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SENT TO MORE THAN<br />
18,500<br />
TACKLE INDUSTRY<br />
PROFESSIONALS<br />
IN OVER<br />
120 COUNTRIES<br />
EVERY MONTH<br />
JUNE <strong>2024</strong><br />
www.rokfishing.com<br />
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Best-in-class Plastic Buckets and Accessories<br />
High-Quality Affordable Ready Rigs
BUILD<br />
WHITE<br />
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CUSTOM RODS<br />
American <strong>Tackle</strong>'s Shiroi Collection<br />
delivers a complete lineup of striking,<br />
gloss white rod components and rod<br />
blanks engineered to perform.<br />
info@foundationoutdoorgroup.com<br />
SALES@FOUNDATIONOUTDOORGROUP
COMMITTED TO INCREASING YOUR BUSINESS GLOBALLY<br />
FIRM FOUNDATION<br />
Why ROK is a carp brand<br />
you can build on.<br />
PAGE 16<br />
LAND OF OPPORTUNITY<br />
Why the Benelux countries<br />
could help your business.<br />
PAGE 24<br />
www.tackletradeworld.com<br />
FAMILIAR FACE RETURNS<br />
TO RUN EFTTEX 2025<br />
EFTTEX 2025 has been<br />
confirmed… and it will<br />
be run by Resolutions<br />
Ltd, the company owned by<br />
former EFTTA and EFTTEX<br />
general manager Janet Doyle.<br />
Resolutions has been<br />
granted the licence to run the<br />
show by EFTTA AIBSL (the<br />
European Fishing <strong>Tackle</strong> <strong>Trade</strong><br />
Association), which owns the<br />
EFTTEX brand.<br />
It has also been confirmed<br />
that it will take place at the<br />
Brussels Expo, Brussels, Belgium<br />
in September 2025, with final<br />
dates still being agreed as TTW<br />
went to press. It will be the<br />
only European fishing tackle<br />
trade show fully supported by<br />
EFTTA, which will continue its<br />
vital lobbying work on behalf of<br />
the industry.<br />
Janet has been involved in<br />
organising EFTTEX between<br />
2000 to 2019, so has plenty of<br />
experience behind her.<br />
She said: “I’m really excited to<br />
be back running the show. It’s<br />
great to see an industry backed<br />
show return to Europe. Brussels<br />
is centrally located, familiar to<br />
many and is where EFTTA<br />
carries out its lobbying work.<br />
Therefore it makes perfect sense<br />
to hold the show in the same<br />
city.”<br />
Ross Honey, representing<br />
the EFTTA board, added: “The<br />
recent restructuring sets EFTTA<br />
and its members on a path<br />
towards a bright future, allowing<br />
EFTTA to dedicate 100 per cent<br />
of its focus on lobbying efforts in<br />
Brussels.<br />
“As the association<br />
representing the European<br />
fishing tackle trade, EFTTA has<br />
an advocacy responsibility for<br />
recreational angling. While at the<br />
same time entrusting a separate,<br />
professional show organisation<br />
with the full responsibility of<br />
running a dynamic and purpose<br />
driven EFTTEX. With these<br />
changes, success is within reach.”<br />
The work of organising the<br />
event, as well as attracting both<br />
exhibitors and visitors, has<br />
already started and further details<br />
will be revealed in due course.<br />
janetdoyle@resolutionsevents.co.uk<br />
S E N T T O M O R E T H A N 1 8 , 5 0 0 T A C K L E I N D U S T R Y<br />
PROFESSIONALS IN OVER 120 COUNTRIES EVERY MONTH
JUNE<br />
<strong>2024</strong><br />
<strong>Tackle</strong><strong>Trade</strong><br />
www.tackletradeworld.com<br />
EDITORIAL<br />
Editor:<br />
John Hunter<br />
04<br />
+44 7990 542958<br />
john.hunter@dhpub.co.uk<br />
A journalist all his life and with 20-plus years<br />
of international business magazine experience,<br />
John was the founding editor of TTW and has<br />
now returned to the helm. He has helped<br />
many brands launch and grow over the years<br />
through B2B publications and via his own<br />
consultancy business.<br />
ADVERTISING<br />
North America:<br />
Bart Manganiello<br />
+1 914 722 7601<br />
bartalm@optonline.net<br />
For over 38 years, Bart has been working with<br />
trade magazines, 34 in the tackle industry.<br />
Since 2001, he has been TTW’s North American<br />
Director, providing the best communication<br />
programs to companies, helping them connect<br />
with current and prospective trade partners<br />
around the world.<br />
Rest Of The <strong>World</strong>:<br />
Guido Knegt<br />
+39 3475036436<br />
guido.knegt@dhpub.co.uk<br />
A born and bred Dutchman, he spent five<br />
years travelling the world as a scuba-diving<br />
instructor and English teacher before settling<br />
down in Sardinia. Guido previously worked for<br />
TTW between 2014 and 2017.<br />
China: Robert Li<br />
Li Ziwei<br />
+86 13451914155<br />
robert.li365@gmail.com<br />
Li Ziwei (Robert) has been working as news<br />
editor for over 20 years. He founded the most<br />
influential Chinese fishing forum in the Straits<br />
and successfully organised many industry<br />
events. His love for culture and tourism has led<br />
him to devote his entire life to the exchanges<br />
between China and southeast Asia.<br />
Magazine Manager<br />
Justin Fox<br />
+44 7813 327966<br />
justin.fox@dhpub.co.uk<br />
A hugely experienced communicator with<br />
more than 20 years at parent company DHP,<br />
Justin knows what it takes to grow brands<br />
and businesses across the tackle sector.<br />
Sub Editor: David Haynes<br />
Art Editor: Paul Evans<br />
Editorial Design: Brad Sharp<br />
DHP LTD<br />
Editorial, administration, subscriptions and<br />
accounts to: DHP Ltd, 1st Floor, Nene House,<br />
Sopwith Way, Daventry, NN11 8EA, UK<br />
www.tackletradeworld.com<br />
THE RETURN OF AN<br />
OLD FAVOURITE<br />
So… now we know… there WILL be a in Hungary this September.<br />
European tackle trade show under the How that fares, given its timing and<br />
EFTTEX banner in 2025.<br />
location, is anyone’s guess but I can’t believe<br />
And it will be in September. And it will for a minute that the organisers intended<br />
take place in Brussels, where the European <strong>2024</strong> to be one single, standalone event.<br />
Fishing <strong>Tackle</strong> <strong>Trade</strong> Association (EFTTA), History will tell you that <strong>Tackle</strong> <strong>Trade</strong><br />
which owns the EFTTEX brand, has its <strong>World</strong> dared to run a rival European industry<br />
headquarters.<br />
show in Amsterdam back in 2008 and, as<br />
What is even more interesting, though, is part of the organising team back then, I can<br />
EFTTA’s choice of organiser, Janet Doyle and tell you that we certainly intended for it to<br />
her Resolutions company.<br />
become an annual event.<br />
For many years Janet headed up the<br />
It was only the struggling European<br />
EFTTA Secretariat, which was responsible economy at the time – since it was unlikely<br />
for much of the administration work behind exhibitors would be able to attend two<br />
EFTTA as well as organising EFTTEX events in one year – that convinced us not to<br />
in various European cities, ever since its continue in 2009 and give EFTTEX a clear<br />
inaugural event in 1982.<br />
run.<br />
Indeed, it was only in 2021, following<br />
So it remains to be seen what the industry<br />
Brexit and Covid-19, that EFTTA Ltd in will make of having two European trade<br />
London, which Janet was general manager shows at the same time, should the newcomer<br />
of, closed its doors and EFTTA was reborn carry on into 2025.<br />
in Brussels, where it could be closer to<br />
Naturally, logic says that EFTTEX – with<br />
the European Commission and European its history, its name, a knowledgeable and<br />
Parliament.<br />
influential organiser plus the backing of the<br />
EFTTA is also focused on its lobbying EFTTA board and, doubtless, many members<br />
work on behalf of the trade, hence the need – will be a force to be reckoned with in 2025.<br />
to outsource the show organisation to a third You can also expect <strong>Tackle</strong> <strong>Trade</strong> <strong>World</strong><br />
party – and there were several of those in the to be not only supporting but promoting<br />
bidding process, TTW understands.<br />
EFTTEX 2025. We believe in the sterling<br />
So, with her Resolutions company, Janet work of EFTTA – and indeed all trade<br />
certainly has the pedigree and the knowledge associations around the world – and we<br />
to deliver EFTTEX 2025, which I have no know the skillset and background that Janet<br />
doubt will return to a fanfare, having missed brings to the show organiser role; few would<br />
this year for a variety of reasons.<br />
bet against her making EFTTEX 2025 in<br />
But what makes the announcement even Brussels a huge success.<br />
more interesting is that it appears to be timed<br />
to go head-to-head with another European John Hunter<br />
trade show, set to take place for the first time Editor<br />
3,511<br />
6,466
Early bird registration ends <strong>June</strong> 10th<br />
Discounted hotel blocks close <strong>June</strong> 19th<br />
Avoid the lines on site!<br />
July 16-19<br />
Orlando, FL<br />
POWERED BY<br />
Orange County Convention Center<br />
ICASTfishing.org
JUNE<br />
<strong>2024</strong><br />
18<br />
16<br />
22<br />
28<br />
Contents<br />
24<br />
36<br />
08 NEWS<br />
Rapala VMC agrees a deal to supply Okuma<br />
tackle to China, Pure Fishing restructures<br />
in the German, Austrian and Swiss markets<br />
and St. Croix plans another way of thanking<br />
its loyal customers.<br />
10 NEWS<br />
Railblaza unveils a distribution plan for<br />
Finland and Denmark, EFTTA continues<br />
to grow with more key members signing<br />
up while the former boss of Rapala, Jorma<br />
Kasslin, is remembered.<br />
16 ROK’S FIRM FOUNDATION FOR CARP<br />
TACKLE<br />
In the competitive arena of carp fishing, a<br />
brand has emerged that carries the weight<br />
of decades of experience, dedication and<br />
passion. We explore the background of<br />
ROK Fishing.<br />
18 SPOTLIGHT ON… BAIT<br />
Whether man-made or natural, bait is a<br />
pre-requisite for catching fish. But the<br />
options available are, quite simply, vast…<br />
and still growing, as anglers strive for the<br />
perfect one. Here’s our guide to some of<br />
them.<br />
20 SHOP WINDOW<br />
A quick look at some of the latest baits to<br />
hit the market. Are any of these suitable for<br />
your retail shelves or web stores?<br />
22 KICK-STARTING THE INDUSTRY AT<br />
ICAST<br />
The ICAST New Product Showcase has the<br />
power to propel new products to instant<br />
stardom. We find out why it pays to get<br />
involved.<br />
24 DOING BUSINESS WITH… BENELUX<br />
Thanks to their low-lying nature, Belgium,<br />
the Netherlands and Luxembourg –<br />
collectively known as Benelux – have<br />
plenty of water for fishing… which makes<br />
them an ideal region to do business with.<br />
28 SEPARATING GOOD PRODUCTS FROM<br />
ALSO-RANS<br />
Plastilys, the France-based specialist<br />
manufacturer of plastic fishing tackle, has<br />
announced its new range of sieves. We<br />
take a look…<br />
34 MAKING CONTACT<br />
More tackle and gear recently released into<br />
the market that you might wish to consider<br />
adding to your inventory.<br />
36 MUSTAD RELEASES HOOK<br />
TECHNOLOGY<br />
Mustad’s heritage in innovation has led to<br />
yet another industry-first in cutting-edge<br />
hook-manufacturing machinery, designed<br />
to maximise wire strength and minimise<br />
fish loss. This is Ultra-Nor…<br />
38 MARKETING<br />
It’s the start of trade show season and<br />
exhibiting at one can reap rich rewards<br />
for your business. Here are a few ideas to<br />
maximise your presence.<br />
06 www.tackletradeworld.com
INTRODUCING CUTTING EDGE FORGING TECHNOLOGY TO BRING UNMATCHED HOOK STRENGTH THAT ANGLERS TRUST<br />
MUSTAD-FISHING.COM
ST. CROIX APPRECIATES<br />
ITS CUSTOMERS<br />
US manufacturer St. Croix Rod<br />
is preparing to celebrate the most<br />
important people in its business<br />
in <strong>June</strong> – its customers.<br />
The firm is inviting anglers to<br />
join a celebration of fishing at<br />
its <strong>2024</strong> Customer Appreciation<br />
Day on Saturday, <strong>June</strong> 22nd at<br />
the Park Falls, Wisconsin factory.<br />
Jesse Simpkins, St. Croix’s<br />
vice-president of marketing,<br />
explained: “Customer<br />
Appreciation Day has evolved<br />
and grown over the years but the<br />
event’s identity and purpose have<br />
remained the same.<br />
“It’s a chance for our entire<br />
team at St. Croix to express<br />
thanks to anglers and celebrate<br />
our collective passion for fishing.<br />
The opportunity to spend a really<br />
fun day getting to know and<br />
interacting with anglers face-toface<br />
from around the world is<br />
something special, and we look<br />
forward to it every year.”<br />
Visiting anglers – as many as<br />
2,500 of them – look forward to<br />
it as well.<br />
Vice-president of sales, Steve<br />
Self, added: “We have anglers<br />
who make the trip to Customer<br />
Appreciation Day (CAD) in<br />
Park Falls an annual pilgrimage,<br />
plus hundreds of new visitors<br />
each year.<br />
“They come from as far as<br />
Florida, California and Maine<br />
and we’ve had visitors from<br />
Australia and Europe, too. We<br />
do everything we can to give<br />
everyone who joins us – and<br />
even those who participate in<br />
CAD online – a meaningful<br />
and memorable experience. Our<br />
team starts planning months<br />
ahead of time, and when the big<br />
day arrives it’s all hands on deck<br />
to make sure we offer the best<br />
possible experience.”<br />
Anglers attending are drawn<br />
into the St. Croix family and<br />
experience something no other<br />
rod manufacturer offers on<br />
such a personal level. This year’s<br />
event will include multiple<br />
opportunities to learn<br />
about the rod-building<br />
process, informative<br />
fishing seminars from pros,<br />
casting demonstrations,<br />
a free lunch provided by<br />
Johnsonville, ample prize<br />
draws and – of course – a<br />
variety of special, one-dayonly<br />
deals on rods, combos,<br />
and apparel, which are available<br />
to both in-person and online<br />
participants.<br />
Jesse added: “This is our<br />
first full year after the launch<br />
of our SEVIIN Reels and our<br />
