Tackle Trade World - June 2024

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COMMITTED TO INCREASING YOUR BUSINESS GLOBALLY
FIRM FOUNDATION
Why ROK is a carp brand
you can build on.
PAGE 16
LAND OF OPPORTUNITY
Why the Benelux countries
could help your business.
PAGE 24
www.tackletradeworld.com
FAMILIAR FACE RETURNS
TO RUN EFTTEX 2025
EFTTEX 2025 has been
confirmed… and it will
be run by Resolutions
Ltd, the company owned by
former EFTTA and EFTTEX
general manager Janet Doyle.
Resolutions has been
granted the licence to run the
show by EFTTA AIBSL (the
European Fishing Tackle Trade
Association), which owns the
EFTTEX brand.
It has also been confirmed
that it will take place at the
Brussels Expo, Brussels, Belgium
in September 2025, with final
dates still being agreed as TTW
went to press. It will be the
only European fishing tackle
trade show fully supported by
EFTTA, which will continue its
vital lobbying work on behalf of
the industry.
Janet has been involved in
organising EFTTEX between
2000 to 2019, so has plenty of
experience behind her.
She said: “I’m really excited to
be back running the show. It’s
great to see an industry backed
show return to Europe. Brussels
is centrally located, familiar to
many and is where EFTTA
carries out its lobbying work.
Therefore it makes perfect sense
to hold the show in the same
city.”
Ross Honey, representing
the EFTTA board, added: “The
recent restructuring sets EFTTA
and its members on a path
towards a bright future, allowing
EFTTA to dedicate 100 per cent
of its focus on lobbying efforts in
Brussels.
“As the association
representing the European
fishing tackle trade, EFTTA has
an advocacy responsibility for
recreational angling. While at the
same time entrusting a separate,
professional show organisation
with the full responsibility of
running a dynamic and purpose
driven EFTTEX. With these
changes, success is within reach.”
The work of organising the
event, as well as attracting both
exhibitors and visitors, has
already started and further details
will be revealed in due course.
janetdoyle@resolutionsevents.co.uk
S E N T T O M O R E T H A N 1 8 , 5 0 0 T A C K L E I N D U S T R Y
PROFESSIONALS IN OVER 120 COUNTRIES EVERY MONTH

JUNE
2024
TackleTrade
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
THE RETURN OF AN
OLD FAVOURITE
So… now we know… there WILL be a in Hungary this September.
European tackle trade show under the How that fares, given its timing and
EFTTEX banner in 2025.
location, is anyone’s guess but I can’t believe
And it will be in September. And it will for a minute that the organisers intended
take place in Brussels, where the European 2024 to be one single, standalone event.
Fishing Tackle Trade Association (EFTTA), History will tell you that Tackle Trade
which owns the EFTTEX brand, has its World dared to run a rival European industry
headquarters.
show in Amsterdam back in 2008 and, as
What is even more interesting, though, is part of the organising team back then, I can
EFTTA’s choice of organiser, Janet Doyle and tell you that we certainly intended for it to
her Resolutions company.
become an annual event.
For many years Janet headed up the
It was only the struggling European
EFTTA Secretariat, which was responsible economy at the time – since it was unlikely
for much of the administration work behind exhibitors would be able to attend two
EFTTA as well as organising EFTTEX events in one year – that convinced us not to
in various European cities, ever since its continue in 2009 and give EFTTEX a clear
inaugural event in 1982.
run.
Indeed, it was only in 2021, following
So it remains to be seen what the industry
Brexit and Covid-19, that EFTTA Ltd in will make of having two European trade
London, which Janet was general manager shows at the same time, should the newcomer
of, closed its doors and EFTTA was reborn carry on into 2025.
in Brussels, where it could be closer to
Naturally, logic says that EFTTEX – with
the European Commission and European its history, its name, a knowledgeable and
Parliament.
influential organiser plus the backing of the
EFTTA is also focused on its lobbying EFTTA board and, doubtless, many members
work on behalf of the trade, hence the need – will be a force to be reckoned with in 2025.
to outsource the show organisation to a third You can also expect Tackle Trade World
party – and there were several of those in the to be not only supporting but promoting
bidding process, TTW understands.
EFTTEX 2025. We believe in the sterling
So, with her Resolutions company, Janet work of EFTTA – and indeed all trade
certainly has the pedigree and the knowledge associations around the world – and we
to deliver EFTTEX 2025, which I have no know the skillset and background that Janet
doubt will return to a fanfare, having missed brings to the show organiser role; few would
this year for a variety of reasons.
bet against her making EFTTEX 2025 in
But what makes the announcement even Brussels a huge success.
more interesting is that it appears to be timed
to go head-to-head with another European John Hunter
trade show, set to take place for the first time Editor
3,511
6,466

Early bird registration ends June 10th
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July 16-19
Orlando, FL
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ICASTfishing.org

JUNE
2024
18
16
22
28
Contents
24
36
08 NEWS
Rapala VMC agrees a deal to supply Okuma
tackle to China, Pure Fishing restructures
in the German, Austrian and Swiss markets
and St. Croix plans another way of thanking
its loyal customers.
10 NEWS
Railblaza unveils a distribution plan for
Finland and Denmark, EFTTA continues
to grow with more key members signing
up while the former boss of Rapala, Jorma
Kasslin, is remembered.
16 ROK’S FIRM FOUNDATION FOR CARP
TACKLE
In the competitive arena of carp fishing, a
brand has emerged that carries the weight
of decades of experience, dedication and
passion. We explore the background of
ROK Fishing.
18 SPOTLIGHT ON… BAIT
Whether man-made or natural, bait is a
pre-requisite for catching fish. But the
options available are, quite simply, vast…
and still growing, as anglers strive for the
perfect one. Here’s our guide to some of
them.
20 SHOP WINDOW
A quick look at some of the latest baits to
hit the market. Are any of these suitable for
your retail shelves or web stores?
22 KICK-STARTING THE INDUSTRY AT
ICAST
The ICAST New Product Showcase has the
power to propel new products to instant
stardom. We find out why it pays to get
involved.
24 DOING BUSINESS WITH… BENELUX
Thanks to their low-lying nature, Belgium,
the Netherlands and Luxembourg –
collectively known as Benelux – have
plenty of water for fishing… which makes
them an ideal region to do business with.
28 SEPARATING GOOD PRODUCTS FROM
ALSO-RANS
Plastilys, the France-based specialist
manufacturer of plastic fishing tackle, has
announced its new range of sieves. We
take a look…
34 MAKING CONTACT
More tackle and gear recently released into
the market that you might wish to consider
adding to your inventory.
36 MUSTAD RELEASES HOOK
TECHNOLOGY
Mustad’s heritage in innovation has led to
yet another industry-first in cutting-edge
hook-manufacturing machinery, designed
to maximise wire strength and minimise
fish loss. This is Ultra-Nor…
38 MARKETING
It’s the start of trade show season and
exhibiting at one can reap rich rewards
for your business. Here are a few ideas to
maximise your presence.
06 www.tackletradeworld.com

INTRODUCING CUTTING EDGE FORGING TECHNOLOGY TO BRING UNMATCHED HOOK STRENGTH THAT ANGLERS TRUST
MUSTAD-FISHING.COM

ST. CROIX APPRECIATES
ITS CUSTOMERS
US manufacturer St. Croix Rod
is preparing to celebrate the most
important people in its business
in June – its customers.
The firm is inviting anglers to
join a celebration of fishing at
its 2024 Customer Appreciation
Day on Saturday, June 22nd at
the Park Falls, Wisconsin factory.
Jesse Simpkins, St. Croix’s
vice-president of marketing,
explained: “Customer
Appreciation Day has evolved
and grown over the years but the
event’s identity and purpose have
remained the same.
“It’s a chance for our entire
team at St. Croix to express
thanks to anglers and celebrate
our collective passion for fishing.
The opportunity to spend a really
fun day getting to know and
interacting with anglers face-toface
from around the world is
something special, and we look
forward to it every year.”
Visiting anglers – as many as
2,500 of them – look forward to
it as well.
Vice-president of sales, Steve
Self, added: “We have anglers
who make the trip to Customer
Appreciation Day (CAD) in
Park Falls an annual pilgrimage,
plus hundreds of new visitors
each year.
“They come from as far as
Florida, California and Maine
and we’ve had visitors from
Australia and Europe, too. We
do everything we can to give
everyone who joins us – and
even those who participate in
CAD online – a meaningful
and memorable experience. Our
team starts planning months
ahead of time, and when the big
day arrives it’s all hands on deck
to make sure we offer the best
possible experience.”
Anglers attending are drawn
into the St. Croix family and
experience something no other
rod manufacturer offers on
such a personal level. This year’s
event will include multiple
opportunities to learn
about the rod-building
process, informative
fishing seminars from pros,
casting demonstrations,
a free lunch provided by
Johnsonville, ample prize
draws and – of course – a
variety of special, one-dayonly
deals on rods, combos,
and apparel, which are available
to both in-person and online
participants.
Jesse added: “This is our
first full year after the launch
of our SEVIIN Reels and our
reinvigorated St. Croix Fly
brands.So, this year, we’re able
to offer CAD attendees even
more unique experiences and
opportunities.
“We’ll have a dedicated
SEVIIN tent where we can
show visiting anglers some of the
interesting tests we put the
reels through in order to ensure
reliability and deliver a worryfree
fishing experience. We’ll also
A St. Croix Customer
have SEVIIN reels spooled up
and ready to go at the casting
pond so anglers can experience
them first-hand.
“On the fly side, our team
is incredibly excited to show
anglers the results of the work
and energy we’ve put into our
new, premium EVOS fly rods,
along with another new model
we’ll be releasing about the same
time as CAD. We’re using a
brand-new technology in these
rods and can’t wait to get anglers
out on the casting pond to let
them experience why these rods
are so special.”
stcroixrods.com
Leadership torch passed on at Fairpoint Outdoors
After 30 years of dedicated leadership,
Jens Buhl Jorgensen, the co-founder and
CEO of Fairpoint Outdoors A/S, is to
hand over the reins to former Svendsen
Sport CEO Hans Maasbøl in May.
With a very healthy outlook for the
future, Jens bids farewell as CEO to the
company he has nurtured and guided
since its inception.
This announcement marks a significant
transition in the company’s history as
Jens entrusts the reins of leadership to
a new, highly capable successor – Hans
Maasbøl.
Jens will remain as a member of the
board of directors and assume the role of
vice chairman.
Under his visionary guidance, Fairpoint
Outdoors says it has achieved remarkable
milestones, solidifying its position as a
trailblazer in the fishing tackle industry.
From humble beginnings to
08 www.tackletradeworld.com
becoming a cornerstone of innovation
and excellence, Jens’s unwavering
commitment has propelled the company
to unprecedented heights.
This change is a part of the succession
plan initiated when Capidea acquired the
majority of the company’s shares from cofounders
Jens Thomas Petersen Eldor and
Thomas Jespersen, back in autumn 2021.
Reflecting on this pivotal moment, Jens
expressed profound gratitude to dedicated
team members, partners, and stakeholders
who have been instrumental in the
company’s success. He explained that
their passion, dedication and unwavering
support had been the driving force behind
Fairpoint Outdoors’ journey this far.
Meanwhile, Hans – who played a
central role in managing Svendsen Sport
during the challenging Covid-19 period
– brings with him a proven track record
of leadership, a deep understanding of the
industry and a lifelong experience with
consumer brands and brand building across
different industries.
He will join forces with the existing
management team consisting of the
two other co-founders Thomas Petersen
Eldor and Thomas Jespersen – as well as
COO Thomas Sanotra, CFO Jesper Lund
Andersen and CIO Kenneth Aabenhus.
Chairman Ulla Iversen expressed
confidence in Hans’ proven track record
and his ability to build upon a strong
foundation laid by Jens and the rest of the
Fairpoint team, saying the board looks very
much forward to working with Hans and
taking the company even further.
The board also extended its heartfelt
appreciation to Jens for his exceptional
leadership and invaluable contributions to
the company.
www.fairpoint.dk

