Online Tackle Shops or Brick and Mortar Tackle Shops

When shopping for fishing tackle, you have 2 options….. Buy online, or buy in your local fishing tackle shop? I will weigh up the benefits of both of these options so hopefully you can make an educated decision as to where your money will be shipping itself off to.

Shopping online has many advantages; the first, most obvious one is that you can buy any time of day or night from the comfort of your home or office. As time is a precious commodity these days, what with a wife, kids, job and of course fishing all vying for your time, this could be the number one factor that sways your decision.

The selection at some of the online stores can dwarf that of the brick and mortar tackle shop as the shops do not necessarily need to carry any stock and can place an order from their suppliers as and when an order comes in. This factor also weighs into the final advantage of online shopping. Price! Due to the reduced overheads, the online stores tend to be a little cheaper than their brick and mortar counterparts.

The obvious disadvantages, however, also appear. You cannot make a purchase and head down to your local fishing hole straight away to try it out. Once your new piece of tackle does arrive, should it have been damaged in transit, this adds more time in sending it back and waiting for a replacement.

Despite the many advantages of online tackle shops, brick and mortar tackle shops still exist and do a roaring trade. Fishermen tend to like the atmosphere in their local tackle shop. As a fisherman, I have to admit, there are few better smells than a room full of fishing tackle. Alongside the smells, tackle shops are a great place to meet fellow fishermen and exchange a bit of banter.

The online stores' main disadvantage is the tackle shops' main advantage. Stock is there ready, waiting for you to pick up and take away then and there; you can hold it in your hands and inspect it to be sure that it is not faulty.

If you are unsure which piece of tackle you need or would like more information about certain features before you buy, then tackle shops are the ideal place to get your tackle. The staff will be knowledgeable about just about everything in their shop so can point you in the right direction or away from something unsuitable.

Ashford tackle have 3 fishing tackle shops in Ashford, Sittingbourne and Faversham as well as their online shop.