Tackle Trade World - April 2024

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APRIL 2024

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FATAL ATTRACTION
Our comprehensive guide
to lure fishing.
PAGE 18
MONSTER BUSTER
The latest tuna rod for
those giants, revealed.
PAGE 36
EFTTEX ON THE CARDS FOR 2025
As the European
Fishing Tackle Trade
Association (EFTTA)
reveals plans for an Angling
Summit for later this year, it has
also been announced that the
EFTTEX trade show looks set
to return in 2025.
Although EFTTEX 2023,
staged in Budapest, was
considered a success by some,
proposals to run another this
year were dropped at the start
of the year, although TTW
understands another European
trade show – not sanctioned by
EFTTA – is being touted.
But the focus this year will,
instead, be on an engaging
Angling Summit, designed to
bring together the industry for
two days of discussions, seminars
and networking in a central
European location.
The summit concept –
which is already favoured by
the American Sportfishing
Association and the American
Fly Fishing Trade Association
(which will be running its first
in place of the IFTD Show later
this year) – is seen as a precursor
to the return of EFTTEX in
2025.
Although a venue has not
been revealed, it is understood
that discussions are well under
way, although it is also likely that
EFTTA itself will not oversee
the show as it is concentrating
on its lobbying efforts in
the European parliament to
safeguard the future of our sport
and the industry.
EFTTA vice-president Ross
Honey told TTW: “Currently
under consideration for 2024
is an Angling Summit with an
industry awards [event] and a
restructured, made-for-purpose
EFTTEX show in 2025. There
are several different companies
submitting proposals to run
these initiatives and are due
to have these to EFTTA for
consideration by mid-March.”
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

APRIL
2024
TackleTrade
www.tackletradeworld.com
EDITORIAL
Editor:
John Hunter
04
+44 7990 542958
john.hunter@dhpub.co.uk
A journalist all his life and with 20-plus years
of international business magazine experience,
John was the founding editor of TTW and has
now returned to the helm. He has helped
many brands launch and grow over the years
through B2B publications and via his own
consultancy business.
ADVERTISING
North America:
Bart Manganiello
+1 914 722 7601
bartalm@optonline.net
For over 38 years, Bart has been working with
trade magazines, 34 in the tackle industry.
Since 2001, he has been TTW’s North American
Director, providing the best communication
programs to companies, helping them connect
with current and prospective trade partners
around the world.
Rest Of The World:
Guido Knegt
+39 3475036436
guido.knegt@dhpub.co.uk
A born and bred Dutchman, he spent five
years travelling the world as a scuba-diving
instructor and English teacher before settling
down in Sardinia. Guido previously worked for
TTW between 2014 and 2017.
China: Robert Li
Li Ziwei
+86 13451914155
robert.li365@gmail.com
Li Ziwei (Robert) has been working as news
editor for over 20 years. He founded the most
influential Chinese fishing forum in the Straits
and successfully organised many industry
events. His love for culture and tourism has led
him to devote his entire life to the exchanges
between China and southeast Asia.
Magazine Manager
Justin Fox
+44 7813 327966
justin.fox@dhpub.co.uk
A hugely experienced communicator with
more than 20 years at parent company DHP,
Justin knows what it takes to grow brands
and businesses across the tackle sector.
Sub Editor: David Haynes
Art Editor: Paul Evans
Editorial Design: Brad Sharp
DHP LTD
Editorial, administration, subscriptions and
accounts to: DHP Ltd, 1st Floor, Nene House,
Sopwith Way, Daventry, NN11 8EA, UK
www.tackletradeworld.com
JOINED-UP
THINKING HAS
YOU COVERED
Over the last 23 years – ever since we
launched Tackle Trade World – our
aim has always been to help your
business improve and grow, by supplying key
news, data, trends, insights and more.
At the same time, we have always prided
ourselves on not just carrying but enhancing
your message, as suppliers, to your buyers.
We know that the vast majority of you still
value a printed magazine arriving on your
desks each month – and that will not change.
We send out thousands of these every month,
free of charge, to qualifying businesses and
individuals in more than 120 countries.
As a result, we are unique in the
marketplace – we are the only dedicated
international printed B2B title in our sector.
As you may well be aware, we also produce
a digital version, which we send to around
10,000 interested parties who have trusted us
with their email addresses
Naturally, we also use this database for
regular e-shot communications, either
from ourselves to as a service to our valued
advertisers, all at very competitive rates.
Our website continues to enjoy significant
traffic and it will be updated more regularly
from now on, ensuring you keep abreast of all
the latest developments in the tackle world.
At the same time, TTW has its own social
media channels – Facebook, LinkedIn and
YouTube – which we use to promote key
content.
3,511
6,466
In the past, since we are a B2B magazine,
we have been careful about how much
information we share on these platforms as
they are accessible to both the industry and
the wider public.
But we also recognise that this is where
many of our readers go to consume additional
content and, of course, the nature of social
media means that what we share there is
instant, whereas our magazine does take
a little time to travel from our printer and
mailing house to those 120-plus countries.
So you will find us increasingly using our
social media channels, especially LinkedIn,
where our presence is growing at a significant
rate.
We’ll not only be sharing some of our
compelling content from the magazine but
we will be actively working with you, our
industry partners, to support and relay your
messaging too, while also delivering useful
information and data.
It’s yet another way for you to stay on top
of what is happening, globally, within our
trade while gleaning more about industry
trends analysis.
So make sure you search and follow us on
Facebook, X and, of course, LinkedIn to stay
one step ahead of what’s happening in the
industry…
John Hunter
Editor

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APRIL
2024
18
16
24
30
Contents
28
36
08 NEWS
Foundation Outdoor Group appoints vicepresident
as it plans for growth while retail
giant Angling Direct posts revenue increase
news.
16 ICAST MAKES EVERYONE HAPPY
A special ‘happy hour’ at the world’s
biggest sportfishing trade event, ICAST,
heralds the hugely important New Product
Showcase Reception.
18 SPOTLIGHT ON… LURES
Lure fishing is probably the quickest and
easiest method to get you started fishing
while also promising a good success rate –
the range of lures, though, is vast!
20 SHOP WINDOW
We offer a few suggestions for lures
that are destined to be strong sellers for
you and encourage more bites for your
customers.
24 DOING BUSINESS WITH… AFRICA
Such a vast continent with so many
countries undoubtedly brings some great
opportunities but it’s a complex place with
so much going on, so where do you start?
We have a few pointers for you.
28 LEADING THE CARBON FIBRE
REVOLUTION
With a host of major tackle awards to
its name, the Tsuka 2 rod handle from
American Tackle has redefined the carbon
fibre handle market.
30 UNDER THE HOOD OF THE G4 PRO
JACKET
Designed and developed to deliver nextlevel
weather protection, comfort and
durability, Simms’ latest offering has you
covered.
36 MONSTER BUSTING WITH ZENAQ
In 1998 Japanese rod expert Zenaq
introduced the Monster Buster, designed to
catch huge tuna. Now it has raised the bar
even higher with its latest project.
38 MAKING CONTACT
More tackle and gear recently released into
the market that you might wish to consider
adding to your inventory for the coming
season.
40 EASY WAYS TO BOOST YOUR
BUSINESS
In such a competitive marketplace, it’s
important to stand out from the crowd but
knowing the best approach is not easy. We
have some simple tips to help you.
06 www.tackletradeworld.com

ARE YOU READY TO EXPERIENCE
THE WORLD OF FLY FISHING?
Fly anglers and major brands
will again be descending on
the Event Forum Fürstenfeld
in Germany for the annual
Experience the World of Fly
Fishing (EWF), on April 13th
and 14th.
EWF welcomes
representatives and visitors
from more than 20 different
countries, not just from Europe
but from across the world.
Top personalities give fly
casting and fly tying
demonstrations and
instruction at two
casting pools and the many
meadows on site, with fly tyers
and brands throughout the
show halls.
Over 100 renowned
exhibitors will showcase their
fly fishing products again
this year, covering products,
materials, destinations, waters,
magazines, books and clothing,
alongside art and
craft workshops
and, this year, a
special exhibition on Atlantic
salmon, an iconic species that
suffers from climate change,
pollution, fish farms and dams.
The Patagonia team offers
no-cost repair of clothing of
any brand, although not waders
or wading shoes.
In addition, the German
Open Championship in Fly
Tying is also being staged for
international competitors.
The Fürstenfeld Exhibition
Center has a special charm
thanks to its location in historic
monastery grounds, which
feature a magnificent Baroque
church, the courtyards, gardens,
and lovingly restored buildings.
The event is open on
Saturday, April 13th from 9am
to 6pm and on Sunday, April
14th from 9am to 5pm.
Foundation Outdoor hunts down Hunter
Foundation Outdoor Group, the
world’s largest supplier of rod building
components, supplies, equipment and
instruction, has promoted Hunter
McKamey to the role of vice president as
it seeks further growth.
Reporting directly to president and
COO Brook Oliva, Hunter be the primary
contact for day-to-day operations and will
focus on aligning processes and business
practices with Foundation’s aggressive
growth strategies in the United States,
Europe and Asia.
Brook said: “This is a great opportunity
for Hunter and for Foundation Outdoor
Group. Hunter has a wealth of experience
in angling and in the fishing rod business.
He has a keen sense for our business and
for our customers, and I am confident
that he will thrive in this new leadership
position.”
Hunter grew up in the custom tackle
industry, working for his father’s rod
building business in Tennessee.
He joined American Tackle when he
began his college career at the University
of Central Florida, where he was a
champion angler.
In 2016, he took his experience to Mud
Hole Custom Tackle, which grew into
his most recent position as director of
the product development and purchasing
department at Foundation Outdoor
Group.
Hunter said: “I’m excited to accept this
new challenge and help take Foundation
Outdoor Group to new heights. We have
an amazing team and we have already been
working on a number of key initiatives
to expand our presence across the globe
and to improve our day-to-day business
operations as well.”
With Foundation Outdoor Group’s
acquisition of American Tackle and Mud
Hole Custom Tackle last August, and the
purchase of a new European headquarters
in Halmstad, Sweden in October, the
company continues to streamline its
backend processes, marketing initiatives,
and sales programs.
Hunter McKamey.
Hunter’s promotion is yet another
strategic move to solidify Foundation’s
leadership position within the fishing
tackle and outdoors industry.
foundationoutdoorgroup.com
08 www.tackletradeworld.com

