Tackle Trade World - May 2023

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www.tackletradeworld.com 

THE JUMBO STATE 

Get the most from your 

business with Texas, USA. 

PAGE 26 

A LURE LEGEND 

We hook up with Sea 

Falcon CEO Tetsuo Itou for 

a brand lowdown. PAGE 32 

AUSTRALIAN TACKLE 

TRADE WORTH A$11BN 

TO ECONOMY 

The true value of 

recreational fishing 

to the Australian 

economy has been revealed in 

a landmark report – detailing 

its A$11 billon worth and the 

fact that it accounts for around 

100,000 jobs. 

The National Social 

and Economic Survey 

of Recreational Fishers, 

jointly conducted by the 

Australian Bureau of 

Agricultural and Resource 

Economics and Sciences 

(ABARES), the University of 

Canberra and the Australian 

Recreational Fishing 

Foundation, is the first national 

survey of its type in over 20 

years. 

It also details the role the 

sport plays in conservation 

and, most importantly, how it 

contributes to society in terms 

of wellbeing. 

ABARES executive director, 

Dr Jared Greenville, explained 

that the survey provides a 

contemporary picture of 

recreational fishing in Australia, 

including information on 

participation rates, as well its 

role in both the economy and 

society at large. 

“A total of 4.2 million – or 

one in five adult Australians – 

were estimated to participate in 

recreational fishing each year. 

The number of recreational 

fishers has increased since 

2000 as the population has 

also increased, however the 

proportion of fishers has 

remained relatively stable 

overall.” 

He continued: “Australians 

were estimated to spend 28 

million days fishing each year. 

While most recreational fishers 

fish fewer than five days a year, a 

small proportion fish more than 

52 days a year. 

“Recreational fishers were 

found to have, on average, 

higher levels of wellbeing than 

non-fishers, and those who 

fish more often have higher 

wellbeing. Recreational fishing 

appeared to support positive 

social connections, nature 

connection, relaxation and can 

help achieve recommended 

levels of physical activity. 

“The survey results also 

showed that most Australians 

have a positive outlook on 

recreational fishing, with 79 

• Continued on page 8 

S E N T T O M O R E T H A N 1 8 , 5 0 0 T A C K L E I N D U S T R Y 

PROFESSIONALS IN OVER 120 COUNTRIES EVERY MONTH

MAY 

2023 

04 

TackleTrade 


EDITORIAL 

Editor: 

John Hunter 

+44 7990 542958 

john.hunter@dhpub.co.uk 

A journalist all his life and with 20-plus years 

of international business magazine experience, 

John was the founding editor of TTW and has 

now returned to the helm. He has helped 

many brands launch and grow over the years 

through B2B publications and via his own 

consultancy business. 

Co-Editor: 

David Haynes 

+44 7766 263908 

david.haynes@dhpub.co.uk 

A lifelong angler, David has tried his hand 

at most types of fishing and is a great 

accumulator of tackle and now focuses on 

competition fishing. Having worked at DHP for 

the last 18 years on every title in the company’s 

portfolio, he brings a wealth of knowledge and 

experience to the editorial team. 

ADVERTISING 

North America: 

Bart Manganiello 

+1 914 722 7601 

bartalm@optonline.net 

For over 38 years, Bart has been working with 

trade magazines, 34 in the tackle industry. 

Since 2001, he has been TTW’s North American 

Director, providing the best communication 

programs to companies, helping them connect 

with current and prospective trade partners 

around the world. 

Rest Of The World: 

Guido Knegt 

+39 3475036436 

guido.knegt@dhpub.co.uk 

A born and bred Dutchman, he spent five 

years travelling the world as a scuba-diving 

instructor and English teacher before settling 

down in Sardinia. Guido previously worked for 

TTW between 2014 and 2017. 

China: Robert Li 

Li Ziwei 

+86 13451914155 

robert.li365@gmail.com 

Li Ziwei (Robert) has been working as news 

editor for over 20 years. He founded the most 

influential Chinese fishing forum in the Straits 

and successfully organised many industry 

events. His love for culture and tourism has led 

him to devote his entire life to the exchanges 

between China and southeast Asia. 

Magazine Manager 

Justin Fox 

+44 7813 327966 

justin.fox@dhpub.co.uk 

A hugely experienced communicator with 

more than 20 years at parent company DHP, 

Justin knows what it takes to grow brands 

and businesses across the tackle sector. 

Art Editor: Paul Evans 

Editorial Design: Brad Sharp 

DHP LTD 

Editorial, administration, subscriptions and 

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

Sopwith Way, Daventry, NN11 8EA, UK 


LET‘S MAKE 

OUR VOICES 

HEARD 

One of the biggest talking points 

in the last few months here in 

the UK has been issues of water 

quality in our rivers. 

It’s come to a head as it was revealed 

how often the water companies 

have discharged raw sewage into 

British rivers in recent years with the 

government failing to clamp down on it. 

Under current UK rules, the water 

companies are allowed to discharge raw 

sewage under a process known as ‘storm 

overflows’ – where exceptional rainfall 

overloads the aging drainage system. 

These restrictions have been watered 

down (if you’ll pardon the pun) in 

recent years and what was supposed 

to happen only during exceptional 

situations is now taking place with 

alarming regularity. 

But it’s not just in the UK, this is 

happening all across the world. Our 

drains and sewage systems are old and 

many need replacing, which is easier 

said than done when they are below 

ground. 

Sadly, though, much of this pollution 

and sewage spills is due not only to 

inadequate systems but sheer economics. 

Not only it is it hugely expensive to 

upgrade all that infrastructure (which 

inevitably eats into the profits the water 

companies make) but it’s also quicker 

and cheaper to flush out raw sewage 

into our watercourses than spend money 

treating it (which, as I recall, is actually 

a key part of their job!) 

And then there is the issue of 

agricultural run-off – the chemicals and 

3,511 

6,466 

pollutants that leech out from farmland 

when it rains. 

Thankfully, there ARE some people 

trying to control this but it’s a hard task. 

The water guardians in the UK are in a 

difficult predicament because of the way 

funding works and who pays what. 

In Europe there is an EU-funded 

project called Digital Water City with 

scientists from major cities looking at 

how digital technology can improve 

water quality so our rivers are safer to 

swim in. 

In the US, the Clean Water Act 

– which is now more than 50-yearsold 

– attempted to tackle much of this 

head-on with legislation and permits 

and yet there are still many high-profile 

pollution events and some areas are 

simply not covered by the law. 

And that has a massive knock-on 

effect on our industry. 

Without decent water quality in 

our rivers, we have reduced stocks of 

fish and that means fewer interested 

anglers. And even if the fish were able 

to survive, who wants to spend their free 

time fishing in a sewer? 

But we DO have a voice. 

The tackle industry globally not only 

understands the water environment and 

has conservation and preservation at its 

heart, but it also has the ears of billions 

of anglers who all have a vote and a say. 

Let’s ensure that voice is heard, for all 

of our sakes. 

John Hunter 

Editor

& 

PUT YOUR BRAND 

IN FOCUS! 

Become a Best New Product Exhibitor in 

EFTTEX 2023! 

Become a Best New Product Exhibitor and give your brand enormous 

exposure. If your brand is a registered trademark, simply register your company 

at www.efttex.hu, upload your brand and product info, and nominate your 

product for the Best New Product Showcase! 

You will receive an Exhibitor Badge for EFTTEX 2023 for the first product you 

enter into the awards and an additional badge for every three further entries. 

As an Exhibitor, you can book a meeting 

room or present your product at the 

demo pools! Meet your partners in the 

Business Lounge or at the Goulash Party! 

WINNERS 

Winners will be announced at the Gala 

Evening on 16 th June. Come celebrate 

with us! 

Find more details on www.efttex.com or contact us at: info@efttex.com / +36-1-755-5815

MAY 

2023 

20 

26 

38 

30 

32 

Contents 

40 

8 NEWS 

We meet the new head of Simms Fishing, 

uncover the latest on the new Confluence 

fly trade event, learn about changes at 

Fairpoint and much more. 

18 MAKING THE MOST OF ICAST 

Why one Australian tackle supplier makes 

the long trip to the USA each year and how 

he gets the best from his visit to ICAST. 

20 SPOTLIGHT ON… EYEWEAR 

We all know polarised glasses make sense 

for fishing but what else should you look 

out for when it comes to eyewear? 

22 SHOP WINDOW 

Which eyewear brands have new gear on 

the market and what are the ones you 

should be stocking in your retail outlet? 

Here are some ideas… 

24 YOU DON’T NEED A STAND AT EFFTEX 

Want to display your products at EFTTEX 

but don’t need a stand? A slot in the Best 

New Product Showcase could do the job. 

26 DOING BUSINESS WITH… TEXAS 

Everything’s bigger in Texas – the fish, the 

fishing and the business opportunities too! 

30 WHAT’S NEXT FOR YOUR DISPLAY 

Showing off your fishing tackle to its best 

advantage is easy if you have the right 

display supplier. Next Group has been a goto 

for many firms. 

32 THE BIG INTERVIEW 

Sea Falcon lures’ CEO and chief designer 

outlines why ‘made in Japan’ is key to 

business and reveals his global strategy for 

the brand. 

34 GIVING BIRTH TO A LEGEND 

US rod maker St Croix has given its Legend 

Tournament Walleye series some major 

performance enhancements for 2023. We 

find out more. 

36 MAKING CONTACT 

More products from global suppliers that 

will be worth stocking in your outlet over 

the coming months. 

38 POWER-POLE MAKES ITS MOVE 

Best-known for its Shallow Water Anchor, 

Power-Pole says its new MOVE is the 

strongest and most advanced trolling 

motor ever created. 

40 THE EXPERT IN CARP FISHING LINES 

After 25 years of success in carp fishing 

lines, Energofish‘s Carp Expert range has 

been given a further boost with specialist 

monos and braids. 

42 CHANGING CHALLENGES, 

CHALLENGING CHANGES 

With 30 years of experience in fishing 

line, Hungary-based Balázs Filament 

Technologies has evolved into a major 

global name. 

50 LAST CAST 

Sportfish fly casting instructor Robin 

Elwes says the industry must seize the 

opportunities created by an upsurge in 

fishing interest. 

06 www.tackletradeworld.com

Super 

Heat Dissipation 

 

 

 

Super 

Low-Friction 

Super 

Hardness 

Super 

Lightness

Australian tackle trade 

worth A$11bn to economy 

• Continued from page 3 

cent of adults considering 

recreational fishing to be an 

acceptable activity. 

“Recreational fishers also 

contribute to environmental 

stewardship by picking up rubbish 

when out fishing, while some 

participate in habitat restoration 

activities or donate to organisations 

trying to improve aquatic health.” 

Managing director of the 

Fisheries Research and Development 

Corporation (FRDC), Dr Patrick 

Hone, outlined how recreational 

fishing is an important part of 

Australian culture and contributes to 

the nation’s health and wellbeing. 

“Timely research on recreational 

fishers is critical to informing 

fisheries management in a changing 

climate,” Dr Hone said. 

“Critical to FRDC is investing in 

research to ensure scientific evidence 

underpins sustainable management of 

our aquatic resources for the benefit 

of all Australians – whether it’s for 

commercial or recreational purposes. 

“This report will contribute to a 

body of knowledge that collectively 

we need to invest in to ensure that 

a pastime enjoyed by one in five 

Australians can be enjoyed now and 

for generations to come – tight lines.” 

The National Social and Economic 

Survey of Recreational Fishers was 

supported by funding from the 

FRDC on behalf of the Australian 

Government. 

You can read the survey here: 

www.frdc.com.au/project/2018-161 

Key stats 

• 4.2 million Aussies fish – or one in 

five adults 

• Worth more than $11.5 billion to GDP 

per annum 

• Supports over 100,000 jobs each year 

• Three quarters of recreational fishers 

participating in litter clean-ups or habitat 

restoration projects 

• People who fish are found to have, on 

average, higher levels of wellbeing than nonanglers 

• Fishing is perceived positively by non-anglers 

• Fishing helps nurture family bonding and 

positive social connections 

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Fax: 450-889-5887 

Email: info@uniproducts.com 

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www.uniproducts.com 

Confluence – good for your business 

The 2023 AFFTA Confluence continues to take shape as efforts to 

get more retailers to the show remain a top priority. 

The new partnership between AFFTA and TrackFly will provide 

the fly fishing industry with data that has not been available to the 

industry before. TrackFly will provide an overview of its findings 

plus give a detailed report at the annual trade event. 

AFFTA executive director Lucas Bissett said: “The renewed 

effort to make the fly fishing industry event stronger starts with data. 

Over 100 retailers are participating in the TrackFly census, which 

will give us a more accurate look into sales data throughout the 

industry. This is something the industry has never had at this level 

before.” 

With the dashboard to be presented semi-annually, the first report 

will be at the September 26th to 28th event in Salt Lake City. 

