Soar Tackle

Soar Tackle is a small, independently run angling shop that aims to serve coarse anglers who want solid, practical gear rather than a generic high‑street retail experience. The focus is firmly on providing reliable fishing tackle, fresh bait and knowledgeable advice, backed up by an online store that helps customers who are not local to the area. While the premises themselves are modest in size, the business tries to punch above its weight by combining specialist ranges, a strong connection with brands such as Middy and its own Soar Baits line, alongside a very personal style of service that many regulars highlight as a key reason to return.

One of the main strengths of Soar Tackle is the way it combines a traditional walk‑in shop with a modern online presence. Anglers who live some distance away comment that they have been able to order a full list of bits and pieces in one go instead of spending hours searching several websites for stock availability. The online side is used heavily for smaller terminal tackle, pole accessories and bait orders, which are despatched promptly and generally arrive well packed, with occasional small extras in the parcel that help the experience feel more personal rather than purely transactional. For anyone who prefers buying from a specialist independent rather than a large anonymous platform, this mix of click‑to‑order convenience and human contact is a clear advantage.

Bait is a central part of the offer, and Soar Tackle puts a lot of emphasis on the quality of its fresh livebait. Through the Soar Baits range the shop supplies maggots, pinkies, squats, casters and worms, with many customers travelling specifically for what they describe as some of the best bait in the wider area. The shop is one of the few local outlets to regularly keep squats, which makes it useful for match and pleasure anglers who rely on this more specialist bait. Fresh deliveries are taken frequently, and in‑house preparation is used for items such as hemp, tares and particle mixes, following methods passed down from experienced match anglers. This kind of hands‑on approach tends to appeal to anglers who believe that small differences in freshness and preparation can translate into more bites on difficult days.

Alongside livebait, Soar Tackle also offers a growing choice of groundbaits and additives under the Soar Baits name. These include traditional staples such as molehill‑based mixes and dedicated groundbait grits that help add weight and texture to crumb. For coarse anglers targeting species like roach, skimmers, chub and carp on rivers and commercials, having locally designed groundbait blends can be a welcome alternative to the big‑brand bags seen everywhere. The shop also stocks a range of pellets, including halibut pellets that are popular with barbel, chub and carp anglers, so a visiting customer can usually assemble a complete bait approach for river or stillwater sessions without needing to shop elsewhere.

Soar Tackle is particularly well known as a stockist of Middy gear, which makes it attractive to coarse and match anglers who favour this brand for its value and bank‑side performance. Customers comment that they have been able to source hard‑to‑find Middy spares and pole top kits that had proved difficult to obtain from larger outlets. The shop’s focus on a core brand like Middy does mean that the selection may be narrower if you are loyal to other manufacturers, but the upside is a deep understanding of the range. Anglers who have asked detailed questions about pole setups and end tackle report that they received clear explanations which improved their understanding of their own equipment, going beyond a simple sales pitch.

Product knowledge is an area where Soar Tackle tends to stand out. The owner is an active match angler and an angling coach, and that background filters directly into the kind of advice that is available behind the counter. Rather than simply pointing customers to the most expensive option, there is a focus on helping them select what will actually work on the venues they fish. This is particularly useful for anglers returning to the sport after a long break, or those who are new to coarse fishing and feel overwhelmed by the amount of choice on the market. The tone is generally friendly and down‑to‑earth, and many people appreciate dealing with someone who clearly uses the gear in real match situations.

The range of hardware and accessories, while not on the scale of a huge warehouse, still covers most day‑to‑day needs for general coarse and match angling. Visitors can normally find pole rigs, hooks, line, feeders, floats and other terminal tackle, as well as key bankside items. As a smaller shop, Soar Tackle cannot realistically carry every brand of rod, reel and luggage, and anglers who want to compare a wide selection of carp rods or sea gear in person may find the choice limited. However, for anglers who mainly need to top up on essentials or pick up Middy‑focused items, the selection is usually sufficient, and the team are often willing to order specific products if they are not already on the shelves.

Customer feedback frequently highlights the reliability of the ordering and delivery process. Online buyers mention that their orders arrive promptly, with items in stock as indicated at the point of purchase. There are reports of small touches such as including a booklet or leaflet that complements the tackle ordered, which helps to give a more personal feel than a plain cardboard box. For anglers relying on mail order bait, the cut‑off times for sending maggots and similar items are clearly stated, which is important when planning sessions. It is still wise for customers to consider shipping times and weather conditions, especially with livebait, but the shop appears to be experienced in packaging these items so they arrive in usable condition.