Anglers need to be vigilant of threats
US industry body the American
Sportfishing Association has
urged anglers to be wary of threats
from those keen on removing
their rights to fish.
Speaking at the annual
National Professional Anglers’
Association conference in
Florida, the ASA’s vice-president
of government affairs, Mike
Leonard, said individuals needed
to work alongside organisations
like his to protect their sport.
Nearly half of Australia’s
fishable waters are now off limits
while some European countries
ban catch and release, claiming it
hurts the fish.
While American angler
interests are backed by the
American Sportfishing
Association (ASA), the nation’s
largest trade association for the
recreational sportfishing industry,
it cannot completely protect
fishing rights alone.
Mike outlined three key areas
to consider in order to safeguard
fishing including not taking
fishing for granted, not sitting
on the sidelines and stopping
infighting with the sport.
He went on to talk about
knowing the issues in your area,
joining fishing organisations
that work to protect sportfishing
like the NPAA and the ASA,
and keeping up with the issues
that could affect your ability to
access the vast amount of aquatic
resources available in this country
via the ASA website.
asafishing.org
ANGLING DIRECT REELS
IN REVENUE RISE
Major tackle retailer Angling Direct has seen a
10 per cent rise in revenue – to £81.7 million –
despite a challenging consumer landscape and
disruption to fishing caused by named storm
events in the final weeks of its fiscal year.
Resilient UK store sales – up 7.6 per cent
to £44.4m, were underpinned by stronger
conversion and new store openings in 2023,
including Cardiff and Goole in April, increasing
the group’s store footprint from 45 to 47.
These new stores, alongside those stores
opened in the previous year, contributed £3.6m
of sales in the year. Like for like store sales were
£40.7m, representing 3.1 per cent growth and
demonstrating strength against the previous
fiscal year, which saw a flat growth rate.
Total online sales increased 13.5 per cent to
£37.2m, up from £32.8m, driven in part by a
36.3 per cent rise in European online sales to
£4.3m, as the company continues to develop this
area.
UK online sales rose by 11.1 per cent,
driven by strong average transaction value
growth and reflecting increasing engagement
in the company’s loyalty and repeat purchase
membership model, MyAD, boasting more
than 220,000 members at the period end after
launching in June.
CEO Steve Crowe said: “Angling Direct has
continued to gain market share in the UK and
Europe and we believe there are significant
further growth opportunities in both markets.
“The group will continue to invest in its digital
and physical footprint in the UK to capture
further market share growth, leveraging its
strong balance sheet to ensure it is competitively
placed as consumer confidence returns.
“The European market creates a significantly
larger addressable market but remains highly
competitive, driven by even more intense price
competition.
“Despite this, the group delivered strong
growth, whilst retaining pricing discipline,
leading to further market share gains, which
provides the board with confidence that
its European strategy remains appropriate.
In January 2024 we committed to our first
European store in Utrecht in The Netherlands.
The store is scheduled to open during the spring
fishing season.”
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ST. CROIX FLY EXPANDS
SALES REP TEAM
St. Croix Rod is growing its sales
rep team with the addition of
HM Outdoors to represent its
fly fishing brand in the Northern
Rocky-Mountain and Pacific
Northwest states of Idaho,
Montana, Wyoming, Oregon,
Washington and Alaska, USA.
The established agency,
headquartered in Bozeman,
Montana has a 26-year heritage
of serving top manufacturers in
the outdoor, fishing, whitewater
and hunting industries
throughout the American
Northwest.
St. Croix fly fishing director
of sales, Zack Dalton, explained:
“The Northern Rockies and
Pacific Northwest represent an
incredible opportunity for us to
reintroduce our brand’s unique
heritage and exciting new fly rods
to a community of anglers for
whom fly fishing is a whole lot
more than a hobby, a passion, or
even a lifestyle.
“Travis and his team at
HM Outdoors have proven
themselves a trusted resource for
the fly shops and professional
guides that provide the core of
the speciality
fly fishing
community
here, and we
couldn’t be more
excited to start
working together
to support
these anglers
with the elitelevel
products,
technologies and
service St. Croix
provides.”
HM Outdoors
owner Travis
Morris has lived
his entire life
in the area he
serves and added:
“I was raised a
fifth-generation
Sheridan, Wyoming kid to
a ranching family. I fished
wherever and however I could
in those early years, and Ritz
Sporting Goods was my hangout
when I wasn’t fishing.
“I eventually moved to
Bozeman and went to school
at Montana State, worked to
establish myself as a fishing guide
and served as general manager
for the Bozeman Angler for 12
years.”
He went to work as a sales
representative in 2006 for
Brooks Montgomery – the
well-known fly angler and
founder of what would become
the Hart-Montgomery Agency
and, later, HM Outdoors, the
company Morris now owns.
He said: “Our team at HM
Outdoors is stoked to be
working with St. Croix Fly
Fishing for so many reasons.
I repped the company for a
number of years and have a
personal connection with the
brand that goes back to the early
days of my own fishing.”
Outdoor company makes leap with Frog factory
GSM Outdoors, the name behind countless
hunting and fishing brands, has released a
new one in the lure sector – the Frog Factory.
With the intent of delivering both proven
and innovative products in the category of
frogs, toads, and hollow-body topwaters, the
Frog Factory offers existing, proven products
in the Boom Boom Frog and the Ribbit
with a focus on upcoming innovation and
development.
Crispin Powley, GSM’s senior vicepresident
of fishing, revealed: “We’re
constantly being asked to develop frogs
and toads by our pros and end-users. After
hearing that we needed to ‘design something
like a Ribbit’ enough times, we decided that
it was better to own the original than try to
design around it.
“This brand will be a fun combination
10 www.tackletradeworld.com
of proven designs and modern innovative
concepts that will ultimately add value to the
frog category in every angler’s tacklebox.”
Major League Fishing pro and Boom
Boom Frog creator Fred Roumbanis added:
“I can’t tell you how excited I am to be
working with the gang at GSM to launch
the Frog Factory brand. The foundation of
the brand will be my Boom Boom Frogs and
the iconic Ribbit series, but we also already
have several awesome new products in the
works that I can’t wait to get in my hands.
“Frog fishing is something that I’ve
based my career around and I’m ecstatic to
help start a brand dedicated to serious frog
fishermen.”
Alongside iconic hunting brands like
Truglo, Tenzing, Walker’s, Birchwood-
Casey, SOG knives and Stealth Cam, GSM
Outdoors also offers Gary Yamamoto
Customer Baits, Bill Lewis, Phenix Rods and
Buckeye Lures.
gsmoutdoors.com

It’s a wrap for Bajío’s
latest glasses launch
Offering a tight, full wrap
for maximum sun and wind
protection, the Rigolets is the
latest glasses offering from
relative newcomer on the scene,
Bajío.
The US-based brand says the
product – pronounced RIGuh-Leez
– is perfect for boat
owners with small and narrow
faces and boasts wide temples
and vented rubber sun-blocking
side shields.
Each pair also features Bajío’s
polarised, blue light-blocking
lenses with LAPIS technology
for crisp, clear fish-spotting
vision.
Named after a deepwater
Foundation Outdoor Group
has released details of a
string of ground-breaking
rod building products from
American Tackle and Custom
Rod Builder (CRB)
Among the latest
innovations are the ICAST
2023 Best In Show awardwinning
Tsuka 2 complete
carbon handle from American
Tackle.
strait with incredible history
just 30 minutes outside of New
Orleans, Rigolets means trench
in French.
The glasses are available in
three different frame colours
with a total of 14 lens options.
bajiosunglasses.com
ESSENTIAL ROD BUILDING
LAUNCHES ANNOUNCED
The Foundation Outdoor team
celebrate American Tackle’s Tsuka 2
rod handle success at China Fish 2024.
The handle has also just scooped the Best Fishing Accessory
awarded at the China Fish 2024 show in Beijing.
Engineered for discerning anglers and forward-thinking rod
designers, the Tsuka 2 is said to push the boundaries of carbon
handle technology, offering unprecedented strength, feel, and
weight relief with a slim and ergonomic design.
Foundation’s president and COO, Brook Oliva, said: “We’re
elated to bring home yet another major award for the American
Tackle brand. The timing was also impeccable, as we just launched
the Tsuka 2 to consumers this week. It will be a challenge to keep
up with demand!”
Pairing a fibreglass tip with graphite mid and butt sections,
American Tackle is also introducing the innovative Bushido
Moving Bait Series blanks, purpose-built for anglers who fish
diving and lipless crankbaits and vibrating jigs.
Meanwhile, on the CRB front, the brand has added new sizes to
its Extreme Reamers, including XXL, XXXL – ideal for offshore
rods and other large rod blanks – not to mention a totally new line
up of 18in versions.
2023-24
Over 1,400 New
Line Items in our
2023-2024 Catalog
14,600+ Products
Available for your
Fly Tying Shops Walls!
Microflex Soft
Hackle Chenille
Available in 5 sizes and
31 Great Colors!
foundationoutdoorgroup.com

