CARP tackle manufacturers will soon find out how their customers rate their products in an awards contest being run by leading carp magazine, Total Carp.

The magazine, produced by DHP, is inviting its readers, estimated at over 50,000 per month, to vote for the carp tackle they rate as the best currently on the market.

The contest is being run in the September, October and November issues and readers will fill in a two-page form containing nominations for various items of tackle in 17 different categories.

Total Carp magazine has some 50,000 readers a month.

Categories include best rod under and over £100; best reel under and over £100; best bivvy; best brolly system; best bedchair; best bait; best rod pod; best hook range; best readymade rig range; best hook length material; best luggage range; best main line; best bite alarm; best company overall and best mail order shop.

The winning products and companies will be announced in the January 2003 issue of Total Carp. Editor Jim Foster said: “The difference between this tackle award scheme and others that have been run in the past is simply this – that the readers, no-one else, decide who wins. The results will be based solely on the number of votes readers give to each category – Total Carp and DHP will have no say in the results at all.”

Each company that wins a category will receive a framed certificate they can display on their premises proclaiming their success. Additionally, the winners of the two major categories – best carp tackle company and best mail order company – will receive a prestigious engraved trophy.

Meanwhile DHP, the Daventry-based publisher of Midland Angler, Tackle and Guns, Total Carp, Advanced Carp Fishing, Match Fishing and Total Sea Fishing is enjoying its growing share of the angling magazine market.

The firm, which has just posted its results for the second quarter of 2002, has increased its market share year on year, with distribution of its consumer titles through the news trade up by 30.1 per cent overall.

Amongst the magazine that have enjoyed a growth in sales is Total Sea Fishing, which, year on year has achieved 41.3 per cent more sales. Advanced Carp Fishing and Total Carp are up year on year by 45.8 per cent and 25.9 per cent, respectively.

Advertising sales in the company’s titles is still holding strong and are up 25.4 per cent overall. Advertising in Total Sea Fishing has increased by 19.9 per cent, while Advanced Carp it has jumped by a huge 52.9 per cent.

The group turnover is also looking healthy, up 28.4 per cent on the previous year.

Tackle and Guns