Tackle Shop Question

[Throw Back]

Hey guys.  New to the forum, not too new to fishing.

 

Me and a buddy have been considering opening a tackle shop and I was just looking from input from owners, current and former, and customers.

 

To lay out the situation, the location of the shop would be in town, not on a body of water.  I live in the northern california area, about an hour from Sacramento.  We are around a half hour a way from three good size well managed lakes, and about 45 minutes from a whole slew of smaller yet great quality lakes.  We are also less than a half an hour from a great river.  Sacramento river is a little over an hour, but is popular for the salmon run and the striper.  Just outside of an hour is a lot more great lakes.  But, there is really nothing "down the block".  Our town has a fly fishing shop already, and a hunting store, and they both seem to be making out ok.

 

So, for the owners, do you think this area sounds good enough to support it?  What would you reccomend to keep it going, earn the extra money, and earn in the cold months. 

 

As for the customers, what do/would YOU like to see in your local shop.  Whether it be brands, variety, prices, live bait, goods, services, and even those goods/services not related to fishing.

[WRB]

The Internet (TW) has made small tackle business difficult. Your area had Delta Tackle, now out of business and has The Hook Line And Sinker in Oakley, difinately go vist them.

Tom

[backwater4]

Being nearer to water would help, but if your in a high traffic area on the way to these places that's good. It's all about drawing people in from other areas. You have to be able to cater to all groups from panfish to stripers. Carry quality products and bait and keep up with the latest hot lures on those lakes closest to you.

Offer variety, maybe carry some local tackle makers products also. Above all, promote as much as you can. Be at tournaments, maybe work a deal with some local guides to bring business in and meet at the shop before trips. Open early, close late. Offer truthful up to date info. Maybe publicize in local outdoor mags. Hope this helps.

[Deleted account]

If you want to loose money, and not have time to fish, have at it, otherwise no way...

[alexczarn]

If you want to loose money, and not have time to fish, have at it, otherwise no way...

Which is why so many local tackle shops are closing down...

[FD.]

I have known 4 local shop owners.  3 are now out of business and the last one has been trying to sell for years.

[BassnChris]

The Internet (TW) has made small tackle business difficult.

I'm a customer.

I buy 99.9% of my tackle online or at my local Walmart, Academy Sports and Bass Pro.

The local shops are higher because they can't buy and sell in the same volume as the big guys.

Sometimes because I am lazy......stop at little tackle shop and buy minnows for the kids to fish with.

I have a dream of owning a tackle shop........but only after I win the lottery in a big way. Then just so I'll have a place to be after I quit my job. But I'll hire a staff to work the shop so I can go fishing all I want and since I won the lottery I will not worry about turning a profit.....just break even or support it til I'm gone.

Sorry don't mean to be disheartening......but any small business faces a terrible up hill battle........the curse of the www.worldwideinternet.com thing.

Good luck to you and your buddies.....I wish you the very best in your endeavors and hope you are able to make me eat crow......I really do.

[Throw Back]

I know that most buy online, but in a lot of areas I feel like that could be because big 5, WalMart etc, don't carry specifics that some people look for.

what would draw you guys into a local shop?

[alexczarn]

what would draw you guys into a local shop?

Local advice.

[A-Jay]

First off ~ Welcome to BR ~

 

As for your tackle shop venture - you'll never know for sure unless you try.

 

Good Luck

 

A-Jay

[ClackerBuzz]

no matter what the business, you need to have enough money saved or alternative income coming in to sustain being in the red for SEVERAL years till you can finally break even or possibly turn a profit. if you roll ur eye's when you read that and think business plans are something for un-passionate people then you better run the other way.  retail is extremely hard b/c you have the same bills to pay every month, rain or shine, profit or loss, holiday season or summer slump.  testing the water with a 'garage' business is always a good way of knowing what ur getting into. if you feel like there is a need for certain products it would be much easier to start a lure company and get the existing tackle shops to carry ur product and sell it online.