NEWS IN BRIEF
Mossy Oak aids Huk
Apparel brand Huk and camou
expert Mossy Oak have teamed
up to create a new collection
of patterns, available in Huk’s
Pursuit Collection and a variety of
accessories.
The Mossy Oak Stormwater
pattern represents what every
fisherman respects – stormy
waters, choppy seas, swirling grey
skies and charging swells.
Huk’s Pursuit Collection is
available in Mossy Oak Stormwater
colours Spindrift, Midnight, and
Bonefish.
ASA applauds act
The American Sportfishing
Association (ASA), the trade
association for the US recreational
fishing industry, has backed a
bipartisan effort to improve public
access and publicly available
information on federally managed
marine waters through the
MAPOceans Act.
Mike Leonard, vice-president of
government affairs at the ASA, said:
“The act would help American’s
nearly nine million saltwater
anglers access marine waters
with more confidence, ensuring
that recreational information is
easily accessible through marine
electronics, mapping apps, and
online platforms.”
Marine protection
fear
A New South Wales, Australia south
coast group is calling on the state
government to return Batemans
Bay marine sanctuary zones to full
protection. In 2019, the government
declared an amnesty that allowed
recreational anglers to fish in six of
the 32 zones.
Nature Coast Marine Group
vice-president James Caffery said
the amnesty defeated the whole
purpose of sanctuary zones and
called for full protection to be
restored.
Recreational Fishing Alliance
of NSW vice-president Max Castle
said: “If areas lose their access
to fishing, there’s going to be a
business impact.”
Key European carp
name joins EFTTA
The European Fishing Tackle Trade
Association’s (EFTTA) drive to grow
membership has been given a boost with the
addition of well-known carp name, Korda
Europe.
It’s the latest company to join the trade
organisation, which works alongside the
industry to advocate for the preservation
and promotion of recreational angling in the
European Parliament.
Korda Europe, the wholesale distribution
subsidiary of UK-based carp brand Korda
Developments, supplies not only Korda
products to the Continent but also Carp
Porter, Guru, Delkim bite alarms and
Mainline Baits.
Maurice Keulen, Korda Europe,’s managing
director, met with EFTTA CEO Olivier
Portrat, president Jan Mertens, vice-president
Ross Honey and board member Gerard
Bakkenes at the Carp De Bosch show to
discuss EFTTA’s mission.
He said: “We are
dedicated to supporting
initiatives that champion
the interests of recreational
anglers. Joining EFTTA
aligns seamlessly with our
commitment to preserving
the rich tradition of angling
while contributing to
sustainable practices within the industry. We
look forward to collaborating with likeminded
companies and advocating for the
rights of anglers in the European Parliament.”
EFTTA president Jan Mertens added:
“The increasing number of companies joining
EFTTA reflects a shared commitment to
safeguarding the interests of recreational
anglers. Maurice Keulen and Korda Europe
bring valuable expertise and passion to our
collective efforts. Together, we will continue to
make a significant impact on the policies that
affect the recreational angling community.”
As EFTTA’s membership continues to
expand, the organisation strengthens its
position as a unified voice for the fishing
tackle industry, working collaboratively to
influence positive changes in legislation and
policies that impact recreational angling.
www.eftta.com
12 www.tackletradeworld.com

Big changes for Danish Fly Company
Denmark-based distributor The
Fly Company is embarking on
a new journey, with a relocation,
a strategic overhaul and the
addition of two more brands to
its portfolio.
Over the past two years,
the company has engaged
in a meticulous examination
of its operations, leading to
transformative changes.
As it moves forward, it has
become the exclusive European
distributor for Ewing feathers,
renowned for its unique
products that it says elevate the
art of fly tying.
In addition, The Fly
Company has also expanded its
distribution network to include
TFO fly rods in select European
countries.
Suzuki GB’s Marine
Division says changes to
its sales team will further
enhance its ability to
respond to the needs
of the dealer network
and continue delivering
exceptional customer
service.
The first change is the
appointment of Steve
Warren as its newest sales
account manager, looking
after Suzuki’s presence
predominantly in the north of
England and Wales, as well as
in Southern Ireland.
Steve is no stranger to
the marine industry and
already has extensive product
knowledge, having spent
eight years working in Suzuki
GB’s technical department
and being hands on in the
company’s workshop facility.
He has also supported the
team at key events such as
the Southampton Boat Show,
Seawork and BoatLife as
well as assisting various key
boat builder and commercial
TFO, a strong and wellrenowned
brand, brings a legacy
of quality and innovation to the
fly fishing community.
The decision to relocate
to a better-suited location
in Randers is strategic and
reflects The Fly Company’s
commitment to maximising
and optimising its structure
and capabilities. This move is
aimed at enhancing operational
efficiency, fostering innovation
and ensuring a seamless
experience for fly fishing
enthusiasts.
The full Flyco team,
comprised of seasoned
professionals, brings a wealth
of experience as they work to
invigorate the organisation’s
vision and strategy, ensuring a
SuZuKI maRINE
STRENGTHENS SaLES TEam
Ben Green
(le) and
Steve
Warren
take
up new
positions
at Suzuki
Marine GB.
operator accounts with sea
trials and rigging advice.
The second change
continues Suzuki’s desire
to promote from within,
as existing team member
Ben Green becomes events
coordinator and account
manager and will take on the
responsibility for a number of
selected key accounts.
Ben has been with Suzuki
GB for over five years,
working first in the Dealer
Services department and
then, more recently, as events
coordinator for the ATV and
Marine team.
marine.suzuki.co.uk
commitment to excellence and
the continuation of fly fishing
traditions.
Head of sales Christoffer
Thorsager explained: “We
believe that our new location
in Randers will serve as a hub
for innovation and will allow us
to maximise and optimise our
capabilities.
“With the full Flyco team and
strong financial backing, coupled
with our new location, we are
excited about the future and the
opportunities it presents.”
flyco.dk

END OF 96-YEAR PARTNERSHIP
FOR MUSTAD REP AGENCY
Banks Inc., a leading name in
manufacturer’s representation,
has announced the ending
of its historic 96-year
partnership with Mustad
USA.
This exceptional
collaboration, spanning
nearly a century, marked the
end of the oldest standing
manufacturer’s representation
relationship in the industry.
Banks, Inc said it was
proud of its journey alongside
Mustad USA, from the
brand’s humble beginnings
on US shores in 1928 to its
current status as one of the
most iconic names in the
tackle trade.
Company president Trip
Banks commented: “Together,
we have built a legacy
that will be remembered
for generations and is a
testament to the dedication
we have both given to the
business. As Mustad USA
transitions to an internal sales
model with its talented staff,
we extend our heartfelt best
wishes for continued success.
“Throughout this 96-year
evolution, we have constantly
adapted to changing market
dynamics and industry
trends. One thing remains
constant however, our
commitment to face-to-face
meetings, nurturing valuable
relationships with every
account we serve across the
USA.
“Our team’s presence
on the road, in stores, and
our focus on listening to
customers have allowed us to
take valuable market insights
back to the great brands we
represent. This ‘mirror of the
marketplace’ communication
has been instrumental in
keeping us, our factories and
customers at the forefront
of the industry for nearly a
century.”
Now the firm is looking
forward to the next 96 years
of innovation, growth, and
success, saying it remains
dedicated to maintaining the
work ethics that have defined
it for nearly a century, while
thanking its valued customers
and partners who continue to
support its in the future.
Trip Banks
Goldfish moves home after acquisition
Fin Rage Tackle, which bought Al’s
Goldfish Lures in July 2023, has officially
moved the iconic fishing tackle maker
to the Green Bay, Wisconsin area of the
USA.
Paul Check, Fin Rage Tackle’s owner,
explained: “We are excited to bring Al’s
Goldfish Lures to Wisconsin, one of
the bastions of sportfishing in America,
where we can more closely connect with
Midwestern anglers and develop the next
phase in the seven-decade-long history
of the company.
“At the same time, we pledge to remain
true to the company’s northeastern roots.
Al’s Goldfish Lures is famous for being
deadly on sportfish species
throughout America and the
world, and our goal is to
increase their effectiveness
across the board.”
Moving forward, he
revealed that his goals
include the development
of new colours in the
current Goldfish, 49er and
Helgy product lines, the creation
of new products and offerings for
ice fishermen and the development of
additional product size ranges across
the board to make the product line
even more effective for a wide variety of
fishing techniques.
Paul added: “There is a
different type of fishing
here in the Midwest,
specifically walleye,
northern pike and
musky and the Al’s
Goldfish products have
proven successful over the
years for these species.
“We intend to develop
additional sizes and colours of Al’s
Goldfish products to continue that long
history of success.”
www.alsgoldfish.com
14 www.tackletradeworld.com

