Press Release - Southwick Associates specializes in economic and business statistics related to fish & wildlife. Southwick Associates was founded in 1989 to serve state fish and wildlife agencies as well as the sportfishing & hunting industries. From their north Florida offices, we continue to serve this core group, and now provide economic and business intelligence to many more.

Southwick Associates has announced the brands and products that anglers preferred most in 2007. This list has been compiled from the 16,258 angler surveys returned from AnglerSurvey.com last year.

In 2007, the top brands and activities included:

- Top rod brand: Shakespeare Ugly Stik (16.7% of all purchases)

- Top reel brand: Shimano (18.1% of all purchases)

- Top rod and reel combo brand: Shakespeare (20.9% of all purchases)

- Top fly rod brand: Orvis (17.5% of all purchases)

- Top fishing line brand: Berkley (Trilene, Fireline, Big Game and Vanish (38.5% of all purchases)

- Top hardbait brand: Rapala (25.6% of all purchases)

- Top softbait brand: Zoom (15.9% of all purchases)

- Top spinnerbait brand: Strike King (21.3% of all purchases)

- Top hook brand: Gamakatsu (30% of all purchases)

- Top sinker brand: Bullet Weights (20.1% of all purchases)

- Top fly line brand: Scientific Anglers (25.7% of all purchases)

- Top fly brand: Orvis (12.6% of all purchases)

- Top electronics: Lowrance (55.5% of all radio or GPS and 35% of all fish finder purchases)

- Top tackle box brand: Plano (50.3% of all purchases)

- Top fishing knife brand: Rapala (46.4% of all purchases)  

Launched in 2006, AnglerSurvey.com helps the outdoor equipment industry, government fisheries officials, and conservation organizations track consumer activities and expenditure trends. The list above represents only a small sample of the vast amount of information that is available from the complete survey results. The results are scientifically analyzed to reflect all U.S. anglers.