the aisles of outdoor stores and

ICAST 

FEATURE 

claims recent victories in bass fishing’s 

biggest events like the Bassmaster Classic 

and Redcrest Championship to boot. 

But LiveScope’s notoriety began 

at ICAST. Before it etched its legacy 

alongside the glimmering gold and brass 

Bassmaster Classic trophy, LiveScope 

notched its very first win at ICAST, riding 

into the history books atop a clear, acrylic 

award that can carry as much weight 

among manufacturers as bass fishing’s 

grandest prize. 

Turn back the clock to 2018 when 

Garmin won its very first ICAST Best of 

Show Award and the power of industry 

recognition shines through. 

“LiveScope has become a signature 

product for us,” says Garmin senior 

director of marine and RV sales, Dave 

Dunn. 

“Every angler seems to know 

what LiveScope is and every serious 

tournament angler seems to want it on 

their boat now. But, in 2018, we were just 

starting to catch that wave. That was our 

very first Best of Show win at ICAST, 

and it really signalled that LiveScope was 

going to be a huge disruptor in the world 

of sportfishing.” 

For an international brand like 

Garmin, the ICAST New Product 

Showcase Awards helped legitimise a 

product that took an international team 

of engineers nearly a decade to create. 

However, start-up manufacturers just 

beginning to establish their brands have 

also benefited from the same kick-start 

provided by ICAST. 

PAC-ing a punch 

In 2022, first-time ICAST exhibitor 

PacBak purchased a 10 ft sq booth just 

weeks before the show. Its debut product 

– a self-contained portable cooler and 

vacuum sealer – outlasted more than 

900 other entries in the New Product 

Showcase and claimed the title of Best of 

Show. 

“We were in the prototype phase 

in 2022,” says PacBak founder Brian 

McKinnon. “Now, we are selling in places 

like Scheels and Bass Pro Shops and 

Cabela’s. They even had a launch party for 

us back home in Alaska. We got featured 

in Alaska Business Magazine and sold 

over $10,000 in the first day. ICAST 

changed everything for us.” 

Get involved 

The time to register products in the New 

Product Showcase is now; and there have 

never been more categories in which to 

compete. 

At ICAST 2024, the New Product 

Showcase is expanding to include 41 

categories ranging from marine electronics 

and watercraft to fishing rods, lures, apparel 

and terminal tackle in both conventional 

and fly product spaces. The winner of each 

will go on to compete for Best of Show. 

“From an editorial perspective, ICAST 

is where we harvest a lot of content,” says 

Bassmaster Magazine managing editor 

James Hall. 

“Winning there means something 

to a lot of people; I think winning at 

ICAST legitimises the equipment or the 

product and also illustrates trends in the 

marketplace.” 

According to American Sportfishing 

Association vice-president of trade show & 

membership, Blake Swango, manufacturers 

often spend years imagining, designing and 

creating hundreds of new products that 

make their way into the showcase every 

year. 

And with winners ranging from 

internationally-recogised super brands to 

first-time exhibitors in their start-up phase, 

you never know who is going to come out 

on top. 

Voting begins at the ICAST New 

Product Showcase Preview Reception on 

Super Tuesday, followed by the Best of 

Category Awards on Wednesday evening 

and voting for Overall Best of Show on 

Thursday. 

Registration for ICAST – scheduled for 

July 16th to 19th in Orlando, Florida – is 

now open. 

And spaces in the 2024 ICAST New 

Product Showcase are available now via 

ICASTFishing.org 

“It’s an event manufacturers don’t want 

to miss,” adds Hall. 

ICAST 

ICASTFishing.org 


23

DBW... 

BENELUX 

BENELUX 

D O I N G B U S I N E S S W I T H . . . 

Thanks to their low-lying nature and position, Belgium, the Netherlands and 

Luxembourg – collectively known as Benelux – have plenty of water to go at for 

fishing… which makes these European countries an ideal region to do business with. 

Benelux is made 

up of three 

members of 

the European 

Union – 

Belgium, the 

Netherlands 

and Luxembourg – and was 

originally a customs union 

set up in 1947 and which 

broadened over the years into 

a 1960 treaty confirmed as 

the Benelux Economic Union, 

but today the term is used as a 

generic grouping of the three 

countries located in northwestern 

Europe. 

Bordered by Germany to the 

east and France to the south 

the region is also known as the 

Low Countries because much 

of the land is located below or 

just slightly above sea level. 

As a result, water is never 

far away from residents, most 

notably in The Netherlands 

with its extensive coastline 

and network of canals and 

waterways, with Belgium’s 

coast, rivers and lakes also 

ensuring great angling 

opportunities. Luxembourg, 

meanwhile, also boasts some 

great lakes and rivers with 

plenty of fish species to target. 

With such great prospects, 

there is a thriving angling 

scene across the region as a 

whole, with a wide range of 

consumers and retailers eager 

to stock great brands covering 

many disciplines. 