STOPPIONI s.n.c. Firenze Italy
Tel.+39 0558739615 -Fax +39 0558739648 stonfo@stonfo.com
MEMBER
Art.738
MICRO LOOP TYERS
Tools to make very small loops ideal for
hooklengths and hair rigs.
The small size allows you to tie 4 mm
loops, while the large 6 mm.
4 mm 6 mm
1 2 3
4
1 or 2x
5 6
7 8
www.stonfo.com
A GROUNDBREAKING SERIES OF GUIDES AND TOPS,
TONY ENGINEERING, PATENT PENDING!
TONY HUANG
PACBAY MINIMA - X offers an unparalleled level of durability, solving the problems commonly associated with inner rings
popping out or getting crushed. Through extensive reform and innovation, PACBAY MINIMA - X is constructed using highstrength
, one-piece stainless steel. Both the guides and tops utilize mirror polishing, multi-layer Hard Chrome plating, and
Titanium plating processes, resulting in corrosion resistance, low friction, and high thermal conductivity. As a result , the friction
force during long-distance casting or retrieving is significantly reduced.
If you’ve ever experienced the nightmare of losing or breaking your inner ring while battling a tough fish, you’ll appreciate the superiority of PACBAY
MINIMA - X. Currently, we offer sizes ranging from #05 to #20, with plans to expand up to #50. More sizes and models will be available soon. We believe
these guides are ideal for lure anglers, particularly carp anglers who often face issues with the #50 stripper guide getting damaged during transportation.
With PACBAY MINIMA - X, this problem has been entirely eliminated.
In summary, PACBAY MINIMA - X guides and tops are renowned for their exceptional durability and ability to withstand heavy use and harsh conditions.
This innovation in the fishing world, through the abandonment of ceramic and stainless-steel rings, allows fishermen to bid farewell to the nightmares of
ring breakages, crushing, and detachment.
Build Great Fishing Rods
www.fishpacbay.com
info@fishpacbay.com

FEATURE
ICAST
Inside fishing tackle’s
can’t-miss review event
At ICAST, a happy hour made for tackle dealers delivers more than a good time.
Every year, there’s a happy hour that
gives tackle dealers an early look
at the most exciting new products
in fishing.
Like clockwork, it begins when the
bright lights of Orlando’s Orange County
Convention Center flicker to life over a red
carpet leading through a gateway at ICAST.
Before the show floor officially opens
on Wednesday morning, the New Product
Showcase Reception roars to life just as the
forklifts loading in display booths fall silent
on Tuesday afternoon.
Inside, display cases glow with spotlights
on new lures bound for fisheries, from
deep blue waters flanking sandy paradises
to remote trout streams high in the Rocky
Mountains.
Display racks are zoned with apparel
made of new materials and sporting new
patterns that have yet to see retail shelves.
And a gathered crowd of retailers and
media members share complimentary hors
d’oeuvres, cocktails and brews amidst a hall
where the best of the best new products at
ICAST are all located in one place.
Aiming for the best
“The New Product Showcase Reception is
the first look attendees get at every product
entered in the ICAST Best of Category
Awards,” says American Sportfishing
Association trade show vice-president Blake
Swango.
“It’s not only a chance to see new
products, most of them for the first time, but
16 www.tackletradeworld.com
also an opportunity to vote in the awards
and plan which exhibitors you might want to
go see throughout the week.”
Last year, more than 1,000 new products
shimmered in the spotlight of the New
Product Showcase. Combined, they
represented years of work from a field of
633 exhibitors competing in 37 categories
ranging from hard and soft lures to apparel
and watercraft.
Well received
For most of the past two decades, Aleida
Tush has made the drive up to ICAST from
her tackle store in Siesta Key, Florida in time
for the reception.
“We get to see new products first-hand
before a lot of people,” says Tush. “If you
don’t go to ICAST, it can take two or three
months before you could even possibly begin
seeing some of the new things coming into
the market for yourself.”
Tush says the chance to see brand new
products before even browsing the aisles
of ICAST has immediate and longterm
benefits for her business, CB Outfitters.
“I always think that gives you a jump on
seeing and possibly being able to order new
products,” she says, noting that the New
Product Showcase helps populate her show
calendar. “One of the reasons you go to
ICAST is that you have the opportunity to
meet and talk with managers, presidents or
vice presidents that you otherwise might not
meet. You get to share your ideas with them,
too.”
For Tush and many retailers like her,
some of those ideas are sparked at the New
Product Showcase Reception – a happy hour
unlike any other, a happy hour tailor-made
for tackle store owners and employees.
“ICAST is the biggest sportfishing
tradeshow on the planet,” adds Swango.
“There is truly no other place where tackle
dealers can see so many new products in
person while having the opportunity to
speak directly to many of the people involved
in making them.”
Growth potential
This year, the ICAST New Product
Showcase is expanding to include 41
categories. It’s an all-time record that means
attendees will have the chance to see even
more brand-new products at the show and
might need to spend a little more time at the
unofficial kick-off happy hour.
The 2024 ICAST New Product Showcase
Preview Reception is scheduled from 5-8pm
on Tuesday, July 16 inside the Orange
County Convention Center.
Registration for ICAST 2024, set for July
16-19, is open now. Qualified attendees can
register for free and download the official
ICAST smartphone app to stay up-to-date
on daily events in Orlando on both iOS and
Android.
ICAST
www.ICASTFishing.org

A Blade for Every Angler
No Matter the Species, No Matter the Season, No Matter the Waters
NEW SonicWhammy DualFlash
WillowStrike
Classic
Panther Martin Has
You Covered
In the US
Dealer Info:
Wholesale@PantherMartin.com
To Order: PantherMartin.com
Dept. TT044L
In Canada
Dealer Info:
info@panthermartin.ca
To Order: PantherMartin.ca

SPOTLIGHT ON...
LURES
SPOTLIGHT ON
LURES
Pretty much any body of water that
holds fish, anywhere in the world, can
be targeted using lures. Lure fishing is
probably the quickest and easiest method
to get you started fishing while also
promising a good success rate.
At its most basic, a lure is simply
a type of artificial fishing bait
– essentially designed to mimic
the appearance and movement of prey –
to attract fish.
Naturally, just like the real world
of insects, smaller bait fish and other
creatures, both aquatic and sometimes
terrestrial, lures come in many different
shapes, sizes, and colours, each designed
to appeal to their chosen target.
What makes them especially popular
over using live bait is that they are
simple and clean to use, can usually
be cast further and are generally great
for both catch and release angling or
fishing for the pot.
They can be selected to entice
specific species, are easily swapped out
for alternatives if one colour or pattern
isn’t working and, of course, you’ll
find versions and models that can be
deployed in both fresh and saltwater.
While lure fishing can seem
quite simple, the reality is that, in the
hands of an experienced angler, many
lures can be devastatingly successful.
Skilled anglers can impart all sorts
of lifelike movement to their lures,
turning a follow from a target fish into
a confident strike, time after time. Of
course, even greater success comes from
the ability to cast them accurately, often
to specific features like islands, reeds,
dock pilings and the like, although fancasting
can also help you cover a lot of
open water very quickly and efficiently.
Lure fishing is arguably the most
versatile of all forms of the sport – with
so many types available, ranging from
hard-bodied plugs and spoons to soft
plastic baits and even flies, anglers can
target different species in a huge array
of water conditions.
Anglers have more control over the
presentation of the lure, including
speed, depth and action, compared to
using live bait. This control can be
crucial in enticing a strike from wary
fish.
Another often overlooked aspect to
lure fishing is how visually exciting
it can be! Seeing a fish strike a lure
followed by the challenge of hooking
and landing your target on an artificial
bait can be very rewarding.
Since many predatory fish hunt by a
range of methods, lures have adapted to
take this into account.
Some are brightly coloured, some are
lifelike, some are scented or have rattles
or other devices inserted to make them
audible too; however they all impart
some form of movement, which attracts
the target’s attention first and foremost.
18 www.tackletradeworld.com

SPOTLIGHT ON...
LURES
A HARD CHOICE
Let’s take a look at some of the most common
styles or types of lure…
Plugs or crankbaits
These are hard plastic fishing lures shaped
and coloured to resemble bait fish or
other prey, made out of a solid or hollow
piece of plastic, with a thin lip of metal
or plastic attached to the front, hugely
popular with bass and pike anglers
The lip is often adjustable to make the
lure wobble. Plugs feature two or three
treble hooks and can float, sink, dive, or
hover.
Most plugs float on the water’s surface
or suspend in the water, but dive sharply
when retrieved, so by reeling, stopping
and repeating you can imitate the
behaviour of live, or injured bait fish.
Changing twitching intervals and
reeling speed adds variety.
Jigs
Jigs feature a weighted head on one side
and a hook on the other. Often using
a plastic grub, jigs are one of the most
popular types of fishing lures. They sink
easily, making them great for bottom
feeders – cast one out and let it sink to
the bottom, then start jigging! The trick
here is to experiment with different
speeds and movements to see what works
best.
Spinners
These move horizontally through the
water, come in many shapes and colours
– depending on the targeted depth and
species – and have a hook on one side,
and one or more metal blades that spin
like a propeller on the other.
The spinning blades vibrate, flash and
reflect colour to accurately mimic bait
fish and attract predators, making them
perfect for catching bass, perch and pike.
Spoons
These may seem like a basic lure but, in
the right hands, these curved, concave
metal lures that shine and wobble as they
move through the water, are deadly.
The bigger the curve, the wider the
wobble. A wobbling lure resembles
injured bait fish, and this is something
game fish can’t resist.
Soft plastics
Soft plastic lures imitate a variety of aquatic
‘bait’, from minnows to worms, crawfish to
frogs. Soft plastics are very popular for bass
fishing.
Their beauty is that they seem to work
everywhere and the vast choice across the
world is due to the fact that no one single
lure will catch fish in all conditions on the
day.
There are designs for fast water, coloured
water, dark days, light days and all the
seasons of the year when fish behaviour and
even species-specific behaviour has to be
taken into consideration.
STOCK REQUIREMENTS
Many lure anglers who fish nothing else
will have hundreds or possibly thousands of
lures in various types to choose from. These
will also vary depending on the country
you’re in, although what generally pushes
the buttons of a fish in Europe will also do
so in North America or Australia.
Understanding the waters near your store
and the resident predatory species will make
your stock choice easier but ask questions
of your customers too and find out what the
‘killer’ lures are in your area or region.
www.tackletradeworld.com
19

