do you trust the recommendations from the tackle shop?

[Evan K]

22 hours ago, A-Jay said:

 This particular establishment catered mainly to the saltwater anglers on New Jersey's south shore.

Not the Tackle Direct in Ocean City, was it?

[Dye99]

Depends on the person. I know a guy who runs a guide service as well as counter work at the local bait shop. He is awesome.

Another just wants to sell stuff to people who don't know better. Him not so much.

 

But I still stop in and put a few bucks into something, hooks, bag of plastics, braid, whatever because no matter how much I laugh at some of the counter jockeys, we have to support our small stores...God help us when its only bass pro, and cabela's....

[flyfisher]

My local shop I trust the owner and his wife without question.  The owner fishes the FLW as a co angler and has done pretty well.  He also does well in the local tournaments.  He has never once tried to sell me anything.  I ask and he recommends, makes life easy for both of us.  

[dsqui]

the angler yes tri state bait hell no those ladies are rude and full of crap.  they dont even fish. why would you work at a bait store and not fish, why would you own a bait store and hire someone who doesnt fish for that matter.

[the reel ess]

I take them under serious consideration. But I don't always follow them. Like most fishermen, I like to fish MY way, not everyone else's way.

[A-Jay]

1 hour ago, Evan K said:

Not the Tackle Direct in Ocean City, was it?

No - but that's a great shop right there though

It was the place just over the bridge going into Cape May.

A-Jay

[Evan K]

39 minutes ago, A-Jay said:

No - but that's a great shop right there though

It was the place just over the bridge going into Cape May.

A-Jay

Cool- I grew up in southern NJ- TD in Ocean City was where I got my first saltwater gear.

[Catt]

On 5/29/2016 at 8:32 PM, Catt said:

Not to many have my knowledge

 

5 hours ago, Raul said:

I'll be darned, I was going to say the same thing. 

Hell, I don't even trust pros, remember they were the ones that spread the myth that FC didn't stretch.

Where I live there is 1 Academy, 1 Dick's, & 2 Local tackle shops.

One associate at Academy fished tournaments during the 70 & 80s with me. The owner of Cajun Tackle is a young lady that fishes salt water competitively.

At least I know those two will not lie to me!

[Molay1292]

We  only have 1 independently owned tackle shop in own town.  Most of the serious bass fishermen in the area visit it on a regular basis and the Staff also fish.    They are all very good at helping and have strong advice. 

[wytstang]

Salt water shops yes, fresh water nope. Jacks bait shops in the Fl, Keys (and just before the Keys in Florida City) will tell you what species is biting, what bridge/mile maker they were last reported to be hitting (very up to date reports) and what hooks & baits have been working. I've never had that in a fresh water shop, it's always what lure can I get you to buy today mentality.

[avidone1]

On ‎5‎/‎29‎/‎2016 at 9:32 PM, Catt said:

Not to many have my knowledge

there are certain lakes that I fish often, and I feel this same way.  But I like to try new places and will travel a good ways to new water.  Once there I will always stop at the local bait shop and just look around, listen to the chatter etc.  I find that asking questions about the lake can open up the staff and any customers hanging around.   Things like, "I'm new to this lake, what's the structure like?  or something real general like that.   It's a good way I find to get a feel for the staff.   If they are willing to talk about the lake and not immediately go to the selling of lures etc.  then I may have a decent sort of guy who wants to help me and sell me the right stuff.

It also seems to reason that they want you to catch fish.   If you do well, you just might come back

[Airman4754]

If the technique didn't come from Japan I'm probably not interested. Those guys fish in infinitely tougher conditions that we do, so if something is working above average there I want to know about it.

[WRB]

Most local tackle shops want you to catch fish so you will return and become a regular customer. Good sales personal can be very helpful if they are knowledgable. How you respond to the "can I help you find anything" greeting usually determines the level of help you receive. Can you trust sales people, only if they earn your trust.

Tom