Stephen Baird of TrackFly will report at the AFFTA Industry 

Breakfast that precedes the show’s the opening. While a top-level 

outlook will be provided at the breakfast, seminars throughout the 

event will provide a more granular look and how to digest the data. 

“The data is here to support retailers and manufacturers,” reports 

Baird. “We want to provide a more confident report to the industry 

by using data directly taken from retailer point of sale systems. 

The data is anonymous but allows retailers to compare their sales 

performance to regional and national data. We will show retailers 

how to use this data to help them with sales throughout the year.” 

“The AFFTA Confluence is more than a name change, it’s 

a complete overhaul of the industry’s trade event,” explained 

Kenneth Andres, AFFTA’s event director. “This also changes how 

the association works with its membership. We’re giving members 

relevant material that they can use to help grow their business.” 

Contact Kenneth – kenneth.andres@affta.org – for details.

Fairpoint makes 

more key changes 

Denmarkbased 

tackle 

manufacturer 

Fairpoint 

Outdoors has 

signed Marc 

Bierwolf as 

country manager 

covering 

Germany, Austria 

and Switzerland 

(DACH). 

Marc will 

be taking over 

the role from 

Dietmar Isaiasch 

who will move 

to a new position Marc Bierwolf 

focused on 

marketing and 

product development. 

Together, Marc and Dietmar will cover the largest fishing tackle 

market in Europe and provide Fairpoint’s customers with an even 

better service. 

Fairpoint’s CSO Europe and founder Thomas Petersen 

explained: “We are thrilled to bring Marc on board. He brings 

many years of experience from the region to the table, and I expect 

him to hit the ground running. With his skills and track record we 

are all set to take our business in the region to the next level. 

“Dietmar has done a fantastic job for the company as country 

manager Germany and it is time for him to move into a new role, 

which also has a big place in his heart – marketing and product 

development. I am confident that Marc and Dietmar together will 

reach our ambitious goals for the DACH market.” 

Marc, who will be a familiar face to most of the firm’s DACH 

customers due to his long track-record in the industry since 1996, 

will take on the responsibility for the sales of Fairpoint’s brands 

Westin and Kinetic in Germany, Austria and Switzerland from 

August 1st. 

A passionate fisherman who lives with his family in northern 

Germany, Marc said: “I am very happy to become part of a great 

company. I see enormous growth potential in the future by 

bringing my sales experience to bear alongside an ambitious and 

fantastic team.” 

Meanwhile, Dietmar is one of the best-known anglers in the 

DACH region and has a strong social and traditional media 

following. This, combined with his vast knowledge of predator 

fishing and attention to detail, make him the ideal person within 

the marketing and product development team. 

Fairpoint COO Thomas Sanotra added: “I am very excited to be 

able to get a person like Dietmar in my team. His broad knowledge 

of our great industry, combined with his tireless drive to innovate 

in both marketing and product development, makes him a very 

‘rare’ talent. 

”I’m sure that this new set-up will bring speed, passion and 

innovation to the table and, through this, we will continue to thrill 

all of our loyal customers around the world.” 

FOAMANIZERS 

We currently offer 16 Foamanizer 

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to adjust to any fly tyer's workspace. 

Over 13,000+ 

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BHAGWATI EXCITED TO 

INTRODUCE MORE NEW 

PRODUCTS 

Experienced Indian tackle 

manufacturer Bhagwati is inviting 

buyers to find out more about some 

of its 3,000-plus products contained 

within its 2023 catalogue. 

The firm, which has been making 

fishing tackle for almost 45 years, will 

be showcasing many of its offerings 

at this summer’s EFTTEX show in 

Budapest from June 15th to 17th. 

The product range covers 

everything from feeder, match and 

carp to pole, fly and sea fishing. 

One of the most comprehensive 

line-ups is in feeder fishing, where 

Bhagwati can supply more than 

30 different types of feeder plus 

booms, links, rests, arms and larger 

accessories including a complete 

range of seatbox fittings 

At EFTTEX, on stand 505/A, 

expect to see some new items for both 

feeder and pole fishing in particular. 

Bhagwati director Kailash Tibrewal 

is highly experienced in new product 

development and always looking 

forward to develop the latest ideas 

and products. 

He said: “Displaying at EFTTEX 

is always an important part of our 

marketing, as we can discuss new 

products for future development while 

also interacting with new customers. 

We are also looking forward for 

expansion and will be interested to 

source new distribution points.” 

bhagwatical@gmail.com 

FUJI ® ULTRA-Poly ® 

Wrapping Thread 

it’s not just good, it’s FUJI ® good. 

Preferred by the best custom rod builders and 

factories worldwide. ULTRA-Poly ® is a colorfast 

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wrapping thread made 

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to wrap smooth, 

burnish without 

fuzzies and resist 

fading. You’ll enjoy 

intense color that 

gets better with 

every coat of finish. 

Contact info@ 

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net for more information. 

Carded 

product available 

for retail. 

Exclusive FUJI Agent North America 

Foley, Alabama USA • info@anglersresource.net 

www.anglersresource.net 

PLAN TO OPEN UP MORE 

US FISHING WELCOMED 

More and better access to fishing and other outdoor activities on 

public land in the USA is on the cards after a landmark bill was 

reintroduced to government. 

America’s Outdoor Recreation Act has been brought back 

by the leadership of the US Senate Committee on Energy and 

Resources, under chairman Joe Manchin and ranking member 

John Barrasso. 

The move has been welcomed by outdoor organisations 

including the US trade body, the American Sportfishing 

Association (ASA). 

ASA president Glenn Hughes said: “The sportfishing industry 

thanks chairman Manchin and ranking member Barrasso 

for reintroducing this important legislation that will increase 

access to America’s public lands for fishing and other outdoor 

recreation activities. 

“The Act is a comprehensive set of provisions to ensure 

our public lands are well managed and conserved to benefit 

the outdoor recreation economy and all those who love the 

outdoors.” 

It contains a wide range of separate but related provisions 

aimed at expanding and enhancing outdoor recreation 

opportunities on federal lands, from streamlining the guiding 

process to expanding broadband connectivity at recreation sites 

to boosting parking facilities. 

Glenn added: “With increasing fishing participation being 

one of ASA’s core pillars, legislation like the America’s Outdoor 

Recreation Act is an important tool in accomplishing that goal. 

Sound federal policies ensure that the public has quality places 

to enjoy fishing for generations to come.” 

Thread ad for TTW.indd 1 

5/9/22 9:41 AM

EFTTA announces 

first major new member 

since relocation 

The European Fishing Tackle Trade Association (EFTTA) has 

announced its first major member since it relocated its headquarters 

from the UK to Brussels. 

Netherlands-based Visdeal, a leading European fishing tackle 

e-commerce company, has become an active member, with managing 

director Willem Bontrup joining the board. 

Willem said: “For several years, I have followed the important work 

EFTTA has been doing and, with the recent changes, I feel it is the 

right time for Visdeal to become an active member. The tackle trade 

and recreational angling need all the support they can get, as there are 

many threats from all sides. I encourage all retailers and brands to join 

and ensure a bright future for the sport and business. I look forward to 

contributing with the years of experience that I have in the trade.” 

EFTTA has relocated to Brussels to enhance its lobbying 

capabilities and strengthen its voice on behalf of the European 

industry. It is working hard to increase membership to fund this 

essential work. Visdeal’s membership is seen as a positive step forward 

and sets an example for other companies in the industry to follow. 

EFTTA vice-president Ross Honey added: “Willem is well-known 

and respected and we are thrilled to have him join our board. With 

the exciting dynamic plans we have for EFTTA going forward, he will 

be a tremendous addition and help us achieve our goals.” 

CHINA FISH SET 

FOR TRIUMPHANT 

RETURN IN 2024 

Three years after the start 

of the Covid-19 pandemic, 

China has finally lifted 

all restrictions, meaning 

preparations can continue for 

China Fish 2024! 

With the resumption of 

visa applications for overseas 

visitors, planning has been 

underway to stage China 

Fish at the New China 

International Exhibition 

Centre in Beijing from 

February 21st to 23rd, 2024. 

It seems the industry can’t 

wait to get back to meet each 

other, chat with old and new 

friends, test and see new 

products in person at its Best 

Product Showcase or visit 

factories after the show. 

Organisers say 99 per cent 

of those scheduled to attend 

China Fish 2020 before its 

cancellation will return in 

2024. Booth reservations 

have just begun with visitor 

pre-registration open from 

June 1st. 

Li Jiang, president of China 

Fish, said: “What happened 

in 2020 was still fresh in my 

memory. When we received 

the governmental notice of 

postponement of all events 

in January 2020, just 12 days 

before the opening of China 

Fish, we were shocked, for 

everything and everybody was 

ready. This loss was huge. But 

more important for us was 

how to keep business contact 

with both suppliers and 

international buyers.” 

China Fish had to reinvent 

itself with an online show, 

e-marketing event, video-visits’ 

plus its China Fish All-in- 

One Platform, with over 500 

suppliers and 7,706 products. 

www.chinafishshow.org

NEWS IN BRIEF 

Walleye honour 

for ambassador 

Part-time fishing guide and St 

Croix Rod ambassador Steve 

Everetts of Janesville, Wisconsin, 

has been inducted into the US 

Walleyes Unlimited Hall of Fame. 

The citation says Steve has been 

recognised for his quiet, deliberate, 

and selfless work on behalf of 

anglers. 

Huk adds pros to 

team 

US-based apparel brand Huk 

continues to build its presence 

across the nation and has 

recently added top-tier anglers 

and industry professionals to the 

brand’s Prostaff Team. 

The latest members include 

Briana Tucker, Matt Massey, Drew 

Gill and Luke Palmer. 

Huk says it continues to develop 

meaningful connections with 

the nation’s leading anglers and 

fishing personalities. 

A taste of country 

for fishing 

Country singer Chris ‘Abby’ 

Abbondanza schedules his 

concert dates around the fishing 

competition calendar in the USA. 

The former frontman of the 

PovertyNeck Hillbillies and now 

a Z-man Pro Staffer sold his bass 

boat to tackle competitive kayak 

fishing full-time and spends as 

much time slinging ChatterBaits 

and Elaztech soft plastics as 

strumming his guitar or singing. 

MUSTAD HOOKS PAUL RUDA 

TO HANDLE NORTH AMERICA 

Hook and tackle brand 

Mustad has strengthened 

its North American 

strategy further 

with the 

appointment 

of industry 

stalwart Paul 

Ruda as its 

general manager 

for the region. 

He brings 

23 years of 

experience in the 

outdoor industry 

with some key 

tackle names, 

adding invaluable 

insight to develop 

the Mustad 

brand family in 

the company’s key 

market. 

Mustad says his 

extensive experience in 

sales at established tackle 

brand houses including 

Pure Fishing and Rather 

Outdoors plus his passion 

for fishing will give it an 

edge in market acumen and 

commercial practices. 

After six years with 

sports retail giant Scheels, 

Paul climbed the ladder at 

Pure Fishing for 12 years in 

expanding sales roles. 

Following valuable time 

in the hunting sector, 

Paul shifted back to sport 

fishing as vice-president of 

sales at Rather Outdoors, 

before finding his next step 

with Mustad. 

Mustad CEO Kenni 

Riise said: “With our 

eyes set on growth in our 

current and additional 

brands under the Mustad 

umbrella, there is no 

question that a profile like 

Paul’s interests us. 

“Paul’s sales-oriented 

personality strengthens 

Mustad’s competencies 

in retail, B2B and B2C 

sales, as well as further 

brand development and 

acquisitions. I am confident 

his skills will take us further 

in the right direction.” 

Paul added: “The Mustad 

team has an exciting 

journey ahead of them and 

I am honoured to be joining 

them. With a strong legacy, 

solid standing in the fishing 

industry and increasing 

relevance among sport 

fishermen globally, I’m 

thrilled to help drive the 

company towards continued 

growth in one of sport 

fishing’s strongest markets.”

Seasoned approach to hooks 

The Season brand, available 

via Japanese lure supplier Sea 

Falcon, has been designed 

aim to raise the quality and 

innovation of fishing hooks to a 

new level. 

The Season team of experts 

uses the latest processing 

technology to develop and 

manufacture all products 

in-house, achieving excellent 

quality and stability. With 

its proprietary factory and 

outstanding commitment, the 

brand has the confidence to 

provide high-quality products. 

But what really sets it apart is 

its relentless drive to innovate 

and push the boundaries of 

what’s possible in fishing gear. 

It works closely with customers 

to tailor the products to their 

specific needs, drawing on the 

expertise of its staff to create 

fishing hooks that, it claims, 

are unlike anything you’ve ever 

seen. 

The team refuses to be 

constrained by convention, 

Dubbed a meeting of the best fishing 

minds, the 10th World Recreational Fishing 

Conference delivered a program focused on 

the challenges facing our sport in a changing 

world. 