[SirSnookalot]

I never ventured into a retail business because I didn't want to wait for people to walk into my store, there is just so much advertising that can be done.  I always wanted to be able to go out and find business, not wait for it.

There us a reason why Black Friday is called that, it's the day of the year when retail stores go from red into the black.  I wouldn't discourage anyone from trying, some retail do make it and do quite well.  ClackerBuzz is right, most business fail because they are under capitalized, whether it's retail or any other kind of business.

[Fishes in trees]

I try to buy local when I can and I'm fortunate that in the KC metro area there is a great independent fishing tackle & stuff store.  Price wise, sometimes they are higher and sometimes they are lower.  That really doesn't matter so much, I patronize that business mostly because they are nice to me when I come in the door, they say hi, know my name and stuff like that.  They generally have the 5 minutes or so of time to let me rant about why the fish hate me this particular week and won't bite, or the current pattern I'm trying to solve or whatever.

 

How this applies to your desire to open up a fishing tackle store, I don't really know.  I guess that you've got to do what you can do to make your store a destination, a pleasant shopping experience.  Good luck.

[Bankbeater]

You have got to have something that makes your store special.  I know of one shop in my area that fixes reels, besides selling bait and tackle.

[Jolly Green]

I think what people want to see in a local tackle shop is YOU, especially if you're not right next to the water. Owning a business is often an all-consuming time commitment anyway, but I feel that your presence is the number one thing you can offer to set yourselves apart from Wally World. If that same kid from Walmart is behind your counter, I'm less likely to make a special effort to shop at your store.  Good luck!

[awefvawervwae]

Im both a customer and businness. I turned my rod building hobby into a business 2 years ago and like others have said, plan on being in the red for awhile untill you get on your feet and clinetel built up. Its taken my these past 2 years to get my name out locally and for my business to pick up. I have a full time job elsewhere that pays my bills. No way I could survive on bulding rods at this point. You need to find what you can do to make yourself stand out from the other stores and online places. I live on a large lake and have seen small tackle stores come and go. The only 1 that can stay open is the only one that is actually on the water. They have a wide diversity of products which helps them thrive. They have dock slip rentals, boat rentals, the owner is a Guide on the lake, they have dockside gas pumps, all this ontop of the retail bait and tackle store. I like going there becuase he has brought me business and he himself is a customer of mine. He has always helped with any fishing quesions ive had and helped me out on some info to place well in a couple of tournaments. One thing you might want to consider is if there is a large live bait crowd get into that side of things. Drawing customers in to get live bait will also help those customers to buy other products.

 

Wish you the best of luck in your endevors

[KyakR]

My guess (I have no business experience!) is that if you offer something that the box and online stores can't then you might have a fighting chance. Like Jolly Green says, "YOU." I'd sure head to a shop where I could get advice and input about technique and local conditions. I'd head for a shop that specialized on one or two areas (bass fishing, bass fishing or that was affiliated with local guides. I'd be delighted to find a place that had good topo maps, or that could supply me with good baitfish in the dead of summer. Or one that could mail me free tickets to come fish in CA......  

[A-Jay]

_{As a former employee at a couple of difference small tackle shops, I believe that the concept of  a friendly, knowledgeable human behind the counter goes a long way.  Having an idea of what the current techniques, baits and places to go can be one thing that brings people in.  And if the advice proves successful, may just keep them coming back.  Word of month regarding an establishments reputation both good and bad is something that will affect your success.  Reasonable prices and "local Specials" have their place.    Additionally, there is a fine line between spot burning and friendly advice.  This is something you have to feel out and it might be different in different areas of the country.  Another area that should be handled carefully is being a Salesman".  Recommending gear, and baits, depending on your approach can be received as welcome advice or "a push to sell your products".}

