Stockton Tackle Shops

[MartyW]

I just have a couple of questions.

1. What is there in the way of tackle shops around Stockton lake?

2. If one was to open, what would you like see stocked?

3. And the biggest question, is there a need for another one.

[Gilly]

I've seen a couple on either end of the lake. I also saw one on the north end that was out of business. I asked our realtor about that when we were shopping for a house in '09. Story he gave me was the guy was not a homeboy and not much business came his way. You locals can correct that if not correct.

[Thunderin Gobbler]

You know Gilly, I've heard that too about all kinds of businesses around the lake area. If you aren't local, then it seems like you don't get much support. There are quite a few small tackle shops around the lake, but I really don't deal with them much. I live in Springfield so it's cheaper for me to just go to WalMart and get what I need most of the time.

[Flysmallie]

There are quite a few small tackle shops around the lake, but I really don't deal with them much.

That's because the majority suck. There are some that are just disgusting, others are more of a locals hang out than a business and they make you feel very uncomfortable when you are in there, others I would never take my kids into. Went into one back in March and the guy the only guy working was so drunk he could hardly stand. It was 11 in the morning!!

I don't buy that local mumbo jumbo. Too many people coming from Springfield that don't care who is local. The problem is that there has never been a good store around there.

[Gilly]

I've wondered why Stockton wasn't more 'developed' than what it is, not that I'm complaining. I like the lack of pressure. It's the reason we bought a home there. But some of the stories regarding any kind of a progressive business environment would scare most enterprising folks. Some of the literature regarding Stockton calls it Missouri's best kept secret. And from what we've experienced that is entirely by design.

[Thunderin Gobbler]

The atmosphere in some of these small tackle shops is definitely not what I would prefer to go into when shopping. I know exactly what you mean by some of them being drunk, I've seen it myself. Plus, why would I want to spend almost twice as much on a crappie jig at these stores as I would at WalMart or Bass Pro? There is one store in Willard where the guy will order whatever you want from Bass Pro and turn around and sell it to you significantly cheaper than what BPS does. Just doesn't make sense to me why some of these places think they have to charge so much, and then wonder why they can't stay in business.

[Gilly]

[others are more of a locals hang out than a business and they make you feel very uncomfortable when you are in there...]

That's unfortunate but I've gotten that feeling in several places. However there are some really decent and accommodating folks in many of the businesses (non-fishing included) so it balances out I guess.

It's a small town, with that comes certain attitudes. To expect something else would be in error.

[Flysmallie]

However there are some really decent and accommodating folks in many of the businesses (non-fishing included) so it balances out I guess.

It's a small town, with that comes certain attitudes. To expect something else would be in error.

I would just like to say that the experiences that I am talking about come from the SE side of the area. I'm coming from Springfield so the stores on that side of the lake are the ones that I have been in. In the town of Stockton I have never had a problem. I'm used to small towns and their attitudes and still prefer that.

[Bill Cooper]

Gentlemen, I am very disappointed to see the responses in this post. Maybe you need to slip over to the Ruark Bluff Area of Stockton lake and check out our tackle selection and service. My wife spends an enormous amount of time and effort to get good deals on tackle to pass along to our customers. Most of the time she beats Wal-Mart's prices substantially. As far as the small town attitudes, I hope you find a pleasant atmosphere as Son Sac Marine. If you don't please let me know so I can remedy the situation. On the subject of needing a new tackle store on the lake, I have to admit that I am biased and would say no. However, from a business standpoint, I believe that anyone trying to submit a business plan to a bank for opening a new tackle only store on Stockton would most likely get rejected unless you had $50,000 above and beyond the initial cost to open the business and only needed to borrow $20-$30 for the welcome mat.

[kwall]

Tell you all what I think of the area, I'm looking for a place or land to put my camper on with utilities, so if you know of some let me know,buy or rent.Thanks.