How city folk got hooked on angling

A SURGE in urban fishing has boosted profits at Angling Direct.

The bait and tackle retailer hailed the growing popularity of so-called drop-shot fishing, in which customers take the minimum amount of gear to easily reached sites in cities.

The increasing number of enthusiasts joining the sport has helped Angling Direct post a 28pc rise in profits to £941,000 for the year to January 31.

Chief executive Darren Bailey said: ‘Drop-shot fishing is good for urban people.

‘You’re more mobile, you walk around with just a rod and a net.’

Bailey said the sport was popular abroad at first, but is now increasingly taking root in the UK.

Drop-shot anglers typically fish in canals and rivers for perch, pike and chub.

The costs are lower than for more traditional carp fishing, although catching carp still accounts for around 65pc of Angling Direct’s sales.

Revenues rose 44pc to £30.2m in the year.

It opened three stores and bought three more from rivals, taking the total to 21. It is set to open three outlets this year, and plans to add five more every year.