SOUTH AFRICA’S ANGLING INDUSTRY: SAFTAD 2024: Angling Economy Still Dynamic, But …

WORDS: Eugene C. Kruger IMAGES: Charmagne & Jaco Grimbeek After a day of conversations with the cream of South Africa’s captains of the recreational fishing industry – namely the exhibitors at this year’s trade show of the South African Fishing Tackle Agents & Distributors (SAFTAD) at the Heartfelt Arena in Thaba Tshwane (near the Voortrekker Monument), I was once again impressed by not only the continuing optimism of the entrepreneurs who invest their time, capital and business acumen in an outdoors recreational activity that rarely keeps its bounty and indeed, cannot even see the object of all the time, skill and money that catching it demands! Nevertheless, year after year recreational fishers in South Africa are treated to innovations that not only make their fishing more effective, but also in large measure makes it even more edifying to “go fishin’”. This year the ForAnglers digital platform, publisher of The Bank Angler and Tight Lines, continued its electronic publishing initiative that started with last year’s event. Werner Lubbe and Jessica de Villiers hosted a live broadcast with the Angling Times’ Vinesh Soogreem (https://www.facebook.com/vinesh.soogreem) that provided exhibitors with live coverage of their offerings to the angling public over the two-day event.*Check out all the coverage on our Facebook and YouTube pages. A comment that was shared by every single exhibitor that I spoke to was: “demand remains but meeting that demand, namely replenishing stock levels is an ongoing problem”. Apart from the country’s poor value of the Rand on international markets, a major reason for this unsatisfactory state of affairs is the country’s transport sector. Firstly, our run down, poorly maintained harbour infrastructure that sees cargo vessels waiting days, if not sometimes weeks on end, to enter harbour to unload. The problem is exacerbated by offloading delays and then poor road infrastructure, not to even mention the very real possibility of road theft. “It can take months to get the goods that have been paid for several months before off the ship, then onto the road and safely into a warehouse, unpacked, catalogued and delivered to a retailer!” was a recurring complaint. For smaller items air transport presents a dependable but expensive alternative and is not a long-term solution. Super modern technology was once again on display: On the Rapala/VMC stand manager Brandon Willmer showed us a rod featuring an innovative arrangement of the rod eyes to negate the thrashing of a hooked tuna. Tight Lines’ Charmagne Grimbeek was particularly interested as she will be fishing in the Ratel Ladies Tuna Invitational comp later this year out of Gordon’s Bay. A big negative that affects both the primary and secondary sectors is that the end consumers (the anglers) who, courtesy of today’s electronic communication networks, know all about new innovations and new product launches in the U.S.A., Far East and Europe, but because of the aforementioned problems resort to online purchases, despite the increase in costs. One importer, a major player of several decades in the industry, mentioned that it is known that a group of anglers pool their orders and buy in bulk to share the costs of air cargo. This is of course excessively detrimental to the local trade (which is still expected to provide sponsorship …!). On the Sensation stand sales manager Pierre Jacobs demonstrated the awesome pulling power of their Okuma ‘Ultra-Light’ bass rod, and challenged Jaco Grimbeek to put a bend in it with all the power he could muster! Built on a Toray T1100 carbon blank, the 7’ model weighs less than 80 g and is touted as possibly the lightest rod in the world. Also on the Sensation stand was this saltwater jigging rod that can deadlift 50lbs! I was suitably impressed. At the SAFTAD AGM, John Pledger was returned unopposed as chairman. The Committee is unchanged for 2025: Mary-Ann Hodgskin – Secretary, Ahmed Hoosen – Sensation, Andrew Catchepole – Mia’s, Andrew Wentzel – W.E.T. Sport, Barry Wareham – iFISH, Darryl Quinton - Down South Trading, Graham Hills – Iron River, Howard Joselyne – Apex and Mike Milson – The Kingfisher. We had 34 exhibitors with 3 new exhibitors, Finn’s Eyewear, Springbok Baits and Odyssey apparel. On the Saturday 70 pre-registered and 21 walk-in retailers attend, and on Sunday 61 pre-registered and 13 walk-in retailers. Andrew Wentzel of W.E.T. Sport as a citizen of Cape Town knows the problems of the port very well, and will, on behalf of SAFTAD, approach the government departments that are either directly or indirectly responsible for the harbour’s efficient operation. As he readily admits, it is a daunting task, but it is only via continuous communication that any chance of success exists. On the stand of The Kingfisher, I met up with specimen carp specialist Gilbert Foxcroft, who since joining the Durban-based business has established the Korda brand in The Kingfisher’s impressive range as a market leader in specimen fishing alongside the Daiwa brand. On the FISH stand was this item of pure innovative “magic”, namely a bait additive container that floats – so no more lost overboard mishaps! So simple, so effective! On the Iron River stand I caught up with bass ace Dexter Grewcock who among other achievements has re-engineered the company’s specimen carp range. Having been around the fishing tackle trade scene “forever” I’m not easily impressed, but this offering shown by Duncan Murfin on the Sensation stand certainly grabbed my attention. Available later this year it is part of the Cullem brand of bass artificials, namely a soft-bodied, immensely lifelike Tilapia lookalike. Fished on a thin wire hook I’ll wager that it is going to fool tons of fish, and not only bass but also tigerfish! Spent a few minutes probing the thoughtful insights that Loutjie Louwies brings to his many angling achievements and business. And yes, his saltwater bait additive is performing well, even improving catches in those legendary coastal waters of Namibia! It was a pleasant surprise to meet with outside correspondent Jonathan Adams who was working on the FISH stand. Catch his angling exploits with his two boys in “Fishing Is A Family Affair” in The Bank Angler in every issue. Our local recreational fishing industry does indeed depend on effective transportation to get the world’s innovations in advanced fishing gear into the country. In our rivers and dams, and in the long coastline, there are more than enough fish species to pose many challenges to anglers every day of the year, we just need the tackle to enjoy hours and hours of fishing pleasure! Certainly, SAFTAD members have proven over and over again that the best tackle is always available to support the skills of local anglers! A final departure from the Heartfelt Arena and this year’s SAFTAD trade show. Until next year when once again I hope I’ll still be able to report on the innovations and even more technological advances in recreational fishing!

SOUTH AFRICA’S ANGLING INDUSTRY: SAFTAD 2024: Angling Economy Still Dynamic, But …

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