Serious Question for Tourney guys

I have a friend (Seriously) this is not refering to myself in the third party He is thinking about opening up a mobile tackle shop to hit some of the larger tournament circuits here in Indiana,Illinois and Ohio. He wants me to invest in it. I unlike him want to do my homework before I just toss out 10 grand to go up in smoke. Whats your opinion of such an venture? If you had one @ registration or at the ramp the weekend of the tournament would it be something you would check out? If the pricing is right would you purchase product right there on the spot? Just curious. I appreciate all feedback positive or negative.

I have seen small trailers setup to sell Crappie jigs at some of the Crappie Fishing Tournaments.

So maybe it might work if the price is right and the quality is what the fishermen want.

Remember what they say about business. 99% is Location, Location, Location.

Some tournaments have a after the tournament dinner and they sell a lot of stuff that way. People get together to eat and drink and talk. Lot's of friends are made and business conducted. People are in a better mood when they have good food to eat.

If you're going to do that then the best way I see is that you have to know what is working well for the particular lake you're set up at and make sure you have them in stock. I always check out local tackle shop because they know what sells and works. If you have a trailer there at the ramp and you got what I wants, I'll definetely buy them. Noone likes to drive around to looks for stuff they need.

You may want to check to make sure you don't run into permiting problems for cunducting a commercial activity in public lands. Some agencies may have strict prohibitions, while others may have permit systems to control what gets sold on their properties. We, for example, have a vendor permiting system in which you would need to obtain a permit prior to this type of selling. It doesn't cost much and the restrictions are minor, but it gives us a chance to filter/limit commerical activity.

Mike, thanks. That is one thing on my list I told him he had to look into. I nor can he afford a marketing company so I am hitting all the message boards asking opinions from the guys who would actualy stop in or maybe purchase. I am not rich by any stretch of the imagination so before I toss out any money to go up in smoke I have questions needing answered. He just bought some jig company out of Arkansas, a pretty good size one at that. I don't really know what his sudden interest in making a living in the fihsing industry is all about, but what ever floats his boat. I wish I would have invested in the jig company though after seeing all the stores he stocks:-(




Ray Rigby

It is a great idea, but it is not original, and I suspect (from personal contact with vendors) it is tough to make a profit. Midwest Sportsman has a classic every year, and every year a semi trailer shows up selling baits. They are a little higher priced than Bass Pro, but they are convenient. I always find something to buy, just because I like the concept, but the guy is struggling. Just an honest view

Red Dragon does some tournaments they do the truck thing out of Michigan been a couple of years

Ray, you could probably get away with it if you have your retail licence for sales tax, and set up on private property, but don't think they would let you on state and federal property.