Rainbow, and
SPOTLIGHT ON...
LURES
DAIWA
LAZY FA SHAD
The Lazy FA Shad puts the personality of a swimbait in a saltwater-grade twitch
bait that even includes a sluggish slalom. The floating lure dives up to three feet
when engaged, rolling and showing its sides while in motion, broadcasting a
subdued flash while emitting subtle ticks on the retrieve.
Externally, it sports refined cosmetics, including realistic eyeballs,
gills and mouth parts, and scale patterns that capture
light and throw colour. Choose from proven saltwater
patterns, including 3D Konosiro, Skeleton Chart Back,
Skeleton Red Head, Skeleton Mullet, Holo Sardine and
Pink Clear Holo.
daiwa.us
LIVETARGET
ULTIMATE FROG
This lure mimics a vulnerable frog exposed in open water, falling to the security
of bottom cover. Twitch it to create an erratic action or wind it slow to generate a
thumping pulse.
The body is made from ABS plastic and is buoyant. The legs are made from TPE
soft plastic.
The durable and buoyant material enables the legs to shimmy and flicker as the
bait falls. The swing weight is strategically designed to throw the bait off balance,
which creates a wobble action as the lure settles after a twitch or pull.
The position of the swing weight is aligned on the body enabling a balanced fall,
just like a real frog when exposed in open water. The lure comes with two weights,
to adjust the falling action.
Equipped with a stout Mustad strong hook, it’s ideal for targeting bass, zander,
pike and other freshwater bottom-feeding predators.
mustad-fishing.com/livetarget
PANTHER MARTIN
FISHSEEUV SPIKEADELIC
New for 2024, Panther Martin is offering a groovy new lure called FishSeeUV
SpikeADelic. These lures come in six eye-popping colours and patterns to
attract fish such as redfish, sea trout, snook and many other saltwater species.
Painted with UV coating, the SpikeADelic series appear differently to fish
than they do to the human eye. So once underwater, these lures really put
on a show, glowing and reflecting light while the blade spins freely and the
tails dance through the water.
Outfitted with Panther Martin’s classic convex/concave blades, softbodied
lures have a super sharp, weedless hook, brightly coloured and
patterned bodies and blades and a large, bright salmon bead, they are sure
to catch fish.
Available now in four sizes (4, 6, 9 and 15) and
six colours (Holographic Bubble Gum,
WonderBread, Tangerine
Surprise, Hulk,
Glow
20 www.tackletradeworld.com

UNI SOFT WIRE EXTRA SMALL GAUGE # 36 0.006 INCH
NEW 2024
UNI PRODUCTS J.G. Cote Inc.
1004 Principale
Ste-Melanie, QC. Canada JOK 3AO
Tel: 450-889-8054
Toll-Free: 1-877-889-8054
Fax: 450-889-5887
Email: info@uniproducts.com
Look to UNI
for the best in
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BLACK YELLOW SILVER OLIVE
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UNI-MOHAIR
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www.uniproducts.com
FUCHSIA
IRON GRAY
CAMEL

DBW...
AFRICA
AFRICA
D O I N G B U S I N E S S W I T H . . .
Such a vast continent with so many countries undoubtedly brings some
great opportunities but it’s a complex place with so much going on, so
where do you start? We have a few pointers for you.
Africa is a
complex
continent.
With a
total land
mass of
30.37
million square kilometres and
a total population of almost
1.4 billion, it is larger than
the USA, China and Brazil
combined.
It boasts at least 54
countries, although that
24 www.tackletradeworld.com
figure is up for debate, given
the confusing political and
geographical situations it finds
itself in.
What is for sure is that
Nigeria is the biggest by
population while St Helena
is the smallest. Countries like
South Africa and Kenya are
probably best known in terms
of fishing imports and exports.
While Africa has many
issues – political, population
and climate among them – it
has a growing knowledgebased
economy with a focus on
technology, finance and other
e-commerce services.
It’s widely thought that
African industries could
double production to nearly
$1 trillion within a decade and
potentially become the world’s
greatest manufacturing centre.
Although 600 million
Africans still lack access to
the electricity grid, the annual
infrastructure investment has

DBW...
AFRICA
FACT FILE
Surface area: 11,730,000 sq m (30,370,000 sq km)
Population: 1,393,676,444
GDP: £2.98 trillion
Countries: 54 recognised states, two partially recognised states, four
dependent territories
Language: At least 1,250 native languages
Time zones: UTC -1 to TC +4
Largest cities: Cairo, Lagos, Kinshasa, Johannesburg, Luanda, Khartoum
Top African Exporters
- South Africa
- Algeria
- Nigeria
- Angola
- Egypt
Top African Importers
- South Africa
- Egypt
- Nigeria
- Kenya
- Tanzania
Top Import Partners
- China
- Mainland Europe
- USA
- India
- South Africa
Top Export Partners
- China
- India
- United States
- South Africa
- Germany
doubled to around $80 billion.
Africa has more than 120
million active mobile money
accounts, which account for
more than 50 per cent of the
global total and mobile traffic
data is expected to increase
hugely in the coming years.
The continent has already
developed a diversified
manufacturing base and
has shown its resilience and
potential to compete in the
global economy.
Tourism is an extremely
profitable industry and is
now the second fastestgrowing
tourist industry in
the world, only behind the
Asia Pacific region. Indeed,
the tourism industry in South
Africa alone employs more
people than the automotive
manufacturing, mining,
chemical manufacturing, and
communications services
sectors and is expected to keep
growing.
www.tackletradeworld.com
25

DBW...
AFRICA
A N G L I N G I N A F R I C A
Mention fishing and African nations
such as Kenya, Egypt and South Africa
will be uppermost in the majority of
conversations.
From fly tying experts in Kenya to
shark charters off the coast of South
Africa to major rivers and massive lakes
holding tough predators, this continent
boasts a wealth of diverse fishing and
tackle know-how.
Indeed, South Africa has even hosted
the Feeder World Championship at the
Bloemhof Dam in 2013 and 2019 with
great success.
There are literally thousands of unique
and challenging fishing destinations.
Surrounded by the Indian and Atlantic
Oceans and the Mediterranean and the
Red Seas, you would expect saltwater
fishing to be a mainstay of the sport.
Whether casting from the shore or
heading out to the deep, you can expect
some amazing sport.
Head to Cape Town in South Africa,
for example, and you can chase kob,
yellowtail, snoek (not to be confused with
snook) and more from the shore or in
estuaries, while heading offshore to the
deep can net you tuna, marlin, swordfish
and large sharks, although this is often
now undertaken as a conservation effort.
West African venues combine
spectacular fly and beach casting
experiences for a bewilderingly wide
range of species including massive
tarpon and big African threadfin, Cubera
snappers and bull sharks.
The Benguela Current in
the Atlantic Ocean brings
nutrient-rich waters close to
the shore, attracting a variety
of fish species including
sharks, kob and steenbras.
East Africa and Kenya
in particular offer a welldeveloped
deep sea fishing
experience. Here is one of
the few places that offers the
chance of a super grand slam
on one day: blue, black and
striped marlin, broadbill and sailfish.
Kenya, of course, is also home to some
key fly tying companies including Gone
Fishing and Fulling Mill.
Head to the mighty River Nile in
Egypt for both fresh- and saltwater
opportunities. Popular species include
Nile perch, catfish and more while the
Nile Delta opens into the Mediterranean
Sea, affording a wide range of fishing
options from shore and boat.
Lake Nasser – the world’s largest
manmade lake – meanwhile, has
developed a reputation for the fearsome
tiger fish and Nile perch, which grow to a
huge sizes.
The lake is also home to moonfish,
tilapia and catfish including the giant
vundu and fishing styles vary from
trolling and spinning to drift casting and
fly fishing.
On the Zambezi River, near Victoria
Brown Trout
Falls, anglers can try their luck catching
the powerful and acrobatic tiger fish,
as well as other species like bream and
vundu catfish.
The Okavango Delta in Botswana
is a UNESCO World Heritage Site
and a unique angling destination, with
tilapia, catfish, and tiger fish in the
delta’s labyrinth of channels, lagoons and
floodplains.
Ethiopia offers exotic fishing in the
Bale Mountains with some excellent
rainbows in the rivers.
Finally, the Seychelles and Red
Sea offer upmarket live-aboards and
outstanding venues.
The former, an archipelago in the
Indian Ocean, is famous for its worldclass
saltwater fly fishing. Anglers can
target species like bonefish, permit,
trevally, and more in the pristine flats and
reefs surrounding the islands.
26 www.tackletradeworld.com

