UA National Prefered Supplier List (Recommend a fishing gear supplier)

[Wynand13]

Area: Krugersdorp
Location: Cnr Church & Rissik Str
Store: Western Accessories
Contact: 011 660 5705
Range 5 Stars (Out of 5) They specialize in carp and Bass gear. Not great on fly, and some deepsea. have stock but staff not really on the ball about fly  fishing. Really great for Carp gear and just killing time, massive range of stuff.  They stock for conventional or specimen, go up the stairs, top floor specimen, second  one bass/fly and first conventional. They are sneaky
Price 3 Stars (Out of 5) They are very cheap with certain  things, but tend to be insanely expensive on others, like their sunglasses and  shirts, they normally only mark the cheap ones on display and then when you pay  the one without a price tag cost more than double.
Overall 4 Star (Out of 5)

[Wynand13]

Area: Fourways
  Location:  Fourways Crossing (Above Look  & Listen)
  Store: Sollys Anglers Corner
  Contact:  011 465 2937
Range 5 Stars (Out of 5) Not massive ranges on each product,  but you will get what you need. Decent deep sea section especially lures. Nice  range of bass, carp and fly fishing gear. All staff are anglers and they prefer  bass, but have knowledge over all aspects of fishing, that I find really  useful. After sales service is really good, and unlike with Mias they don’t  sell grey products, so their prices are a bit higher, but you get what you pay  for. Had a few products that I damaged and they had it repaired for me.
Price 5 Stars (Out of 5) won’t say the cheapest store there  is, but very competitive on prices, if you know them, you always get a little  discount.
           
Overall 5 Star (Out of 5) Made on the after sales service I  get from them. They really assist, Costa glasses broke once they replaced it a  few times, had a ST Croix bass rod tip broken off, that I did not buy from them  they got that sorted for me, always willing to help.

[No-Pro]

The Fishing Specialist
Unit 1A
Voortrekker Rd
Maitland (Cape Town)
021 5914240

Range: 5/5, anything and everything to do with fishing, whether R&S, Boat or Fresh water.
Huge variety.

Price: 5/5, normally the cheapest in Cape Town when you compare 3 or 4 well known shops.

Overall: 5/5, guys are very helpful and into a variety of different fishing types, so they can provide good advice for any type of fishing.

[No-Pro]

Tucker's Tackle
81 Main Rd
Diep River (Cape Town)
021 7155626

Range: 4/5, smallish shop, but well stocked, got almost everything there for R&S, Boat and Fresh water.
Price: 4/5, very well priced and normally have the second best prices on comparison.
Overall: 5/5, guys are very friendly and helpful, staff into a variety of fishing types, able to give advice on all types of fishing.

[jball7204]

Awesome thread thanks. We're lucky in Durban with 2 Basil Manning stores, The Kingfisher, Freespool Angling in Gateway and Chase fishing in Ballito.

Nice to know where else to go in other parts of the country.

[FishStyx]

I'm chipping in with my experience from a distance purchasing approach.


I live in the back of beyond and have to make most of my purchases by mail or phone. You'll notice, I didn't say "on-line" purchases, because Gani's (who I am offering as a great resource) on-line portal sucks... It's a rubbish site. But purchasing long distance from them has been nothing short of awesome. Well priced, efficient and very reliable. If you know exactly what you want, mail them, get a price, they send an invoice, you pay and they send pronto.


I also had a good experience not too long ago with Big Catch in Cape Town with an online purchase.


E-Bay also rocks but that's not national.

[Calligeros]

NOT EVEN A COMPETITION!!

Ganis Angling - Witbank
ATT : Hussein
013-692-7199

They have the CHEAPEST prices in the country by far!!
Not one of the other stores in the entire country can come close...
I ONLY buy from GANIS. Hussein gives some decent advise as well and they stock almost everything.
 
Cant fault awesome prices that are cheaper than everywhere else can you?

[Wynand13]

I have to disagree on stating Ganis is the best....
Compared to what?
Online store - Urban Fly fishers wins in my eyes
Website - Sollys Anglers/ Mavungana / Basil manning and the list goes on have better
Service Basil Manning, Urban Fly Fishers and Sollys anglers have gone far and beyond out of their way to get me Saltwater, fly fishing, and bass gear respectively
Not at the shop but at my office/house
Variety - Mias Woodmead, Western Accessories  are just massive and WA have some of the most competitive prices around.
Sollys/Urban/Basil/Western Accessories have specialised staff  who fish the species for what they sell the gear. I have many a time at Ganis asked questions from staff to have them not being able to give me advise.
Based on price only, Ganis is very competitive but only on what seems to be consignment stock, they never have the latest model of anything, and call me what you like, but sometimes I like to have the latest. Also Ganis win for most unfriendly shop for any consumer, the shop is so "deurmekaar" you cant run in and get 2 related items without going down a few isles.


