THE annual DHP Tackle Awards ceremony is now a permanent fixture in the tackle trade’s diary, bringing together the top companies as voted for by readers of two major magazines.

Total Carp and Match Fishing readers are given the chance to vote for everything, from their favourite rod, reel and piece of terminal tackle to the best fishing holiday company and mail-order firm.

This year’s ceremony took place recently and, as always, there was a good mix of winners. Many old friends returned to pick up an honour or two and some new companies found themselves receiving an award for the first time at the ceremony following a three-course lunch at the Grosvenor Hotel in Rugby.

And for many the event is a real highlight of the year.

Harrisons were voted top internet retailer, while Greys picked up the top slot in two of the carp rod categories, with its X-Flite being voted Best Rod Over £150 and the Prodigy as Best Rod Between £50 And £150.

And the firm is so pleased with the results that it is actually basing an entire advertising and marketing campaign around these products and the awards.

Commercial director Ian McCormack explained: “We take such awards extremely seriously, especially if they are voted for by the readers of a publication – in other words, the customer; that’s the view from the coalface as it were.

“The same applies whether it’s consumer magazines or the Tackle & Guns Trade Awards, which are voted for by the dealers. They all have a kudos which we take seriously.

“The Total Carp Awards, voted for by readers, are so important to us that we are even talking about planning our marketing strategy around the products voted into top spot.”

Fox International picked up seven different awards for various tackle items as well as the title of Best Carp Tackle Company in the DHP awards.

Paul Reeves from Fox said: “I think the value of any award is determined by who it is given by. In our opinion, the end user’s view is the one that really counts so awards voted for by the readers of a magazine or those from actual fishermen are important to us. After all, that’s who we make our products for – the angler!”

Gareth Whittington at Svendsen Sports added: “I think awards are highly important for recognising the brands companies have and the work they have put into them. What’s nice about the DHP awards is that you know it is also a pat on the back from the customers rather than the publishing house!”

Dave Harrell, editor of Match Fishing, who presented some of the prizes at the DHP event, commented: “We received a lot of entries for the Match Fishing Tackle Awards and I was personally delighted with the response from our readers. What makes the awards so special for the tackle industry is the fact that it is the anglers who decide the winners. Advertising spend plays no part in the voting whatsoever in deciding who gets what and each category is won on merit. Every tackle company representative I spoke to after the awards presentation was delighted to have had a product chosen.”

On the retail side, however, there was a slight note of dissent. Climax Tackle was voted Best Mail Order Shop by Total Carp readers but boss Tony Flint said: “I always take these awards with a little pinch of salt, to be honest.

“However, it is good publicity for us and it certainly gives the staff a bit of a gee up because they know their hard work is appreciated.

“Tackle awards are a bit like the Oscars; nobody claims to be bothered but everybody wants one!”

One thing is for certain, however, when your name is called out it is great to walk up to the stage and receive your prize for being the best.

Don’t believe us? Just ask the company representatives over the page that picked up their honours at the DHP awards recently.

Tackle Awards 2005

Carp Award Categories

Best Reel Over £100 – Shimano Baitrunner Aero 1000 XTC

Best Reel Under £100 – Shimano Aero Baitrunner

Best Entry Level Reel – Svendsen Sports, Okuma Interceptor

Best Rod Over £150 – Greys X-Flite

Best Rod Between £50-£150 – Greys Prodigy

Best Rod Under £50 – Fox Warrior

Best Bivvy – Armo

Best Brolly System – Fox Evolution

Best Rod Pod – Fox Quattro

Best Bite Alarm Under £20 – Nash Outlaw

Best Bite Alarm Manufacturer – Fox International

Best Hook Range – Korda

Best Hook Link Material – Kryston SnakeBite

Best Terminal Tackle – Korda

Top Luggage Range – Wychwood/ Leeda

Best Barrow – Nash

Best Bedchair – JRC

Best Main Line – Daiwa Sensor

Best Boilie Manufacturer – Mainline

Best Pellet/Particle Company – Dynamite Baits

Best Carp Fishing Holiday Company – Angling Lines

Best New Product Range – Solar ALM alarms

Best Day Ticket Venue/Complex – Richworth Linear Fisheries

Best Tackle Company 2004/5 – Fox International

Best Mail Order Shop 2004/5 – Climax Tackle

Match Award Categories

Best Reel Under £100 – Shimano GTM 2500RA

Best Reel Over £100 – Daiwa TDS 2503 CU

Best Float Rod Under £100 – Fox Challenger

Best Float Rod Over £100 – Daiwa Spectron

Best Feeder Rod Under £100 – Shimano Hyperloop

Best Feeder Rod Over £100 – Preston Innovations 12ft Feeder

Best Pole Under £500 – Maver Deliverance

Best Pole Between £500-£1000 – Garbolino Antidote

Best Pole Between £1,000- £1,500 – Trabucco Dream Carp 1

Best Pole Over £2,000 – Daiwa Tournament Pro

Best Seatbox – Matchbox MSX

Best Luggage – Preston Innovations Hardcase

Best Clothing – Halkon Hunt

Best Groundbait Range – Sensas

Best Accessory – Fox TossPots

Best Tackle Company – Daiwa

Best Match Fishing Mail Order Company – Fisherman’s Friend

Best Internet Mail Order Company – Harrison’s

Tackle and Guns