KEY PLACES 

You’ll find major European 

cities located within the 

Benelux countries, including 

Amsterdam and Brussels, each 

of which have populations 

exceeding two million, not to 

mention Antwerp and Liege, 

Rotterdam and The Hague, and 

Luxembourg City and Eschsur-Alzette. 

Amsterdam, of course, 

has a long association with 

the tackle trade, having 


DBW... 

BENELUX 

ECONOMY FOCUS 

GDP Combined £1.76 trillion 

The Netherlands US$1.1 trillion Belgium US$583.4 billion 

and Luxembourg US$81.6 billion 

Belgium 

Top Export Partners: 

- Netherlands 

- Germany 

- France 

- USA 

- Ireland 

Top Import Partners: 

- Germany 

- France 

- Netherlands 

- UK 

- USA 

Netherlands 


- Germany 

- Belgium 

- France 

- UK 

- USA 


- Germany 

- Belgium 

- China 

- USA 

- UK 

Luxembourg 


- Germany 

- France 

- Belgium 

- Netherlands 

- Italy 


- Belgium 

- Germany 

- France 

- Netherlands 

- USA 

FACT FILE 

Capital: Brussels, Amsterdam, Luxembourg City Population: 29.3 million 

President: The presidency of the Benelux is held in turn by the three countries for a 

period of one year. Belgium holds the presidency for 2024. 

Official languages: Dutch, French Time zones: GMT+2 Currency: Euro 

played host to EFTTEX, the 

European Fishing Tackle Trade 

Exhibition, a total of 13 times 

since 1982. 

Brussels, meanwhile, has 

hosted EFTTEX three 

times so far and is also the 

new home for the European 

Fishing Tackle Trade 

Association (EFTTA), as it 

is also where the European 

Parliament is situated, allowing 

the organisation to easily, 

effectively and regularly lobby 

on behalf of our sport. 

The Low Countries are 

highly industrialised with 

market economies that are 

heavily dependent upon 

external trade. Luxembourg is 

also an all-round innovative 

engineering and technology 

base for the non-ferrous 

products sector, as well as the 

glass and cement industries. 

Many companies specialising 

in materials have set up major 

production plants and highly 

sophisticated R&D centres in 

Luxembourg. 

Plastics, and the 

chemical industry, thrive in 

Luxembourg’s industrial sector, 

with its business environment, 

highly qualified workers and 

financial incentives 

The manufacturing sector 

accounts for about one-sixth 

of Belgium’s GDP while The 

Netherlands is a key European 

manufacturing location for 

North American companies 

– over 450 manufacturing or 

assembly operations at the last 

count – covering everything 

from consumer goods to heavy 

industry to technology. 

Amsterdam’s Schiphol airport 

is a major international hub and 

the third busiest in terms of 

international passenger traffic, 

with around 72 million people 

passing through its terminal 

each year, not to mention an 

average of 1.74 million tons of 

cargo per annum. 


25

DBW... 

BENELUX 

Benelux is also home 

to some global players in 

the tackle trade, including 

groundbait giant NV Marcel 

Van Den Eynde, which 

has been operating out of 

Belgium for more than 30 

years. Tackle name SPRO calls 

the Netherlands home and 

Shimano has its European 

headquarters in the country 

too. 

Statista also says that one 

growth factor has been the 

rising popularity of fly fishing 

in the area. 

NETHERLANDS IN FOCUS 

The Netherlands is a real 

haven for angling – everywhere 

you look there seems to be 

water, from the low-lying 

coasts and estuaries to the 

giant canals and big rivers, not 

to mention lakes and ponds 

across the country. 

You can target everything 

from huge pike and perch to 

fighting fit carp, vast shoals of 

bream and roach, tench and 

sea bass, along with a myriad 

of other marine fish along its 

525km of coastline. 

It is estimated there are 

actually around 150 different 

species you can fish for, here. 

Major rivers include the 

Maas, Rijn, Waal and Ijssel 

alongside big lakes such as 

the Ijsselmeer, Markermeer, 

Haringvliet and Hollands 

Diep. 

Although the opportunities 

are many and varied, one great 

thing about fishing in The 

Netherlands is that, generally, 

you can do it all with just one 

document – the VISpas. 

This is the membership 

card for angling associations 

affiliated with Sportvisserij 

Nederland and costs around 

€40 a year. This makes angling 

extremely accessible in The 

Netherlands. 

While the most recent 

survey of fishing trends in 

The Netherlands was back in 

2020, Sportvisserij Nederland 

– which boasts over 750 

affiliated angling associations – 

says membership of such clubs 

has grown in recent years, from 

547,446 in 2019 to 644,885 

in 2020 during Covid-19 but 

that trend has continued, with 

689,610 members documented 

in 2023. 

That said, much of this 

increase is down to visiting 

German anglers – the largest 

group of foreign visitors to The 

Netherlands for recreational 

fishing. 

