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So here are the two anglers making day two… With four even pegs the match was always going to be too close to call and that certainly proved the case. Andy Power and Rob Wootton set an early pace on pegs five and eight. The general consensus suggested that 80lb would be enough to progress to day two. Waggler and feeder tactics were the starting gambit for all, but it wasn't long until Gary, Andy and Rob were plundering the long pole line – a swim that Geoff had taken the decision not to feed preferring to rely on a short meat line only.

We bring you some of the highlights from the 2014 Tackle & Guns show. The 2014 Tackle & Guns show has seen a huge range of new tackle releases for you to get your mitts on over the next 12 months. We will have a detailed run-down in the December issue of Match Fishing, but for now here are some highlights from what we saw. Maver Maver had a very eye-catching stand and star of the show for the company were the new UFO and Z-Frame seatboxes.

WC Bradley Co acquire Preston Innovations WC Bradley Co, a privately owned multi-brand supplier of high-quality consumer goods headquartered in the USA, has announced the acquisition of Preston Innovations, a leading European fishing business headquartered in Telford, England, along with Primo, its distribution business located in Holland. The purchase price was not disclosed. “I am pleased that we were able to conclude this deal and continue building our presence more globally in fishing,” said Marc Olivié, CEO of WC Bradley Co. “Our fishing businesses are doing well in both the US and Europe, and it is good to see us take another significant step into the European market with Preston Innovations.

Editor, Alex Bones, checks out what’s new… To add to its already glowing portfolio of products, Shimano and Dynamite have some new additions for release before the end of this year. Match Fishing Editor, Alex Bones, visited the HQ to find out what’s in store. First up is the new mid-price-range Super Ultegra AX Match and Feeder range of rods available in three match (float), five feeder versions and one winkle picker model to cover a multitude of disciplines. Designed with performance and versatility in mind the feeder versions are available in lengths from 11ft to 14ft, the float ones in 13ft, 14ft and 15ft versions and the little winkle picker, which is likely to be a hit on many of today’s commercials, comes in one version, 8ft-9ft.

Editor, Alex Bones, visits Europe to check out the convention-defying square Z14-1 Advance. When the designers at Browning sat down to revamp their flagship pole it was always going to have to be a bit special to beat its predecessor, the mighty Xitan Z12. With most manufacturers now taking advantage of advances in carbon technology it’s fair to say that if you stripped the graphics from most flagship poles on the market you’d struggle to separate them in terms of performance. Where Browning has scored, in particular with its Z12, was the comprehensive nature of the package.

Bait giant Sonubaits launch a new range of silver-fish groundbaits. We are at the Preston Innovations and Sonubaits Press day today where the brands are set to show us all of their new products for 2015. Over the course of the day we will bring you information on the items as and when we get it, as we are sure you are all excited to see what they have to offer — we certainly are! First up is the new Super Crumb range from Sonubaits. This is a concise range of four non-fishmeal mixes aimed at silver-fish anglers and natural waters.

New tackle galore as trade show season kicks into gear. It looks like 2015 is going to be a great year for fishing-tackle fanatics. Judging by what we have seen so far from various brands, this year is going to be filled with ‘must-have’ products. Highlights so far include: MAP Flexi Pots - A clever range of pots that fit centrally on your pole.