S T R O N G I N T R O D U C T I O N S
DBW...
AFRICA
Carp and trout were successfully
introduced in the freshwater dams
and rivers from Europe, and bass from
the USA, with bank angling being the
dominant style of freshwater angling,
followed by boat-based bass fishing and
fly fishing for trout and the indigenous
yellowfish.
The higher altitude trout fishing varies
from small crystal clear streams teeming
with browns and rainbows, to the bigger
forest rivers where the chance of a 4lbplus
rainbow is a reality and then to the
lakes on Mount Kenya and well managed
lodges and access to stunning waters.
With both the Indian and Atlantic
seaboard, the variety of fish one can catch
is practically unlimited. Shore based
‘Rock and Surf ’ is the most popular facet,
with bait and the sport fishing seasonally Vundo Catfish
divided between sharks/rays
and the multitude of edibles
on offer.
On the east coast, big game
or ‘Ski Boat’ fishing is also
extremely popular. Although
spinning and jigging is widely
practised it is not promoted for
resident reef species.
The multitude of tidal
estuaries provide a strong
movement of fish, which
artificial lure anglers and fly Yellow fish
fishers alike concentrate their
efforts on, on a catch and
To show how important recreational
release basis.
angling is in Africa, taking South Africa
Whether one uses bait, lure or fly, there as an example, a recent survey initiated by
is year-round opportunity for anglers SACRAA (South African Consolidated
in Southern Africa, with the species Recreational Anglers Association) found
and style being chosen according to the that in total, the average recreational
season.
fisherman or woman spends R19,000 on
angling per year. Given the estimated
number of recreational fishermen (1.327
million), the total spending by anglers in
South Africa amounts to approximately
R26.5 billion per annum.
For marine recreational angling this
value is R14.6 billion per annum, for
freshwater recreational angling it is R11.9
billion per annum.
Also, recreational angling contributes
massively to the economy, creates a large
number of jobs (94,070), particularly in
the trade, accommodation and catering
sector (44,138 jobs), supports an informal
sector of bait collectors, gillies and
fish cleaners (R227.5 million direct
expenditure per annum) and many poor
people also participate in recreational
angling and use it as a safety net for their
food security needs.
I N D U S T R Y V I E W
JOHNNY ONSLOW, Gone Fishing Ltd, Kenya
Kenya produces
more fishing
flies than any
other country in
the world and
commands well
over 50 per cent
of the market. It is
the home of Fulling Mill and Gone Fishing.
There are also many smaller companies that
offer great value. Sadly, a few rogues have
given the country a bad name, but this should
not prevent customers finding outstanding
value and quality from reputable companies.
The founder (and managing director
[president]) is looking to retire in the next few
years and gradually hand over the company.
The business is strong and expanding and has
been supplying a wide range of superb flies to
the fly fishing world since 2005. Situated in
rented buildings on a secure site on a farm in
Kenya’s Rift Valley, this business has developed
markets all over the world with customers in
the USA, Canada, the UK, Ireland, Germany,
Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Estonia, France,
South Africa, New Zealand and Australia.
The company is fully registered to import
materials under bond and also to export
finished product under AGOA and the General
System of Preferences trade agreements
enabling customers who reside in countries that
are members to import duty free.
The company has an excellent managerial
team and reporting process developed using the
Kaizen philosophy of constant improvement.
The website has been recently overhauled
and has been given the thumbs up by current
customers. Sale price will be driven by the
value of the stocks and assets at the time of sale,
including the website and also the customer
base. Further information is available on
request.
Thanks to Daniel Smith at www.howtocatchanyfish.com for some species images.
www.tackletradeworld.com
27

FEATURE
American Tackle
LEADING THE CARBON
FIBRE REVOLUTION
The multi-award-winning Tsuka 2 rod handle from American Tackle has redefined the
carbon fibre handle market.
Utilised for its remarkable
strength, weight relief and
ability to weather the harshest
of conditions, carbon fibre
has been used in major manufacturing
industries for decades, including
aerospace, automotive, civil engineering,
and sporting goods.
Recognising the value of carbon fibre’s
properties for fishing rod development,
American Tackle has been at the forefront
of leveraging this amazing material to
elevate the fishing experience.
MAKING THE RUNNING
Offering a variety of carbon fibre handles,
reel seats, and rod blanks, American
Tackle really hit its stride in 2020
with the introduction of the G2 Tsuka
28 www.tackletradeworld.com
Complete Carbon Handle System.
The original Tsuka was the most
advanced rod handle ever produced,
winning Best of Category for fishing
accessories at ICAST 2020. It utilised
the same carbon material used in
modern, premium fishing rod blanks, like
American Tackle’s premium Bushido 3K
Series.
American Tackle’s HCC Hand Crafted Carbon
Reel Seat uses blow-moulded carbon seat
bodies and carbon 3K pattern with a polished
finish for strength, weight reduction and
sensitivity.
The pinnacle of American
Tackle’s carbon revolution was
the introduction of the Tsuka
2 Complete Carbon Handle at
ICAST 2023.
This was the industry’s first
single piece, blow-moulded
carbon handle and it has gained
the attention of the entire fishing
rod component industry.
The Tsuka 2 took home both
Best of Category and Best of
Show honours at ICAST last year.
Most recently, the Tsuka 2 won
its third major industry award
in the Best Product Showcase,
Fishing Accessory category at
China Fish 2024.
Weighing in at less than
2oz and available for both
casting and spinning options
in 3K matte or carbon matte
finishes, find out more about
the Tsuka 2 and all of American
Tackle’s innovative carbon rod
components by emailing sales@
foundationoutdoorgroup.com
AMERICAN TACKLE
www. foundationoutdoorgroup.com

FEATURE
UNDER THE HOOD OF
THE G4 PRO JACKET
With spring right around the corner in the northern hemisphere, anglers have a lot to look
forward to. Designed and developed to deliver next-level waterproof / breathable weather
protection, comfort and durability, the all-new, award-winning G4 Pro Jacket from Simms
has you covered.
Spring is a time of year that
represents new beginnings,
transformations, and starting fresh.
It also happens to be one of the
fishiest times of the year – as well as one of
the rainiest.
In order to capitalise on all of the
opportunities that come with spring, a
quality rain jacket is worth its weight in
gold.
The award-winning G4 Pro Jacket ranks
as the most technologically advanced,
performance driven rain jacket Simms has
ever released.
HISTORY ON ITS SIDE
The G4 Pro has evolved from a long lineage
of technical outerwear. Its origin dates
back to 1994 when Simms introduced the
Dry Coat, the first piece of outerwear it
released equipped with Gore-Tex immersion
technology.
The Dry Coat hit the market right on
30 www.tackletradeworld.com
the heels of the first waterproof / breathable
wader Simms introduced in 1993. Like
the wader, the Dry Coat was a true
gamechanger and served as the baseline
for other Simms outerwear favourites such
as the Guide Jacket and G3 Guide Jacket.
The original G4 Pro Jacket landed with
speciality retailers in 2008 and, since then,
it has gone through several wildly popular
iterations.
Historically, in addition to using premium
Gore-Tex waterproof / breathable fabrics,
a key selling point of the G4 Pro Jacket
was to provide anglers with ample and
convenient on-body storage.
This way, in lieu of a pack or a vest,
anglers could simply stash all of their gear
inside their jacket and keep it within easy
reach. To accomplish this, in the past, the
G4 Pro Jacket implemented several different
pocket configurations.
At one point, Simms’ flagship rain jacket’s
pocket array included nine different ones
– two traditional baffled chest pockets, two
handwarmer pockets, two hidden rear ‘game
pockets’, a zippered stash pocket on the
sleeve,and two internal dump pockets.
This configuration did provide a lot
of storage but, over time, Simms’ design
team began to devise ways to rebuild the
jacket with a more sleek and streamlined
appearance without sacrificing its renowned
on-body storage.
MATERIAL GAINS
But first let’s look at the main engine behind
the performance aspect of the piece – the
fabric. Since it initially dropped, Simms
used Gore-Tex fabric in the G4 Pro Jacket
and the same is true for the latest iteration.
Specifically, the jacket is powered by a
three-layer Gore-Tex Pro Shell. Pro Shell is
the highest performing fabric in the Gore-
Tex portfolio. In short, it offers performative
advantages across the board and boasts
outstanding durability.