In 2020, its 69,443 VISpas 

holders represented 83 per cent 

of the registered non-Dutch 

anglers. Other visiting anglers 

hail mainly from neighbouring 

Belgium and from France. 

According to the last survey, 

over 1.7 million Dutch people 

went fishing in their own 

country on inland waterways 

or at sea in 2020, which 

amounts to around 10 per cent 

of the total population – that 

was up from 1.1 million in 

2017. The majority were men 

but there was a noticeable 

upturn in the numbers of 

women, to approximately 

470,000. 

There was also a strong rise 

in participating children up 

to 15 years old, to 330,000 in 

2020. 

The same survey also 

revealed that angling’s total 

economic contribution to the 

Dutch economy was around €1 

billion in 2020, making it an 

important activity. 

Anglers spent around €672 

that year on fishing and 

gear and an average €57 per 

trip. Dozens of wholesalers, 

hundreds of angling stores 

as well as various boat hire 

companies, professional 

guides, travel agencies and 

accommodation centres 

depend entirely or partly on 

angling. 

TRADE VALUE 

According to Germany-based 

global data and business 

intelligence platform Statista, 

revenue for the current year 

for the fishing tackle market 

across Benelux is around $134 

million and the organisation 

says it expects to see annual 

growth of around 2.7 per cent 

through to 2028. 

That means, taking into 

account the region’s total 

population, the revenue from 

tackle generated per person 

in Benelux is in the order of 

$4.47. 


DBW... 

BENELUX 

BELGIUM IN FOCUS 

Like The Netherlands, there is 

a huge interest in – and plenty 

of opportunities and venues 

for – fishing in Belgium, from 

the coast to natural waters 

including rivers, alongside 

commercially stocked lakes. 

Expect to target most 

European sea fish from the 

beaches, piers and off boats, 

including charters from places 

like Ostend, while inland you 

will find carp, bream, tench, 

roach, perch and more. 

There is also some fly 

fishing for trout and grayling 

on some of the rivers and in 

some lakes; so there really is 

something for everyone. 

The region is generally 

split in two – Flanders and 

Wallonia – and each has 

different rules, so it’s advisable 

to check before you go. 

There are also two classes of 

fishing water in the country. 

Closed waters do not link 

with any running water and 

there are far fewer restrictions 

on fishing these venues, 

although bear in mind some 

will be private. 

Running waters which 

are navigable are considered 

public property so the right to 

fish belongs to the state, while 

non-navigable waters tend to 

belong to individual owners or 

fishing clubs. 

If you want to fish any 

running water in Belgium 

then you’ll need a state 

licence or permit; while nonnavigable 

waters will require 

the owner’s or rights holder’s 

permission. 

There are two types of 

licence for freshwater – one 

allowing fishing from the 

bank only and the other also 

covering angling from a boat, 

pier or wading. 

Both can be obtained from 

post offices and from some 

tourist information offices 

and can be renewed online via 

some angling associations. 

Children under 14 can 

fish without a permit on 

weekends, public and school 

holidays, provided an adult 

with a permit accompanies 

them. 

Sea fishing does not require 

a permit but in high season 

some beaches will set aside 

specific areas for anglers. 

Coastal fishing is very 

popular around Nieuwpoort 

and Blankenberge. Fishing 

is also allowed on the 

Blankenberge canal with a 

permit. Expect to catch cod, 

herring, haddock, plaice, sole 

and rays. 

Inland anglers are most 

likely to catch barbel, brown 

trout, chub, hotu, grayling and 

dace. Less commonly, anglers 

may find perch and pike. In 

certain areas there are rainbow 

trout, American brook trout 

and even black bass. 

The Ardennes region has 

a good reputation for some 

of the best-stocked rivers, 

with the Ourthe a particular 

favourite. 

Figures for the value of the 

tackle market in Belgium are 

scarce but Statista reports that 

the sport will generate around 

€53m this year, with an 

annual growth rate prediction 

of just under three per cent. 

LUXEMBOURG IN FOCUS 

Home to many huge carp up to 34kg, fishing in Luxembourg is 

very popular and is mostly practised as a recreational activity. 

With plenty of trout in its many lakes and rivers along with 

pike, zander, eel, carp and many other types of fish – grayling, char, 

roach and barbel – Luxembourg is a paradise for anglers. Its rivers 

include the Moselle, Sûre and Our. 


27

FEATURE 

Plastilys 

PLASTILYS 

SIEVES 

SEPARATE 

GOOD FROM 

BAD 

Plastilys, the France-based specialist 

manufacturer of plastic fishing tackle, 

has announced its new range of sieves. 

for OEM requests. Using existing 

shapes, Plastilys also offers many other 

customisable products to accompany its 

buckets, such as bowls, lids and more. 

By using standard shapes and capacities, 

most fixed costs are avoided. 

