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ANGLING REACHES SUMMIT

ALL THE DETAILS FROM THE

EFTTA TRADE GATHERING

PAGE 16

GREAT SALES OPPORTUNITY

WHY THE GREAT LAKES

REGION IS SO LUCRATIVE

PAGE 38

FISHING AND BOATING

GROUP VOWS TO CONTINUE

DESPITE CLOSING HQ

One of America’s key participation

advocates – the Recreational

Boating and Fishing Foundation

– has been forced to close its

headquarters doors but has promised the

continue its work.

The move to shut its office in Alexandria,

Virginia, after 27 years followed the RBFF’s

loss of federal funding, which it said heavily

impacted its mission to ger more people on the

water, through angling and boating.

The withdrawal of cash was part of a

string of swingeing cuts by the much-hyped

Department of Governmental Efficiency

(DOGE) announced in April 2025 and finally

implemented a couple of months later, in June.

However, RBFF president and CEO

Dave Chanda said figures since the funding

termination showed that the organisation

was still needed and promised the fight would

continue to boost the sports.

He said: “This was an extremely difficult

step that directly affected valued colleagues

who dedicated their careers to advancing our

mission. Supporting our employees through

this transition has been our highest priority.

“Although our physical office has closed,

a small team will carry forward with

unwavering commitment to RBFF’s mission:

increasing participation in fishing and boating

and strengthening aquatic conservation

nationwide.”

The RBFF has worked closely with the

US industry organisation the American

Sportfishing Association over the last two

decades and more, finding ways to engage with

more people across many under-represented

groups and encouraging them to pick up a rod

or go afloat, often for the first time.

RBFF was created in the late 1990s in

response to declining fishing and boating

participation. Since then, it has become the

only national non-profit organisation solely

dedicated to increasing fishing and boating

participation.

Over nearly three decades, RBFF has helped

drive record growth, modernise state and

industry marketing practices and transform

how our entire sector engages new audiences.

Dave said that, as a result of its efforts over

the years, fishing participation reached an alltime

high of 57.9m million Americans in 2024,

while there has been historic growth among

non-traditional audience segments such as

women, black and Hispanic participants.

The RBFF has run award-winning national

marketing campaigns generating $20m-plus

in exposure from $5m in media investment

annually, while also overseeing a major

expansion of state agency marketing

capacity for recruitment, retention and

reactivation of anglers and boaters.

It has become a nationally recognised

partner across state agencies, industry

associations like the ASA and key

businesses in the sector while also

delivering hugely successful and innovative

youth and next-generation engagement

programmes.

Dave added: “RBFF’s impact has extended

far beyond marketing, supporting a $460

billion economic engine and strengthening

conservation funding for habitat restoration,

fisheries management and public access.

“The loss of federal funding halted several

momentum-building initiatives, including

youth programs, media efforts and state

and industry pilots, underscoring RBFF’s

role as a national connector and catalyst for

participation and conservation growth.”

The RBFF leadership and its executive

committee have been evaluating options to

sustain its critical mission work in this new

operating environment but says its team

remains focused on continuity, supporting its

partners and honouring the legacy it has built

over nearly 30 years.

dchanda@rbff.org

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

EDITORIAL

FEBRUARY 2026

Editor: John Hunter

+44 7990 542958

john.hunter@artichokehq.com

A journalist all his life and with 25-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@artichokehq.com

A Dutchman, he spent five years travelling the world

as a scuba-diving instructor and English teacher before

settling down in Sardinia. He previously worked

for TTW from 2014 - 2017.

China: Robert Li (Li Ziwei)

+86 13451914155

robert.li365@gmail.com

Since 1993, Robert has been editor-in-chief and

reporter for fishing publications in China, to magazines

and newspapers. He has also been delivering

professional trends to the tackle industry and has

managed a popular fishing forum, facilitating the

exchange of insightful industry information within

China’s premier fishing community.

ARTICHOKE MEDIA LTD

Suites 2 & 4 Global House, Colchester, Essex, CO1 2TJ, UK

EFFICIENCY –

BUT AT WHAT COST

TO OUR SPORT?

When Donald Trump returned

to the role of President of the

United States in 2024, one of

his first acts was to introduce

the Department of Governmental Efficiency

(DoGE).

Led by billionaire Elon Musk, DoGE’s job was

to identify ways to save the government money

through reduced funding, staff cuts and other

ideas.

One of those institutions where it quickly

became clear the axe would fall was the

Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation

(RBFF), which was forced to furlough half

its staff and drop several key campaigns to

get more people out on the water following

confirmation of the move by the Department of

the Interior on June 10th, 2025.

According to RBFF, the organisation

has substantially helped the $230.5 billion

recreational fishing industry, which supports

1.1 million American jobs across all 50 states

and generates $2 billion annually for fisheries

conservation, habitat restoration and angler and

boater access efforts in the US... and has been

doing so for 27 years.

In that time, it has developed participation

schemes and campaigns such as Take Me

Fishing and Vamos A Pescar to create awareness

around boating, fishing and conservation, and to

educate people about the benefits of picking up a

fishing rod or getting out on the water.

Frustratingly, in the first few months since the

RBFF lost its funding, US fishing licence sales

were down 8.6 per cent across 16 states – this

equates to a drop of around $590 million in

angler spending and 5,600 jobs.

One of the strangest things about the

government decision is that RBFF’s funding

comes via a unique ‘user-pay, public-benefits’

system called the Sport Fish Restoration and

Boating Trust Fund.

The fund is directly supported by the

sportfishing industry, along with anglers and

boaters themselves through fishing licence sales

and excise taxes on fishing tackle and motorboat

fuel.

So who is going to pick up the slack and what

will happen to angler numbers, water access,

conservation efforts and fish habitats across the

US without such vital work?

It’s hard to say but the work the RBFF has

done really has made a difference. While the

remaining handful of staff will attempt to carry

on with some initiatives, it remains to be seen

how much they will be able to get done.

But increasing angler and boater numbers

doesn’t just benefit retailers, distributors and

brands, that revenue is so important for all that I

mentioned above.

Hopefully, the government will find a way

to return some of the reported $14 million

a year it has invested in the organisation,

although perhaps the RBFF’s future funding

proposals might take account of some of the

original concerns over where some of that cash

ultimately ends up. After all, DoGE was charged

with tackling inefficiencies so it must have seen

some…

WELCOME

EFTTEX 2026

BARCELONA

10-12th June 2026

BOOK

NOW!

www.efttex.com | info@efttex.com

FEBRUARY 2026

Contents

CONTENTS

16

18 ON-THE-WATER LIFESTYLES IN FLORIDA

The world’s largest sportfishing trade show –

ICAST – held each July in Orlando, Florida, is the

best way to build business relationships that last.

It’s On-The-Water event is a must-attend.

32 SHOP WINDOW

We take a little look at some of the fishing reels

to hit the market in recent times. What is worth

stocking? Are any of these suitable for your

outlet?

30

08 NEWS

Innovative French lure designer R3D Fishing is on

the hunt for an international sales agent, Scott Fly

Rods has added an experienced developer to its

roster and there’s news of an innovative lure tank

which retailers and event exhibitors will love.

10 NEWS

The first-ever OutVenture exhibiton, which

incorporated several shows including the huge

AngelWelt fair, brought more than 55,000 visitors

to Berlin while US bait brand Fishbites marked its

25th anniversary with a major event and

vital donation.

12 NEWS

There’s a quick look at is month’s (February’s)

Pescare Show in Rimini as it is looks set to be even

bigger and more while we have news of a new

man at the helm of the UK’s best-known fly fishing

title, Trout & Salmon.

14 SO MANY REASONS TO EXHIBIT AT

EFTTEX 2026

Europe’s only B2B fishing tackle show, EFTTEX,

made a welcome return in 2025. This summer it

heads to Barcelona. Here are just a few reasons

why you should be looking to book your stand

there.

20 CATCH THE LATEST FISHING ASSISTANT

Anglers go fishing to get away from day-to-day

pressures and relax but fishing technology seems

to make it complicated. Catch, the free all-in-one

fishing assistant, puts you back in control as it

heads to the USA.

22 EYES ON THE TARGET

Over the past 30 years, Balázs Filament

Technologies has become one of the key fishing

line producers. Owner and general manager Lajos

Balázs explains why European manufacturing is

still important.

24 THE SOUND OF SUCCESSFUL TECHNOLOGY

After demonstrating consistent results in

recreational fisheries, Livingston Lures adapted

and scaled EBS for commercial use – leading to

callers, now deployed in some of most demanding

fisheries.

26 IN PURSUIT OF THE BEST ROD PODS

Every carp angler needs a rod pod and, regardless

of budget or preference, Sporting Wholesale has

you covered – from its starter collection of Angling

Pursuits models to the advanced NGT range.

28 REELS TO VANQUISH THE COMPETITION

Shimano’s Vanquish FA Competition Edition reel

has been developed for anglers who require

absolute control in high-pressure tournament

conditions, using ultra-light lines and finesse

techniques.

30 SPOTLIGHT ON… REELS

They may be small machines but reels have a big

impact on the tackle market. They are more than

simply line holders, they aid casting, line retrieval

and allow the angler to stay in control when

fighting fish.

34 38

34 RELIX LOOKS AHEAD WITH CONFIDENCE

We talk to Rivai Susanto, the man behind

Indonesian manufacturer PT Central Sarana

Pancing and its Relix brand, about the secrets of

its success and its plans for further growth.

36 ARE YOU READY FOR CHINA FISH?

China Fish has grown into Asia’s largest

international fishing tackle trade show,

renowned for its focus on direct sourcing from

manufacturers. Here’s all you need to know

about the 2026 event.

38 DOING BUSINESS WITH… THE GREAT LAKES

The Great Lakes are one of North America’s

most important playgrounds for recreational

anglers, with so many different fishing styles,

making it a smart region to get your brands and

products into.

42 REPORTS FROM CHINA

This month our correspondent dives deep into

the upcoming Bihai Fishing Tackle Industry

Expo and considers the establishment of

the Angling Tourism Branch of the China

Recreational Angling Association (CRAA).

46 MAKING CONTACT

More key products that have been recently

released onto the market. This month we look

at some new hooks, a fly rod series and sea

fishing line.

48 CAN AI HELP YOU MARKET

YOUR BUSINESS?

The tackle market is becoming increasingly

competitive as brands vie for attention across

digital channels, specialty retailers and directto-consumer

platforms. AI can be a great tool

to aid you.

16 EFTTA ANGLING SUMMIT DELIVERS

ONCE MORE

Leading industry figures, experts in their field and

the tackle trade in general combined to ensure

the 2025 EFTTA Angling Summit was another

milestone for the European industry.

06 WWW.TACKLETRADEWORLD.COM

REGISTRATION

NOW OPEN

THE WORLD’S PREMIER SPORTFISHING TRADESHOW

POWERED BY

JULY 14–17, 2026

ORANGE COUNTY CONVENTION CENTER

ORLANDO, FL

ICASTFISHING.ORG

REGISTER FOR ICAST 2026 TODAY!

NEWS

FLY ROD FIRM NETS

MORE TALENT

US-based Scott Fly Rod Company has appointed experienced rod

and reel developer Shawn Combs to its team as vice president.

Jim Bartschi, Colorado-based Scott Fly Rods’ president, said: “Shawn

is a lifelong angler with finely honed skills and a proven track record in flyfishing

product design.

“His passion for innovation, quality and team building is a perfect fit

to help carry on Scott’s 50-year legacy of handcrafting high-performance

fly rods. I’m thrilled to welcome Shawn to the Scott family and for the

opportunity to work with him and the rest of the team on writing the next

chapters of the Scott story.”

After earning his master’s degree in mechanical engineering, Shawn

spent a decade in engineering roles with industry leaders including Exxon

Mobil Corp.and Lockheed Martin.

In 2011, he joined the Orvis

Company in Vermont as a product

developer for fly rods and reels and

he has served as their director of

product design and development

since 2014.

He added: “I am beyond excited

to join the Scott Fly Rod Company

to work alongside Jim and team.

Having grown up fishing Scott rods,

I am honoured to contribute to the

legacy of handcrafting rods that, in

my view, embody innovation and

soul like no other.”

www.scottflyrod.com

Fishbites marks 25th

anniversary with event

and donation

US-based bait manufacturer

Fishbites marked its 25th

birthday in style, with

anglers, families and fishing

enthusiasts gathered at a

special tournament event

recently.

The community turned

out in full force for the 25th

Anniversary Fishbites Event

& Surf Fishing Tournament,

helping raise $9,248 in

support of Matanzas

Riverkeeper, a non-profit dedicated to protecting and preserving the

Matanzas River and its surrounding waterways.

