THE annual Australian Fishing Trade Association’s tackle and outdoor show held this week on Queensland’s Gold Coast showcased the latest new tackle and accessories being released this year, and saw a visit from Coalition leader Tony Abbott who outlined his party’s policy on marine parks in the run up to the September 7 election.
This year’s AFTA show was well attended by the tackle industry with 95 exhibitors taking the most of the opportunity to show off their 2013 releases to tackle retailers and the fishing media.
Highlights of the event included an industry gala dinner which was attended by around 400 patrons. The dinner audience was addressed by speakers including Coalition shadow ministers Richard Colbeck and Bob Baldwin and cricketing great and Keep Australia Fishing ambassador Mark “Tubby” Taylor.
Shimano picked up the Best Rod Award for the new Ian Miller designed Nano PX series.
The dinner included presentations for the Best Of Show awards for products as well as tackle retailer and exhibitor stand awards.
This year’s AFTA Hall of Fame recipenets for their contributions to the tackle industry were John Dunphy, Rex Hunt and Les Wilson.
See below for details on this year’s award winners and check out Fisho’s Gear section and our facebook page for pics and videos of some of the latest hot tackle.
John Bell of Pure Fishing receiving the Best Large Stand Award from Keep Australia Fishing ambassador Mark Taylor.
AFTA Hall of Fame recipient Les Wilson addressing guests at the presentation dinner.
AFTA Best Of Show Award Winners
Best Rod: Shimano Nano Px – Shimano Australia Fishing www.shimanofish.com.au
Best reel: Stella Sw – Shimano Australia Fishing www.shimanofish.com.au
Best Terminal Tackle Mustad Staylock Snap – Wilson Fishing www.wilsonfishing.com.au
Best Combo: TDS PMC – Daiwa www.daiwafishing.com.au
Best Line: Maxima Braid – JM Gillies Agencies www.jmgillies.com.au
Best Soft Lure: Zerek Live Cherabin – Wilson Fishing www.wilsonfishing.com.au
Best Hard Lure: Halco Skim Stick – Halco Tackle Company www.halcotackle.com
Best Tackle Management: Plano 467310 Guide Bag – JM Gillies Agencies jmgillies.com.au
Best Boating Accessory: Australian Salt Water Hydrowave – Hydrowave Australia www.hydrowaveaustralia.com.au
Best Fishing Accessory: Fish Ring Pliers – Halco Fishing Company www.halcotackle.com
Best Electronic Accessory: 25kg Digital Scales – Black Magic Tackle www.blackmagic.co.nz
Best Kids’ Tackle: 13 Fishing Ambition Combo – Nomad Tackle www.nomadtackle.com
Best Clothing Accessories: Bigfish Yellow Belly Print Shirt – Bigfish Graphics www.bigfishgraphics.com.au
Environmentally Friendly: Too Easy Salt Removing Power Wash – Salt Free Ltd www.saltfree.co.nz
Best Outdoor Camping Product: Fenix Pd35 – G8 Distribution www.g8.com.au
Best Diving/Watersport: Aeris F11 Freediving Watch – Australian Underwater Products www.aup.com.au
Brad Sissins (right) picking up Daiwa Australia’s Best Combo award.
Best Stand Award winners
Small stand – MLTE
Medium stand – EJ Todd
Large Stand – Pure Fishing
Australia’s Best Tackle Store Award winners: Tackleland (small); Compleat Angler & Camping World, Rockhampton (Medium); Fishing Tackle Australia, Coffs Harbour (Large).
Best Soft Lure winner the Zerek Cherabin.
Tim Carter of Halco Tackle flanked by Telwater’s Madeline Bishop (right) and Laura Kittmer.
Wayne “Buffalo” Ross manning Australian Monofil’s Platypus stand.
Storm’s fun new Gomoku mini jigging outfits were on show.