reinvigorated St. Croix Fly<br />
brands.So, this year, we’re able<br />
to offer CAD attendees even<br />
more unique experiences and<br />
opportunities.<br />
“We’ll have a dedicated<br />
SEVIIN tent where we can<br />
show visiting anglers some of the<br />
interesting tests we put the<br />
reels through in order to ensure<br />
reliability and deliver a worryfree<br />
fishing experience. We’ll also<br />
A St. Croix Customer<br />
have SEVIIN reels spooled up<br />
and ready to go at the casting<br />
pond so anglers can experience<br />
them first-hand.<br />
“On the fly side, our team<br />
is incredibly excited to show<br />
anglers the results of the work<br />
and energy we’ve put into our<br />
new, premium EVOS fly rods,<br />
along with another new model<br />
we’ll be releasing about the same<br />
time as CAD. We’re using a<br />
brand-new technology in these<br />
rods and can’t wait to get anglers<br />
out on the casting pond to let<br />
them experience why these rods<br />
are so special.”<br />
stcroixrods.com<br />
Leadership torch passed on at Fairpoint Outdoors<br />
After 30 years of dedicated leadership,<br />
Jens Buhl Jorgensen, the co-founder and<br />
CEO of Fairpoint Outdoors A/S, is to<br />
hand over the reins to former Svendsen<br />
Sport CEO Hans Maasbøl in May.<br />
With a very healthy outlook for the<br />
future, Jens bids farewell as CEO to the<br />
company he has nurtured and guided<br />
since its inception.<br />
This announcement marks a significant<br />
transition in the company’s history as<br />
Jens entrusts the reins of leadership to<br />
a new, highly capable successor – Hans<br />
Maasbøl.<br />
Jens will remain as a member of the<br />
board of directors and assume the role of<br />
vice chairman.<br />
Under his visionary guidance, Fairpoint<br />
Outdoors says it has achieved remarkable<br />
milestones, solidifying its position as a<br />
trailblazer in the fishing tackle industry.<br />
From humble beginnings to<br />
08 www.tackletradeworld.com<br />
becoming a cornerstone of innovation<br />
and excellence, Jens’s unwavering<br />
commitment has propelled the company<br />
to unprecedented heights.<br />
This change is a part of the succession<br />
plan initiated when Capidea acquired the<br />
majority of the company’s shares from cofounders<br />
Jens Thomas Petersen Eldor and<br />
Thomas Jespersen, back in autumn 2021.<br />
Reflecting on this pivotal moment, Jens<br />
expressed profound gratitude to dedicated<br />
team members, partners, and stakeholders<br />
who have been instrumental in the<br />
company’s success. He explained that<br />
their passion, dedication and unwavering<br />
support had been the driving force behind<br />
Fairpoint Outdoors’ journey this far.<br />
Meanwhile, Hans – who played a<br />
central role in managing Svendsen Sport<br />
during the challenging Covid-19 period<br />
– brings with him a proven track record<br />
of leadership, a deep understanding of the<br />
industry and a lifelong experience with<br />
consumer brands and brand building across<br />
different industries.<br />
He will join forces with the existing<br />
management team consisting of the<br />
two other co-founders Thomas Petersen<br />
Eldor and Thomas Jespersen – as well as<br />
COO Thomas Sanotra, CFO Jesper Lund<br />
Andersen and CIO Kenneth Aabenhus.<br />
Chairman Ulla Iversen expressed<br />
confidence in Hans’ proven track record<br />
and his ability to build upon a strong<br />
foundation laid by Jens and the rest of the<br />
Fairpoint team, saying the board looks very<br />
much forward to working with Hans and<br />
taking the company even further.<br />
The board also extended its heartfelt<br />
appreciation to Jens for his exceptional<br />
leadership and invaluable contributions to<br />
the company.<br />
www.fairpoint.dk
TG Rocket<br />
Fuel lands in<br />
new home<br />
UK-based tackle company<br />
Breakaway has purchased TG<br />
Rocket Fuel and TG Ceramic<br />
Bearings from Tony Gittins, who has<br />
decided to retire to spend more time<br />
fishing.<br />
In a brief statement, Breakaway<br />
<strong>Tackle</strong> said it was very pleased to<br />
acquire this company’s iconic brands,<br />
which are market leaders and the<br />
plan is to continue looking after<br />
Tony’s many customers while also<br />
seeking new trade accounts.<br />
Breakaway <strong>Tackle</strong>’s Norman<br />
Bickers said: “We hope to be able to<br />
offer the same outstanding service<br />
that Tony has done over many years.<br />
These iconic brands, which are<br />
market leaders, are now available to<br />
all old and new customers.”<br />
www.breakaway-tackle.co.uk<br />
RESTRUCTURE FOR PURE<br />
FISHING IN GERMAN MARKET<br />
Following its acquisition of<br />
Svendsen-Sport in 2022, Pure<br />
Fishing has finally completed<br />
a series of changes to its<br />
sales team and operations<br />
in Germany, Austria and<br />
Switzerland (DACH).<br />
The sales team will be led<br />
by new sales manager Toni<br />
Wiese (pictured), who has<br />
been working in the tackle<br />
trade since 2009 and was<br />
formerly Svendsen Sport’s<br />
key account manager, taking<br />
over national management in<br />
March, 2023.<br />
One of his recent tasks<br />
was to help with the<br />
optimisation of both Pure<br />
Fishing and Svendsen Sport<br />
sales organisations. He is<br />
also a passionate angler and<br />
a current member of the<br />
German national Blackbass<br />
team, which was recently<br />
runner-up for the world title<br />
in Portugal.<br />
Toni said: “It is a great<br />
honour to be able to manage<br />
the distribution of such<br />
traditional brands as DAM,<br />
Berkley, ABU Garcia, PENN,<br />
Savage Gear, Mitchell,<br />
Prologic, JRC, Greys, Plano,<br />
Shakespeare and Hardy from<br />
now on. I have known and<br />
used many products from<br />
these established brands since<br />
I was a child.<br />
“It was also clear to me<br />
from the outset that we would<br />
have to continue with two<br />
separate sales organisations in<br />
German-speaking countries.<br />
The target was to build a new<br />
motivated and good, balanced<br />
team to create a breath of<br />
fresh air in our market.<br />
Initial successes confirmed<br />
this immediately after their<br />
introduction. With the now<br />
combined team, we are very<br />
Toni Wiese<br />
confident about our ability to<br />
better service your needs and<br />
a great future, together.”<br />
The two sales offices have<br />
also merged. The former<br />
Svendsen-Sport office<br />
in Georgensgmünd was<br />
closed in December 2023,<br />
with back-office functions,<br />
including customer service,<br />
now located in the offices of<br />
Pure Fishing Deutschland<br />
GmbH in Frankfurt am<br />
Main. The firm is currently<br />
recruiting for additional<br />
customer service team<br />
members there.<br />
OKUMA ‘THAIS UP’ ANOTHER<br />
DEAL WITH RAPALA VMC<br />
Two iconic fishing tackle names – Rapala<br />
VMC and Okuma – have agreed another<br />
landmark deal, this time for the Finlandbased<br />
giant to offer Okuma products to<br />
Thailand.<br />
Rapala VMC already owns the rights to<br />
sell Okuma-branded gear across Europe<br />
and Russia and recently added Brazil,<br />
Paraguay and Korea to its distribution<br />
model.<br />
Rapala VMC CEO Lars Ollberg sealed<br />
the deal for Thailand with Charles Chang,<br />
who set up the Taiwanese manufacturer<br />
more than 30 years ago. It will take effect<br />
from July 1st, <strong>2024</strong>.<br />
Lars said: “The partnership with Okuma<br />
is strengthening year after year and we<br />
are working to expand it further on the<br />
common goals of both companies.<br />
“Okuma has been present in Thailand for<br />
many years with good success, and we can<br />
bring Okuma sales to the next level with<br />
our professional sales and marketing skills<br />
in Thailand.<br />
“Rapala VMC’s Thailand branch has<br />
been well established in the country for<br />
15 years. The office has an experienced<br />
team of seven people focusing on sales and<br />
marketing, with excellent knowledge about<br />
fishing products and in distribution and<br />
customer service, reaching about 200 shops.<br />
“Rapala Thailand is staying connected<br />
to the anglers, in innovating with passion<br />
and it is driven to grow the business in<br />
Thailand. It is an honour to represent<br />
Okuma in Thailand as it is a wellknown<br />
brand, renowned for quality and<br />
innovation.<br />
“Okuma is a well-known brand in<br />
Thailand and we are driven to grow the<br />
business there.”<br />
Lars also revealed a number of key<br />
products that he feels will be relevant to the<br />
Thai market and the species present there.<br />
These include the Cavalla reel, which is<br />
suitable not only for saltwater fishing but<br />
also for giant catfish in leisure ponds, which<br />
is a big market there.<br />
Rapala VMC<br />
CEO Lars<br />
Ollberg and<br />
Okuma’s<br />
Charles<br />
Chang<br />
With so many fishing ponds holding<br />
barramundi, not to mention freshwater<br />
dams with an abundance of local species,<br />
the Ceymar HD spinning reel will also<br />
have a key part to play.<br />
Meanwhile, the Ceymar ODT and<br />
Hakai baitcasting reel is just the job for<br />
giant snakehead and hampala, which<br />
demand accuracy and speed.<br />
www.tackletradeworld.com<br />
09
BLAZING A TRAIL FOR<br />
FINLAND AND DENMARK<br />
EXPLR of Sweden, one of the<br />
largest distributors and retailers<br />
of paddle sport products<br />
in Scandinavia, is to help<br />
oversee growth of mounts and<br />
accessories expert RailBlaza.<br />
This move follows EXPLR’s<br />
huge investment in a new<br />
warehouse and showroom<br />
facility in Linköping, ideally<br />
located just a few hours<br />
from either Stockholm or<br />
Gothenburg.<br />
Established in 2017, EXPLR<br />
is a young, professional and<br />
dynamic company with a<br />
clear vision on providing<br />
market-leading brands into<br />
the paddle sport and boating<br />
market, with a key focus on<br />
fishing. Following its first order<br />
with RailBlaza back in 2020,<br />
EXPLR has become one of<br />
its most important strategic<br />
partners within Europe.<br />
Nick Edgington, RailBlaza<br />
EMEA’s sales director, said:<br />
“EXPLR’s recent investment<br />
into real estate, ecommerce and<br />
workforce was clear evidence<br />
that they have a strategic<br />
growth plan in place, and we<br />
want to be on that journey with<br />
them.<br />
“[Managing director] Felix’s<br />
knowledge and understanding<br />
of the Scandinavian market<br />
will be invaluable as they look<br />
to grow our market share in<br />
Denmark. During my recent<br />
visit, I met the EXPLR team<br />
who are all very knowledgeable<br />
about our brand and it was<br />
great to see their enthusiasm.<br />
Marius Juska, the most recent<br />
recruit, has been tasked with<br />
increasing sales in Finland and<br />
Denmark.”<br />
The doors to the new<br />
showroom opened in April,<br />
attracting over 600 customers;<br />
this facility provides EXPLR<br />
with a new dimension, allowing<br />
it to showcase brands, gain<br />
consumer feedback and present<br />
the products to the trade.<br />
EXPLR’s managing director<br />
Felix Frey added: “We have<br />
experienced expediential growth<br />
since forming the company in<br />
2017. This is largely thanks<br />
to the onboarding of great<br />
brands and having an excellent<br />
understanding of our markets.<br />
“We focus on five or six<br />
key brands and work hard to<br />
ensure we present these to our<br />
customers in a professional<br />
Nick Edgington, RailBlaza’s EMEA sales<br />
director with EXPLR MD Felix Frey.<br />
and dynamic way; we are a<br />
modern outdoor distribution<br />
company fuelled by a passion<br />
for making great products<br />
and services available.”<br />
EXPLR’s brand portfolio<br />
currently consists of RailBlaza,<br />
Rebelcell, Berkley Pro,<br />
Hultafors, CLC, Deeper Sonar<br />
and Hobie.<br />
<strong>Tackle</strong> launches are a market challenger<br />
US manufacturer Buffalo <strong>Tackle</strong> has released<br />
several products from Challenger Lures,<br />
Riversider and Sheffield, to reel in walleye,<br />
bass, salmon and steelhead anglers.<br />
The Challenger Marabou Jigs are made<br />
with premium hand-tied marabou with flash.<br />
Equipped with a Mustad 2X strong hook<br />
and an epoxy coated head and thread, the<br />
Marabou jig comes in three sizes and 18<br />
colours and are a great match for all game<br />
fish.<br />
Challenger Ball Jigheads, meanwhile, are<br />
available in three sizes, five and 25 packs<br />
and come in metallic Nickle and Gold. They<br />
feature a Mustad 2X hook with a round head<br />
and no collar. These jigs are good for anglers<br />
10 www.tackletradeworld.com<br />
trying their own feather or hair jigs.<br />
Challenger Lures has also introduced a<br />
new colour featuring a silver orange back<br />
with white belly. It’s available in the two<br />
most popular sizes – Minnow and Junior<br />
Minnow – and joins the other 55-plus colour<br />
variations.<br />
Riversider has expanded its already<br />
popular line of IM8 carbon handle rods with<br />
the 9ft Fly Rod in three weights: 7/8, 8/9<br />
and 9/10. This 36-ton IM8 graphite blank,<br />
two-piece rod features aluminium oxide<br />
stripper guides with stainless steel snake<br />
guides and top. The strong carbon fibre<br />
handle with blank-through construction is<br />
said to be capable of landing prize-winning<br />
steelhead.<br />
Sheffield has added a Foam Slip Float,<br />
available in six sizes, to its vast variety of<br />
premium floats. The durable EVA foam body<br />
has a Hi-Vis top with black body. The float<br />
features an integrated brass sleeve at the top<br />
and bottom and the package also includes<br />
Hi-Vis beads and stops.<br />
Buffalo <strong>Tackle</strong> is part of Triple S Sporting<br />
Supplies and includes the Challenger<br />
Lures, Riversider, Sheffield and Three D<br />
brands, while Triple S Sporting Supplies is<br />
a wholesale tackle distributor servicing the<br />
Northeast and Great Lakes regions.<br />