An impressive turnout of 139 anglers packed the shoreline for a day

filled with competition, camaraderie and coastal stewardship. With strong

community engagement, tournament organisers celebrated not only the

fishing achievements but also the meaningful environmental impact made

possible through attendee contributions.

Florida-based Fishbites president and CEO, Terry Dillinger, said: “We’re

incredibly grateful for the anglers, supporters, and partners who showed

up and helped us make this anniversary event one to remember.

“The generosity of our community directly supports the protection of

our waterways; a cause central to the heart of our company.”

Alongside the $9,248 donation to Matanzas Riverkeeper, multiple

winners across tournament categories scooped more than $5,000 in cash

and prizes.

fishbites.com

Fishing newsletter will

celebrate angling culture

Experienced angling journalist

and former TTW editor David

Guest has launched a newsletter

designed to build a community

of people who love sharing and

reading great fishing stories.

The Hook-Up is powered by

fast-growing media platform

Substack and will publish a

new edition twice a month

from February 2026. The

newsletter features fascinating

long-reads from anglers around

the world about their greatest

fishing adventures and what

fishing means to them, as well

as providing a place to celebrate

angling culture.

“Like most new ideas, creating

The Hook-Up was born out of my

own frustration at the current state

of fishing content and how it is

consumed,” explained David.

“Rather than creating

something that exists simply to

meet the needs of an algorithm

or a social media trend, The

Hook-Up is a platform that exists

to tell stories in their full and uncut

forms. Think of it as an old-school

magazine feature but in digital

form – not so focused on tactics or

tackle, but more on people, place,

and adventure.”

thehookup1.substack.com


LURE DESIGNER KEEN TO

ATTRACT WELL-CONNECTED

SALES AGENT FOR GROWTH

Innovative French lure designer R3D Fishing – founded by one

of the best-known names in the business – is on the hunt for an

international sales agent to help take its ideas to the global market.

Based in Aix-en-Provence,

it is the brainchild of Romain

Grimaldi, who has 40 years’

fishing experience, 15 years in

3D modelling and is a former

professional fishing guide.

The R3D Fishing studio

develops lure concepts where

every curve expresses intention,

every volume reflects controlled

hydrodynamic mechanics, and

every prototype becomes a

functional piece of design.

All R3D models are designed

and validated in-house by Romain

using full 3D design and digital

machining, four-axis CNC for

high-precision masters, electronic

PVC injection, high-resolution

resin printing, metal casting in

lead / tungsten and water-testing

tank for hydrodynamic tuning.

Romain said: “This integrated

workflow allows R3D Fishing to

deliver premium prototypes ready

for industrial production to brands

and OEM partners worldwide.”

As it enters an exciting

new stage of international

development, the studio is

seeking an independent sales

agent, well established within

the fishing-tackle industry – with

priority markets in the United

States, Japan and Europe – to

present its concepts through final

machined samples produced in

the R3D Fishing workshop.

The position is commissiononly,

allowing the agent to

consolidate international preorders

on a single lure model and

be compensated directly from the

sales generated.

The objective is simple – to

gather sufficient orders to finance

mould opening and initiate series

production.

For industrial manufacturing,

R3D Fishing relies on trusted

production partners in

Asia with whom the studio

already collaborates, capable

of handling mould creation,

manufacturing and assembly.

Depending on brand needs,

the studio can also provide

technical support, as well as

on-site production follow-up

and quality control, handled by

a local representative.

As a result, the agent

will become the strategic

link between creation and

global markets, presenting,

promoting, securing orders

and supporting the distribution

of R3D models to brands and

industry partners.

rg@r3d-fishing.com

US trade body counters

claims for live bait ban

An animal rights organisation

trying to restrict the sale and use

of live bait in the US has met with

a backlash from the recreational

fishing community.

The American Sportfishing

Association (ASA), with support

from key partners, has released a

policy brief detailing efforts by the

international group to damage

live bait use and sales across the

country.

It said significant restrictions

on the interstate sale and

purchase of live bait have

been proposed in Colorado,

Delaware, New Hampshire

and New York. Though these

bills and regulations have been

unsuccessful, ASA expects this

anti-fishing campaign, led by a

group named Upstream Policies,

to continue its efforts on such

restrictions.

Since Upstream Policies’

founding in 2023, it has framed

its goal to ban all live bait as an

effort to prevent invasive species

however, so far, policymakers

have established, and continue

to review, laws and regulations to

mitigate these risks.

Many states have regulations

on permitted bait species while

licensing and permitting bait

dealers and suppliers while some

also work with the aquaculture

industry to develop standards,

testing and certification to

mitigate potential pathogen risks.

ASA’s inland fisheries

policy director, Connor Bevan,

explained: “The importance of

live bait in sportfishing cannot

be understated. As roughly twothirds

of anglers fish with live bait

each year, proposed restrictions

on the interstate sale of live

bait would significantly impact

anglers across the country.

“Given existing, proven,

science-based safeguards, the

stringent restrictions proposed

by animal rights activists on the

interstate sale and purchase of

live bait are both unwarranted

and harmful to anglers and

businesses nationwide.”

Each year, 67 per cent

of US anglers fish with live

bait, spending $345 million

nationwide. For many, live bait

serves as a gateway to fishing,

helping new anglers of all

ages and backgrounds to have

successful first trips on the water.

Live bait is also particularly

important to certain recreational

fisheries, including ice fishing,

where anglers commonly rely

on minnows and shiners to fish

effectively on hard water.

WWW.TACKLETRADEWORLD.COM 09

NEWS

BERLIN SHOW CAPTIVATES

55,000 ENTHUSIASTS

The first-ever OutVenture

exhibiton, which incorporated

several shows including the

huge AngelWelt fair, brought

more than 55,000 visitors to

Berlin to celebrate all types of

outdoor activity.

Fans of watersports, angling and

camping gathered for OutVenture

Berlin, which brought together

Boot & Fun, AngelWelt, Caravan

& Camping and Offroad & Nature

events across 16 halls and 90,000

sq m of space, holding over 850

exhibitors and brands.

AngelWelt reaffirmed its

position as Europe’s leading

angling fair, celebrating its most

successful edition since its launch

in 2007.

Featuring international

exhibitors, renowned angling

personalities and a diverse

programme, the event once again

drew huge crowds.

Following last year’s record

number of exhibitors, AngelWelt

2025 surpassed this success with a

further 20 per cent increase – and

was more international than ever.

Over 250 national and

international exhibitors

and brands from countries

including Brazil, China, Finland,

Japan, the Maldives, Mongolia,

Sweden and the USA presented

their latest innovations, which

met with great enthusiasm from

visitors.

AngelWelt boss Felix Seinacker

said: “We are overwhelmed

by the response. The fair was

not only fully booked from the

exhibitors’ side but attracted

angling enthusiasts of all ages and

experience levels with an intensity

unmatched by any other event.

AngelWelt. This has become

the must-attend event for the

entire community – if you’re into

angling, you’ll come to us.”

The new Finland

Pavilion proved a major crowdpuller,

offering visitors authentic

angling and nature experiences

from the “Land of a Thousand

Lakes.” The JDM area (Japanese

Domestic Market), featuring top

Japanese brands such as Duo,

Major Craft and Shimano, also

attracted strong interest. Industry

leaders such as Fox Rage, Mustad,

Gator, SPRO and Marcazu were

among the exhibitors.

STROFT managing director

André Giermannsaid: “The fair

Bringing fishing lures

to life on dry land

US-based Lure Demo has

officially launched Lure

Demonstrator, an innovative,

purpose-built product

allowing anglers, retailers and

manufacturers to see fishing

lures in real motion inside a

professional, water-filled swim

tank.

The Lure Demonstrator

is designed to showcase

underwater lure action, helping

the fishing industry promote,

demonstrate and sell more

effectively.

Compact, portable and visually

striking, the Lure Demonstrator

provides an up close, 360-degree

view of vertical lure action in

crystal-clear water with adjustable

speed and lighting effects.

The product offers a realistic

way to demonstrate how jigs,

soft plastics, ned-rigs and other

vertically fished lures perform—

turning displays and presentations

into dynamic, eye-catching

experiences.

went sensationally well. We had

even more visitors than last year.

The organisers succeeded in

curating a mix of manufacturers

that included all the big players

– and that draws people in. Plus,

Berlin is always worth a visit,

so many guests travelled here

especially for the show.”

Another highlight was the

debut of the Fly Zone Berlin,

which placed fly fishing firmly

in the spotlight. With exhibitors

from the fly and coarse fishing

sectors, casting demonstrations

and workshops, it drew many

new enthusiasts. In the Sea

Angling Forum, experts shared

Lure Demo founder Martin

Bawden said: “Seeing a lure in

real water changes everything.

Until now tackle stores and lure

makers have traditionally had no

effective way to show customers

how their lures truly swim. The

Lure Demonstrator helps solves

that problem – it brings lures to life

and helps anglers believe in what

they’re buying.”

Designed for versatility, the Lure

Demonstrator is equally at home

on a tackle shop counter, trade

show booth or video studio.

For tackle shops, it’s a salesboosting

display that attracts foot

traffic and increases lure sales,

while lure manufacturers and

reps can use to it to demonstrate

products to retailers or film

promotional content.

For individual passionate

anglers, it’s an engaging tool to test

and understand lure performance

and selection before hitting the

water.

The system includes variable

speed control for jigging motion,

insights into big game fishing and

the best global hotspots, while

visitors could refine their casting

techniques under expert guidance

in the Casting Area.

A central meeting point was

the German Angling Association

(DAFV), which showcased

current projects and discussed

angling policy under the motto

“Fishing in the middle of society.”

Cooking shows and expert talks

on sustainability and water

protection proved particularly

popular on the DAFV Show

Stage.

www.outventure-berlin.de

12-colour LED lighting and a

compact glass swim tank that

replicates as best possible lifelike

underwater conditions. Easy to

set up, operate and maintain, the

Lure Demonstrator transforms

any indoor space into a live-action

showcase.

In addition to product

development, Lure Demo LLC

produces unique, entertaining

lure demonstration videos

designed to educate and inspire

anglers.

www.luredemo.com


NEW PACBAY MINIMA-X

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popping out or getting crushed.

Through extensive reform and innovation, PACBAY MINIMA-X is

constructed using high-strength , one-piece stainless steel. Both

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As a result , the friction force during long-distance casting or

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NEWS

EVERYTHING IS

BIGGER AND BETTER

FOR PESCARE 2026

Following the success of its

debut in Rimini, Pescare Show

is preparing an even bigger

and more comprehensive

2026 edition for sport fishing,

recreational boating and

outdoor activity for enthusiasts

and professionals.

The event, organised by

Italian Exhibition Group and

scheduled to take place from

February 13th to 15th at Rimini

Expo Centre and on the Riviera,

will double its exhibition space,

content, competitions and

sporting experiences both inside

and outside the Expo Centre,

strengthening its bond with the

local area and further expanding

its international dimension.

Spread across six halls, the

Pescare Show 2026 exhibition

area will promote every aspect of

the sector, from sea to fly fishing,

from coarse to bass fishing, from

spinning to carp fishing. The

indoor pools at the Expo Centre

will once again host the Casting

Pools with the participation of

world-renowned masters such

as Aitor Coteron, Christopher

Rownes, Tellis Katsogiannos and

René Gerken.

As confirmation of the

event’s growing international

dimension, an entire hall will

host the World Casting & Fly

Casting Championships, Europe’s

first indoor competition for

this discipline, organised and

coordinated by FIPSAS with

ICFS (International Casting Sport

Federation), which will bring over

100 athletes from 10 countries and

nine international judges.

“Content and attendances will

be hosted in the unique setting

of Rimini and the Riviera, adding

value to the event,” said Valentina

Fioramonti, group exhibition

manager of the Wellness &

Outdoor division at IEG.

“With a strong vocation

for hospitality, the maritime

world, nature and the outdoors,

the local area will be able to

amplify the public’s experience

through activities outside

the show, including boat test

drives at sea, outdoor initiatives

and experiential activities,

ensuring collaboration with

local companies, partners and

institutions.”

pescareshow.it

Leading angler

to spend time

as Trout &

Salmon editor

Time Well Spent Group has

announced a significant editorial

transition at Trout & Salmon,

the UK’s leading game fishing

magazine.

After 33 years of distinguished

service, editor Andrew Flitcroft will

be stepping down from his role

and moving to Loop Tacke. He

will be succeeded by Pete Tyjas

(pictured above) of subscriptionbased

publication Fly Culture.