With a modern 4,600 sq m European 

factory, 20 injection moulding machines 

with robots and a large stock, Plastilys 

is able to respond quickly from 

stock to most requests, or to 

manufacture in a few weeks 

with specific colours, 

thanks to its fleet of 

machines. 

Other products include 

lure boxes, bait boxes, 

livebait buckets and a wide 

range of accessories. 

The company also 

manufactures several million 

made-to-measure plastic spools for 

many spooling companies. 

Respect for the environment and 

European regulations is also at the 

heart of the company, which has over 20 

years’ experience in using recycled and 

recyclable plastics. 

Compliance with European standards 

such as REACH or food standards is also 

a matter of course, as is respect for the 

strictest confidentiality in all new projects 

submitted by its customers. 

PLASTILYS 

export@plastilys.com 

www.plastilys.fr 

The latest sieves from Plastilys 

feature an innovative design 

based on a thick, perforated, 

hexagonal grid, which is much 

stronger than existing wire sieves on the 

market. 

They are made from high-quality 

materials, with galvanised steel and an 

additional anti-corrosion coating. The 

outer shell is made from a thick, impactresistant 

plastic made from recycled 

plastic. 

They are available in four sizes with 

two mesh diameters and are specifically 

designed to fit the Plastilys range of 

buckets, as well as most groundbait 

buckets on the market. 

SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE 

Plastilys’ groundbaits buckets are 

the French manufacturer’s best 

sellers and are available in four sizes: 

13l,18l, 25l and 40l. 

With its modern, efficient factory, 

the firm is particularly popular 


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TO BOOK THIS SPACE CONTACT: 

NORTH AMERICA 

BART MANGANIELLO 

T: +1 914 722 7601 

E: bartalm@optonline.net 

REST of WORLD 

GUIDO KNEGT 

T: +39 347 503 6436 

E: guido.knegt@dhpub.co.uk 

COMING UP… 

AUGUST 2024 

Ad Copy: June 21st, 2024 

Mailed: July 10th, 2024 

Special issue: Predator fishing 

Spotlight: Hooks 

Doing Business With: MIddle East 

SEPTEMBER 2024 

Ad Copy: July 19th, 2024 

Mailed: August 7th, 2024 

Special issue: Predator fishing 

Spotlight: ICAST & EFTTEX Reviews 

Doing Business With: Central America 

OCTOBER 2024 

Ad Copy: August 16th, 2024 

Mailed: September 4th, 2024 

Special issue: Destination fishing/ 

Confluence preview 

Spotlight: Line 

Doing Business With: Eastern Europe 

To submit news or editorial for 

any of these issues, contact: 

To advertise or discuss a marketing campaign in any of these editions, 

contact our business development team: 

EDITOR 

JOHN HUNTER 

T: + 44 (0)7990 542958 

E: john.hunter@dhpub.co.uk 

NORTH AMERICA 

BART MANGANIELLO 

T: +1 914 722 7601 

E: bartalm@optonline.net 

REST of WORLD 

GUIDO KNEGT 

T: +39 347 503 6436 

E: guido.knegt@dhpub.co.uk

PENGHU, CHINA HOLDS THE 9TH DAIWA CUP 

ROCK FISHING INVITATIONAL TOURNAMENT 

The 9th Daiwa Cup Rock Fishing Invitational 

Tournament will be held from March 22nd to 

24th on 4 islands and reefs including Gupo Island, 

Quzhao Island, Da Maosi Island, and Xiao Da 

Maosi Island in Penghu, Taiwan. On the 22nd 

and 23rd, 2 All catches caught by Tiansuo will be 

donated to the Catholic Huimin Enlightenment 

Center and the Penghu Home for the Elderly of the 

Ministry of Health and Welfare. The catch on the 

24th will be released back into the sea. 

This event lasted for 3 days. On the first day, 24 

players were eliminated from the 96 players. On 

the second day, the top 8 players were selected 

from the 72 players. On the last day of the 24th, 

the championship ranking competition was held. 

On the first day of the competition on the 22nd, 

a huge fish appeared. One player caught a large 

golden pomfret weighing 3 kilograms. Because of 

the amazing pulling force, it took more than 20 

minutes to pull the fish ashore. 

The organizer of the Magong City Office stated that 

the Japanese company Daiwa's fishing tackle and 

peripheral products are currently ranked number 

one in the world. Registration for the annual Daiwa 

Cup Rock Fishing Invitational Tournament is 

quickly filled up. Since the first session in 2015, 

the champion has stayed in Penghu; in 2018, the 

scale of the competition was expanded, and the 

group preliminary and semi-finals were held on 

the mainland of Taiwan. During this period, the 

competition was also suspended due to the epidemic. 

