Bait shops we find that seem to lie!!!

[Johnr]

HI folks,
Is it me or do any of you folks find there are some bait shops that you can trust and others that seem to tell lies?? I'd be more than happy to send them a check for $2.oo than to drive up all the way to fish and and find out I SHOULD OF BEEN THERE YESTERDAY!!! Any opinions on this???? Thanks JohnR

[WEEZER]

Yeah I know what you mean!!! It is better to watch the internet forums then trust the bait shops. There are a few bait shops around that don't stretch the truth though!
If you ask me all it does is make them look bad! The ones that really piss me off are the ones near Oscoda! They have never given me an accurate report!

[sticksandrocks]

Up till last year I have always called the same bait shop in Baldwin to get a report of the salmon run. I always recieved the same report, "oh Yeah there in the fly water, come on up." For 2 years a was nearly skunked and found out if I waited a week it would have been better. This was not just my opinion either. Others on the river gave me the same story.
Well last year I stumbled across the web site for Balwin Bait and Tackle and found that there reports were given by knowledable guides that were on the river daily. The said when they we're in and where they found them.
I have turned on alot of people to there site and store. I truly found a consistant information guide to the Baldwin area and for as long as they are in business I will go only to their shop and website.

I hope both of these stores (the bad one and BBT) are monitoring this site. Because I have NO desire to drive 3.5 hours to find out I should have been there yesterday or in another week.

THANKS BBT




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Sticks and Rocks

[Matt Schalk]

I have had MANY problems with Bait Shops that don't give accurate reports and mislead their customers in order to make a buck. Word gets around as to which ones are reputable and which ones are not. I found that I get the best fishing reports from fellow fishermen.

I will give a LOT of credit to BBT (Baldwin Bait and Tackle) as well. They tell you "straight-up" what's going on. Other shops in the west Michigan area I have found to give great service are Shoreline Service in Muskegon, Captain Chuck's in Ludington, Pappy's in Wellston, Dawn to Dusk in Muskegon, Hesperia Sport Shop, and Best Chance in Saugatuck.

[Skeeter]

I know one for sure that will give you an honest report for the Sag River is Woodies in Sag. People call him all the time. Only thing he appreciates is the person buy bait from him. Not to much to ask guys, how much do they make on Minnows? Not much. Woodies # is listed on the report I give for woody in the reports page.

[lindser]

I too have had this experience, specifically with some unnamed shops in Monroe re. Lake Erie. A few years ago it seemed everyone on Brest Bay had gotten the same report, and there wasn't a fish caught among a couple hundred people. I don't know if the poor ice seasons down here have led the shops to report good fishing or not, but I no longer call for reports, only ice conditions(and even these have been misleading) and won't even buy my bait from them.

[Johnr]

I forgot to mention the one up in bayport towards the end of the road near the public access has led me many a times to drive up all the way there and find out not much action at all. Been lied to to many times from that baitshop. The dnr I ran into that was taking a survey on ice fishing there showed me a history on paper of lousy fishing in that area. If there is new owners as of the last couple of years, you have my apology. I just would assume sending the baitshop $5:00 and have him tell me to save the drive. If more bait shops would operate under these guidelines they may find that they may make more money this way. It pays to be honest. Johnr

[Jeff C]

It does seem that most baitshops are all full of it and as much as I agree that it is not the best way for buisness lets all remember a few things.
#1 They like us are all fishermen and so they talk like fishermen (stretching the truth) HAHA
#2 If you missed the great run on the P.M. by one week and you were skunked the week you were up there not all the blame can go on the bait shop some must go on your fishing skills!! If the main run was a week after you were there, there were fish on the river the week you were there!! But as most if you dont foul hook you probably dont catch. Try tuneing your fly skills then try again next year.
#3 BBT is by far the best bait and tackle store I hae been in the state.

[This message has been edited by Jeff C (edited 12-22-2000).]

[toto]

Although I can't seem to think of any that don't exactly tell the truth, one that is very accurate, and will tell you more than you ask for is Backcast Fly Shop in Benzonia. You may have to pry a little bit sometimes (depends on who you talk to), but they'll tell you the straight poop.

[Snoman]

What I think is worse, are the area's that only have one bait shop around, and will say anything to move some bait and lures, knowing your not going to take your business to the "other guy". I am from Rogers City, and one of the best bait shop's I have ever went into is Adrian's in Rogers City. I have had them, on more than one occassion, tell me it's not worth the money or gas to drive to the lake "They ain't biting!"

[Hamilton Reef]

I remember standing in a sport shop during the salmon season on Lake Michigan when a call came in on the phone from a customer wanting to know what salmon were hitting on. The counter guy hollared back at the stock guy who replied "we got a ton of purple in stock to get rid of". The shop also had a charter boat friend out on the lake talking "purple". They got rid of the purple and the in the next few days they moved on to the next largest color of stock they had. Makes a guy wonder how often this goes on up and down the coastline.