Hastings Bait Shop

I am a casual aquantance of Mike and Angel, the folks that own Killroy’s bait shop. I stopped there the other day and mentioned our website, in which he seemed interested. Also asked if he would like some feedback from local fishermen as to ways he could improve his service/products to which he agreed. He is starting to order open water tackle now so if there is anything you would like to see, now is the time. He can’t compete with Wal*Mart very well, but if there are specific things that are wanted, he may be able to comply.

This is not an advertisement or promotion for the shop. Just a chance for us to have input to improve our selection.

Fire away, folks.

If he wants his business to “boom” he is going to have to cater to river fisherman (P3, Croix, Vermillion) and supply the tackle that river fisherman use……..Then, he just has to promote it!!!!!!!

If it was MY store I would go heavy on the BFT products! Not just because they are an IDA sponsor, but when Hastings and the Croix are hopping, Super Doos, and Ringies cannot be beat! A good selection of H2O and Fin-Tech jigs are the way to go! You will not be competing with Wally World on those items! As far as the promoting…If they stock these things, we will all take care of that for them!

Heavy pencil wegihts, bell sinkers and no roll sinkers up to 8 ounces. Yes 1/2 pounders! They gave me a funny look last time I asked…..

-J.

It can be done………Just has to be done right……..

Take Evert’s for example……People drive past three public ramps to go there if you are coming from Redwing, plust past 2 other bait shops!!!!! You have the access on the south side of town, north side of town and Wis channel. You have two bait shops within spitting distance of each other on the north side of Redwing………Yep people drive past all those places to go to Evert’s……..BECAUSE OF THE PEOPLE AND THE SERVICE!!!!!

Great point JJ, Catfish hooks and line as well!

Here is another observation…It seems like fishing there is an after thought. It’s like Snow boarding, and splat ball and other Gen X stuff takes priority. That is not a slam, I believe that is the crowd they are trying to draw! And they probably have a lot more expendable cash than me!

First off he needs to lose the mind set that he cannot compete with Wal-Mart. He needs to realize that he can offer things that Wal-Mart cannot and will not offer the fisherman.

He just needs to market that and to provide a level of friendly and knowledgable service that is not found at Big Box Mart and he will be able to thrive and prosper.

I have over the years come across many bait and tackle stores where I have found a less than friendly and welcoming attitude. If this is the case for a bait store owner they may as well shut the door and go apply for a job at Wal Mart as they will never be successful in business.

If he thinks that he cannot compete with Wal Mart then they have already won the battle and that is a terrible shame for all of us.

Good ideas, guys. You hit it right on the head kwkfsh. He may not be able to compete with Wal*Mart on price and volume for the run of the mill stuff but probably could sell some if he offered products like B Fish N tackle or other things they don’t. Would save me a trip to Fleet Farm also.

Keep ’em coming. Anyone had problems with service or the hours they are open?

Yep, I got a problem with the hours…….7am doesn’t cut it, nor does closing at 4:30pm on Sunday…….

Sorry, but in my opinion, if you are going to supply to the fisherman/hunter, you have to be open prior to sunrise and past sunset in order to sale goods………

Also, have a cup of coffee there for folks who want to drop in and see where the bite is!!!!

Lastly;
Have some SHINNERS for the spring bite!!!!! It is almost impossible to find shinners anymore!!!!!! I love walleye fishing with shinners!!!!!!!

See, I disagree with the idea that the small guy can’t compete with the big chains. He not only can compete with Wallmart, he can compete and win. He just needs to understand that Wallmart’s game is based on offering the lowest prices and little to nothing else. If he tries to compete on price, he’ll have to make the same sacrifices Wallmart does, and he’ll lose.

Offer a friendly atmosphere (wallmart doesn’t) staffed with fairly knowledgable people(wallmart doesn’t), a decent and RELIABLE inventory (can’t find that in the wallmart fishing department) and advertise locally (wallmart doesn’t – they do little to no store or regionally specific advertising).

A sure recipe for a failed baitshop…

* unreliable hours… if the sign says “open at 6 AM, it better open at 6 AM.”

* a smokey and poorly lit shop where the same group of condescending locals hang out to drink coffee and mutter under their breath at customers. I’ve seen this one far too often.

* get skimpy on bait portions. Big scoops of minnows for $2.50 make for VERY happy fisherman and they will come back and buy other stuff.

* allow your inventory of key items to run out.

Most important to me… friendly staff that do there best to be helpful and do so cheerfully. If I have a question, they need to try and answer it. If they don’t know the answer, that’s OK. Nobody can know it all. I’ll know if you sincerely wanted to help or not. That goes a long way with me.

Have basic fishing reports and river condition info handy at ALL times. I can go to Wallmart and get a crankbait but I can’t find anyone that can tell me if the river’s up or if the walleyes are on the wingies. If you can do that, you’ll be successful… and I’ll gladly pay an extra buck to buy that same crankbait from you. And if you know what the other hot colors have been, you’ll likely sell me two or three more.

Advertise to your local anglers. Submit fishing reports to outdoor mags and websites, like this one.

i’ve lived in hastings my entire life and have seen many a bait shop come and go, my advise is to keep it basic, you do not need to stock a lot of stuff (rods, reels, guns, archery, ect.) most guys/gals that stop in are looking for BAIT and may be some basics like hooks, sinkers, bobbers.
as for the gen-x stuff good idea ( my 13 year old son goes to killroys more than i do) he just bought a new skate board from them and i didn’t have to take him anywhere to get it. i have more time to fish so they are providing not only a local bait shop but a famly service.