TG Rocket
Fuel lands in
new home
UK-based tackle company
Breakaway has purchased TG
Rocket Fuel and TG Ceramic
Bearings from Tony Gittins, who has
decided to retire to spend more time
fishing.
In a brief statement, Breakaway
Tackle said it was very pleased to
acquire this company’s iconic brands,
which are market leaders and the
plan is to continue looking after
Tony’s many customers while also
seeking new trade accounts.
Breakaway Tackle’s Norman
Bickers said: “We hope to be able to
offer the same outstanding service
that Tony has done over many years.
These iconic brands, which are
market leaders, are now available to
all old and new customers.”
www.breakaway-tackle.co.uk
RESTRUCTURE FOR PURE
FISHING IN GERMAN MARKET
Following its acquisition of
Svendsen-Sport in 2022, Pure
Fishing has finally completed
a series of changes to its
sales team and operations
in Germany, Austria and
Switzerland (DACH).
The sales team will be led
by new sales manager Toni
Wiese (pictured), who has
been working in the tackle
trade since 2009 and was
formerly Svendsen Sport’s
key account manager, taking
over national management in
March, 2023.
One of his recent tasks
was to help with the
optimisation of both Pure
Fishing and Svendsen Sport
sales organisations. He is
also a passionate angler and
a current member of the
German national Blackbass
team, which was recently
runner-up for the world title
in Portugal.
Toni said: “It is a great
honour to be able to manage
the distribution of such
traditional brands as DAM,
Berkley, ABU Garcia, PENN,
Savage Gear, Mitchell,
Prologic, JRC, Greys, Plano,
Shakespeare and Hardy from
now on. I have known and
used many products from
these established brands since
I was a child.
“It was also clear to me
from the outset that we would
have to continue with two
separate sales organisations in
German-speaking countries.
The target was to build a new
motivated and good, balanced
team to create a breath of
fresh air in our market.
Initial successes confirmed
this immediately after their
introduction. With the now
combined team, we are very
Toni Wiese
confident about our ability to
better service your needs and
a great future, together.”
The two sales offices have
also merged. The former
Svendsen-Sport office
in Georgensgmünd was
closed in December 2023,
with back-office functions,
including customer service,
now located in the offices of
Pure Fishing Deutschland
GmbH in Frankfurt am
Main. The firm is currently
recruiting for additional
customer service team
members there.
OKUMA ‘THAIS UP’ ANOTHER
DEAL WITH RAPALA VMC
Two iconic fishing tackle names – Rapala
VMC and Okuma – have agreed another
landmark deal, this time for the Finlandbased
giant to offer Okuma products to
Thailand.
Rapala VMC already owns the rights to
sell Okuma-branded gear across Europe
and Russia and recently added Brazil,
Paraguay and Korea to its distribution
model.
Rapala VMC CEO Lars Ollberg sealed
the deal for Thailand with Charles Chang,
who set up the Taiwanese manufacturer
more than 30 years ago. It will take effect
from July 1st, 2024.
Lars said: “The partnership with Okuma
is strengthening year after year and we
are working to expand it further on the
common goals of both companies.
“Okuma has been present in Thailand for
many years with good success, and we can
bring Okuma sales to the next level with
our professional sales and marketing skills
in Thailand.
“Rapala VMC’s Thailand branch has
been well established in the country for
15 years. The office has an experienced
team of seven people focusing on sales and
marketing, with excellent knowledge about
fishing products and in distribution and
customer service, reaching about 200 shops.
“Rapala Thailand is staying connected
to the anglers, in innovating with passion
and it is driven to grow the business in
Thailand. It is an honour to represent
Okuma in Thailand as it is a wellknown
brand, renowned for quality and
innovation.
“Okuma is a well-known brand in
Thailand and we are driven to grow the
business there.”
Lars also revealed a number of key
products that he feels will be relevant to the
Thai market and the species present there.
These include the Cavalla reel, which is
suitable not only for saltwater fishing but
also for giant catfish in leisure ponds, which
is a big market there.
Rapala VMC
CEO Lars
Ollberg and
Okuma’s
Charles
Chang
With so many fishing ponds holding
barramundi, not to mention freshwater
dams with an abundance of local species,
the Ceymar HD spinning reel will also
have a key part to play.
Meanwhile, the Ceymar ODT and
Hakai baitcasting reel is just the job for
giant snakehead and hampala, which
demand accuracy and speed.
www.tackletradeworld.com
09

BLAZING A TRAIL FOR
FINLAND AND DENMARK
EXPLR of Sweden, one of the
largest distributors and retailers
of paddle sport products
in Scandinavia, is to help
oversee growth of mounts and
accessories expert RailBlaza.
This move follows EXPLR’s
huge investment in a new
warehouse and showroom
facility in Linköping, ideally
located just a few hours
from either Stockholm or
Gothenburg.
Established in 2017, EXPLR
is a young, professional and
dynamic company with a
clear vision on providing
market-leading brands into
the paddle sport and boating
market, with a key focus on
fishing. Following its first order
with RailBlaza back in 2020,
EXPLR has become one of
its most important strategic
partners within Europe.
Nick Edgington, RailBlaza
EMEA’s sales director, said:
“EXPLR’s recent investment
into real estate, ecommerce and
workforce was clear evidence
that they have a strategic
growth plan in place, and we
want to be on that journey with
them.
“[Managing director] Felix’s
knowledge and understanding
of the Scandinavian market
will be invaluable as they look
to grow our market share in
Denmark. During my recent
visit, I met the EXPLR team
who are all very knowledgeable
about our brand and it was
great to see their enthusiasm.
Marius Juska, the most recent
recruit, has been tasked with
increasing sales in Finland and
Denmark.”
The doors to the new
showroom opened in April,
attracting over 600 customers;
this facility provides EXPLR
with a new dimension, allowing
it to showcase brands, gain
consumer feedback and present
the products to the trade.
EXPLR’s managing director
Felix Frey added: “We have
experienced expediential growth
since forming the company in
2017. This is largely thanks
to the onboarding of great
brands and having an excellent
understanding of our markets.
“We focus on five or six
key brands and work hard to
ensure we present these to our
customers in a professional
Nick Edgington, RailBlaza’s EMEA sales
director with EXPLR MD Felix Frey.
and dynamic way; we are a
modern outdoor distribution
company fuelled by a passion
for making great products
and services available.”
EXPLR’s brand portfolio
currently consists of RailBlaza,
Rebelcell, Berkley Pro,
Hultafors, CLC, Deeper Sonar
and Hobie.
Tackle launches are a market challenger
US manufacturer Buffalo Tackle has released
several products from Challenger Lures,
Riversider and Sheffield, to reel in walleye,
bass, salmon and steelhead anglers.
The Challenger Marabou Jigs are made
with premium hand-tied marabou with flash.
Equipped with a Mustad 2X strong hook
and an epoxy coated head and thread, the
Marabou jig comes in three sizes and 18
colours and are a great match for all game
fish.
Challenger Ball Jigheads, meanwhile, are
available in three sizes, five and 25 packs
and come in metallic Nickle and Gold. They
feature a Mustad 2X hook with a round head
and no collar. These jigs are good for anglers
10 www.tackletradeworld.com
trying their own feather or hair jigs.
Challenger Lures has also introduced a
new colour featuring a silver orange back
with white belly. It’s available in the two
most popular sizes – Minnow and Junior
Minnow – and joins the other 55-plus colour
variations.
Riversider has expanded its already
popular line of IM8 carbon handle rods with
the 9ft Fly Rod in three weights: 7/8, 8/9
and 9/10. This 36-ton IM8 graphite blank,
two-piece rod features aluminium oxide
stripper guides with stainless steel snake
guides and top. The strong carbon fibre
handle with blank-through construction is
said to be capable of landing prize-winning
steelhead.
Sheffield has added a Foam Slip Float,
available in six sizes, to its vast variety of
premium floats. The durable EVA foam body
has a Hi-Vis top with black body. The float
features an integrated brass sleeve at the top
and bottom and the package also includes
Hi-Vis beads and stops.
Buffalo Tackle is part of Triple S Sporting
Supplies and includes the Challenger
Lures, Riversider, Sheffield and Three D
brands, while Triple S Sporting Supplies is
a wholesale tackle distributor servicing the
Northeast and Great Lakes regions.
www.buffalotackle.com