Pete brings a wealth

of experience and a fresh

perspective to the role. As

a respected figure in the fly

fishing world and founder of

quarterly magazine Fly Culture,

Pete has demonstrated a deep

understanding of modern

angling and a passion for

connecting with readers across

all platforms. Fly Culture will be

ceasing publication and existing

subscribers will be refunded and

offered an exclusive discount on

a Trout & Salmon subscription.

The transition comes during a

landmark year for the magazine,

which is celebrating its 70th

anniversary in 2025.

Andrew Flitcroft said: “There

are no words to describe how

I feel about leaving T&S. It has,

and always will be, in my blood.

I feel like the luckiest man alive

to have not only made a career

from fishing but also to have

been trusted with looking after

such an esteemed brand as Trout

& Salmon. I wish Pete the very

best of luck and look forward to

each issue dropping through the

letterbox.”

Pete added: “I am incredibly

excited to be joining Trout &

Salmon, a magazine that has been

an integral part of fly fishing for

70 years. There is a rich history I

am looking forward to being part

of while working hard to put my

mark on in the future.”


FEATURE

EFTTEX 2026

SO MANY REASONS TO EXHIBIT AT

EFTTEX 2026

Europe’s only B2B fishing tackle show, EFTTEX, made

a welcome return in 2025. This summer it heads to

Barcelona. Here are a few reasons why you should be

booking your stand there.

REASONS TO EXHIBIT…

● Opportunities to network with

industry leaders

● Discover the latest new products

● EFTTEX is supported by EFTTA

(the European Fishing Tackle Trade

Association, the industry body)

● Opportunities to enter the Best New

Product Competition.

Whether you are an age-old

manufacturer with global

clients or a new brand looking

to take your first or next steps

in growing your business, then EFTTEX (the

European Fishing Tackle Trade Exhibition)

should be in your diary this summer.

After a successful show in 2025 in Brussels,

EFTTEX 2026 will move to Hall 2, Fira

Barcelona Montjuic, Barcelona, Spain from June

10th to 12th, continuing its tradition of moving

around Europe to ensure exhibitors meet new

potential clients as well as older ones.

So why should you be booking your stand

for EFTTEX 2026? For a start, it has a strong

reputation, with a long-established history and

it is the ONLY purely B2B event in Europe for

the fishing tackle trade.

Making the most of your time

EFTTEX show days run on Wednesday,

Thursday and Friday, allowing you to maximise

your time on doing as much business as you can

in one place.

It’s a huge time saver, where you can meet all

your customers in three days in a great business-

like atmosphere, while also networking more

casually at the popular gala dinner and awards

night.

Each exhibitor is entitled to an unlimited

number of free of charge “exhibitor guest”

passes which they can distribute to as many

customers as they like (available from Spring

2026).

Barcelona is a wonderful city with direct

flights from all over the world. There are many

touristy things to do, time permitting, as well

as beautiful surroundings to entertain clients in

the evenings.

info@efttex.com / www.efttex.com

● Winning one of these prestigious Best

New Product awards gives you instant

media coverage and plenty of attention

from prospective buyers

● Generate new sales leads

● Rekindle and maintain business

relationships with existing customers

● Meet quality buyers from 45+

countries worldwide

● Discuss and do business with decision

makers

● For companies that are based outside

of Europe such as the USA and Japan

and want to export to Europe, EFTTEX

is the place to start your distribution

network


FEATURE

EFTTA ANGLING SUMMIT

DELIVERS ONCE MORE

Leading industry figures, experts in their field and the tackle trade in general combined

to ensure the 2025 EFTTA Angling Summit was a huge success once more.

Following a fantastic inaugural event

last year, the second summit – held

at hub27 in Berlin and organised by

the European Fishing Tackle Trade

Association (EFTTA) – brought together a

strong line up of speakers and an equally strong

audience from the fishing tackle industry.

EFTTA president Gerard Bakkenes

welcomed visitors, saying: “Why do we need to

shape the future of the industry? There are new

rules and regulations, questions around PFAs

and lead and we need to be at the forefront

of these discussions; we have to secure

recreational angling’s right to exist.

“It is important for environmental

responsibility and mental health and we need

to work out how we can attract more anglers to

grow our industry. Only united, can we win.”

Making a difference

Peter Lyngby from Dansk Lystfiskeri (the

Danish tackle trade association) explained how

the organisation had managed to grow from

a small industry voice battling declining fish

stocks, falling angler numbers and threats to

the environment into a key part of the changing

landscape, with rising fishing licence numbers,

a national strategy for the sport and a major

influence on government fisheries policy.

A joint panel discussion featuring Mark

Owen of the European Anglers’ Alliance,

representatives from key national angling

bodies and EFTTA itself looked at the latest

issues surrounding several key fishing nations

and how they were being tackled.

Well-known scientist Professor Robert

Arlinghaus discussed the importance of harvest

slots to protect big fish stocks, saying: “If big

fish and old fish didn’t matter, nature wouldn’t

support them, it would erase them. Evolution

selects for multiple spawning events.”

Joana Patricio, DG Mare from the European

Commission, explained how the new EU

Fishers app would work when it goes live from

January 10th, 2026. At that point, recreational

sea anglers are expected to begin using it to

collect data which will help the EU better

understand fish stocks to inform its future

policies.

Els Torreele, a senior scientist at ILVO

Marine, detailed the importance of gathering

recreational fishing data that was trustworthy

while one of the most important topics of the

day was presented by Deloitte legal expert

Markus Uhl, who spoke about EU customs

reforms and safeguards around companies like

Temu and other cheap Chinese importers.

Environmental concerns

As ever, environmental concerns were never

far from the minds of the delegates. EFTTA

lobbyist Jan Kappel talked through the latest

timelines on lead restrictions, while Cyrille

Viellard, president and CEO of Rapala VMC,

detailed his company’s work on sustainability

reporting.

He said: “Make sure you know your

products well, where they are coming from,

the production chain and even where they are

going.”

Viv Shears and Steve Tapp from the

Anglers’ National Line Recycling Scheme

explained how tackle shops and fisheries across

the UK had helped collect millions of metres

of monofilament and fly lines plus countless

tonnes of discarded plastic, which gets sorted

and then recycled into everything from rod

stands to sunglasses.

Then Finland’s Markku Vierelä outlined a

strategy for sustainable growth and wellbeing.

UK Angling Trades Association chairman

Andrew Race gave a detailed presentation on

how the industry could play a key role in angler

retention and growth.


SUMMIT REPORT

Andrew warned other associations: “The

higher the churn (the rate of turnover of

anglers), the better our recruitment processes

need to be to maintain angler numbers.

“Are the methods of fishing we are

showcasing, the right ones to get more people

into the sport and to keep them? We need to

decide what sort of angler we want for the

future and provide the right products in the

correct packaging to do that.”

Open discussions

There were also crucial panel discussions led

by the EFTTA board on the surge of lowvalue

imports from China which are flooding

the European market and hitting tackle

manufacturers as well as the importance of trade

policies and getting angling represented at the

highest level.

In the evening, attendees enjoyed a

networking dinner, with the chance to continue

their earlier conversations.

Concluding the event, EFTTA vicepresident

and summit moderator Ross Honey

said: “Fishing is important – we all lead busy

lives and it’s the only time I switch off; it’s the

thrill and excitement.

“When you see people who have travelled a

long way and come with such knowledge and

passion that they shared today with us, looking

to help shape the future of angling, that gives

me a big thrill.

“I think angling – if we all work together – is

in a good place. I think we are going to do some

great things together – and together we are

certainly stronger.

“Thanks to everyone for sharing your

thoughts – good, bad and indifferent; that’s how

we learn and how we can improve things.”

Next year’s EFTTA Angling Summit is

already scheduled for Thursday, November

26th, 2026.

www.eftta.com


FEATURE

WHY ON-THE-WATER LIFESTYLES

COLLIDE YEARLY IN FLORIDA

Moxie is on a diplomatic mission of sorts; a

mission to draw attention to the burgeoning

fishing industry in the Bahamas.

“We’re here to meet like-minded people,”

Moxie says. “We want to meet manufacturers,

conservation organisations and, of course, the

American Sportfishing Association, because

they share the same values of preserving fishing

culture.”

ASA COLUMN

The world’s largest sportfishing trade show – ICAST –

held each July in Orlando, Florida, is the best way to build

business relationships that last.

Dan Lestander doesn’t need much

flair to sell his dreams. More

than 8,000km from his northern

Sweden workshop, the passionate

lure designer and artist with a penchant for

handmade swimbaits only needs a box of baits

and a smile.

Lestander is flanked by dozens of the world’s

largest fishing brands. Kayaks powered by

the latest electric trolling motors whirl by

on a nearby pond. New rod and reel designs

bankrolled by publicly traded companies whirr

in the background.

But Lestander – a one-man band passing

out handshakes beneath a white pop-up tent at

ICAST On the Water Demo Day – doesn’t feel

out of place.

Lestander has put in the work to be here.

He’s designed more than 50 prototypes and

started his own brand, Headbanger Lures. And

he’s with his tribe on the first day of ICAST

2025.

“We came to ICAST in 2022,” Lestander

says. “We’re coming back this year because we

have new lures to show the US fishing market.

This is the biggest market for Headbanger

Lures, even though we are coming from

Sweden.”

Lestander is busy today, handing out

samples for US buyers and media to test out on

the water beside his tent. And he’s here at the

world’s largest sportfishing trade show to meet

and greet as many of the more than 12,000

attendees as possible.

to browse their wares. For manufacturers,

ICAST is the only place in the world to get in

front of this many buyers at one time. And

tackle companies aren’t the only exhibitors

spotting value in that proposition.

About 500ft from the ICAST New Product

Showcase exhibition, where hundreds of brand

new SKUs are on display and competing to win

ICAST Best of Category awards, images of a

tropical paradise flash on a flatscreen television.

White sofas and meeting tables spread out

before them at the official booth of Bahamas

Tourism.

“ICAST is a very, very large show,” says Joel

Moxie, fresh off a flight from a bonefishing

tournament in the emerald waters of Grand

Bahama. “ICAST specifically targets anglers

and the fishing industry, and for a country with

700 islands, it’s a perfect marriage.”

An international meeting point

In the decades since its inception, ICAST

has expanded its offerings beyond the show

to provide attendees with a comprehensive

week-long experience built to create cultural

connections.

At ICAST, Bahamian guides and Swedish

lure designers mingle with retailers from

Florida, Wisconsin, Costa Rica and Peru.

Japanese reel designers tee off with Canadian

distributors and Australian entrepreneurs.

It’s a true, global reunion for the sportfishing

industry that only takes place in one place at

one time each year. Lestander and Moxie know

that. So, too, do the attendees from more than

75 other nations that joined them at ICAST

2025.

This year, ICAST is scheduled to return to

the Orlando Convention Center from July 14th

to 17th, 2026. You can bet that the entire world

of the sportfishing industry will be there.

www.asafishing.org

A world of opportunity

Inside the sprawling Orange County

Convention Center, an exhibit hall spanning

multiple football pitches is positively brimming

with other manufacturers like Lestander and

eager buyers descending on Orlando, Florida,


FEATURE

THE FREE FISHING ASSISTANT

FOR MODERN ANGLING

Anglers go fishing to get away from day-to-day pressures and relax. But fishing

technology seems to have made it way too complicated. Thankfully, Catch, the free all-inone

fishing assistant, puts you back in control… and it’s headed to the USA!

If , like most anglers, you fish for fun, to chill,

to get away from day-to-day pressures,

you don’t want to encounter more of them

when out fishing. Yet, somehow, fishing

technology has become stressfully complicated

with a host of apps offering a range of overengineered

tools, typically behind paywalls,

with dashboards designed for tournament pros

rather than everyday anglers.

And that’s before the endless social feeds,

the spot-burning chaos and the feeling that

everything you log somehow becomes

someone else’s data.

That is why a group of anglers decided

to build something different. Something

useful. Something smart. Something simple.

Something that’s free.

And it’s coming to the United States.

Just go and Catch

Meet Catch, the free, all-in-one fishing

assistant that helps you fish better without

trying harder.

Catch is a smart new app that delivers tools

you’ll actually use. And it’s FREE.

Catch isn’t a social network. It isn’t a satellitelinked

sonar system. And it definitely isn’t

another app asking for $10 a month to access its

“pro version.”

Instead, it’s a friendly, practical companion

made for everyday anglers who simply want

to enjoy fishing, catch more, and feel more

confident on the water.

What makes Catch different?

