Kerr Scott bait store prices

I went to Kerr Scott today and stopped at the old Mikes Bait and tackle to get some minnows. It is under new management and the ladies running it now know nothing about bait or tackle. I only bought 3 dozen minnows and that is exactly the number of minnows I got. She counted them like gold chips and some of them was so small I couldn't get them on a hook. I might just be an ole tight wad but I ain't use to such counting. If you are coming to Kerr Scott, bring your own bait or your bank book. I have not fished for the past 2 years and it felt good to get the ole SeaArk back in the water. Caught 10 kept 8, one was 14" and I am looking forward to my first fresh mess of crappie in a good while.

Got that right, they are under new mgmt, I dont buy minnows there anymore the same thing happen to me, but there is a new bait store called "Tackle Barn" at the intersection of NC 18 & NC 16 in moravian falls, thats where I shop now

Is it near the Moravian Falls Grill? I heard there was one up 421 near Ridgecrest but have not found one. Someone is going to open the old Market Basket at the corner of 268 and Browns Ford Rd. I hope they sell minnows. That is a rip off at the Old Mikes as far as I am concerned. I have never fished Kerr Scott at night and that is when I would have the most time to fish so I guess I will go back to Lake Norman.

I think its near Wilkes central high schooled

Went there, got minnows, all I can say is that if you are coming to Kerr Scott and intend to use minnows, Bring them with you

She must not know what she is doing. She can't make enough off minnows to stay in business. Give a few extras and make the money off floats, line, drinks, ice, bait buckets, nets and all the other stuff that is marked up 400%. Use the minnows to keep the coming back.

If the store employee asked you how many minnows you expected for three dozen, what would you answer?

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Originally Posted by ATM

If the store employee asked you how many minnows you expected for three dozen, what would you answer?

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That depends, you talking english or metric?

I would probably tell him to let his conscience be his guide. I know 2.00 a dozen for minnows that range in size from 1 inch to 2 inches that it shouldn't send them into bankruptcy to toss in one or two extra to cover the floaters. I guess I am just spoiled to going to bait stores where the owners know that straining a gnat will not build repeat business. It is their business and they can run it any way they please, its my money and I can spend it any way I please. How about you, how many would you tell the employee that you expect?

I have two places to buy minnows. one, the minnows are usually small, but the owner smokes in the store, so I don't like to go in. the other, the minnows are large, like almost bass size, and expensive. Both places give good counts, though. Where do they get these minnows, anyway?

It's good to know the MO of these bait shops, so, I appreciate the original message.

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Originally Posted by crappie happy pappy

I would probably tell him to let his conscience be his guide. I know 2.00 a dozen for minnows that range in size from 1 inch to 2 inches that it shouldn't send them into bankruptcy to toss in one or two extra to cover the floaters. I guess I am just spoiled to going to bait stores where the owners know that straining a gnat will not build repeat business. It is their business and they can run it any way they please, its my money and I can spend it any way I please. How about you, how many would you tell the employee that you expect?

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Funny, that you ask. Around here I'm often told to go dip my own. When that happens I do my best to count them. I'm sure when I'm dipping they're expecting me not to cheat, just like I expect them not to when they're dipping.

I sold minnows for a long time and know I know that healthy active minnows are your best repeat business. I also know that the customer is very critical. I always gave one extra bass minnow. The small minnows are very cheep wholesale. If a customer got crappie minnows they would get 2 or 3 extra. The more they got the more extras they would get. Time is money, so if you count slow you burn time. If you count fast you have to error on the side of the customer. My 2 cents.

When Gander Mountain sold minnows here in Greensboro, that was the place to get them. They were $.50-$.60 more than anywhere else, but if you went in right before closing the kids they had working there would usually throw in twice as many as you asked for. Of course, they no longer sale minnows either. LOL We usually by 10-15 dozen when we use them (winter) and the guy usually throws in at least an extra dozen to a dozen and a half. Like others have said, they are not making their living off of minnows and extra minnows in the tank will bring you back and few go in without buying drinks, snacks, tackle, etc.
Mike

Take a kid outdoors!

Guys all I know is im becoming a lot better jig fisherman year round . I use minnows in winter and am about the only man on the water up here fishing for crappie. When I buy them I come out of the store with more than just minnows.

I guess I'm just from the old school and have always believed you could sell more to people coming in the door than going out the door. I came out with more than minnows in both places. His counting technique will not cause me to stop crappie fishing, I do know how to toss jigs and I go to other lakes to night fish so all is well that ends well. He's happy, I'm happy, and I wish each of you happy crappie, from the pappy

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Originally Posted by ATM

If the store employee asked you how many minnows you expected for three dozen, what would you answer?

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I'd say, "Enough to ensure I have 36 good minnows when I get to the lake." That's the expectation that has been set by bait shops everywhere. So, now, if they getting counted out, it has the perception of being "stingy" instead of good will towards the customer.

I don't know the markup on minnows, but it doesn't really matter if the majority of people don't want to come back because of it. "Perception is reality" especially applies to a business and customer service.