Precision products for
perfect fishing gear
Qinhuangdao
Zhongwei
Precision
Machinery is
urging tackle
firms to get in
touch to take
advantage of
its die casting
and injectionmoulding
facilities for their
latest products.
Established in
1997, it was recognised as a
technology-based small and
medium-sized enterprise by
the Hebei Provincial Science
and Technology Bureau in
2013 and the following year as
a military-civilian integration
enterprise; by 2019, it
was rated as a high-tech
enterprise.
Zhongwei Precision covers
precision die casting, precision
casting and metal injection
moulding MIM and powder
metallurgy processes.
The company has multiple
five-axis machining centres
and various CNC machine
tools and boasts rich
experience in the field of
metal products.
It says it can produce
titanium alloy, tungsten alloy,
carbide, stainless steel, carbon
steel, alloy steel and other
products.
Its principles of quality
first, treating people with
integrity and serving buyers
well have been recognised
by customers in the United
States, Germany, the UK,
the Netherlands, Poland and
many more.
business-mall@zw-jm.com
ANOTHER KEY
PLAYER JOINS EFTTA
TRADE BODY
Prominent Danish tackle supplier Fairpoint Outdoors A/S has
added its weight to the work of the European Fishing Tackle
Trade Association (EFTTA) by becoming a member. It joins
an esteemed list of industry leaders including Daiwa, Shimano,
VMC Rapala, Rather Outdoors, Pure Fishing, Sensas, Visdeal,
Saenger, Lotta Olt, Korda and Angling Spirit.
In addition to manufacturing and selling its own brands –
Westin, Kinetic and Unique Flies – Fairpoint Outdoors is proud
to be the exclusive distributor of Sage and Rio in Scandinavia.
EFTTA is a leading advocate for the fishing tackle industry,
actively engaging in lobby work in Brussels to shape policies
and regulations that impact businesses and anglers alike.
COO Thomas Sanotra is enthusiastic about the collaboration
and said: “Joining EFTTA aligns perfectly with our vision of
advancing and supporting recreational angling for the industry.
EFTTA’s advocacy work in Brussels is crucial for ensuring
the sustainability and growth of our sector. We are proud to
stand alongside fellow industry leaders in shaping the future of
fishing.”
EFTTA vice-president Ross Honey added: “We are thrilled
to welcome Fairpoint Outdoors into the EFTTA family. Its
expertise and commitment to the industry will undoubtedly
enrich our collective efforts. Together, we will continue to
champion the interests of our members and promote responsible
angling practices for anglers today and future generations.”
This partnership marks a significant step forward in
Fairpoint’s commitment to amplifying its voice and support of
the fishing community and comes at a time when EFTTA is
experiencing a surge in membership, with more companies set to
join in the coming weeks and exciting things on the horizon.
www.eftta.com
TRIBUTES PAID TO FORMER RAPALA CEO
Long-time Rapala VMC Corporation board member and former
chairman, president and CEO, Jorma Kasslin, passed away after
a brief illness on April 14th, 2024 at the age of 70.
Jorma had been a member of Rapala VMC’s Board of
Directors since 1998, serving as chairman from 2016 to 2018
and as president and CEO from 1998 to 2016.
The board of directors, management and staff of Rapala VMC
Corporation have extended their deepest condolences to his
family and loved ones.
During Jorma’s tenure as CEO, Rapala VMC expanded into
an international enterprise, becoming a global market leader in
several segments of the sports fishing business. He was a leader
who placed great importance on the well-being of the staff.
Colleagues from around the world say they will miss Jorma
dearly.
Current president and CEO, Lars Ollberg, said: “Jorma
was my leader for many years, starting from 1998. He was an
encouraging director who provided everyone with a common
direction and vision.
“Jorma always focused on finding positive solutions in his
work. His contribution has been decisive in Rapala VMC’s
journey to becoming one of the world’s leading companies in
the industry.”
www.tackletradeworld.com 11

NEWS IN BRIEF
Hobie floats glasses
Hobi Eyewear has added its popular
Everglades and Snook polarised
sunglasses to its line-up of Float
models, after its Everglades Float
emerged as a standout style at the
2024 Bassmaster Classic.
Featuring durable floating frames,
they boast features including
premium polarised lenses with
Hydroclean 360 coating, which resists
water/oils, and co-moulded rubber
on the nose pads and temple tips for
improved grip and performance.
Sportsman’s reduces
board
US-based outdoor specialty retailer
Sportsman’s Warehouse Holdings has
confirmed the resignations of several
board members prior to its annual
meeting of stockholders.
Erica Fortune, Gregory P Hickey
and Philip C Williamson have all
stood down, meaning the board
currently stands at six members.
Following a series of changes, half of
the company’s board will have been
added within the past year.
Removing gold
Volunteers from Australia’s fishing
conservation charity, OzFish, have
begun a restoration project to remove
feral goldfish from the Vasse River.
While these familiar pets may
seem harmless in indoor tanks, when
released into the wild they can wreak
havoc on delicate ecosystems and
impact on native fish populations. In
the Lower Vasse River, feral goldfish
weighing up to 2kg and measuring
over 40cm have been recorded.
On the record
Aruguably angling’s most anticipated
annual publication – the 2024 IGFA
World Record Game Fishes – is now
available from the International
Game Fish Association (IGFA).
As the world’s definitive publication
of recreational angling records
and the organisation’s signature
membership benefit, the 2024 edition
includes comprehensive information
on all freshwater, saltwater and
flyfishing world records for many
categories, including new world
records set within the last year.
German anglers
take it to the top
The German Anglers’ Association – DSAV
e. V – which sends its national teams to the
European and World Championships, has
appointed a executive board and president.
At the annual general meeting, which
took place near Bremen, members elected
a new executive board on the organisation’s
10th anniversary, designed to take on the
mammoth task of structuring the association
properly and putting it on a solid footing.
Among those elected was a new president,
Klaus Daeschler who, as a passionate angler
and former president of the VHF, brings a
lot of experience and expertise as the board
works to make the organisation fit for the
future.
Other executive committee members
includeThomas Heinecke (vice-president),
Markus Howanietz (vice-president, finance)
and Enrico Hofmann (vice-president,
youth).
A global leader in maritime
safety equipment, Mustang
Survival, is continuing to push
the boundaries of innovation
with newly released ISOapproved
Atlas 190 Pro Sensor
Life Jacket.
Recipient of a Special
Mention at the DAME
Design Awards in the Personal
Equipment category, the Atlas
190 Life Jacket is said to be
a ground-breaking inflatable
platform with a re-engineered
bladder for exceptional turning
performance and airway
protection.
These life jackets, designed
for offshore sailing, cruising
and boating adventures,
emphasise comfort during
prolonged wear and impressive
safety – 190N of buoyancy –
when inflated.
The Atlas utilises ADAPT
Technology (Advanced Airway
Protection & Turning); the
bladder lobes’ shape turns the
wearer face up effectively, baffle
barriers dissipate incoming
waves and an integrated pillow
provides optimal head support
and stability.
Atlas developer Nigel
Parkes, who has decades of
experience engineering life
jackets, said: “The primary
goal was to make it super
comfortable.
“I wanted to design a
product that is very free around
the neck when you’re wearing
it in its packed state but offers
The coarse fish float and feeder
department for men and women is headed
by Peter Koenig, whose experience is
invaluable, while the masters, veterans and
handicap age groups are led with great
commitment by Norbert Mertes.
Michael Gschwind takes care of the
commercial area, predatory fish from the
bank and boat, fly fishing and trout are
still managed by Thomas Engert. Soeren
Dercks (web and social media) and Harald
Ofenloch (press) are responsible for public
relations.
Another gain in terms of team manager
is Thorsten Kuesters, who will coach the
Under 25 feeder anglers. Karol Pacyna
is team manager for the women’s teams
and Stefan Reget is team manager for the
handicaps.
www.dsav.eu
Mustang reveals Atlas life jacket
ultimate performance when
inflated.
“The secondary goal was
to challenge conventional
bladders and increase the
safety features without
impacting comfort, resulting
in a revolutionary new
design. Our wearers can have
confidence in knowing that,
whatever their water adventure,
the Atlas 190 has their back
should they need it.”
12 www.tackletradeworld.com

Zebco marks 75th anniversary with special edition reel
To celebrate 75 years, Zebco
– “the brand that taught
America to fish” – is marking
this milestone with the launch
of a special edition Zebco 33
spincast reel.
Originating from the bomb
industry, Zebco’s journey
started as the Zero Hour Bomb
Company, founded in Tulsa,
Oklahoma.
Collaborating with R.D. Hull,
the innovative mind behind the
iconic spincast reel, Zero Hour
Bomb Company evolved into
a highly successful fishing reel
manufacturer, redefining its
identity.
The result was the legendary
spincast reel, a groundbreaking
invention that addressed
the shortcomings of the
rudimentary reels of the time.
Hull created a reel that was
so easy to operate that any
novice could pick one up and
immediately begin fishing.
Many anglers have nostalgic,
childhood tied to the Zebco
33, fondly remembering it as
their first fishing reel. Although
the Zebco catalogue has grown
RoD EXpo BUIlDING NICElY
exponentially, the Zebco 33
remains a cherished staple in the
line-up.
Following the inception of the
reel, Zebco carved out a unique
place in the fishing industry and
in the hearts of anglers all over
the world.
The 75th Anniversary 33 reel
will be on sale from July.
www.ratheroutdoors.com
The 21st edition of the International Custom Rod Building
Exposition was another huge success for the custom-rod
building craft and industry.
Held in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, the event hall was
packed and sales were brisk, with many companies reporting
record sales on Saturday alone.
“Many of the retailers told me that their single day sales on
Saturday eclipsed their total two-day sales from the 2023 Expo,”
said event owner and host Tom Kirkman.
Nearly 40 vendors and manufacturers occupying 50,000 sq ft
of exhibit hall space attended the 2024 edition, making it the
largest custom rod building event in the world.
The continued strong performance of the event appears to
guarantee its future for many more years, even if that should
happen under new ownership.
Tom explained: “I am nearing retirement but want to make
sure that any new owner would continue to host the event at the
same level of quality and performance that the Expo has come
to be known for during these past two decades.”
Details of any possible sale of the event have yet to be
announced.
rodmaker@earthlink.net

Bauer Media Closes Key
fisHing MontHly
After 33 years, Bauer Media has ceased
publication of its UK-based Improve Your
Coarse Fishing, effective from May 2024.
However, the closure doesn’t mean
the end of the brand; instead it will be
transformed into part of the media group’s
weekly Angling Times publication.
Improve Your Coarse Fishing’s legacy
– tactics-led content that has offered
invaluable insight and techniques for
anglers of all levels – will soon be
integrated into Angling Times, now Bauer
Media’s only remaining fishing title.
Bauer said the complementary content
will further enrich Angling Times’
offering, which will continue to bring its
audience equipment tests, plus interesting
stories from the world of angling.
With a combined monthly reach of
over 300,000 anglers across print and
digital platforms, Angling Times and
anglingtimes.co.uk are still seen as key
pillars in Bauer Media’s multi-platform
media strategy.
Steve Prentice, UK group co-CEO
at Bauer Media Group said: “In a
challenging period for many magazines,
we’re pleased to bring the Improve Your
Coarse Fishing content under the Angling
Times umbrella. Our mission has always
been to give anglers more confidence and
enable them to catch more fish; this move
allows us to do that more effectively than
before.”
Angling Times editor James Furness
added: “Improve Your Coarse Fishing
has been a trusted friend to thousands of
anglers for three decades, thanks to its
inclusive tone and easy-to-understand tips
and tactics to help people catch more fish.
My team and I will be incorporating that
tone and ethos into Angling Times.”
Farlows’ flagship store unveils makeover
The London flagship outlet for
famous outfitter Farlows has
revealed details of its extensive
two-month refurbishment.
The redesign of the Pall
Mall building includes an
eye-catching aqua feature
wall to draw visitors in, an
overall modernisation plus new
displays and layout, which has
transformed the store.
Robin Philpott, director and
group CEO said: “After two
months of upheaval, Farlows has
completed its refurbishment and
now has a store which properly
represents its status and values
as a brand, built on 184 years
of experience and expertise, as
well as the prestige and quality
of the third-party brands it
carries, whilst at the same time
being a modern, functional
and cohesively laid out retail
premises.
“We are extremely proud of
what has been achieved and very
grateful to our loyal customers
who put up with the disturbance
while it was going on. If you are
14 www.tackletradeworld.com
a fly fisher, a shooter or a lover
of the great outdoors come and
see us – there is no other store
like it, anywhere.”
In addition, the Farlows
Group has confirmed
support of three new local
charities for 2024. Farlows
has partnered with Southeast
Rivers Trust, while Sportfish is
backing The Wye & Usk
Foundation and Ark – Action
for the River Kennet.
www.farlows.co.uk

