CANCELLED in 2020 because of Covid, the International Trade Show (ITS) made a welcome return this year.
This is where Preston Innovations, Korum and Avid – along with Sonu Baits – come together to present their new products to retailers and the wider angling media from across Europe – and it was business as usual as the four brands pulled out all the stops.
Here, then, is a little taster of the gear on offer, along with our pick of the show.
INCEPTION FLAT ROLLERS
What they say: These rollers all feature telescopic, individually adjustable legs, and each roller can be folded with the aid of a spirit level to lay flat, so it can work close to the ground. Silent bearings offer effortless shipping. The vertical rollers are fixed to help hold the pole steady in even the windiest conditions, while the XL and Super XL versions include a middle roller.
What we say: Sensibly priced rollers with lots of features. We really like their dimensions – the non-bulky design gets a huge thumbs up
Price: Standard £79.99, XL £94.99, Super XL £104.99
ASCENSION FEEDER RODS
What they say: Ascension feeder rods excel on natural venues, with a beautiful crisp action tailored to suit each one. Feeder Masters winner Lee Kerry played a key role in developing the six-model range, covering all feeder weights up to a maximum 120g. All come with three graded carbon quivertips that blend seamlessly into the blanks.
What we say: Ideal for any type of venue, these rods have an old-school feel teamed with a superb modern build and action that sets them apart from anything else on the market.
Price: £104.99-£139.99
SUPERIUM POLES
What they say: Preston’s stunning new Superium pole range is due to hit the shops in a few weeks. A re-vamp of the company’s Response XS 50, 70 and 90 models has resulted in poles that are lighter, stiffer and better balanced than ever. There are also new Superium 20 and 30 poles, along with Carp and Margin models.
What we say: The new Superium 50, 70 and 90 are a lot more than just re-hashed Response XS poles, and top kit interchangeability between all Superium models and the old Response poles further adds to their appeal.
Price: £569.99-£2,999.99, www.prestoninnnovations.com
ABSOLUTE 36 FEEDER CHAIR
What they say: This super-stable chair comes with four 36mm legs and two 36mm banksticks to which can be attached any OffBox accessory, including double knuckle side trays. Full stability is assured when attaching items such as long rod rests. An extremely comfortable mattress makes it perfect for long sessions, while its folding back rest and removable legs can be stored using the straps provided. A shoulder strap is also included.
What we say: A really comfortable and rock-steady chair, thanks to its easily adjusted 36mm legs. The back section is high enough to provide good neck and head support, important when you’re fishing a river and having to look up at your rod-tip.
Price: £219.99
NATURAL POLE FLOATS
**What they say:**Built to last from premium components chosen by consultant anglers across the UK and Europe, all these floats feature a bend-free NiTi wire stem which helps them to settle nice and quickly.
What we say: These natural venue pole floats together cover many tactical options. The Power pattern, available in shotting capacities up to 4g, looks perfect for bream and skimmers in deep lakes or on slow-moving rivers.
Price: £2.25
POLE SAFES
What they say: Pole Safes are available in Sock and Combo formats. The Sock is ideal for anglers who like a compact set-up. It can be attached to a Ripple Bar or Cross Arm, using the attached thread or, for an even more compact set-up, use its Snaplok fitting. The Combo also includes a Pole Grip. A Snaplok block at either end gives the reversal option of having either the Sock or the Pole Grip nearer to the seatbox.
What we say: The explanation may be complex, but Pole Safes are simple to use and a must for pole anglers.
Prices: Sock £12.99, Combo £15.99
ABSOLUTE PLATFORM
What they say: The most user-friendly, stable platform around, you can alter its width and can be set up or packed away in seconds into its own deluxe bag. Dual spirit levels ensure the platform is level, and the leg locks guarantee full security.
What we say: The best platform we’ve seen. The fact that it uses water ingress inside the legs to keep it weighted down is a simple solution to an age-old problem. A must for all natural venue fans.
Price: £249.99
INFERNOS SL REELS
What they say: The Infernos SL series are ultra-compact reels with a wide-arbor spool for better casting performance. With Supa Lite graphite body parts, an oversized multi-disc drag and a stabilised skeleton rotor, you get premium performance levels for predator (red spool) and coarse (gold spool) fishing. A 7+1 ball-bearing system provides ultra-smooth handling.