www.buffalotackle.com
Precision products for<br />
perfect fishing gear<br />
Qinhuangdao<br />
Zhongwei<br />
Precision<br />
Machinery is<br />
urging tackle<br />
firms to get in<br />
touch to take<br />
advantage of<br />
its die casting<br />
and injectionmoulding<br />
facilities for their<br />
latest products.<br />
Established in<br />
1997, it was recognised as a<br />
technology-based small and<br />
medium-sized enterprise by<br />
the Hebei Provincial Science<br />
and Technology Bureau in<br />
2013 and the following year as<br />
a military-civilian integration<br />
enterprise; by 2019, it<br />
was rated as a high-tech<br />
enterprise.<br />
Zhongwei Precision covers<br />
precision die casting, precision<br />
casting and metal injection<br />
moulding MIM and powder<br />
metallurgy processes.<br />
The company has multiple<br />
five-axis machining centres<br />
and various CNC machine<br />
tools and boasts rich<br />
experience in the field of<br />
metal products.<br />
It says it can produce<br />
titanium alloy, tungsten alloy,<br />
carbide, stainless steel, carbon<br />
steel, alloy steel and other<br />
products.<br />
Its principles of quality<br />
first, treating people with<br />
integrity and serving buyers<br />
well have been recognised<br />
by customers in the United<br />
States, Germany, the UK,<br />
the Netherlands, Poland and<br />
many more.<br />
business-mall@zw-jm.com<br />
ANOTHER KEY<br />
PLAYER JOINS EFTTA<br />
TRADE BODY<br />
Prominent Danish tackle supplier Fairpoint Outdoors A/S has<br />
added its weight to the work of the European Fishing <strong>Tackle</strong><br />
<strong>Trade</strong> Association (EFTTA) by becoming a member. It joins<br />
an esteemed list of industry leaders including Daiwa, Shimano,<br />
VMC Rapala, Rather Outdoors, Pure Fishing, Sensas, Visdeal,<br />
Saenger, Lotta Olt, Korda and Angling Spirit.<br />
In addition to manufacturing and selling its own brands –<br />
Westin, Kinetic and Unique Flies – Fairpoint Outdoors is proud<br />
to be the exclusive distributor of Sage and Rio in Scandinavia.<br />
EFTTA is a leading advocate for the fishing tackle industry,<br />
actively engaging in lobby work in Brussels to shape policies<br />
and regulations that impact businesses and anglers alike.<br />
COO Thomas Sanotra is enthusiastic about the collaboration<br />
and said: “Joining EFTTA aligns perfectly with our vision of<br />
advancing and supporting recreational angling for the industry.<br />
EFTTA’s advocacy work in Brussels is crucial for ensuring<br />
the sustainability and growth of our sector. We are proud to<br />
stand alongside fellow industry leaders in shaping the future of<br />
fishing.”<br />
EFTTA vice-president Ross Honey added: “We are thrilled<br />
to welcome Fairpoint Outdoors into the EFTTA family. Its<br />
expertise and commitment to the industry will undoubtedly<br />
enrich our collective efforts. Together, we will continue to<br />
champion the interests of our members and promote responsible<br />
angling practices for anglers today and future generations.”<br />
This partnership marks a significant step forward in<br />
Fairpoint’s commitment to amplifying its voice and support of<br />
the fishing community and comes at a time when EFTTA is<br />
experiencing a surge in membership, with more companies set to<br />
join in the coming weeks and exciting things on the horizon.<br />
www.eftta.com<br />
TRIBUTES PAID TO FORMER RAPALA CEO<br />
Long-time Rapala VMC Corporation board member and former<br />
chairman, president and CEO, Jorma Kasslin, passed away after<br />
a brief illness on April 14th, <strong>2024</strong> at the age of 70.<br />
Jorma had been a member of Rapala VMC’s Board of<br />
Directors since 1998, serving as chairman from 2016 to 2018<br />
and as president and CEO from 1998 to 2016.<br />
The board of directors, management and staff of Rapala VMC<br />
Corporation have extended their deepest condolences to his<br />
family and loved ones.<br />
During Jorma’s tenure as CEO, Rapala VMC expanded into<br />
an international enterprise, becoming a global market leader in<br />
several segments of the sports fishing business. He was a leader<br />
who placed great importance on the well-being of the staff.<br />
Colleagues from around the world say they will miss Jorma<br />
dearly.<br />
Current president and CEO, Lars Ollberg, said: “Jorma<br />
was my leader for many years, starting from 1998. He was an<br />
encouraging director who provided everyone with a common<br />
direction and vision.<br />
“Jorma always focused on finding positive solutions in his<br />
work. His contribution has been decisive in Rapala VMC’s<br />
journey to becoming one of the world’s leading companies in<br />
the industry.”<br />
www.tackletradeworld.com 11
NEWS IN BRIEF<br />
Hobie floats glasses<br />
Hobi Eyewear has added its popular<br />
Everglades and Snook polarised<br />
sunglasses to its line-up of Float<br />
models, after its Everglades Float<br />
emerged as a standout style at the<br />
<strong>2024</strong> Bassmaster Classic.<br />
Featuring durable floating frames,<br />
they boast features including<br />
premium polarised lenses with<br />
Hydroclean 360 coating, which resists<br />
water/oils, and co-moulded rubber<br />
on the nose pads and temple tips for<br />
improved grip and performance.<br />
Sportsman’s reduces<br />
board<br />
US-based outdoor specialty retailer<br />
Sportsman’s Warehouse Holdings has<br />
confirmed the resignations of several<br />
board members prior to its annual<br />
meeting of stockholders.<br />
Erica Fortune, Gregory P Hickey<br />
and Philip C Williamson have all<br />
stood down, meaning the board<br />
currently stands at six members.<br />
Following a series of changes, half of<br />
the company’s board will have been<br />
added within the past year.<br />
Removing gold<br />
Volunteers from Australia’s fishing<br />
conservation charity, OzFish, have<br />
begun a restoration project to remove<br />
feral goldfish from the Vasse River.<br />
While these familiar pets may<br />
seem harmless in indoor tanks, when<br />
released into the wild they can wreak<br />
havoc on delicate ecosystems and<br />
impact on native fish populations. In<br />
the Lower Vasse River, feral goldfish<br />
weighing up to 2kg and measuring<br />
over 40cm have been recorded.<br />
On the record<br />
Aruguably angling’s most anticipated<br />
annual publication – the <strong>2024</strong> IGFA<br />
<strong>World</strong> Record Game Fishes – is now<br />
available from the International<br />
Game Fish Association (IGFA).<br />
As the world’s definitive publication<br />
of recreational angling records<br />
and the organisation’s signature<br />
membership benefit, the <strong>2024</strong> edition<br />
includes comprehensive information<br />
on all freshwater, saltwater and<br />
flyfishing world records for many<br />
categories, including new world<br />
records set within the last year.<br />
German anglers<br />
take it to the top<br />
The German Anglers’ Association – DSAV<br />
e. V – which sends its national teams to the<br />
European and <strong>World</strong> Championships, has<br />
appointed a executive board and president.<br />
At the annual general meeting, which<br />
took place near Bremen, members elected<br />
a new executive board on the organisation’s<br />
10th anniversary, designed to take on the<br />
mammoth task of structuring the association<br />
properly and putting it on a solid footing.<br />
Among those elected was a new president,<br />
Klaus Daeschler who, as a passionate angler<br />
and former president of the VHF, brings a<br />
lot of experience and expertise as the board<br />
works to make the organisation fit for the<br />
future.<br />
Other executive committee members<br />
includeThomas Heinecke (vice-president),<br />
Markus Howanietz (vice-president, finance)<br />
and Enrico Hofmann (vice-president,<br />
youth).<br />
A global leader in maritime<br />
safety equipment, Mustang<br />
Survival, is continuing to push<br />
the boundaries of innovation<br />
with newly released ISOapproved<br />
Atlas 190 Pro Sensor<br />
Life Jacket.<br />
Recipient of a Special<br />
Mention at the DAME<br />
Design Awards in the Personal<br />
Equipment category, the Atlas<br />
190 Life Jacket is said to be<br />
a ground-breaking inflatable<br />
platform with a re-engineered<br />
bladder for exceptional turning<br />
performance and airway<br />
protection.<br />
These life jackets, designed<br />
for offshore sailing, cruising<br />
and boating adventures,<br />
emphasise comfort during<br />
prolonged wear and impressive<br />
safety – 190N of buoyancy –<br />
when inflated.<br />
The Atlas utilises ADAPT<br />
Technology (Advanced Airway<br />
Protection & Turning); the<br />
bladder lobes’ shape turns the<br />
wearer face up effectively, baffle<br />
barriers dissipate incoming<br />
waves and an integrated pillow<br />
provides optimal head support<br />
and stability.<br />
Atlas developer Nigel<br />
Parkes, who has decades of<br />
experience engineering life<br />
jackets, said: “The primary<br />
goal was to make it super<br />
comfortable.<br />
“I wanted to design a<br />
product that is very free around<br />
the neck when you’re wearing<br />
it in its packed state but offers<br />
The coarse fish float and feeder<br />
department for men and women is headed<br />
by Peter Koenig, whose experience is<br />
invaluable, while the masters, veterans and<br />
handicap age groups are led with great<br />
commitment by Norbert Mertes.<br />
Michael Gschwind takes care of the<br />
commercial area, predatory fish from the<br />
bank and boat, fly fishing and trout are<br />
still managed by Thomas Engert. Soeren<br />
Dercks (web and social media) and Harald<br />
Ofenloch (press) are responsible for public<br />
relations.<br />
Another gain in terms of team manager<br />
is Thorsten Kuesters, who will coach the<br />
Under 25 feeder anglers. Karol Pacyna<br />
is team manager for the women’s teams<br />
and Stefan Reget is team manager for the<br />
handicaps.<br />
www.dsav.eu<br />
Mustang reveals Atlas life jacket<br />
ultimate performance when<br />
inflated.<br />
“The secondary goal was<br />
to challenge conventional<br />
bladders and increase the<br />
safety features without<br />
impacting comfort, resulting<br />
in a revolutionary new<br />
design. Our wearers can have<br />
confidence in knowing that,<br />
whatever their water adventure,<br />
the Atlas 190 has their back<br />
should they need it.”<br />
12 www.tackletradeworld.com
Zebco marks 75th anniversary with special edition reel<br />
To celebrate 75 years, Zebco<br />
– “the brand that taught<br />
America to fish” – is marking<br />
this milestone with the launch<br />
of a special edition Zebco 33<br />
spincast reel.<br />
Originating from the bomb<br />
industry, Zebco’s journey<br />
started as the Zero Hour Bomb<br />
Company, founded in Tulsa,<br />
Oklahoma.<br />
Collaborating with R.D. Hull,<br />
the innovative mind behind the<br />
iconic spincast reel, Zero Hour<br />
Bomb Company evolved into<br />
a highly successful fishing reel<br />
manufacturer, redefining its<br />
identity.<br />
The result was the legendary<br />
spincast reel, a groundbreaking<br />
invention that addressed<br />
the shortcomings of the<br />
rudimentary reels of the time.<br />
Hull created a reel that was<br />
so easy to operate that any<br />
novice could pick one up and<br />
immediately begin fishing.<br />
Many anglers have nostalgic,<br />
childhood tied to the Zebco<br />
33, fondly remembering it as<br />
their first fishing reel. Although<br />
the Zebco catalogue has grown<br />
RoD EXpo BUIlDING NICElY<br />
exponentially, the Zebco 33<br />
remains a cherished staple in the<br />
line-up.<br />
Following the inception of the<br />
reel, Zebco carved out a unique<br />
place in the fishing industry and<br />
in the hearts of anglers all over<br />
the world.<br />
The 75th Anniversary 33 reel<br />
will be on sale from July.<br />
www.ratheroutdoors.com<br />
The 21st edition of the International Custom Rod Building<br />
Exposition was another huge success for the custom-rod<br />
building craft and industry.<br />
Held in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, the event hall was<br />
packed and sales were brisk, with many companies reporting<br />
record sales on Saturday alone.<br />
“Many of the retailers told me that their single day sales on<br />
Saturday eclipsed their total two-day sales from the 2023 Expo,”<br />
said event owner and host Tom Kirkman.<br />
Nearly 40 vendors and manufacturers occupying 50,000 sq ft<br />
of exhibit hall space attended the <strong>2024</strong> edition, making it the<br />
largest custom rod building event in the world.<br />
The continued strong performance of the event appears to<br />
guarantee its future for many more years, even if that should<br />
happen under new ownership.<br />
Tom explained: “I am nearing retirement but want to make<br />
sure that any new owner would continue to host the event at the<br />
same level of quality and performance that the Expo has come<br />
to be known for during these past two decades.”<br />
Details of any possible sale of the event have yet to be<br />
announced.<br />
rodmaker@earthlink.net
Bauer Media Closes Key<br />
fisHing MontHly<br />
After 33 years, Bauer Media has ceased<br />
publication of its UK-based Improve Your<br />
Coarse Fishing, effective from May <strong>2024</strong>.<br />
However, the closure doesn’t mean<br />
the end of the brand; instead it will be<br />
transformed into part of the media group’s<br />
weekly Angling Times publication.<br />
Improve Your Coarse Fishing’s legacy<br />
– tactics-led content that has offered<br />
invaluable insight and techniques for<br />
anglers of all levels – will soon be<br />
integrated into Angling Times, now Bauer<br />
Media’s only remaining fishing title.<br />
Bauer said the complementary content<br />
will further enrich Angling Times’<br />
offering, which will continue to bring its<br />
audience equipment tests, plus interesting<br />
stories from the world of angling.<br />
With a combined monthly reach of<br />
over 300,000 anglers across print and<br />
digital platforms, Angling Times and<br />
anglingtimes.co.uk are still seen as key<br />