The Municipal Office thanks Daiwa Company for its special preference for Penghu fish farm. It has chosen 

Penghu as the venue for the finals over the years, and invited Shen Wencheng, a well-known artist who loves 

fishing, to participate every year, which greatly enhances the visibility of the event. It combines Penghu’s 

local resources to help promote it. Winter tourism and marketing; the only fly in the ointment this year is 

that Shen Wencheng was unable to resist the endorsement due to his schedule, and Magong Mayor Huang 

Jianzhong was also unable to attend due to important matters. 

The Municipal Office wholeheartedly welcomes the 96 contestants and their families participating in this 

year’s competition. Penghu is a beautiful island surrounded by the sea. It has many fishing grounds. 

Affected by the Kuroshio and ocean currents, the coastline is everywhere, providing excellent fishing 

grounds for fishing friends. Fishing places and unique natural conditions are the favorite and best choice for 

fishing friends. 

The Municipal Office pointed out that the specifications of the Daiwa Cup Rock Fishing Competition have 

always been recognized by fishing friends as the most challenging competition system. We thank Daiwa 

Company for holding the rock fishing competition in Penghu every year. We also hope that the contestants 

will pay attention to safety during the three-day competition and enjoy Penghu to the fullest. In addition to 

the strong sea breeze, you can return home with a full load. Players are also welcome to invite friends and 

team up to Penghu to practice their skills.

CRAA CHIEF TALKS ABOUT REGULATING 

FISHING IN PROHIBITED WATERS OF THE 

YANGTZE RIVER 

Since the ten-year fishing ban on the Yangtze River was implemented, various places along the river have 

taken some measures to regulate fishing behavior. The recently issued "Opinions of the General Office of 

the State Council on Unswervingly Promoting the Ten-Year Ban on Fishing in the Yangtze River" also 

puts forward requirements for regulating fishing in the Yangtze River's closed waters. Why should fishing 

behavior be regulated? What management measures will be taken? A reporter from China Farmers Daily 

interviewed the person in charge of CRAA on related issues. 

Reporter: Some netizens believe that fishing is leisure and entertainment and will not affect the fish 

resources of the Yangtze River. May I ask why it is necessary to regulate fishing behavior in the Yangtze 

River’s prohibited waters? 

Answer: Traditional fishing is a way of leisure for people, with the main purpose of pleasing the body and 

mind. The hooks are small, the bait is harmless, and it will not cause damage to fish resources. We support 

and advocate this kind of fishing. In recent years, with the deepening of the Yangtze River fishing ban, 

fish resources have continued to recover. However, some people's fishing behavior has become "out of 

shape" and has become a main purpose of obtaining profits, using the expressly prohibited rolling hook 

and rake. Fishing gear, poisonous and harmful baits, etc. are a barbaric plunder of fish resources. Some 

people also illegally trade their catches in markets and restaurants. In fact, they are fishing illegally in the 

name of recreational fishing. For example, the "Loach Party" uses drugged loaches to build nests to gather 

fish, specializing in fishing for predatory fish such as cockroaches; visual anchor fishing uses specialized 

underwater cameras, fish finders and large anchor hooks to specifically catch fish. Fishing for large fish; sea 

pole array, which means a person uses multiple or even dozens of fishing rods for fishing at the same time, 

etc. These are all violations and obviously go beyond the original intention of "recreational fishing", which 

is productive and resource-intensive It is destructive and is generally opposed and hated by the majority of 

fishing friends. Taking into account the protection of fish resources in the Yangtze River and the public's 

demand for recreational fishing, it is necessary to remove blockages and strengthen fishing management, 

severely crack down on the use or disguised use of fishing for illegal fishing production, and ensure that 

fishing returns to its original positioning of "leisure and entertainment". 

Reporter: What management measures will be taken next to regulate fishing behavior in the Yangtze 

River’s prohibited waters? How to protect fish resources while preventing additional barriers or obstacles 

for recreational fishing enthusiasts? 

Answer: First of all, it must be clear that fishing behavior is regulated only in prohibited waters. If people 

fish in non-prohibited waters, there are currently no normative requirements. 

In terms of specific management methods, the first is to delineate fishing areas. The second is to standardize 

fishing gear and fishing methods. The third is to improve management methods.

SHIMANO CUP ROCK FISHING COMPETITION 

IN PENGHU, CHINA 

The SHIMANO Cup China Penghu Rock Fishing 

Competition has entered its 23rd year this year. 

This competition was held on April 13th and 14th 

on Gupo Island, Quzhao Island and Nunnv Island. 

There were 85 rock fishermen from various counties 

and cities across the country. Experts participated 

enthusiastically. In order to promote friendly fishing 

leisure activities and promote the rock fishing sport 

among Chinese people, the organizer, Sanstar 

Enterprises, specially cooperated with the Magong 

City Office, and all the catches caught by the 

contestants were donated to charity organizations. 

When the competition whistle sounded, each 

contestant held a fishing rod in his hand, threw out 

the bait A, held his breath and focused on the moving 

buoy on the sea surface, waiting for the moment when 

the buoy sank, raised the rod, reeled in the line, and 

picked up the fish, in order to win. The title is given a 

shot. 

