It was the second year in the row that the business has won the gong, and the third  since opening in October 2010.

“We’re stoked because there is such strong competition in this area of the world,” owner Brent Hancock said.

“We’re not a big business by comparison to some, so we’re very grateful for the local support. It’s very humbling.”

Mr Hancock attributes his repeated success to two main factors: customer service and fishing knowledge.

“We do pride ourselves on both; they’re the number one factors in an industry that is   such a huge spectrum.

“From whiting off the beach using worms to customers spending millions of dollars on catching game fish.

“Our team has that knowledge which is hard to come by.”

Tackle World Port Stephens employs four staff and is by Mr Hancock’s admission, a ‘tight operation’. 

“In this day and age. yes, when you compare us to the big boys with their big budgets,  but we have the advantage that we are the total package.

“Customers know us well and put their trust in our knowledge.

”We are on the ground, always looking out for new products and techniques which we pass on.

“That’s the thing with fishing, every day is a learning curve and you are continually learning.”

Mr Hancock said the award was a massive  pat on the back that suggests that Tackle World Port Stephens is doing a good job.

”People are voting for us and to win two years in row –  we must be doing something right.

“In real terms, we display the trophies in the shop, put them out on social media, and we get a lot of likes and comments, even from other local businesses.

“It causes a ripple of positivity in the retail industry and so it’s a great boost in difficult times.”