Everything you actually do want, in a single,

free-to-use app.

Free forever

Every feature is free from day one. And stays

free. If it’s in the app, every aspect to it is free to

use from the get-go.

Smart, helpful tools

Weather forecasts, lake and water data, logging

tools, maps, and planning info, with features

designed by anglers around the way people

really fish.

Fishing logs you’ll actually use

Blueprints that enables you to visually map

your spots, link your Session Notes, all on

your cell, so you can easily log and save what

worked, where and why.

Personalised suggestions

Catch helps you clarify the unique way you

fish; your patterns, your catches, where, when,

and with what gear. It can then suggest ways to

improve.

Matching gear for the best possible

deals

As Catch learns your style, it identifies the

gear that exactly matches how you fish and

shows you if and when it’s on offer from trusted

partners.

Your privacy, your control

You choose what stays private, what (if

anything) you share, and with whom. Your best

spots stay your best spots.

Built by anglers, shaped by anglers,

for anglers

Catch has over 200,000 anglers in the UK

attracted by updates inspired by real fishing

behaviour. It’s now ready to do so with

American anglers in USA.

Designed for the new wave of

American anglers

Fishing in the US is growing faster than ever,

attracting younger and more chilled anglers


CATCH

who want guidance but without feeling

overwhelmed.

Catch wants to be the “fishing buddy in your

pocket” that helps you:

• Choose a cool place to go

• Pick the best times and conditions

• Find smarter tactics to help you catch more

• Remember what works best for you

• Learn with every trip

• Create great memories

All without you needing a degree in marine

biology and it being over-engineered and

expensive.

Why Catch is coming to USA now?

Catch was established in the UK by anglers

with a simple idea; make it easier to book time

on the water. What began as a subscription app

for fisheries quickly grew into a trusted tool

for planning trips, logging catches and sharing

experiences. Its success reflected the growth

in business, professionalism and support it

delivered to its partners. And the ease and

features it provided to anglers.

In the USA, we not only see something

bigger but something much different, with

activities and cultures that are extremely

diverse. Freshwater and saltwater, sport and

leisure, and varied regional regulations and

traditions, all at a scale that is unmatched. But

at its heart there are similarities in behavior,

motives and across many fundamentals.

Clearly, however, we couldn’t just copy what

had worked in UK.

So we reimagined it.

• From a paid app to a free one.

• From a booking tool to a complete

fishing companion.

• From a utility to a platform designed

to capture the richness of US fishing while

protecting angler privacy.

Today, Catch is more than an app – it’s the

first step in building a new kind of fishing

ecosystem: one where anglers get premium

tools for free and the industry gets smarter,

more respectful ways to connect them.

Catch… for everyone.

Catch won’t just be a companion for anglers;

it will become a platform for guides and the

industry too, providing support across the

entire fishing community.

Catch will soon offer:

• For guides and charters: Free visibility,

easier communication, along with optional

tools

• For brands and retailers: Smart product

placements with genuine relevance.

Partnerships to anonymously match highintent

anglers to the most relevant products.

• For influencers, experts and leaders: A

positive movement to join; helping us and

fellow anglers evolve and build America’s most

supportive, accessible and enjoyable fishing

ecosystem.

• For clubs: A channel to show your presence

in the area; to set up private networks for the

willing; to work with us to set up dashboards to

manage future tournaments.

Try the free app, let us know what you think

and help us evolve!

It’s free, so you have nothing to lose. No

subscription. No paywalls. No pressure. Just

a friendly app built to make every fishing trip

easier and more fun.

Download Catch for free today. Because

fishing should be fun. And your fishing app

should help, not get in the way.

For enquiries please contact hello@gocatch.fish


FEATURE

STAYING FOCUSED ON

EUROPEAN MANUFACTURING

Over the past 30 years, Balázs Filament Technologies has continually grown and is

now one of the key players in European fishing line manufacturing. Owner and general

manager Lajos Balázs explains why European manufacturing is still important.


BFT

Balázs Filament Technologies is a family

business founded in 1982 by Lajos

Balázs Sr., and the monofilament

production division was established in

1996 by his sons, Lajos and Miklós.

In addition to its own brand (CARBOTEX),

the company also supplies several international

brands as an OEM manufacturer. Around 40 per

cent of its turnover is generated in the US market

(with a stable presence for 16 years), while the

remaining share is primarily realised in Europe.

The strength of Balázs Filament Technologies

lies in the fact that, in addition to monofilament

production, it also manufactures spools and

handles fishing line winding.

The company also operates an in-house

multicolour line dyeing unit and hank winding

equipment, as well as a packaging department

(die-cutting, embossing, box and label

application).

Continuous product and technology

development over the past decades has ensured

the company’s stable growth. This year, we

launched two new projects. One involves further

expanding our injection moulding capacity,

which includes the acquisition of a new ENGEL

machine and four new spool injection moulds.

The second project is expected to be

completed in 2026: the installation of a solar

panel system that will cover nearly 50 per cent of

the company’s energy consumption.

I believe these developments provide a solid

foundation for future growth.

The importance of EFTTEX

As a European manufacturer, Balázs Filament

Technologies has always placed great

importance on participating in EFTTEX (the

European Fishing Tackle Trade Exhibition) –

and this will remain the case in the future. The

company has been present at the exhibition

continuously since 1997 and we are delighted to

see growth once again, for which we owe great

thanks to the organisers.

This year’s EFTTEX was particularly

successful for us, as two of our products won

their respective categories. The CARBOTEX

Planet Ocean won first prize in the Saltwater

category, while the CARBOTEX Steelhead took

the top spot in the Fly Fishing category.

These recognitions reinforce our belief

that product development at Balázs Filament

Technologies is heading in the right direction.

Naturally, we will also participate in the 2026

exhibition in Barcelona and I am confident

that, within a few years, in terms of exhibitor

and visitor numbers, we can once again reach

the high standard that EFTTEX previously

represented.

At the summit of collaboration

At the end of last year, we participated for the

second time in the EFTTA (European Fishing

Tackle Trade Association) Angling Summit.

I believe the event plays an important role in

building relationships and networks among

members. The summit was successful and

complemented the opportunities offered by

EFTTEX very well.

As a European manufacturer, Balázs Filament

Technologies has always maintained that

manufacturing (and by this I mean all types

of production) creates real value within the

European economy.

Of course, trade plays a key role in product

distribution but on its own it is not sufficient

to ensure sustainable economic growth and

to preserve Europe’s position in the global

economy. Over the past 30 years, we have

witnessed a steady decline in European

manufacturing, while European traders have

become increasingly reliant on Far Eastern

suppliers.

This trend must be reversed – perhaps

over another 30-year period. To achieve this,

a fundamental change in mindset among

traders is essential: namely, that for products

manufactured in Europe, they should choose

European suppliers.

The situation is well illustrated by the January

2026 issue of TTW, where France was featured.

The article highlighted the country’s major

trading (export/import) partners. France’s trade

with Germany, the USA, Italy and Belgium

is relatively balanced, while trade with China

shows a significant deficit. Naturally, this

distorted situation applies to other European

countries as well.

Every market player prioritises local partners

in their own country – and this is perfectly

normal. However, if Europe wishes to appear as

a unified economic entity in the global market,

it is essential that European traders prioritise

European manufacturers.

Such a substantial distortion in trade balance

cannot be sustained in the long term.

Fair trade

At the Summit, the term “unfair trading” was

mentioned several times in relation to the fact

that packages valued under €150 can be sent into

the EU without customs duties.

Naturally, within the EU, we Europeans create

the rules – others simply make use of them.

Therefore, in this case, we should not speak of

“unfair trading” but rather of “unfair rules,” and

only we can change them.

Regarding these “small packages” flooding

Europe, I fully support the imposition of

customs duties. This will help traders, but it

does not solve manufacturers’ problems, nor

will it improve Europe’s economic position in

the long term. In this case, a shift in mindset

is needed among traders, and we should aim

to ensure that products for which Europe

has manufacturing capacity are sourced from

European manufacturers.

From my own experience, I know that

European manufacturers are also capable of

delivering at “Far Eastern prices,” but under

much better conditions (e.g., shorter lead times,

warranty, etc.).

The transition – this change in mindset –

may be accelerated by the fact that Far Eastern

manufacturers are becoming less dependent

on European distributors, as they increasingly

manage their own distribution (e.g., via

platforms like Temu). The strategy pursued over

previous decades has primarily disadvantaged

European manufacturers, but now European

traders are beginning to feel the consequences

as well.

It is clear that a major global economic

restructuring is underway, and at present Europe

is not well positioned in this process. However,

through cooperation and long-term strategic

patience, I believe success is possible. Developing

this new mindset is a shared responsibility – and

in my view, TTW magazine, with its strong

influence and reach, can play an important role in

this transformation.

Nevertheless, I remain optimistic about the

long-term outlook.


FEATURE

THE SOUNDS OF

SUCCESSFUL TECHNOLOGY

Livingston Lures’ EBS (Electronic Baitfish Sound) Technology is a sound-based platform

originally developed for sportfishing lures and proven over years of tournament-level

use in both freshwater and saltwater applications.

LIVINGSTON LURES

After demonstrating consistent results

in recreational fisheries, Livingston

Lures adapted and scaled EBS for

commercial use – leading to the

development of its Lobster and Crab Callers,

now deployed in some of the world’s most

demanding fisheries.

Today, EBS technology spans Livingston’s

entire product ecosystem, from precisionengineered

bass, musky, pike, perc, and walleye

lures to commercial-grade acoustic attractants

targeting lobster, Opilio crab, blue crab and

king crab. It illustrates how a technology born

in sportfishing has evolved into a global tool for

commercial harvest and conservation.

As the 2025 lobster and crab seasons came

to a close, many commercial fishermen faced

a familiar but intensifying reality: traditional

harvesting methods are under mounting

economic and environmental pressure. Rising

bait costs, targeted baitfish closures, declining

resource availability and increasing regulatory

scrutiny are forcing the industry to reconsider

longstanding practices.

What’s emerging in response is not louder

engines or heavier gear – but sound.

Across commercial fleets from the North

Atlantic to the Southern Hemisphere, acoustic

attraction is quietly redefining how crustaceans

are harvested. At the forefront of this shift is

Livingston Lures, whose Lobster Callers are

gaining traction as a practical, proven alternative

to scent-based baiting.

Sound over scent

Traditional bait relies on scent dispersion,

which is inherently directional and short-lived.

Odour plumes drift with the current and are

often stripped within minutes by sand fleas

(Amphipoda) and other scavengers – long

before target species arrive.

By contrast, Livingston’s Lobster Callers

emit species-specific acoustic signals designed

to mimic natural underwater communication.

Sound travels through water at approximately

1,500m per second, radiating in all directions

and remaining effective regardless of current

or tide.

Each unit broadcasts continuously for up

to four weeks per deployment, creating a

persistent, wide-area attractant that actively

guides crustaceans toward traps rather

than relying on chance encounters with a

diminishing scent trail.

Commercial fishermen have seen measurable

results. Justin Hindes, captain of commercial

vessel The Brian Wave, has relied on Livingston

Callers for more than six years, with some of the

earliest units still in service.

He said: “They take a beating and keep

working. Whether we’re fishing 30 fathoms or

100, in freezing temperatures or rough seas,

they’re virtually indestructible.”

Conservation without compromise

Beyond performance, acoustic attraction

offers a meaningful ecological benefit: reduced

reliance on traditional baitfish. Species such as

herring and menhaden face increasing pressure

from overharvest and climate-driven changes.

Lower bait demand helps ease that pressure

while stabilising supply chains for fishermen.

What began as a regional innovation has

now scaled into a global standard. Livingston’s

Lobster Callers are deployed across the Atlantic,

Pacific and Indian Oceans, as well as in the

Bering Sea – supporting sustainable harvests in

some of the world’s most challenging fisheries.

As commercial fisheries navigate economic

uncertainty and tightening regulations, soundbased

attraction is emerging as a viable path

forward. In an industry long defined by scent,

the next evolution is being driven by sound.

www.livingstonlures.com


SHARPER AIM. AGILE CONTROL.

The VANQUISH FA COMPETITION EDITION delivers the lightest feel and fastest response.

Designed for anglers who demand precision and dominance in technical waters or tournaments.

FEATURE

IN PURSUIT OF THE

BEST ROD PODS

Every carp angler needs a rod pod and, regardless of

budget or preference, Sporting Wholesale has you

covered. From its starter collection of Angling Pursuits

models to the advanced NGT range, there’s something

for everyone.

In this feature we will focus on five items

but the full range of SWL’s pods can be

seen on www.sportingwholesale.com.