The international scientific gathering 

of researchers, managers and industry 

representatives, with a smattering of 

celebrities too, is held every three years and 

was hosted this time around by the Victorian 

always seeking new ways to 

improve and refine its products. 

A spokesman said: “If you’re 

looking for a manufacturer that 

truly cares about the quality of 

its products and the satisfaction 

of its customers, look no further 

than Season. We’re passionate 

about providing you with the 

ultimate fishing experience and 

that’s always in season!” 

season-tackle.com 

Fisheries Authority in Melbourne, Australia. 

Around 350 delegates from 21 countries 

took their seats for the high-profile event, 

with thousands of anglers stopping by the 

Ultimate Fishing Expo held at the same 

time. Conference sessions covered everything 

from indigenous engagement to satellite 

tagging data on bluefin tuna, Norwegian 

fisheries research, plus presentations from 

Keep Fish Wet and Ozfish Unlimited’s Craig 

MUD HOLE BACKS 

THE FUTURE WITH 

ENVIRONMENT 

SCHOOLING SCHEME 

Following the success of the inaugural CCA Youth 

Scholarship Program in 2022, the Mud Hole Custom Tackle 

Education Program and Coastal Conservation Association 

(CCA) Florida have announced a three-year partnership, 

bringing college funding opportunities to environmentally 

conscious high schoolers through to 2026. 

As in 2022, this year’s program offers $11,000 in college 

sponsorships to Florida students that will compete in a fiveday, 

immersive educational experience this June and then 

into the 2023/2024 school year. 

Rod and tackle crafting firm Mud Hole Custom Tackle 

president Brook Oliva said: “The impact of the initiative 

last year was so positive that we wanted to continue our 

investment into the future of Florida high schoolers. 

“It’s a great way to reach and reward deserving students 

and it aligns perfectly with our larger Education Program 

efforts, bringing custom rod building to schools and youth 

groups around the world.” 

In addition, the $6,000 in scholarship awards will be 

designated as the Matt McGuffee College Scholarship 

Initiative, in honour of former employee and Mud Hole 

family member Matt McGuffee, who passed away in 2022. 

EXPERTS, CELEBRITIES AND ANGLERS 

GATHER FOR WORLD CONFERENCE 

Copeland. 

They were joined by UK actor and host 

of the Extreme Fishing TV series Robson 

Green – who spoke on the mental health 

benefits of fishing – while an awards night at 

the Melbourne Museum saw famous angler 

and TV star Rex Hunt honoured with a 

Significant Recognition Award for a lifetime 

spent improving fishing around the world, 

although he was unable to attend in person.

NRS FOUNDER 

BILL PARKS 

PASSES 

Bill Parks, the founder and 

president of watercraft, 

apparel and accessories 

supplier Northwest River 

Supplies (NRS) has passed 

away peacefully at the age of 

88. 

The company announced 

he had died of natural causes 

at St Luke’s Hospital in 

Boise, Idaho on March 5th. 

A statement from NRS 

said: “It is with heavy hearts 

filled with fond memories, 

laughter, love and respect 

that we inform you all of the 

passing of Bill Parks. 

“Bill was known as a 

businessman, river runner 

and educator, but he was 

foremost a humanitarian. He 

leaves behind a 50-year legacy 

of serving customers and 

community, people and the 

planet, steadfast in his belief 

that business can be a force 

for good in the world.” 

When Bill started NRS, 

his business philosophy 

was considered unorthodox 

by many of his peers as he 

believed that a company 

could aspire to have a positive 

impact on the lives of its 

customers and employees and 

to be a force for good in the 

world. He wanted to start 

his own company, in part, to 

simply prove his ideas could 

work. 

The catalyst for NRS was 

a rafting trip through the 

Grand Canyon back in 1969 

where he saw the potential 

for the sport to grow and for 

a company to supply quality 

gear and a commitment to 

service. 

In 1972, Bill took $2,000 of 

his personal savings, stocked 

an inventory of gear in his 

garage and started Northwest 

River Supplies, Inc. 

He continued to build 

NRS while teaching full time 

at the University of Idaho, 

often hiring students to assist 

customers, help out in the 

warehouse and fulfil orders. 

It grew into a multimillion-dollar 

international 

company and in 2013 Bill 

began taking steps to plan for 

a future without him. While 

he had received numerous 

offers from investors over the 

Bill Parks. 

years, he decided to invest 

in what he believed in: the 

people. Bill helped finance a 

deal to transfer all NRS stock 

to the company’s workers and 

in early 2014 NRS became 

100 per cent employee owned. 

The NRS statement 

continued: “Even in his 

final days, he was discussing 

business with NRS managers. 

His wife and best friend, 

Donna Holmes Parks, was by 

his side until the end. 

“Bill took pleasure in 

celebrating the NRS 50th 

anniversary last year and 

reflecting on the company’s 

progress, saying: ‘I’m proud 

to say that NRS is truly led 

by its people. Sometimes 

you guys tell me that I’m 

important to the company 

and I pretend to believe it. 

But it’s about the people at 

NRS now.’” 

Eyewear brand looks to future with evolved approach 

Fresh from settling into its new 

headquarters in Texas, USA, premium 

protective eyewear specialist Wiley X 

is changing its product development 

approach. 

Now the company says it will 

concentrate on three main elements 

– a reinforced product development 

team, an emphasis on American design 

and production and a focus on using 

sustainable materials. 

The product development team will 

build eyewear from the ground up, 

finding design inspiration from core 

Wiley X customers, including military, 

law enforcement and outdoorsmen and 

women. 

Wiley X CEP Dan Freeman said: 

“We’re excited to announce a reimagining 

of our approach to product development. 

“Controlling all of the processes 

through American design and 

engineering in Frisco, Texas, allows us to 

create bold designs that push the limits of 

what can be done in protective eyewear. 

“Utilising the latest in 3D printers and 

technology in house helps us take product 

engineering to another level. Our goal 

is to always create eyewear that truly 

meets the needs of our unique customers. 

By building from the ground up and 

continually finding design inspiration 

from our customers, we believe we can 

deliver products that truly stand out.” 

In addition to the strengthened product 

development team, Wiley X plans to 

assemble more products in the United 

States and it will be working to make its 

products more eco-friendly. 

Dan added: “Wiley X will always 

be committed to delivering premium 

protective eyewear to our customers, and 

this new approach is just the beginning.” 

www.wileyx.com 


Register Today! 

POWERED BY 

July 11-14 | Orlando, FL 

Orange County Convention Center 

ICASTfishing.org

WAEVER LANDS ROLE 

WITH OUTDOOR BRAND 

Well-known industry specialist 

Thomas Waever has landed a 

new position as export manager 

for outdoor and apparel 

company Highlander Group. 

Among Thomas’s previous 

high-profile roles have been 

spells at eyewear brand Wiley 

X and, more recently, as export 

manage for Danish tackle firm 

Fairpoint Outdoors. 

Now Thomas has taken 

on a similar export manager 

role for Scotland-based 

Highlander Group, bringing 

another dimension to that 

company, which specialises in 

clothing, camping equipment 

and accessories. 

Ramin Golzari, coowner 

and director 

of Highlander Group, 

explained: “It is a real win 

for Highlander to sign Thomas 

to our fast-growing team. 

He brings years and years 

of international experience 

and will be the driving force 

holding full responsibility 

for all our sales and activities 

outside of UK. 

“I have worked with Thomas 

Thomas Waever, Ramin Golzari, Highlander Outdoors 

in the past and I’m delighted 

to have him on board. With 

his experience and skills, I 

have high expectations for 

the future expansion of both 

the Highlander brand and 

products.” 

Thomas will be based 

in Europe to further 

strengthen the foothold 

of Highlander Group 

internationally. 

He added: “Signing 

with Highlander Group is a 

perfect match. I have worked 

internationally in the outdoor 

business for years and I look 

forward to being a part of 

the Highlander team. I expect 

us to hit the ground running 

and build on the international 

success Highlander has had for 

years. 

“I see a lot of potential and 

real passion in the products 

and adding the exclusive 

STOIRM line to the portfolio 

of products; there will be a lot 

of new and unexplored business 

to conquer.” 

New head unveiled for Simms Fishing 

Derek Tarlecki, the man who helped 

identify Simms Fishing Products as a 

potential purchase for Vista Outdoor, 

has become president of the tackle and 

apparel brand. 

Derek, who led strategy and coled 

merger and acquisitions for Vista 

Outdoor, has been serving as chief 

integration officer at Montana-based 

Simms since September, following 

the retirement of Simms CEO Casey 

Sheahan. 

It is understood his leadership 

accelerated Simms’ integration into the 

Vista Outdoor family – which owns 41 

brands in the outdoor and lifestyle sector 

– and helped the team deliver 25 per cent 

year-over-year growth in the third quarter. 

Vista Outdoor interim CEO Gary 

McArthur said: “Filling this key Simms 

position has been a priority since I 

assumed the interim CEO duties. The 

strength of our company lies with our 

brands, which are continuing to innovate 

and take share in their respective 

categories. Derek’s appointment bolsters 

our business unit leadership team at 

Simms – the anchor of our new fishing 

platform – and better positions us for 

the separation of Outdoor Products and 

Sporting Products into two companies, 

which remains on track for this year.” 

Before joining Vista Outdoor, he spent 

nearly 14 years advising and supporting 

large- and medium-sized businesses at 

the global strategy consulting firm Bain 

& Co. 

But he is also an avid sportsman and 

passionate member of organisations 

including Trout Unlimited, Ducks 

Unlimited, Backcountry Hunters and 

Anglers and the Theodore Roosevelt 

Conservation Partnership. 

Derek said: “I am honoured to accept 

the role of president for such an iconic 

and innovative fishing brand. I’ve long 

loved Simms, both personally and 

professionally, and I’m excited to work 

alongside this incredibly talented and 

dedicated team. 

“I am also excited to get out and work 

with our key partners – the 500-plus 

retailers that are a cornerstone of our 

brand. I am thankful to Vista Outdoor 

for the opportunity and I look forward 

to honouring Simms’ storied past 

while supporting the brand’s focus on 

innovation, fishy culture and advocacy for 

the wild places that we are so passionate 

about.” 


FEATURE 

ICAST 

MAXIMISING ICAST: 

TIPS & TRICKS FOR 

YOUR VISIT 

Australian fishing tackle pro Billy Parsons explains how to 

make the most of a tackle and gear-filled ICAST this summer 

in Orlando. 

It takes 24 hours to travel from 

Melbourne, Australia to Orlando, 

Florida but Billy Parsons, the general 

manager of Australian tackle supplier 

J M Gillies has been boarding planes and 

crossing the Pacific for more than a decade 

to attend ICAST, the annual trade show 

produced by the American Sportfishing 

Association (ASA). 

It’s the largest recreational fishing 

tackle trade show in the world, bringing 

together more than 12,000 attendees from 

73 countries last year. “Everyone’s in one 

place,” says Parsons. “That’s the big thing 

for us. If we couldn’t do ICAST, it would 

take 10 trips oversees to see various people. 

So, the economy of doing it all in one place 

is the biggest advantage to us.” 

Often, Parsons flies back to Australia 

with product orders in tow and pallets of 

new SKUs en route to a warehouse on the 

other side of the world – some of which 

have never been seen on retail shelves 

before. 

This year, ICAST has announced 

exciting additions like the ICAST 

Fly Shop and expanded New Product 

Showcase categories. Parsons has plenty of 

tips ready to help new attendees make the 

most of their time on the show floor. 

18 www.tackletradeworld.com 

SUPER TUESDAY 

Kicking everything off, this is the day 

for attendees to enjoy Florida’s famous 

sunshine while potentially landing a 

legendary big bass in the ICAST Cup 

Bass Fishing Tournament, presented by 

Major League Fishing, or test products in 

action at ICAST On The Water Product 

Demo Day. The fishing kicks off at 

5:30am, with a 9am weigh-in preceding 

the gate opening at Product Demo Day 

at 10am. 

It is capped by the New Product 

Showcase Preview Reception, which 

allows credentialed buyers and media 

to enjoy appetisers and drinks while 

voting for the best new products in 37 

categories. 

“Going to the New Product Showcase 

the night before the show opens is a good 

use of time,” Parsons adds. “Everyone can 

see anything that is new. You can go right 

in and pick products that are interesting. 

And sometimes, if it’s super-interesting, 

you can quickly go to that manufacturer 

the next morning and try to make an 

exclusive deal.” 

WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY 

Show doors officially open at 9am after 

the State of the Industry Breakfast. And 

while many retail teams hop right into 

meetings, Parsons directs his crew to 

keep the first half of the day open. He 

schedules no meetings until noon, in 

order to give his team time to walk the 

show floor and scout out new products. 

In between meetings, carve out time to 

attend at least one of the daily Lunch & 

Learn business seminars. With a range of 

topics covering marketing, social media 

and customer engagement presented by 

leading experts, these free seminars are 

a valuable tool to spark new business 

improvement ideas. 

