tackle shop ideas

[fishaholic82]

I've been wanting to open a tackle shop for a while now in the Houma area. I'm wanting to carry a wide variety of local and custom accessories not just the generic stuff. My question is how much seed money would it take to get the doors open and what are ya'll ideas on what would be the must have items? Thanks for any help.

[DUCKGOGETTER]

Pm jedi lure tricks i'm sure he'll be glad to help

[specktator]

I always wanted to do the same thing in Lafayette. Lafayette Shooters is a bunch of crooks. And academy has nothing. Good luck. There is nothin else in Lafayette.

[fishaholic82]

Specktator its kinda the same way here in Houma. I'm just tired of having to order stuff off the internet cause no one in town carries the stuff I like and I'd be willing to bet I'm not the only person that feels this way.

[Duck Butter]

Originally Posted by fishaholic82

Specktator its kinda the same way here in Houma. I'm just tired of having to order stuff off the internet cause no one in town carries the stuff I like and I'd be willing to bet I'm not the only person that feels this way.

I agree with Lafayette not having much, or nothing I could find at one spot. Houma seems like an excellent place for a tackle shop. Obviously both places are in prime locations for salt and freshwater tackle. In West Monroe, there are 2 really good stores - one is called The Honey Hole which is really geared towards crappie fishermen, but has bass stuff also. I really like that place. The other is Toledo Tackle and they are set up for bass fishing more than anything, but also have a small hunting section - bows and muzzleloaders. The Honey Hole had pretty good inventory, but the owner sold it a few years back to a fella with a good bit of money and he restocked the place and business is booming, he rarely ever runs out of certain supplies. He also gives weekly fishing reports and the best colors of jigs he keeps out on the table by the register. People buy that crap up regardless whether its the truth or not

Since Houma is close to some really good sacaulait fishing, you have to cater to those folks = jig poles, a large assortment of jigs, maybe some local hand tied jigs, maybe sell shiners and crickets also, although I hear that shiners can be a real pain to keep. For the saltwater, you must have a large selection also. Then you have flyfishermen, wadefishermen, offshore fishermen, etc to cater to as well. If you do get a good start you can listen to the local fishermen and see what they would like to see in a store. Most of them are probably looking for a good place to sit around and drink coffee anyways

[specktator]

Academy makes one order before hunting season on apparel and gear and it seems like thats it. When they are out, they are out. The salespeople have no clue what they are talking about. Their bait selection is terrible. (hardly any corky's, all the wrong color spooks, etc.) I get most of my baits in LC. Then you could go to
Shooters but they dont sell fishing gear. They have nice apparel but its gonna cost u an arm and a leg along with the guns. Another thing I think would do well in addition to having the tackle people are looking for is to sell used guns like a pawn shop.

[fishaholic82]

I also thought about talking to some custom rod builders to see about the possibility of stocking some custom rods to give people more of a choice than your typical off the rack rods.

[calcutta37]

I know Acadiana outfitters is starting to get into the fishing supplies rods,reels,corkys,ETC. Oh its on hwy 90 on the way to new iberia tell em big skank sent you.

[Lake Chuck Duck]

Jedi Lure Tricks. He has been involved in two new tackle shops. He should know the does and donts.

[fishinpox]

id say come up with a business plan in writing, plan on not being profitable in the begining , so make sure your finances will allow you to opperate and pay for company overhead. good book keeping is key so you can see where you are makeing money but most inportant where you are losing money. asking questions is a great start just be careful to who youask because it could backfire on you and someone could steal all your hard work.

[specktator]

Originally Posted by calcutta37

I know Acadiana outfitters is starting to get into the fishing supplies rods,reels,corkys,ETC. Oh its on hwy 90 on the way to new iberia tell em big skank sent you.

Yeh but that's 30 min from Lafayette and out of way. I'm sure it's good for the Point anglers though.

[eman]

I am making plans on going into buisiness selling smoked meats ,bacon and sausage.
The Small buisiness coach that i was talking to , told me that if i was going to rent a store front and do it full time to figure on needing capital and living exspenses for one year before you turn a profit.

[Capt.B]

Originally Posted by fishaholic82

I also thought about talking to some custom rod builders to see about the possibility of stocking some custom rods to give people more of a choice than your typical off the rack rods.

If you do talk to a custom builder ask abt their warranty and return policy...juuuss saayn!!

[Wag]

One of the happiest days in my life is when I sold my sporting goods store.....

[mikedatiger]

My guess is you will need at least $100K for inventory to start out plus a sizeable amount of working capital. Minimum orders for large wholesalers is anywhere from $2500-$10000. And that goes for large tackle companies such as Berkley. I had roughly $25K in inventory for the Houston Fishing Show and when we laid it out it barely filled up two display racks. Companies such as Shimano have very stringent criteria that you have to meet and it can take several months for them to approve you.

Like Pox said, write out a business plan and leave no stone unturned. There's not a whole lot of money in baits so you'll have to work on moving items such as rods, reels, gaffs, etc…

No easy task, but if it's your dream and your business plan looks good then go for it. Otherwise you will always regret no doing so.

[specktator]

I had a small sporting good section in one of my convenient stores in Port Barre, LA but sold it last year. American Rod & Gun is a good company to contact for your inventory. They are the company that supplies Bass Pro. So basically u can look at a Bass Pro magazine, any issue, and order anything out of it wholesale. That way u don't have to worry about going straight through the dealer at first and passing all their requirements. Only thing is they don't have much saltwater tackle. Check em out.

[Ray]

There are business incubators in each area of the state that can help you with when, where and how to start a business.
My wife works in one.
The one here is for the 5 parish area around Calcasieu, Cameron, Jeff Davis, Allen and Beauregard.
Check around and see if there is one in your area. There should be one. They are all named something different.
If you have issues finding the one in your area, call (337) 433-1771 and ask if they can help you find the one in your area. The name of the one here is IMCAL.
They will show traffic surveys as to where to find the most traffic passing a place and where to find lease properties that have good traffic. Also, they can get you grant money, that you don't have to pay back, if you start a small business, and they will help you with small business loans.

[LPfishnTIM]

want to start a tackle co. call these guys, just bought enough spinnerbaits. jigs, and tungsten weights to last me til next year, Im also getting them to order me some ewg hooks. http://cajuntacklehouse.com/

[LaAngler]

Originally Posted by specktator

I always wanted to do the same thing in Lafayette. Lafayette Shooters is a bunch of crooks. And academy has nothing. Good luck. There is nothin else in Lafayette.

i'd invest in something around here possibly

maybe get a FFL too


I'm never giving another dollar to shooters, i've only bought a couple of guns off the sale rack. the salesmen are arrogant and rude.

[Opinions_Vary]

Originally Posted by LaAngler

i'd invest in something around here possibly

maybe get a FFL too


I'm never giving another dollar to shooters, i've only bought a couple of guns off the sale rack. the salesmen are arrogant and rude.

You and me both. When I bought my .17 a year ago I was so upset with the salesman that I filled my name out on the background check then tore it up and went to academy. I have never felt like a customer at Lafayette Shooters, they make it seem like they're doing you a favor!