TACKLE WORLD BUNDABERG
Our Story
From a Small Bait Shop to Bundaberg’s Fishing Destination
The Beginning
Tackle World Bundaberg’s story began in 1987, when Don Robinson purchased a small bait and tackle shop on Targo Street called Trawler and Boating Supplies. Back then, the store sold fishing tackle, bait, ice, trawler gear and a handful of boating accessories. It was humble, local, and built on genuine service.
Salty's Is Born
In 1991, Don moved the business into a larger premises at 22 Quay Street - the same location we operate from today. This move allowed the store to expand into marine electronics, snorkelling gear, scuba diving equipment and diving lessons. With just three staff at the time, the shop quickly outgrew its old identity, and in 1993 it was renamed Salty’s - a name Bundaberg locals still fondly use today. Around the same time, Don joined two major national buying groups, Tackle Busters (now Tackle World Australia) and Bargain Boat Bits, giving the store the buying power it needed to grow.
Under Don’s leadership, Salty’s evolved into much more than a tackle shop. For years it included a dedicated dive shop on Bourbong Street, complete with a scuba training pool, classrooms, and a team of instructors and dive masters. Don even operated the dive boat Lady Godiva and a live-aboard vessel running trips to Lady Musgrave Island, passionately promoting the Bundaberg gateway to the Southern Great Barrier Reef. His work attracted divers and students from around the world and helped put Bundy diving on the map.
In 2005, Don closed the dive shop to refocus on fishing and marine retail as the business continued to grow. With this evolution came another name change - Salty’s officially became Tackle World Bundaberg. Despite the new signage, the original name remained close to the community’s heart, and many locals still affectionately call the shop “Salty’s” today.
Don guided the store through major industry changes - including the arrival of computers, EFTPOS, digital inventory systems, online stores and social media. What began with one landline, one computer and a manual cash register has grown into a modern operation with multiple phone lines, walk-about handsets, POS terminals and an online store shipping nationwide.
New Ownership
Don continued to guide the business with passion and integrity until 2017, when ongoing health issues led to the sale of the store after an extraordinary run leading Salty’s and later Tackle World Bundaberg. The business was purchased by Micheal and Lenore Hanks, who remain committed to preserving the foundations Don built, including loyalty, community, genuine customer service and a real passion for fishing, while continuing to adapt and grow in an ever changing retail world.
Under the new ownership, the store underwent major internal renovations, including new flooring, slatwalls, upgraded shelving, modern computer systems, cloud based POS software, upgraded phone systems, modern wired ethernet and cabling, new power systems, suspended ceiling upgrades and a completely redesigned eCommerce website. The exterior shopfront and carpark have also since been renovated and modernised.
Today, Tackle World Bundaberg proudly employs 9 full time staff and 6 casual team members, helping fuel the next generation of passionate young anglers. Alongside the continued investment into the business and its people, the store has continued to grow while staying true to the values Bundaberg locals have always known it for.
We’ve also built a strong and active social media presence across Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and more, allowing us to connect with our community, share fishing reports, showcase new products and keep customers up to date no matter where they are.