GSM Outdoors
acquires Mid-America
Rod Company
GSM Outdoors has added manufacturer the Mid-America Rod
Company to its growing portfolio of fishing brands.
Located in Arkansas, Mid-America Rod Company has been
building quality rods since 1976 and is well-known for its signature
Vertis rods series as well as a producer of OEM rods for a number of
companies.
Crispin Powley, GSM senior vice-president of fishing, explained:
“When we decided to enter the rod category, we had a clear vision of
offering the highest quality products at the best possible price.
“We had an opportunity to get involved with Mid-America Rods
and immediately realised their ability to help us attain our goals.
Specifically, their history and ability to produce incredible fishing rods
that are 100 per cent made in the USA.”
He added: “Our goal, which you’ll see come to market soon, is a
‘Made in the USA’ series of Phenix Rods that will utilise Phenix’s
signature technology combined with decades of experienced
craftmanship and manufacturing from Mid-America. We also look
forward to continuing their longstanding OEM relationships and
partnerships.”
www.gsmoutdoors.com
Wiley X expands
support for Angling
Spirit events
Eyewear specialist Wiley X is
extending its Angling Spirit
sponsorship in 2024 to include
three prestigious angling
tournaments, namely the
World Carp Classic, the World
Predator Classic and the Sea
Angling Classic.
Through this extended
partnership with Angling Spirit,
Wiley X aims to further solidify
its dedication to angling and its
participants.
The World Carp Classic
attracts anglers from around the
globe. Wiley X’s support will
ensure participants have access
to top-quality eyewear designed
to enhance their performance
and protect their eyes in the
demanding conditions of carp
fishing.
The World Predator Classic
showcases the skills of anglers
targeting predatory species
such as pike, zander, and
perch. By partnering with
this event, Wiley X reaffirms
its commitment to providing
anglers with the specialised
eyewear needed to excel in their
pursuit of predator fish.
Wiley X’s support for the Sea
Angling Classic highlights its
dedication to all facets of the
angling community. From shore
fishing to deep-sea angling, the
firm offers a range of eyewear
options designed to meet the
unique needs of sea anglers,
ensuring they can perform at
their best while enjoying their
time on the water.
www.wileyx.eu
A GROUNDBREAKING SERIES OF GUIDES AND TOPS,
TONY ENGINEERING, PATENT PENDING!
TONY HUANG
PACBAY MINIMA - X offers an unparalleled level of durability, solving the problems commonly associated with inner rings
popping out or getting crushed. Through extensive reform and innovation, PACBAY MINIMA - X is constructed using highstrength
, one-piece stainless steel. Both the guides and tops utilize mirror polishing, multi-layer Hard Chrome plating, and
Titanium plating processes, resulting in corrosion resistance, low friction, and high thermal conductivity. As a result , the friction
force during long-distance casting or retrieving is significantly reduced.
If you’ve ever experienced the nightmare of losing or breaking your inner ring while battling a tough fish, you’ll appreciate the superiority of PACBAY
MINIMA - X. Currently, we offer sizes ranging from #05 to #20, with plans to expand up to #50. More sizes and models will be available soon. We believe
these guides are ideal for lure anglers, particularly carp anglers who often face issues with the #50 stripper guide getting damaged during transportation.
With PACBAY MINIMA - X, this problem has been entirely eliminated.
In summary, PACBAY MINIMA - X guides and tops are renowned for their exceptional durability and ability to withstand heavy use and harsh conditions.
This innovation in the fishing world, through the abandonment of ceramic and stainless-steel rings, allows fishermen to bid farewell to the nightmares of
ring breakages, crushing, and detachment.
Build Great Fishing Rods
www.fishpacbay.com
info@fishpacbay.com

FEATURE
ROK OFFERS FIRM
FOUNDATION FOR
CARP TACKLE
In the competitive arena of carp fishing, a brand has emerged that carries the weight of
decades of experience, dedication and passion: ROK.
The company is proud of
its slogan “ROK Fishing
Performance”, which
demonstrates attention to
detail at every stage of a product’s life.
The company’s in-house design office
enables rapid interaction with field
testers and the gradual refinement of
products to perfection.
Tooling is machined in a factoryintegrated
workshop for greater
responsiveness while a fleet of latestgeneration
machines enables rapid
production of both large and small runs,
allowing the brand to take risks and, for
16 www.tackletradeworld.com
example, test new colour combinations
for baits.
Efficient logistics mean that deliveries
can be made anywhere in Europe at short
notice. This exclusive integration of
the entire product chain within a single
company means that it can offer the best
products to anglers, with year-round
availability and no pressure for seasonal
orders.
Efficient manufacturing in Europe has
many advantages for retailers: virtually
no stock-outs throughout the season,
products with controlled quality and a
rapid capacity for innovation.
ROK is also proud to also offer both
competitive public prices and some of
the most attractive margins in the sector,
thanks to this direct relationship with a
manufacturer.
tRieD anD testeD
The brand has been successfully tested
and developed on the French market over
the last four years, starting with the most
comprehensive and effective range of
artificial baits.
Their effectiveness was put to the test
during the 2023 World Championships,
where they attracted the attention and

ROK
FEATURE
trophies of top competitors.
Particular attention has been paid by
the designers to seek out highly effective
densities and contrasts, capitalising
on years of experience in competition
to offer all anglers effective baits to
maximise catches.
Among the brand’s exclusives are
Ultra Pop-up baits, made from a highly
buoyant foamed material, and the Ultra
Soft range, which is extremely soft to the
touch.
Unlike most lures or baits on the
market, ROK baits are made from foodor
medical-grade elastomers, with no
harmful substances. The baits are also
designed to be optionally boosted with a
range of flavoured dips.
Defining details
In addition to the artificial baits for
which it is renowned, ROK pays
particular attention to the details of
every product it offers.
For example, ROK manufactures what
is considered the best range of buckets
on the market: they are an excellent
example of the brand’s attention to
detail.
Thanks to its manufacturing position,
ROK has been able to design and
manufacture thicker square buckets, with
a flexible lid that’s pleasant to open and
close, rather than offering a standard
paint bucket with a pretty decoration.
ROK also makes a point of offering
a wide choice for each of its products,
to adapt to all fishing conditions and
regional specifics.
Over 200 artificial bait variants are
available, with colour combinations
specially crafted to attract carp and
densities adapted to all types of bottom.
The range of ready rigs is also a good
example of the brand’s ability to provide
a very wide range (fluorocarbon, braid,
barbed or barbless, wide gape or curve
shank and so on…)
It’s a perfect range with Europeanquality
hooks and lines, offered at an
affordable price with a retail price of less
than €2 per rig.
The tackle range has also been
particularly optimised. The lead clips
feature an innovative design with
self-locking of the brand’s swivels,
illustrating the benefits of complete
control of the product chain to offer
customers optimum quality.
Many more products are in the
pipeline for the coming months, each
with the same attention to detail.
ROK is now ready for a full-scale
European launch and is currently
recruiting to expand its sales presence
in most European countries. Pioneer
retailers in each country will be
welcomed with preferential conditions to
help them get off to a good start.
ROK is also looking for new
ambassadors to represent its brand.
Enquiries for distribution are
welcome.
ROK
export@rokfishing.com
www.tackletradeworld.com
17

SPOTLIGHT ON...
BAIT
SPOTLIGHT ON
BAIT
Whether man-made or natural, bait is a prerequisite for catching fish. But the
options available are, quite simply, vast… and still growing, as anglers strive for the
perfect one.
Working out which baits
to use for which species
and when – never mind
which ones to add to
your shelves as a retailer – is a veritable
minefield.
Even back in the 1600s, when Izaak
Walton wrote The Compleat Angler,
there were a wealth of choices. Indeed,
he wrote: “As for pastes, there are almost
as many sorts as there are medicines
for the toothache; but doubtless sweet
pastes are best.”
Leaving aside ‘artificial’ baits such
as lures or flies – which are still the
favourite in some parts of the world –
let’s concentrate on actual foodstuffs
for fish, which is one of the biggest
and most competitive markets in our
industry.
From maggots and worms to bread,
boilies and the aforementioned pastes
to live and dead baits, not to mention
groundbait, chum and even additives and
attractants, in all sizes and colours of the
rainbow, there is something for pretty
much every species swimming – and for
every angler.
STOCKING UP
While some baits – bread, corn, meat,
prawns and so on – are available from
supermarkets and others can be foraged
naturally – such as worms, crabs, live
prey fish – it is the tackle store where
most people head to purchase their
chosen bait.
This might be maggots or worms,
frozen fish, groundbaits, pellets and the
ubiquitous boilies – which are now in
use for far more species than just carp
– and the latter are available in so many
bewildering colours, flavours, sizes and
shapes it’s hard to know where to even
start.
Indeed, a new boilie or pellet
manufacturer or brand seems to spring
up in Europe, in particular, every week.
Bait is the ultimate consumable, which
is what makes it such a great item to
stock. Anglers buy it, pop it on the hook,
then throw large quantities into their
chosen fishing spot – whether before,
during or after their session.
So, provided they catch on it, they
are more than likely to keep coming
back for more – leaving you with a
high turnover product and the task of
keeping those shelves full of the latest
‘must-have’ products alongside some old
faithfuls.
Of course, what you stock will largely
depend upon your customer base, where
they fish, what type of angling they do
and so on. So knowing your local market
is crucial. Indeed, you should also keep a
check on what baits are catching where
so you can advise customers accordingly.
Their success will keep them returning
and establish you as an expert in the
field.
BAITING UP
If you are planning on selling maggots
then you’ll need to understand the
process and be prepared for some hard
work and early mornings, even if you
find a good supplier.
Keeping them fed, alive and in good
condition, not to mention riddling off
good amounts of casters each day, can be
a challenge.
Thankfully, worms and frozen
fish baits can be bought in regularly
although you will still need refrigerated/
18 www.tackletradeworld.com