This year's entries are rich in prizes. The top four will 

receive a championship, runner-up, third and third 

place trophies and high-end gifts; the fifth to tenth 

places will also receive exquisite gifts; black-haired and 

white-haired big-tail prizes, porgytail big-tail prizes 

and parrot fish. One winner each from HKUST. The 

final champion will receive a set of SHIMANO's topnotch 

reels worth 20,000 yuan. 

Chairman Zhou Zehong said that the outer reefs 

of Penghu are rich in ecology, with all kinds of fish 

species including white hair, black hair, parrot song, 

stink belly, etc., allowing contestants to display their 

skills and fish with poles to their heart's content to 

strive for the best results. We would like to express our 

special thanks to the Penghu County Government 

and Magong City Office for their assistance in 

promoting rock fishing activities. The catches caught 

by the contestants will be donated to Penghu Home 

for the Elderly and other units, which will promote a 

good culture of corporate giving back to the local area 

and helping the disadvantaged.

2024 CHINA·XIANJU’S FIRST RAFT 

FISHING CHAMPIONSHIP HELD 

From March 29th to 31st, the 2024 China Xianju First "Xian'an Cup" Raft Fishing Championship guided by 

CRAA was held at Xianju Xia'an Reservoir. 

The 2024 China Xianju First "Xian'an Cup" Raft Fishing Championship is a CRAA Category II event, with 

200 fishing friends from 22 provinces, cities and regions including Beijing, Shanghai, Chongqing, Sichuan, 

Guizhou, Hainan, Yunnan and Shaanxi. During the two days from March 30th to 31st, they swung their 

poles gracefully, showed off their skills, competed for hand speed, skills, and endurance, raced against 

time, and played games with fish, presenting everyone with an intense and intense game. , an unforgettable 

competitive feast. 

After a fierce competition, fishing friend Lin Xiaolin from Wenzhou won the championship, the largest 

single tail prize and the Laoji Fufeng Award; fishing friend Shen Yong from Wenzhou won the runner-up; 

fishing friend Jin from Beijing Yiying won the third runner-up and the Heroine Award in this competition. 

In recent years, relying on its unique resource endowments, Xianju County has vigorously developed its 

event economy and gained many honors. The Lower Bank Reservoir in Qiushan Township has beautiful 

ecology, beautiful scenery, abundant products, and developed fisheries. It has unique ecological advantages 

and provides innate conditions for fishing events.

MAKING 

CONTACT 

Making Contact 

1 

2 

3 

Want your products to 

be seen by thousands of 

potential buyers… FREE of 

charge? Then get in touch, 

we’d love to hear from you. 

JOHN HUNTER 

+44 7990 542958 

john.hunter@dhpub.co.uk 

Contact John directly for details of 

how to send your product and a 

short description to Tackle Trade 

World’s office. 

1 COSTA 

WHITETIP PRO GLASSES 

The manufacturer of the first 

colour-enhancing, all-polarised 

glass sunglass lens has redesigned 

a legacy favourite with the launch 

of Whitetip PRO. 

The PRO features a more 

modern design with added 

performance features. It keeps 

the same proportions, coming 

in as the smallest PRO model, 

while adding updated aesthetic 

and performance features for 

the modern angler. These include 

six updated technical features to 

keep your frames locked in place 

when the water gets rough, reduce 

fogging to keep your vision clear 

and redirect sweat so you can 

focus on what’s most important – 

catching fish. 

Costasunglasses.com 

2 UNI PRODUCTS 

UNI-MOHAIR (2-PLIES) CAMEL 

The long mohair fibres do not 

absorb water while the 29 colours 

make it possible to create the 

perfect body. 

Choose from Beige, Black, 

Brown, Camel, Charcoal, Cream, 

Dark Brown, Dark Olive, Fl Green, 

Fl. Orange, Fl Red, Fuchsia, Golden 

Brown, Gold, Green Highlander, 

Gray, Kelly Green, Light Blue, Light 

Cahill, Light Gray, Maroon, Olive, 

Orange, Purple, Red, Rusty Brown, 

Tan, White and Wine. 

Making realistic dubbed bodies 

in a single step or combing out a 

few fibres at the back to simulate 

a trailing shuck are just two of 

the many possible uses. In regular 

single-colour packaging, also 

available in a combo package of 

20 spools. 

www.uniproducts.com 

3 DR SLICK 

CYCLONE NIPPERS, BLACK 

Now available in black are these 

cutting-edge nippers designed for 

new-age tippet materials. Supersharp 

tungsten carbide blades are 

mounted on a lightweight 6061-T6 

anodised aluminium frame, making 

short work of pretty much every 

tippet material, from braid to 20lb 

coated wire. 