This is its trade-only B2B website. For

any retailer looking to stock Angling Pursuits

or NGT items, you can sign up for a trade

account online.

With the huge growth in carp angling over

the last 20 years, rod pods have become a

‘must have’ item for all carp anglers. Sporting

Wholesale offers a range of over 15 different

pods and, as with all NGT and AP products,

every model offers exceptional value and

functionality.

A great session

Starting with Angling Pursuits is the Session

Pod; this best seller for over 20 years is an

ideal first pod and great to include in a starter

carp set up.

It’s a three-rod pod which also includes rod

rests, indicators and a bag. The aluminium

main frame and legs are all adjustable and

the positioning of the rod rests or alarms on

the buzz bar can also be altered, allowing the

angler to keep their rods straight or angled

outwards.

Now, this is a starter pod but everyone

needs to start somewhere. As such, the RRP

is only £20, with trade prices from £8.50.

As we have mentioned, this pod has been

sold for over 20 years and has been a top 10

best seller for SWL every year for the last

two decades. It offers exceptional value and

functionality for those starting out.

Moving on, the NGT entry level pod

(positioned above its AP range) is the

QuickFish MK2-I model. QuickFish is NGT’s

entry-level sub-brand, which focuses on

quality entry level products at exceptional

prices. Again, this is a three-rod pod and

is great for most carp anglers looking for a

sturdy, reliable and rugged pod. It also comes

with a black carry case and features adjustable

legs, buzz bars and mainframe. The RRP is

just £30, with trade prices from just £13.50.


A stand-out special

And now for something a bit special!

Introduced just over a year ago, the NGT TRI-

POD really has taken the market by storm.

This three-rod pod features a unique folding

design that allows you to set up or fold down

the pod in seconds (by simply pulling down on

the folding mechanism.) This makes it ideal

for the roaming angler and for those that want

a super-fast set up / pack down.

Visually, this pod also stands out. The

stealthy all black design with all black

aluminium tubing gives it that ultimate carpy

look. It can be used as either a two- or threerod

set up.

The mainframe is extendable from 61cm to

98cm and the six bank sticks also extend from

20cm to 35cm. Weight-wise, this comes in at

just 1.21kg.

It comes with a case that holds the bank

sticks individually and the main frame in the

central pocket. It also has a carry handle for

convenient transportation.

And now for the price… The RRP is only

£40, with trade from £17.50. Sales to date

have been phenomenal. This pod really has

taken the market by storm and is a must-stock

item for all carp retailers.

Exceptional value

The final pod featured is the NGT Dual Line

Pod. This is a three-rod traditional style pod

but has two mainframe bars rather than one.

This offers extra weight and stability, making

it a great pod for more advanced carp anglers.

It also comes with two extra-long legs

(so, six in all) which allows you to use this

as a more European-style upright pod.

Again, the mainframe, legs and buzz

bars are all adjustable and it comes with a

deluxe case with carry handles.

This pod has an RRP of £65, making it

one of NGT’s more expensive pods but

still offering exceptional value, looking at

the pod market as a whole. Trade prices

start from just £25.

And the final item in focus is not a pod,

but a pod accessory – the pack of three

NGT Pod Extenders. To our knowledge,

only NGT offers this product, which was

designed in-house.

It’s a simple but ultra-useful product.

Simply screw the extenders onto any pod

to gain extra angle to either raise or lower

your rods. They’re great on steep banks or

when you want to sink or lower your rod

tips to the water level.

The all-black extenders are adjustable

and extend from 11.5cm to 17.5cm. These

are sold as a pack of three at just £12, with

trade from £4.35.

For the full range of Angling Pursuits

and NGT pods and other products, visit

www.sportingwholesale.com.

For those interested in regional

distribution, email Eddy on eddy@

sportingwholesale.com

www.sportingwholesale.com

SPORTING WHOLESALE


FEATURE

REELS DESIGNED TO

VANQUISH THE COMPETITION

Shimano’s Vanquish FA Competition Edition is developed for anglers who require

absolute control in high-pressure tournament conditions. Every component has been

refined to deliver faster response, higher sensitivity and seamless performance using

ultra-light lines and finesse techniques.

SHIMANO

Built within Shimano’s elite

MagnumLite platform, the Vanquish

FA CE achieves exceptionally low

rotational inertia, allowing precise

movements with minimal input – crucial

when working subtle presentations, detecting

micro-vibrations or reacting instantly to short,

competitive strike windows.

Precision engineering for finesse

performance

The Vanquish Competition Edition inherits

the proven foundation of the Vanquish FC and

enhances it with improved gearing support,

superior line management and reinforced drive

efficiency.

It’s said to be the ultimate reel for finesse

spinning, ultra-light lure work and competition

techniques for perch, trout and zander, thanks

to its lightweight magnesium body and

Ci4+ rotor create ultra-low inertia for instant

response.

A host of Shimano features add to the

package. INFINITYLOOP delivers ultraslow

spool oscillation for perfect line lay

and longer, smoother casts with light lures.

INFINITYXROSS reinforces the internal

gearing for increased durability and power

transmission, while INFINITYDRIVE ensures

effortless rotation under load.

For ultimate reliability, the X-PROTECT

system prevents water and debris intrusion

without adding resistance, preserving that

feather-light winding feel. Meanwhile, the

ANTI-TWIST FIN enhances line management

by keeping thin braid aligned and controlled,

reducing loops near the spool.

These systems work together to deliver

immediate rotational engagement, stable

tension control and a highly connected feel

between lure and angler.

Purpose-built for competitive line

management

Optimised spool dimensions across the three

sizes – C2000, C2500 and 2500 – ensure

precise performance with light braid (0.6–1.0

PE class) and thin fluorocarbon leaders. The

shallow spool reduces memory-induced

slack, improves casting efficiency and ensures

controlled tension during hook-set and fight

phases.

The result is cleaner casting, reduced microloops

and elevated strike conversion.

Optimised for technique

The small frame size on the C2000 is designed

for ultralight techniques requiring extreme

sensitivity: drop shot, ned rigs, micro hardbaits,

Cheburashka and precision plastics. It’s said to

be ideal for trout and perch in clear or highpressure

waters.

Built for competitive versatility, the mediumframe

sizes of the C2500 and 2500 are just

the job for soft plastic rigs, light crankbaits and

finesse zander applications, supporting both

longer retrieve cycles and higher-speed lure

recovery.

They are available in standard and high gear

configurations to suit regional competition

styles and lure cadence requirements.

MagnumLite engineering standard

MagnumLite represents Shimano’s most

advanced engineering philosophy – minimising

weight and mechanical resistance to produce

the lightest, fastest-reacting rotation profile

possible.

This principle enhances:

• Direction changes

• Micro-adjustments during lure movement

• Feedback sensitivity

• Overall energy efficiency during long sessions

MagnumLite reels provide immediate

rotational startup and controlled stopping –

crucial for competitive lure manipulation.

Competition-grade configuration

Engineered for controlled, low-lag lure

manipulation, the Vanquish FA CE is built

to maintain rotational precision, whether

unloaded or under fight pressure. The system

preserves smoothness while providing rapid

engagement at the handle – critical when

milliseconds define competitive success.

These reels work exceptionally well when

paired with high-sensitivity competitive rod

platforms such as NRX+ Bass or equivalent fastresponse

finesse blanks.

fish.shimano.com


SPOTLIGHT

SPOTLIGHT ON

REELS

Fishing reels might – in general – be small machines but

they have a big impact on the tackle market. They are

more than simply line holders, they aid casting,

line retrieval and allow the angler to stay in control

when fighting fish.

From the humble spincast models

used by weekend family anglers

to the high-precision baitcasters

and electrically powered deep-sea

models, fishing reels today determine casting

distance, drag control, retrieval speed and,

ultimately, whether you land the fish.

But beyond gear talk, reels are also a telling

business: a mix of heritage brands, niche

innovation and shifting retail channels that

together shape a global market now worth

several billion dollars.

The product landscape

At its core, a reel stores line and provides

controlled retrieval. The main consumer

reel types are spinning, baitcasting, spincast,

fly reels and specialty forms (trolling and

electric reels). Materials matter: aluminium

and graphite frames trade off stiffness for

lightness; while ceramic and carbon drag

systems offer smoother performance.

Design choices (for instance gear ratio,

spool lip shape, bearings, drag architecture)

tune a reel for freshwater finesse or heavy

offshore duty. Electric reels remove the

manual strain of deep-water hauling, while

low-profile baitcasters emphasise accuracy

and leverage for experienced anglers.

A market worth billions

Estimates vary widely but it is clear the global

fishing-reel market is a multi-billion-dollar

industry and is forecast to grow steadily over

the coming decade. Recent market reports

place the 2024 market value roughly between

about $ 4.8 to 5.3 billion, with projections

pushing market values higher in the late

2020s depending on methodology. Several

analysts point to mid-single-digit CAGRs

through the 2020s; some niche forecasts that

include premium electrified or specialty reels

show higher growth rates.

Who leads the market

The market has a strong heritage component:

established brands with deep R&D and

distribution networks dominate the premium

segments. Industry analyses repeatedly

identify Shimano, Daiwa, Penn and Abu

Garcia among the top leaders, backed up with

names like Okuma, often accounting for a

very large slice of high-end reel sales thanks

to engineering, brand equity and broad

product ranges.

At the same time there is room for regional

leaders and lower-cost manufacturers who

target price-sensitive or emerging markets.

Lower-cost manufacturers – typically

based in Asia – supply value tiers and whitelabel

reels for private-label sporting goods

chains and export markets.

Regional dynamics

Regionally, North America and Western

Europe remain important for premium and

specialty reels, driven by high disposable

incomes and established angling cultures.

Asia-Pacific, with long coastlines, large

recreational fishing populations and growing

middle classes, is frequently cited as the

fastest-growing region and a production

hub for many brands. That combination of

strong demand growth plus proximity to

manufacturing makes that region strategically

important both for volume and product

innovation.

Key market drivers

• Recreational fishing popularity and tourism.

Outdoor leisure trends, more fishing tourism

and an expanding base of new anglers

translate to sustained reel demand. Retailers

report increased footfall and online sales

during peak seasons in many markets.

• Product innovation. Lighter frames,

better drag materials, sealed bearings, and

smart/electric reels are drawing premium

buyers willing to pay more for performance

and convenience.

• E-commerce and specialty retailers.

Direct-to-consumer channels, subscription/

loyalty programs and better online product

information are making it easier for

consumers to research and purchase highermargin

reels.

• Demographics and participation. Aging

angler bases in some countries push demand

for easier, assisted-reel technologies (electric


REELS

reels, smoother drags), while younger entrants

favour social media–inspired gear trends and

portability.

Challenges and headwinds

• Environmental pressures. Polluted

waterways and overfishing can dampen local

participation over time; conservation and

sustainable practices will influence long-term

recreational demand.

• Pricing and supply chains. Premium

components and global supply chain

fluctuations affect margins – manufacturers

must balance innovation with cost control.

• Market fragmentation. A long tail of

small brands and OEM manufacturers means

competition at many price points; retailers

must curate assortments to avoid confusion.

Opportunities and what to watch

Expect continued investmentin electric and

assisted reels for deep-sea and accessiblefishing

markets. These command higher price

points and can open the sport to anglers who

would otherwise be physically limited.

Brands that offer durable parts, repair

programs or recyclable materials can

differentiate with eco-conscious consumers as

sustainability and repairability concepts

Experience-driven retail is another idea.

Demo days, guided-trip partnerships and

digital content (how-to, species-specific rigs)

boost cross-sell of reels and rods. Retailers

already report the payoff of loyalty programs

and in-store experiences.

Key factors

As the reel sector is quite technological and

relies on innovation in manufacturing to push

forward, it is perhaps no surprise that both

distributors and retailers (not to mention

anglers) demand data on everything from

weight to tensile strength, drag consistency

and durability or reliability and these often

matter more than lifestyle marketing.

Distributors will pay for exclusive regional

rights on high-margin lines so manufacturers

can use exclusivity to secure minimum order

commitments. Offering training programs for

retail partners and repair/service certification

improves sell-through and reduces warranty

costs.

B2B e-catalogues, real-time inventory APIs

and drop-ship capabilities are increasingly

expected by modern retailers.

Last cast

Fishing reels are more than mechanical

winches, they are the product point where

tradition, engineering and retail strategy

meet.

The market is large, profitable and evolving:

steady overall growth is likely, with the fastest

gains in premium and specialty segments such

as electric and high-performance reels and in

fast-growing regions in Asia-Pacific.