Billy Parsons 

Midweek also offers an opportunity 

to swing by the ICASTing Pond and 

FlyCASTing Pond to try out rods, reels 

and line or the all-new Fly Shop booth. 

FRIDAY 

Parsons recommends circling back with 

new connections on Friday. “If we’ve got 

a new business opportunity, we go back 

in and make sure that we are 100 per cent 

locked down. Generally, that’s a second 

meeting where we might be going in and 

writing an order. We sometimes literally 

go line-by-line and order a new range of 

products.” 

The final day also offers your last 

opportunity to scope out the Marine 

Accessories Pavilion, presented by 

the National Marine Manufacturers 

Association. 

DOWNLOAD THE ICAST APP 

Parsons says ICAST has a very good 

show planner app, which he uses every 

year. 

A month before the show, he uses it 

to see who is exhibiting and log preorganised 

meetings and dinners. 

“I also look for new exhibitors,” he 

adds. “I go in and map them out to have a 

pre-show plan of where I am going to go. 

If you don’t plan it properly and map it 

out, you can run out of time.” 

The ICAST app can also inform you 

of breaking news from the show and keep 

your calendar tidy. It’s available on both 

iOS and Android platforms. 

ICAST 

www.icastfishing.org

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SPOTLIGHT ON... 

EYEWEAR 

SPOTLIGHT ON 

EYEWEAR 

A good pair of polarising sunglasses could well turn out to be 

your most important piece of fishing tackle… 

Fishing can often be a visual 

game, relying on spotting fish 

well before any cast is made, so 

your eyesight is one of the best 

fish-catching tools. However, when it is 

sunny, your vision may be reduced by the 

glare from the water’s surface and you 

need polarised sunglasses to enhance your 

vision. 

Not only that but sunglasses will protect 

your eyes from harmful ultraviolet rays 

(UVA and UVB) and glare produced by 

sunlight. The same rays that cause your 

skin to burn can also cause eye diseases, 

such as cataracts and macular degeneration 

(sunspots) on the retina of the eye, while a 

harsh glare shining off the water can also 

lead to eye strain and fatigue. 

These negative effects can be avoided 

by purchasing a good quality pair of 

treated sunglasses with polarised lenses, 

which not only make images sharper and 

add comfort, but also enable the true 

perception of colours that may have not 

been visible with regular sunglasses lenses. 

In fact, to many anglers a good pair of 

polarising sunglasses is a necessity and not 

an accessory! The ability to see through the 

glare off the water opens a new world and 

increases your fish catching opportunities. 

An added benefit is making your wading 

safer by spotting underwater obstructions. 

In addition, they can protect your eyes 

from injury while fishing by keeping a 

loosely cast fly out of your eyes, or if you 

pull a snagged lure out of a tree and it 

shoots back at you and hits you in the face 

– if you are wearing sunglasses, they will 

help deflect hooks or sinkers away from 

your eyes and prevent a serious mishap 

that could lead to the loss of your sight. 

Finding a pair of sunglasses with 

high polarisation should be a priority 

for anglers. A rule of thumb for picking 

sunglasses with maximum polarisation 

is the darker the lens tint, the more 

polarisation it has. 

There are many different lens colours, 

which can increase the colour and the 

contrast of your surroundings by varying 

degrees. When it comes to spotting fish, 

these types of lenses will enhance your 

visual contrast, helping you to see the fish 

more clearly because it will stand out from 

its surroundings. 

Grey, amber, yellow and rose are the 

most common lens colours in polarised 

sunglasses for fishing and each of these 

colours offer certain benefits. 

One of the most common colours used 

is a grey lens. Grey is best for preserving 

natural colour relationships and contrast 

levels and decreasing brightness, are the 

best choice for everyday activities and 

good for general all-around use but offer 

minimal contrast enhancement. 

Amber/copper is probably the most 

popular lens colour among anglers, 

offering the best compromise between the 

natural colour preservation of grey and 

the contrast enhancement of yellow; they 

preserve natural colour relationships but 

offer considerable contrast enhancement. 

Yellow lenses are excellent at gathering 

light to offer the highest degree of contrast 

enhancement, are particularly well-suited 

for low light and foggy conditions, and 

ideal for sight fishing. 

Vermilion/rose lenses 

are good if you are fishing in the clear and 

relatively uniform waters, good for lowlight 

conditions but not as much contrast 

enhancement as yellow lenses. 

Blue can be a good choice for offshore, 

while for freshwater and inshore, green 

is a great option. A pure green tint is 

considered by many to be the ultimate 

colour for sight fishing since it offers 

both high contrast and high polarisation. 

Choose your lens colour to suit your 

fishing, not just for fashion. 

Polarised sunglasses cover a wide 

range of price points, and generally, the 

cheaper they are, the lower the quality 

and performance they offer. Once you 

experience the advantages of polarised 

sunglasses, you won’t want to take them 

off. If your sunglasses fit you well and are 

lightweight, you won’t even notice you’re 

wearing them. 

Wrap-around style sunglasses are 

generally preferred by many anglers as 

they block light from entering their 

peripheral vision and offer additional 

protection from flying hooks. 

Glass lenses provided the best optics 

years ago but when polycarbonate became 

available with polarisation, polycarbon 

lenses became the standard of fishing 

sunglasses. However, glass lenses still 

offer many advantages including clarity, 

scratch resistance and polarisation. 



EYEWEAR 

HOBIE 

MOJO FLOAT 

Water and adventureready, 

the Mojo Float 

offers significantly 

lighter frames than 

standard sunglasses, 

allowing them to float 

when out on the water. 

To ensure comfort 

for long-term wear in any environment the 

frames are highly durable and heat resistant. 

Features: 

• Polarised nylon lenses 

• Ultra-light floatable frame 

• HydroClean 360° coated 

• 100 per cent UV protection 

• Rx ready 

www.hobie.com 

WILEY X 

ALFA 

With its square frame and rubberised thin, 

adjustable, bayonet temples you get a clean, 

comfortable, and timeless look. With an EN.166 

safety rating and removeable side shields for 

extra peripheral protection, when needed, it is 

built with a flatter 6-base lens curve that can 

accommodate a higher prescription range, 

while also offering a flatter fit on the face, 

making it a perfect fit for most face shapes. 

The CAPTIVATE polarised bronze 

mirror lenses distribute colours evenly for 

increased contrast and performance, while 

simultaneously reducing blue light (HEV). 

They also define and intensify yellow 

shades and reduce flare across reflective 

surfaces. 

www.wileyx.eu 

COSTA 

MAYFLY 

Like its namesake, Mayfly is elegant, 

diverse and versatile. This women’s 

performance/lifestyle hybrid exudes an 

oversized look and water-ready features 

for your complete enjoyment under the 

sun. The boldly femme, cat-eye design 

offers maximum light blockage and a 

wider field of view, and fully adjustable, 

textured and vented nose pads ensure a 

secure fit and helps keep lenses fog-free. 

With eyewire drains and channels, water 

and sweat will stay away from your 

eyes and keep you focused on the next 

adventure. 

Continuing Costa’s reputation for 

creating performance eyewear on the 

water, Mayfly is made to improve every 

experience. 

www.costadelmar.com 

COSTA 

CORBINA PRO 

Corbina has been a legacy favourite and 

sport staple among bass anglers for years. 

The new PRO frame takes it up a notch with 

eyewire drains and sweat management 

channels to move sweat away from your 

eyes, improved Hydrolite grip on the nose 

and earpiece to keep your frames locked in 

place, a fully-adjustable and ventilated nose 

pad for a custom fit and to reduce fogging, 

hooding and side shields to maximise 

coverage and metal keeper slots to keep 

your frames from going overboard. 

The Corbina PRO is equipped with Costa’s 

cutting-edge polarised 580® glass lens 

technology, providing exceptional clarity 

and colour enhancement. These scratchresistant 

lenses effectively reduce haze and 

blur, while boosting essential colours for 

superior definition. 

www.costadelmar.com 


FLYING FISHERMAN 

SOLSTICE 

The Solstice from Flying Fisherman’s 

Master Angler Series are built for the water 

with shatterproof polycarbonate lenses. 

They provide excellent protection from 

flying lures, hooks and other dangerous 

objects that anglers can encounter. 

Polarised, AcuTint lenses enhance colour 

contrast without distorting natural 

colours for enhanced visual sharpness 

and comfort, while eliminating glare, and 

blocking 100 per cent UV. 

Frames are Grilamid TR-90 for comfort, 

flexibility, and durability, and feature nonslip 

nose and temple pads, and cooling 

vents in the bottom front portion of the 

frame to help prevent sunglass fogging. 

www.flyingfisherman.com 

FORTIS 

FINSEEKER 

Introducing the first glass lens into the 

Fortis range. 

These Italian glass lenses incorporate 

SWITCH technology, meaning they switch 

in colour/shade when exposed to UV light. 

This allows the user perfect vision through 

the course of a session, whether that be low 

light at dawn, stalking in the midday sun or 

looking for shows at dusk. 

The incorporation of an anti-reflective 

coating on the inner side of the lens stops 

reflection from the user’s own face. 

The lightweight yet strong TR90 Nylon 

frames will withstand the toughest 

conditions and boast a myriad of features 

including vents for increased air flow to 

minimise fogging, rubber nose pad and tips 

on the arms for maximum comfort. Spring 

loaded hinges allow for over extension to 

cater for all head sizes, available in three 

plastic lens colours and one glass option. 

www.fortiseyewear.co.uk


EYEWEAR 

FIN-NOR 

DROPFLY 

The Dropfly is a fishing-centric style, with 

a 6-base performance Unisex frame 

made with lightweight, flexible materials 

that include adjustable nose pads and 

integrated spring hinges, which prevent 

pressure points and allow for all-day 

comfort. These frames are lightweight and 

highly breathable, perfect for long days in all 

outdoor environments. 

All Fin-Nor eyewear has Lateral Line 

lens technology, which features the most 

advanced technology on the market that 

provides maximum protection, clarity, and 

polarisation. Fin-Nor eyewear comes in 

both glass and plastic lenses and features 

five lens colours to choose from: grey, blue 

mirror, silver mirror, copper, and green 

mirror. 

fin-nor.com 

WILEY X 

OZONE 

Purpose built to withstand the rigours 

of the elements; these performance 

sunglasses are the perfect companion for 

all outdoor activities. The sporty designed 

frame features a super-tough, lightweight, 

triloid nylon frame with rubberised 

temples and nose pads for a slip-free 

and comfortable fit. It also comes with 

the CLICK A.I.R. gasket; an easy quick-click 

ventilation system, so you can eliminate 

fogging. 

With CAPTIVATE polarised blue mirror 

lenses, the reflection of blue light (HEV) off 

water is reduced. They equalise the visible 

light spectrum to help light enter the 

eye more uniformly, while keeping most 

colour neutral and enhancing greens, and 

reduce glare across reflective surfaces. 

www.wileyx.eu 

BAJÍO 

ELDORA 

A new full-wrap, full-featured frame with 

built-in Sun Ledge sun blocking, Eldora 

features full, 8-base wrap design for lightblocking 

performance, generous non-slip 

rubber nose pads and rubber temple tips for 

a snug fit. Made from a plant-based material 

that degrades more easily and 

is gentler on our oceans in a 

choice of six lens colours in 

both glass and polycarbonate. 

All lenses are polarised and include 

proprietary LAPIS technology that blocks 

blue light, while oleophobic lens coatings 

reduce scratching and make cleaning easier. 

www.bajiosunglasses.com 

FIN-NOR 

TILLIES BANK 

The Tillies Bank is a female-targeted 6-base 

frame with a modern performance style, a 

comfortable nose pad that helps them stay in 

place, and integrated spring hinges that lessen 

discomfort and fit a wider range of faces. 

All Fin-Nor eyewear has Lateral Line lens 

technology, which features the most advanced 

technology on the market that provides 

maximum protection, clarity, and polarisation. 

Fin-Nor eyewear comes in both glass and 

plastic lenses and features five lens colours 

to choose from: grey, blue mirror, silver mirror, 

copper, and green mirror. 

fin-nor.com 

FLYING FISHERMAN 

SANDBAR 

Made for adventure, these medium fit 

sunglasses offer features typically only seen 

with premium priced eyewear – recessed 

nose pads and non-slip temple pads 

to keep them in place when the action 

strikes, durable TR-90 Grilamid frames 

and polarised triacetate AcuTint lenses 

that block 100 per cent of harmful UV rays, 

eliminate glare, and enhance contrast, 

resulting in sharper optics and reduced eye 

fatigue. 

www.flyingfisherman.com 

WYCHWOOD 

PROFILE 

A quality pair of black polycarbonate framed 

sunglasses, offering extra toughness and 

durability at reduced weight. 