pillars in Bauer Media’s multi-platform<br />
media strategy.<br />
Steve Prentice, UK group co-CEO<br />
at Bauer Media Group said: “In a<br />
challenging period for many magazines,<br />
we’re pleased to bring the Improve Your<br />
Coarse Fishing content under the Angling<br />
Times umbrella. Our mission has always<br />
been to give anglers more confidence and<br />
enable them to catch more fish; this move<br />
allows us to do that more effectively than<br />
before.”<br />
Angling Times editor James Furness<br />
added: “Improve Your Coarse Fishing<br />
has been a trusted friend to thousands of<br />
anglers for three decades, thanks to its<br />
inclusive tone and easy-to-understand tips<br />
and tactics to help people catch more fish.<br />
My team and I will be incorporating that<br />
tone and ethos into Angling Times.”<br />
Farlows’ flagship store unveils makeover<br />
The London flagship outlet for<br />
famous outfitter Farlows has<br />
revealed details of its extensive<br />
two-month refurbishment.<br />
The redesign of the Pall<br />
Mall building includes an<br />
eye-catching aqua feature<br />
wall to draw visitors in, an<br />
overall modernisation plus new<br />
displays and layout, which has<br />
transformed the store.<br />
Robin Philpott, director and<br />
group CEO said: “After two<br />
months of upheaval, Farlows has<br />
completed its refurbishment and<br />
now has a store which properly<br />
represents its status and values<br />
as a brand, built on 184 years<br />
of experience and expertise, as<br />
well as the prestige and quality<br />
of the third-party brands it<br />
carries, whilst at the same time<br />
being a modern, functional<br />
and cohesively laid out retail<br />
premises.<br />
“We are extremely proud of<br />
what has been achieved and very<br />
grateful to our loyal customers<br />
who put up with the disturbance<br />
while it was going on. If you are<br />
14 www.tackletradeworld.com<br />
a fly fisher, a shooter or a lover<br />
of the great outdoors come and<br />
see us – there is no other store<br />
like it, anywhere.”<br />
In addition, the Farlows<br />
Group has confirmed<br />
support of three new local<br />
charities for <strong>2024</strong>. Farlows<br />
has partnered with Southeast<br />
Rivers Trust, while Sportfish is<br />
backing The Wye & Usk<br />
Foundation and Ark – Action<br />
for the River Kennet.<br />
www.farlows.co.uk
GSM Outdoors<br />
acquires Mid-America<br />
Rod Company<br />
GSM Outdoors has added manufacturer the Mid-America Rod<br />
Company to its growing portfolio of fishing brands.<br />
Located in Arkansas, Mid-America Rod Company has been<br />
building quality rods since 1976 and is well-known for its signature<br />
Vertis rods series as well as a producer of OEM rods for a number of<br />
companies.<br />
Crispin Powley, GSM senior vice-president of fishing, explained:<br />
“When we decided to enter the rod category, we had a clear vision of<br />
offering the highest quality products at the best possible price.<br />
“We had an opportunity to get involved with Mid-America Rods<br />
and immediately realised their ability to help us attain our goals.<br />
Specifically, their history and ability to produce incredible fishing rods<br />
that are 100 per cent made in the USA.”<br />
He added: “Our goal, which you’ll see come to market soon, is a<br />
‘Made in the USA’ series of Phenix Rods that will utilise Phenix’s<br />
signature technology combined with decades of experienced<br />
craftmanship and manufacturing from Mid-America. We also look<br />
forward to continuing their longstanding OEM relationships and<br />
partnerships.”<br />
www.gsmoutdoors.com<br />
Wiley X expands<br />
support for Angling<br />
Spirit events<br />
Eyewear specialist Wiley X is<br />
extending its Angling Spirit<br />
sponsorship in <strong>2024</strong> to include<br />
three prestigious angling<br />
tournaments, namely the<br />
<strong>World</strong> Carp Classic, the <strong>World</strong><br />
Predator Classic and the Sea<br />
Angling Classic.<br />
Through this extended<br />
partnership with Angling Spirit,<br />
Wiley X aims to further solidify<br />
its dedication to angling and its<br />
participants.<br />
The <strong>World</strong> Carp Classic<br />
attracts anglers from around the<br />
globe. Wiley X’s support will<br />
ensure participants have access<br />
to top-quality eyewear designed<br />
to enhance their performance<br />
and protect their eyes in the<br />
demanding conditions of carp<br />
fishing.<br />
The <strong>World</strong> Predator Classic<br />
showcases the skills of anglers<br />
targeting predatory species<br />
such as pike, zander, and<br />
perch. By partnering with<br />
this event, Wiley X reaffirms<br />
its commitment to providing<br />
anglers with the specialised<br />
eyewear needed to excel in their<br />
pursuit of predator fish.<br />
Wiley X’s support for the Sea<br />
Angling Classic highlights its<br />
dedication to all facets of the<br />
angling community. From shore<br />
fishing to deep-sea angling, the<br />
firm offers a range of eyewear<br />
options designed to meet the<br />
unique needs of sea anglers,<br />
ensuring they can perform at<br />
their best while enjoying their<br />
time on the water.<br />
www.wileyx.eu<br />
A GROUNDBREAKING SERIES OF GUIDES AND TOPS,<br />
TONY ENGINEERING, PATENT PENDING!<br />
TONY HUANG<br />
PACBAY MINIMA - X offers an unparalleled level of durability, solving the problems commonly associated with inner rings<br />
popping out or getting crushed. Through extensive reform and innovation, PACBAY MINIMA - X is constructed using highstrength<br />
, one-piece stainless steel. Both the guides and tops utilize mirror polishing, multi-layer Hard Chrome plating, and<br />
Titanium plating processes, resulting in corrosion resistance, low friction, and high thermal conductivity. As a result , the friction<br />
force during long-distance casting or retrieving is significantly reduced.<br />
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<br />
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<br />
these guides are ideal for lure anglers, particularly carp anglers who often face issues with the #50 stripper guide getting damaged during transportation.<br />
With PACBAY MINIMA - X, this problem has been entirely eliminated.<br />
In summary, PACBAY MINIMA - X guides and tops are renowned for their exceptional durability and ability to withstand heavy use and harsh conditions.<br />
This innovation in the fishing world, through the abandonment of ceramic and stainless-steel rings, allows fishermen to bid farewell to the nightmares of<br />
ring breakages, crushing, and detachment.<br />
Build Great Fishing Rods<br />
www.fishpacbay.com<br />
info@fishpacbay.com
FEATURE<br />
ROK OFFERS FIRM<br />
FOUNDATION FOR<br />
CARP TACKLE<br />
In the competitive arena of carp fishing, a brand has emerged that carries the weight of<br />
decades of experience, dedication and passion: ROK.<br />
The company is proud of<br />
its slogan “ROK Fishing<br />
Performance”, which<br />
demonstrates attention to<br />
detail at every stage of a product’s life.<br />
The company’s in-house design office<br />
enables rapid interaction with field<br />
testers and the gradual refinement of<br />
products to perfection.<br />
Tooling is machined in a factoryintegrated<br />
workshop for greater<br />
responsiveness while a fleet of latestgeneration<br />
machines enables rapid<br />
production of both large and small runs,<br />
allowing the brand to take risks and, for<br />
16 www.tackletradeworld.com<br />
example, test new colour combinations<br />
for baits.<br />
Efficient logistics mean that deliveries<br />
can be made anywhere in Europe at short<br />
notice. This exclusive integration of<br />
the entire product chain within a single<br />
company means that it can offer the best<br />
products to anglers, with year-round<br />
availability and no pressure for seasonal<br />
orders.<br />
Efficient manufacturing in Europe has<br />
many advantages for retailers: virtually<br />
no stock-outs throughout the season,<br />
products with controlled quality and a<br />
rapid capacity for innovation.<br />
ROK is also proud to also offer both<br />
competitive public prices and some of<br />
the most attractive margins in the sector,<br />
thanks to this direct relationship with a<br />
manufacturer.<br />
tRieD anD testeD<br />
The brand has been successfully tested<br />
and developed on the French market over<br />
the last four years, starting with the most<br />
comprehensive and effective range of<br />
artificial baits.<br />
Their effectiveness was put to the test<br />
during the 2023 <strong>World</strong> Championships,<br />
where they attracted the attention and
ROK<br />
FEATURE<br />
trophies of top competitors.<br />
Particular attention has been paid by<br />
the designers to seek out highly effective<br />
densities and contrasts, capitalising<br />
on years of experience in competition<br />
to offer all anglers effective baits to<br />
maximise catches.<br />
Among the brand’s exclusives are<br />
Ultra Pop-up baits, made from a highly<br />
buoyant foamed material, and the Ultra<br />
Soft range, which is extremely soft to the<br />
touch.<br />
Unlike most lures or baits on the<br />
market, ROK baits are made from foodor<br />
medical-grade elastomers, with no<br />
harmful substances. The baits are also<br />
designed to be optionally boosted with a<br />
range of flavoured dips.<br />
Defining details<br />
In addition to the artificial baits for<br />
which it is renowned, ROK pays<br />
particular attention to the details of<br />
every product it offers.<br />
For example, ROK manufactures what<br />
is considered the best range of buckets<br />
on the market: they are an excellent<br />
example of the brand’s attention to<br />
detail.<br />
Thanks to its manufacturing position,<br />
ROK has been able to design and<br />
manufacture thicker square buckets, with<br />
a flexible lid that’s pleasant to open and<br />
close, rather than offering a standard<br />
paint bucket with a pretty decoration.<br />
ROK also makes a point of offering<br />
a wide choice for each of its products,<br />
to adapt to all fishing conditions and<br />
regional specifics.<br />
Over 200 artificial bait variants are<br />
available, with colour combinations<br />
specially crafted to attract carp and<br />
densities adapted to all types of bottom.<br />
The range of ready rigs is also a good<br />
example of the brand’s ability to provide<br />
a very wide range (fluorocarbon, braid,<br />
barbed or barbless, wide gape or curve<br />
shank and so on…)<br />
It’s a perfect range with Europeanquality<br />
hooks and lines, offered at an<br />
affordable price with a retail price of less<br />
than €2 per rig.<br />
The tackle range has also been<br />
particularly optimised. The lead clips<br />
feature an innovative design with<br />
self-locking of the brand’s swivels,<br />
illustrating the benefits of complete<br />
control of the product chain to offer<br />
customers optimum quality.<br />
Many more products are in the<br />
pipeline for the coming months, each<br />
with the same attention to detail.<br />
ROK is now ready for a full-scale<br />
European launch and is currently<br />
recruiting to expand its sales presence<br />
in most European countries. Pioneer<br />
retailers in each country will be<br />
welcomed with preferential conditions to<br />
help them get off to a good start.<br />
ROK is also looking for new<br />
ambassadors to represent its brand.<br />
Enquiries for distribution are<br />
welcome.<br />
ROK<br />
export@rokfishing.com<br />
www.tackletradeworld.com<br />
17
SPOTLIGHT ON...<br />
BAIT<br />
SPOTLIGHT ON<br />
BAIT<br />
Whether man-made or natural, bait is a prerequisite for catching fish. But the<br />
options available are, quite simply, vast… and still growing, as anglers strive for the<br />
perfect one.<br />
Working out which baits<br />
to use for which species<br />
and when – never mind<br />
which ones to add to<br />
your shelves as a retailer – is a veritable<br />
minefield.<br />
Even back in the 1600s, when Izaak<br />
Walton wrote The Compleat Angler,<br />
there were a wealth of choices. Indeed,<br />
he wrote: “As for pastes, there are almost<br />
as many sorts as there are medicines<br />
for the toothache; but doubtless sweet<br />
pastes are best.”<br />
Leaving aside ‘artificial’ baits such<br />
as lures or flies – which are still the<br />
favourite in some parts of the world –<br />
let’s concentrate on actual foodstuffs<br />
for fish, which is one of the biggest<br />
and most competitive markets in our<br />
industry.<br />
From maggots and worms to bread,<br />
boilies and the aforementioned pastes<br />
to live and dead baits, not to mention<br />
groundbait, chum and even additives and<br />
attractants, in all sizes and colours of the<br />
rainbow, there is something for pretty<br />
much every species swimming – and for<br />
every angler.<br />
STOCKING UP<br />
While some baits – bread, corn, meat,<br />
prawns and so on – are available from<br />
supermarkets and others can be foraged<br />
naturally – such as worms, crabs, live<br />
prey fish – it is the tackle store where<br />
most people head to purchase their<br />
chosen bait.<br />
This might be maggots or worms,<br />
frozen fish, groundbaits, pellets and the<br />
ubiquitous boilies – which are now in<br />
use for far more species than just carp<br />
– and the latter are available in so many<br />
bewildering colours, flavours, sizes and<br />
shapes it’s hard to know where to even<br />
start.<br />
Indeed, a new boilie or pellet<br />
manufacturer or brand seems to spring<br />
up in Europe, in particular, every week.<br />
Bait is the ultimate consumable, which<br />
is what makes it such a great item to<br />
stock. Anglers buy it, pop it on the hook,<br />
then throw large quantities into their<br />
chosen fishing spot – whether before,<br />
during or after their session.<br />
So, provided they catch on it, they<br />
are more than likely to keep coming<br />
back for more – leaving you with a<br />
high turnover product and the task of<br />
keeping those shelves full of the latest<br />
‘must-have’ products alongside some old<br />