Inside the physical shop, the atmosphere is described as friendly and approachable rather than corporate. Locals note that they can drop in for a chat about how local rivers and commercials are fishing, which suits the kind of angler who enjoys the social side of visiting a traditional tackle shop. Interestingly, Soar Tackle also stocks a small range of locally sourced gifts such as chocolates and candles, plus feed for animals, so non‑anglers accompanying friends or family do not feel out of place. This mixed offering can be seen as a strength in a village setting, though dedicated anglers who only want to browse rows of tackle may see the non‑fishing stock as occupying space that could otherwise hold more rods and reels.

Another aspect that potential customers should be aware of is the size and layout of the premises. Soar Tackle is a compact shop, which suits many anglers who prefer a focused, easy‑to‑navigate space instead of a large, impersonal showroom. On the other hand, the limited floor area means that not every item is available to handle in person, and some stock is primarily sold via the website. At busy times, such as in the run‑up to popular events or during peak season, the shop could feel crowded. For anglers who like to take their time comparing larger pieces of kit, it may be better to phone or message in advance to check what is available and whether a particular item can be brought in.

In terms of value for money, Soar Tackle sits in the space occupied by many independent tackle shops that have to balance competitive pricing with the realities of running a small business. Customers often comment positively on the combination of fair prices and knowledgeable service, particularly when buying specialist items like pole top kits or custom‑prepared bait. Online shoppers sometimes note that the shop may not always match the very lowest internet prices on mass‑market items, but the difference is often offset by the accuracy of stock levels, the quality of the bait supplied and the ability to ask questions of a real person who fishes similar venues. For anglers who see their local tackle shop as part of the overall angling community, this added value matters.

The shop’s social media presence and online content offer additional reassurance for potential customers. Soar Tackle uses platforms such as Facebook and Instagram to post about fresh bait deliveries, product news, and the occasional video on topics like pole setups or groundbait choices. This gives an indication of how seriously the owners take their involvement in angling beyond simple retail, and helps customers judge whether their style of fishing aligns with what the shop focuses on. People who follow these updates can also get early notice of any changes to bait availability or new arrivals, which can be useful when planning sessions on rivers and commercials that respond to certain baits at particular times of year.

There are, of course, some limitations that potential customers should consider before deciding whether Soar Tackle is the right choice for them. As a shop with a strong leaning towards coarse fishing tackle and match‑style gear, it may not be the first port of call for sea anglers, fly anglers or those who are exclusively interested in specimen carp gear from the largest manufacturers. While some crossover items may be stocked, the depth of choice in those areas is unlikely to match a specialist sea or game shop. In addition, the limited opening days and reduced mid‑week hours can be inconvenient for anglers whose free time falls outside those windows, although the online store and mail order bait options help to bridge that gap for many customers.

For anglers who prioritise having a wide spread of brands under one roof, the emphasis on Middy and the Soar Baits range might feel a little narrow. However, for those who are keen on well‑regarded match fishing gear and want to talk to someone who actively uses that equipment in competition, this focus becomes a positive. The same applies to bait: if you enjoy experimenting with home‑prepared mixes and tailoring your own approach, the shop’s traditional, in‑house preparation is likely to appeal. If you prefer lifting a ready‑made branded mix straight off the shelf because you already trust it from national advertising, you may find yourself balancing the local options against what you can order from larger chains.

Overall, Soar Tackle offers a mix of specialist fishing tackle shop knowledge, quality fresh bait and personal service that many coarse anglers find attractive. Its strengths lie in the freshness and variety of bait, its close relationship with Middy products, and the experience of an owner who actively fishes and coaches, which translates into practical advice for customers at all levels. On the downside, the compact size, focused brand range and limited opening hours mean it will not suit every angler, particularly those looking for an all‑disciplines megastore or the very lowest online prices on mass‑market items. For coarse and match anglers who value independent retail, honest guidance and the ability to source both everyday items and more specialised Middy spares, Soar Tackle is likely to be a shop worth considering.

Key points for potential customers

• Independent fishing tackle retailer with a strong coarse and match angling focus, combining a physical shop with an established online store.
• Emphasis on high‑quality fresh bait through the Soar Baits range, including maggots, pinkies, squats, casters, worms, hemp and particle mixes prepared in‑house.
• Well known as a Middy specialist, stocking pole top kits, end tackle and spares that can be difficult to find elsewhere.
• Personal, knowledgeable service from an owner who is an active match angler and coach, offering practical advice rather than generic sales talk.
• Compact shop with a focused selection, which may feel limited for anglers seeking a wide spread of brands or disciplines such as sea and fly fishing.
• Online ordering and mail order bait provide options for those who live further away or cannot visit during shop opening hours.
• Additional non‑angling stock such as local gifts and animal feed, which adds variety for some visitors but may not appeal to those who want a pure tackle environment.