01/05/2026
Hooks & Hustle Saluting the workers who keep us afloat. Wishing you a day of calm waters and even bigger bites. Enjoy the break! 🐟
From Small Shop Dreams to one of SA’s Fastest Growing Fishing Brands 🇿🇦
The dream didn’t start in a boardroom with graphs and stale coffee. It started with a father and son mapping out a future.
Today is Workers’ Day, and it’s got me thinking: is "work" just pushing papers, or is it rolling up your sleeves for the next generation? When I asked Spinner Junior his plans, the answer was obvious... fishing. So turning passion into profession made more sense than pretending he wanted to become an accountant. 🎣
The plan was simple: build a small tackle shop for Tristan.
Then the “men in suits” arrived—polished shoes, rehearsed smiles, and no backbone. We looked for Ubuntu from distributors but found gatekeepers being tugged around by big-box stores like puppets.
Anyone who knows me knows one thing:
Ek vat nie k@k van kabouters nie 😜
To me, “no” is just a starter motor. I gave them a choice: help us grow, or step aside while I bring it in myself. Coming off Freedom Day, I’ve realized true freedom is the right to compete without being squeezed out by corporate gatekeepers.
Because of their attitude, we didn’t just import—we started building our own gear. Better value, proper quality, honest pricing. We built a better mousetrap... only ours catches fish.
I’m making it my mission to ensure the "smaller guy" isn't left behind. If you’re a small shop owner finding yourself where I was, I’ll help you get quality gear on your shelves. I smile every time a big-name brand leaves my shop, because I know those bloated margins are shrinking. 😏
I’m out of semi-retirement, sleeves rolled up, with no brakes and no reverse gear. This Workers' Day, my hat is off to the okes who get their hands dirty on the factory floor, in the shop, or on the water.
At the end of the day, if it was your kid’s future... wouldn’t you do the same?
We’re here for the anglers. Always.
Capt Phil Spinner
Tight Lines! 🎣