faithfuls.<br />
Of course, what you stock will largely<br />
depend upon your customer base, where<br />
they fish, what type of angling they do<br />
and so on. So knowing your local market<br />
is crucial. Indeed, you should also keep a<br />
check on what baits are catching where<br />
so you can advise customers accordingly.<br />
Their success will keep them returning<br />
and establish you as an expert in the<br />
field.<br />
BAITING UP<br />
If you are planning on selling maggots<br />
then you’ll need to understand the<br />
process and be prepared for some hard<br />
work and early mornings, even if you<br />
find a good supplier.<br />
Keeping them fed, alive and in good<br />
condition, not to mention riddling off<br />
good amounts of casters each day, can be<br />
a challenge.<br />
Thankfully, worms and frozen<br />
fish baits can be bought in regularly<br />
although you will still need refrigerated/<br />
18 www.tackletradeworld.com
SPOTLIGHT ON...<br />
BAIT<br />
freezer units to store them.<br />
So let’s look at a few key<br />
manufactured baits.<br />
Groundbait in all its various forms is<br />
used mainly as an attractant to entice<br />
the fish into your swim where it will<br />
then eat the bait that carries your hook.<br />
The most basic form of groundbait<br />
is simply crumbed up dry bread but<br />
manufacturers nowadays add this to<br />
more expensive blended ingredients,<br />
using it as a carrier for flavours and<br />
additives.<br />
As well as being thrown or ‘balled’<br />
into waters in advance and during<br />
fishing, some groundbaits (and crushed<br />
pellets) can be moulded around weights<br />
for the Method or placed into feeders to<br />
be cast to the required spot.<br />
Some makers keep the exact<br />
ingredients and blends a closely guarded<br />
secret, often adding their own special<br />
additives known only to them.<br />
Boilies are, without doubt one of the<br />
biggest selling bait lines across the UK<br />
and much of mainland Europe.<br />
Once the preserve of carp anglers<br />
everywhere, for their ease of use and<br />
the variety of flavour and colour – not<br />
to mention buoyancy – options, boilies<br />
have also been attracting other species;<br />
specialist offerings for catfish, barbel<br />
and other ‘silver’ fish are also available.<br />
Another bait that has crossed over<br />
from carp circles to mainstream fishing<br />
is the pellet.<br />
Initially used in<br />
aquaculture as a cheap<br />
and easy way to feed<br />
large quantities of fish<br />
in farms, several key<br />
manufacturers began<br />
offering them to the<br />
wider angling brands,<br />
who took them and<br />
added their own unique<br />
twists.<br />
They are so easy to<br />
use and can be utilised<br />
as both feed (thrown in<br />
dry, or wet and moulded<br />
around a feeder) and<br />
hook bait. Again, the range of<br />
flavours, colours, styles and sizes can<br />
seem bewildering but it’s wise to have<br />
a fair mix of these to appeal to all your<br />
customers.<br />
With these and other hard baits such<br />
as boilies have come accessories like<br />
pellet banders, needles and drills, PVA<br />
bags, spods and so much more – another<br />
profitable addition to your burgeoning<br />
shelves.<br />
In the last few years several companies<br />
have also begun making jelly-like<br />
pellets, designed to be hooked easily<br />
and directly. In smaller sizes, these are<br />
finding favour with competition and<br />
pleasure anglers alike.<br />
Amazingly, even though the bait<br />
brands have spent months and<br />
even years refining their products,<br />
many anglers like to think they<br />
have to give themselves an added<br />
edge and look to additives and<br />
extra flavours to boost their baits<br />
even more.<br />
Once again, having a wide range of<br />
these – whether as powders, liquids, gels<br />
or sprays – on display is a real way to<br />
maximise profits. Talk to the sales reps<br />
who call on you – they know what works<br />
well together and which products have the<br />
best margins.<br />
And don’t just stock the big names that<br />
everyone knows. As anglers search for the<br />
edge over their pals, they’ll start looking<br />
for the smaller, more niche or specialist<br />
companies who perhaps do things a little<br />
differently or offer specific options.<br />
Talk to your reps, your local fisheries<br />
and waters and ask the customers<br />
themselves to build a picture of the best<br />
and most lucrative way to navigate the<br />
minefield of bait.<br />
www.tackletradeworld.com<br />
19
SPOTLIGHT ON...<br />
BAIT<br />
BAIT-TECH<br />
PRO NATURAL BREAM & BREAM/DARK<br />
Bait-Tech has used all of its manufacturing experience to<br />
develop Pro Natural for targeting wild fish on natural waters.<br />
Designed for rivers and natural stillwaters, this versatile<br />
sweet range can be used to target all silver fish. The Pro<br />
Natural Range is rich in coconut, molasses and hemp and<br />
will hold feeding fish in your swim for longer.<br />
Pro Natural BREAM is a classic bream mix – packed with<br />
brazem, this easy to mix, sweet blend meets all your feeder<br />
and pole fishing requirements. Pro Natural BREAM/DARK<br />
has the same great ingredients but with a dark natural<br />
pigment for use in cold water, which means it will not wash<br />
out. It’s fine, it’s dark, it’s delicious. Available in 1.5kg bags.<br />
www.bait-tech.com<br />
FISHBITES<br />
FIGHT CLUB GRUB<br />
The Fishbites Fight Club 6in Grub is now available in eight different colours<br />
including the latest Slugger and Pink Shiner. These additions are part of the<br />
continued innovation at Fishbite. Slugger is a green, pink, glittery larger profile<br />
grub perfect for big flounder, large reef fish, bull redfish, and more.<br />
The Pink Shiner has the same bait profile but the perfect balance of pink and<br />
white with a beautiful sheen ready to catch fluke, cobia, halibut, big snapper,<br />
and so much more.<br />
Each utilises Fishbite’s proven no-stink Flavour/Scent technology to infuse<br />
those formulas into a line of irresistible baits.<br />
They come in five shapes and a variety of colours, so there is something for<br />
every fishing style.<br />
fishbites.com<br />
FJUKA<br />
SENSATE POWDER RED<br />
Brand new from exciting bait<br />
brand Fjuka, this Sensate Fish<br />
Accelerant Powder has been<br />
developed with the 9,000<br />
Fjuka Anglers Group, who<br />
tested it and saw catches<br />
rocket.<br />
The red powder coats<br />
maggots perfectly and Fjuka<br />
claims it spreads far more<br />
evenly around groundbait<br />
and paste mixes than liquid<br />
attractants. Underwater it<br />
produces an expanding cloud<br />
of attraction and a vivid red<br />
glow to increase catch rates.<br />
It instantly boosts maggots,<br />
meats, pellets, corn, boilies<br />
or bread, with billions of<br />
quick release attractants in<br />
every pinch, while micronutrients<br />
release taste and<br />
flavour into water. Containing<br />
eight different attractants,<br />
stimulants and taste<br />
enhancers, it’s offered in 100g<br />
bottles.<br />
www.fjuka.shop<br />
DYNAMITE BAITS<br />
PEPPERED SQUID RANGE<br />
This high-quality fishmeal with a peppery twist has been created by blending<br />
high quality fishmeals, milk proteins, powdered peppers, omega-rich seed<br />
meal and cereal meals.<br />
The end result is a highly digestible food bait that carp just can’t seem to<br />
get enough of. Peppered Squid is suitable for all year-round use, because<br />
of its clever formulation and blending of meals but has proved exceptional<br />
particularly in the spring, summer and autumn periods.<br />
Its creation began by taking a tried and tested Dynamite classic – the<br />
renowned Squid & Octopus – then adding a combination of Black Pepper<br />
essential oil, blended fish oils and liver hydrolysate.<br />
Peppered Squid boilies have a firm texture but a surprisingly soft inner,<br />
which allows you to bait with catapult and throwing sticks while resisting<br />
unwanted attention from nuisance species, all whilst still dispersing the<br />
irresistible flavour and attractors from within.<br />
Available in standard 1kg bags, as well as 1.8kg session bags and bulk bags<br />
of 5kg too and in sizes 12, 15, 20 and 26mm, though only the two mid sizes<br />
are available in the larger sized bags, complemented by hook baits, a liquid<br />
attractant and a hook bait dip.<br />
dynamitebaits.com<br />
20 www.tackletradeworld.com
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FEATURE<br />
SPORTFISHING’S<br />
BEST KICK-START<br />
COMES AT ICAST<br />
The ICAST New Product Showcase has the power to propel new products to instant stardom.<br />
Once a year, the migration<br />
happens like clockwork.<br />
On a Tuesday evening in<br />
the middle of summer, the<br />
sun begins to sink behind a glowing,<br />
herculean ferris wheel towering over<br />
Orlando’s International Drive.<br />
At a convention centre nestled between<br />
an interconnected hive of hotel rooms,<br />
an escalator slowly springs to life, and a<br />
steady stream of retail store owners and<br />
outdoor media members descend on to<br />
the ICAST show floor for the first time.<br />
They’re here to experience the world’s<br />
largest sportfishing trade show, one<br />
presented annually by the American<br />
Sportfishing Association.<br />
looKIng AheAd<br />
This is not the official opening of the<br />
22 www.tackletradeworld.com<br />
show; rather, a sneak peek for voters<br />
at the ICAST New Product Showcase<br />
Preview Reception. The honoured guests<br />
are ferried around the outskirts of a stillhidden<br />
show floor obscured by draped<br />
curtains and led over a red carpet to an<br />
area set aside for the brightest stars of<br />
sportfishing’s largest trade show – the<br />
hundreds of new products staged inside<br />
the show’s New Product Showcase.<br />
This floor is where stars are born.<br />
Before most of these products hit retail<br />
shelves or ever reach a consumer, they’re<br />
pitted against a gallery of their peers in<br />
a no-holds-barred showdown of kayak<br />
versus kayak, fishing rod versus fishing<br />
rod, sonar versus sonar and fishing line<br />
versus fishing line.<br />
This year, manufacturers will compete<br />
in 41 categories on the show floor, an all-<br />
time record that opens the door for the<br />
massive spotlight garnered by winning<br />
Overall Best of Show.<br />
That turn of phrase is no hyperbole,<br />
either. From the largest manufacturer<br />
to the smallest, every manufacturer at<br />
ICAST knows the impact of the New<br />
Product Showcase.<br />
SoundIng ouT<br />
In <strong>2024</strong>, few fishing products hog dock<br />
talk the way Garmin Panoptix LiveScope<br />
does. The product, which debuted at<br />
ICAST 2018, is now nearly synonymous<br />
with live imaging sonar in the way<br />
Nintendo was with video games in the<br />
1990s or Kleenex is with tissues.<br />
The real-time sonar is a hot button topic<br />
on fishing podcasts, in fishing magazines<br />
and in the aisles of outdoor stores and
ICAST<br />
FEATURE<br />
claims recent victories in bass fishing’s<br />
biggest events like the Bassmaster Classic<br />
and Redcrest Championship to boot.<br />
But LiveScope’s notoriety began<br />
at ICAST. Before it etched its legacy<br />
alongside the glimmering gold and brass<br />
Bassmaster Classic trophy, LiveScope<br />
notched its very first win at ICAST, riding<br />
into the history books atop a clear, acrylic<br />
award that can carry as much weight<br />
among manufacturers as bass fishing’s<br />
grandest prize.<br />
Turn back the clock to 2018 when<br />
Garmin won its very first ICAST Best of<br />
Show Award and the power of industry<br />
recognition shines through.<br />
“LiveScope has become a signature<br />
product for us,” says Garmin senior<br />
director of marine and RV sales, Dave<br />
Dunn.<br />
“Every angler seems to know<br />
what LiveScope is and every serious<br />
tournament angler seems to want it on<br />
their boat now. But, in 2018, we were just<br />
starting to catch that wave. That was our<br />
very first Best of Show win at ICAST,<br />
and it really signalled that LiveScope was<br />
going to be a huge disruptor in the world<br />
of sportfishing.”<br />
For an international brand like<br />
Garmin, the ICAST New Product<br />
Showcase Awards helped legitimise a<br />
product that took an international team<br />
of engineers nearly a decade to create.<br />
However, start-up manufacturers just<br />
beginning to establish their brands have<br />
also benefited from the same kick-start<br />
provided by ICAST.<br />
PAC-ing a punch<br />
In 2022, first-time ICAST exhibitor<br />
PacBak purchased a 10 ft sq booth just<br />
weeks before the show. Its debut product<br />
– a self-contained portable cooler and<br />
vacuum sealer – outlasted more than<br />
900 other entries in the New Product<br />
Showcase and claimed the title of Best of<br />
Show.<br />
“We were in the prototype phase<br />
in 2022,” says PacBak founder Brian<br />
McKinnon. “Now, we are selling in places<br />
like Scheels and Bass Pro Shops and<br />
Cabela’s. They even had a launch party for<br />
us back home in Alaska. We got featured<br />
in Alaska Business Magazine and sold<br />
over $10,000 in the first day. ICAST<br />
changed everything for us.”<br />
Get involved<br />
The time to register products in the New<br />
Product Showcase is now; and there have<br />
never been more categories in which to<br />
compete.<br />
At ICAST <strong>2024</strong>, the New Product<br />
Showcase is expanding to include 41<br />
categories ranging from marine electronics<br />
and watercraft to fishing rods, lures, apparel<br />
and terminal tackle in both conventional<br />
and fly product spaces. The winner of each<br />
will go on to compete for Best of Show.<br />
“From an editorial perspective, ICAST<br />
is where we harvest a lot of content,” says<br />
Bassmaster Magazine managing editor<br />
James Hall.<br />
“Winning there means something<br />
to a lot of people; I think winning at<br />
ICAST legitimises the equipment or the<br />
product and also illustrates trends in the<br />