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Originally Posted by blugrasmaniac

I'd say, "Enough to ensure I have 36 good minnows when I get to the lake." That's the expectation that has been set by bait shops everywhere. So, now, if they getting counted out, it has the perception of being "stingy" instead of good will towards the customer.

I don't know the markup on minnows, but it doesn't really matter if the majority of people don't want to come back because of it. "Perception is reality" especially applies to a business and customer service.

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Minnows are about 6 cents each. They are sold by weight. I usually buy them twice a winter and they drive them right to my doorstep. They are really easy to keep as long as you have an aerator. You can keep them in a large cooler or a barrel. As cheap as they are, you really aren't saving any money by buying bulk, but it sure is convenient not having to drive to find minnows. I order my crickets by the case too. Do a search for minnow or cricket farm!

I have the best of both worlds. A good friend who raises bass and bream commercially for sale. He will always buy 30 or so pounds of minnows when he gets a few hundred pounds of fingerlings, to stock his ponds. I let him use my beach houses a couple of times a year, and he usually has plenty of free minnows for me. Just have to call him a day or to in advance so that he can catch them from pond. He does not sale to the public. On the times that I do not call him or he is out, I usually get mine at the Citgo in Lexington. (Hwy 8, and 47 int.)I buy by the pound and they always add a few extra, and you can see the scales when they weight them, know going into the back room to count. If they are so tight as to count them 1 at a time, I can only speculate as to how many I get, and I do not have the time to wait for them to count 20 dozen or so. (Simpleman sure does use a lot of minnows) lol.

I'll just say this. Stores stay in business by selling things and making profit. We all need to understand that. They also spend money on advertising with the purpose of getting people in the door. Best advertising is word of mouth. Its free and effective. So when you get someone to visit your store thats your chance to make an impression. Be friendly, provide good products at a reasonable price (ie don't gouge) and make the customer want to come back. Not saying give away the store but you are not the only choice in town so don't try to squeeze every penny out of them. If your selling what they need and want you will make it up on repeat business. :twocents If it were my bait shop I would not like what I am hearing on this thread and would make some changes. I think every body like a deal. No matter how small.

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Originally Posted by ATM

If the store employee asked you how many minnows you expected for three dozen, what would you answer?

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About six dozen. I am used to getting about double what I ask for at Jordan Dam Mini Mart. Usuall nice lively minnows.

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Originally Posted by slabinator

About six dozen. I am used to getting about double what I ask for at Jordan Dam Mini Mart. Usuall nice lively minnows.

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Does that work for 12 packs??? :Rofl

(Simpleman sure does use a lot of minnows) lol.

Hey!!!! I resemble that remark......Besides its Your fault....How was I suppose to know you can catch five times more fish with seven less rods?????? I am a product of government schools you know. :banghead rotfl

I just ran into this thread again, and I have a new perspective on this, lol....I used to buy minnows at Lakeside Marina on 127 in Hickory, and for the past few months, they've been counting them out and give an exact count - no more, and no less.

I've come to realize it's not the count that I care about. I can afford an extra two or three dollars for extra minnows....It's the fact that it takes entirely too long to get minnows because they literally pick them up one by one, and count them out. If they lose count, I've even seen them dump the entire pail and restart. grrrr......

I know I risk being ostracized for being too critical of business and labeled as a tight wad but here goes nothing. The bait store soon after the last post started tossing in a few stand-ins for the corpses . They got down right generous. End of story, I went back today and they have changed management again. The lady in the kitchen went back to get my minnows and I could tell by how long she was gone she was having a hard time getting the number right. Well she counted them to the tee. However I now know why the sausage biscuits taste like fish. LOL For all those critical of my original comments let me ask you a question. If you got 49 instead of 48 would you take him back when you discovered it?

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Originally Posted by crappie happy pappy

I could tell by how long she was gone she was having a hard time getting the number right. Well she counted them to the tee. However I now know why the sausage biscuits taste like fish.

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Exactly!! that's funny about the biscuits.

As an example that falls entirely on the other side of this discussion, I stopped by Tom's Family Mart in Kings Mountain, NC the other day, and asked for six dozen minnows...well, three of us fished for five hours, went through a bunch of minnows, and we still had at LEAST six dozen left, lol...

I have lived here for about 10 yrs but really not that long as I was working out of the area most of the time. I am surprised by all the water around and the limited number of bait shops there are. I know WalMart sells some bait but not my idea of a bait shop...

best count we ever got was at High Rock at Tamarac paid for 3 dozen bet we got 10 to 12 in bucket old guy that owns the place got them for us now that was a good count lol!!!!!!

Don't like to buy from a place where they touch them with their hands they will not live as long I think I never stick my hand in the bucket when I'm getting them out

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Originally Posted by blugrasmaniac

Exactly!! that's funny about the biscuits.

As an example that falls entirely on the other side of this discussion, I stopped by Tom's Family Mart in Kings Mountain, NC the other day, and asked for six dozen minnows...well, three of us fished for five hours, went through a bunch of minnows, and we still had at LEAST six dozen left, lol...

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Tom's will lay them on you, when I used to use minnows , that's where I got mine and they always give plenty!