ANGLING celebrity Matt Hayes has set up a new tackle venture with Free Spirit boss Simeon Bond to supply a range of rods, accessories and bait under the Total Fishing Gear brand.

Sadly this site has no connection to the brand at all and Geepster is most upset that he won’t be retiring to Cuba in the near future.

Matt left his role as angling consultant to Fox International at the end of December in order to pursue an alternative business plan and is looking for an initial 100 shops, of which 30 will attain ‘elite’ dealership status.

The range – which will be sourced by Simeon Bond from his manufacturing contacts around the world – will include a large collection of rods specially designed for the UK market and covering match, commercial fishery and specialist styles.

At the same time the firm will be licensing the Total Fishing name to Van den Eynde for the distribution of a number of baits including particles and bigger fish offerings.

Matt, who will act as angling consultant to the firm, explained: “The long term plan is to become a mainstream brand. We want to appeal to the broad spectrum of anglers, with an emphasis on what you would term the pleasure or ‘everyday’ angler.

“Most of the rods have been put together by people who actually go fishing in the UK. What we are trying to do is bring people very high quality tackle at good, competitive prices. Our rod range comprises more than 20 models covering feeders, float rods, power and carp float products for commercial waters and some big fish rods for barbel and spinning. There will also be some which fit into niche markets like match and travel products as well as a facility to have real ‘signature’ rods, with each one personally signed by me.”

A selection of merchandising clothing such as quality caps and T-shirts is also being made available to the dealers while further tackle such as readymade rigs is expected to hit the shelves soon and a warehouse will also be opening in Kidderminster to supply the shops.

Tackle and Guns