SPOTLIGHT ON...
BAIT
freezer units to store them.
So let’s look at a few key
manufactured baits.
Groundbait in all its various forms is
used mainly as an attractant to entice
the fish into your swim where it will
then eat the bait that carries your hook.
The most basic form of groundbait
is simply crumbed up dry bread but
manufacturers nowadays add this to
more expensive blended ingredients,
using it as a carrier for flavours and
additives.
As well as being thrown or ‘balled’
into waters in advance and during
fishing, some groundbaits (and crushed
pellets) can be moulded around weights
for the Method or placed into feeders to
be cast to the required spot.
Some makers keep the exact
ingredients and blends a closely guarded
secret, often adding their own special
additives known only to them.
Boilies are, without doubt one of the
biggest selling bait lines across the UK
and much of mainland Europe.
Once the preserve of carp anglers
everywhere, for their ease of use and
the variety of flavour and colour – not
to mention buoyancy – options, boilies
have also been attracting other species;
specialist offerings for catfish, barbel
and other ‘silver’ fish are also available.
Another bait that has crossed over
from carp circles to mainstream fishing
is the pellet.
Initially used in
aquaculture as a cheap
and easy way to feed
large quantities of fish
in farms, several key
manufacturers began
offering them to the
wider angling brands,
who took them and
added their own unique
twists.
They are so easy to
use and can be utilised
as both feed (thrown in
dry, or wet and moulded
around a feeder) and
hook bait. Again, the range of
flavours, colours, styles and sizes can
seem bewildering but it’s wise to have
a fair mix of these to appeal to all your
customers.
With these and other hard baits such
as boilies have come accessories like
pellet banders, needles and drills, PVA
bags, spods and so much more – another
profitable addition to your burgeoning
shelves.
In the last few years several companies
have also begun making jelly-like
pellets, designed to be hooked easily
and directly. In smaller sizes, these are
finding favour with competition and
pleasure anglers alike.
Amazingly, even though the bait
brands have spent months and
even years refining their products,
many anglers like to think they
have to give themselves an added
edge and look to additives and
extra flavours to boost their baits
even more.
Once again, having a wide range of
these – whether as powders, liquids, gels
or sprays – on display is a real way to
maximise profits. Talk to the sales reps
who call on you – they know what works
well together and which products have the
best margins.
And don’t just stock the big names that
everyone knows. As anglers search for the
edge over their pals, they’ll start looking
for the smaller, more niche or specialist
companies who perhaps do things a little
differently or offer specific options.
Talk to your reps, your local fisheries
and waters and ask the customers
themselves to build a picture of the best
and most lucrative way to navigate the
minefield of bait.
www.tackletradeworld.com
19

SPOTLIGHT ON...
BAIT
BAIT-TECH
PRO NATURAL BREAM & BREAM/DARK
Bait-Tech has used all of its manufacturing experience to
develop Pro Natural for targeting wild fish on natural waters.
Designed for rivers and natural stillwaters, this versatile
sweet range can be used to target all silver fish. The Pro
Natural Range is rich in coconut, molasses and hemp and
will hold feeding fish in your swim for longer.
Pro Natural BREAM is a classic bream mix – packed with
brazem, this easy to mix, sweet blend meets all your feeder
and pole fishing requirements. Pro Natural BREAM/DARK
has the same great ingredients but with a dark natural
pigment for use in cold water, which means it will not wash
out. It’s fine, it’s dark, it’s delicious. Available in 1.5kg bags.
www.bait-tech.com
FISHBITES
FIGHT CLUB GRUB
The Fishbites Fight Club 6in Grub is now available in eight different colours
including the latest Slugger and Pink Shiner. These additions are part of the
continued innovation at Fishbite. Slugger is a green, pink, glittery larger profile
grub perfect for big flounder, large reef fish, bull redfish, and more.
The Pink Shiner has the same bait profile but the perfect balance of pink and
white with a beautiful sheen ready to catch fluke, cobia, halibut, big snapper,
and so much more.
Each utilises Fishbite’s proven no-stink Flavour/Scent technology to infuse
those formulas into a line of irresistible baits.
They come in five shapes and a variety of colours, so there is something for
every fishing style.
fishbites.com
FJUKA
SENSATE POWDER RED
Brand new from exciting bait
brand Fjuka, this Sensate Fish
Accelerant Powder has been
developed with the 9,000
Fjuka Anglers Group, who
tested it and saw catches
rocket.
The red powder coats
maggots perfectly and Fjuka
claims it spreads far more
evenly around groundbait
and paste mixes than liquid
attractants. Underwater it
produces an expanding cloud
of attraction and a vivid red
glow to increase catch rates.
It instantly boosts maggots,
meats, pellets, corn, boilies
or bread, with billions of
quick release attractants in
every pinch, while micronutrients
release taste and
flavour into water. Containing
eight different attractants,
stimulants and taste
enhancers, it’s offered in 100g
bottles.
www.fjuka.shop
DYNAMITE BAITS
PEPPERED SQUID RANGE
This high-quality fishmeal with a peppery twist has been created by blending
high quality fishmeals, milk proteins, powdered peppers, omega-rich seed
meal and cereal meals.
The end result is a highly digestible food bait that carp just can’t seem to
get enough of. Peppered Squid is suitable for all year-round use, because
of its clever formulation and blending of meals but has proved exceptional
particularly in the spring, summer and autumn periods.
Its creation began by taking a tried and tested Dynamite classic – the
renowned Squid & Octopus – then adding a combination of Black Pepper
essential oil, blended fish oils and liver hydrolysate.
Peppered Squid boilies have a firm texture but a surprisingly soft inner,
which allows you to bait with catapult and throwing sticks while resisting
unwanted attention from nuisance species, all whilst still dispersing the
irresistible flavour and attractors from within.
Available in standard 1kg bags, as well as 1.8kg session bags and bulk bags
of 5kg too and in sizes 12, 15, 20 and 26mm, though only the two mid sizes
are available in the larger sized bags, complemented by hook baits, a liquid
attractant and a hook bait dip.
dynamitebaits.com
20 www.tackletradeworld.com

STOPPIONI s.n.c. Firenze Italy
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FEATURE
SPORTFISHING’S
BEST KICK-START
COMES AT ICAST
The ICAST New Product Showcase has the power to propel new products to instant stardom.
Once a year, the migration
happens like clockwork.
On a Tuesday evening in
the middle of summer, the
sun begins to sink behind a glowing,
herculean ferris wheel towering over
Orlando’s International Drive.
At a convention centre nestled between
an interconnected hive of hotel rooms,
an escalator slowly springs to life, and a
steady stream of retail store owners and
outdoor media members descend on to
the ICAST show floor for the first time.
They’re here to experience the world’s
largest sportfishing trade show, one
presented annually by the American
Sportfishing Association.
looKIng AheAd
This is not the official opening of the
22 www.tackletradeworld.com
show; rather, a sneak peek for voters
at the ICAST New Product Showcase
Preview Reception. The honoured guests
are ferried around the outskirts of a stillhidden
show floor obscured by draped
curtains and led over a red carpet to an
area set aside for the brightest stars of
sportfishing’s largest trade show – the
hundreds of new products staged inside
the show’s New Product Showcase.
This floor is where stars are born.
Before most of these products hit retail
shelves or ever reach a consumer, they’re
pitted against a gallery of their peers in
a no-holds-barred showdown of kayak
versus kayak, fishing rod versus fishing
rod, sonar versus sonar and fishing line
versus fishing line.
This year, manufacturers will compete
in 41 categories on the show floor, an all-
time record that opens the door for the
massive spotlight garnered by winning
Overall Best of Show.
That turn of phrase is no hyperbole,
either. From the largest manufacturer
to the smallest, every manufacturer at
ICAST knows the impact of the New
Product Showcase.
SoundIng ouT
In 2024, few fishing products hog dock
talk the way Garmin Panoptix LiveScope
does. The product, which debuted at
ICAST 2018, is now nearly synonymous
with live imaging sonar in the way
Nintendo was with video games in the
1990s or Kleenex is with tissues.
The real-time sonar is a hot button topic
on fishing podcasts, in fishing magazines
and in the aisles of outdoor stores and

ICAST
FEATURE
claims recent victories in bass fishing’s
biggest events like the Bassmaster Classic
and Redcrest Championship to boot.
But LiveScope’s notoriety began
at ICAST. Before it etched its legacy
alongside the glimmering gold and brass
Bassmaster Classic trophy, LiveScope
notched its very first win at ICAST, riding
into the history books atop a clear, acrylic
award that can carry as much weight
among manufacturers as bass fishing’s
grandest prize.
Turn back the clock to 2018 when
Garmin won its very first ICAST Best of
Show Award and the power of industry
recognition shines through.
“LiveScope has become a signature
product for us,” says Garmin senior
director of marine and RV sales, Dave
Dunn.
“Every angler seems to know
what LiveScope is and every serious
tournament angler seems to want it on
their boat now. But, in 2018, we were just
starting to catch that wave. That was our
very first Best of Show win at ICAST,
and it really signalled that LiveScope was
going to be a huge disruptor in the world
of sportfishing.”
For an international brand like
Garmin, the ICAST New Product
Showcase Awards helped legitimise a
product that took an international team
of engineers nearly a decade to create.
However, start-up manufacturers just
beginning to establish their brands have
also benefited from the same kick-start
provided by ICAST.
PAC-ing a punch
In 2022, first-time ICAST exhibitor
PacBak purchased a 10 ft sq booth just
weeks before the show. Its debut product
– a self-contained portable cooler and
vacuum sealer – outlasted more than
900 other entries in the New Product
Showcase and claimed the title of Best of
Show.
“We were in the prototype phase
in 2022,” says PacBak founder Brian
McKinnon. “Now, we are selling in places
like Scheels and Bass Pro Shops and
Cabela’s. They even had a launch party for
us back home in Alaska. We got featured
in Alaska Business Magazine and sold
over $10,000 in the first day. ICAST
changed everything for us.”
Get involved
The time to register products in the New
Product Showcase is now; and there have
never been more categories in which to
compete.
At ICAST 2024, the New Product
Showcase is expanding to include 41
categories ranging from marine electronics
and watercraft to fishing rods, lures, apparel
and terminal tackle in both conventional
and fly product spaces. The winner of each
will go on to compete for Best of Show.
“From an editorial perspective, ICAST
is where we harvest a lot of content,” says
Bassmaster Magazine managing editor
James Hall.
“Winning there means something
to a lot of people; I think winning at
ICAST legitimises the equipment or the
product and also illustrates trends in the
marketplace.”
According to American Sportfishing
Association vice-president of trade show &
membership, Blake Swango, manufacturers
often spend years imagining, designing and
creating hundreds of new products that
make their way into the showcase every
year.
And with winners ranging from
internationally-recogised super brands to
first-time exhibitors in their start-up phase,
you never know who is going to come out
on top.
Voting begins at the ICAST New
Product Showcase Preview Reception on
Super Tuesday, followed by the Best of
Category Awards on Wednesday evening
and voting for Overall Best of Show on
Thursday.
Registration for ICAST – scheduled for
July 16th to 19th in Orlando, Florida – is
now open.
And spaces in the 2024 ICAST New
Product Showcase are available now via
ICASTFishing.org
“It’s an event manufacturers don’t want
to miss,” adds Hall.
ICAST
ICASTFishing.org
www.tackletradeworld.com
23