What we say: Superb value for money, the new Infernos SL reels come in 3000 and 4000 body sizes with plenty of tactical options.
Price: Red or Gold Spool, £41.99, www.korum.co.uk
ANGLE TILT QUIVER REST
What they say: A classic shape with a modern twist, offering adjustment for the angler who wants to fish accurately when they’re using a quivertip or feeder rod.
What we say: For us this would be the perfect rod rest head to use with the new Tripod Feeder Arm. It’s neat and compact, it won’t get in the way when you’re casting from a seated position. It can also be set to any angle.
Price: £5.99
FLOATING FAST NET HEADS
What they say: The Floating Fast Net has a UK-designed block mechanism that engages with a one-handed flick. There’s an attachment point for either carabiners or magnetic attachments. The Fast Net Head can be used with any landing net handle with a universal thread. Its floating frame and latex mesh make it perfect for float work in rivers, or fishing very shallow water.
What we say: These nets, with a choice of 22ins or 26ins frames, are the answer to a very real problem encountered by anglers who like to wade. We can guarantee that they’ll be hugely popular.
Price: £34.99, £39.99
SNAPPER SWITCH REEL
What they say: High-calibre Japanese design in a super-smooth package delivering optimum line lay, drag force and gearing. Snapper Switch reels feature an all-metal body, NCRM carbon fibre rotor, CNC-machined spool and self-locking screw-in handle. The 5+1 stainless steel ball-bearings provide a smooth, silent performance, while the balanced carbon rotor spins without wobble or vibration. The smaller sizes are perfect for finesse fishing techniques.
What we say: If you’re into your lure fishing then these fast retrieve Snapper Switch reels, in 1500, 2500 and 3500 body sizes, are well worth a look
Price: £69.99, £74.99, £79.99
BIG WATER RODS
What they say: Designed for fast-flowing water, long casts and big fish, these are supremely powerful and effective rods. A full carbon 3k weave finish combines a peerless fish-playing performance with a fast tip recovery, ideal when casting bigger feeders. The Minima-style Seaguide TDG guides are light and durable, ideal for use with heavier lines. Each rod has a luminous painted tip section, to help with bite indication.
What we say: If you’re targeting really big fish in challenging venues, these are the tools for you. Plenty of tactical choices are available from the five models on offer.
Price: £119.99 - £129.99
TRIPOD FEEDER ARM
What they say: Building on Korum’s strong, adjustable River Tripod, this is the ultimate chair and seatbox accessory for feeder fishing. You get an extending feeder arm, plus two extending tripod rests. It comes with 23mm square, 25mm round and 30mm round inserts, with a 36mm external clamping mechanism. This offers versatility across a host of accessory chairs and seatbox products.
What we say: A great idea. This Tripod Feeder Arm is durable, quick and easy to set up, and can be used with a wide selection of rod rest heads.
Price: £64.99
OPPORTUNIST XTND + SERIES RODS
**What they say:**These double extending telescopic rods offer the shortest pack-down length for a two-piece 12ft rod we have yet seen. They work equally well on still and running water, combining quality carbon blanks with Minima-style guides, slim cork handles and anti-frap tip guides.
What we say: These unique collapsible rods pack down to the same length as Korum’s 8ft rods, allowing them to be used with existing Opportunist luggage.
Price: 1.75lb test curve £79.99, 2.25lb test curve £84.99
BENCHMARK THERMATECH HEATED SLEEPING BAGS
What they say: Big Carp brand Avid’s Benchmark name extends the boundaries of bankside comfort and luxury wider than ever before. ThermaTech Heated Sleeping Bags use full-length heating elements with four different settings for year-round use.
What we say: Not every day do you see something truly new in angling, but here they are – sleeping bags that can be heated using nothing more than a simple power pack, allowing hard-core overnighters even more fishing time. Will we see a surge in the number of big night-caught fish this winter? Maybe we will!
Price: From £179.99, www.avidcarp.com
