Do You Support Your Local Bait and Tackle Shop?

[fishwizzard]

23 hours ago, Burtonxj said:

Not too many local tackle shops in the Northern VA area (few fly fishing shops) but nothing else that I'm aware of. Usually have to drive ~90 minutes to a Bass Pro. If I'm in a pinch I'll go to a DSG o Gander Mountain and they both are usually lacking in product.

 

Hah, I will sometimes drive the 90m to that Gander Mountain as I feel the Bass Pro is lacking.  

I try to support local shops, there are two of them near me, but they are both very saltwater focused and only have tiny little bass sections.  The on closest to my house usually has a bass guy behind the counter, so I can always find something to buy to justify picking his brain.  

I do end up buying from a lot of very small online places, one in particular doesn't have a shopping cart, you have to write up a list and email it.  Guy makes great jig heads though.  

 

[BaitMonkey1984]

There used to be a small shop, run by an old friend a mile away from my office. I was by far his best customer, I used to stop by on coffee runs, or slip away for a 15 minute break to just talk fishing. Never left without $20 of merchandise. Sadly, the military moved him to the western part of the state and he had to close the business. Really enjoyed walking in and getting that personal touch of a local shop. Plus, he always knew what they were biting on in my neck of the woods and would offer tips, etc. And if you caught fish on lures bought at his shop, he posted it to their website. Lots of my fish adore his website. d**n I miss that shop. 

[greentrout]

Live in a coastal area where salt water fishing is king and we do have a local who serves those needs with various niches. He DOES take care of the fresh water guys like me with a section of plastics, spinner baits and other hard baits and has a reasonable price to repair and clean reels and repair rods with a hired on site man who does a good job. The other locals who were here have long been wiped out by Wal-Mart, Academy and Dicks. They will see their ending in time, too. It's the way of things.  

[dignan2121]

Blaming the customer for a poor business model is dumb. I bet maybe 1-5% of your customers may complain about finding a better price online. Why not offer to price match to those who complain? Add enough value to a customer and you won't have to worry about them coming in the door. Value is not just cheaper stuff. You can hold informational classes,offer cheap/free reel cleaning services,get samples from reps to give out. So many ways! 

 

[Felix77]

I do when I can.  If I think something is too expensive I just don't buy it.  Friendly people and customer service go a long way.  On more than one occasion I bought something merely because my experience there was worth the support regardless of price.

Felix

[roadwarrior]

Sometimes you just get lucky. 00 Mod and I happened to stop at Red's when he was liquidating his Megabass inventory.

 

[dave]

On 2/29/2016 at 8:40 PM, Burtonxj said:

Not too many local tackle shops in the Northern VA area (few fly fishing shops) but nothing else that I'm aware of. Usually have to drive ~90 minutes to a Bass Pro. If I'm in a pinch I'll go to a DSG or Gander Mountain and they both are usually lacking in product.

 

If you have the time during the week (weekend parking is tough),  do yourself a favor.  Drive into Baltimore City and visit Tochterman's.  They just celebrated their 100 anniversary.  They are the oldest operation tackle shop in the US.  Man,  what a fantastic place.  There isn't a type of fishing they don't cover and are the nicest people you could ask for which to deal.  Their blood worms are so good,  people have to call and make reservations.

On 2/29/2016 at 5:38 AM, BrianinMD said:

I would if there was one in my area.

Have you ever been to Tochterman's in Baltimore?  They just celebrated their 100 anniversary.  They are the oldest operation tackle shop in the US.  Man,  what a fantastic place.  There isn't a type of fishing they don't cover and are the nicest people you could ask for which to deal.  Their blood worms are so good,  people have to call and make reservations.   Not exactly in your area but,  not a terrible drive either.
 

[ww2farmer]

Very little in the way of local stores out here in the sticks. We got one guy, a couple towns over, that caters to the local bass guys. But he doesn't carry much of what I like/use.............nice guy though, and his prices are decent. I stop once or twice a year, and grab a few things just to be friendly. But other than that, nothing around here.

[dave]

On 2/29/2016 at 9:33 PM, Darren. said:

I go to one local shop for live bait, the other local
shop for rod tip fixes mostly.

Both places have good folks and good support.

BPS, DSG, and TW, etc., have more variety on the
tackle front, so I go there for other necessities.

When I make it down south,  I always try to stop at Ocean's East.  I know that's a little south of you.

[faygo1979]

I have two local bait shops that I use.  One I support buy renting flat bottom boats when I want to head out on the water for a couple hour.  They are primary a live bait shop they sell tackle but it is sparse.  But I do try to buy drinks, propane and anything else they do that line up with what I need.  They are a mom and pop shop that does a little bit of everything.  They fix reels and motors as well as deer processing in the fall.

 

The other bait shop is right off of St Clair and they have a good selection or items,.  I normally pick up stuff that I can buy at dicks, Walmart or BPS.  Their prices seem to be competitive  but they also don’t have the competition  of a BPS or a cabalas  on that side of the area.

 

Small bait shops have to do things that you can’t get from the big boys for them to succeed.  The ones that just want to sell tackle are already dead.

[roadwarrior]

Both of the stores I mentioned earlier cater to local tournament fishermen and they have built great relationships over time. Another thing that I appreciate is the information they share which is always current. What I am particularly interested in is depth, but sometimes a color or specific presentation is hot,

 

[fishwizzard]

1 hour ago, dave said:

If you have the time during the week (weekend parking is tough),  do yourself a favor.  Drive into Baltimore City and visit Tochterman's.  

