Surfcasting Rhode Island 2007 Outlook

[Joe]

I'm getting some new stuff and some new projects this year.

I have Rasco split rings and VMC hooks on order...

I'll be expanding my line up of braid and mono lines.

I'll be expanding my Super Strike line-up to include more patterns and sizes.

I have Habs again - already John has come through with some big numbers of needles.

John Huff from Bernzy Bait called - he's back into plug making - so I have him again. Look forward to Surf Howdys and Big Howdys in the popular patterns.

Tattoo of course remains. Mike is making significant strides and recently launched a great update to his website. http://www.tattoostackle.com/

I have a few more Stetzco patterns and styles.

Ryan Smith - we may see more stuff from him - but the standard sizes of the Big Eye swimmers remain.

I'll be publishing a new book by Tim Coleman - a short-run SRI title. Look for a May release on that.

I'll be doing more t-shirts and stickers.

Rods, reels, I don't plan on selling them anytime soon....

[Pete F.]

Breakaway clips???

[Joe]

Yup....
Breakway is on the hit list.

[tattoobob]

Good news, keep up the good work we all love it

[bart]

Beachmaster?

[Joe]

I'd approach them - but it looks like they can't meet demand. Good stuff though - no doubt.

I only want vendors who can keep me close to stocked.

A few times I got into a position where I had to refer customers to other vendors for different things. Answering the phone for stuff you don't have or having to send potential customers elsewhere is not a good move.

[striperondafly]

ferget Beachmaster - ya got Ryan & Tattoo

[luds]

Originally Posted by striperondafly

ferget Beachmaster - ya got Ryan & Tattoo

Respectfully disagree. Can you imagine being able to purchase R.M. Smith, Tattoo, Hab's, and BM all in the same order.

[luds]

oh....and then sprinkle a little Bernzy on top.

[Joe]

Plugs, Glorious Plugs!

[Clogston29]

joe, does stetzko still make the black/green needles? If so any chance of you ordering some? I have one that I got a few years ago that seams to pull a fish or two on the slowest nights. Haven't seen another one anywhere since. Thanks.

[JohnR]

That's great news Joe - Also looking forward to reading TC's work

(Hi Tim )

[Joe]

Tony no longer has an ownership stake in Stetzco Lures. I think he only does field testing and promotional stuff for them. The green/black needles - I don't know - but the next time I order I'll look on the list and if they are there - then I'll get them.

RE: Tim C Book: Yes - I think it is good news. Tim's a class act - a lot of people still cite his book "To Catch A Bass" as one of their favorite how-to's. It's going to be timely too - with a focus on how-to related to wooden lures and soft plastics. Along with beach reading and other basic fishing stuff.

The beauty of the website is that it's a great way to establish a mailing list of contacts who are ok with buying online. Which can easily double as a distribution channel for short-run publishing. The traditional problem with self publishing was that it was hard to get the word out. I'm finding that you need to go where others find it difficult to follow otherwise people will just do what you do, only cheaper.

[Nebe]

Joe, you should ask Tim if he would republish his bass fishing from the beach book.. hot seller i bet.

[Joe]

I'm not even sure he has the rights to his own previously published works. He probably does not.
Publishing rights usually are retained by the original publisher - unless they give them back to the author, or allow him or someone else to buy them back. Most publishers won't republish a fishing book unless the first edition sold quickly or the used copies are going for big bucks on the used book sites.
For example: Look at Reading The Water - that took years to see a second edition. That topped out at about $150 on Albris before they announced a reprint. Kenney Abrames' book Striper Moon is finally seeing a second printing - after it started going for upwards of a $1000 on the used book sites. A second edition of Jim White's recent book How To Fish Plastic Baits In Saltwater - has not come out yet - even though the first edition sold out in seven months. So it's not so much that the books died on the shelves - the publishers often are very slow to catch on to the groundswell of popularity a book has.

[Nebe]

wow, talk about selling your soul. you would think that it would pay off to publish the book yourself, no?? i guess the marketing end is very hard..

[Joe]

A book by a first time author, with not much name recognition and without some sort of distribution channel - is very risky.

I've done a lot of freelance writing, but from a business perspective, I would be hesitant to publish my own book so long as there were out of print books still in demand waiting for second editions or writers with better name recognition looking for projects.

[Pete F.]

A good book on plugging would be nice.
I think it could be done cut and paste out of SB. All you would need is an editor. and permission...but is that part of the user agreement?

[Joe]

Yes - you probably could compile a book from info gleaned from the message boards...
I'm "booked" on projects for the near future though....pardon the pun...

[striperondafly]

Originally Posted by luds48

Respectfully disagree. Can you imagine being able to purchase R.M. Smith, Tattoo, Hab's, and BM all in the same order.

oh if you could purchase them for 25 a piece - SURE - not saying they arent nice - BM doesn't keep up with the demand like some others - thats his perogitiive and I have nutting against him.

I just can't stand what some people have done to the prices like paying 91.00 plug. Even taking a 25 dollar darter and selling for 40 bucks - that's just not fair to your feloow fisherman - yeah I know they are the ones who pay it - doesnt make it right!!!!! Not all of us get to tackle stores where he sells.

[Joe]

I don't sell BM. This subject is a pretty dead horse...

[striperondafly]

Joe - you got a great selection that's why I go to you first for all my needs.