Wanted: Baitrunner / Bait feeder reel

[MuskieBait]

Getting saltwater gear in Ontario from small shops is like getting hockey stick in Florida from small shops. Most small shops do not have the item you want in stock because there is zero demand for the item locally.

I've dealt with little shops before. There was a small shop in Cambridge that I used to frequent quite a bit when I was studying in Waterloo. There was also another store in Waterloo that I frequent.

When I asked if they would order saltwater gear with me from specific companies, they said they were not interested in a one time special order for one reel or rod.

Since then, I don't special order from small shops anymore.

I'm sure I'm not the only picky one out there. When I buy a rod, I check for guide alignment, blank damage, spine...etc. If you special order one rod, and that rod unfortunately have manufacturer "defects" like misaligned guides, then what are you to do? It'll cost the small shops more money to get a second one for you...and it'll end up costing lots both for small shops and you. I often go to a store and pick through all the rods in stock to find the best one available. I do the same for reels. Even if they are mass produced, they are not the same. Some will have a little wobble more than others, some has better fit than others.

I just can't imagine asking a small shop to special order a rod or reel for me, then have me say "well, this rod's guide is misaligned...I want another one." or "well, this reel has a strange wobble...I want another one."

What if you special ordered a carbon fiber hockey stick in Florida and found a chip on the blade? That was the one and only stick you have on hand. Do you buy it because it is too much hassle to return and get another at extra cost to the shop and you? Would you accept imperfections?

Personally, I don't accept imperfections as much as possible. I'm anal about perfection...that's just the way I am.

Unfortunately, saltwater gear is not readily available in stores locally (and understandably). Big box stores are where you may have more variety and find some saltwater gear at times. For example, LeBaron stocks UglyStik Tiger rods, Penn Spinfisher SSM's and Shimano Baitrunner 8000 size. Bass Pro Shops has some saltwater gear as well like Shimano Tekota and some low end Penn reels. I haven't check Sail yet...and I would like a nice surprise if they stock some decent saltwater gear.

Even simple things like a 1/4 spool of 40lb Berkley Big Game mono is hard to find in small shops. The small shop in Cambridge only stock mono up to 30lbs...and Sufix Performance braid up to 40lbs...and then say to me "Why would you need line heavier than that?"

Actually, the benefit of big box stores is their return policy...especially for online purchases...since you're likely doing an online purchase for saltwater gear...but with their online return or exchange, you don't have to listen to small shop owners complain about having to order another reel for you because the rod guides are not aligned. Been there, done that...sick of hearing shop owners say "Well, it's just a bit off...you'll be making me pay extra just to return this rod and get another one. I'm not interested."...and then guilt you into the purchase.

Just my $0.02.

For your regular freshwater local gear, by all means, support the smaller shops as much as you can.