Would there be much interest if I started selling Rag/Lug ?

[dave316]

I'm in Carrickfergus and would supply from home regularly and reliably, dependant on tides of course, if there was enough interest. I have been unemployed since October and things are pretty tight, plus it's proving extremely difficult to get a new job in the current climate. The fishing shop in Carrick stopped selling bait years ago though I have always dug my own anyway. I'm just back from the beach and looking at what I have for my own use this week would certainly make a few quid.
Anyway, I don't know any ins or outs or if I would be stepping on anyone's toes, but said to the wife I might find out if I could possibly give it a go to try and bring in some sort of income. I thought I would test the water by starting this thread to see if many peope would want the service and also to see what your opinions on the matter would be (I wouldn't want to piss other suppliers off and have any trouble as I have young children). Please speak freely and let me know if you would likely be a potential regular customer or whether or not this would even be a good idea.

[eoghanb]

Fair play for trying to do something,plenty of people are just moaning that the country is in bits while sitting around doing nothing ,hope it works out for ye

[dave316]

Thanks man, nice of you to say so.

[SlackLiner]

Pm sent

[tex]

Best of luck,hope it works put for u,shame ur not n Castlebar, the odd time I can get out,I can't get bait when I want it.always the way

[kilkeeconger]

P.M Sent please reply!!!!

and Good Luck

K.C

[myworldfishing]

Why don't you ask the local tackle shop to stock your bait for a cut?

[bingham]

definetely be interested,good quality bait at a good price and ul be onto a winner,let us know what you plan to do

[martin435]

I did similar years ago throughout the club I was a member of and got some good business. Also sold to a hardware which supplied fishing gear could barley keep up with what he needed during the summer. Always meant I had my own supply to which was handy. Id look to local clubs and tackle shops. Good luck

[dave316]

Thanks for replying guys, your input is very much appreciated. It's definitely a tricky one to know how to best go about it indeed.

[Tanglerat]

No need to give a tackle shop a cut - just ask them to advertise your number & service to their customers.

[ste c]

all il say is its tough going mate but go for it

[cachalot]

GO FOR IT.

Having done it in the past many, many years ago, the income certainly helps.
The downside, you are out in all weathers, and in the UK they even use headlamps at night, also consider using a bait pump, which
makes it considerably easier providing the beds are sand based, without a gravel base.
If demand outstrips supply consider using keen local youths (can be good pocket money for them) during peak periods.
Keep where u obtain your bait to yourself

Best of luck

[yngkmd]

definitely go for it
rag and lug prices having been getting ridiculously high over the last couple of years so there is definitely room to be competetive as well

[dave316]

Hmm, tried the shop in Carrick and seems he has no interest in selling bait at all any more.

[nobuzz]

Many of the shops don't stock live bait as they are fed up having to deal with disgruntled customers when their suppliers let them down. I'd say there'd be a Market for lug as many shops sell rag but not lug.

Good luck and I hope it works out for you. It'll be hard work though.

Think about how you'd deliver bait to customers. You could spend all your time driving around delivering rather than digging.

[dave316]

I was considering giving my mobile no. to a limited number of members of this site only and keeping a constant supply of rag and lug using the shallow tray/fresh sea water method and digging as often as possible to keep stock up. I already have a sack of vermiculite, bags etc. I guess I could also take the boat out a few runs soon and fill the freezer with macks with guts intact and maybe keep some boxes of squid etc just to keep people happy (ie. no profit).
I was thinking that it would be less pressure on me to keep it small with only me digging and I would actually be very against the idea of making a lot of money using a team as I disagree with exploiting bait beds. I might just go ahead with it as soon as I can get my hands on a cheap fridge freeezer. What I will do if I manage to obtain one soon is start a new thread here asking members to let me know if they want my number and I will pm it to them. Hopefully I could build some trust with a small customer base and their friends/family who fish and that would be enough for me as I wouldn't be too greedy. I guess i would offer slightly better value than the shops and even if I get a job soon (just been informed today i'm 1st on waiting list after an interview a few weeks back) I could still offer my services on the side.
Basically I was thinking a number of regulars here could have my no. stored on their mobiles and I could tackle a niche market by also selling out of hours (perfect for guys working awkward hours) and even guys from Belfast etc. heading up the Antrim coast could pre-arrange to collect their bait on their way to the venue. Imagine even taking an unexpected notion for a trip out but it was aleady 8, 9 or 10 o'clock at night and nothing was sorted - if I manage to go ahead with this it would therefore be possible to call/text me and i'd likely supply you.
I guess if some of you were happy with the quantity/quality you would hopefully try me 1st on your list and repeat buy anyway plus it should be attractive to offer lug too, especially to a lot of the experienced guys (I know many of the more casual types are obsessed that rag is always superior, but not the case).

ps. I couldn't deliver as I don't drive and if I manage to go ahead with this my neighbours would be thinking i'm a drug dealer, lol. I guess this way i wouldn't make a fortune, but at least i'd get fit or possibly even turn into a hunchback!!

[yngkmd]

i like to head up to black head during the summer after work for a few hours, mostly on the spur of the moment so if there was somewhere to stop in carrick for fresh rag along the way esp out of hours then all the better

[Tanglerat]

Hmm, tried the shop in Carrick and seems he has no interest in selling bait at all any more.

Ask him to put up an advertisment in his shop for you. Costs him nothing, offers his customers a service and you a marketing venue.

[bandit55]

was thinking of doing something similar myself but not much demand for it down my way! my idea was to get in touch with all the clubs in and close to my area and get a schedule of all the competitions and offer the competitors fresh bait on the day which could be invaluable! you could really clean up on some of the bigger ones! try find some1 that wouldnt mind a boot full of rag to drive you to matches! thats wat family is for!HAHA! for an hour or two before the match.mind you, you probably wouldnt be there 30 mins before you sold everything you have guaranteed, and that would be a few pound to keep you going!!!!! or buy a chipvan! notin like a bag a chips n burger after a day on the beach fishin!!! am i right????????? best of luck with your venture dude!