K D Outdoors report

[Bluebiller]

Someone mentioned something about kd outdoors and Slick said he knew the guy on one of the post. I sent Slick a pm. and he said they were good people to do business with. I thought he worked out of his house selling fishing stuff.......NOT SO!! He has a good size building right on M-59 in Waterford. I was looking for a place to buy a new minn-kota electric trolling motor that could also do the service work, if needed. His outdoor store is well stocked and has a super staff and all are well informed. The owner (Ken) is also a circuit bass fisherman. I bet there is a collection of tackle on his boat! It is better for me to drive to Waterford, than Cabela's and he even beat thier price. I don't know anyone from this business,but I am a happy customer and thought I should pass this along. When I am down that way, I will stop again....Blue

[rockbass]

They got good live bait. My Dad started takin me there when I was may be ten(?) (I am thirty now.) They are a little pricey for live bait, but the stuff is good. Provided you have the proper container, you won't see much of a die off on minnows. They have one of the best selections in flies that I have encountered in S.E. Michigan.

[Houghton laker]

Many of us have been visiting Kens store for a while....Great guy and great prices....You can not beat there service either....I had a minkota problem and he had sent the part right to me so I could fix it myself!! You can't beat a dealership or Outdoors store that will do something like that!!

[Bluebiller]

Thanks for the support......makes me think I did the right thing....always a little worried about internet purchases

[Ninja]

Thanx guys for the support.
It's tough making a go of this in the land of the big-box stores, but we try.

As far as minnow pricing, regretfully we have had to increase them slightly due to the cost increases from our wholesalers because of gas/diesel prices and VHS Certifications.

Many may not believe this, but most bait shops are lucky to break even on suckers/chubs and golden shiners.
With the size/grade suckers I get, there is about 60-70 per gallon, (5-6 dozen).
About 20% will die in the tank on average, leaving me with about 4 dozen to sell, and at 15-16 dollars a dozen, it's still a losing proposition, and that's not even taking overhead into account....water, aeration, etc.
I know of a couple of bait shops in my immediate area that may stop carrying suckers because of this.

Anyway...thanx again, and Blue, if you're still in need of a charger, let me know, I'll see what i can do.

[DE82]

I also love Kens store but can't seam to get over there this year :( I hope to be in soon though when we get the boat to Union Lake. :)

[Canuck136]

Ken's a good guy. I stop in his store when I'm on that side of town.

[treeman]

I don't get to that side of town much but I understand that Ken is a great guy. As a sidebar Minnkota is offering rebates on their motors purchased by June 15 th. Must be submitted by the 30th. You can print out a form from the website or Ken may have them in the store.

[icefishermanmark]

Great store for sure. I've been going their my whole life, because it used to be the only place on this side of town. With BPS and Gander I find myself shopping their more often, but I still venture into KD and drop some money every once in a while. It's nice to walk in a store and have the owner recognize you and know your name:) At BPS you're lucky if you can even get help, and then you have to plan your way around the store so the vacation salesmen don't catch ya!

[Bluebiller]

Thanks for the information on the motor rebate. Will check it out ;) Blue