For manufacturers and retailers, the recipe

for success will combine innovation (materials

and assisted technology), smart channel

strategies (direct and digital distribution)

and attention to sustainability and angler

experience.


SHOP WINDOW

REELS

1

2

4

3

1 ROSS REELS

SAN MIGUEL REEL

This is a limited-edition 5/6-wt reel

designed in collaboration with

Stranahan’s Colorado Whiskey.

Machined in Montrose, Colorado,

the reel features a smoke-textured

Cerakote finish, yellow-anodised

engraving of the Roaring Fork

River, laser-etched contoured river

tributary lines and a handle crafted

from the same American White

Oak used in Stranahan’s whiskey

barrels. Accented with solid pure

copper drag knob, drag knob ring,

and counterweight, the Ross Reels

San Miguel 5/6 is built to celebrate

craftsmanship, Colorado heritage

and the slower pace of river time.

mayflyoutdoors.com

2 2 QUANTUM

CABO REEL

Now in its third generation, these

reels have redefined saltwater

performance for more than

20 years. Originally debuted in

2003, the Cabo family has built a

reputation for delivering reliable,

high-performing reels. This iteration

continues that tradition while

introducing significant upgrades.

The Cabo is sealed to IPX8

standards with the advanced

Sealoq 8 system, offering

unparalleled protection from water,

salt and sand, ensuring consistent

functionality even in the harshest

environments.

This generation is significantly

lighter, more efficiently sealed,

equipped with slow oscillation and

offers industry-leading max drag

capabilities, making it the most

advanced Cabo design ever.

quantumfishing.com

3 DAIWA

COASTAL TW 200

Sometimes, your typical-sized

baitcasting reel isn’t enough – the

lures are simply too large. The

Coastal TW 200 is born for bigger

baits, from topwaters, jigs or larger

swimbaits to jerkbaits.

Its deeper spool also

accommodates more and heavier

line while Daiwa’s exclusive

HYPERDRIVE System ensures each

reel is durable, lightweight, precision

tooled and corrosion-resistant. The

aluminium HYPER Armed Housing

prevents any warping or binding

under load of the gears, bearings,

bushings and all the moving parts to

promise a smooth performance.

In addition, the key bearings

have been replaced with precision

ceramic and composite bushings to

enhance durability and life.

daiwa.us

4 HARDY

RESONATE FLY REEL

Renowned worldwide for its classic

click check reels, the Resonate

utilises Hardy’s years of experience

and ongoing innovation to produce

the finest lightweight performance

click reel yet – blending durability,

performance and that classic Hardy

sound in a beautiful lightweight

package.

The large arbor design

is machined from bar stock

aluminium and fitted with an

innovative adjustable click check

system that features all metal load

bearing components and a simple,

quick left to right conversion. It’s

available in three sizes – 2000 (1-,

2- and 3-wt), 3000 (2-, 3- and 4-wt)

and 4000 (3-, 4- and 5-wt).

hardyfishing.com


FEATURE

RELIX LOOKS AHEAD

WITH CONFIDENCE

For more than three decades, Indonesian tackle manufacturer PT Central Sarana Pancing

and its Relix brand has been supplying quality equipment to distributors and retailers

across the world. TTW asked owner Rivai Susanto about the secret of its success and its

plans for further growth.

TTW: How has the past year been

for Relix? What have been the

most important things that have

happened to the company?

Rivai Susanto: Well, 2025 has been a great

year for Relix. Export business is stable and,

domestically, Relix Nusantara continues to

grow well in the Indonesian market.

Thanks to our collaboration with

Seaguides, our newly developed rods entered

the market this year and have been very well

accepted.

Our new casting rod, the Relix Nusantara

Ibliz, won an award at EFTTEX 2025 (in the

spinning and baitcasting rod category) and

has gained good publicity as a result.

Ibliz hit the market on November 2025 at

the Indonesia Fishing Tackle Exhibition in

Jakarta and was met with very enthusiastic

interest. We will be extending Ibliz with two

additional casting weights.

Meanwhile, our fishing line business, both

PE braided line and fluorocarbon leader, is

growing too, while our sales of nylon line

remain stable.

TTW: Have you faced any

challenges in the last couple

of years and, if so, how did you

overcome them?

RS: Well, 2023 was particularly tough for

us, with both export and domestic business

dropping.

So, we had to streamline our production

to make it more efficient and improve

our product quality so that we could stay

ahead of our

competition. As

a result, we are a

lot leaner and

our product quality is even better now.

We worked directly with domestic anglers

to better understand their needs and keep

them involved in our product development

cycle. Social media helped us extend our

reach nationally and ensured anglers in

each region were familiar with our range of

products. That way we managed to maintain

interest and, eventually, that helped us

bounced back in our domestic market.

TTW: How is Relix planning to grow

over the coming years? Are you

expanding into new territories,

launching new products or working

on closer co-operation with other

companies?

RS: Without doubt, social media has made

all of the markets closer. What we have

developed for our domestic market has

caught the interest of many of our potential

export audience.

We have received contact from overseas

customers who have shown a real interest in

selling our brand to their market. We hope to

work with partners from our export markets

to introduce our products to their customers.

For example, we are teaming up with

Energofish KFT to enable us to grow further

into European market.

TTW: Do you have any new

products being launched soon?

RS: We have a series of new products planned

for 2026. The one we are very excited about

is the new braided line Twin X-8, featuring

higher tensile strength while also being much

softer.

TTW: What is your view on the

current global tackle market? Does

it affect your business in any way? If

so, how?

RS: The way products are being distributed

has changed rapidly. For instance, in our local

market customers are buying more from


RELIX FISHING

MarketPlace

and TikTok,

so we have

to adapt. We

are actually

recruiting

younger staff to help us stay relevant.

Communication has to be fast. When

customers have a question, the response

must be quick. People just want to get served

fast or they will look the other way or find

someone else to do business with.

I think the global tackle market is changing

in the same way. Competition is much more

intense now and we have to adapt to this fact

to stay in business.

TTW: Why should

other companies

around the world

work with Relix?

RS: Our product

development, teaming

up with anglers and our

production makes us

understand more about

developing the best products for fishing.

When customers provide us with ideas,

we listen, we review and then we develop

good and relevant products based on those

ideas.

We think we are easy to work with when

customers want to develop new products

and we deliver consistent quality tackle at a

reasonable price.

www.relixfishing.com/relix


FEATURE

CHINA FISH 2026

THE WORLD’S LARGEST DIRECT-FROM-FACTORY TACKLE SOURCING EVENT

Since its inception in 1991, China Fish has grown into Asia’s largest international fishing

tackle trade show, renowned for its focus on direct sourcing from manufacturers.

Here’s all you need to know about the 2026 event.

T

he upcoming China Fish 2026 –

from February 28th to March 2nd at

the China International Exhibition

Center (Shunyi Hall) in Beijing – will

bring together around 700 companies, more

than 98 per cent of which are manufacturers,

comprehensively covering all major fishing

tackle industrial clusters across China.

The show serves as a premier platform for

showcasing the latest products, innovative

designs and industry trends. As the annual

industry barometer, it is not only the

authoritative venue for the year’s first wave of

new product launches but also hosts the muchanticipated

Best Product Showcase awards,

which are highly coveted and fiercely contested

among exhibitors.

After years of dedicated development, China

Fish has become a premier business event

that draws over 1,000 international sourcing

buyers from around 80 countries and regions

worldwide each year for one-stop solution of

sourcing, industry exchange and networking.

With the event drawing near, we have

therefore prepared the key tips below to

assist international buyers in enhancing

their experience and maximising the event’s

ultimate value and exclusive benefits.

Register in Advance

The free prior registration for buyers was due

to close on January 30th, 2026. After this

date, on-site registration will require a fee

of US$55 per person.

Exclusive Lounge: Network Over

Complimentary Refreshments

Unwind and network in the Visitor

Lounge, open to all registered international

buyers. Enjoy free snacks and drinks while

connecting with industry peers from

across the globe – your chance to seize new

opportunities.

Quick Lunch on us!

All registered buyers will get a free Starbucks

light lunch. No need to leave the venue or

decide where to eat – maximise your time

and skip the decision / fatigue of dining out.


Exclusive Hotel

Benefits

Buyers who complete registration

by January 30th, 2026, and book their

stay through the official China Fish hotel

channel are eligible for the following

exclusive privileges:

CHINA FISH

Must-Attend Highlights

• Best Product Showcase: Discover the latest

and most innovative products from across

all halls at China Fish 2026. All registered

international buyers are invited to visit the

dedicated showcase area on days one and two

and vote for their favourites.

• Awards Banquet & Dinner: Join

industry leaders, award nominees, exhibitor

representatives, international buyers and

media at this prestigious evening. The banquet

will feature the award ceremony to unveil and

honour the winners, followed by a gourmet

buffet dinner for networking and celebration.

Tips for Efficient & Sustainable

Sourcing

• Plan Your Visit – Exhibitor Preview:

Before the show, log in to the official China

Fish website. Use the Exhibitor Preview tool

to filter target exhibitors by product category,

exhibition history, new product status,

company type and more. Dive deeper into

company profiles and product details via

their E-Store pages, and use the Chat function

to communicate online or schedule in-person

meetings at the show.

• Your Year-Round Sourcing Platform

– China Fish All-in-One Online Platform:

Your access doesn’t end with the show. All

China Fish 2026 registered buyers enjoy one

year of free access to this platform. Continue

sourcing from 900+ suppliers and 8,000+

products, with full capabilities to search, chat,

enquire and place orders. The supplier and

product database is continuously updated.

Discounted Room Rates

Enjoy special group rates below market

price at China Fish hotels. The indicative

starting rates are as follows:

• Crowne Plaza Beijing International

Airport – from RMB 730

• Capital International Exhibition &

Convention Center Hotel –

from RMB 730

• Hilton Beijing Capital Airport –

from RMB 700

• Fairfield by Marriott Beijing Capital

Airport – from RMB 550

• Metropark Lido Hotel Beijing –

from RMB 510

• Ramada by Wyndham Beijing Airport

Hotel – from RMB 490

• CITIC Beijing Airport Hotel –

from RMB 460

• Holiday Inn Express Beijing Airport Zone

– from RMB 398

Free Transportation

Enjoy complimentary airport shuttle

services between Beijing Capital

International Airport and most of the

China Fish hotels, as well as exclusive

shuttle buses connecting the hotels to

the exhibition venue.

Early Badge Pickup at Hotels

Avoid the queues at the Registration

Hall. Collect your exhibition badge

conveniently in the lobby of your booked

hotel during the scheduled pickup times

one day before the show opens.

Hotel Vouchers

Receive complimentary hotel vouchers

redeemable for dining and beverages

within the hotel.

Contact

Lijiang@chinafish.cn

www.chinafishshow.org

ChinaFishShow (WeChat Official Account)

Tel: +86 10 58203101 / 02 / 03


BUSINESS

DOING BUSINESS WITH…

THE GREAT

LAKES

The Great Lakes are one of North America’s most important playgrounds for

recreational anglers, with so many different fishing styles, making it a smart

region to get your brands and products into.

From the troll-heavy

summer days of Lake

Michigan to ice-shanty

walleye outings on

northern Lake Huron, the

region supports a huge diversity

of fishing styles, species and

communities that together create

a powerful and resilient market

for sportfishing tackle – rods,

reels, lines, lures, terminal tackle

and accessories.

Market scale

Estimating the portion of

spending that flows to tackle

requires two pieces of context: the

overall economic contribution of

recreational fishing in the Great

Lakes and the size/growth of the

global/national tackle market.

Recent regional studies put

recreational fishing in the Great

Lakes basin in the low-to-mid

billions of dollars annually. A

2024/2025 valuation effort

coordinated by Great Lakes

partners reported that angler

spending generates in the order

of billions in output and supports

tens of thousands of jobs across

the basin.

At the same time, industry

research shows the global

sportfishing tackle market is

substantial and growing: market

research firms have reported

global tackle sector values in the

tens of billions of dollars, with

multi-per cent compound annual

growth rates forecast through

the 2020s.

Much of that industry value

filters down to regional retail –

local tackle shops, sporting goods

chains, online retailers – and to

the supply chain: manufacturers,

distributor and the growing

specialty segment (for example

premium rods and reels,

electronics and soft plastics).

Putting those numbers

together implies that the Great

Lakes region represents a

meaningful slice of the national

tackle economy. Angler purchases

– new rods and reels, trolling gear

and downriggers, spoons and

plugs, ice-fishing rigs, lines and

electronics – are a regular, but

often seasonal, source of revenue

for local shops and national

retailers alike.

