tackle shops

[dunn6253]

Quick question for you guys. What are the main attributes you look for when buying from a tackle store, online or on the net? Other then price, what catches your eye? Thanks for the input.

[austin ensor]

lots of stuff in stock!!!!! lots of pics if on web and lots of info!!

[gradywhite273]

first would be a first class inventory, second would be knowledgable staff. A friendly smile and hello go along way too. a nice selection of clothing is cool too.

[gottaflylee]

For me People. Now every noww and then I will get something on line, IF I know who I'm getting it from, like the ones here on the board, but for the most part, I go to my local shops.

[WhiteMarlin]

I look for a shop that has just what I am looking for...
With that said.... my biggest gripe is shops that sell out of exactly what you need when you need it....

ie....make sure you have enough circle hooks, rigging wire, 1/4-1/8 ounce egg sinkers in stock the day before a white marlin tournament....and realize there will be a big rush for that kind of product...all in one SIZE....ie 7/0 circles won't please me if I am looking for 8/0's

[billyocean]

I like them to have a good selection of products. Also, I think shops should try to keep new things coming in. I know I just like to go browse and it sucks when you go in a shop and they have the exact same thing they had six months ago.

[CanyonDreams 2]

Staff that will help and order special items if needed without a lot of flack. Good solid info is good as well. I like a one stop shop.

[Fishfinder]

One thing that you need to keep in mind as far as a local shop being out of stock of a certain item that is need for a particular season. WE try our best to make sure that we have what anglers need, but unfortunately the distributors and even the manufactures don't share our point of view. Sometimes the demand draines both the manufactures and the distributors. I am constantly having to over order my inventories to hopefully have enough of the merchandise that I need for a particular season. With more and more manufactures moving their plants out of the country, supply can never meet the demand when it takes from 30 to 90 days if you are lucky more like 120 days for a manufacture in china or a third world nation to get merchandise on a boat and thru customs and to my shop when I need them. That is one reason why I started making my own lures for offshore fishing. I used to special order many different lures and many different special order colors for fishermen. At first I could order special colors and receive them in less that a week. Then most companies thought it smart to move their facilities out of the country. Now if I get them in 4 to 8 weeks I feel lucky.. There is just so much inventory that a shop can stock. Then, just when you think that you have solved the problem by trippling a order for a certain color that was hot last year, now it is a different color this year and you are left holding dead inventory.
Well, I have vented enough on the subject of availability. Give your local dealers the business when you can!

Capt. Joe Shute

[Nauti Natured]

The number one thing I look for in a Tackle shop is at least one guy that is as crazy about fishing as I am. A guy that I can have a conversation with about the latest things going on in tackle, rods, reels, boats (less important but still fun conversation) etc.

I went to this little shop in Sanibel FL called The Bait Box. I was not super interested in what they were selling but was curious to find out about the local fishing scene. I ran into this guy with bare feet on the job who truly schooled me on the latest things going on with all the reel companies. The bad stories, the good stories, the best drags for the money, who bought who.... It was awesome. You could tell this guy truly lived it like I do and it made me want to buy stuff from him. I went back the next day and they had this totally disinterested dude who really didnt care whether or not we came or went and I was totally dissappointed. I was looking forward to talking to the other guy but he must have been fishin! I think he was a guide as well.

Anyhoo ... sorry for rambling but I think your answer lies in a combination of things: PASSIONATE PEOPLE is number one in any business, a good selection, and price point. With the online stuff, a story doesnt hurt to personalize it a bit (see link below on Vineyard Vines) but after that you are pretty much stuck in a price war.

Hope this was helpful.

Cheers.

[Nauti Natured]

Joe .... I will be coming to see you next week. I know you are my man locally and I have got to come shake your hand.

Im coming just because of the middle finger you put on your post