Seems like all stores want to sell now are private label generics. What ever happened to name brand products and customer service? The big box accounts start this trend and now the smaller dealers are doing the same. It is either this or the other extreme (major brand names). I guess we are all getting squeezed and this is a big reason the fisherman cannot find certain products they may be looking for. I get it that margins are skinny and generics may bring a better return but at the end of the day I believe fisherman want what they want. They also do not want to go to 20 places to find what they need. One of the reasons the smaller dealers are so fun to visit is they offer customer service and the have niche product lines that others do not. You never know what you may find which always makes it fun. This is just my 2 cents!

Paul, in order to survive you have to differentiate yourself from the rest.....plenty of folks still throw senkos at $6.49 a bag. Why? Confidence. There are a ton of knock-offs out there(Generics), which you guys make as well, but the soft plastics markets is not as original as it once was. It sounds like you are having a hard time getting into stores. Don't lower your prices just to satisfy paying your bills...we all have to eat. You need to get the WAVE name back on the map and start coming out with fresh designs that will create buzz. If people aren't talking about WAVE, people aren't going to buy WAVE. Example: The tungsten market is flooded with so many people in one sand box and tons of price points for all....what separates River A Tackle from the rest? The way we honor our customers. The way we honor our products. The way we do business PERIOD! We try to stay on top of trends and the latest and greatest. With social media and the interweb you've got to be on your ten toes. We build everything from baits to graph covers in house. We pride ourselves in seeing each customer satisfied and returning back for the same great service they received from their first transaction to their 20th transaction. Hope i helped in any way. Thanks and God bless!

Carlos, hit it on the head! Small business tackle shops cant compete with prices found in big box retails. Some of those stores sell Zoom for less than dealer cost. And thats OK, BECAUSE THEY CANT COMPETE WITH OUR CUSTOMER SERVICE. I gauge our growth not by the daily ticket, but by the numbers of new customers we greet.

I am open to guide the customer into a purchase, but its not about the dollar at this point, its about building relationships. One frequent question I'm asked several times a week by first time customers is what are they biting on? Thats a question I hate to answer because I would much rather help you in learning a new technique or helping you overcome a weakness with confidence. We at TightlinesPFT.com would like to talk fishing first and gain your support in business second. This is how relations are forged and more fish are put in the boat.

We have the largest selection of brands, types and colors in Central Texas. Yes this is a business, but its also supporting our local tournament fishermen as we stock by their comments and suggestions. We like to say yes its our business, but its YOUR tackle shop and Boat Service Center.

Come check us out. 5902 E. Veterans Memorial Blvd. in Killeen, TX 254.690.3474 and share us on Facebook!

I really need to go by that store. My buddy goes there all of the time. I do watch your Tuesday nighter from my front porch a lot. Hopefully next year I will actually be able to fish it.

Well said totally agree.

Yes Carlos did hit the nail on the head. We are so fortunate to have a great Brand established and customers that love our products. Things are coming around and I have no doubt we will get there.

Yep, Carlos hit it out of the park with his statements. As a small Company we are not in many stores, as we can not give them the price point most want to stock our baits, that would cut into the small profit we now make. Yes we know what the BIG Boys are paying to make the same bait, ( a lot less per unit then we can ) basically, and we have been told that our products are too cheap ( price )

As being retired, we are not out to make a killing, but to give Great Customer support, build a bait at a Great Price and what the customer wants.