Bait shops - support the local guy

[Jim Laumann]

I've been patronizing a local bait shop for pretty much all
my bait and tackle for about the last two years. Gotten to know
the owner pretty well, and have fished w/ him a couple of times
as well. Most the time, I spend $5-10 in there, although sometimes
its more - like the purchase of a rod.

This relationship is paying off - monitarily and other wise. I've
been getting very good info on what is doing where on local
lakes and rivers, and I am now getting cash discounts on some
of my purchases, and most recently, a whole shopping bag full of
soft plastic samples he had gotten from one of his suppliers. A nice
assortment of tubes, craws, and lizzards, w/ a few jigs mixed in.

Jim

[[email protected]]

How right you are Jim. I've been going to the same local tackle shop
since I've moved to this town 22 years ago. He now owns 3 more in
different citys and they all are mostly geared for bass. He carries alot
of baits (plastics, jigs, blades, rods) made by the locals here in CA
and I find this equipment mostly better fitted to the local bassin' as
well. If he hasn't got it, it will be ordered for you. All the people
who work there are bassers as well to answer any questions.

sket

[[email protected]]

How right you are Jim. I've been going to the same local tackle shop
since I've moved to this town 22 years ago. He now owns 3 more in
different citys and they all are mostly geared for bass. He carries alot
of baits (plastics, jigs, blades, rods) made by the locals here in CA
and I find this equipment mostly better fitted to the local bassin' as
well. If he hasn't got it, it will be ordered for you. All the people
who work there are bassers as well to answer any questions.

sket

[Bill Kiene]

I think a 'bait-n-tackle' shop will be the survivor in the future.

In the big cities we are seeing the 'big box stores' now which will pretty
much end the small tackle dealers.

Mail order, ecommerce and eBay are not helping the little 'mom-n-pop' stores
either.

Many other industries like photography, bicycles, office supplies, auto
parts, pet supplies and building materials have all gone big to survive in
the US.

Small business in the US will be a thing of the past because of the cost of
doing business. Insurances, rent, utilities, wages, benefits, etc all keep
going up so there are a smaller percentage of retailers that are
"successful" today. I don't think it is anything to get upset about, just be
aware it is going that way. Many of the people in the fishing tackle
business today will just end up working for big companies like Cabelas, Bass
Pro or Sportsman's Warehouse and will probably be better off. they might
have benefits and a retirement plan.

The best small business today is out of your own home/garage with little or
no overhead.

--
Bill Kiene

Kiene's Fly Shop
Sacramento, CA, USA

Web site: www.kiene.com


"Jim Laumann" > wrote in message
...

> I've been patronizing a local bait shop for pretty much all
> my bait and tackle for about the last two years. Gotten to know
> the owner pretty well, and have fished w/ him a couple of times
> as well. Most the time, I spend $5-10 in there, although sometimes
> its more - like the purchase of a rod.
>
> This relationship is paying off - monitarily and other wise. I've
> been getting very good info on what is doing where on local
> lakes and rivers, and I am now getting cash discounts on some
> of my purchases, and most recently, a whole shopping bag full of
> soft plastic samples he had gotten from one of his suppliers. A nice
> assortment of tubes, craws, and lizzards, w/ a few jigs mixed in.
>
> Jim

[Bill Kiene]

I think a 'bait-n-tackle' shop will be the survivor in the future.

In the big cities we are seeing the 'big box stores' now which will pretty
much end the small tackle dealers.

Mail order, ecommerce and eBay are not helping the little 'mom-n-pop' stores
either.

Many other industries like photography, bicycles, office supplies, auto
parts, pet supplies and building materials have all gone big to survive in
the US.

Small business in the US will be a thing of the past because of the cost of
doing business. Insurances, rent, utilities, wages, benefits, etc all keep
going up so there are a smaller percentage of retailers that are
"successful" today. I don't think it is anything to get upset about, just be
aware it is going that way. Many of the people in the fishing tackle
business today will just end up working for big companies like Cabelas, Bass
Pro or Sportsman's Warehouse and will probably be better off. they might
have benefits and a retirement plan.

The best small business today is out of your own home/garage with little or
no overhead.

--
Bill Kiene

Kiene's Fly Shop
Sacramento, CA, USA

Web site: www.kiene.com


"Jim Laumann" > wrote in message
...

> I've been patronizing a local bait shop for pretty much all
> my bait and tackle for about the last two years. Gotten to know
> the owner pretty well, and have fished w/ him a couple of times
> as well. Most the time, I spend $5-10 in there, although sometimes
> its more - like the purchase of a rod.
>
> This relationship is paying off - monitarily and other wise. I've
> been getting very good info on what is doing where on local
> lakes and rivers, and I am now getting cash discounts on some
> of my purchases, and most recently, a whole shopping bag full of
> soft plastic samples he had gotten from one of his suppliers. A nice
> assortment of tubes, craws, and lizzards, w/ a few jigs mixed in.
>
> Jim