Fishing

2/4/2026 |  EXEC: Big Rock Sports To Liquidate, Unsecured Debt Totals $83M (SGB UPDATE) Big Rock Sports, the Graham, NC-based distributor of fishing, hunting and outdoor sporting goods, has filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy liquidation, listing just over $100 million in liabilities. Unsecured claims totaling about $83 million and including many vendors in litigation with Big Rock are not expected to be paid.

2/2/2026 |  EXEC: Rapala VMC Inks Down Under Distribution Deal with Okuma Fishing Tackle (SGB UPDATE) Finland-based Rapala VMC Corporation (Rapala) has inked a new distribution agreement with Taiwan-based Okuma Fishing Tackle Co., Ltd. (Okuma) in Australia, adding the Okuma fishing product range to Rapala Australia’s product portfolio.
The agreement is set to commence on February 1, 2026.

11/21/2025 |  ClearH2O Tackle Under New Ownership (SGB UPDATE) ClearH2O Tackle Shop in Edwardsburg, MI, has been acquired by employees Steven Szymczak and Michael Savage. The seller, Darrin Schaap, founded the business in 2011.

11/20/2025 |  Rapala VMC Launches €25 Million Bond Offering (SGB UPDATE) Rapala VMC Corporation issued hybrid capital securities in the aggregate amount of €25 million ($29 mm). The subordinated debt, which will be treated like equity on Rapala’s financial statements, bears a fixed coupon interest of 9.0 percent through November 27, 2028, and then reverts to a floating rate.

11/10/2025 |  Saltwater Fishing Brands Combine Under New Entity (SGB UPDATE) A group of investors led by Big Rock Sports Chairman Adrian Holler and Crystal Ridge Partners’ Jack Baron has formed Open Water Brands, a limited liability company that combines several saltwater fishing brands, including brands such as Clarkspoon, Sea Striker, Star Rods, Got-Cha, Calcutta, Billfisher, Krok, Beach Runner, Contour, and Nungesser.