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!!!

[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