EVERY THING THAT HAS BEEN SAID IS VERY IMPORTANT AND I HOPE IS TAKEN TO HART.B-FISH-N AND EVERTS FOR ME ARE THE ONLY PLACES TO GET THE PLASTICS AND JIG HEADS THAT I USE ,IF I AM UP ON #3 AND FIND OUT I NEED SOMETHING NOW I AM SOL.I WOULD PAY A LITTLE MORE ,AND HAVE ,EVEN IF I DO NOT NEED IT NOW JUST BECAUSE I BELIVE IN SMALL BAIT SHOPS AND I WANT TO SUPPORT THEM.HOPE HE KEEPS ASKIN THE PEOPLE THAT WALK IN THE DOOR JUST WHAT HE ASKED HERE.
GOOD FRIENDLY HELP MEANS ALOT TO ME .ONE TIME A BAIT SHOP THAT I USED FOR YEARS WOULD NOT LET MY FRIEND USE THE BATH ROOM.WAS A NEW OWNER ,AND HE HIM SELF HAD USED THE RESTROOM B-4 HE GOT IT .THAT WAS THE LAST TIME BOTH OF US WERE IN THERE!PLEASE DONT TRY TO BE THE BIG BOYS ,JUST BE A GOOD SMALL, MA AND PA, TYPE BAIT SHOP,AND TRY TO MEAT WHAT THE FISHERMANS NEEDS ARE FOR WERE WE ARE. THANKS FOR ASKIN!

Keep asking for feed back!!!!! They are on the right track!!

Many great suggestions so far. The #1 service they can provide is a friendly attitude and an excited anticipation for MY dollar. Having been in bait shops from Costa Rica to Florida to Alaska and all over the mid West, I can’t tell you how many times I’ve walked out with many more gadgets then I ever intended on purchasing. Simply because the person treated me like I mattered regardless that they’ve NEVER met me before! Doesn’t matter if my intentions are to buy $1 worth of maggots or $500 worth of Christmas gifts. Treat me like I’m the only person on earth and you’ll be successful. And if you hire help, please train them and see that they convey the same friendly attitude that you have come to display!

Have all the “good old boys/girls” out of sight there’s no bigger turn off then having a bunch of guys/gals stare you down like your from Mars…. My son has a hockey tournament in Hastings this weekend, I’m curious as to just how much I’ll spend checking this place out……… Great post and I wish them great financial fortunes in the future……. Kurt

Would they be able to sell willow cats? If so they could make some dough with that. Being open very early on the weekends would help too.

all great ideas but you want a really booming business, hire janet parker as a minnow scooper

After stopping there yesterday I can add 2 suggestions. #1 paint up a nice sign that is attached at 90 degrees from the face of the store so it’s easier to find when driving down the street. Make your store easier to find for folks that have never been to Hastings. #2 pay more attention to the detail of displaying your lures. For instance, initially I thought you only carried blue jigging spoons but when I accidentally was looking at the lures next to them I found there were multiple colors behind the blue one. Didn’t intend on spending a penny but couldn’t resist 2 crankbaits and a hat pin. I feel there’s some potential there but a few minor adjustments might be in order. Good luck!

Did anyone else hear the rumor of a bait shop going into the old “Nancy’s Cafe” in Westview Mall in Hastings?

I did’nt hear that, But I think it would be a colosal mistake. Move farther away from the water???? And Nancy’s is’nt ver easy to find ,even if your in the mall!I hope it’s not true.

Putz,

Our business is based on supplying fishing tackle products to bait and tackle shops throughout the upper Midwest. Because we also have a similar problem (competing with the big Guy’s) we have been building our business on product niches. With products like Reef Runner where there are 50 or so standard colors, we offer over 100, with Dave’s lures we offer the full line plus 17 or so custom colors. We don’t offer these products to the Mart’s (nor would they ever put in 100+ SKU of them). Gamakatsu hooks are the same way, you can get the standard hooks from anyone but go after the 25, 100 packs or bigger sizes and good luck, don’t even think about getting them in July. Our entire business is base on this model. Don’t just carry the standard products or the 5 of the best sellers, carry wider selection of those products. By doing this a store can quickly build a reputation and defines there business of a store that caters to fisherman in that area. The Mart’s are not trend setters they are followers, the Tackle Shops are the people that lead the market.

Ed Fiore

Thanks, everyone. All good ideas.

I will share this info with them and they can take it from there.

Putz, I’ve been in there numerous times, and the people in there are very nice. I have talked with the owner male (can’t remember his name) and offered a few suggestions to him.

I gave him the url of this site, and suggested he contact James about getting jigs and plastics.

The hours, right now he is open at 8 am on the weekends, and closes at 6 pm. Makes it tough to get bait if you want to hit the water early, especially if you get off the water after 6.

Carrying heavy weights, up to 8 oz. Like Jon posted above. I can’t seem to find them often, so when I do I buy a sheit load.

But the lady in there gives you one heck of a scoop of minnows!! I thought she was trying to fill the minnow bucket up. I thought I had said only one scoop, and thats what she charged.

Jami

I haven’t heard about the Nancy’s Cafe bait shop either, just noticed the cafe was closed yesterday when I was at the Detist

But, I agree that wouldn’t be a very good place for a bait shop, even if it is closer to me! I haven’t stopped in to Killroys yet, I’ll have too check it out this week.