Featuring brown polycarbonate polarising 

lenses that eliminate glare and reduce eye 

fatigue, these stylish glasses serve many 

purposes from the fashionable to the 

functional. 

www.wychwoodgame.co.uk 


23

FEATURE 

EFTTEX 

A GREAT WAY TO 

BE AT EFTTEX 

WITHOUT A STAND 

There are so many reasons to be at EFTTEX in Budapest this June – and so many ways to 

attend. One of the easiest is the Best New Product (BNP) Exhibitor package – it might be a 

perfect solution to join EFTTEX as a last-minute exhibitor. 

EFTTEX BNP judging 

Veteran exhibitors know 

EFTTEX well, but we have all 

missed the good old meeting 

point for nearly four years now. 

EFTTEX trading general manager Dr 

Zoltan Kekkoi explained: “‘Let’s get back 

together’ is not just a slogan for the 2023 

event but rather a calling to action for all 

of us. 

“Covid forced us to stay home and 

build up new connections in the online 

field but we all missed the personal 

contacts and the buzz of a fair. As a BNP 

exhibitor, you are allowed to enter the 

exhibition as an exhibitor without having 

your own stand!” 

BRAND FOCUS 

As a Best New Product Exhibitor, 

you are allowed to nominate up to 

14 products in the Best New Product 

Showcase. 

Naturally, it is important only 

registered brands are allowed into this 

competition and it is also important that 

past year nominated products are also 

excluded. So, the focus is on the brands 

and the knowledge and development 

behind them 


The previous year, the Digital Best 

New Product Showcase restructured 

the categories of the competition. Now 

there are around 50 categories in six 

main categories, so you do not need to 

compete with unmatchable products. 

Zoltan continued: “This new structure 

gives smaller companies a chance to 

challenge the big ones and overtake 

them in the competition. But the 

Best New Product Showcase is not 

just a competition, it’s also a powerful 

marketing tool. Enormous exposure 

is guaranteed during and after the 

Showcase – this presence is essential 

for all the small brands to step into the 

limelight.” 

It’s not just the categories that were 

renewed in 2022 but the judging system 

and the newly introduced ‘green booster’ 

(for environmentally friendly products) 

were also given a refresh. 

This year, the Showcase returns to a 

live event, so you can meet the nominees 

and check your rivals live. 

Zoltan continued: “As our world 

becomes greener, EFTTEX wants 

to join green solutions and inspire 

all BNP Showcase entries to do the 

same. The ‘green booster’ can change 

the competition and provide a greener 

solution, from runner-up to winner 

position. Right now, it isn’t enough to 

have a new solution, take care that you 

chose a green solution to reach the top.” 

Moreover, as an exhibitor, you can 

enjoy all the benefits of your badge You 

can book a meeting room and invite your 

business partners there to enjoy a private 

atmosphere where you discuss big deals. 

This year, EFTTEX will have not just 

a fly fishing pool but a bait casting pool 

and a carp aquarium too. 

So, you can enjoy a presentation at one 

of the demo pools or drop in for a coffee 

at the Business Lounge. 

As a BNP exhibitor, you will be 

given one exhibitor badge after the first 

product nomination and an additional 

one after each third new nomination. 

Zoltan concluded: “Be sure, there 

will be a lot of companies who would 

rather want to visit EFTTEX as a BNP 

exhibitor than as a visitor, be one of them 

and register now!” 

EFTTEX 

www.efttex.com

NEW PACBAY 

CHARONOSAURUS 

ROLLER GUIDES 

The world’s best-known saltwater anglers trust in PACBAY’s fishing tackle components and accessories for their 

reliable and faultless performance. With a view to preserving its valued reputation, PACBAY has maintained a strict 

program of quality control in the making of each and every product with the PACBAY name carved on it. 

In the same spirit as always, PACBAY has now launched its brand-new Charonosaurus roller guides. 

- Aluminum openwork construction reduces weight but doesn’t reduce strength - Deeply embedded roller design restricts line from cramming between 

roller and frame - Inbuilt Teflon tube bearing to diminish friction and heat - Tube bearing treated with TEFLON for performance and constant lubrication 

- Perfectly shaped guide feet to fit blanks with tip size - The structure of the arch-bridge design reduces weight as well as reducing the restrain between 

blank and guide - Structure designed to accommodate knots and connection of wind-on leader – line never gets stuck 

- PACBAY roller tip-tops (model # ERT,EMRT,EJRT) are an excellent match for these guides - All products patented. 

Build Great Fishing Rods 

info@fishpacbay.com 

www.fishpacbay.com

DBW... 

TExaS 

d O i n G B u S i n E S S w i T H . . . 

TEXAS 

Everything’s bigger in Texas – the fish, the fishing and the 

business opportunities too! 

A 

lthough Texas is about 2.8 

times bigger than the United 

Kingdom, the population of 

the UK is 42.6 million more 

than the Lone Star State, 

which became the 28th state 

of the union in 1845. 

Texas is the second-largest 

state in the US regarding both 

land area and population size 

behind Alaska and California 

respectively. It lies in the 

south-central part of the 

country sharing its borders 

with Oklahoma, New Mexico, 

Louisiana and Arkansas. Texas 

also shares its border with the 

Mexican states of Tamaulipas, 

Chihuahua, Coahuila, and 

Nuevo Leon. The state capital 

of Texas is Austin. Houston is 

the state’s most populous city 

and the fourth most populous 

in the whole of the US. 

The economy of the State 

of Texas is the second largest 

by GDP in the USA after 

that of California. It has a 

gross state product of $2.4 

trillion. In 2022, Texas led 

the nation with the most 

companies in the Fortune 

500 with 53 in total. As of 

2021, Texas grossed more than 

$300 billion a year in exports 

– more than the exports of 

California ($175 billion) 

and New York ($100 billion) 

combined. 

Texas is ranked as the 

ninth largest economy among 

nations of the world by GDP, 

ahead of Canada, South 

Korea, Russia, and Australia. 

The economy of Texas 

includes agriculture, oil 

and petroleum, tourism and 

entertainment. Texas has the 

largest number of cattle in 

the whole country, numbering 

more than 16 million, while 

the state is the country’s 

leader in producing goat 

and sheep products, and it 

is also the leader in cotton 

production, which is the 

leading crop product and the 

second most valuable farm 

output in Texas. Agriculture 

is the second largest industry 

in Texas and approximately 

one out of seven people 

rely on agriculture for their 

livelihood. 

It is estimated that 


ECOnOMy FOCuS 

$2.4 trillion GDP (USD) 

$80,000 GDP per capita (USD) 

2.2% GDP growth rate 

3.9% Unemployment rate 

DBW... 

TExaS 

Top export partners: 

- Mexico ($10.7B) 

- Canada ($2.74B) 

- netherlands ($1.85B) 

- China ($1.64B) 

- South Korea ($1.61B) 

Top import partners: 

- Mexico ($11B) 

- Canada ($2.75B) 

- China ($2.55B) 

- vietnam ($1.19B) 

- Germany ($953M) 

FaCT FiLE 

Capital: Austin 

Population: 30 million 

Governor: Greg Abbott 

President: Joe Biden 

Official languages: None, spoken languages English, 

Spanish 

Time zones: Central Daylight Time (GMT-5) 

Currency: US dollar 

petroleum deposits in the 

state are about eight billion 

barrels, accounting for about 

a third of all the known 

petroleum supply in the 

US. Major oil corporations 

have their headquarters in 

the state of Texas, including 

Exxon Mobil, Marathon Oil, 

Conocophillips, Valero, Tesoro 

and BP. 

Texas has emerged as one of 

the top filmmaking states in 

the US. The city of Austin has 

become among the leading 

cities in filmmaking. Several 

studios from Hollywood have 

relocated some of their units 

to cities in Texas such as 

Dallas, Houston, and Austin. 

The media giant iHeartMedia 

is located in Texas at 

San Antonio. Prominent 

developers of video games 

such as 3D Realms, Robot 

Entertainment and Gearbox 

Software are all located in 

Fort Worth. 

Texas has been the top 

exporter among US states 

since 2002, with exports 

rising to $342 billion in 

2021. In 2021, the top five 

Texas exports were oil and 

gas, petroleum products, 

chemicals, computer and 

electronics products and 

transportation equipment. 


27

DBW... 

TExaS 

Texas exports 55 per cent 

of its goods to its top five 

trading partners Mexico, 

Canada, China, South Korea 

and Brazil, and imports 

mostly from Mexico, 

Canada, China, Vietnam and 

Germany. 

The geography of Texas 

comprises a series of vast 

regions, from the fertile and 

densely populated Coastal 

Plains in the southeast to the 

high plains and mountains 

in the west and northwest. 

The state’s most rugged 

terrain lies to the west of the 

Pecos River. Trailing down 

from the Rocky Mountains, 

the Guadalupe Mountains 

lead into Big Bend country, 

whose name is derived from 

a bend in the Rio Grande, 

the most important river in 

Texas, which extends some 

1,900 miles from its source 

in the Rocky Mountains 

of Colorado to the Gulf 

of Mexico, and its Texas 

segment forms the border 

between the United States 

and Mexico. 

F i S H i n G 

Texas’ coast and waterways are an 

angler’s paradise and the state is 

ranked one of the best states to 

go fishing, according to a report 

by Lawn Love recently, ranking 

Texas as the fifth best state for 

fishing. The report looked at 

community interest, access to gear 

and bait shops as well as licence 

affordability, and its proximity to 

water sources. The Lone Star State 

also was ranked fourth for having 

the number of fishing charters and 

guides. 

The Texas coast supports an 

extensive recreational fishing 

industry, involving fishing charters 

(fishing guides), private anglers, 

boaters, supporting businesses, 

and recreationally harvested 

seafood. With over 400,000 

licensed recreational anglers, 

1,500 licensed fishing guides, and 

hundreds of saltwater sportfishing 

tournaments held annually, this 

industry generates over $1 billion 

in economic impacts in Texas each 

year. This includes purchases of 

vessels, fishing gear, tackle, and 

other equipment; fishing trip 

expenditures such as ice, bait, 

fuel, and charter fees; industry job 

revenues; and other related costs. 

T a r G E T S P E C i E S 

LARGEMOUTH 

BASS SAILFISH REDFISH 


DBW... 

Texas 

i n d u s t r y v i e w 

Everett Johnson, Editor and Publisher, 

Texas Saltwater Fishing Magazine 

Ask any Texan: “Everything’s 

bigger in Texas!” Some will 

go so far to add “… and 

better, too.” 

Texas hubris aside, 

Texas is a very large state, 

geographically speaking, 

with a rapidly expanding 

population. According to 

the latest from US Census 

Bureau, Texas now has more 

than 30 million people. 

Thanks to its powerful 

energy and petro-chemical 

sectors, and perhaps the 

single greatest reason the 

population continues to rise 

year over year, the Texas 

economy is largely insulated 

from economic cycles common 

in other US states. There’s an 

old saying: ”If you can’t f ind 

a job in Texas, you don’t want 

one.” 

Recreational f ishing 

is big in Texas, too. The 

Texas Parks and Wildlife 

Department (TPWD) report 

a marked upswing in f ishing 

licence sales of all types over 

the past decade. Current data 

indicates nearly 1.9 million 

licensed anglers. Economic 

impact of sport f ishing in the 

Lone Star State is more than 

$7.7 billion, according to 

Southwick Associates. 

Bass f ishing tops all other 

types of f ishing and, thanks 

to the conservation efforts of 

the bass f ishing community 

over recent decades, the 

quality of these f isheries is 

soaring off the charts. In the 

f irst three months of 2023 

alone, Texas waters have 

delivered more than a dozen 

Share-A-Lunker submissions 

– angler’s f ish weighing 

more than 12lb, kept alive, 

and contributed to TPWD’s 

hatchery programs with hope 

of passing along the superior 

genetics of trophy specimens. 

Saltwater f ishing is 

booming as well. The Texas 

coastline is said to be 367 

miles in length. But unlike 

many coastal states that 

have a relatively smooth 

coastline, if you look behind 

Texas’ nearly endless miles 

of barrier islands, the jagged 

shorelines of its major bays 

and estuaries are longer than 

600 miles. 

Texas saltwater angling 

can be classif ied into three 

major categories – inshore, 

nearshore, and offshore. 

Species targeted across the 

three categories range from 

billf ish and tuna offshore, to 

the most-highly-sought-after 

species being seatrout and red 

drum inshore, with dozens 

more in-between. 

Unlike many states, Texas 

is unique in the ability 

of recreational anglers to 

access Gulf beaches, and 

year-around surf f ishing 

is very popular. Primary 

species sought are red and 

black drum, tarpon, king 

mackerel, Spanish mackerel, 

and Florida pompano. Shark 

f ishing from the beach is 

also very popular. At least 

a dozen species are landed 

regularly, some weighing 

hundreds of pounds, and 

shark anglers take great care 

to return these f ish to the 

ocean unharmed. 

