gulp swimming mullet 5" ???

[Dave A]

Pure Fishing gave D**k's the exclusive for this year and left all of us independant tackle shops out.

[jlrotary]

Used them once this year and they were purchased at d**ks

[JMM727]

[JerseyCoast]

Originally Posted by Dave A

Pure Fishing gave D**k's the exclusive for this year and left all of us independant tackle shops out.

Thats one more reason I have been convincing my customers that a " Curly Tail Grub" at 1/4 the price of Gulp, is working just as well, if not better than this new formula/product we see this year. Its all about that tail action first, before any scent related attraction.

I decided to edit my rant here, but I have no problem admitting I am upset with the decision to cater to the corporate giants over the local shops.

These places are not what Bait & Tackle Shops are all about..... Your not getting your bait on the way out, unless your ok with waiting until 9am or 10am. Your not getting an experienced, accurate report from someone who is making their living in the business.

I would trust a Reel Seat Bar over an imported bar any day!!! Or a hand tied rig, over a sweat shop rig tied by somebody who can care less if you land that fish or not!

Yet, they continue to get items that we can not get. If you ask me, they can keep it. Once a manufacturer becomes all about the money, they no longer have any credibility in a quality product in my book!

Good luck getting the latest info, the correct info, or any extra help from somebody who has no idea what a uni knot is! Now that another big brand has chosen to become all about the money and not their product or their customers, it will not be long before your local shops are driven out of town. Yes, this is a sore topic with me!!! We have nobody to blame but ourselves, as long as we continue to patronize these places and tell the manufacturers that its ok to shut down the small shops loaded with experience.

[Jigsmith]

Wow, I had no idea. Can't really blame D**k's, but shame on Berkley. I can't imagine what their thinking was. I can see why tackle shops are pissed...for good reason too.

[JerseyCoast]

Originally Posted by Jigsmith

Wow, I had no idea. Can't really blame Dick's, but shame on Berkley. I can't imagine what their thinking was. I can see why tackle shops are pissed...for good reason too.

This is quickly becoming the new thing with many manufacturers. Wait & see what another year or two brings.

Over 70% of my shop is privately owned, custom tackle companies for a reason!!!

[fishonmike]

Thanks for the replys .....really does s**k thats d**ks has exclusive rights to them this year

[kurtisb]

Berkley sell 3, 4 and 6" on their website.

http://www.berkley-fishing.com/produ...ng-mullet-gulp

[june181901]

One important reason (to the manufacturers) that the box stores get products first is that a single phone call is made to say d***k's HQ in Pittsburgh. This is opposed to more than 20 sales reps stopping in more than independents in Monmouth County alone.
The independents should tell Berkely to stuff the 5 inchers next year when they are offered to them but economically they can't. Their business practises aren't "fair" but as they say life isn't fair".
Local guys deserve our support and I hope they will survive but it doesn't look optimistic.

[Billfish715]

I didn't buy them. When I looked at them, they didn't look significantly longer than the 4". They did seem to have more "girth" which might make them hold up longer on a jig hook. Exclusivity and distribution of products has always been a part of the trade. There was a time when retailers could only buy through a wholesaler.....PERIOD. That included big, box stores. Some products simply have no mark up for individual retailers given the volume buying power of catalogue houses and the internet. Until someone proves that the 5" is catching more fish than the 4", why sweat what you can't control?