Wow... Thanks to everyone who replied.
I have read every word and absorbed it all.... with notes.

Right now the shop is just staffed with myself and my business
partner. We have already taken action on some of your advice, both
before and after the great posts. We have 2 guys who are B.A.S.S
members and we offered them a 15% discount to help us chose our sprinf
bass baits.

As I mentioned in an earlier post we have already sceduled ourselves
withh a Bass guide and tourney fisherman, for a good price (half his
gas). Although he is thinking about not doing tourney fishing next
year, he will still be guiding and has been bass fishing for something
like 20 years.

I would love to try and or carry some secret weapons.... do you
wholesale to retailers? and can we set up an account?

I will start watching the Bassmaster catalogs with a closer eye...
considering the million dollar ad campaigns to force baits to be "hot"
and keep my ears to my customers to see what they are actually using.

Also, although it pains me, I have decided to pull out some of my
decking from my small 40hp fly-fishing boat, fix up the livewell, and
fish a couple of open tounaments next year. I hate selling gear that I
have no first hand experience with.

Again ,

I really appreciate everything everyone from this group has offered us
to consider. I will surely stick around.

In the mean time... if anyone wants some fly fishing tips....
I'll keep that for Fly fishing forum.

The truth is, I don't care how I'm doing it or where it is... if I
have a line in the water, I'm happy.

Lloyd M
The Fishin' Hole
http://www.mainetackle.com