Inshore saltwater f ishing 

is another year-around 

angling pursuit, with 

likely a million or more 

participants annually. 

Texas bays as a whole are 

relatively shallow, which 

means that wade f ishing is 

a very popular way to access 

the f isheries. Some anglers 

quip that the only reason 

they own a boat is to get 

where they f ish… and then 

jump out. The popularity 

of wade f ishing creates a 

whole other category of gear 

and accessories not nearly as 

common in other places. 

The specialised type of 

f ishing boats commonly seen 

plying Texas bays are also 

an entity unto themselves. A 

product of angler’s desire to 

access the hundreds of miles 

of shallow lagoons of the 

middle and lower portions 

of the coast, in pursuit of 

spotted seatrout, red drum, 

and snook; almost nowhere 

but Texas can you f ind crafts 

designed to navigate in less 

than 2ft depths. As a result, 

many Texas anglers own 

two boats. One for shallow 

flats f ishing and a second 

for larger, deeper bays 

that also qualify for daytripping 

the nearshore Gulf 

in calm weather. Which in 

itself becomes a signif icant 

boost for boat building, 

outboard power, and marine 

electronics industries. The 

tackle industry also benef its 

mightily from Texas anglers 

who require a wider than 

normal range of equipment 

and gear necessary in their 

varied angling interests. 

The bottom line in the 

recreational angling industry 

is that without f ish we 

cannot have an industry… 

that’s pretty basic. So, with 

the population booming and 

licence sales steadily on the 

rise, what does the future 

hold for Texas anglers and 

the f isheries that support the 

industry? Fair question. 

The answer to that 

important question lies 

solely within in the realm 

of TPWD’s management 

plans… and also within the 

rapidly evolving sporting 

and conservation ethic of 

the recreational angling 

community. 

TPWD is both a role model 

and the most forward-thinking 

f isheries management agency 

in the country. Their work is 

copied in many ways; from 

f ishing regulations and 

interface with constituents, 

to stock enhancement (sport 

f ish hatcheries and stocking 

programs), to habitat creation 

and restoration. Texas 

anglers are also blessed to 

have the support of some of 

the nation’s leading f isheries 

research programs. The 

work accomplished over the 

past 50 years by scientists 

at the University of Texas 

Marine Science Institute 

and Texas A&M University 

Harte Institute, has helped 

tremendously. And let’s not 

forget the contributions of 

the Coastal Conservation 

Association. Without these 

combined efforts, Texans 

might not have so much to brag 

about. With them, the future of 

recreational angling in Texas 

remains bright. 


29

ADVERTORIAL 

Your NEXT step in kitting 

out your business 

Whether you need designs, displays or point of sale (POS) for your tackle shop or showroom, 

Italian expert the NEXT GROUP has everything you could need, wherever you are in the world. 

In order to get the best for your 

business, you need to work with 

a company that has experience in 

delivering top quality work, on time, 

anywhere in the world. 

NEXT GROUP has vast experience 

gained over many years, allowing us to 

manage customer requests, from the 

initial phase of the project, moving on to 

production and then finishing with the 

logistics of deliveries to the customer in all 

of its branches or shops all over the world. 

We love working on custom requests, 

with a 360-degree proposal, which goes 

hand in hand with the customer’s needs, 

from understanding which material to 

use, what the spaces and volumes of the 

disassembled and subsequently assembled 

display must be, to which accessory it should 


NEXT Group 

ADVErToriAL 

be supplied with – from the shelf to the iron 

or plastic hook, with its safety rubber, to the 

anti-shoplifting device, special holders for 

reels and so much more. 

It is our desire to provide the end customer 

with everything necessary to proceed 

autonomously with a simple assembly of the 

product, thanks to a precise assembly system 

and all that it entails: screws, screwdriver and 

lighting system, for example. 

SKILLS FOR ALL 

In the last 30 years, before as a manager 

in the EdiGrafica company then from 

2021 as NEXT GROUP, Sara Ballotta 

has collaborated in the realisation of many 

projects for major brands of fishing tackle, 

designing and setting up showrooms, shopin-shop, 

corner shop and more concepts 

right through to the design of furnishings 

and environmental or green areas for 

the headquarters of some of the leading 

companies in the world in the packaging 

sector. 

NEXT GROUP has strong design skills. 

Sara has collaborated with major names in 

the design / construction of elegant stores 

in important centres such as Milan, Bologna 

and Rome. 

By establishing an excellent relationship 

with the customer we are increasingly able 

to understand their needs, which at this 

time are based on a product that has a good 

balance between quality and price. 

For this reason, Sara has also created the 

‘Eco-friendly’ line, which uses a top quality, 

eco-sustainable material such as RE-Board, 

but with a more cost-effective price, both for 

the finished product and for shipping costs, 

since these items also have a limited specific 

weight. 

NEXT GROUP 

Via Audinot 4 

40127 Bologna IT 

+ 39 33557 37302 

sara@next-go.it 

www.next-go.it 

Boost your display 

with great accessories. 

Anti-theft options are also available. 


31

FEATURE 

A LIFETIME IN 

LURE DESIGN 

Coming up with ideas for lures can be challenging at the best of times. When 

it has been your life’s work, new concepts can be harder to come by but for 

Japanese brand Sea Falcon’s CEO and chief designer Mr Tetsuo Itou it’s all 

about ensuring performance and design work in perfect harmony. 

TTW: WhaT goT you sTarTed In 

lure desIgn? 

TETSUO ITOU: I have always been interested 

making things, from a young age. In the 

beginning it was toys but, as my interest 

in fishing grew, I started to design my 

own lures. Initially it was mainly out of 

necessity since the availability of products 

was so limited. 

WhIch areas are your maIn 

focus When makIng a neW 

producT? 

My main focus is always the target, 

what technique is being used for fishing 

and what baitfish they feed on. Just 


as important, though, naturally is the 

design of the lure but I never sacrifice 

performance for design or vice versa – 

the two parts need to exist in harmony. 

We always try to go the extra mile and 

be true to the handmade approach and 

detailed production. 

I also try to consider the angler 

and make products as user-friendly 

as possible; products which would be 

widely able to communicate the fun and 

enjoyment which fishing brings. 

WhIch of your desIgns are 

you mosT proud of? 

“Z Slow” has been in many ways at 

the beginning of the slow pitch jigging 

movement and has become a strong icon 

for us, so I would certainly rank it very 

highly. 

Another one I would pick is our “Slow 

Squid” – the combination of lead insert 

and squid skin makes it applicable for 

a variety of species and I think there is 

much more potential in it still. 

hoW has The IndusTry 

changed In your 25 years of 

experIence? 

The biggest difference would be the 

number of brands out there now. Back 

when I started, there was really only a

The Big Interview 

handful of brands. Although, naturally, 

as the market developed, so we saw an 

increase in the number of brands to service 

various new niches. 

The much easier access to overseas 

production also changed the dynamics of 

the market and resulted in the number 

of local manufacturers radically reducing. 

Another huge difference is the move of the 

majority of names to production overseas. 

Why have you kept your 

production facilities in 

Japan even though the 

majority of the industry was 

moving to cheaper overseas 

production? 

My passion is manufacturing, that’s why 

I always tried to preserve the handmade 

aspect of our products, even though 

naturally moving production overseas 

offers certain advantage on the price. 

However, it also brings with it many 

compromises and I’m not ready to make 

those. It will remain our pride to be a 

fusion of Japanese fishing innovation 

and handmade tradition. That’s why 

we are also proud of our “Japan Brand” 

certification by the Japanese government 

– the only brand in the fishing industry 

with that. 

Where do “Made In Japan” 

products have an advantage, 

do you think? 

It’s hard to say, generally, since even 

in Japan you can find various levels of 

quality, but I would say that the attention 

to detail is certainly something which 

sets it apart. The level of confidence that 

“Made In Japan” brings has been earned 

over many decades and has come to 

represent reliability. 

Why was the Sea Falcon 

brand created? 

We started as a domestic OEM 

manufacturer and have seen the growing 

popularity of jigging. Many of our OEM 

partners have been in high demand, 

not only domestically but also 

globally. Many times, the size of the 

demand was so high that it surprised 

me and opened my eyes to the 

potential of the international market. 

So can you explain the 

international growth of 

Sea Falcon? 

Our international presence went 

through several stages. The first stage 

was all about getting the name out there 

and increasing the brand awareness. We 

have worked very hard on presenting our 

products in a number of countries; we have 

been regulars at EFTTEX and ICAST 

shows but also attended Thai, Korean or 

Italian fishing shows, too. 

Initially, I was contemplating how to 

make our products stand out the most 

and came up with the idea for a “rolling 

sushi” stand. That has brought us a large 

amount of attention and many of the show 

organisers came to thank us directly for 

such a creative approach to booth design. 

We have also focused on bringing and 

getting products directly to users and, after 

developing the movement in the Florida 

area and in Australia, we also organised 

tournaments there. With Australia, we 

even went a step further and organised a 

sales tour around Australian shops, visiting 

around 80 in total. 

We always tried to be very “hands on” 

with Sea Falcon and bring the brand which 

we have built with passion over the years to 

every market. 

So, what’s next for Sea 

Falcon? 

Now, with the appointment of an 

experienced international sales manager 

in Martin Bakos, we have started the 

second stage of our global strategy and 

are much more proactive in approaching 

the markets. That does not mean only 

establishing a resale point but also 

working with distributors together on 

finding and developing the most fitting 

products. We have also started to focus 

more on our social media presence as 

Covid-19 made it impossible for us to 

travel for so long. 

Tetsuo Itou 

www. bluing-hearts.com 


33

FEATURE 

St Croix 

INNOVATING 

FOR WALLEYE 

AND ZANDER 

ANGLERS 

Completely re-engineered and expanded, the St Croix 

Legend Tournament Walleye Series has received serious 

performance enhancements for 2023. 

Born from three exhaustive years 

of research, development and 

testing, the next-generation 

Legend Tournament Walleye 

series is the most comprehensive, highperformance 

walleye- and zander-specific 

fishing series ever created by St Croix 

Rod. 

Dramatically re-engineered and 

expanded for 2023, it includes 17 

progressive, technique-specific models, 

handcrafted in the USA on St Croix’s allnew 

SCIV+ hybrid carbon fibre blanks. 

These rods feature all of St Croix’s 

top technologies, the best-available 

components and incorporate redesigned, 

angler-requested super-grade full-cork 

handles and ergonomics for improved 

comfort and control. 

“Designing, testing, and building this 

series presented a clear opportunity 

for our team to apply SCIV+ blank 

technology and design for the benefit of 

walleye and zander anglers,” says St Croix 

brand manager Ryan Teach. 

“These hybrid materials – namely 

SCIV carbon and SCVI carbon – allow 

us to not only build blanks that are 

stronger, lighter and more finely balanced, 

but to fine-tune and dial-in specific 

lengths, powers, and actions with the 

unique performance characteristics that 

allow them to excel in their intended 

applications. 

“Each individual blank contains a 

different and distinct combination of 

those materials, and the specific and 

proprietary percentages, locations, and 

combinations are based on exhaustive 

research and testing for each length, 

power and action. 

“The new blanks and components 

combine for significant improvements 

in balance and reduced tip weight across 

all models,” continued Teach, who added 

Legend Tournament Walleye’s all-new 

angler-requested full-cork handles play 

an integral role in furthering fishability. 

“The reel seats are integrated 

seamlessly within the five distinct handle 

designs that provide an extended foregrip 

for more comfortable fishing. Anglers will 

also appreciate the machined aluminium 

locking nuts that further promote 

comfort while enhancing feel.” 

KEY FEATURES 

• 

17 distinct light through heavy power 

models to support walleye- and zanderspecific 

presentations 

• 

Next-generation technique-specific hybrid 

carbon fibre SCIV+ blanks 

• 

Fortified Resin System (FRS) technology 

• 

Advanced Reinforcing Technology (ART) 

• 

Integrated Poly Curve (IPC) mandrel 

technology 

• 

Taper Enhancement Technology (TET) 

blank design 

• 

K-Style stainless-steel tangle-free guides 

with Alconite rings 

• 

Ergonomic full-grip super-grade cork 

handles with integrated nylon and stainlesssteel 

reel seat 

• 

Precision-machined aluminium reel seat 

nut 

• 

15-year transferable warranty backed by 

St Croix Superstar Service 

• 

Designed and handcrafted in Park Falls, 

Wisconsin, USA for walleye and zander 

anglers worldwide 

• 

Retail price $270 to $320 

Check out the video here: 

shorturl.at/emI09 

Interested in becoming a St Croix dealer? 

E-mail: dealersupport@stcroixrods.com 

ST CROIX 

www. stcroixrods.com 


Partners Wanted! 