Available in straight or offset 

cutting face, both units come with 

replacement cutters, screws, hex 

key and a steel retention ring. 

www.drslick.com 


MAKING 

CONTACT 

4 

5 

6 

7 

4 DAIWA 

STEEZ SV REEL 

5 MTM CASE-GARD 

ICE FISHING ROD BOX 

6 MUSTAD 

APEX DROPSHOT HOOK 

7 ST CROIX 

PHYSYX RODS 

The Steez SV includes a 

redesigned T-Wing System (TWS) 

for less resistance on the cast, 

meaning more distance, while 

moving the 90mm swept handle 

closer to the reel results in a 

shorter torque on the gears and 

bearings, providing smoother, 

more durable operation. 

Key features bearing Daiwa’s 

exclusive Hyperdrive name include 

a distortion-proof Armed Housing, 

Digigear to transfer more power, 

Double Support for a better and 

more even powered transmission 

from the handle via a ball bearing 

on both sides of the pinion gear 

plus a Tough Clutch, which has 

been optimised to remain safely in 

position, even on hard casts. 

www.daiwa.us 

This Ice Fishing Rod Box is the 

perfect way to make sure your 

short rods are protected and ready 

to go next year. 

Made of rugged, crush-resistant 

molded polymer, the box is 

designed to hold up to eight 

rods. Notched foam padding in 

each case half holds four rods in 

one half of the case and four in 

the other. Integrated accessory 

compartments are perfect for 

stowing smaller items as well as 

the two included accessory boxes. 

Steel hinge pins combine with 

dual lid latches to keep contents 

secure while the moulded-in 

carry handle makes transporting a 

breeze. Measures 36x10.2x5.2in. 

MTMCase-Gard.com 

In freshwater fishing, few light 

tackle techniques can replicate 

natural forage as effectively as 

a dropshot rig. The deception is 

subtle and sceptical predators are 

ultimately vulnerable 

Tied directly to the leader at 

its midpoint, the Apex Dropshot 

Hook 10559AP is offered in sizes 

ranging from 6 to 2/0, featuring 

a turned-up eye that enables the 

lure to rest at a 90-degree angle 

from the line. 

The fine wire construction 

reduces the risk of bass detecting 

the hook, while the sharp 

needlepoint enhances the 

probability of hook-ups on subtle 

bites. 

mustad-fishing.com 

Conceived in science and born from 

75 years of passionate experience 

St. Croix’s Physyx series exists to 

elevate the angling experience by 

promoting and advancing angler 

control in every physical action. 

Each rod boasts SCIV+ carbon 

fibre blanks for balance, light 

weight, strength and sensitivity, 

moulded carbon fibre TRIGON 

handles for comfort and control, 

Dynamix reel seats to produce the 

ultimate angler interface, a rear 

trigger, titanium guides, and hightactile 

TPU grip lines. 

There are 25 models in all, 

covering all your baitcasting and 

spinning needs, all backed by a 15- 

year warranty. 

stcroixrods.com 


35

FEATURE 

Mustad 

THE LATEST IN 

NORWEGAIN 

HOOK 

INNOVATION 

Mustad’s heritage in innovation has led to yet another 

industry-first in cutting-edge hook-manufacturing 

machinery, designed to maximise wire strength and 

minimise fish loss. This is Ultra-Nor… 

Wuxi factory 

Wire pull testing 

Wire forging effectively 

improves hook pull 

strength without 

increasing the overall wire 

diameter and weight of the hook. 

Under standard forging techniques, 

fishing hook wire is pressed at the shank 

to elongate the wire in-line with the 

pull direction. Strength manifests from 

this change in diameter where it matters 

most and significantly decreases hooks 

bending. 

Mustad employs rigorous testing to 

learn and improve upon fishing hook 

development technologies. 

“Saltwater angling applications are 

our bread and butter,” explained Enrico 

Parmeggiani, head of global product 

development at Mustad. 

“So innovating in demanding offshore 

fishing techniques is necessary. We pride 

ourselves on a team of engineers that has 

put years of development and testing into 

this game-changing technology.” 

THE ‘ULTRA’ HOOK 

Clever engineering from the Mustad 

development team has created a new wire 

forging process unmatched in the fishing 

industry. 

Mustad’s proprietary, patented Ultra- 


Nor forging technology presses the 

wire at all sides, compressing it into an 

“I-Beam” shape so that no material can 

escape or expand during the process. 

This compression changes the 

dynamics of the high carbon steel, 

utilising the slow tempering process 

that Mustad uses to improve strength to 

bolster the holding capacity beyond the 

competition. 

Compared to standard forging 

techniques, Ultra-Nor improves pull 

strength by up to 15 per cent for the same 

wire gauge; a huge advantage in a sport 

where the margins between you and a 

catch of the lifetime are thin. 

