Mike\'s Tackle Shop

[ChrisJD]

Does anyone know what\'s happened to Mike\'s Tackle Shop in Portobello near Edinburgh? Used to be a great shop but now it\'s shelves are empty and the staff don\'t seem to give a damn about anything other than selling as much cheap crap as they can. No frozen bait, no rig making stuff, no spinning lures, get this - no 25lb mono in the WHOLE shop.... Can\'t recommend it anymore! Since it\'s the only shop I knew of that used to sell decent Sea gear, can anyone recommend a tackle shop with a well stocked Sea section in the North East? Looks like i\'ll need to travel for me hobby!

Chris

[Ell]

You could always try some of the on-line shops, Veals is a good one as are a number of others. Billy of Billy\'s Tackle North Shields has an on-line facility, although not sure how to link to it. We\'ve got a good choice of dealers down here with lads having their favourites for various reasons.

[gogs]

its been like that for a while chris,dont know why. its not worth the trip down now. i use mail order for all my gear,if you dont want to shop online send them a e-mail and they will send out there catalogues.

gogs.

ps craftye at inverleith is ok for bits and bobs if you are stuck.

[ChrisJD]

Have used online shops before and they are good but I do enjoy wandering around a shop. Nothing beats a good rod in the hand as they say......

[ChrisJD]

I\'ll get a hold of the Veals catalogue and give em a shot. Gerrys of Morceambe have been good in the past as well. Nice shop too, took a trip down a year or so back.

Seabait rag is one thing I can get a hold of here thankfully!

Mike from Mike\'s Tackle has bought a few more shops, wonder if he\'s overstretched the budget. Shame, was a good shop. If you\'re reading this Mike get things back to normal!

[DaveMason]

Could be Chris that the Mail order end of things took off faster than the shop , and most effort is going in to that . His mail order end of things is really competitive , if it\'s the same one from Portobello who advertises in SA .

I went in to Veal\'s shop in Bristol one time and it was not as good ( or as cheap ! ) as their mail order end of things .

[peter.m]

I get most of my gear at local shops but have got to say that occassionally use Veals when there are some good offers and have found them to be spot on. Usually get your order the next day if you irng them and even with the postage can find that some things are good value. I used to rate Dave Docwras very highly until it\'s demise. The staff were always friendly and helpful when you rang.
Still it\'s the local shops that use most as they are the ones you need in a hurry and for regular bait supplies etc.

[alan]

Hi Chris,if you know what you want there\'s no where as cheap as e-bay,Just watch for the pitfalls ie high postage,crap and getting carried away with the bidding,do a bit of homework get an idea how much the items are generally, also check the sellers feedback ratings etc,i buy almost all of my rigs from e-bay now as i can\'t make them for the same price,after a while you\'ll see the same sellers.I must stress though there\'s some excellent bargains out there but likewise there\'s some sh@t.

[MikeR]

Living miles away from the coast I always use mail order companies for tackle. Usually use Veals and have found them to be excellent. Their Varivas hooks are great and quite cheap (try the big mouth 4/0\'s, they\'re great for cod with large baits). Also just bought some Pro Logic rock boots from Summerlands at £29.00 instead of the RRP of £39.00 and was really impressed with the service. The price also included delivery!

http://www.summerlands.co.uk/

[Chippy]

Hokey kokey, now I\'ve registered again I can post.

The problem with using mail order shops is that you\'re not supporting you\'re local shop. I don\'t know how much a tackle shop makes on a score of lug or a box of squid, but it can\'t be a lot. I get the impression that a lot of them would struggle without tackle sales. It is of course easier and often cheaper to get a new rod or reel mail order, but how many of them would let you borrow a rod (like Terry at Reelsport offered to lend me a longbeach) or do other favours for you.

[SIXFOOTSTEVE]

HAS TO BE SAID CHIPPY HAS A POINT..

[Ell]

I agree on that point as well, balance is the key I think. Saying that most of my purchases are made at local shops.

[ChrisJD]

Thing is I\'d love to do my shopping at the local tackle shop, supporting the local community etc but it\'s just not possible now with the lack of stock. I know there\'s been debate on mail order being cheaper than local shops and to be honest I reckon some of the shops bring it on themselves. Mike\'s seems to have a \"don\'t care\" attitude now. It took them 4 months to order me a Century Komp Sport after payment and only when I kicked up a stink in front of other customers did they get on the phone and sort it out. I could have got on the phone myself and got it mail order, probably got it custom built for cheaper too. But I was trying to support he shop.......

[Chippy]

That\'s probably down to the actual shop itself though. Like you say, they can bring it on themselves. I know of one shop that never has the bait in you\'ve ordered and has no decent tackle. Simple, I don\'t go there any more, yet the other shop in the town can\'t do enough to help you.
Having said all of that, major bits of kit, I\'ll buy from the cheapest source local or mail order. I\'m not a charity.

PS What\'s the Komp Sport like? I\'m after a new rod with a bit of poke.

[ChrisJD]

Komp Sport is a great rod for the cod off a beach or for fishing between the rocks at Arbroath. Pulled a few wrasse out of really tight rocks, never folds up when you\'re stuck in the rough stuff. I\'m selling a Penn PPT Groundcaster, custom build if you\'re interested. Plenty of poke, diamite tip ring, adjustable Penn reel seat etc. Only selling it cos I need the funds for a new match rod.