Just my 2c I do realise that a lot of people will not agree at all, but I feel its unfair to judge only on price. There are a massive amount of shops I have not mentioned as these ones were the ones that I actually go out of my way to visit, I only visit Ganis if I really really have to.

[Calligeros]

I agree...
It is in a persons opinion obviously and their own experience when dealing with a shop.

But when i visited to buy gear :
Mias - Most expensive by far
Basil Manning - 2nd most expensive
Sollys - 3rd cheapest
Western Accessories - 2nd Cheapest
Ganis - Approx 5-35% cheaper than Sollys on every item i checked on pricing i purchased.

The service of each of these stores were very good except for Mias who expected me to make a purchase straight away. When they saw i was checking for pricing first before purchasing they became very unhelpful.
Obviously i'm going to check pricing. I want a good deal!

So talking pricing, i couldnt get cheaper pricing than at Ganis. And i tried alot of places. I purchased Mainly Sea fishing gear from Rock and Surf to Drop shotting to jigging and deap sea gear.
I purchased at the time the latest in gear...
Torium 30
Loomis 12 ft
Sustain 5000
Aerocast
Tiagras 30w lrsas
Trevala
Saragosa
Braided lines
and a ton of misc tackle incl all types of lures. Everything i very carefully shopped around for and Ganis had the best pricing on each item individually. Then if you buy in bulk Hussein normally rounds it off abit better for you.
Whatever gear they didnt have they got from Rapala for me and delivered to me office for me.

To me personally its all about pricing. Service as well but mainly i want to save Money so i can buy more gear. But when i do my research like i did online asking guys their opinion on gear and get some good advise like i got from "REEFMAN" at the time, i was then determined on what exact gear i wanted. Like the Torium 30 with upgraded carbontex washers. So i was then wanting best price, period. Ganis gave me the best pricing and did the upgrade for me and delivered it to my office. And when i had to send some items in for repairs to Rapala, they organised it all for me and i got my items serviced / repaired with no hassle or fights redelivered back to me.

Agreed Ganis shop isnt the most organised in the world. The guys were very friendly to me.

this is the experience i received personally, so i couldn't fault it.
In my opinion obviously. :)

[Wynand13]

I did not mention Mias for service for a reason, there is nothing to mention unfortunately. I have had many bad experiences with them.
I think depends what gear you get where, I always get decent discount at Sollys and Urban, as Urban and Fly Fishers Unlimited is specialised shops they are hard to compare, and the products they stock you do not get at Ganis but you do not expect to.
For me its about the support and overall experience Ganis is like your Fruit and Veg (Only F&V is tidy) and some of the others are like Woolies, for me personally when it comes to service. I have recently bought quite a large amount of bass gear, and Sollys was the cheapest with exactly what I wanted, even beating Ganis as it was a reasonable order and I do get some discount as all regulars get in the shops the frequent.
And I did not have to drive to Witbank for it. OR for support should I need it. At times the local shop in the area is the best, as they will be supporting the gear and cost of driving up and down inclusive of time is not really worth it at times.


I do not dish any shop as each one have a place, and as you said each person have a different experience..... 

[Toppie]

Calligeros, that's exactly why I like Gani's, its a shambles but so much you can walk and browse all day long. If you ask for something specific someone will take you directly to the product.

And you are right, nobody in SA beats their prices.

Otherwise locally in Lynnwood Road Pretoria shop at Fishing Pro Shop, specialist service by professionals and some reasonable prices.

[Willie]

I will agree with Ganis. They have always been very helpful to me. I will phone Hussain tell him what I want and when I will collect. On my arrival my goods will be waiting for me. Also I have been to a few angling shops regarding sponsorships for our compettions and Husain is always willing to sponsor a prize. I couple of years ago I bought a Shimano exage 1680 and the price diffirence between 3 shops were R2200, R1200 and Ganis R600. Another shop I can mention is Solly's in Nelspruit not as cheap as Ganis but great service and willing to help, if they do not have it in stock they will order. Have not been there for a while but always had a good selection of fresh bait.

[andrewpalang]

We buy a lot of tackle through out the year considering we run charters up here in Northern Mozam. Sollys Fourways have alsway been fantastic. I obviously have to order all via email and Suli gives us fantastic prices on all our equipment needed. I also buy large quantities at once and am quite specific on colours etc which they always sort out for me.

A lot of our fishing comprises of targeting geets, and there is no one better that Roy and Linda from Jigstar Africa to help you out in this regard. They have top equipment at the best rates and will go to the end of the world and back to ensure you get what you need. obviously there store is limited to Popping and Jigging, but if this is what you are needing then they are the only ones to talk to!

