Pallatrax owner has ‘never felt so enthusiastic’ following big year

A leading manufacturer of environmentally-friendly terminal tackle has hailed 2024 as a pivotal year for his business as increasing numbers of anglers and fisheries take notice of the ‘green’ message.

UK-based Pallatrax has been at the forefront of providing non-toxic alternatives to discredited lead for over 20 years, but owner Simon Pomeroy told Angling International that he has seen a significant shift over the last 12 months. “Evidence over the period proves that the brand genuinely stands for high quality products and their associated tactics that assist the angler in catching more fish while also protecting the delicate environment in which we fish.

“Though some in the trade understandably fear us as a serious disruptor, the all-important anglers are now gaining confidence that we are all about innovative angling solutions and fish safety. This has had an incredibly positive knock-on effect, leading to buoyant and growing sales both at home and abroad.

“I have been in the angling and fisheries trade for over 26 years and I have never felt so enthusiastic. With the growing acceptance of our award-winning Gripz hook design, many are being exposed to Pallatrax for the first time and are now discovering our other products such as the unique natural Stonze fishing weights.

“My analogy would be that Pallatrax is like a band that has been around for a long time. Suddenly we have hit the mainstream airwaves and people are loving the tune and buying into the band. There are changes needed within the industry and I would like to think we will be instrumental in these changes. These are – without doubt – very exciting times ahead for Pallatrax.”

Despite being full of optimism for 2025 from a company perspective, Pomeroy is not blind to the serious challenges facing the industry. “In the UK, we are seeing massive contraction on the high street as online sales flourish, and the number of new and younger anglers coming into the sport is woeful.

“And, although some may not like it, there is going to be a serious impact as fisheries take back control of their waters and refuse to accept poor quality baits or the reckless ejecting of leads. For our industry to thrive we all need to work together for a common cause and that certainly is not happening in the UK.

“We must get our house in order, protect the environment that sustains our industry and find ways to get kids off their phones and computers and into our fantastic sport. If we don’t grow participation I genuinely fear for the longevity of angling in the UK.”

Pallatrax at Angling International LIVE

Winning two awards at the first ever Angling International LIVE show in Budapest capped a successful year for Pallatrax.

The company emerged from Budapest with awards for its Gripz hook design and its fish friendly products. Owner Simon Pomeroy said: “Such independent awards add further weight to the fact that there is now a growing awareness around the brand and the ethos of everything we stand for. On a more personal level, these awards are focused on fish care – something to which I have dedicated my journey within the angling trade. It has been a frustrating and sometimes bumpy ride, but acknowledgement like this makes it all worthwhile.”

Pomeroy expressed his delight at winning an award for the Gripz hook. “It has been without doubt our bestseller. It has taken time – as changes do – but the fact that it is a genuine third hook point design is gaining massive traction. This has not been achieved via slick marketing or prominent angling influencers, but by word of mouth on the bank alongside fisheries embracing a design that focuses not just in fishing performance, but also fish safety.

“For decades we have only had the option of two hook point designs – barbed and barbless – but now we have a very real third option that is a vast improvement on the old.”

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