marketplace.”<br />
According to American Sportfishing<br />
Association vice-president of trade show &<br />
membership, Blake Swango, manufacturers<br />
often spend years imagining, designing and<br />
creating hundreds of new products that<br />
make their way into the showcase every<br />
year.<br />
And with winners ranging from<br />
internationally-recogised super brands to<br />
first-time exhibitors in their start-up phase,<br />
you never know who is going to come out<br />
on top.<br />
Voting begins at the ICAST New<br />
Product Showcase Preview Reception on<br />
Super Tuesday, followed by the Best of<br />
Category Awards on Wednesday evening<br />
and voting for Overall Best of Show on<br />
Thursday.<br />
Registration for ICAST – scheduled for<br />
July 16th to 19th in Orlando, Florida – is<br />
now open.<br />
And spaces in the <strong>2024</strong> ICAST New<br />
Product Showcase are available now via<br />
ICASTFishing.org<br />
“It’s an event manufacturers don’t want<br />
to miss,” adds Hall.<br />
ICAST<br />
ICASTFishing.org<br />
www.tackletradeworld.com<br />
23
DBW...<br />
BENELUX<br />
BENELUX<br />
D O I N G B U S I N E S S W I T H . . .<br />
Thanks to their low-lying nature and position, Belgium, the Netherlands and<br />
Luxembourg – collectively known as Benelux – have plenty of water to go at for<br />
fishing… which makes these European countries an ideal region to do business with.<br />
Benelux is made<br />
up of three<br />
members of<br />
the European<br />
Union –<br />
Belgium, the<br />
Netherlands<br />
and Luxembourg – and was<br />
originally a customs union<br />
set up in 1947 and which<br />
broadened over the years into<br />
a 1960 treaty confirmed as<br />
the Benelux Economic Union,<br />
but today the term is used as a<br />
generic grouping of the three<br />
countries located in northwestern<br />
Europe.<br />
Bordered by Germany to the<br />
east and France to the south<br />
the region is also known as the<br />
Low Countries because much<br />
of the land is located below or<br />
just slightly above sea level.<br />
As a result, water is never<br />
far away from residents, most<br />
notably in The Netherlands<br />
with its extensive coastline<br />
and network of canals and<br />
waterways, with Belgium’s<br />
coast, rivers and lakes also<br />
ensuring great angling<br />
opportunities. Luxembourg,<br />
meanwhile, also boasts some<br />
great lakes and rivers with<br />
plenty of fish species to target.<br />
With such great prospects,<br />
there is a thriving angling<br />
scene across the region as a<br />
whole, with a wide range of<br />
consumers and retailers eager<br />
to stock great brands covering<br />
many disciplines.<br />
KEY PLACES<br />
You’ll find major European<br />
cities located within the<br />
Benelux countries, including<br />
Amsterdam and Brussels, each<br />
of which have populations<br />
exceeding two million, not to<br />
mention Antwerp and Liege,<br />
Rotterdam and The Hague, and<br />
Luxembourg City and Eschsur-Alzette.<br />
Amsterdam, of course,<br />
has a long association with<br />
the tackle trade, having<br />
24 www.tackletradeworld.com
DBW...<br />
BENELUX<br />
ECONOMY FOCUS<br />
GDP Combined £1.76 trillion<br />
The Netherlands US$1.1 trillion Belgium US$583.4 billion<br />
and Luxembourg US$81.6 billion<br />
Belgium<br />
Top Export Partners:<br />
- Netherlands<br />
- Germany<br />
- France<br />
- USA<br />
- Ireland<br />
Top Import Partners:<br />
- Germany<br />
- France<br />
- Netherlands<br />
- UK<br />
- USA<br />
Netherlands<br />
Top Export Partners:<br />
- Germany<br />
- Belgium<br />
- France<br />
- UK<br />
- USA<br />
Top Import Partners:<br />
- Germany<br />
- Belgium<br />
- China<br />
- USA<br />
- UK<br />
Luxembourg<br />
Top Export Partners:<br />
- Germany<br />
- France<br />
- Belgium<br />
- Netherlands<br />
- Italy<br />
Top Import Partners:<br />
- Belgium<br />
- Germany<br />
- France<br />
- Netherlands<br />
- USA<br />
FACT FILE<br />
Capital: Brussels, Amsterdam, Luxembourg City Population: 29.3 million<br />
President: The presidency of the Benelux is held in turn by the three countries for a<br />
period of one year. Belgium holds the presidency for <strong>2024</strong>.<br />
Official languages: Dutch, French Time zones: GMT+2 Currency: Euro<br />
played host to EFTTEX, the<br />
European Fishing <strong>Tackle</strong> <strong>Trade</strong><br />
Exhibition, a total of 13 times<br />
since 1982.<br />
Brussels, meanwhile, has<br />
hosted EFTTEX three<br />
times so far and is also the<br />
new home for the European<br />
Fishing <strong>Tackle</strong> <strong>Trade</strong><br />
Association (EFTTA), as it<br />
is also where the European<br />
Parliament is situated, allowing<br />
the organisation to easily,<br />
effectively and regularly lobby<br />
on behalf of our sport.<br />
The Low Countries are<br />
highly industrialised with<br />
market economies that are<br />
heavily dependent upon<br />
external trade. Luxembourg is<br />
also an all-round innovative<br />
engineering and technology<br />
base for the non-ferrous<br />
products sector, as well as the<br />
glass and cement industries.<br />
Many companies specialising<br />
in materials have set up major<br />
production plants and highly<br />
sophisticated R&D centres in<br />
Luxembourg.<br />
Plastics, and the<br />
chemical industry, thrive in<br />
Luxembourg’s industrial sector,<br />
with its business environment,<br />
highly qualified workers and<br />
financial incentives<br />
The manufacturing sector<br />
accounts for about one-sixth<br />
of Belgium’s GDP while The<br />
Netherlands is a key European<br />
manufacturing location for<br />
North American companies<br />
– over 450 manufacturing or<br />
assembly operations at the last<br />
count – covering everything<br />
from consumer goods to heavy<br />
industry to technology.<br />
Amsterdam’s Schiphol airport<br />
is a major international hub and<br />
the third busiest in terms of<br />
international passenger traffic,<br />
with around 72 million people<br />
passing through its terminal<br />
each year, not to mention an<br />
average of 1.74 million tons of<br />
cargo per annum.<br />
www.tackletradeworld.com<br />
25
DBW...<br />
BENELUX<br />
Benelux is also home<br />
to some global players in<br />
the tackle trade, including<br />
groundbait giant NV Marcel<br />
Van Den Eynde, which<br />
has been operating out of<br />
Belgium for more than 30<br />
years. <strong>Tackle</strong> name SPRO calls<br />
the Netherlands home and<br />
Shimano has its European<br />
headquarters in the country<br />
too.<br />
Statista also says that one<br />
growth factor has been the<br />
rising popularity of fly fishing<br />
in the area.<br />
NETHERLANDS IN FOCUS<br />
The Netherlands is a real<br />
haven for angling – everywhere<br />
you look there seems to be<br />
water, from the low-lying<br />
coasts and estuaries to the<br />
giant canals and big rivers, not<br />
to mention lakes and ponds<br />
across the country.<br />
You can target everything<br />
from huge pike and perch to<br />
fighting fit carp, vast shoals of<br />
bream and roach, tench and<br />
sea bass, along with a myriad<br />
of other marine fish along its<br />
525km of coastline.<br />
It is estimated there are<br />
actually around 150 different<br />
species you can fish for, here.<br />
Major rivers include the<br />
Maas, Rijn, Waal and Ijssel<br />
alongside big lakes such as<br />
the Ijsselmeer, Markermeer,<br />
Haringvliet and Hollands<br />
Diep.<br />
Although the opportunities<br />
are many and varied, one great<br />
thing about fishing in The<br />
Netherlands is that, generally,<br />
you can do it all with just one<br />
document – the VISpas.<br />
This is the membership<br />
card for angling associations<br />
affiliated with Sportvisserij<br />
Nederland and costs around<br />
€40 a year. This makes angling<br />
extremely accessible in The<br />
Netherlands.<br />
While the most recent<br />
survey of fishing trends in<br />
The Netherlands was back in<br />
2020, Sportvisserij Nederland<br />
– which boasts over 750<br />
affiliated angling associations –<br />
says membership of such clubs<br />
has grown in recent years, from<br />
547,446 in 2019 to 644,885<br />
in 2020 during Covid-19 but<br />
that trend has continued, with<br />
689,610 members documented<br />
in 2023.<br />
That said, much of this<br />
increase is down to visiting<br />
German anglers – the largest<br />
group of foreign visitors to The<br />
Netherlands for recreational<br />
fishing.<br />
In 2020, its 69,443 VISpas<br />
holders represented 83 per cent<br />
of the registered non-Dutch<br />
anglers. Other visiting anglers<br />
hail mainly from neighbouring<br />
Belgium and from France.<br />
According to the last survey,<br />
over 1.7 million Dutch people<br />
went fishing in their own<br />
country on inland waterways<br />
or at sea in 2020, which<br />
amounts to around 10 per cent<br />
of the total population – that<br />
was up from 1.1 million in<br />
2017. The majority were men<br />
but there was a noticeable<br />
upturn in the numbers of<br />
women, to approximately<br />
470,000.<br />
There was also a strong rise<br />
in participating children up<br />
to 15 years old, to 330,000 in<br />
2020.<br />
The same survey also<br />
revealed that angling’s total<br />
economic contribution to the<br />
Dutch economy was around €1<br />
billion in 2020, making it an<br />
important activity.<br />
Anglers spent around €672<br />
that year on fishing and<br />
gear and an average €57 per<br />
trip. Dozens of wholesalers,<br />
hundreds of angling stores<br />
as well as various boat hire<br />
companies, professional<br />
guides, travel agencies and<br />
accommodation centres<br />
depend entirely or partly on<br />
angling.<br />
TRADE VALUE<br />
According to Germany-based<br />
global data and business<br />
intelligence platform Statista,<br />
revenue for the current year<br />
for the fishing tackle market<br />
across Benelux is around $134<br />
million and the organisation<br />
says it expects to see annual<br />
growth of around 2.7 per cent<br />
through to 2028.<br />
That means, taking into<br />
account the region’s total<br />
population, the revenue from<br />
tackle generated per person<br />
in Benelux is in the order of<br />
$4.47.<br />
26 www.tackletradeworld.com
DBW...<br />
BENELUX<br />
BELGIUM IN FOCUS<br />
Like The Netherlands, there is<br />
a huge interest in – and plenty<br />
of opportunities and venues<br />
for – fishing in Belgium, from<br />
the coast to natural waters<br />
including rivers, alongside<br />
commercially stocked lakes.<br />
Expect to target most<br />
European sea fish from the<br />
beaches, piers and off boats,<br />
including charters from places<br />
like Ostend, while inland you<br />
will find carp, bream, tench,<br />
roach, perch and more.<br />
There is also some fly<br />
fishing for trout and grayling<br />
on some of the rivers and in<br />
some lakes; so there really is<br />
something for everyone.<br />
The region is generally<br />
split in two – Flanders and<br />
Wallonia – and each has<br />
different rules, so it’s advisable<br />
to check before you go.<br />
There are also two classes of<br />
fishing water in the country.<br />
Closed waters do not link<br />
with any running water and<br />
there are far fewer restrictions<br />
on fishing these venues,<br />
although bear in mind some<br />
will be private.<br />
Running waters which<br />
are navigable are considered<br />
public property so the right to<br />
fish belongs to the state, while<br />
non-navigable waters tend to<br />
belong to individual owners or<br />
fishing clubs.<br />
If you want to fish any<br />
running water in Belgium<br />
then you’ll need a state<br />
licence or permit; while nonnavigable<br />
waters will require<br />
the owner’s or rights holder’s<br />
permission.<br />
There are two types of<br />
licence for freshwater – one<br />
allowing fishing from the<br />
bank only and the other also<br />
covering angling from a boat,<br />
pier or wading.<br />
Both can be obtained from<br />
post offices and from some<br />
tourist information offices<br />
and can be renewed online via<br />
some angling associations.<br />
Children under 14 can<br />
fish without a permit on<br />
weekends, public and school<br />
holidays, provided an adult<br />
with a permit accompanies<br />
them.<br />
Sea fishing does not require<br />
a permit but in high season<br />
some beaches will set aside<br />
specific areas for anglers.<br />
Coastal fishing is very<br />
popular around Nieuwpoort<br />
and Blankenberge. Fishing<br />
is also allowed on the<br />
Blankenberge canal with a<br />
permit. Expect to catch cod,<br />
herring, haddock, plaice, sole<br />
and rays.<br />
Inland anglers are most<br />
likely to catch barbel, brown<br />
trout, chub, hotu, grayling and<br />
dace. Less commonly, anglers<br />
may find perch and pike. In<br />
certain areas there are rainbow<br />
trout, American brook trout<br />
and even black bass.<br />
The Ardennes region has<br />
a good reputation for some<br />
of the best-stocked rivers,<br />
with the Ourthe a particular<br />
favourite.<br />
Figures for the value of the<br />
tackle market in Belgium are<br />
scarce but Statista reports that<br />
the sport will generate around<br />
€53m this year, with an<br />
annual growth rate prediction<br />
of just under three per cent.<br />
LUXEMBOURG IN FOCUS<br />
Home to many huge carp up to 34kg, fishing in Luxembourg is<br />
very popular and is mostly practised as a recreational activity.<br />
With plenty of trout in its many lakes and rivers along with<br />
pike, zander, eel, carp and many other types of fish – grayling, char,<br />
roach and barbel – Luxembourg is a paradise for anglers. Its rivers<br />
include the Moselle, Sûre and Our.<br />
www.tackletradeworld.com<br />
27
FEATURE<br />
Plastilys<br />
PLASTILYS<br />
SIEVES<br />
SEPARATE<br />
GOOD FROM<br />
BAD<br />
Plastilys, the France-based specialist<br />
manufacturer of plastic fishing tackle,<br />
has announced its new range of sieves.<br />
for OEM requests. Using existing<br />
shapes, Plastilys also offers many other<br />