Simms
FEATURE
Pro Shell is lightweight but extremely
tough in terms of puncture and tear
resistance as well as abrasion. It’s also a
very supple fabric which goes a long way
towards comfort and range-of-motion.
And, in addition to being waterproof, it also
breathes extremely well.
As regards features… inclusive of Simms’
tried and true three-panel, three-point
adjustable storm hood, the latest version
does not include the old internal collar.
Omitting this feature removed a sizeable
amount of weight and also simplified the
design – truth be told, this feature was
more or less unnecessary and got in the way,
especially if the hood wasn’t in use.
The jacket opens and closes with a highly
water-resistant centre-front zipper that’s
backed by what the product team refers to
as a rain gutter. This ensures that, even if
driving rain was to penetrate the jacket, the
rain gutter is yet another line of defence
to prevent moisture from reaching interior
layers of clothing.
SIZEABLE STORAGE
For any fans of the old Slick jacket, rest
assured, many of the new design/feature
cues found in the new G4 Pro Jacket
came directly from the old West Coast
Steelheader standby.
As previously mentioned, Simms aimed
to maintain the storage aspect of the
jacket but wanted to do so in a way that
allowed for a streamlined front.
So, instead of two oversized, top load
baffled chest pockets, the design team
implemented two oversized vertical
entrance chest pockets with waterresistant
zippers and bonded welts for
extra protection from the elements.
This design (borrowed from the old
Slick jacket) is what provides the sleek
and streamlined front. The pockets
themselves are huge. They can each easily
accommodate large fly boxes and they
also feature internal stretch woven dump
pockets to keep specific gear in specific
places. The left pocket also includes a
tethered sunglass chamois.
The jacket also incorporates two
zippered micro-fleece lined handwarmer
pockets. Another very cool feature taken
from the old Slick jacket lives inside these
pockets.
When you reach inside, you’ll feel
another zipper on the inside of each
pocket. When you unzip these, you now
have access to the upper portion of your
wader without having to take off, or
unzip your jacket. It’s a small detail that
makes all the sense in the world when it’s
raining and the bite is on.
Finally, on the interior of the jacket,
there’s one more zippered stash pocket,
perfectly sized to house a set of keys, a
couple of tippet spools, or a phone.
It’s also important to note that, with
the exception of the interior pocket, all of
the pockets feature highly water resistant
zippers.
In addition, if a zipper isn’t fully closed
and rain gets inside, or water gets in
from a deep wade, the pockets also come
equipped with drain holes.
MOVING FORWARD
Once again, range-of-motion is
something Simms doesn’t take lightly
and, therefore, the sleeves of the G4 Pro
are articulated. Simms has also modified
the cuff design by incorporating a small,
pliable piece of Toray that’s overlaid with
an adjustable Velcro closure.
In combination, this material and the
closure allow anglers to essentially create
a watertight seal to prevent rain or water
from making its way into the sleeves of
any underlayers.
The jacket also includes a revamp of
the old tuckaway loop fly field. This
feature now lives on the upper left chest
portion of the jacket and is much smaller
than the previous version. Flip it out and
stash unproductive flies or keep a few
on-deck options at the ready. When not
in use, simply tuck it away.
For deeper wading missions, the jacket
is cut slightly longer than traditional
wading jackets and also features an
adjustable bottom hem to keep water out.
Since its inception, Simms’ G4 Pro
Jacket has enabled countless anglers who
would otherwise have been forced to
head for cover to remain in the elements
indefinitely in pursuit of one more cast.
The latest iteration is no exception —
in fact, it’s a great example of utilising
aspects that have worked in the past
and eliminating aspects that haven’t. It’s
also inclusive of new innovations and
advancements that make this version
the best G4 Pro Jacket Simms has ever
released.
SIMMS
www.simmsfishing.com
“The G4 Pro has evolved from a long
lineage of technical outerwear.”
www.tackletradeworld.com
31

2024 BIHAI FISHING TACKLE INDUSTRY EXPO
OPENS GRANDLY IN TIANJIN
On February 29, 2024, the 2024 Spring Bihai Fishing
Tackle Industry Expo hosted by Beijing Bihai Fishing
Tackle Co., Ltd. grandly opened at the National
Convention and Exhibition Center (Tianjin). This is
the largest fishing tackle exhibition in China's history.
The exhibition covers an area of approximately 150,000
square meters, with a total of 12 exhibition halls. Nearly
3,000 fishing tackle and outdoor leisure companies from
China and overseas participated in the exhibition. The
outstanding performance of this exhibition means that
China's fishing tackle market has experienced strong
recovery and growth after the epidemic.
This exhibition aims to showcase the latest development
of China's fishing tackle industry, promote exchanges
and cooperation in the fishing tackle industry, enhance
the influence of fishing culture, and provide fishing
enthusiasts with more choices and services.
On the opening day of the exhibition, a grand opening
ceremony was held, and awards were awarded to the
most popular fishing tackle in 2023, and this year's
selection was launched. At the same time, the exhibition
also arranged a number of professional forums, lectures,
training, experience and other activities, covering
all aspects of fishing tackle, providing a platform for
exhibitors and visitors to interact and learn.
This exhibition brings together many well-known
companies and brands in the domestic fishing tackle
industry, including Daiwa, Shinmano, Oldghost,
Purefishing and many other domestic and foreign
fishing tackle companies, bringing a series of innovative

fishing supplies to provide fishing enthusiasts with a better experience. .
At the exhibition, there is a dazzling array of fishing gear, including fishing rods, fishing lines, fishing baits, fishing
hooks, fishing boxes, fishing chairs, fishing clothes, fishing shoes, fishing umbrellas, fishing lights, fishing carts, etc.,
all of which meet the different needs and preferences of fishing. person. The exhibition also displayed some high-end
fishing tackle, demonstrating the technological innovation capabilities of the fishing tackle industry.
During the exhibition, exhibitors and visitors responded enthusiastically, saying that this exhibition was a rare
opportunity to not only learn about the latest developments in fishing tackle, but also to have in-depth exchanges with
industry insiders, expand business cooperation, improve fishing skills, and enjoy fishing. pleasure. The exhibition also
attracted the attention of many media and social figures, playing a positive role in promoting the development of the
fishing tackle industry.
It is reported that this exhibition will last until March 3, and it is expected that more than 100,000 visitors will visit the
exhibition every day. The successful holding of this exhibition marks that China's fishing tackle industry has entered
a new stage, injecting new vitality into the development of China's fishing tackle industry and adding new color to the
lives of fishermen across the country.

VIBRANT CHINESE FISHING COMPETITION
On February 28, 2024, the 2024 Spring Tea Party
hosted by CAA was held in Tianjin.
Members of the CAA at all levels and representatives
from relevant local people’s governments, sports
authorities, and provincial associations across the
country, business representatives in fishing counties,
media representatives, heads of professional
committees of the China Fishing Sports Association,
and well-known competitive fishing masters in the
Chinese fishing community Nearly 300 people,
including celebrities and fishing celebrities, gathered together to offer suggestions and suggestions for the
development of China’s fishing industry and to seek a better future.
Looking back on 2023, CAA is not afraid of difficulties, firmly pressing the reset button, releasing passion
in unity and forging ahead, letting go of expectations, regaining confidence, and rebuilding a magnificent
new era. It has received strong support from relevant local governments, media and enterprises. Everyone
witnessed the award ceremony of the 2023 National Fishing Event Outstanding Event Organization Award,
the National Fishing Event Commercial Sponsorship Plaque Presentation Ceremony, and the 2023 China
Fishing Sports Base Flag Presentation Ceremony.
Respect the rules and enjoy fishing. Respect the rules of nature, protect fishing water resources, and enjoy
green fishing. CAA released the "Green Safety Guidelines for Fishing in China". In the new season of 2024,
the China Fishing Sports Association will advocate a new trend of civilized fishing and lead the healthy, safe
and orderly development of fishing sports in China.

FEATURE
BUSTING MONSTERS IS
ALL IN A DAY’S WORK
It was over 25 years ago, back in 1998, that Japanese rod expert Zenaq introduced the
Monster Buster, specifically designed to catch huge tuna. Now it has raised the bar even
higher with its latest project.
Since the launch of the iconic
Monster Buster, Zenaq’s passion has
driven it to continually develop rods
for big game fishing.
Advancements in tackle, including lines
and hooks, have made tuna over 200kg a
feasible target. Yet, Zenaq aspired to create
a rod capable of going head-to-head with
these giants in the casting game. This
ambition led to the inception of Project
Monster Buster.
The key feature it prioritised in
developing this rod was its ability to lift a
200kg fish while being bent at a steep angle.
If the rod blank is overly rigid, it becomes
too challenging for anglers to endure the
fierce struggle of a monster. Additionally,
such a stiff rod blank wouldn’t allow casting
of a 100g lure.
On the other hand, a rod blank that’s
too flexible wouldn’t just fail to lift a 200kg
monster but would also easily break under
the heavy load.
FINDING A SOLUTION
The challenge was clear – how could it
design a rod capable of casting a 100g lure
far and still enable an average-sized angler
to battle a 200kg monster tuna?
The journey towards creating the perfect
rod blank involved relentless cycles of
design, bench testing and field testing, and
was finally completed after four seasons,
starting in 2019.
The result is the innovative rod blank that
is the backbone of the Tobizo TC77 Tuna -
Monster Buster.
36 www.tackletradeworld.com
MONSTER BLANK
Thanks to the Deep Bias Layered
Construction (DBL) Structure, this
rod blank boasts impressive heavy load
durability, making it able to withstand the
maximum drag from a large reel even at a
steep angle of 65 degrees.
Its core flexibility allows the rod to
be bent effectively with realistic human
strength, generating repulsive power as
it bends. Even in a fight with monster
tunas, the rod blank remains robust,
assisting anglers by lifting while enduring
the strain.
Its length of 7ft 7in optimises
casting performance, lure control and
performance when facing the heaviest
fight.
This flexible rod blank can elegantly
handle lightweight lures, accurately
casting them to the desired spot.
It offers a significant advantage in the
tuna casting game. To take on monster
tunas that exceed human limits, the rod
blank must be absolutely trustworthy.
DEEP BIAS LAYERED
CONSTRUCTION
This patent-pending process of making
rod blanks involves various factors such as
the carbon material’s elasticity, thickness,
amount of resin, fibre angle, and taper
design of the mandrel and mould. The
possibilities for making rod blanks are
endless.
Among this infinite array of
combinations, the Zenaq team searches
for the optimal material and layers it

