FISHING TACKLE SWAP MEET SET FOR JUNE 29

The following is a "cut and paste" from my weekly article in the Killeen Daily Herald from 16 June 2024...


Well, there was a glimmer of hope that our public boat ramps at Stillhouse Hollow and Belton lakes might be reopening soon. That was, until four-plus inches of rain fell on Central Texas on Wednesday, flooding the town of Holland and causing the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to temporarily stop the flow of water through the dams on these two reservoirs.

If we cannot launch our boats and fish, perhaps the next best thing is to assemble with like-minded anglers, swap a few tales and maybe swap some fishing gear, all while enjoying some good food as we continue to anticipate once again gaining access to our local waters.




To this end, on Saturday, June 29, from 9 a.m. to at least 1 p.m., local anglers, boaters, fishing tackle dealers and other outdoor enthusiasts will gather at the Marine Outlet location in Temple at 4410 South General Bruce Drive along the southbound Interstate 35 frontage road to participate in an outdoor gear swap meet.

If you have never been to this location, it is on the one-way frontage road, so, if you approach from Belton, Salado, Killeen, Harker Heights, Fort Cavazos or other points south or west, you will need to exit Interstate 35 at Exit 297 onto the northbound frontage road, then U-turn to get to the southbound frontage road.

If you have never been to a swap meet before, you are in for a treat.

Essentially, anyone (individuals or businesses) who reserves a space (at no charge) by calling ahead to Marine Outlet can set up one or more of their own folding tables to display new and/or used fishing gear or any other outdoor gear that others may be interested in buying or trading for.

To give you a flavor of what to expect, I will give you a few examples of what I plan on bringing to this swap meet.

From time to time, I will change out the reels I use on the rods I provide for the clients who come aboard my boat to fish. The reels I am no longer using can vary in condition from “worn smooth out” to nearly new. I hesitate to sell these in an on-line auction format like eBay because I personally would not buy a used reel unless I held it, gave the handle a few spins, felt how smooth it was (or was not), and then decided how much it would be worth to me.

Assuming others think the same way, I feel such reels would be a perfect candidate for a swap meet, hence, I will have used reels for sale.

Same thing goes for fishing rods. New or used, you really cannot know what a rod is going to feel like in your hands until it is, literally, in your hands. A swap meet gives you a chance to put hands on gear, especially used gear, and see if it is right for you.

Here is another example. At one time I bought a 600-yard spool of a new braided fishing line, spooled up one reel and gave it a try. I really did not care for it. So, now I have a $45 spool of braid with about 500 yards of braid left on it and no plans to use it in the future. I will sell that at this swap meet for about $5. That will be a win-win. I recover a bit of the cost I paid for the spool, and someone will enjoy a great deal on braid they prefer.

Likewise, I will have dozens of open-package items ... a ten-pack of hooks with eight hooks left in it, a 25-pack of swivels with 19 swivels left in it, and so on, all for pennies on the dollar.

Used gear is not the only thing one will find at a swap meet.

I will be offering all of my new Bladed Hazy Eye Slabs and my line of new MAL Lures, both of which normally sell for around $8, for just $6 each.

Dean Thompson, owner of Tightlines Premium Fishing Tackle in Killeen, will have a booth at this swap meet, as well. He will have line, lures, rods, and reels, all at 30 to 40% off their normal retail price.

Of course, you do not have to come to the swap meet as a vendor. The public is most welcome to simply show up, peruse the wares, talk with others and enjoy the sausages Marine Outlet’s Parts Manager Conan Burnes will be grilling. There is no charge for admission.

“I am really excited about the upcoming swap meet, especially welcoming all the Marine Outlet family we haven’t seen in a while,” Burnes said. “Please join us for a special day of food, friends, and frivolity.”

Aside from grilling, Burnes will also have the Marine Outlet parts room open for business if you are looking to kill two birds with one stone.

According to local tournament angler and radio personality Billy Conway, “The Operation Game Thief trailer with the Wall of Shame, along with a local game warden to answer questions, will be on site during the Swap Meet.”

The Wall of Shame is of interest to outdoor enthusiasts of all ages. It displays confiscated paraphernalia used by scofflaws to illegally harvest fish and game in Texas.

According to Rick Smith, owner of Marine Outlet, the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary 5/07 will be present to promote boating safety and offer free boat safety checks for those who may want to bring their rigs by.

The Auxiliary usually has some nice giveaways for younger kids to take home.

I encourage you, even if you just have a handful of gear you would like to divest yourself of, to phone Burnes and let him know you would like him to reserve some booth space for you, then bring a folding table, your goods and your best sales pitch. Maybe you will go home with some bonus spending money!

Contact Burnes at 254-773-9931 or at parts@marineoutlet.com.

The environment will be friendly and informal, so dress comfortably for the Texas weather, come early for the best deals and then stick around for lunch and any last-minute deals you might strike with guys or gals whose spouses ordered them not to come home with any of the stuff they hauled to the swap meet to sell!

Should be a lot of fun.

Reminder.

Just a reminder this takes place tomorrow in Temple. Since first announcing this, several local anglers have called in to reserve a free booth space to sell their wares. Looking forward to a good event!!

I plan on being there.