Use sportfishing equipment distributors and wholesalers to help you increase your sales and profit. Fishing tackle distributors are most familiar with the best-selling products and what equipment combinations are the most popular. With their assistance, you can ensure that the shelves of your store are fully stocked with the most profitable items around.

Working with sportfishing equipment distributors and wholesalers can be one of the most important business relationships you have. Be sure to select the right fishing supply wholesalers and distributors for you that will take an invested interest in your store and be willing to work with you to get your inventory right. Consider the following when choosing wholesale fishing tackle distributors:

1. Work with fishing distributors to identify the most appropriate products and equipment for your specific business.

2. Figure out which fishing distributors are the best fit for your type of establishment.

3. Choose a select few fishing equipment distributors to do business with.

Action Steps
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Identify with your fishing wholesalers which products would best suit your establishment

Fishing gear distributors are very familiar with the newest trends in fishing equipment and which items are selling the best. Together, evaluate the needs of your company and how they can best assist you to get the most appropriate equipment onto your shelves. Use their knowledge to benefit both you and your customers.

I recommend: GoFishin.com gives you an idea of all of the different types of fishing equipment you will need to stock in your retail store. Fundamentals of Fishing explains what type of equipment your customers will need and when.

Choose fishing equipment wholesalers that are the best fit for your company

Some fishing equipment distributors and wholesalers work more with certain types of businesses than others. It is important to inquire with fishing tackle wholesalers about which types of companies they have the most experience with. General sporting goods stores will need a different inventory than a specialized fishing equipment storefront.

I recommend: J&D Tackle specializes in distributing fishing equipment. Download a credit application to start purchasing from this distributor. Jerry's Sport Center specializes in distributing wholesale fishing equipment as well as other equipment for other outdoor sports.

Work with the same fishing distributors and wholesalers over and over again

Establishing an exclusive relationship with a few fishing equipment distributors and wholesalers will allow you to create a stronger business relationship over time. If the distributor knows that you are going to continuously come back for all of your business, it is more likely to give you inside tips or deep discounts on wholesale fishing equipment to maintain the working relationship.

I recommend: Maurice Sporting Goods is a fishing equipment wholesale distributor. Armstrong's Tackle Company carries many popular fishing brands.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Don't forget to discuss the proper clothing and other fishing accessories to offer in your store with your fishing equipment distributors and wholesalers.

Once you have decided to get into the business of selling fishing supplies, it's important to find fishing equipment distributors that can provide all of the different kinds of products you want to carry. Choosing fishing supply wholesalers can be an overwhelming task. There seem to be so many available.

Deciding on what types of sportfishing equipment your business will carry is the first step to finding fishing supply wholesalers. Here are a few ideas to keep in mind when making a decision:

1. Catch a lot of business with the right sportfishing equipment distributors and wholesalers who offer the best selection of rods and reels.

2. Search for discount fishing tackle distributors to reel in the customers you want.

3. Trawl for the right fishing gear distributors that carry the accessories your customers are asking for.

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Discover fishing distributors who offer the finest rods and reels to increase your net profits

The most important part of sportfishing is the rod and reel. How else can you catch 'the big one?' Choosing the right fishing equipment distributors will ensure you offer your customers the best quality and selection of rods and reels around.

I recommend: Every Day Fishing has a vast selection of rods and reels from many of the top manufacturers. The Maurice Sporting Goods website not only offers separate rods and reels, but they also have rod and reel sets for purchase. Finally, Sportingwholesale.com features rods and reels for every experience level.

Lure in your customers by working with the right fishing tackle distributors

The right tackle is an important part of sportfishing. Purchasing from the right fishing tackle wholesalers will ensure your customers get a bite every time.

I recommend: Armstrongtackle.com carries many brands of the best tackles around--all at wholesale prices. Tackleandlures.com offers tackles, lures and bobbers for every type of fishing. The Stillwater Lures website is a one-stop shop for all of the latest tackles and lures.

Welcome aboard the right fishing gear distributors and take advantage of repeat business

Fishing isn't just about a rod and a tackle. There are many other pieces to the puzzle! Find fishing supply wholesalers that can provide everything from nets to fishing line to hooks to outfit your customers for success.

I recommend: GoFishin.com, LLC has a wide array of all of the odds and ends for your fishing excursions. Sportsmakers.com has right items to make sure you catch one every time. Finally, Boatersworld.com will keep everyone’s tackle box well stocked for the next time.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Talk to your vendor of wholesale fishing equipment about the latest trends in the world of sportfishing to make sure you are providing your customers with the latest and greatest products and information.