customisable products to accompany its<br />
buckets, such as bowls, lids and more.<br />
By using standard shapes and capacities,<br />
most fixed costs are avoided.<br />
With a modern 4,600 sq m European<br />
factory, 20 injection moulding machines<br />
with robots and a large stock, Plastilys<br />
is able to respond quickly from<br />
stock to most requests, or to<br />
manufacture in a few weeks<br />
with specific colours,<br />
thanks to its fleet of<br />
machines.<br />
Other products include<br />
lure boxes, bait boxes,<br />
livebait buckets and a wide<br />
range of accessories.<br />
The company also<br />
manufactures several million<br />
made-to-measure plastic spools for<br />
many spooling companies.<br />
Respect for the environment and<br />
European regulations is also at the<br />
heart of the company, which has over 20<br />
years’ experience in using recycled and<br />
recyclable plastics.<br />
Compliance with European standards<br />
such as REACH or food standards is also<br />
a matter of course, as is respect for the<br />
strictest confidentiality in all new projects<br />
submitted by its customers.<br />
PLASTILYS<br />
export@plastilys.com<br />
www.plastilys.fr<br />
The latest sieves from Plastilys<br />
feature an innovative design<br />
based on a thick, perforated,<br />
hexagonal grid, which is much<br />
stronger than existing wire sieves on the<br />
market.<br />
They are made from high-quality<br />
materials, with galvanised steel and an<br />
additional anti-corrosion coating. The<br />
outer shell is made from a thick, impactresistant<br />
plastic made from recycled<br />
plastic.<br />
They are available in four sizes with<br />
two mesh diameters and are specifically<br />
designed to fit the Plastilys range of<br />
buckets, as well as most groundbait<br />
buckets on the market.<br />
SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE<br />
Plastilys’ groundbaits buckets are<br />
the French manufacturer’s best<br />
sellers and are available in four sizes:<br />
13l,18l, 25l and 40l.<br />
With its modern, efficient factory,<br />
the firm is particularly popular<br />
28 www.tackletradeworld.com
Classifieds<br />
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RIGS !!!!<br />
TO BOOK THIS SPACE CONTACT:<br />
NORTH AMERICA<br />
BART MANGANIELLO<br />
T: +1 914 722 7601<br />
E: bartalm@optonline.net<br />
REST of WORLD<br />
GUIDO KNEGT<br />
T: +39 347 503 6436<br />
E: guido.knegt@dhpub.co.uk<br />
COMING UP…<br />
AUGUST <strong>2024</strong><br />
Ad Copy: <strong>June</strong> 21st, <strong>2024</strong><br />
Mailed: July 10th, <strong>2024</strong><br />
Special issue: Predator fishing<br />
Spotlight: Hooks<br />
Doing Business With: MIddle East<br />
SEPTEMBER <strong>2024</strong><br />
Ad Copy: July 19th, <strong>2024</strong><br />
Mailed: August 7th, <strong>2024</strong><br />
Special issue: Predator fishing<br />
Spotlight: ICAST & EFTTEX Reviews<br />
Doing Business With: Central America<br />
OCTOBER <strong>2024</strong><br />
Ad Copy: August 16th, <strong>2024</strong><br />
Mailed: September 4th, <strong>2024</strong><br />
Special issue: Destination fishing/<br />
Confluence preview<br />
Spotlight: Line<br />
Doing Business With: Eastern Europe<br />
To submit news or editorial for<br />
any of these issues, contact:<br />
To advertise or discuss a marketing campaign in any of these editions,<br />
contact our business development team:<br />
EDITOR<br />
JOHN HUNTER<br />
T: + 44 (0)7990 542958<br />
E: john.hunter@dhpub.co.uk<br />
NORTH AMERICA<br />
BART MANGANIELLO<br />
T: +1 914 722 7601<br />
E: bartalm@optonline.net<br />
REST of WORLD<br />
GUIDO KNEGT<br />
T: +39 347 503 6436<br />
E: guido.knegt@dhpub.co.uk
PENGHU, CHINA HOLDS THE 9TH DAIWA CUP<br />
ROCK FISHING INVITATIONAL TOURNAMENT<br />
The 9th Daiwa Cup Rock Fishing Invitational<br />
Tournament will be held from March 22nd to<br />
24th on 4 islands and reefs including Gupo Island,<br />
Quzhao Island, Da Maosi Island, and Xiao Da<br />
Maosi Island in Penghu, Taiwan. On the 22nd<br />
and 23rd, 2 All catches caught by Tiansuo will be<br />
donated to the Catholic Huimin Enlightenment<br />
Center and the Penghu Home for the Elderly of the<br />
Ministry of Health and Welfare. The catch on the<br />
24th will be released back into the sea.<br />
This event lasted for 3 days. On the first day, 24<br />
players were eliminated from the 96 players. On<br />
the second day, the top 8 players were selected<br />
from the 72 players. On the last day of the 24th,<br />
the championship ranking competition was held.<br />
On the first day of the competition on the 22nd,<br />
a huge fish appeared. One player caught a large<br />
golden pomfret weighing 3 kilograms. Because of<br />
the amazing pulling force, it took more than 20<br />
minutes to pull the fish ashore.<br />
The organizer of the Magong City Office stated that<br />
the Japanese company Daiwa's fishing tackle and<br />
peripheral products are currently ranked number<br />
one in the world. Registration for the annual Daiwa<br />
Cup Rock Fishing Invitational Tournament is<br />
quickly filled up. Since the first session in 2015,<br />
the champion has stayed in Penghu; in 2018, the<br />
scale of the competition was expanded, and the<br />
group preliminary and semi-finals were held on<br />
the mainland of Taiwan. During this period, the<br />
competition was also suspended due to the epidemic.<br />
The Municipal Office thanks Daiwa Company for its special preference for Penghu fish farm. It has chosen<br />
Penghu as the venue for the finals over the years, and invited Shen Wencheng, a well-known artist who loves<br />
fishing, to participate every year, which greatly enhances the visibility of the event. It combines Penghu’s<br />
local resources to help promote it. Winter tourism and marketing; the only fly in the ointment this year is<br />
that Shen Wencheng was unable to resist the endorsement due to his schedule, and Magong Mayor Huang<br />
Jianzhong was also unable to attend due to important matters.<br />
The Municipal Office wholeheartedly welcomes the 96 contestants and their families participating in this<br />
year’s competition. Penghu is a beautiful island surrounded by the sea. It has many fishing grounds.<br />
Affected by the Kuroshio and ocean currents, the coastline is everywhere, providing excellent fishing<br />
grounds for fishing friends. Fishing places and unique natural conditions are the favorite and best choice for<br />
fishing friends.<br />
The Municipal Office pointed out that the specifications of the Daiwa Cup Rock Fishing Competition have<br />
always been recognized by fishing friends as the most challenging competition system. We thank Daiwa<br />
Company for holding the rock fishing competition in Penghu every year. We also hope that the contestants<br />
will pay attention to safety during the three-day competition and enjoy Penghu to the fullest. In addition to<br />
the strong sea breeze, you can return home with a full load. Players are also welcome to invite friends and<br />
team up to Penghu to practice their skills.
CRAA CHIEF TALKS ABOUT REGULATING<br />
FISHING IN PROHIBITED WATERS OF THE<br />
YANGTZE RIVER<br />
Since the ten-year fishing ban on the Yangtze River was implemented, various places along the river have<br />
taken some measures to regulate fishing behavior. The recently issued "Opinions of the General Office of<br />
the State Council on Unswervingly Promoting the Ten-Year Ban on Fishing in the Yangtze River" also<br />
puts forward requirements for regulating fishing in the Yangtze River's closed waters. Why should fishing<br />
behavior be regulated? What management measures will be taken? A reporter from China Farmers Daily<br />
interviewed the person in charge of CRAA on related issues.<br />
Reporter: Some netizens believe that fishing is leisure and entertainment and will not affect the fish<br />
resources of the Yangtze River. May I ask why it is necessary to regulate fishing behavior in the Yangtze<br />
River’s prohibited waters?<br />
Answer: Traditional fishing is a way of leisure for people, with the main purpose of pleasing the body and<br />
mind. The hooks are small, the bait is harmless, and it will not cause damage to fish resources. We support<br />
and advocate this kind of fishing. In recent years, with the deepening of the Yangtze River fishing ban,<br />
fish resources have continued to recover. However, some people's fishing behavior has become "out of<br />
shape" and has become a main purpose of obtaining profits, using the expressly prohibited rolling hook<br />
and rake. Fishing gear, poisonous and harmful baits, etc. are a barbaric plunder of fish resources. Some<br />
people also illegally trade their catches in markets and restaurants. In fact, they are fishing illegally in the<br />
name of recreational fishing. For example, the "Loach Party" uses drugged loaches to build nests to gather<br />
fish, specializing in fishing for predatory fish such as cockroaches; visual anchor fishing uses specialized<br />
underwater cameras, fish finders and large anchor hooks to specifically catch fish. Fishing for large fish; sea<br />
pole array, which means a person uses multiple or even dozens of fishing rods for fishing at the same time,<br />
etc. These are all violations and obviously go beyond the original intention of "recreational fishing", which<br />
is productive and resource-intensive It is destructive and is generally opposed and hated by the majority of<br />
fishing friends. Taking into account the protection of fish resources in the Yangtze River and the public's<br />
demand for recreational fishing, it is necessary to remove blockages and strengthen fishing management,<br />
severely crack down on the use or disguised use of fishing for illegal fishing production, and ensure that<br />
fishing returns to its original positioning of "leisure and entertainment".<br />
Reporter: What management measures will be taken next to regulate fishing behavior in the Yangtze<br />
River’s prohibited waters? How to protect fish resources while preventing additional barriers or obstacles<br />
for recreational fishing enthusiasts?<br />
Answer: First of all, it must be clear that fishing behavior is regulated only in prohibited waters. If people<br />
fish in non-prohibited waters, there are currently no normative requirements.<br />
In terms of specific management methods, the first is to delineate fishing areas. The second is to standardize<br />
fishing gear and fishing methods. The third is to improve management methods.
SHIMANO CUP ROCK FISHING COMPETITION<br />
IN PENGHU, CHINA<br />
The SHIMANO Cup China Penghu Rock Fishing<br />
Competition has entered its 23rd year this year.<br />
This competition was held on April 13th and 14th<br />
on Gupo Island, Quzhao Island and Nunnv Island.<br />
There were 85 rock fishermen from various counties<br />
and cities across the country. Experts participated<br />
enthusiastically. In order to promote friendly fishing<br />
leisure activities and promote the rock fishing sport<br />
among Chinese people, the organizer, Sanstar<br />
Enterprises, specially cooperated with the Magong<br />
City Office, and all the catches caught by the<br />
contestants were donated to charity organizations.<br />
When the competition whistle sounded, each<br />
contestant held a fishing rod in his hand, threw out<br />
the bait A, held his breath and focused on the moving<br />
buoy on the sea surface, waiting for the moment when<br />
the buoy sank, raised the rod, reeled in the line, and<br />
picked up the fish, in order to win. The title is given a<br />
shot.<br />
This year's entries are rich in prizes. The top four will<br />
receive a championship, runner-up, third and third<br />
place trophies and high-end gifts; the fifth to tenth<br />
places will also receive exquisite gifts; black-haired and<br />
white-haired big-tail prizes, porgytail big-tail prizes<br />
and parrot fish. One winner each from HKUST. The<br />
final champion will receive a set of SHIMANO's topnotch<br />
reels worth 20,000 yuan.<br />
Chairman Zhou Zehong said that the outer reefs<br />
of Penghu are rich in ecology, with all kinds of fish<br />
species including white hair, black hair, parrot song,<br />
stink belly, etc., allowing contestants to display their<br />
skills and fish with poles to their heart's content to<br />
strive for the best results. We would like to express our<br />
special thanks to the Penghu County Government<br />
and Magong City Office for their assistance in<br />
promoting rock fishing activities. The catches caught<br />
by the contestants will be donated to Penghu Home<br />
for the Elderly and other units, which will promote a<br />
good culture of corporate giving back to the local area<br />
and helping the disadvantaged.
<strong>2024</strong> CHINA·XIANJU’S FIRST RAFT<br />
FISHING CHAMPIONSHIP HELD<br />
From March 29th to 31st, the <strong>2024</strong> China Xianju First "Xian'an Cup" Raft Fishing Championship guided by<br />
CRAA was held at Xianju Xia'an Reservoir.<br />
The <strong>2024</strong> China Xianju First "Xian'an Cup" Raft Fishing Championship is a CRAA Category II event, with<br />
200 fishing friends from 22 provinces, cities and regions including Beijing, Shanghai, Chongqing, Sichuan,<br />
Guizhou, Hainan, Yunnan and Shaanxi. During the two days from March 30th to 31st, they swung their<br />
poles gracefully, showed off their skills, competed for hand speed, skills, and endurance, raced against<br />
time, and played games with fish, presenting everyone with an intense and intense game. , an unforgettable<br />
competitive feast.<br />
After a fierce competition, fishing friend Lin Xiaolin from Wenzhou won the championship, the largest<br />
single tail prize and the Laoji Fufeng Award; fishing friend Shen Yong from Wenzhou won the runner-up;<br />
fishing friend Jin from Beijing Yiying won the third runner-up and the Heroine Award in this competition.<br />
In recent years, relying on its unique resource endowments, Xianju County has vigorously developed its<br />
event economy and gained many honors. The Lower Bank Reservoir in Qiushan Township has beautiful<br />
ecology, beautiful scenery, abundant products, and developed fisheries. It has unique ecological advantages<br />
and provides innate conditions for fishing events.