_{Something that I've seen in many local shops that seems to be a very positive and well received idea is to hang photo's of fish that your patrons bring in.  I'd recommend making plenty of room in the shop in a place where your customers can get a good look at them, up close and personal.   And hang ANYTHING & Everything they bring in, but try to keep it current. Shots of young anglers are particularly good.  Photo's that are yellowed and faded from age may not have the same effect as shots of anglers with fish recently caught in places that any angler might go and hope to have the same results. You might consider removing and returning the pictures to the owners at the end of each season.  Just have them available to pick through when a customer comes in.   People like to see themselves and their fish up on the wall.  I often would use these pictures in my "sales Pitch" to anglers when recommending, baits and tackle and even mentioning where, when and how the fish were caught.}  

_{Shots of you and your friends with fish you've landed from local places the people will recognize may be a good way to get the program started.}

 

_{Hope this helps.}

 

_A-Jay

[BassnChris]

On the other hand I would argue with BassnChris though.  I'm a small two person business and many times beat the big box stores prices.  I offer personalized service, buy right, keep my overhead low and work on a smaller margin when I can.   I don't need to support a big staff of people.

 

Ron is correct..............sorry. My statement about proces is based on my personal experience with local shops.

 

Like others have stated, as a customer.......prices, services (ie reel repair), knowledge, friendliness, access (hours), convenience are what I say would drive my frequency of patronage. And I would say online presence is mandatory......makes access 24/7.......but you must keep your website current.....prices current, stock levels current, ect.

 

Once a relationship has been established then  you become just the place I go.

 

 

Again...good luck.

[5 Dollar Fishing Game]

Just my humble opinion, but not a good idea. I also buy 99% of my tackle, gear, supplies, etc. from walmart, dicks, bps, and online. The local tackle shop here in NC is almost twice as much on everything! Simply for the reasons mentioned above. The internet is now the go to place.

[5 Dollar Fishing Game]

Also, people who are wanting repair work done are almost 100% of the time wanting it done NOW! The former close relationship of consumer and small shop owner is almost a thing of the past. Why give the gear to get fixed when you can buy the equipment and do it yourself? Why would I pay 1.5x more than what I can get it for at another store?

In the end you have to make the decision for yourself. Weigh out the good and bad and the profits and losses too. The time put forth in most small businesses in order to ESTABLISH clientele is 3-5 years.

Keep all of these posts as opinions and references. Just be sure to do the thing that is most profitable to you and your friend. Good luck!

Joe

[flyfisher]

Interesting responses.  I think many are missing the point though.  There is no reason he cannot start a brick and mortar business and have an internet presence.  I woudl argue it is not just a want but a requirement and personally, I would focus heavily on internet presence due to the reasons all have already mentioned.

 

I almost, as in was having my lawyers review the documents, bought an established fly shop out in the sierras but after much thought and number crunching I was not i na palce financially to be able to not take an income for 3-5 years while i learned and grew the business.  All of the succesfull start ups i have seen have business models and funding that already incorporates their salaries (if any) into the bottom line even if the business does not make a dime.

 

Good luck and remember, customer service is king but not to the point where it damages your opportunity to succeed.

[Throw Back]

no matter what the business, you need to have enough money saved or alternative income coming in to sustain being in the red for SEVERAL years till you can finally break even or possibly turn a profit. if you roll ur eye's when you read that and think business plans are something for un-passionate people then you better run the other way.  retail is extremely hard b/c you have the same bills to pay every month, rain or shine, profit or loss, holiday season or summer slump.  testing the water with a 'garage' business is always a good way of knowing what ur getting into. if you feel like there is a need for certain products it would be much easier to start a lure company and get the existing tackle shops to carry ur product and sell it online.

oh I know and fully understand that aspect. When my dad was young and had a business, the standard was 3-5 years. In this economy people are saying 5-7

[AZAllen]

This is my very first post and I will say, if you decide to start a store, I wish you very good fortune.  I do think that flyfisher is right about having both a store and on line presence.

Allen

[Throw Back]

I guess another thing to keep in mind is perspective on "getting by". I know plenty of adults who would cry if they were making less than 40k a year. Just last year I was at 16-17k