Who the anglers are

The Great Lakes draw a

wide cross section of anglers:

weekend boat anglers and

charter clients, pier and

shoreline anglers, ice anglers,

fly anglers on tributaries and

guided anglers pursuing trophy

species.

National and regional

participation reports show that

the US and Canadian sides of

the basin account for millions of

freshwater anglers combined,

with participation concentrated

in the eight US Great Lakes

states and Ontario.

Industry reports and state

surveys indicate participation

in the region measures in

the low-to-mid-millions of


THE GREAT LAKES

States and provinces:

Illinois Indiana Michigan Minnesota New York Ohio

Ontario Pennsylvania Wisconsi

FACT FILE

Capitals: Washington DC (USA), Ottawa (Canada)

Largest cities: Chicago, Detroit, Cleveland (USA),

Toronto (Canada)

Population: Approx 35 million

President / Prime Minister: President Donald J Trump (USA) /

Prime Minister Mark Carney (Canada)

Official language: English (USA), English/ French (Canada)

Time zones: EST = GMT minus 5 hours

Currency: US Dollar/ Canadian Dollar

Dialling code: +1

Domain: .com, .ca

unique anglers annually, with

regional variability by lake and

by season. Demographically,

Great Lakes anglers skew

broad: a strong base of

middle-aged and older folks

with discretionary income

who buy higher-end gear,

a robust cohort of families

and younger anglers driving

entry-level purchases and a

core of dedicated specialists

(trollers, ice and fly anglers)

whose buying patterns

emphasise specialised tackle

and electronics.

Charters and guides bring

tourist dollars and tend to

concentrate seasonal peak

spending in coastal and popular

shoreline towns.

How they fish

Different styles of Great Lakes

fishing create distinct tackle

demand. Here are some of the

most commercially significant

styles and the primary tackle

categories they move.

Trolling

Trolling – both open lake and

near shore – is the backbone

of Great Lakes offshore and

nearshore sportfishing for

Chinook/Coho salmon,

steelhead, lake trout and brown

trout.

Trollers buy rods and reels

set up for casting and overhead

trolling, downriggers, planer

boards, leadcore and wire lines,

large spoons and plugs, dodgers

and electric or line-counter

trolling reels.

Electronics (GPS/

chartplotters, fishfinders) and

rod holders are also high-value

purchases tied to trolling.

Trolling produces concentrated

seasonal spending in spring and

summer as anglers outfit boats

and replace lures and terminal

tackle.

Shore and pier angling

Shore and pier anglers purchase

rods matched to surf and pier

fishing, spincast or spinning

reels, terminal tackle, live-bait

gear and specialised spoons

and jigs and fish for steelhead,

salmon and perch, among other

species.

This style supports numerous

local bait shops and pierside

retailers because it requires

frequent, low-ticket purchases

(bait, hooks, sinkers) as well

as seasonal investments (rods,

apparel).

Walleye fishing

Walleye anglers spend on

medium-power rods, baitcasting

and spinning reels, jig heads,

soft plastics, live-bait rigs, slipbobbers

and electronics tuned

for structure fishing.

Walleye’s popularity supports

both boat and ice tackle sales:

ice anglers buy augers, ice rods

and shelters while open-water

walleye anglers buy electronics

and downrigging gear.


BUSINESS

Ice fishing

Ice fishing creates a distinct

sub-market: short, stout ice rods,

small reels or fixed-spools, ice

jigs, specialised spoons, tip-ups,

augers, portable shelters and

heaters, targeting perch, walleye,

lake trout. Ice fishing drives winter

traffic to outdoor retailers and

many seasonal shops depend on

this off-peak revenue stream.

Tributary and fly fishing

Tributary runs for steelhead and

brown trout and smallmouth

bass fishing generate demand for

fly rods and reels, flies, leaders

and wading gear. While these

purchases are a smaller fraction of

total tackle revenue, they are highvalue

purchases (notably premium

rods/reels, waders, boots) and

support specialist fly shops.

Each style translates to a

product mix: trolling and walleye

fishing push mid-to-high ticket

gear and electronics; shore and

pier fishing favours recurring

low-ticket purchases; ice fishing

steers winter equipment sales;

and fly/tributary anglers invest in

premium, low-frequency items.

Key species

Angler preferences in the Great

Lakes are shaped by a handful of

headline species, each with their

own tackle ecosystem.

• Salmon: Encompassing

Chinook (King) and Coho salmon

and steelhead, these species are

iconic for offshore trolling and

shore/tributary runs. They drive

sales of trolling rigs, spoons, plugs,

dodgers, downriggers and heavy

rods/reels.

• Lake trout: These native fish

offer great fishing but also present

an opportunity for restoration

initiatives, allowing you to “give

back” to the sport. They fuel

demand for deep-water trolling

tackle and heavy gear.

• Walleye: One of the most

economically important species for

Great Lakes tributaries and bays;

fuelling purchases across boat,

shore and ice tackle sectors

• Yellow perch: Targeted by

anglers from small boats and shore,

they drive frequent, low-ticket

purchases (jigs, live bait) but

massive volume.

• Smallmouth bass and northern

pike: These species support a

mixed program of casting tackle,

soft plastics and heavy spinning or

baitcasting gear.

• Lake sturgeon and other

trophy species: While narrower

in participation, trophy fishing

supports guide services, specialised

tackle and conservation-driven

angler spending.

NOAA (the National Oceanic and

Atmospheric Administration) and

state fisheries guides emphasise

that these species – and their

seasonal runs and locations –

shape both the type and timing of

tackle purchases.

Seasonality spikes

Tackle sales around the Great

Lakes follow the water and the

calendar.

Spring, once the ice starts

retreating, is a major purchase

season. Anglers replace gear, prep

boats for trolling and walleye

season and buy early-season

electronics and lures. Steelhead

staging and early salmon runs also

stimulate shore-fishing purchases.

The summer – June through

to August – is peak time for onwater

activity, including trolling

for salmon, lake trout trips and

bass fishing. For the trade, this

translates to ongoing bait and lure

turnover and accessory purchases

such as line, leaders, terminal

tackle and maintenance items.

In the autumn (Fall), which

covers late summer and on into

November, this is another high

season as salmon and steelhead

return to tributaries and walleye

season continues in many areas.

At this time of year, expect anglers

to buy stream/shore tackle and

replacement gear.

As we head into winter, typically

covering December to March,

ice fishing takes hold, delivering

strong, though seasonally

concentrated, market. Ice rods,

shelters, electronics (through-ice

sonar) and augers drive winter

retail sales.

Seasonality creates a retail

rhythm: spring boat and

electronics purchases; summer

consumables; fall targeted-species

buys; and winter ice-fishing

equipment. It’s a pattern that

keeps tackle shops and regional

distribution moving year-round.


Economic value

Beyond retail receipts,

sportfishing tackle has ripple

effects. Angler spending on gear

is often bundled with spending on

travel, fuel, bait, lodging, dining

and guide services.

Recent regional economic

studies commissioned by Great

Lakes fishery partners estimate

total recreational fishing output

in the basin at several billion

dollars annually, supporting tens

of thousands of jobs directly and

indirectly – from shop clerks and

guide captains to manufacturer

line-workers and logistics staff.

One valuation from the Great

Lakes Fishery Commission effort

cited supporting figures in the

range of between 30,000 and

40,000 jobs tied to recreational

fishing activity across the basin.

At a local level, small towns

and marinas depend heavily on

seasonal angler traffic.

Tackle shops provide not only

retail but also local expertise and

services (rod repair, electronics

installation, local lure blends),

while guides and charters often

bundle tackle with trips.

Many riparian economies

– particularly in Michigan,

Wisconsin, Ohio and Ontario

coastal communities – count

sportfishing as a pillar of offpeak

tourism and year-round

employment where winter ice

fishing and summer trolling

balance seasonal flux.

Distribution and retail

channels

Tackle distribution in the Great

Lakes region blends traditional

and modern channels.

Independent tackle shops and

bait stores are important for local

expertise, immediate supplies and

community relationships; they

capture a disproportionate share

of high-margin items and repeat

business.

National sporting-goods chains

and mass merchants provide scale

and convenience for mainstream

rods, reels and apparel.

Online retailers and direct-toconsumer

brands are growing

aggressively. Here anglers shop for

specialty rods, electronics and soft

plastics online, particularly in the

off-season.

Charter captains and guides

often carry and sell tackle – or

include loaner gear. These are a

great opportunity for retailers to

connect and boost add-on sales.

Manufacturers and brands

that succeed in the Great Lakes

market typically combine product

durability (salt-tolerant finishes

for nearshore salt spray), speciesspecific

offerings (salmon spoons,

walleye jigs) and strong local

dealer relationships.

Challenges and

opportunities

Environmental shifts, such as

invasive species, changing lake

temperatures and connectivity,

can alter species distribution

and angler behaviour, changing

demand patterns.

Regulatory changes and

quota adjustments affect charter

business and seasonal effort

while competition from online

channels compresses margins for

local shops if they cannot offer

differentiated services.

On the flip side, product

innovation, in the form of lighter,

stronger rods; better electronics

and low-power sonar plus

advanced soft plastics, creates

premium sales segments.

Experience packages – for

example guide + gear rental +

retail – can grow average revenue

per angler.

Community engagement

and youth programs are already

hooking the next generation of

anglers through education and

this further increases long-term

tackle demand.

Eco-conscious product lines

and conservation partnerships

resonate with anglers and can

build brand loyalty. They also

represent an opportunity for

additional sales as keen anglers

replace outdated or potentially

banned gear.

Outlook and

recommendations

There are plenty of opportunities

if you look in the right place and

are open to ideas.

Local shops should double

down on expertise and

experiences. Where online

competition is strongest on

price, brick-and-mortar wins on

knowledge, repairs, immediate

fulfilment and guided/learn-tofish

programs.

Manufacturers should tailor

lines to Great Lakes demands.

Durable finishes, salt-spray

resistance and species-targeted

lures (for example Great Lakes

salmon and walleye profiles) will

sell better regionally.

Retailers and tourism

operators should create bundled

offerings. Charter + tackle

bundles, seasonal packages, and

rental fleets lower barriers for

tourists and pique repeat visits.

Manufacturers and retailers

who invest in local surveys,

angler diaries and seasonality

studies will better match

inventory to regional demand.

Indeed regional angler diary

programs already inform gear

trends for trolling and salmonid

fisheries.

Many anglers respond to

proactive stewardship (stocking

updates, habitat restoration) and

this builds long-term demand so

it’s worth considering how you

can engage in conservation and

stocking communications.

Last cast

The Great Lakes tackle market

is shaped by an interplay of

species biology, seasonal weather

windows, angler demographics,

local economies and the broader

retail landscape.

For companies and

communities, the takeaway is

simple: the region will continue

to support robust tackle

demand so long as fisheries

remain accessible and wellmanaged,

local retailers provide

value beyond price, and the

tackle supply chain adapts to

seasonal rhythms and technical

innovation.

When anglers head to the piers

in spring, the shops open for

ice season in winter or charters

launch for a long-line salmon

troll, the flow of rods, reels and

lures keeps more than recreation

alive – it sustains whole

communities and helps grow our

sport further.

THE GREAT LAKES

WWW.TACKLETRADEWORLD.COM

41

FEATURE

BIHAI FISHING EXPO 2026

OFFERS GLOBAL BRANDS

AND UPGRADES

product categories and facilitating procurement.

This exhibition will utilise 11 halls (S1 to S10

and S16) of Phase I of the National Exhibition

and Convention Center (Tianjin). The main

exhibits in each hall are arranged as follows:

● S1 Bait Hall

● S2 General Hall

● S3 General Hall

● S4 Floats/Tools/Apparel

● S5 Fishing Nets/Fishing Bags/Outdoor

Fishing/Fishing Rods

● S6 Fishing Rod Hall

● S7 Fishing Rod Hall

● S8 General/Hooks and Lines

● S9 Lure Hall (including the central stage and

lure pool)

● S10 General/Lure/Fishing Reels

● S16 Small Fishing (including small fish fishing

pool)/European Carp Fishing/Fishing Culture

Exhibition Area/National Fishing Grounds

The organisers of Bihai Fishing

Expo 2026 sincerely invite

global fishing tackle distributors,

retailers, manufacturers, fishing

enthusiasts and industry media to gather

in Tianjin this spring for the Blue Ocean

Fishing Tackle Industry Expo.

This is not only a grand event showcasing

products and technologies but also a crucial

opportunity to gain insights into industry trends

and expand cooperation networks.