I have only been there once, after an afternoon barhopping with my girlfriend.  She was driving, so I was maybe 4-6 drinks in when I got there.

It was ....expensive.

But really, it is a great shop with a ton of stuff jammed in there.  And now that Ostrowski's Famous Polish Sausage is back with owners that give a dam, there is even more reason to visit the neighborhood. 

[WIGuide]

I try to, but there really isn't much around me. There's one place in a small town that's an outfitter, but he caters more to musky and hunting than bass fishing. I also fish on a limited budget so I've got to stretch my dollars and get everything I can with them. 

[dave]

1 hour ago, Bunnielab said:

I have only been there once, after an afternoon barhopping with my girlfriend.  She was driving, so I was maybe 4-6 drinks in when I got there.

It was ....expensive.

But really, it is a great shop with a ton of stuff jammed in there.  And now that Ostrowski's Famous Polish Sausage is back with owners that give a dam, there is even more reason to visit the neighborhood. 

They've expanded and it is not nearly so crowded.  They opened an upstairs area.

[Steveo-1969]

23 hours ago, Avalonjohn44 said:

I didn't know my town had a local shop until just recently. Since then I've gone through them for just about everything I need. Winchester VA - Jake's Bait & Tackle:

http://www.jakesbaitandtackle.com/

 

Thanks Avalon, I forgot all about this place!  This is about 35 minutes from me and I don't get to Winchester often but I definitely need to stop in and visit them.

[ColdSVT]

I bring beer to mine lol. I order all of my rods and reels through him for the most part, as well as most of my baits.

 

Helps he is one of my buddies lol

[MichiganBass80]

Nope.  Not even sure the last time I stepped foot in the closest "local" tackle shop.  To far away and the few times I have been in there they were overpriced.  

[Big Swimbait]

We are lucky to have an exceptional one in between Dallas & Ft. Worth. I've seen baits there before TW had availability. Everything from Ned stuff to giant swimbaits. They have the best price on tungsten around. They got big enough to have online sales but still run it as a family business. http://anglersprotackle.com/

I try to give the local businesses as much as i can, even if it means I pay a little more. APT really supports the bass clubs in the DFW area. If you are ever in the DFW area, it is worth a visit. 

[S. Sass]

24 minutes ago, 1201vilbig said:

We are lucky to have an exceptional one in between Dallas & Ft. Worth. I've seen baits there before TW had availability. Everything from Ned stuff to giant swimbaits. They have the best price on tungsten around. They got big enough to have online sales but still run it as a family business. http://anglersprotackle.com/

I try to give the local businesses as much as i can, even if it means I pay a little more. APT really supports the bass clubs in the DFW area. If you are ever in the DFW area, it is worth a visit. 

That is great. I live in N.E Texas but have family in that area. As a matter a fact I am going to see them this coming Sunday. And I see they are open Sunday also! I will be making a pass through there.  

I do use our local tackle shops mainly for live bait, something i am out of, and anything I see I cant live without.  Very friendly help more than the average shop for tackle I think but the prices are probably a tad higher. I personally don't mind a small % higher price unless it is a big amount where the % becomes a # I cant stand. But anything under $50 it is probably a wash since most online don't do free shipping till $50 anyway. 

[ethan-333]

i try and shop there often but some of his prices are outrageous

small spool of seagusr red label he wants 17 dollars.. if hes the only that has it i buy it otherwise i cam go anywhere else and get it for 13

 i usually buy mostly crappie jigs and soft plastics from him. small stuff thats priced decent.

[livin2fish]

Absolutely will try the local tackle shop first.  If he does not have the "needed" item and can't order it, then will shop around.  Will pay more to the local as long as it isn't too overpriced.

[Ridi620]

Almost 95% of the time. We got a great local flea market here in Oldsmar,FL with one of the most abundant tackle selections I've ever seen. Prices are great, the owner Bob, your old school fisherman is one of a kind. You don't get the thank yous from the Big companies that you do from your local Mom and Pop shops. Unfortunately that 5% other time is when they just don't have what im looking for or there's those amazing sales that you cant miss out on at the "bigger companies"

[JGBassinAL]

On 2/29/2016 at 7:03 AM, roadwarrior said:

Two stores which I really like are Big Red's Bait & Tackle in Lakeview, AR  http://redstackle.com/

Gray's Tackle Shop in Sheffield, AL  https://www.facebook.com/graystackleshop

 

 

Do you ever go to Perkin's Tackle in Florence? That's my top place. I love to support local tackle shops. Perkin's has literally anything you could want for the most part, and if they don't have it they will order it for you and get it to you in just a few days. The Perkin's brothers are some of the nicest, most helpful people I know. If any of you guys are in this area make sure to stop by. Gray's is top notch too and Danny and the crew are great guys. I've only been to a couple of local tackle shops in other cities but I don't see how any could be better than the ones where I live. I'm just lucky I guess...or my wallet is unlucky.

[robster80]

definitely. ive scored alot of deals at one in particular. always puts apt of good lures on clearance. a rack of rods 50% off.  last year i scored a 6'8 medium/fast gen1 cumara for 109 still in plastic with tags..  will probably go back by there friday and give them some more $ 

[blckshirt98]

1 hour ago, robster80 said:

definitely. ive scored alot of deals at one in particular. always puts apt of good lures on clearance. a rack of rods 50% off.  last year i scored a 6'8 medium/fast gen1 cumara for 109 still in plastic with tags..  will probably go back by there friday and give them some more $ 

That Cumara is such a nice rod, great find!