Andy Steer opened A.J. Tackle in Grimsby, an area that in recent years has seen more tackle shops disappear than open. Andy is well known locally and throughout the region, being an accomplished angler himself. He's a philosophical chap and hasn't entered this precarious trade without a lot of thought on how he would run his business in a way in which it would not only survive but prosper.
Andy has worked within the angling trade for years, which has gained him a good insight into the running of a tackle shop, as well as a vast network of connections at the highest level.
He has formulated a concept which is now seeing the benefit of months of planning. Andy knows what the angler wants. His first aim was bait, which has to be fresh and of good quality. He knows if your baits good, people come back week after week. He also stocks a good range of groundbait and pellets.
Secondly, he has gone for a slightly different approach. He stocks a reasonable range of rods and poles, but not to the extent of some shops. He views these items as luxury, which people only buy when they have too. Saying that, he can get you almost any rod or pole you require and in most cases can match or better the prices some of the bigger shops can offer, which is tremendous for the size of the shop.
His main attraction is the bits you need week in week out. He has a vast range of hooks, lines, floats and just about any other accessory you can think of. Many of these items are only available from him in the immediate area. He stocks most of the major manufacturers including Maver, Daiwa, Drennan, Sensas, Van Den Eynde, Preston Innovations, Middy, Kamasan, Korum and a host of others.
Andy is also sticking to what he knows best, so he only deals with the coarse side of things, so if it's sea bait or equipment you want, forget it! Like most shop owners who fish, Andy will give advice on anything he can help you with, whether it is gear you're looking at buying or information on a venue you're about to fish.
So next time you're in the area, pop in and see him, he'll have something you need! The shop is situated in Brocklesby Road, off Little Coates Road Grimsby, Not far from the new Morrisons Superstore and even nearer to the Bradley Inn. You can contact Andy on 01472 753090 (phone or fax).