What makes a good tackleshop?

[pcrawf]

I was tslking to one of my frieds who doesn't fish and I told him we were going into a "good" takleshop..so he turns to me and asked me "what makes a "good" tackleshop. I know how I feel but I was curious what you guys thought made a good tackleshop.

[fin_s_guy]

Quality gear at fair prices.
Convenient to a body of water.
FRESH BAIT and good sized bags of ice.
Informative of the current fishing and/or local hot spots.
Good attitude.

One I'd like to ad and one day have the time to enjoy. Little area with free coffee to stop and shoot the shite. A place where guys can go and be men! I got up before dawn. Toss me a cup of Joe and call me ugly!!! :D

[AndyS]

Good topic for January when everything is covered with ice and snow.

[aduma1107]

Attitude and knowledge of the guy behind the counter. Willing to happily answer any fishing related questions. Been in places where it was clear the guy had no interest in helping out just wanted to ring up the cash register. And of course quality merchandise, fresh bait etc.

[shrimpman steve]

Pete!

[TimM]

2ND Pete......!:)

[aduma1107]

REEL SEAT is really good too.

[youngdumbandfulloffish]

3RD Pete......I'm fairly inexperienced and don't get out to often so to me knowledge is key. Petes told me to put down the stuff I had in my hands and set me up with whats working(which has been less expensive) Like all businesses caring for customers regulars or not is huge in my book.

[njfisherman1975]

The tackle shops that are sponsors on this site make the best tackle shops!!!

[bulletbob]

I have an interesting perspective.. I lived in Union Beach, and then in Forked River before moving to NY state.. When I was "local", I often got my own bait, but when I did buy, it needed to be good fresh bait.. I appreciated, fat healthy sea worms, and good size squid, spearing and clams that weren't decomposed.. Some shops are better than other in this regard.

I was one of the guys that reported to the tackle shop on conditions in the fishery, because I lived a few blocks from the water, and knew what was happening,, they appreciated it when I told them where, when, how, on what, how many and how big..
Now the shoe is on the other foot. I am out of the loop, and am a stranger from out of state.. I REALLY appreciate it when a bait/tackle shop owner or employee will take 5 minutes with me on the phone discussing whats going on, and what my realistic chances are before driving 500-550 miles round trip and spending a fortune.. I usually explain the situation, and often get good honest answers.. Other times, i get impatient folks that just want to get off the phone, and back to whatever they were doing... Something like.. "Fishings been good,thats all I can tell you"... anyway, a lot depends on whose behind the counter on any given day I guess..
My main complaint is prices.. $7.50 for a pint of frozen clams?? $7 for a little 1 pound box of tiny squid?.. I also never see fresh skimmers anywhere, unless its striper season... I may just be hitting the wrong places on the wrong day, not sure.. I will say, i feel most owners really want you to do well. Its good for their business... bob

[action]

brother petes ice me up a cold one wheres the fish:confused:

[Two Captains]

Others beat me to it.....PETE.........you get what you pay for, and if you take the time to pay attention, you get a whole lot more.

[LIGHTACKLE]

First off I think most small locally owned Tackle shops are good ones! These owners depend on your-our support for there livelihood! There local knowledge of where when and how is priceless! The key to being in the loop is to become a regular...shop the same store every time you go..Yes location to the fishing grounds is important,it keeps them in the loop, but an active customer base gives them more feedback than anything else..You know how you can tell a good shop from a bad one? The shop that tells you the fishing sucks and it's not worth the drive or gas money is the one to stick with! There looking out for you. But remember it's a two way street...if you want to get good info you have to give good info and accept that the shop will share it only with their best customers..Once you have built that reputation the paybacks will be enormous! 6 years ago a great weakfish bite came on and all they wanted was sandworms..imagine my dismay when I heard the owner say they were out as we walked in the door! But with a wink of an eye his employee showed up at the cash register with a mystery bag, With 4 dozen sand worms inside! needless to say..FYI Tackle Box Hazlet NJ

[Ryelof]

Jersey Hooker/ Jersey Coast either excellent!!

[reefsquater]

Stock- It blows my mind how few items some shops carry.

Convenience- Need to get stuff often, need it close by

Hours open- early and late

Quality Bait- don't unload the old flats of garbage bait on customers

Price- I don't mind helping a guy make some money and I don't expect WallyWorld pricing but selling it over retail or suggested pricing sends me away fast.

Friendly- Don't complain to me, don't treat me like you are doing me a favor, dont ignore me, smile and offer advice- or tell me what you have been hearing is going on.

Bait and Tackle- If you are trying to be everything, a boat part supply store and a bait and tackle store, chances are you are doing a half A$$ed job.


Sad thing is none of the shops by me fit the bill, some nice without stock, some stocked and our $&@&& people, some trying to be everything and never have what you really need.

[Steve-O]

Where petes shop at?

[aduma1107]

Where petes shop at?
25 Route 36
Middletown, NJ

Has a banner on the top page
Hours 4:30A - 8:30P

[broken bobber]

Pete ???? you guys just love over paying i guess...... 7 dollars more than the EXACT SAME bag of bait at Julians :confused: :confused: :confused:

JERSEY HOOKER OUTFITTERS
Address: 2016 New Jersey 88, Brick, NJ 08724
Phone:(732) 903-6904

Its all about the owner/operator and his attitude....

Rods, Reels, Tackle....You WONT beat Rich's prices.... PERIOD:D

[jmurr711]

JERSEY HOOKER OUTFITTERS
Address: 2016 New Jersey 88, Brick, NJ 08724
Phone:(732) 903-6904

Its all about the owner/operator and his attitude....

Rods, Reels, Tackle....You WONT beat Rich's prices.... PERIOD:D

Gets it to Philly in under 2 days how can anyone beat that just wish he chose his friends better cough Sportfishingusa cough :D

[dfish28]

Rodney King!!!!

[darrenflynn]

+1 jersey hooker