Energofish Ltd. is looking for new Partners 

all over the World. Free delivery on orders 

over €300. Registration and other details: 

NETHERLANDS GERMANY SWEDEN POLAND FRANCE ITALY 

INFO@ENERGOFISH.COM 

WWW.ENERGOFISH.COM

MAKING 

CONTACT 

Making Contact 

1 

2 

3 

Want your products to 

be seen by thousands of 

potential buyers… FREE 

of charge? Then get in 

touch, we’d love to hear 

from you. 

1 FIN-NOR 2 DAIWA 

LATERAL LINE LENSES 

¾ OZ GRASS RIPPER JIG 

3 MUSTAD 

HERITAGE FLY HOOKS 

JOHN HUNTER 

+44 7990 542958 

john.hunter@dhpub.co.uk 

DAVID HAYNES 

david.haynes@dhpub.co.uk 

Contact John or David directly 

for details of how to send your 

product and a short description to 

Tackle Trade World’s office. 

Fin-Nor’s exclusive Lateral 

Line lens technology improves 

vision on the water by enhancing 

colour without distortion and 

offers a sharper, clearer view while 

fishing by reducing blue light 

transmittance. 

Each frame is designed for allday 

comfort and helps eliminate 

the barriers the sun creates 

between an angler and seeing 

their success crystal clear. 

They also protect the eyes 

completely from both UVB and 

UVA light. 

www.Fin-Nor.com 

Come summer, largemouth 

bass make a habit of burying 

themselves in the grass. Daiwa 

and Ever Green International’s 

Grass Ripper (GR) jig series now 

includes a ¾ oz version for deep 

water bass while slow-crawled in 

the shallows they can attract the 

attention of spring bass. 

Featuring a perfectly positioned 

eyelet at the front of the jig’s nose, 

and teardrop-shaped head that 

angles smoothly from eyelet to 

base, the Grass Ripper slithers and 

glides over grass instead of trying 

to power through it. Available in 

10 proven colours with heavygauge, 

4/0 custom bait-holder 

hook. 

www.daiwa.us 

Fly fishing demands the highest 

quality of materials for the most 

effective flies and Mustad says it 

has spared no expense with its 

latest fly hook range. 

As the foundation of a fly, it’s 

crucial that Heritage Fly Hooks 

offer the latest hook technologies. 

With Mustad’s new AlphaPoint 

4.8 technology and improved 

coatings, you can expect the very 

best from these hooks. 

www.mustad-fishing.com 


Registration’s Open Now! 

Salt Palace Convention Center 

September 26-28, 2023 in Salt Lake City, Utah 

Need more info? Go to AFFTA.org or email kenneth.andres@AFFTA.org 

PERFORMANCE 

MATTERS 

• 100% Nickel Titanium Shape 

Memory Alloy 

• Corrosion Proof 

• Uniquely Flexible – Eliminates 

Blank Flat Spots 

• Virtually Indestructible 

• Extreme Light Weight 

• Extremely Wear Resistant 

REC’s new RECOIL XL ® guide series is the innovation 

the fishing rod industry has been asking for. 

RECOIL XL ® guides make the best fishing rods 

on the planet even better. 

Additional information will be available soon 

regarding what makes RECOIL XL ® unique. 

MADE 

IN USA 

LAUNCHING 

RECOIL XL ® SERIES AT 

(860) 749-3476 

Sales@REC.com 

www.REC.com 

BOOTH #625

FEATURE 

Nearly a decade in the making, 

Power-Pole’s MOVE 

Brushless Trolling Motor was 

concepted and constructed 

from the ground up with a focus on not 

just improving upon existing offerings but 

exceeding them in every way. 

The result is not only the most powerful 

electric motor available but also the 

quietest and most durable trolling motor 

sportfishing has seen. 

STARTING FROM SCRATCH 

Founder John Oliverio and his team began 

by looking at the technology and materials 

available and decided that to bear the name 

Power-Pole, they needed to begin from 

scratch. They needed to produce their own 

brushless motor and steering components 

to achieve their goals and began producing 

technology never before used in marine 

applications. 

The MOVE Brushless Trolling Motor is 

constructed of the same premium materials 

and innovation found in the industry 

standard Shallow Water Anchors. 

The technology used in the 

next-gen brushless motor and 

POWER-POLE 

MAKES ITS 

MOVE WITH 

BRUSHLESS 

TROLLING 

MOTOR 

Since the inception of the Shallow Water Anchor more than 

20 years ago, the name Power-Pole has become synonymous 

with innovation and durability. Now it unveils its MOVE, the 

strongest and most advanced trolling motor ever created. 


Power-Pole 

FEATURE 

Stealth Steering Drive 

are key to the power production 

and the operational reliability of 

the motor. 

The motor and steering systems are 

engineered to produce ultimate power while 

remaining near silent in their operation. 

The Power Unity System and reinforced 

Techflow Propeller are said to create 30 

per cent more power than industry-leading 

trolling motors, all while being whisper 

quiet. 

The low-profile bracket features the 

ported aluminium design made famous 

by its Blade Shallow Water Anchors and 

is protected by Power-Pole’s Multi-layer 

Corrosion Resistance Technology. Even the 

hinges, locks and pivot points of the bracket 

are engineered to withstand the rigours of 

extreme fishing conditions. 

The revolutionary shaft is manufactured 

from nearly unbreakable aerospace-grade 

titanium that will hold up to extreme 

pressure. That shaft combined with the 

bracket has been tested to withstand the 

harshest environments in fishing. While 

it is built to last, the MOVE is built with 

contingencies so that anglers can stay on the 

water. Compound fail-safes were engineered 

into the system to ensure that the motor 

functions as it should even if parts become 

compromised. 

Robert Shamblin, vice-president of JL 

Marine Systems, explained how much went 

into the development of the motor. “The 

Power-Pole MOVE Brushless Trolling 

Motor is a culmination of years of hard work 

and dedication of the Power Pole team. I 

am happy to say that the result is the best 

trolling motor on the market, and I can’t 

wait for everyone to be ‘MOVEd’ when they 

experience what we’ve produced.” 

SETTING THE STANDARD 

The MOVE Brushless Trolling Motor 

comes standard with all of the features the 

modern angler has become accustomed to 

and more. 

Advanced Anchor Mode allows the angler 

to stealthily maintain position while focusing 

on fishing, while the Vector Heading feature 

follows a straight course down a bank or 

offshore drift and the Follow a Route feature 

guided by ProNav allows the angler to use 

the Power-Pole app or compatible device to 

set a route for the motor to follow. Finally, a 

Compass Heading feature causes the motor 

to bear towards specific compass headings 

identified by the user. 

The Power-Pole MOVE Brushless 

Trolling Motor is available in two versions – 

the MOVE ZR has a hinged scissor bracket 

commonly used on bass boats while the 

MOVE PV boasts a pivoting version most 

commonly used on saltwater and big water 

boats. 

Both are built to withstand use in 

saltwater environments, will operate in 

24- or 36-volt systems, are integrated 

with Power-Pole’s C-Monster 2.0 wireless 

connection system and produce Max True 

Thrust of 100lb in a 36-volt system or 78lb 

in a 24-volt setup. Power-Pole has chosen to 

use real world honest “True Thrust” numbers 

to measure MOVE performance instead of 

the current scaling standards. 

Quite simply, the Power-Pole MOVE 

Brushless Trolling Motor is built to be 

the strongest, quietest, most reliable, most 

powerful, weed-destroying trolling motor on 

the market. 

Each motor carries a three-year warranty 

on everything but the titanium shaft, which 

is protected by a lifetime warranty, similar 

to Power-Pole’s Lifetime Everflex Spike 

Warranty found in its Shallow Water 

Anchors, all backed by its top-class customer 

service. 

PROOF OF THE PUDDING 

Pro angler Chris Lane, a multi-time 

champion and Power-Pole pro, testified 

to the quality of the product, saying: “This 

trolling motor is the ultimate combination 

of everything I need to compete. 

“MOVE is the lightest and quietest I 

have ever used and is the most powerful 

and strongest at the same time; it has truly 

helped me go more places and catch more 

fish.” 

Lane’s brother Bobby, a champion angler 

and key Power-Pole pro staffer himself, 

added: “I am primarily a shallow water 

angler and being stealthy is very important 

to me. MOVE is not only the quietest 

motor I have ever used, but it has every 

major feature I need to be competitive and 

some that you don’t expect; it is truly the 

best I have ever used.” 

The MOVE ZR is available in shaft 

lengths of 45, 52 and 60in versions while 

the MOVE PV is also available in these 

shaft lengths plus a 72in model. 

POWER-POLE 

www.power-pole.com 


39

FEATURE 

Energofish 

THE EXPERTS IN 

CARP FISHING LINES 

The first Carp Expert line was made 25 years ago, back in the early days of Energofish, 

when there was less data and market feedback, so the designers had to take some brave 

decisions. But they paid off as these lines have been hugely successful. 

The success of these 

monofilaments, which started 

with the Carp Expert Black 

series, provided a strong base for 

the brand to develop a full range covering all 

the needs of professional carp anglers. 

It covers not just monofilament line but 

other essentials like hooks through to the 

most modern GPS-navigated bait boats 

and, most recently, its baits. 

LINING UP 

Returning to lines, the first idea paid off so 

well that the Carp Expert Black series is 

still available today. From this line the range 

developed rapidly and today there is a wide 

variety of carp lines, from standard monos 

to fluorocarbon, tapered lines and of course, 

braids. 

In the last 25 years, since Carp Expert 

Black was introduced, the technology has 

developed quickly with and many new 

items created. 

At the same time, people looked for 

standard quality and, shortly after the 

UV was introduced along with the Boilie 

Special Multicolour. These three models are 

still in the range today, as many people were 

satisfied with how they performed and saw 

no reason to change. 


With feedback from anglers and retailers 

alike, Energofish began to set standards for 

its Carp Expert monofilament. It kept the 

150m version of the three older models, 

packed in individual paper boxes. For most 

lines, the core packing unit is 300m spools. 

These come in a transparent PVC box, 

with backing card, and the most important 

feature is they are parallel-wound. Thanks 

to this special spooling process, the line 

is spooled tightly, with each thread next 

to another. This spooling process provides 

perfect line lay on the spools, without being 

twisted. It provides less stress for the line, 

meaning safer and longer-term storage 

without damage, from the factory to the 

anglers’ reels. 

The third unit in the range is a 1,000m 

spool in a metal can, which can protect 

the line from most brutal impacts. It 

also protects the line from its biggest 

enemy, UV light from the sun. This sales 

unit became a favourite of anglers and 

retailers immediately once introduced. It 

doesn’t only look good, it is also safe and 

economical at the same time. The 1,000m 

spools are packed in inner cartons of four 

pieces, which is a convenient quantity even 

for the smallest shops. 

LEADING THE WAY 

2017 became a milestone in the 

development of the Carp Expert 

monofilament range. After many years of 

testing and prototypes, the team managed to 

apply Teflon coating on them. 

While it had already perfected the process 

for braid, it wasn’t so easy for mono. 

But the breakthrough allowed it to 

introduce the Carp Expert Method 

Feeder monofilament with Teflon coating, 

providing more advanced casting features 

and higher abrasion resistance. When 

using Method feeders, these are both very 

important. Thanks to that unique process, 

Method Feeder monofilament is one of the 

most popular lines. 

As anglers demand new products, so 

Carp Expert delivered. In 2022 Energofish 

introduced three new items – Carp Expert 

Crystal, Smoke and Prestige. 

Smoke was nominated in 2022’s 

EFTTEX Digital New Product Showcase, 

winning the monofilament category as well 

as being runner up in the Anglers’ Choice 

award, voted on by anglers from all over the 

world. 

ENERGOFISH 

energofish.com

The Perfect Choice 

The TiForged Family of guides are requested more by rod designers than any other guide train in the world. With the 

versitility of double foot, single foot, ceramic rings, and sizes the TiForged Snagless guides are the perfect choice for any 

rod builder, designer, or brand looking to have the best guides on thier rods. 

Snagless 3166 or solid 

titanium alloy guide 

frame designs in spinning 

& casting configurations. 

Hardened frames for extreme 

strength, keeping 

rings secure and safe 

from frame deformation. 

Slim ring design to reduce 

weight, polished round for 

increased casting distances 

& extended line life 

Available with American 

Tackle’s proprietary Nanolite, 

Duralite or ultra-slim 

Pentalite ring guide options 

www.americantackle.us 

FULL RANGE OF TERMINAL TACKLE AND ACCESSORIES 

It’s a 

family 

thing 

EST. 

1958 

F J Neil has been family owned and operated since the 

1950s… and is still going strong! Under the Dolphin brand 

we supply all types of terminal tackle and accessories, from 

traditional bamboo poles to the latest rigs and lures. 