DBW...
BENELUX
BENELUX
D O I N G B U S I N E S S W I T H . . .
Thanks to their low-lying nature and position, Belgium, the Netherlands and
Luxembourg – collectively known as Benelux – have plenty of water to go at for
fishing… which makes these European countries an ideal region to do business with.
Benelux is made
up of three
members of
the European
Union –
Belgium, the
Netherlands
and Luxembourg – and was
originally a customs union
set up in 1947 and which
broadened over the years into
a 1960 treaty confirmed as
the Benelux Economic Union,
but today the term is used as a
generic grouping of the three
countries located in northwestern
Europe.
Bordered by Germany to the
east and France to the south
the region is also known as the
Low Countries because much
of the land is located below or
just slightly above sea level.
As a result, water is never
far away from residents, most
notably in The Netherlands
with its extensive coastline
and network of canals and
waterways, with Belgium’s
coast, rivers and lakes also
ensuring great angling
opportunities. Luxembourg,
meanwhile, also boasts some
great lakes and rivers with
plenty of fish species to target.
With such great prospects,
there is a thriving angling
scene across the region as a
whole, with a wide range of
consumers and retailers eager
to stock great brands covering
many disciplines.
KEY PLACES
You’ll find major European
cities located within the
Benelux countries, including
Amsterdam and Brussels, each
of which have populations
exceeding two million, not to
mention Antwerp and Liege,
Rotterdam and The Hague, and
Luxembourg City and Eschsur-Alzette.
Amsterdam, of course,
has a long association with
the tackle trade, having
24 www.tackletradeworld.com

DBW...
BENELUX
ECONOMY FOCUS
GDP Combined £1.76 trillion
The Netherlands US$1.1 trillion Belgium US$583.4 billion
and Luxembourg US$81.6 billion
Belgium
Top Export Partners:
- Netherlands
- Germany
- France
- USA
- Ireland
Top Import Partners:
- Germany
- France
- Netherlands
- UK
- USA
Netherlands
Top Export Partners:
- Germany
- Belgium
- France
- UK
- USA
Top Import Partners:
- Germany
- Belgium
- China
- USA
- UK
Luxembourg
Top Export Partners:
- Germany
- France
- Belgium
- Netherlands
- Italy
Top Import Partners:
- Belgium
- Germany
- France
- Netherlands
- USA
FACT FILE
Capital: Brussels, Amsterdam, Luxembourg City Population: 29.3 million
President: The presidency of the Benelux is held in turn by the three countries for a
period of one year. Belgium holds the presidency for 2024.
Official languages: Dutch, French Time zones: GMT+2 Currency: Euro
played host to EFTTEX, the
European Fishing Tackle Trade
Exhibition, a total of 13 times
since 1982.
Brussels, meanwhile, has
hosted EFTTEX three
times so far and is also the
new home for the European
Fishing Tackle Trade
Association (EFTTA), as it
is also where the European
Parliament is situated, allowing
the organisation to easily,
effectively and regularly lobby
on behalf of our sport.
The Low Countries are
highly industrialised with
market economies that are
heavily dependent upon
external trade. Luxembourg is
also an all-round innovative
engineering and technology
base for the non-ferrous
products sector, as well as the
glass and cement industries.
Many companies specialising
in materials have set up major
production plants and highly
sophisticated R&D centres in
Luxembourg.
Plastics, and the
chemical industry, thrive in
Luxembourg’s industrial sector,
with its business environment,
highly qualified workers and
financial incentives
The manufacturing sector
accounts for about one-sixth
of Belgium’s GDP while The
Netherlands is a key European
manufacturing location for
North American companies
– over 450 manufacturing or
assembly operations at the last
count – covering everything
from consumer goods to heavy
industry to technology.
Amsterdam’s Schiphol airport
is a major international hub and
the third busiest in terms of
international passenger traffic,
with around 72 million people
passing through its terminal
each year, not to mention an
average of 1.74 million tons of
cargo per annum.
www.tackletradeworld.com
25

DBW...
BENELUX
Benelux is also home
to some global players in
the tackle trade, including
groundbait giant NV Marcel
Van Den Eynde, which
has been operating out of
Belgium for more than 30
years. Tackle name SPRO calls
the Netherlands home and
Shimano has its European
headquarters in the country
too.
Statista also says that one
growth factor has been the
rising popularity of fly fishing
in the area.
NETHERLANDS IN FOCUS
The Netherlands is a real
haven for angling – everywhere
you look there seems to be
water, from the low-lying
coasts and estuaries to the
giant canals and big rivers, not
to mention lakes and ponds
across the country.
You can target everything
from huge pike and perch to
fighting fit carp, vast shoals of
bream and roach, tench and
sea bass, along with a myriad
of other marine fish along its
525km of coastline.
It is estimated there are
actually around 150 different
species you can fish for, here.
Major rivers include the
Maas, Rijn, Waal and Ijssel
alongside big lakes such as
the Ijsselmeer, Markermeer,
Haringvliet and Hollands
Diep.
Although the opportunities
are many and varied, one great
thing about fishing in The
Netherlands is that, generally,
you can do it all with just one
document – the VISpas.
This is the membership
card for angling associations
affiliated with Sportvisserij
Nederland and costs around
€40 a year. This makes angling
extremely accessible in The
Netherlands.
While the most recent
survey of fishing trends in
The Netherlands was back in
2020, Sportvisserij Nederland
– which boasts over 750
affiliated angling associations –
says membership of such clubs
has grown in recent years, from
547,446 in 2019 to 644,885
in 2020 during Covid-19 but
that trend has continued, with
689,610 members documented
in 2023.
That said, much of this
increase is down to visiting
German anglers – the largest
group of foreign visitors to The
Netherlands for recreational
fishing.
In 2020, its 69,443 VISpas
holders represented 83 per cent
of the registered non-Dutch
anglers. Other visiting anglers
hail mainly from neighbouring
Belgium and from France.
According to the last survey,
over 1.7 million Dutch people
went fishing in their own
country on inland waterways
or at sea in 2020, which
amounts to around 10 per cent
of the total population – that
was up from 1.1 million in
2017. The majority were men
but there was a noticeable
upturn in the numbers of
women, to approximately
470,000.
There was also a strong rise
in participating children up
to 15 years old, to 330,000 in
2020.
The same survey also
revealed that angling’s total
economic contribution to the
Dutch economy was around €1
billion in 2020, making it an
important activity.
Anglers spent around €672
that year on fishing and
gear and an average €57 per
trip. Dozens of wholesalers,
hundreds of angling stores
as well as various boat hire
companies, professional
guides, travel agencies and
accommodation centres
depend entirely or partly on
angling.
TRADE VALUE
According to Germany-based
global data and business
intelligence platform Statista,
revenue for the current year
for the fishing tackle market
across Benelux is around $134
million and the organisation
says it expects to see annual
growth of around 2.7 per cent
through to 2028.
That means, taking into
account the region’s total
population, the revenue from
tackle generated per person
in Benelux is in the order of
$4.47.
26 www.tackletradeworld.com

DBW...
BENELUX
BELGIUM IN FOCUS
Like The Netherlands, there is
a huge interest in – and plenty
of opportunities and venues
for – fishing in Belgium, from
the coast to natural waters
including rivers, alongside
commercially stocked lakes.
Expect to target most
European sea fish from the
beaches, piers and off boats,
including charters from places
like Ostend, while inland you
will find carp, bream, tench,
roach, perch and more.
There is also some fly
fishing for trout and grayling
on some of the rivers and in
some lakes; so there really is
something for everyone.
The region is generally
split in two – Flanders and
Wallonia – and each has
different rules, so it’s advisable
to check before you go.
There are also two classes of
fishing water in the country.
Closed waters do not link
with any running water and
there are far fewer restrictions
on fishing these venues,
although bear in mind some
will be private.
Running waters which
are navigable are considered
public property so the right to
fish belongs to the state, while
non-navigable waters tend to
belong to individual owners or
fishing clubs.
If you want to fish any
running water in Belgium
then you’ll need a state
licence or permit; while nonnavigable
waters will require
the owner’s or rights holder’s
permission.
There are two types of
licence for freshwater – one
allowing fishing from the
bank only and the other also
covering angling from a boat,
pier or wading.
Both can be obtained from
post offices and from some
tourist information offices
and can be renewed online via
some angling associations.
Children under 14 can
fish without a permit on
weekends, public and school
holidays, provided an adult
with a permit accompanies
them.
Sea fishing does not require
a permit but in high season
some beaches will set aside
specific areas for anglers.
Coastal fishing is very
popular around Nieuwpoort
and Blankenberge. Fishing
is also allowed on the
Blankenberge canal with a
permit. Expect to catch cod,
herring, haddock, plaice, sole
and rays.
Inland anglers are most
likely to catch barbel, brown
trout, chub, hotu, grayling and
dace. Less commonly, anglers
may find perch and pike. In
certain areas there are rainbow
trout, American brook trout
and even black bass.
The Ardennes region has
a good reputation for some
of the best-stocked rivers,
with the Ourthe a particular
favourite.
Figures for the value of the
tackle market in Belgium are
scarce but Statista reports that
the sport will generate around
€53m this year, with an
annual growth rate prediction
of just under three per cent.
LUXEMBOURG IN FOCUS
Home to many huge carp up to 34kg, fishing in Luxembourg is
very popular and is mostly practised as a recreational activity.
With plenty of trout in its many lakes and rivers along with
pike, zander, eel, carp and many other types of fish – grayling, char,
roach and barbel – Luxembourg is a paradise for anglers. Its rivers
include the Moselle, Sûre and Our.
www.tackletradeworld.com
27

