Trusted, Not Trendy: Why We’ve Added these Pure Fishing Heavyweights to the Fenland Tackle Ranks

Now, we know what some of you might think—big corporate brands, fancy marketing budgets. But look closer. We’ve cherry-picked the brands from their roster that fit our "old school" ethos perfectly. We aren’t interested in the flash-in-the-pan stuff; we’ve gone for the workhorses. The legends. The kit that takes a beating and asks for more.

Here is a look at the new names on our site, and exactly why they made the cut.

Abu Garcia: Engineering, Not Fashion You can’t talk about reliability without tipping your hat to the Swedes. With roots in watchmaking, Abu Garcia has been building reels since the 1940s that usually outlast the angler who bought them. We’re stocking them because an Abu reel isn’t a fashion statement; it’s a serious piece of engineering you’ll likely hand down to your grandkids. This fits our "buy once, fish forever" philosophy to a tee.

Mitchell: The Old School Standard If you’re of a certain vintage, you probably learned to fish with a Mitchell. This is the brand that virtually invented the spinning reel with the iconic Mitchell 300. We champion them because they offer mechanical reliability and history without the daft cost of modern 'space-age' gadgets. It’s proper engineering that still works a treat on the Fenland drains.

Shakespeare: The Definition of Value From the unbreakable Ugly Stik to their solid reels, Shakespeare is the dictionary definition of value fishing tackle. They are a perfect match for Fenland Tackle Exchange because they focus on catching fish, not catching fishermen’s wallets. If you want a rod that can survive a car door slam and still land a Tench, this is the gear for you.

Penn: Built to Winch Tractors Born on the saltwater scene, Penn makes reels rugged enough to winch a tractor out of a ditch. We love them because they don't fuss about with delicate parts; they build workhorses for anglers who treat their kit hard. If you want dependability over decoration, or you're targeting big Pike that fight dirty, Penn is the answer.

JRC: Carp Gear Without the 'Tax' Let’s be honest, the price of modern carp gear can make your eyes water. JRC strips away the gimmicks to make reliable carp gear and comfortable camping kit that withstands a proper British bankside battering. They offer the performance of the 'tart's tackle' brands without the price tag. Perfect for the angler who wants to sleep dry and cast far without emptying their savings.

Berkley: Science, Not Spin These folks put actual science into their bait and line, backed by decades of lab testing rather than marketing waffle. We appreciate Berkley because products like Whiplash braid and Trilene just do what they say on the tin—catch fish. It’s results-driven gear for practical anglers.

Plano: Smart Storage They invented the moulded tackle box, and they’re still the best at stopping your hooks from becoming a rusted bird's nest. We stock Plano because looking after your existing kit is the smartest way to save money. It’s practical storage for the organised angler.

Prologic: Because serious carp fishing shouldn’t require a second mortgage. We rate Prologic for their no-nonsense bite alarms and 'stealthy' kit that blends perfectly into the Fenland reeds without making a fuss. It’s solid, practical gear for the angler who cares more about the catch than the logo on their hoodie.

Savage Gear: Innovation That Works While they are newer than the others, Savage Gear focuses on predator lures that mimic real fish with terrifying accuracy. They fit our shop because they rely on clever design and distinct action to catch Pike and Perch in the Fens, not just flashy packaging. It’s effective innovation that justifies the cost.

Ready to stock up? You can find all these brands on the webstore now. Remember, we offer free local delivery in the Fenland region (min £25 order), or you can use our convenient out-of-hours collection from our trade counter in March, Cambs.

Prefer a rummage? Come see us at the weekly Saturday stock clearance at our City Road warehouse in March, or catch us every Sunday at the Skylark Car Boot sale.

Tight lines and sensible spending!