The Tackle Shop in Gainsborough, Lincs is now run by Neville Fickling. He took over after many years as a consultant. The original owner was Trevor Moss, a well known angler in his own right. Carole Moss still works in the shop.
As an eager 16 year old the Tackle Shop allowed me, through it’s payment on the never-never scheme, to start to collect fishing gear suitable for my conversion from match angler to specimen hunter. Rods such as the SS6 the SS5 and the Terry Eustace Big Tench rods were just some that I bought over the years from the Tackle Shop.
Some may recall their famous Ruckbags and Redmire Low Chairs. All were excellent bits of kit. The service was, and is, superb. With Neville working as a Daiwa consultant, bargains were always, and still are, possible.
The current brochure is simple but effective, much like most of the tackle within it’s pages. There is a lure section which features only those lures Nev and his fishing partners have found to be effective. In the run up to the lures section he writes that he could sell hundreds of lures but prefers to stick to tried and trusted models.
The same applies to his rods, reels and terminal tackle. Nothing fancy, just practical items.
The shop has long been associated with top notch bait. The deadbaits are always in good condition and his Eel sections are a favourite of mine. Sold under the Lucebaits banner they can be purchased through mail order.
Also under this banner are a predictably small range of carp baits. One that I have used for years is the Spicy Liver base mix. I have used this primarily as a tench bait. It is instant and tench love it as much as the Carp do. It screams barbel too, when you smell it.
There is a milk protein base mix, two fishmeals, a 50/50 type mix, a birdfood, and the FB40 base mix to choose from. Boosters and compatible flavours are also on offer. If my experience is anything to go by these are not needed except maybe after extended success on the unmodified baits. Nev has a simple view of bait that I applaud in this day and age. If you have ever read the book ‘Carp Sense’ you will know that he has Jim Gibbinson convinced on some issues too, and I imagine that took some doing. Nev has various letters after his name in fish related matters, so who am I to argue.
The shop does stock the frozen baits of Mainline and the Hutchi range of baits.
A nice touch is the inclusion of the top fifty Pike and Zander as well as the Notable Pike Anglers List.
In twenty years I have never had one complaint about the shop. The Lucebaits are fantastic in quality and value for money; £ 11.00 for 2.5 kilos of Spicy Liver is not bad, and that is an expensive bait! My last order was by way of a cheque sent on a Monday. The goods arrived on Wednesday! I hope the cheque doesn’t bounce.
I have found all the staff to be polite, thoughtful and generous in giving advice.If anyone is any doubt I am simply another customer of the Tackle Shop.
What I do think though is that you should give praise where it is deserved and that is why I have written this review feature. As I said, twenty years is a long time to get it right all the time. Well done the Tackle Shop!
The Tackle Shop
Bridge Road
Gainsborough
Lincs
DN21 1JS
Tel: 01427613002