Any event or industry news or education promotes the industry and encourages growth, which increases business for sportfishing distributors and wholesalers. Taking an active interest in the growth of your company sets you up to succeed. As a sportfishing business owner, you probably already receive information that will get you started as a player in the industry, supporting the growth of the sport through education.

The best way to learn how to fish is to get out and do it and to heed the advice of those who know a thing or two about it. Similarly, fishing distributors should become involved in all aspects of sportfishing equipment and the fishing industry. Leading sources are available to all fishing wholesalers.

1. Industry associations act as ambassadors for sportfishing, advocating for issues, promoting the industry, and actively encouraging sportfishing equipment distributors and wholesalers education and training.

2. Trade shows are a brilliant place for bringing people and fishing equipment distributors together for networking, education and business improvement opportunities

3. Sportfishing events and programs draw attention to sportfishing and all involved with fishing supply wholesalers, while providing education and entertainment.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Affiliate with industry associations for sportfishing equipment

Associations provide all kinds of opportunities for training by offering workshops, education programs, networking events and trade shows. Some of these are geared toward customers, promoting the sportfishing gear manufacturer, while others are meant for the wholesalers and retailers. No matter the audience or participants, the intention of the associations is to benefit the sportfishing industry.

I recommend: The American Sportfishing Association acts as a liaison between the sportfishing business community, conservation groups and policy makers by keeping all parties informed of industry information through a variety of outlets. National Association of Sporting Goods Wholesalers provides opportunities for businesses to be involved in the preservation and enhancement of the sportfishing industry through education and marketing opportunities.

Participate in trade shows with other fishing tackle distributors

The purpose of a trade show is to bring buyers together with suppliers. Encouraging business relationships, trade shows are a great opportunity to enhance and grow your business. Learn about the latest product offerings and where the industry is headed by attending sportfishing trade shows.

I recommend: The International Convention of Allied Sportfishing Trades is the world's largest trade show opportunity for the sportfishing industry. The Great Lakes Sport Fishing Council lists trade shows you can consider being a part of.

Sponsor at events where wholesale fishing supplies and information are featured

Fishing is a sport impregnated by word of mouth and passed-down information. Your presence at sportfishing events will keep a buzz about your company going. These events are target and are highly successful in attracting sportsmen in search of information and wholesale fishing equipment.

I recommend: Wonders of Wildlife is completely focused on education, having a museum and having an outdoor recreation and conservation school. It sponsors National Hunting and Fishing Day, a public outreach campaign for outdoor sports. The Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation has a searchable list of events. They host National Fishing and Boating Week which offers fishing education programs and introduces sportfishing equipment and businesses to communities.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Industry magazines such as Sport Fishing hold a wealth of opportunity for sportfishing equipment distributors and wholesalers in the form of advertising, current news and information and educational articles and techniques.

Sportfishing equipment distributors and wholesalers make their living by selling different types of sportfishing lures and other accessories to tackle and bait shops. Lures alone can confuse a novice; if your business is looking to carry sportfishing equipment, spend some time familiarizing yourself with the key terms associated with sportfishing equipment and distributors. One of the most important things you can do is learn the different types of lures that sportfishing distributors and wholesalers sell.

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Sportfishing lures

Sportfishing lures come in a variety of types. They include lures that float along the water's surface, lures that sink partway and lures designed to sit on or near the bottom of the body of water. Some sportfishing lures have designs that allow them to move rapidly through the water, while others have designs to look like a lizard or snake on top of the water.

I recommend: WiseGEEK explains lures and their different categories.

Jigs

Jigs are a type of lure that contain either lead weights or a weighted hook. They have 'tails' comprised of hair, feathers, bait or an artificial material.

I recommend: Vision Lures has more information about jigs.

Spinners

Spinners, also called spinning lures or spinnerbait, are a type of sportfishing lure that have parts which rotate around the hook. Spinners are a type of jig.

I recommend: Barlow's Tackle Shop has instructions detailing how to make different types of spinner lures.

Spoons

Spoons, made of shiny metal, emulate the look and action of a minnow or other bait fish.

I recommend: The Essortment explains spoon lures in greater detail, as does Outdoor World.

Surface lures

Surface lures are lures that stay on the surface of the water. These lures emulate the movement and/or look of small rodents, bugs, reptiles or tiny fish.

I recommend: Craig Sandell provides information about surface lures.

Crankbait

A crankbait is made of hard plastic or wood. Crankbaits dive under the water and move quickly through it.

I recommend: Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation explains what a crankbait does and how it works. Bass Pro Shops Outdoors Online explains crankbaits in greater detail and also includes photos of cranks.