Zenaq
FEATURE
deeply, finding the perfect orientation of
fibres and stacking them accordingly.
Its chosen method of designing the rod
blank is a world apart from rods designed
for finesse and lightness. It’s akin to
crafting the physique of a well-trained
heavyweight athlete.
This manufacturing process allowed
Zenaq to precisely design the necessary
torque and power, fulfilling the
requirements for recoil, durability, and
flexibility needed for its Monster blank.
In developing the Monster rod,
not only was high-level rod making
technology crucial, but also the patience
to find the optimal combination among
an infinite array of complex carbon
materials.
GUIDE SETTING
Unsurprisingly, the guides have been
configured for use with ultra-large tackle
such as reels over size 20000 and PE lines
with a PE rating of 12.
Moreover, the Assist Guide
significantly reduces line tangling at the
tip, eliminating line troubles and enabling
smooth line release and stable longdistance
casting. This ensures you don’t
miss the big chance.
HEXAGON RUBBER GRIP
For big game reliability, Zenaq has
developed an entirely new heavy-fighting
grip incorporating rubber material into
its trusted Hexagon Grip. This patentpending
concept ensures the greatest slip
resistance ever.
Meanwhile, the moulded surface
pattern of Japanese-style tortoiseshell
enhances grip strength and minimises
fatigue in a big fight.
This ultimate grip from ZENAQ is
indispensable for prolonged power fights
against monster tunas.
METAL REEL SEAT
The amount of stress put on the reel seat
when going head-to-head with a monster
catch exceeding 200kg is enormous.
This robust metal reel seat is designed
with the utmost priority on absolute
capture, allowing you to concentrate all
your nerves on the fight.
METAL AND RUBBER
For the rod grip end, Zenaq has adopted
a combination of a metal gimbal and a
rubber end.
If facing a monster without a gimbal
is your style, use the rubber end. Remove
the rubber end to use for the gimbal fight.
This design provides two grip ends for
the best fighting style.
AN INCREDIBLE BATTLE
In just 40 minutes, using the TC77 Tuna
– Monster Buster, a lone angler managed
to reel in a 213kg monster tuna.
This remarkable achievement
highlighted the exceptional performance
of the blank, crafted for the challenging
task of bending under huge pressure and
lifting such giants of the seas.
ZENAQ
zenaq.com
www.tackletradeworld.com
37

MAKING
CONTACT
Making Contact
2
1
3
Want your products to
be seen by thousands of
potential buyers… FREE of
charge? Then get in touch,
we’d love to hear from you.
JOHN HUNTER
+44 7990 542958
john.hunter@dhpub.co.uk
Contact John directly for details of
how to send your product and a
short description to Tackle Trade
World’s office.
1 FISHBITES
E-Z BAITS
Fishbites is the synthetic
alternative to natural bait that
uses a concentrated flavour/scent
formula that replicates the natural
chemicals fish use to detect and
track their prey.
Fishbites gradually dissolve in
water, releasing a trail of powerful
feeding stimulants. Its E-Z Baits
can be used on a bare hook or as a
trailer on a jig. Each bait strip is ½ in
wide and about 12in long.
The ‘Longer Lasting’ formula
features a cloth binder that keeps
it on the hook longer and provides
extra durability. Just cut it, hook it
and cast it. It’s that E-Z!
fishbites.com
2 DAIWA
REGAL LT SPINNING REEL
Attractively priced, yet bursting
with features and technology, this
‘do it all’ reel boasts an advanced
Zaion V body – said to be lighter,
stronger, and more rigid than
traditional composite graphite.
Daiwa’s cornerstone Airdrive
rotor fosters a lighter rotation
so it’s easier to spin while the
solid Airdrive bail is noticeably
smooth and durable. Users will
also benefit from Regal LT’s Tough
Digigear, Advanced Tournament
Drag (ATD) and the L/R folding
machined aluminium handle with
oversized grip.
It’s available in sizes from 1000
to 6000, making it ideal for both
fresh- and saltwater anglers.
daiwa.us
3 ST. CROIX
PHYSYX RODS
This series of 25 technique-focused
freshwater rods includes 17 casting
and eight spinning models for
freshwater fishing, with nextgeneration
technique-specific
hybrid carbon fibre SCIV+ blanks
or iAct (SCIV+ and linear S-Glass)
hybrid blanks.
The rods also boast ultradurable,
rigid titanium guides
with silicon carbide rings,
anthropometrics-driven split-grip
TRIGON moulded carbon fibre
handles with high-tactile TPU
accents and moulded carbon fibre
Dynamix reel seats for dramatically
increased comfort, control and
energy transmission.
stcroixrods.com
38 www.tackletradeworld.com

lineaeffe.it
happIness
is a FIshing day!
ANGLER: Daniele “Maio” Maioriello
@maio_nomura_angler_official
FIND OUT WHAT’S NEW IN
2024 ON WWW.LINEAEFFE.IT
FISH IN PEACE!
Lineaeffe S.p.a - Via Massumatico, 3689 - 40018 S. Pietro in Casale (BO) - ITALY - info@lineaeffe.it

Classifieds
SPLIT RING
PLIERS
CLASSIFIEDS
UNIQUELY DIFFERENT (NEW-PATENTED)
The EASIEST... The FASTEST...
The BESTEST...
for changing hooks or spinner blades
visit www.TexasTackle.com for demo video
WHOLESALE ONLY
4 Sizes
www.TexasTackle.com
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…
JUNE 2024
Ad Copy: April 19th, 2024
Mailed: May 8th, 2024
Special issue: Fishing Technology
& EFTTEX preview
Spotlight: Bait
Doing Business With: Benelux
JULY 2024
Ad Copy: May 17th, 2024
Mailed: June 5th, 2024
Special issue: ICAST preview
Spotlight: Tackle Storage
Doing Business With: Pacific
Northwest
AUGUST 2024
Ad Copy: June 21st, 2024
Mailed: July 10th, 2024
Special issue: Predator fishing
Spotlight: Hooks
Doing Business With: MIddle East
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

DAIWA’S NEW SUPER HIGH CAPACITY LEXA-HD500 REELS
DOMINATE THE WATERS
I
V
LEXA ® -HD500
FEATURES
Super High Line
Capacity
Corrosion
Resistant CRBB
Ball Bearings
Magforce® Cast
Control
120mm Swept
Power Handle
For more info visit: Daiwa.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

FEATURE
Marketing
EASY WAYS TO BOOST
YOUR BUSINESS
In such a competitive marketplace, it’s important to stand out from the crowd
but knowing the best approach is not easy. Here are some simple tips from
marketing expert and TTW editor John Hunter.
SEO-FRIENDLY WEBSITE
If you’ve been in business any length of time,
hopefully you have a functional website for
people to connect with your business and
buy your products.
The next step is to ensure it’s optimised
for both search engines and conversions. This
means getting organic traffic to your site.
Create good-quality content on trending
topics in your niche and ensure you use the
right keywords (a quick Google search will
explain this more). Use the main ones on
landing pages, titles, meta descriptions and
so on.
And don’t forget to sharpen up your site
design and ensure the page-load speed is
good.
TELLING YOUR STORY
Connecting with your audience and setting
your business apart from others is crucial.
Telling the story of your brand is a great way
to do this.
How and why did it start, who are the
people behind it, what makes it different
from any competitors?
Having a compelling ‘About Us’ page
is a simple way to do this and will help
customers identify with you, making them
more likely to buy from your business.
SOCIAL MEDIA
A cheap (or free!) and effective marketing
platform is social media.
Do some research to ascertain which
platforms your audience use the most, find
the right ‘voice’ to talk to them in, ensure
you post regularly, make sure you use good
or quirky images, vary the content, tag in
relevant people or partners and don’t forget
to include a link to your website to drive
traffic.
BE AN EXPERT
Setting yourself apart from your competitors
is important so become number one in your
field.
You could start a blog about fishing
locally, an angling discipline you love, offer
tips and advice, review the latest gear or
answer questions on how to repair tackle or
build rods, for example.
You can do this with videos too, which
makes your content even more compelling.
Then share this via social media with links
back to your website.
Establishing yourself as an industry expert
means people will trust what you say… and
what you offer. It might lead to interviews,
podcasts or invitations to events, where you
can promote your business further.
MAKE SOME VIDEOS
This follows on from becoming an expert
in your niche, since video is the best way to
engage people – everyone loves good, and
informative, content.
Whether it’s tips and tricks, a product
review or new gear that’s just arrived, you
can create a video about it.
Even better, if it’s a tutorial or a video
that explains more about that product then,
once again, you will not only help potential
customers but you can encourage them to
visit your store or website.
LOYALTY COUNTS
One cool trick is to set up some kind of
loyalty scheme or rewards programme.
Offer rewards such as discounts or
additional services in return for referrals
from existing customers to their friends.
You can also offer something similar for
loyalty. This can be anything from rewards
for buying regularly from you – for example
collecting tokens on the value of each
purchase – or from simply following, liking
and sharing your social media posts.
Hunter Media
john@hunter-media.co.uk
www.huntermedia.co.uk
42 www.tackletradeworld.com

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