Article by Capt. Mark Sampson
By now most boat owners who like to fish have their boats either in the water, ready for the water, or at the very least well along the way to being ready for the water. After all, despite this past week's bout of rather cool, breezy weather, the fishing season is here, the fish are biting, the summer is closing in fast, and not too many anglers that I know of want to be stuck in a boatyard when all their buddies are out on the water pulling in fish.
For the last few months local boatyards and backyards have been humming with the vibrations of sanders, resounding to the unmistakable tones of marine engines being run on freshwater hoses, and reeking with the aromas of paint, varnish, and epoxy as everyone has been striving to be ready for this exciting time of the year.
Of course boats are only half of the equation, because even if someone has the hottest rig on the water, if they don’t have the right tackle and equipment onboard, they can forget about throwing any fish in it! Rods, reels, terminal tackle, electronics, anchors, gaffs, bait wells, fish boxes, cutting boards, and all the other “stuff” we pile in or on our vessels is what helps transform them into fish-catching-machines.
Fishing by itself can be expensive, add a boat to the equation and it’s a wonder how anglers can even afford to “pay” attention. From sandpaper to stainless screws, battery boxes to butterfish, trailer lights to treble hooks, paint brushes to planers, so much is needed by those getting ready for the new season that it’s no wonder fishermen are always looking for a bargain.
Of course, these days we're all just a click or two away on our phones or a “road-trip” to one of the super-mega sporting stores in one of the big cities from finding the cheapest price on anything from spark plugs to sportsman’s pliers. But folks should know that the best price might not always prove out to be the best value. In the long run, saving a couple dollars on the initial purchase might require incurring debts some fishermen won’t want to pay.
Delmarva has more than enough tackle shops, marine supply, and hardware stores to keep the area’s fishing and boating enthusiasts well equipped and ready for whatever is needed for a productive season. But in these days of one-click global shopping there seems to be an assertion that buying from local stores means paying a premium price. If the catalog has the item for $29 and Internet store has it for $26, why pay $32 at the local tackle shop?
Hey, I’m as much of a tightwad as anyone (probably more) and spending money I don’t have to doesn’t exactly help me to sleep at night. But I’ve come to know that sometimes the couple-or-so extra dollars spent with a local merchant is well worth the benefits that may come later.
Look at it this way: Suppose I need to buy a light spinning reel. If I get it from a local shop I pay for the reel, plus tax, that’s all, and I have it today. Internet orders often require shipping fees and often there goes the price difference. If I have a problem with my purchase I can go through the hassle of sending it back but I’ll probably still have to pay the shipping fees, and of course there will be more of a time delay before I can use the reel. If I buy locally and have a problem I can exchange the reel right over the counter and immediately be back to fishing with it.
Buying locally also allows me to see, hold, play-with, and compare the reel to others before I buy it. Maybe “in person” the reel isn’t what I thought it was from the advertisements and so I have to consider a different one. Most of the tackle shops will have one or more employees who are very knowledgeable about the products they carry and can be a great assistance in steering customers toward making the right purchase. You surely won’t get that from an Internet or catalog sale!
Probably one of the greatest benefits of supporting local stores is the appreciation and support you’ll get back from the establishment you patronize. Store owners recognize repeat customers and make the extra effort to help ensure that their fishing and boating experience is safe and enjoyable. They’re genuinely concerned about the wants and needs of local fishermen and boaters because in the long run it helps their business too. So if they can point you in the direction to catch some fish, show you how to rig a lure or bait, or explain how to properly apply a particular paint on the deck of your boat they’re happy to do it. It’s good for you and good for them. Try to get any of that kind of service from “operator-29” when you place your order online. §