FEATURE
Plastilys
PLASTILYS
SIEVES
SEPARATE
GOOD FROM
BAD
Plastilys, the France-based specialist
manufacturer of plastic fishing tackle,
has announced its new range of sieves.
for OEM requests. Using existing
shapes, Plastilys also offers many other
customisable products to accompany its
buckets, such as bowls, lids and more.
By using standard shapes and capacities,
most fixed costs are avoided.
With a modern 4,600 sq m European
factory, 20 injection moulding machines
with robots and a large stock, Plastilys
is able to respond quickly from
stock to most requests, or to
manufacture in a few weeks
with specific colours,
thanks to its fleet of
machines.
Other products include
lure boxes, bait boxes,
livebait buckets and a wide
range of accessories.
The company also
manufactures several million
made-to-measure plastic spools for
many spooling companies.
Respect for the environment and
European regulations is also at the
heart of the company, which has over 20
years’ experience in using recycled and
recyclable plastics.
Compliance with European standards
such as REACH or food standards is also
a matter of course, as is respect for the
strictest confidentiality in all new projects
submitted by its customers.
PLASTILYS
export@plastilys.com
www.plastilys.fr
The latest sieves from Plastilys
feature an innovative design
based on a thick, perforated,
hexagonal grid, which is much
stronger than existing wire sieves on the
market.
They are made from high-quality
materials, with galvanised steel and an
additional anti-corrosion coating. The
outer shell is made from a thick, impactresistant
plastic made from recycled
plastic.
They are available in four sizes with
two mesh diameters and are specifically
designed to fit the Plastilys range of
buckets, as well as most groundbait
buckets on the market.
SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE
Plastilys’ groundbaits buckets are
the French manufacturer’s best
sellers and are available in four sizes:
13l,18l, 25l and 40l.
With its modern, efficient factory,
the firm is particularly popular
28 www.tackletradeworld.com

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TO BOOK THIS SPACE CONTACT:
NORTH AMERICA
BART MANGANIELLO
T: +1 914 722 7601
E: bartalm@optonline.net
REST of WORLD
GUIDO KNEGT
T: +39 347 503 6436
E: guido.knegt@dhpub.co.uk
COMING UP…
AUGUST 2024
Ad Copy: June 21st, 2024
Mailed: July 10th, 2024
Special issue: Predator fishing
Spotlight: Hooks
Doing Business With: MIddle East
SEPTEMBER 2024
Ad Copy: July 19th, 2024
Mailed: August 7th, 2024
Special issue: Predator fishing
Spotlight: ICAST & EFTTEX Reviews
Doing Business With: Central America
OCTOBER 2024
Ad Copy: August 16th, 2024
Mailed: September 4th, 2024
Special issue: Destination fishing/
Confluence preview
Spotlight: Line
Doing Business With: Eastern Europe
To submit news or editorial for
any of these issues, contact:
To advertise or discuss a marketing campaign in any of these editions,
contact our business development team:
EDITOR
JOHN HUNTER
T: + 44 (0)7990 542958
E: john.hunter@dhpub.co.uk
NORTH AMERICA
BART MANGANIELLO
T: +1 914 722 7601
E: bartalm@optonline.net
REST of WORLD
GUIDO KNEGT
T: +39 347 503 6436
E: guido.knegt@dhpub.co.uk

PENGHU, CHINA HOLDS THE 9TH DAIWA CUP
ROCK FISHING INVITATIONAL TOURNAMENT
The 9th Daiwa Cup Rock Fishing Invitational
Tournament will be held from March 22nd to
24th on 4 islands and reefs including Gupo Island,
Quzhao Island, Da Maosi Island, and Xiao Da
Maosi Island in Penghu, Taiwan. On the 22nd
and 23rd, 2 All catches caught by Tiansuo will be
donated to the Catholic Huimin Enlightenment
Center and the Penghu Home for the Elderly of the
Ministry of Health and Welfare. The catch on the
24th will be released back into the sea.
This event lasted for 3 days. On the first day, 24
players were eliminated from the 96 players. On
the second day, the top 8 players were selected
from the 72 players. On the last day of the 24th,
the championship ranking competition was held.
On the first day of the competition on the 22nd,
a huge fish appeared. One player caught a large
golden pomfret weighing 3 kilograms. Because of
the amazing pulling force, it took more than 20
minutes to pull the fish ashore.
The organizer of the Magong City Office stated that
the Japanese company Daiwa's fishing tackle and
peripheral products are currently ranked number
one in the world. Registration for the annual Daiwa
Cup Rock Fishing Invitational Tournament is
quickly filled up. Since the first session in 2015,
the champion has stayed in Penghu; in 2018, the
scale of the competition was expanded, and the
group preliminary and semi-finals were held on
the mainland of Taiwan. During this period, the
competition was also suspended due to the epidemic.
The Municipal Office thanks Daiwa Company for its special preference for Penghu fish farm. It has chosen
Penghu as the venue for the finals over the years, and invited Shen Wencheng, a well-known artist who loves
fishing, to participate every year, which greatly enhances the visibility of the event. It combines Penghu’s
local resources to help promote it. Winter tourism and marketing; the only fly in the ointment this year is
that Shen Wencheng was unable to resist the endorsement due to his schedule, and Magong Mayor Huang
Jianzhong was also unable to attend due to important matters.
The Municipal Office wholeheartedly welcomes the 96 contestants and their families participating in this
year’s competition. Penghu is a beautiful island surrounded by the sea. It has many fishing grounds.
Affected by the Kuroshio and ocean currents, the coastline is everywhere, providing excellent fishing
grounds for fishing friends. Fishing places and unique natural conditions are the favorite and best choice for
fishing friends.
The Municipal Office pointed out that the specifications of the Daiwa Cup Rock Fishing Competition have
always been recognized by fishing friends as the most challenging competition system. We thank Daiwa
Company for holding the rock fishing competition in Penghu every year. We also hope that the contestants
will pay attention to safety during the three-day competition and enjoy Penghu to the fullest. In addition to
the strong sea breeze, you can return home with a full load. Players are also welcome to invite friends and
team up to Penghu to practice their skills.

CRAA CHIEF TALKS ABOUT REGULATING
FISHING IN PROHIBITED WATERS OF THE
YANGTZE RIVER
Since the ten-year fishing ban on the Yangtze River was implemented, various places along the river have
taken some measures to regulate fishing behavior. The recently issued "Opinions of the General Office of
the State Council on Unswervingly Promoting the Ten-Year Ban on Fishing in the Yangtze River" also
puts forward requirements for regulating fishing in the Yangtze River's closed waters. Why should fishing
behavior be regulated? What management measures will be taken? A reporter from China Farmers Daily
interviewed the person in charge of CRAA on related issues.
Reporter: Some netizens believe that fishing is leisure and entertainment and will not affect the fish
resources of the Yangtze River. May I ask why it is necessary to regulate fishing behavior in the Yangtze
River’s prohibited waters?
Answer: Traditional fishing is a way of leisure for people, with the main purpose of pleasing the body and
mind. The hooks are small, the bait is harmless, and it will not cause damage to fish resources. We support
and advocate this kind of fishing. In recent years, with the deepening of the Yangtze River fishing ban,
fish resources have continued to recover. However, some people's fishing behavior has become "out of
shape" and has become a main purpose of obtaining profits, using the expressly prohibited rolling hook
and rake. Fishing gear, poisonous and harmful baits, etc. are a barbaric plunder of fish resources. Some
people also illegally trade their catches in markets and restaurants. In fact, they are fishing illegally in the
name of recreational fishing. For example, the "Loach Party" uses drugged loaches to build nests to gather
fish, specializing in fishing for predatory fish such as cockroaches; visual anchor fishing uses specialized
underwater cameras, fish finders and large anchor hooks to specifically catch fish. Fishing for large fish; sea
pole array, which means a person uses multiple or even dozens of fishing rods for fishing at the same time,
etc. These are all violations and obviously go beyond the original intention of "recreational fishing", which
is productive and resource-intensive It is destructive and is generally opposed and hated by the majority of
fishing friends. Taking into account the protection of fish resources in the Yangtze River and the public's
demand for recreational fishing, it is necessary to remove blockages and strengthen fishing management,
severely crack down on the use or disguised use of fishing for illegal fishing production, and ensure that
fishing returns to its original positioning of "leisure and entertainment".
Reporter: What management measures will be taken next to regulate fishing behavior in the Yangtze
River’s prohibited waters? How to protect fish resources while preventing additional barriers or obstacles
for recreational fishing enthusiasts?
Answer: First of all, it must be clear that fishing behavior is regulated only in prohibited waters. If people
fish in non-prohibited waters, there are currently no normative requirements.
In terms of specific management methods, the first is to delineate fishing areas. The second is to standardize
fishing gear and fishing methods. The third is to improve management methods.

SHIMANO CUP ROCK FISHING COMPETITION
IN PENGHU, CHINA
The SHIMANO Cup China Penghu Rock Fishing
Competition has entered its 23rd year this year.
This competition was held on April 13th and 14th
on Gupo Island, Quzhao Island and Nunnv Island.
There were 85 rock fishermen from various counties
and cities across the country. Experts participated
enthusiastically. In order to promote friendly fishing
leisure activities and promote the rock fishing sport
among Chinese people, the organizer, Sanstar
Enterprises, specially cooperated with the Magong
City Office, and all the catches caught by the
contestants were donated to charity organizations.
When the competition whistle sounded, each
contestant held a fishing rod in his hand, threw out
the bait A, held his breath and focused on the moving
buoy on the sea surface, waiting for the moment when
the buoy sank, raised the rod, reeled in the line, and
picked up the fish, in order to win. The title is given a
shot.
This year's entries are rich in prizes. The top four will
receive a championship, runner-up, third and third
place trophies and high-end gifts; the fifth to tenth
places will also receive exquisite gifts; black-haired and
white-haired big-tail prizes, porgytail big-tail prizes
and parrot fish. One winner each from HKUST. The
final champion will receive a set of SHIMANO's topnotch
reels worth 20,000 yuan.
Chairman Zhou Zehong said that the outer reefs
of Penghu are rich in ecology, with all kinds of fish
species including white hair, black hair, parrot song,
stink belly, etc., allowing contestants to display their
skills and fish with poles to their heart's content to
strive for the best results. We would like to express our
special thanks to the Penghu County Government
and Magong City Office for their assistance in
promoting rock fishing activities. The catches caught
by the contestants will be donated to Penghu Home
for the Elderly and other units, which will promote a
good culture of corporate giving back to the local area
and helping the disadvantaged.

2024 CHINA·XIANJU’S FIRST RAFT
FISHING CHAMPIONSHIP HELD
From March 29th to 31st, the 2024 China Xianju First "Xian'an Cup" Raft Fishing Championship guided by
CRAA was held at Xianju Xia'an Reservoir.
The 2024 China Xianju First "Xian'an Cup" Raft Fishing Championship is a CRAA Category II event, with
200 fishing friends from 22 provinces, cities and regions including Beijing, Shanghai, Chongqing, Sichuan,
Guizhou, Hainan, Yunnan and Shaanxi. During the two days from March 30th to 31st, they swung their
poles gracefully, showed off their skills, competed for hand speed, skills, and endurance, raced against
time, and played games with fish, presenting everyone with an intense and intense game. , an unforgettable
competitive feast.
After a fierce competition, fishing friend Lin Xiaolin from Wenzhou won the championship, the largest
single tail prize and the Laoji Fufeng Award; fishing friend Shen Yong from Wenzhou won the runner-up;
fishing friend Jin from Beijing Yiying won the third runner-up and the Heroine Award in this competition.
In recent years, relying on its unique resource endowments, Xianju County has vigorously developed its
event economy and gained many honors. The Lower Bank Reservoir in Qiushan Township has beautiful
ecology, beautiful scenery, abundant products, and developed fisheries. It has unique ecological advantages
and provides innate conditions for fishing events.