• Competitive pricing 

• Large stock inventory – no order delays 

• Rapid turnaround • Export specialists 

• Able to source any special requirements 

FOR FULL TRADE DETAILS 

PLEASE CONTACT US AT CANEFISH@AOL.COM / +1 631-957-1073 

FJ NEIL COMPANY INC, 1064 ROUTE 109, PO BOX 617, LINDENHURST, NY 11757-0617 USA 

We are looking for experienced agents or distributors for the European market. If qualified, email Neil Miritello at nmfjn@aol.com

ADVERTORIAL 

CHANGING CHALLENGES, 

CHALLENGING CHANGES 

Standing firm, with 30 years of visibility and experience in the fishing line sector, Hungarybased 

Balázs Filament Technologies has evolved into a business which is now one of the 

most prominent and best-known names in the European market. 

All of the hard work and 

development efforts for Balázs 

Filament Technologies (BFT) 

over the past three years have 

certainly not been in vain. 

Having doubled the production capacity 

at its facility has meant that the last two 

years have been the best in the company’s 

30-year history in the market. In fact, 2022 

was exceptional as the company actually 

doubled its revenue. 

But now, the enterprise is consolidating 

its position and standing its ground on the 

markets. Thanks to its planned overseas 

strategy Balázs Filament Technologies 

is now present in both North and South 

America as well as in the Middle East 

and South Africa along with, of course, all 

the countries in the European Union and 

beyond. 


MEETING THE CHALLENGE 

BFT’s CEO and owner Lajos Balázs 

explained: “There are such rapid changes 

going on at present in this uncertain 

world. Manufacturing trends have 

been transformed just as fast as trading 

tendencies. This goes for all areas, not 

exclusively just for the angling line 

business. 

“The old saying might, after all, be true – 

‘the only constant in life is change’. Change 

is constant, that is a fact. However recent 

happenings have accelerated the process. 

“The pandemic and the way it has been 

handled, not to mention its after effects; 

the issue of climate change and the move 

to take more potent action against it; the 

latest conflicts, [some of which are on our 

doorstep.] 

“These have a huge impact on the future 

that lies ahead of us. It is a certainty that 

the social and economic structures that 

prevailed in the last 20 years will undergo 

partial reconstruction and new paradigms 

will emerge. 

“Since this change has been going 

on now for a while, Balázs Filament 

Technologies has some experience 

in handling and reacting to new and 

unexpected situations.” 

EMBRACING THE CHANGES 

Balázs Filament Technologies has both 

the skills and the advantageous position 

to flexibly tackle changes head on. It 

has a distinguished and firm standing 

in the angling line market with a strong 

reputation for having always handled 

unfamiliar conditions strategically well. 

Flexibility is the management’s forte as

BFT 

ADVERTORIAL 

well as the ability to step up fast, whether 

that be meeting recent changes or simply 

being adaptable. 

The company is projecting an air 

of optimism and is certain that – as a 

European manufacturer – it will have the 

upper hand and the new conditions may 

turn out to be beneficial too in both the 

middle and long run. 

The CEOs at BFT have always 

emphasised that the company’s philosophy 

is that the manufacturing is the basis for 

creating value. Furthermore, its strategic 

goal has always been to maintain the chain 

of manufacturing in Europe in order to 

conveniently serve its European vendors. 

As many will be aware, the firm’s main 

manufacturing site is in Hungary. This 

favourable setting, the availability of 

numerous forms of EU and governmental 

State Secretaries Dr Zsófia Koncz 

and Dr László György visited BFT to 

offer their support. 

“BFT has the skills and the advantageous 

position to flexibly tackle changes head on.” 

aid, and the fact that recent years have 

produced a stable economic environment, 

have greatly contributed to this successful 

strategy. 

It is reassuring and a further great 

help that companies like Balázs Filament 

Technologies have received substantial 

subsidies last year for the relief of soaring 

energy prices caused by the cost-of-living 

and other crises. 

Lajos continued: “To finish on a positive 

note, it is considered a great success that 

EFFTEX will be held in the beautiful city 

of Budapest. 

“We are proud to announce that 

Budapest, which is an exceptional, safe 

and dynamically developing city in the 

region, is eagerly waiting to welcome 

manufacturers, vendors, professionals and 

enthusiasts from all around Europe. 

“We are almost certain that the 

trade’s experts agree with us on the 

above issues and, if not, let’s meet at 

EFFTEX in Budapest and discuss! 

EFTTEX is calling!” 

BFT 

www.bfteurope.com 

www.carbotexeurope.com 

In 2022, Balázs Filament Technologies 

entered products in the EFTTEX Best New 

Product Awards and won three prizes – 

Saltwater Fishing winner for CARBOTEX 

Planet Ocean and runner up in the Carp 

and Feeder and General and Coarse 

categories for CARBOTEX ICE for winter 

fishing. 


43

China fishing exhibition restarts 

With the effective control of the epidemic, 

exhibitions in China have recovered one after 

another, and the China Fishing Tackle Industry 

Exhibition in 2023 will also return strongly, 

effectively promoting the development of the 

industry. 

The 4-day "2023 Spring Bihai Fishing Tackle 

Industry Expo" will be held on March 23, 2023 

at Halls S1-S8 of the National Convention 

and Exhibition Center (Tianjin). Well-known 

enterprises gathered in this exhibition, such as 

DAIWA, Shimano, Laogui, Weihai Guangxing, 

PUREFISHING, Chengdu Diaoyuren, Sichuan 

Western Wind, etc. More than 2,000 enterprises 

gathered together, and the exhibition scale 

reached 100,000 square meters. This is the first 

largest and most professional exposition in the 

fishing gear industry in 2023. 

In the morning, the opening ceremony was 

held at the center stage of Hall S8. Li Xuguang, 

deputy general manager of Bihai Company, Wei 

Baozhen, chairman of China Recreational Fishing 

Association, Shi Zehua, chairman of China 

Fishing Sports Association, and Yi Zhe, chairman 

of Laogui Biotechnology, delivered speeches 

respectively. 

According to reports, the Bihai Fishing Tackle 

Industry Expo has been held in Huairou, Beijing 

for 15 years since 1989, in Langfang, Hebei for 

8 years in 2004, and in Meijiang, Tianjin for 

ten years since 2013. This time it moved to the 

National Convention and Exhibition Center

(Tianjin), the exhibition The quality has been 

improved in an all-round way. 

As the largest exhibition flagship platform 

in northern China, the National Convention 

and Exhibition Center (Tianjin) has improved 

software management and hardware facilities, 

and will provide intelligent and modern services 

for this exhibition. The new exhibition hall is 

huge in size, integrating exhibition, conference, 

business, office, and hotel functions, and has 

intelligent, modern, and all-round operating 

conditions. At the same time, the traffic around 

the new exhibition hall extends in all directions. 

The subway line 1 directly leads to the 

exhibition area, and multiple bus lines can reach 

the exhibition hall, which will greatly facilitate 

exhibitors from all over the world. 

The Lure Pavilion was built for the first time 

in Hall S8. Not only the booths of international 

brands such as Dayiwa and Shimano, but also 

a center stage area and a fishing pool were 

added. In addition to the opening ceremony 

of the sponsor, the signing ceremony of the 

China Fishing Sports Association, There are 

also 20 or 30 well-known companies such as 

Dayiwa, Ikuda, Weihai Tuoyu, Weihai Kony 

Fishing Tackle, Shanghao Baiford and other 

20 or 30 well-known companies, such as new 

product launches, product explanations, fishing

experience sharing, fishing competitions, as 

activities of the exhibition The venue will also be 

provided free of charge to exhibitors. 45 events 

were scheduled in the first three days alone. 

Since 2014, Bihai Company has held the "Most 

Popular Product" public selection activity for five 

consecutive years during the Bihai Fishing Tackle 

Industry Expo, with the purpose of advocating 

craftsmanship, building core competitiveness, 

and enhancing corporate vitality. No sponsorship 

fee is charged, and only the product popularity is 

the only fair criterion for selection. This time, we 

will continue the tradition and launch the "Most 

Popular Product" public selection activity of the 

2023 Spring Bihai Fishing Tackle Industry Expo 

again. 

Bihai Exhibition has built a good display 

platform for excellent fishing tackle companies 

at home and abroad, deepened the exchange and 

cooperation between China and the international 

fishing tackle industry, and promoted the 

vigorous development of China's fishing tackle 

industry to standardization, high quality and 

internationalization, becoming a beautiful 

exhibition industry in Tianjin. business card.

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visit www.TexasTackle.com for demo video 

WHOLESALE ONLY 

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RIGS !!!! 

TO BOOK THIS SPACE CONTACT: 

NORTH AMERICA 

BART MANGANIELLO 

T: +1 914 722 7601 

E: bartalm@optonline.net 

REST of WORLD 

GUIDO KNEGT 

T: +39 347 503 6436 

E: guido.knegt@dhpub.co.uk 

COMING UP… 

JULY 2023 

ICAST PREVEW 

Ad Copy: May 19th, 2023 

Mailed: June 7th, 2023 

Spotlight: Tackle Storage 

Doing Business With: Florida 

AUGUST 2023 

Ad Copy: June 23rd, 2023 

Mailed: July 12th, 2023 

Special issue: Predator Fishing 

Spotlight: Hooks 

Doing Business With: Hungary 

SEPTEMBER 2023 

ICAST & EFTTEX REVIEWS 

Ad Copy: July 21st, 2023 

Mailed: August 9th, 2023 

Spotlight: Apparel/Clothing 

Doing Business With: Japan 

To submit news or editorial for 

any of these issues, contact: 

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

contact our business development team: 

EDITOR 

JOHN HUNTER 

T: + 44 (0)7990 542958 

E: john.hunter@dhpub.co.uk 

NORTH AMERICA 

BART MANGANIELLO 

T: +1 914 722 7601 

E: bartalm@optonline.net 

REST of WORLD 

GUIDO KNEGT 

T: +39 347 503 6436 

E: guido.knegt@dhpub.co.uk

Fishing Ferrari RIGEL is a reel with small dimensions and great 

power. Ultra-light and excellent for mounting on Bolognese 

and small spinning rods. It features an aluminum spool and 

an oversized bail arm. 

JUST TRY IT, IN GOOD SHOPS NOW! 

lineaeffe.it

FEATURE 

Last Cast 

If I had not met a friendly fisherman in 

Ireland through a tackle shop who showed 

me the ropes, it would have taken much 

longer to find locations to fish and have 

hours of enjoyment. 

RECONNECTING WITH NATURE 

Because of the increase in technology, 

there are concerns that children are losing 

their connection to nature and a pace of 

life that is kinder to their well-being. The 

percentage of mental health disorders 

in children is on the rise, the university 

dropout rate has increased by 28 per cent 

over the last year – students as young as 

eight are increasingly seeing psychologists. 

If I think back to my own childhood, 

SFGFC Influencer Event October 2022 

LAST CAST... 

The industry has a huge chance to capitalise on the 

increased interested in fishing and the great outdoors but 

we can’t afford to miss the boat, says Robin Elwes, a fly 

casting instructor at Sportfish’s Game Fishing Centre in 

England. 

In 2020 the UK was hit by the 

biggest disruption to our normal 

way of life. The Covid-19 pandemic 

took a lot of businesses by surprise 

and made a few established fishing 

retailers close, never to re-open. The 

shops that survived and staggered through 

found a silver lining; fishing allowed us to 

get outside whilst social distancing – with 

additional psychological benefits to boot! 

This rejuvenated the sport and gave 

those who were close to retirement a 

chance to do what they always wanted to 

do, to become guides or instructors, or 

merely to go fishing for enjoyment. The 

tackle trade needs to capitalise on this 

newfound enthusiasm. 

Shops have the potential to act as 

‘clubs’; they can build relationships with 

their customers whilst advising on tackle, 

technique and locations, both locally and 

further afield. 

Crucially, shops need to champion 

instructors, guides, or anyone happy to 

take a friend fishing and show him or 

her the ropes. The enjoyment of a sport 

develops with confidence and acquired 

skills, in a relaxed environment. 

technology wasn’t as prevalent, and I 

spent most of my time outside fishing. 

There must be re-engagement with 

nature. 

Yes, it’s harder with pollution 

destroying our waterways but still there 

are places to go and the opportunity to 

help the environment and conservation 

through fishing. 

Getting people who have been affected 

by the pandemic out into the world of 

fishing has a benefit for everyone. This is 

the role tackle shops have to start filling – 

being the bridge where people can make 

the link between picking up a lifelong 

hobby that has benefits way beyond 

catching an 8lb trout on a fly line. 

At Sportfish, Theale, we are lucky to 

sit on a 60-acre site with three lakes. 

The main lake has catch and release, 

the Hobby Lake is for private hire and 

Kingfisher Pond is for children to come 

and try their hand landing a trout with 

the fly. 

Instruction in fly casting and guiding 

is right there – making the day an 

immediate success. Local shops must 

have a small army of contacts for fishing 

locations up their sleeves, they need 

to increase learning as ultimately this 

will lead in customers returning for 

both advice and to purchase even more 

equipment.

Tackle Trade World - May 2023

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