We welcome you to join us in witnessing the

innovative vitality and limitless possibilities of

the fishing tackle industry.

From March 6th to 9th, 2026, this highly

anticipated industry event will be held at

the National Exhibition and Convention

Center (Tianjin). This year’s expo not only

continues its status as the flagship exhibition

of China’s fishing tackle industry, but also

comprehensively presents the latest dynamics

and development integration of the fishing

tackle market with its distinctive full-category

features and optimised, themed exhibition hall

planning.

The exhibition brings together nearly 2,000

exhibitors, with numerous internationally

renowned brands and leading domestic

companies confirmed to participate.

These include Pure Fishing (with brands

like Abu Garcia and Berkley from the USA),

Shimano, Daiwa and Jackall from Japan, Rapala

from Finland and Chinese companies such as

Guangwei, Laogui, Longwanghen, Baofeilong,

and Ningbo Haibo.

Exhibits comprehensively cover diverse

fishing scenarios, including traditional platform

fishing, lure fishing, stream fishing, commercial

fishing, small-scale fishing and European

carp fishing, fully demonstrating the richness

and forward-looking nature of the industry

ecosystem.

Exhibition hall arrangement

To enhance the viewing and purchasing

experience, this year’s exhibition continues the

advantages of the 2025 exhibition layout and

has refined the functions of some exhibition

halls, further strengthening the concentration of

2026 Spring Exhibition Hall

Floor Plan

During the exhibition, high-end industry

forums, new product launches and the Best

New Product Award selection will be held to

promote in-depth exchanges and cooperation

among enterprises, empowering brand growth

and market expansion.

We look forward to your visit and joining us

in this industry event. We recommend that you

pre-register through official channels or present

valid identification for on-site entry to ensure

a smoother experience for all the exciting

activities.


CHINA

Visitor routes and transportation

Transportation Routes:

● Tianjin Railway Station > Take Metro Line

3 > Yingkoudao Station, transfer to Line 1 >

National Exhibition and Convention Center

Station (approx. 50 minutes)

●Tianjin South Railway Station > Take Metro

Line 3 > Yingkoudao Station, transfer to Line 1

> National Exhibition and Convention Center

Station (approx. 1 hour 10 minutes)

● Tianjin West Railway Station > Take Metro

Line 1 > National Exhibition and Convention

Center Station (approx. 55 minutes)

● Tianjin Binhai International Airport >

Take Metro Line 2 > Yudongcheng Station,

transfer to Line 10 > University of Finance

and Economics Station > Transfer to Line 1 >

National Exhibition and Convention Center

Station (approx. 1 hour 2 minutes)

● Beijing West Railway Station > Take Metro

Line 7 > Caishikou Station, transfer to Line 4

(Daxing Line) > Beijing South Railway Station

> Take a train to Tianjin

● Beijing Capital International Airport > Take

the Capital Airport Line Metro > Dongzhimen

Station Transfer to Line 4 (Daxing Line) >

Beijing South Railway Station > Take the train

to Tianjin.

● Beijing Daxing International Airport > Take

the Tianjin-Daxing Intercity Railway > Tianjin

West Railway Station (approximately 46-57

minutes).

● For hotel arrangements, please visit the Bihai

official website and check the ‘Conference

Guide’ at www.bhdjz.com

Exhibition pre-registration

Scan the QR code to enter the Bihai Fishing

Tackle Exhibition mini-program. Click the

“Exhibition Pre-registration” button at the

bottom of the homepage to enter the “Event

Pre-registration” page.

Click “Register,” fill in the required

information and submit (multiple dates can be

selected) to generate a reservation code.

China Bihai Fishing Expo

Column Vol. 8

Hosted by the China Bihai Fishing

Expo (CBFE), the event aims

to showcase high-quality

Chinese fishing tackle products,

promoting Chinese brands to fishing

enthusiasts worldwide and highlighting

the unique charm of the Bihai Fishing

Expo as the world’s largest fishing tackle

exhibition.

Over the past 35 years, the expo has

successfully held 70 editions. Since moving to

Tianjin in 2013, it has maintained an exhibition

area of over 100,000 sq m.

It has witnessed the rise and growth of the

Chinese fishing tackle industry, representing

the highest standards and latest achievements

in Chinese fishing tackle design and

manufacturing.

The expo serves as a “barometer” of the

Chinese fishing tackle industry’s development

and has become an annual gathering for

Chinese and global brands, businesses of

all sizes, and fishing enthusiasts to connect,

collaborate, and celebrate. We warmly welcome

fishing enthusiasts and industry professionals

from around the globe to attend!

Organising committee : +86 010-62071529

Fax: + 86 010-82259813

Email: china@bjbhdj.cn

Website: www.bhdjz.com

Address: No. 9 Linmen, Deshengmen East Binhe Road,

Xicheng District, Beijing

WeChat Official Account: bh-62071529


w

CHINA

CASTING WIDE:

CHINAS’ STRATEGIC PIVOT TO

ANGLING TOURISM

A

pivotal shift occurred in

Qingdao for China’s leisure

industries on December 10th

2025, with the establishment of

the Angling Tourism Branch of the China

Recreational Angling Association (CRAA).

This marks a definitive move to merge the

nation’s traditional fishing sector with the

dynamic power of modern tourism.

With the election of Caesar Travel as the

presiding chair unit, the CRAA is effectively

injecting a “tourism gene” into the fishing

world, aiming to upgrade a singular outdoor

activity into a high-value “Angling Plus”

economy.

For China’s recreational fisheries,

this collaboration represents a strategic

breakthrough. By integrating Caesar

Travel’s vast network – spanning over 300

offline channels and a digital media matrix

– the fishing industry is poised to solve its

longstanding challenges of isolation and weak

branding.

The new branch has outlined an

ambitious national roadmap: developing

five international angling resort cities, ten

signature fishing ports and 100 standardised

fishing grounds.

This infrastructure overhaul is designed

to transform simple fish ponds and wharves

into holistic destinations that offer fishing,

vacationing and wellness experiences, thereby

closing the loop between angling and traveling.

Major push

This cross-industry synergy also signals a

push for rigorous standardisation within

China’s market. Leveraging the mature service

protocols of the tourism sector, the branch

aims to regulate fishing grounds and vessels,

guiding them toward eco-friendly, premium

operations.

Furthermore, by curating cultural IPs like

the Yellow River Carp tournaments and the

unique Qingdao Three Poles initiative (uniting

fishing, golf and sailing), the industry is

elevating its status from casual entertainment

to a sophisticated lifestyle sport.

This evolution allows Chinese fishing

enterprises to transcend their role as mere

resource providers, repositioning themselves

as ecosystem builders in a rapidly modernising

market.


MAKING CONTACT

1

2

MAKING CONTACT

Do you 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@artichokehq.com

Contact John directly for

details of how to send

your product / images and

a short description to

Tackle Trade World.

1 MUSTAD

HOODLUM ULTRANOR HOOK

With Mustad’s Hoodlum UltraNor

Hook, it’s all about strength. The

5X strong wire combined with

Mustad’s new UltraNor forging

technique means unmatched

holding power during big fights.

When fishing with large live

baits, Hoodlum hooks offer

the power needed to hold

strong when pulling in monster

yellowtail, snook, kingfish, tuna,

cobia and billfish species.

Each hook boasts Mustad’s 4.3

UltraPoint Technology, Opti-

Angle Needle Point and a ringed

eye. They’re available in sizes

from 2/0 to 8/0 in Titan Steel.

www.mustad-fishing.com

2 FENWICK

HMG ICE FISHING RODS

Fenwick HMG changed

fishing in 1973 with the first

all-graphite fishing rod. The

innovation continues with the

next generation of HMG Ice rods,

blending a 24- and 30-ton solid

graphite blank with a proprietary

new design to deliver excellent

sensitivity and very crisp actions

for all applications.

A Fenwick-designed reel seat

fits the crux of the hand for a

custom natural feel, while the

tailored foregrip with reduced

length and added taper allow

for forward finger placement

and better feel. These rods are

designed to handle whatever

dwells under the ice and are

available in a range of lengths

and actions.

www.purefishing.com

3

3 CARBOTEX

PLANET OCEAN LINE

A special line for all types of

saltwater fishing, this boasts a

surface structure that is suited to

all of the special requirements of

the saltwater environment.

Planet Ocean is a hard,

abrasion-resistant fishing line that

sea anglers will find ideal for both

boat and beach fishing.

The special surface protects

against abrasion and its

toughness prevents salt crystal

damage.

It also offers outstanding

resistance to UV rays.

www.bfteurope.com


Super

Heat Dissipation

Super

Low-Friction

Super

Hardness

Super

Lightness

FEATURE

CAN AI HELP YOU

MARKET YOUR BUSINESS?

The tackle market is becoming increasingly competitive

as brands vie for attention across digital channels,

specialty retailers and direct-to-consumer platforms. AI

can be a great tool to help you get more business.

In many environments, artificial intelligence

(AI) is emerging as a powerful tool to help

tackle manufacturers, distributors and

retailers market more effectively.

AI-driven marketing tools enable businesses

to better understand anglers, personalise

outreach and improve return on marketing

investment, without increasing headcount.

Working smarter

Content plays a critical role in fishing tackle

marketing, from product descriptions and

how-to guides to social media posts and email

campaigns.

AI tools can help marketing teams by

generating and refining content tailored

to different angler segments, such as bass

fishermen, saltwater anglers, fly fishermen or

ice fishing enthusiasts.

For example, a rod and reel manufacturer

could use AI to create multiple versions of a

product launch campaign, each emphasising

features relevant to specific usage – sensitivity

and action for tournament anglers, durability

for charter operations or value for entry-level

customers.

AI-powered optimisation tools can also

analyse which blog topics, videos or social

posts generate the most engagement and sales,

helping brands focus on content that resonates

with their audience.

tackle shops to national retailers and online

consumers.

AI makes it possible to personalise

marketing at scale by analysing customer

behaviour, purchase history and engagement

data.

A distributor, for instance, could use

AI to personalise email campaigns so

that freshwater-focused retailers receive

promotions on seasonal lures, while coastal

retailers see messaging around saltwater gear.

On the direct-to-consumer side, AI can

easily and effectively tailor website content,

product recommendations and promotions

based on an angler’s browsing and purchase

patterns, increasing conversion rates and

average order value.

Understanding demand

Seasonality plays a major role in tackle sales

and AI-powered predictive analytics can help

businesses plan more effectively. By examining

historical sales data, regional trends and

external factors such as weather patterns or

tournament schedules, AI tools can forecast

demand with greater accuracy.

For example, a lure manufacturer might

use AI to predict increased demand for certain

colours or styles ahead of peak fishing seasons

in specific regions.

This insight allows marketing teams to

align campaigns with inventory availability,

while sales teams and operations can reduce

overstock and missed opportunities.

Automating repetitive tasks

AI-driven automation tools streamline timeconsuming

tasks such as email follow-ups,

social media scheduling and digital advertising

optimisation.

A tackle brand could automate dealer email

campaigns that adjust messaging based on

order frequency or product interest, ensuring

consistent communication without manual

effort.

Building a competitive edge

In a market driven by performance, trust and

brand loyalty, AI tools give tackle businesses

a meaningful advantage. By enabling

smarter content, deeper personalisation

and data-driven decision-making, AI allows

marketing teams to focus on building stronger

relationships with anglers and retail partners.

As consumer expectations continue to

evolve, tackle companies that adopt AI

thoughtfully will be better positioned to

grow, adapt and stand out in an increasingly

competitive industry.

MARKETING

Personalise your offerings

The tackle market serves a wide range of

customers, from independent bait and


Classifieds

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@artichokehq.com

COMING UP…

MARCH 2026

Ad Copy: January 23rd, 2026

Mailed: February 11th, 2026

Special issue: Fly fishing

Spotlight: Rods

Doing Business With: Scandinavia

APRIL 2026

Ad Copy: February 20th, 2026

Mailed: March 11th, 2026

Special issue: Saltwater fishing

Spotlight: Lures

Doing Business With: Africa

MAY 2026

Ad Copy: March 20th, 2026

Mailed: April 8th, 2026

Special issue: Inshore fishing

Spotlight: Eyewear

Doing Business With: Pacific NW

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@artichokehq.com

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@artichokehq.com

BUILT WITH ELECTRONIC

CHUMLY

GOLD METALLIC

true innovation on every cast

Revolutionizing

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engineered to catch more fish

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January

2026

BANSHEE

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SUNFISH

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CRITTER

SPEED BALL

MENACE

NUCLEAR PERCH

B A I T F I S H S O U N D

Tackle Trade World February 2026

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