Got a question for you good folks!

As some of you may know, I've been kicking around the idea of opening a bait and tackle shop beside lake Ferguson. I know, keep my day job, which I am going to do. This shop will be on the side of our existing business. Just trying to get an idea of what folks like to see when they walk in a bait shop, name brands, baits, rods, and not just crappie specific. Also, if anybody knows of a good wholesaler to buy from, a point in the right direction would be a blessing. Already have one good one in the works and another locked down, but you can't have too many options.

Oh yea, and some pics of the fishes I've been catching!Attachment 243789Attachment 243790Attachment 243791


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I like seeing quality names brands and quality hand tied jigs, teasers and baits. I like seeing the seasonal stuff up front. Cranks in cranking season etc. Poles, reels, line, and terminal tackle like swivels, weights, Fas Snaps, crappie rigs, and hooks should be readily available with a good selection. Also keep some cane poles rigged and ready. Not everyone has 60 bucks for a pole.

I think most people will want the same things YOU want!!! It's always easier to sell things that YOU like and use!!!!!!! You can advise them on how to use that kinda stuff and teach them how to be more productive in their quest. Good information for your customers keeps them coming back!!!!

Also offer a deal and good count on your Minnows, and offer them by the pound. Good quality bait with a good count will KEEP the doors swinging. Bait is a lost leader. It gets people in the door to buy other things.

Oh yea, one more thing. http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/2016...7906e750a1.jpg [emoji23][emoji23][emoji23]

I've owned a bait shop and the one thing I noticed was it is like farming, if the weather is not good then you don't make any MONEY !!

Very true, I understand it is going to be seasonal, and high water years will hurt it, but I sit at work every day and watch boats file by and it makes me think. Plus, I'm going to be up there everyday anyways, so it may not hurt to try it out


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And when they are biting you will be working.

We also have two other employees so it won't be all on me. And as little as I get to fish anymore, I wouldn't know the difference lol


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Originally Posted by MO' MONEY

so it may not hurt to try it out

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Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

Go for it.....you will never know until you try it

Give it a whirl

If you have pretty ladies in low cut tops dipping minners for you, they will be lined up out the door and no one would care about the count!

get with arkie for best price

and you'll ALWAYS be working. No time for fun

Some fish and animal mounts are good to have around if space permits. Maybe monthly or weekly drawings for some fishing gear. Maybe a bulletin board that people can put their pictures on, business cards, notices, etc. Bottom line is to do things to stay in peoples minds. Agree with all the above posts. Good luck.

Make sure you keep your minnows healthy, If I get sickly minnows from a bait shop (die quickly) then they don't have to worry about my business anymore.. or do like Speck said and then it probably wouldn't matter that much :Rofl

Main thing is first impression...have someone there with a smile on their face and make folks know you genuinely appreciate them being there. Look em dead in the eye and thank em for coming in. Then, most of the suggestions above will work, but no one likes a surley, grumpy retailer. Also, when customers ask about... "are they bitin", or "where would you suggest to go", always have an honest, thought thru answer. Don't know your situation, but if 'lake maps' are available, have them on hand and have one opened and marked up on where they have been bitin. Folks like good information. Your suppliers can give you some advice on marketing, but I've always found "you pay for what you get" really applies in hunting and fishing. I would contact C.Com members who make jigs, rod holders, etc., and see if you can use their products. Maybe have some proto types available to sell or order from. When I go somewhere new, I always ask if anybody is a member. Healthy fresh minners....a must. Keep iPilot batteries, and other batteries available. Jus a few suggestions.........Good luck, and you can probably kiss fishin good bye, you gonna be toooo busy. lol

Or.....
What else do fisherman and boaters stop to purchase? I would not open a tackle store but what can appeal to this traffic regardless of rain or shine?

Fisherman, boaters, and everyone else have to eat too. Food is more appealing and better business than the tackle.

My $0.02 worth.

Doubt that the money you make will justify the loss of your free time. Had a buddy that had a big bait shop. He always complained that when they were biting he had to work cause that is when he made his money. When things slowed down he could go but had missed the hot bite.

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Originally Posted by Speck

If you have pretty ladies in low cut tops dipping minners for you, they will be lined up out the door and no one would care about the count!

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This is the best advise offered so far, facts is the facts!!!!

Promote promote promote, gotta keep something going on all the time to draw people.

Ok here is what im going to do for you MO I will come and work at the baitshop and dip minners while I wear my bikini. If you remember that thread had thousands of views so evidently fisherman like the bikini so im offering you my services and I figure we can draw them in by the thousands.

As of now, I'm working 6 days a week, so not really missing much more fishing as it is. Definitely fishing reports, and will probably be doing snacks and drinks. Live bait and artificial lures, rods reels and line. I have checked some of our local shops and the selection just isn't great. Really wish I could get some southern crappie rods in the shop as that is what I use, but not sure he fools with dealers much. He has an awesome product


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You might try Ed, he can't sell them much cheaper than he already does but even at that 10-15% on your price is a good price for a quality product in your area. Look at pricing mark up on poles in the bait shops in your area compared to Grizzly. Like BRM said, I'd get in touch with guys like Donnie, E-Z, Meatgetter, Arkie and some of the other guys on the board. Each one has a unique product that most of us all know works. Not hard to sell something you believe in.

If you see something not selling, discount it and get it out of there. One of my pet peevs is going in a store with old inventory with dust on the product. Tells me it dosnt work in the local market or is way over priced.

open early ! aggravates me to go early and have to wait till 6 a.m. when daylight is at 5:00 a.m.

Yep, we are literally within view of the ramp, figure hour before light... I'm like you, I will not return to a shop that burns me a couple times


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Originally Posted by Snubbys

Make sure you keep your minnows healthy, If I get sickly minnows from a bait shop (die quickly) then they don't have to worry about my business anymore.. or do like Speck said and then it probably wouldn't matter that much :Rofl

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Not doing business with someone because the bait isn't healthy isn't fair to the bait shop unless it happens over and over. Most of the time the Minnows were in bad health when the bait shop got them delivered from the supplier, and they have NO control over what they get from them. Most suppliers will replace bad bait, but in warmer weather, a lot of times the bait is stressed when the shops get them, hence the white fuzzy looking spots on them.

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Originally Posted by MO' MONEY

Yep, we are literally within view of the ramp, figure hour before light... I'm like you, I will not return to a shop that burns me a couple times


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Which ramp you close to?


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I'm on lake Ferguson in Greenville ms. Right beside the main city ramp and walking distance to another ramp. About 30 minutes from Lake Washington and 15 from lake Lee


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Don't forget, not far from Whittington either.

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Originally Posted by MO' MONEY

I'm on lake Ferguson in Greenville ms. Right beside the main city ramp and walking distance to another ramp. About 30 minutes from Lake Washington and 15 from lake Lee


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That's where we put in to catfish around the grain elevators.


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Good luck!!

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Originally Posted by Crappiemaniac

That's where we put in to catfish around the grain elevators.


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Been catching some nice channels on cut bait tight lining. Heard of some good flatheads caught in the river.


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Haven't been there since the early 80's ,but whittington and ferguson were bream heaven .

The past two weeks they have been catching so many bream the bait shops were selling out of crickets and worms


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Crappie was began to bite pretty good to the river started back risen !!!#

I'm gonna try em this afternoon, see if this fall has turned em back on!


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