One of the UK’s finest match anglers Mark Pollard has joined Shimano UK as a full-time tackle consultant in a deal that will see him relinquish his role as brand manager of Fox Match.

‘Polly’, as he’s known on the banks, will play a major role in promoting the Shimano brand in the UK and across Europe via magazine features, ‘how-to’ guides and on via various social media platforms such as Facebook.
He will also play a major part in product development and help Shimano to create products designed for the UK market with his years of involvement within the fishing tackle industry to prove invaluable.
“I thoroughly enjoyed my time with Fox and I’m extremely grateful for all of the help that they gave me in my fishing career but working full time always restricted my fishing.
 “Joining Shimano is a dream move for me as it will mean that I can spend more time on the bank and fish all of the big events that I never had time for before like Fish O’ Mania qualifiers, Irish festivals and all of the White Acres festivals. I’ll also be fishing the UK Champs again in addition to my usual venues nationwide.
“I’m really looking forward to working closely with Shimano as they are one of the most established names in the UK and one of the biggest in the world. And with Europe’s largest bait company Dynamite Baits as my bait sponsor, I couldn’t ask for any more,” explained Mark.
Shimano Normark UK’s Marketing Manager Steve Cole had this to say about the deal: “I’ve known Mark for many years and he is one of the most professional and consistent anglers out there which is what makes him such a star.
“Whether it’s on a canal, drain, river or commercial he is always the man to beat and now that he has the freedom to fish where and when he wants, we expect his results to be even more impressive,” added Steve.
Mark retains Dynamite Baits as his bait sponsor but relinquishes all ties with his previous employer and sponsor Fox Match with immediate effect.

Picture: Mark Pollard right, Steve Cole left