MAKING
CONTACT
Making Contact
1
2
3
Want your products to
be seen by thousands of
potential buyers… FREE of
charge? Then get in touch,
we’d love to hear from you.
JOHN HUNTER
+44 7990 542958
john.hunter@dhpub.co.uk
Contact John directly for details of
how to send your product and a
short description to Tackle Trade
World’s office.
1 COSTA
WHITETIP PRO GLASSES
The manufacturer of the first
colour-enhancing, all-polarised
glass sunglass lens has redesigned
a legacy favourite with the launch
of Whitetip PRO.
The PRO features a more
modern design with added
performance features. It keeps
the same proportions, coming
in as the smallest PRO model,
while adding updated aesthetic
and performance features for
the modern angler. These include
six updated technical features to
keep your frames locked in place
when the water gets rough, reduce
fogging to keep your vision clear
and redirect sweat so you can
focus on what’s most important –
catching fish.
Costasunglasses.com
2 UNI PRODUCTS
UNI-MOHAIR (2-PLIES) CAMEL
The long mohair fibres do not
absorb water while the 29 colours
make it possible to create the
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Choose from Beige, Black,
Brown, Camel, Charcoal, Cream,
Dark Brown, Dark Olive, Fl Green,
Fl. Orange, Fl Red, Fuchsia, Golden
Brown, Gold, Green Highlander,
Gray, Kelly Green, Light Blue, Light
Cahill, Light Gray, Maroon, Olive,
Orange, Purple, Red, Rusty Brown,
Tan, White and Wine.
Making realistic dubbed bodies
in a single step or combing out a
few fibres at the back to simulate
a trailing shuck are just two of
the many possible uses. In regular
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available in a combo package of
20 spools.
www.uniproducts.com
3 DR SLICK
CYCLONE NIPPERS, BLACK
Now available in black are these
cutting-edge nippers designed for
new-age tippet materials. Supersharp
tungsten carbide blades are
mounted on a lightweight 6061-T6
anodised aluminium frame, making
short work of pretty much every
tippet material, from braid to 20lb
coated wire.
Available in straight or offset
cutting face, both units come with
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key and a steel retention ring.
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34 www.tackletradeworld.com

MAKING
CONTACT
4
5
6
7
4 DAIWA
STEEZ SV REEL
5 MTM CASE-GARD
ICE FISHING ROD BOX
6 MUSTAD
APEX DROPSHOT HOOK
7 ST CROIX
PHYSYX RODS
The Steez SV includes a
redesigned T-Wing System (TWS)
for less resistance on the cast,
meaning more distance, while
moving the 90mm swept handle
closer to the reel results in a
shorter torque on the gears and
bearings, providing smoother,
more durable operation.
Key features bearing Daiwa’s
exclusive Hyperdrive name include
a distortion-proof Armed Housing,
Digigear to transfer more power,
Double Support for a better and
more even powered transmission
from the handle via a ball bearing
on both sides of the pinion gear
plus a Tough Clutch, which has
been optimised to remain safely in
position, even on hard casts.
www.daiwa.us
This Ice Fishing Rod Box is the
perfect way to make sure your
short rods are protected and ready
to go next year.
Made of rugged, crush-resistant
molded polymer, the box is
designed to hold up to eight
rods. Notched foam padding in
each case half holds four rods in
one half of the case and four in
the other. Integrated accessory
compartments are perfect for
stowing smaller items as well as
the two included accessory boxes.
Steel hinge pins combine with
dual lid latches to keep contents
secure while the moulded-in
carry handle makes transporting a
breeze. Measures 36x10.2x5.2in.
MTMCase-Gard.com
In freshwater fishing, few light
tackle techniques can replicate
natural forage as effectively as
a dropshot rig. The deception is
subtle and sceptical predators are
ultimately vulnerable
Tied directly to the leader at
its midpoint, the Apex Dropshot
Hook 10559AP is offered in sizes
ranging from 6 to 2/0, featuring
a turned-up eye that enables the
lure to rest at a 90-degree angle
from the line.
The fine wire construction
reduces the risk of bass detecting
the hook, while the sharp
needlepoint enhances the
probability of hook-ups on subtle
bites.
mustad-fishing.com
Conceived in science and born from
75 years of passionate experience
St. Croix’s Physyx series exists to
elevate the angling experience by
promoting and advancing angler
control in every physical action.
Each rod boasts SCIV+ carbon
fibre blanks for balance, light
weight, strength and sensitivity,
moulded carbon fibre TRIGON
handles for comfort and control,
Dynamix reel seats to produce the
ultimate angler interface, a rear
trigger, titanium guides, and hightactile
TPU grip lines.
There are 25 models in all,
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stcroixrods.com
www.tackletradeworld.com
35

FEATURE
Mustad
THE LATEST IN
NORWEGAIN
HOOK
INNOVATION
Mustad’s heritage in innovation has led to yet another
industry-first in cutting-edge hook-manufacturing
machinery, designed to maximise wire strength and
minimise fish loss. This is Ultra-Nor…
Wuxi factory
Wire pull testing
Wire forging effectively
improves hook pull
strength without
increasing the overall wire
diameter and weight of the hook.
Under standard forging techniques,
fishing hook wire is pressed at the shank
to elongate the wire in-line with the
pull direction. Strength manifests from
this change in diameter where it matters
most and significantly decreases hooks
bending.
Mustad employs rigorous testing to
learn and improve upon fishing hook
development technologies.
“Saltwater angling applications are
our bread and butter,” explained Enrico
Parmeggiani, head of global product
development at Mustad.
“So innovating in demanding offshore
fishing techniques is necessary. We pride
ourselves on a team of engineers that has
put years of development and testing into
this game-changing technology.”
THE ‘ULTRA’ HOOK
Clever engineering from the Mustad
development team has created a new wire
forging process unmatched in the fishing
industry.
Mustad’s proprietary, patented Ultra-
36 www.tackletradeworld.com
Nor forging technology presses the
wire at all sides, compressing it into an
“I-Beam” shape so that no material can
escape or expand during the process.
This compression changes the
dynamics of the high carbon steel,
utilising the slow tempering process
that Mustad uses to improve strength to
bolster the holding capacity beyond the
competition.
Compared to standard forging
techniques, Ultra-Nor improves pull
strength by up to 15 per cent for the same
wire gauge; a huge advantage in a sport
where the margins between you and a
catch of the lifetime are thin.
GOING GLOBAL
“Ultra-Nor forging technology will be
introduced to many of our legendary
hook shapes loved worldwide,” added
Enrico. “We’ve also refreshed an iconic
Mustad hook that tuna anglers will be
thrilled to welcome into the range.”
Mustad has selected from its range
several series of hooks that excel at
catching and releasing beasts from the
saltiest of seas.
From bait hooks to lure hooks, the new
Ultra-Nor forged hooks series will catch
the eye of any serious offshore fisherman.
Raw steel wire
To match the strength of Ultra-Nor
forging, Mustad’s latest saltwater hooks
have been coated with Titan Steel finish.
The nano-thin finish holds up to over
500 hours of saltwater corrosion, second
only to stainless steel.
“Testing these hooks has proven their
success in satisfying demanding anglers,”
Enricon concluded. “Ultra-Nor forging
technology is already finding applications
on a significant hook range expansion in
the seasons to come.”
Products featuring Ultra-Nor will be
unveiled at ICAST 2024.
MUSTAD
www.mustad-fishing.com

With decades of experience in the fishing
industry, Foundation Outdoor Group is
dedicated to understanding your business.
From product development to distribution
solutions, we provide solutions and services that
help fishing rod businesses grow.
FoundationOutdoorGroup.com Call Today: (800) 516-1750

FEATURE
Marketing
SHOWING UP AT A
TRADE EVENT
It’s the start of trade show season and, while there are fewer in the angling calendar
globally than usual, exhibiting at one can reap rich rewards. With ICAST 2024 just around the
corner, here are a few ideas to maximise your presence.
There’s no doubt
that exhibiting at
a trade show can
be an excellent way
to showcase your products or
services, network with potential
clients and partners and increase
brand visibility.
But you need to ensure you
have planned ahead correctly.
Simply turning up on your booth
with a handful of products or
a few leaflets may seem like an
easy way to go about it but you’ll
miss out on so much business if
you haven’t prepared adequately.
BE SPECIFIC
The first job is to ensure you set
clear goals for your attendance.
Determine what you want to
achieve by exhibiting at the trade
show. Whether it’s generating
leads, making sales or increasing
brand awareness, having clear
objectives will guide your efforts.
It may sound obvious but
choosing the right trade show is
also crucial. Research different
trade shows in your industry
– not difficult this year with
ICAST in Orlando being the
flagship event but there will be
more in 2025 – to find the ones
that attract your target audience
and align with your goals and
budget.
LOOK AND FEEL
Hopefully, by now, you have
worked out the design for an
eye-catching stand or booth.
It should stand out from the
crowd as it’s essential to attract
attendees’ attention – there will
doubtless be plenty of other
exhibitors vying for visitors’ time
too. Use high-quality graphics,
signage and branding materials
to create a visually appealing
display.
It’s also a good idea to
prepare engaging marketing
materials. Develop brochures,
flyers, business cards, and other
promotional materials that
effectively communicate your
message and offerings.
Ensure your team is welltrained
and knowledgeable
about your products or services;
whether they are members of
staff or volunteers, friends or
family.
They should be able to engage
with attendees, answer questions
and effectively communicate
your value proposition.
BEFORE AND AFTER
One of the factors many
exhibitors forget, as they get
caught up in all the show
preparation, is to promote their
participation.
Use social media, email
marketing and other channels
to let your audience know that
you’ll be exhibiting at the trade
show and create expectations
of what they will see when they
visit you. Offer incentives for
attendees to visit your booth,
such as exclusive discounts or
giveaways and try and get them
to commit to appointments.
If they have booked a time slot
with you, they are more likely to
show up and spend quality time
with you or your team.
Once the event is over, make
sure you follow up. Collect
contact information from leads
you meet at the trade show and
get in touch with them promptly.
Personalised follow-up emails or
calls can help nurture these leads
and convert them into customers.
When you get back home or
back to your office, remember to
assess your performance against
your goals. Analyse what worked
well and what could be improved
for future events.
Remember that trade shows
can be competitive (and
expensive), so it’s essential to
plan and execute your strategy
effectively to maximise your
return on investment.
Hunter Media
john@hunter-media.co.uk
www.huntermedia.co.uk
38 www.tackletradeworld.com

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