MAKING<br />
CONTACT<br />
Making Contact<br />
1<br />
2<br />
3<br />
Want your products to<br />
be seen by thousands of<br />
potential buyers… FREE of<br />
charge? Then get in touch,<br />
we’d love to hear from you.<br />
JOHN HUNTER<br />
+44 7990 542958<br />
john.hunter@dhpub.co.uk<br />
Contact John directly for details of<br />
how to send your product and a<br />
short description to <strong>Tackle</strong> <strong>Trade</strong><br />
<strong>World</strong>’s office.<br />
1 COSTA<br />
WHITETIP PRO GLASSES<br />
The manufacturer of the first<br />
colour-enhancing, all-polarised<br />
glass sunglass lens has redesigned<br />
a legacy favourite with the launch<br />
of Whitetip PRO.<br />
The PRO features a more<br />
modern design with added<br />
performance features. It keeps<br />
the same proportions, coming<br />
in as the smallest PRO model,<br />
while adding updated aesthetic<br />
and performance features for<br />
the modern angler. These include<br />
six updated technical features to<br />
keep your frames locked in place<br />
when the water gets rough, reduce<br />
fogging to keep your vision clear<br />
and redirect sweat so you can<br />
focus on what’s most important –<br />
catching fish.<br />
Costasunglasses.com<br />
2 UNI PRODUCTS<br />
UNI-MOHAIR (2-PLIES) CAMEL<br />
The long mohair fibres do not<br />
absorb water while the 29 colours<br />
make it possible to create the<br />
perfect body.<br />
Choose from Beige, Black,<br />
Brown, Camel, Charcoal, Cream,<br />
Dark Brown, Dark Olive, Fl Green,<br />
Fl. Orange, Fl Red, Fuchsia, Golden<br />
Brown, Gold, Green Highlander,<br />
Gray, Kelly Green, Light Blue, Light<br />
Cahill, Light Gray, Maroon, Olive,<br />
Orange, Purple, Red, Rusty Brown,<br />
Tan, White and Wine.<br />
Making realistic dubbed bodies<br />
in a single step or combing out a<br />
few fibres at the back to simulate<br />
a trailing shuck are just two of<br />
the many possible uses. In regular<br />
single-colour packaging, also<br />
available in a combo package of<br />
20 spools.<br />
www.uniproducts.com<br />
3 DR SLICK<br />
CYCLONE NIPPERS, BLACK<br />
Now available in black are these<br />
cutting-edge nippers designed for<br />
new-age tippet materials. Supersharp<br />
tungsten carbide blades are<br />
mounted on a lightweight 6061-T6<br />
anodised aluminium frame, making<br />
short work of pretty much every<br />
tippet material, from braid to 20lb<br />
coated wire.<br />
Available in straight or offset<br />
cutting face, both units come with<br />
replacement cutters, screws, hex<br />
key and a steel retention ring.<br />
www.drslick.com<br />
34 www.tackletradeworld.com
MAKING<br />
CONTACT<br />
4<br />
5<br />
6<br />
7<br />
4 DAIWA<br />
STEEZ SV REEL<br />
5 MTM CASE-GARD<br />
ICE FISHING ROD BOX<br />
6 MUSTAD<br />
APEX DROPSHOT HOOK<br />
7 ST CROIX<br />
PHYSYX RODS<br />
The Steez SV includes a<br />
redesigned T-Wing System (TWS)<br />
for less resistance on the cast,<br />
meaning more distance, while<br />
moving the 90mm swept handle<br />
closer to the reel results in a<br />
shorter torque on the gears and<br />
bearings, providing smoother,<br />
more durable operation.<br />
Key features bearing Daiwa’s<br />
exclusive Hyperdrive name include<br />
a distortion-proof Armed Housing,<br />
Digigear to transfer more power,<br />
Double Support for a better and<br />
more even powered transmission<br />
from the handle via a ball bearing<br />
on both sides of the pinion gear<br />
plus a Tough Clutch, which has<br />
been optimised to remain safely in<br />
position, even on hard casts.<br />
www.daiwa.us<br />
This Ice Fishing Rod Box is the<br />
perfect way to make sure your<br />
short rods are protected and ready<br />
to go next year.<br />
Made of rugged, crush-resistant<br />
molded polymer, the box is<br />
designed to hold up to eight<br />
rods. Notched foam padding in<br />
each case half holds four rods in<br />
one half of the case and four in<br />
the other. Integrated accessory<br />
compartments are perfect for<br />
stowing smaller items as well as<br />
the two included accessory boxes.<br />
Steel hinge pins combine with<br />
dual lid latches to keep contents<br />
secure while the moulded-in<br />
carry handle makes transporting a<br />
breeze. Measures 36x10.2x5.2in.<br />
MTMCase-Gard.com<br />
In freshwater fishing, few light<br />
tackle techniques can replicate<br />
natural forage as effectively as<br />
a dropshot rig. The deception is<br />
subtle and sceptical predators are<br />
ultimately vulnerable<br />
Tied directly to the leader at<br />
its midpoint, the Apex Dropshot<br />
Hook 10559AP is offered in sizes<br />
ranging from 6 to 2/0, featuring<br />
a turned-up eye that enables the<br />
lure to rest at a 90-degree angle<br />
from the line.<br />
The fine wire construction<br />
reduces the risk of bass detecting<br />
the hook, while the sharp<br />
needlepoint enhances the<br />
probability of hook-ups on subtle<br />
bites.<br />
mustad-fishing.com<br />
Conceived in science and born from<br />
75 years of passionate experience<br />
St. Croix’s Physyx series exists to<br />
elevate the angling experience by<br />
promoting and advancing angler<br />
control in every physical action.<br />
Each rod boasts SCIV+ carbon<br />
fibre blanks for balance, light<br />
weight, strength and sensitivity,<br />
moulded carbon fibre TRIGON<br />
handles for comfort and control,<br />
Dynamix reel seats to produce the<br />
ultimate angler interface, a rear<br />
trigger, titanium guides, and hightactile<br />
TPU grip lines.<br />
There are 25 models in all,<br />
covering all your baitcasting and<br />
spinning needs, all backed by a 15-<br />
year warranty.<br />
stcroixrods.com<br />
www.tackletradeworld.com<br />
35
FEATURE<br />
Mustad<br />
THE LATEST IN<br />
NORWEGAIN<br />
HOOK<br />
INNOVATION<br />
Mustad’s heritage in innovation has led to yet another<br />
industry-first in cutting-edge hook-manufacturing<br />
machinery, designed to maximise wire strength and<br />
minimise fish loss. This is Ultra-Nor…<br />
Wuxi factory<br />
Wire pull testing<br />
Wire forging effectively<br />
improves hook pull<br />
strength without<br />
increasing the overall wire<br />
diameter and weight of the hook.<br />
Under standard forging techniques,<br />
fishing hook wire is pressed at the shank<br />
to elongate the wire in-line with the<br />
pull direction. Strength manifests from<br />
this change in diameter where it matters<br />
most and significantly decreases hooks<br />
bending.<br />
Mustad employs rigorous testing to<br />
learn and improve upon fishing hook<br />
development technologies.<br />
“Saltwater angling applications are<br />
our bread and butter,” explained Enrico<br />
Parmeggiani, head of global product<br />
development at Mustad.<br />
“So innovating in demanding offshore<br />
fishing techniques is necessary. We pride<br />
ourselves on a team of engineers that has<br />
put years of development and testing into<br />
this game-changing technology.”<br />
THE ‘ULTRA’ HOOK<br />
Clever engineering from the Mustad<br />
development team has created a new wire<br />
forging process unmatched in the fishing<br />
industry.<br />
Mustad’s proprietary, patented Ultra-<br />
36 www.tackletradeworld.com<br />
Nor forging technology presses the<br />
wire at all sides, compressing it into an<br />
“I-Beam” shape so that no material can<br />
escape or expand during the process.<br />
This compression changes the<br />
dynamics of the high carbon steel,<br />
utilising the slow tempering process<br />
that Mustad uses to improve strength to<br />
bolster the holding capacity beyond the<br />
competition.<br />
Compared to standard forging<br />
techniques, Ultra-Nor improves pull<br />
strength by up to 15 per cent for the same<br />
wire gauge; a huge advantage in a sport<br />
where the margins between you and a<br />
catch of the lifetime are thin.<br />
GOING GLOBAL<br />
“Ultra-Nor forging technology will be<br />
introduced to many of our legendary<br />
hook shapes loved worldwide,” added<br />
Enrico. “We’ve also refreshed an iconic<br />
Mustad hook that tuna anglers will be<br />
thrilled to welcome into the range.”<br />
Mustad has selected from its range<br />
several series of hooks that excel at<br />
catching and releasing beasts from the<br />
saltiest of seas.<br />
From bait hooks to lure hooks, the new<br />
Ultra-Nor forged hooks series will catch<br />
the eye of any serious offshore fisherman.<br />
Raw steel wire<br />
To match the strength of Ultra-Nor<br />
forging, Mustad’s latest saltwater hooks<br />
have been coated with Titan Steel finish.<br />
The nano-thin finish holds up to over<br />
500 hours of saltwater corrosion, second<br />
only to stainless steel.<br />
“Testing these hooks has proven their<br />
success in satisfying demanding anglers,”<br />
Enricon concluded. “Ultra-Nor forging<br />
technology is already finding applications<br />
on a significant hook range expansion in<br />
the seasons to come.”<br />
Products featuring Ultra-Nor will be<br />
unveiled at ICAST <strong>2024</strong>.<br />
MUSTAD<br />
www.mustad-fishing.com
With decades of experience in the fishing<br />
industry, Foundation Outdoor Group is<br />
dedicated to understanding your business.<br />
From product development to distribution<br />
solutions, we provide solutions and services that<br />
help fishing rod businesses grow.<br />
FoundationOutdoorGroup.com Call Today: (800) 516-1750
FEATURE<br />
Marketing<br />
SHOWING UP AT A<br />
TRADE EVENT<br />
It’s the start of trade show season and, while there are fewer in the angling calendar<br />
globally than usual, exhibiting at one can reap rich rewards. With ICAST <strong>2024</strong> just around the<br />
corner, here are a few ideas to maximise your presence.<br />
There’s no doubt<br />
that exhibiting at<br />
a trade show can<br />
be an excellent way<br />
to showcase your products or<br />
services, network with potential<br />
clients and partners and increase<br />
brand visibility.<br />
But you need to ensure you<br />
have planned ahead correctly.<br />
Simply turning up on your booth<br />
with a handful of products or<br />
a few leaflets may seem like an<br />
easy way to go about it but you’ll<br />
miss out on so much business if<br />
you haven’t prepared adequately.<br />
BE SPECIFIC<br />
The first job is to ensure you set<br />
clear goals for your attendance.<br />
Determine what you want to<br />
achieve by exhibiting at the trade<br />
show. Whether it’s generating<br />
leads, making sales or increasing<br />
brand awareness, having clear<br />
objectives will guide your efforts.<br />
It may sound obvious but<br />
choosing the right trade show is<br />
also crucial. Research different<br />
trade shows in your industry<br />
– not difficult this year with<br />
ICAST in Orlando being the<br />
flagship event but there will be<br />
more in 2025 – to find the ones<br />
that attract your target audience<br />
and align with your goals and<br />
budget.<br />
LOOK AND FEEL<br />
Hopefully, by now, you have<br />
worked out the design for an<br />
eye-catching stand or booth.<br />
It should stand out from the<br />
crowd as it’s essential to attract<br />
attendees’ attention – there will<br />
doubtless be plenty of other<br />
exhibitors vying for visitors’ time<br />
too. Use high-quality graphics,<br />
signage and branding materials<br />
to create a visually appealing<br />
display.<br />
It’s also a good idea to<br />
prepare engaging marketing<br />
materials. Develop brochures,<br />
flyers, business cards, and other<br />
promotional materials that<br />
effectively communicate your<br />
message and offerings.<br />
Ensure your team is welltrained<br />
and knowledgeable<br />
about your products or services;<br />
whether they are members of<br />
staff or volunteers, friends or<br />
family.<br />
They should be able to engage<br />
with attendees, answer questions<br />
and effectively communicate<br />
your value proposition.<br />
BEFORE AND AFTER<br />
One of the factors many<br />
exhibitors forget, as they get<br />
caught up in all the show<br />
preparation, is to promote their<br />
participation.<br />
Use social media, email<br />
marketing and other channels<br />
to let your audience know that<br />
you’ll be exhibiting at the trade<br />
show and create expectations<br />
of what they will see when they<br />
visit you. Offer incentives for<br />
attendees to visit your booth,<br />
such as exclusive discounts or<br />
giveaways and try and get them<br />
to commit to appointments.<br />
If they have booked a time slot<br />
with you, they are more likely to<br />
show up and spend quality time<br />
with you or your team.<br />
Once the event is over, make<br />
sure you follow up. Collect<br />
contact information from leads<br />
you meet at the trade show and<br />
get in touch with them promptly.<br />
Personalised follow-up emails or<br />
calls can help nurture these leads<br />
and convert them into customers.<br />
When you get back home or<br />
back to your office, remember to<br />
assess your performance against<br />
your goals. Analyse what worked<br />
well and what could be improved<br />
for future events.<br />
Remember that trade shows<br />
can be competitive (and<br />
expensive), so it’s essential to<br />
plan and execute your strategy<br />
effectively to maximise your<br />
return on investment.<br />
Hunter Media<br />
john@hunter-media.co.uk<br />
www.huntermedia.co.uk<br />
38 www.tackletradeworld.com
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