GOING GLOBAL 

“Ultra-Nor forging technology will be 

introduced to many of our legendary 

hook shapes loved worldwide,” added 

Enrico. “We’ve also refreshed an iconic 

Mustad hook that tuna anglers will be 

thrilled to welcome into the range.” 

Mustad has selected from its range 

several series of hooks that excel at 

catching and releasing beasts from the 

saltiest of seas. 

From bait hooks to lure hooks, the new 

Ultra-Nor forged hooks series will catch 

the eye of any serious offshore fisherman. 

Raw steel wire 

To match the strength of Ultra-Nor 

forging, Mustad’s latest saltwater hooks 

have been coated with Titan Steel finish. 

The nano-thin finish holds up to over 

500 hours of saltwater corrosion, second 

only to stainless steel. 

“Testing these hooks has proven their 

success in satisfying demanding anglers,” 

Enricon concluded. “Ultra-Nor forging 

technology is already finding applications 

on a significant hook range expansion in 

the seasons to come.” 

Products featuring Ultra-Nor will be 

unveiled at ICAST 2024. 

MUSTAD 

www.mustad-fishing.com

With decades of experience in the fishing 

industry, Foundation Outdoor Group is 

dedicated to understanding your business. 

From product development to distribution 

solutions, we provide solutions and services that 

help fishing rod businesses grow. 

FoundationOutdoorGroup.com Call Today: (800) 516-1750

FEATURE 

Marketing 

SHOWING UP AT A 

TRADE EVENT 

It’s the start of trade show season and, while there are fewer in the angling calendar 

globally than usual, exhibiting at one can reap rich rewards. With ICAST 2024 just around the 

corner, here are a few ideas to maximise your presence. 

There’s no doubt 

that exhibiting at 

a trade show can 

be an excellent way 

to showcase your products or 

services, network with potential 

clients and partners and increase 

brand visibility. 

But you need to ensure you 

have planned ahead correctly. 

Simply turning up on your booth 

with a handful of products or 

a few leaflets may seem like an 

easy way to go about it but you’ll 

miss out on so much business if 

you haven’t prepared adequately. 

BE SPECIFIC 

The first job is to ensure you set 

clear goals for your attendance. 

Determine what you want to 

achieve by exhibiting at the trade 

show. Whether it’s generating 

leads, making sales or increasing 

brand awareness, having clear 

objectives will guide your efforts. 

It may sound obvious but 

choosing the right trade show is 

also crucial. Research different 

trade shows in your industry 

– not difficult this year with 

ICAST in Orlando being the 

flagship event but there will be 

more in 2025 – to find the ones 

that attract your target audience 

and align with your goals and 

budget. 

LOOK AND FEEL 

Hopefully, by now, you have 

worked out the design for an 

eye-catching stand or booth. 

It should stand out from the 

crowd as it’s essential to attract 

attendees’ attention – there will 

doubtless be plenty of other 

exhibitors vying for visitors’ time 

too. Use high-quality graphics, 

signage and branding materials 

to create a visually appealing 

display. 

It’s also a good idea to 

prepare engaging marketing 

materials. Develop brochures, 

flyers, business cards, and other 

promotional materials that 

effectively communicate your 

message and offerings. 

Ensure your team is welltrained 

and knowledgeable 

about your products or services; 

whether they are members of 

staff or volunteers, friends or 

family. 

They should be able to engage 

with attendees, answer questions 

and effectively communicate 

your value proposition. 

BEFORE AND AFTER 

One of the factors many 

exhibitors forget, as they get 

caught up in all the show 

preparation, is to promote their 

participation. 

Use social media, email 

marketing and other channels 

to let your audience know that 

you’ll be exhibiting at the trade 

show and create expectations 

of what they will see when they 

visit you. Offer incentives for 

attendees to visit your booth, 

such as exclusive discounts or 

giveaways and try and get them 

to commit to appointments. 

If they have booked a time slot 

with you, they are more likely to 

show up and spend quality time 

with you or your team. 

Once the event is over, make 

sure you follow up. Collect 

contact information from leads 

you meet at the trade show and 

get in touch with them promptly. 

Personalised follow-up emails or 

calls can help nurture these leads 

and convert them into customers. 

When you get back home or 

back to your office, remember to 

assess your performance against 

your goals. Analyse what worked 

well and what could be improved 

for future events. 

Remember that trade shows 

can be competitive (and 

expensive), so it’s essential to 

plan and execute your strategy 

effectively to maximise your 

return on investment. 

Hunter Media 

john@hunter-media.co.uk 

www.huntermedia.co.uk 


Super 

Heat Dissipation 

 

 

 

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Hardness 

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Lightness

Modern European Factory 

Leading Manufacturer of 

customized Buckets 

Extensive range 

of Lure Boxes 

20 injection moulding machines 

Tray 

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Bait 

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4600 sqm factory & warehouses 

Short lead times and huge stock 

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export@plastilys.com 

Livebait Buckets 

Empty 

Spools

Tackle Trade World - June 2024

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