Bait shop expectations

[rcr_1983]

Here is one for you guys. What do you expect when you walk into a bait shop. Whether its local or out of town. I may be off, but I fell like when I walk into one a good one, I will ask for advise on whats working, maybe general areas, colors, techniques, and I mean general. I.e. "I hear they have been catching them off points on chartruse cranks." At this point after Im told I feel like by getting that knowledge I will repay the owner by purchasing his products, that he claims have been working. Dont get me wrong I dont walk in expecting all the local honey holes, or do I feel like I come off as a jerk, but advice is nice. I have been in baitshops all over Ky and the south, I have been in good ones and some bad. If I get good advise I will go back, and spend more money. If i feel like I get bad advise I may not got back, or if I do only get the essentials.

Reason for the rant, I frequent a shop 1.5 hours from my house in Richmond, on a 45,000 acre lake, I go there because it is convenient. However depending on who is working, I would be better off asking the local PETA chapter for advice. On a lake that big I will most likley not fish your spot. Seems like the places I have been down south seem to be a little more helpful, but maybe its just me.

[fishincreek]

Hot air doesn't pay the rent.

[ironhead70]

If i feel like I get bad advise I may not got back

his technique might be different from yours....what work for him might not work for you ...so is it really bad advise?????

the first thing i do when i walk into a tackle shop is look at every thing they are running low on or sold out of doesn't matter what bait but a color reference ....and then see what they say is working if its something they have a lot of then i consider them not much help lol

man it would sure be nice to have a Dave Stewart for every lake we fish for fishing reports

[R19]

Interesting topic...I frequent a local bait shop to stop in for breakfast or a snack for the lake. I do not use live bait but this store sells a lot of bait because it is close to the lake. I have noticed that the guy selling bait always swears so and so was in here and the were catching them good on minnows. I have never know of him to say fishing is slow. I suppose that is why he always ask are you sure you only want a small scoop of minnows because you will run out with only 50 minnows. 9 out of 10 people say go ahead and give me the large scoop of 100 minnows...and yes this guy was a car salesman before he opened a bait shop.

[RayP]

I wish the local stores near me had more selection of stuff made this century. Stocking crankbaits is a thing of the past and most now only stock one line of plastics. I try my best not to go to BPS or WallyWorld and do most of my purchasing online. I know it's hard for baitshops to compete these days but you can't sell it if you don't stock it.

There are some shops that do it right and make the most of the space that they have. The stores that Dave Stewart recommends on Ky. Lake aren't huge but they pack a lot in there
and it's new stuff, priced fair and it usually costs me a hundred or two each time I go in.

I can get advise anywhere and it's usually worth what you pay for it.

[Duayne]

I think it's like investigative work. For instance, if I walk in and see a wall of bomber crank baits, I feel really good those are working well. They may have all sorts of colors so it's up to me to decide what color and depth I think are best. As has been said, what works for someone the owner talked to may not work for me. I can also look at how much space they dedicate to species specific tackle. If they have a ton of crappie stuff, it's a good bet the lake is loaded with crappie. The tackle shops around Cumberland, for instance usually have a large selection of big striper baits and tackle. You just aren't going to see that around Rough or Nolin.
A local bait shop can't afford to carry a bunch of stuff it can't sell and people who fish the lakes often will be looking for certain tackle. After that, it's pretty much up to me.

[DJD]

For areas of the south I feel I know and understand the basics before I even step foot in the baitshop. Internet and magazines can help a lot in terms of getting ideas for what's going on and of course experience is number one in my book.

Likes: I like a clean unclutered store with stuff I recognize as good for the area Im fishing. Locally made baits are good as well since most of those are guys fish the area and could be making things to the fishes liking. I like to know if the water has been stable? Dropping? Weed choked areas? Shallow areas? Dangerous areas? If they want to toss in some fishing info that's great but I take it with a grain of salt.
Dislikes: pompous jerks who feel they are the man. Working in a bait store pays little and if they are not inviting me with open arms to spend money then I won't. I'll never ask for exact locations because I don't care. I don't care for stores that allow smoking (I know I know it's just nasty to me) I'll be in and out if I'm gagging to catch a breath. I don't like old plastics that should have been tossed 20 years ago. Im not a fan of walking into a store and having 10 locals sitting around the counter where I'm trying to look and do business. A few guys is cool but if I gotta take a number to talk to the owner or worker just to get a question answered I'll prolly leave quicker. I'm the customer and it's no different if I'm buying a car, food or at a bait shop. Treat me with respect and I'll prolly spend money......treat me like I'm bothering you by visiting your store and ill leave.

[rdenny]

Being fairly new to the sport I want someone who is willing to impart some basic knowledge to me and to give me enough advice in regards to fishing at a particular fishing spot to at least make my trip enjoyable.

I do think if you run a bait shop part of your job is to be knowledgeable in where the fish are biting and on what (and to give that information to your customers). I am an avid mountain biker and if I went into a bike shop bought some new parts and asked where the good trails were I would expect an honest answer. I expect the same from a bait shop.

I have been to one shop that is twice as far from me as BPS only because I think the owner wants to help me. Being new, I am not sure exactly what to buy or how to fish a particular bait. He has spent the time with me to explain the basics. As a result, I have spent most of my money there rather than BPS.

Just my 2 cents.

[artcarney_agr]

I could really give a chit about getting advice. Most times whatever advice I hear I make sure not to try that stuff, since the fish have probably been beat to death with whatever is mentioned.

When I walk into a bait shop, I want selection and good cheap prices. I rarely go into a bait shop anymore, since I can save a ton of money shopping online and taking advantage of free shipping deals and special sales....the only time I go into a bait shop now is if I'm at the lake and I'm out of something and willing to pay the "I'm close to the lake" surcharge.....

[HawgHunter75]

I could really give a chit about getting advice. Most times whatever advice I hear I make sure not to try that stuff, since the fish have probably been beat to death with whatever is mentioned.

When I walk into a bait shop, I want selection and good cheap prices. I rarely go into a bait shop anymore, since I can save a ton of money shopping online and taking advantage of free shipping deals and special sales....the only time I go into a bait shop now is if I'm at the lake and I'm out of something and willing to pay the "I'm close to the lake" surcharge.....

could not have put it any better !! I've never went into a shop an asked for, nor expected advice. I like to think in most situations, I can figure it out on my own. Besides...who's to say the kid behind the counter knows a crankbait from a buzzbait.

Just my 2 cents

[Slab Seeker]

I'm OLD and set in my ways. I want a cup of coffee, a bacon an egg sandwich toasted, a clean place ta take a crap, and when I order $6.00 worth of minnows, I don't want to see the bottom of the bucket. I get to fish often enough that the owners know me and ask me where and how deep. I do enjoy small talk an spinnin a good yarn. One of the bait shops my fishin buddies an I vist changed hands latley, THANK GOD! The new owners actually smile! Its now a great place ta go an vist. I gladly spend my money there and will continue to in the future. The only thing that's missing from this place is Norm.

["The Man"]

One of the best bait shops around I think is Days Pro Bass at Wax,KY. (Nolin River Lake) They have a pretty good amount of tackle (new and old) , live bait , good food and great people working in there!!!!