Then being a PE boy, Alcocks Fishing is a must if you are in the area! Lando and Chad are always super keen to give advise and know the local waters better than anyone!

[Poenie]

...no one better that Roy and Linda from Jigstar Africa to help you out in this regard. They have top equipment at the best rates and will go to the end of the world and back to ensure you get what you need. obviously there store is limited to Popping and Jigging, but if this is what you are needing then they are the only ones to talk to!

Could not agree more, their service has ALWAYS been top-notch, and if I order today, it's at my door in Somerset West the next day - EVERY TIME!!

[lebaka]

the fishing pro shop in Pretoria they might not have gani's pricing but what a absolute pleasure buying tackle from people that have a vast knowledge of fishing.
they service reels repair rods,have a spooling machine and advice from johan and charles is superb 

[Rory mundy]

the fishing pro shop in Pretoria they might not have gani's pricing but what a absolute pleasure buying tackle from people that have a vast knowledge of fishing.
they service reels repair rods,have a spooling machine and advice from johan and charles is superb 

there prices are just a little scary

[Bassa]

Area: Empangeni-zululand north coast
Store: P 'n P AUCTIONEERS and FISHING TACKLE
         small little tackle shop fully stocked in tanner road ,next to quality cars
Who: louis - been running this shop for more than 25 years
Range:* little freshwater bass tackle
         * rock and surf
         *deepsea
         * dropshotting/spoons/lures
         * marlin /big game fish
          *harbour ,estuary tackle
          *abit of fly fishing 
          *full stock of all fresh bait-mackeral,bonny,prawn,chokka 
          *rod and reel repair and services
           *abit of boating accessories and boating safety equiptment           
Price: average price range,maybe a few rands more or less
services:personal service offered at pnp and louis will go out of his way to help you
Overall: 5 Stars

[Rory mundy]

Area: Empangeni-zululand north coast
Store: P 'n P AUCTIONEERS and FISHING TACKLE
         small little tackle shop fully stocked in tanner road ,next to quality cars
Who: louis - been running this shop for more than 25 years
Range:* little freshwater bass tackle
         * rock and surf
         *deepsea
         * dropshotting/spoons/lures
         * marlin /big game fish
          *harbour ,estuary tackle
          *abit of fly fishing 
          *full stock of all fresh bait-mackeral,bonny,prawn,chokka 
          *rod and reel repair and services
           *abit of boating accessories and boating safety equiptment           
Price: average price range,maybe a few rands more or less
services:personal service offered at pnp and louis will go out of his way to help you
Overall: 5 Stars

great little shop

[Kes]

I did not mention Mias for service for a reason, there is nothing to mention unfortunately. I have had many bad experiences with them.
I think depends what gear you get where, I always get decent discount at Sollys and Urban, as Urban and Fly Fishers Unlimited is specialised shops they are hard to compare, and the products they stock you do not get at Ganis but you do not expect to.
For me its about the support and overall experience Ganis is like your Fruit and Veg (Only F&V is tidy) and some of the others are like Woolies, for me personally when it comes to service. I have recently bought quite a large amount of bass gear, and Sollys was the cheapest with exactly what I wanted, even beating Ganis as it was a reasonable order and I do get some discount as all regulars get in the shops the frequent.
And I did not have to drive to Witbank for it. OR for support should I need it. At times the local shop in the area is the best, as they will be supporting the gear and cost of driving up and down inclusive of time is not really worth it at times.


I do not dish any shop as each one have a place, and as you said each person have a different experience.....

I see nothing has changed in just under three years. I have been to the Woodmead store twice in two weeks and the service is shocking. Went the first time because my wife went to the doctor just above Mia's and I didn't want to stand around for an hour and the second time because i needed something and Mia's Woodmead is the closest tackle shop to me. Their staff make you feel like they don't want you to be there and can't wait for you to leave. Other than that they give you the look like the suspect you might be a shoplifter. Anyway, will probably only ever go back there if I am in a pinch cos apart from their service, their prices are insane.


I can honestly say I have never felt like this in a tackle shop before and being from Durban previously and having dealt with Basil Manning and Kings before, this is a profound new experience for me. Speaking of which, does anyone know if Basil and Kings have kept their service level up, in shop?


I made online enquiries at Basil about a week ago though and there's this girl there, Verushka, who is so on the ball that its scary. Really refreshing service all round, tackle shop or not. Takealot and the likes can take a few notes from this girl.

[Half-Pint]

Basil Manning has brilliant service!

So lekker to be able to select any hook you want from #10 right through to 10/0 without scratching around on the shelves. If they don't have stock one normally gets an email immediately with a list of possible alternatives and generally speaking they are actually viable alternatives.


The only suggestion I can make for Basil Manning is to pack goods into larger boxes. Nothing worse than spending three grand on tackle and they manage to cram it all into a match box