Shore Catch Post 5 - A Lot Going On

It is fair to say that things are evolving fairly quickly now.

The shredder is producing a quality raw material and we have discussed various manufactured products in previous posts – product development is ongoing however.  Some products are now stocked in a number of quality outlets (Compleat Nedlands, Oceanside and Tim’s) and our floor stock is selling at a steady rate to repeat customers.  We are “hastening slowly” as we establish systems and processes but the product does seem to have good market acceptance.  It is likely that distribution will increase in the short term.

In relation to regular customers, we are going through the process of creating a customer card whereby cash is accumulated against the card (based on %) that can be used for shop credit when certain thresholds are reached.  Many regular visitors to our new shop are FW Members and we do want to give something back.  If you would like a card, just send your name, and contact details (phone & email) to mick@shorecatch.com.au or come into the shop and let us know.

I love hearing the stories and seeing the photos from customers that have caught quality fish using our products.  There are an ever increasing number of these so we have decided to run a little competition with this theme.  It will operate through our Facebook page for a month, but I will update FW through the period with photos of some of the entries.  Mad Fish has kindly donated a small esky bag, Big John’s Jigs will have a category and supply prizes, and Shore Catch will give a shop voucher and product voucher.  I’ll write a separate post about this, but a couple of likely early entries are below.

Back to the shred for a moment.  We have a lot of shredded fish that was waste from a large local competition in 2016, that we cannot sell due to Fisheries regulations.  The boys were hassling me to make a personal shred block as big as it could come so we produced what is shown in the below image.  Don’t quite know where I am going to use it yet, but I think it will attract all sorts of things.

We have 100kg+ of this product that is needlessly taking up space in our freezers, and we require the room for new bulk stock.  We have re-shredded it and packed in 1kg bags for the showroom, and propose to give a bag away for every $50 spent in the shop (much better than the waste going to landfill).  This is a “while it lasts” offer that starts now.

Speaking of Fisheries, I still haven’t heard back about processing recreationally caught frames for a Shredder hire fee – better follow that up.  At the moment, we are doing them for free if people can fit in with our shredding days.  It is quite likely that when we start opening the shop and processing area on Saturday (Spring 2016), we will operate the shredder.  I would be happy if people just bought our sealing bags, buckets, oils, pellets, etc to make the “brews” with the shred.  Probably not every Saturday, but at least you know that you can freeze your frames and bring them down on a suitable weekend and get a good product for free rather than chucking them in the bin.

Products to stock in the showroom has been an interesting journey.  Our whole business model is based on niche products and services, but these are quite hard to define in terms of what people actually want.  It is the fish processing that is the attractor for the serious fisherman and our retail products are forming around that theme.  A current product range discussion is below if you are interested.

Bait – All my life, bait quality has always been an issue, plus I could never get exactly what I want.  I am proud that we can now supply specialist bait orders and a high quality retail offering.

Burley/Berley – The Shred is a unique product, for the time being I guess.  It is the perfect raw material for burley mixes and also has a “raw” application.  The fish based burley is a proven performer and we have a full range of supplementary products.  We will shortly supply bulk tuna oil in 5-20L lots and a number of different shredded products.

Knives – All of the work we did in establishing our knife range, with the excellent feedback from FW Members, was worth it.  Tackle shops stock a few types, and meat processing suppliers stock hundreds of types.  Our range is just the types of knives that are needed for processing fish.  It is such an individual choice and it has been good discussing the range of different requirements with customers.  I believe we have sold at least one of every knife style we stock, and a lot of the popular styles.

WA Rock Lobster – We are setting up for the 2016/17 season.  Hezzy will supply pots, as will others.  Quality locally made proven catchers is what we will sell and there will be choice (full size, ¾ size/ ½ size, metal base, wooden base etc, or custom).  We will retail stock all of the accessories, including the red necks, bait baskets, weights, timber slats, escape gaps, etc as there is no convenient NoR outlet for equipment required to make or repair your own.  Of course we will sell cray bait and are currently reviewing the best way to package bait to make it easy to get it in the bait basket.

Rigs – Locally made good quality pre-made rigs at a reasonable price are in demand.  We have selected a large range and will keep them in stock as below (some missing I know, but on order).  MJ’s produce a nice product for a range of fishing styles.

Big John’s Jigs – Leadheads are an “old school” product that has proven the test of time.  Good on John for manufacturing a quality product that we are proud to stock.  We retail the Jigs so you can touch and feel them, and have a big range available.

Terminal tackle – We had no choice to stock some terminal tackle – you can’t come visit for bait and burley and not have hooks and sinkers available!  Gamakatsu Octopus, Octopus Circle, Shiner and Long Shank is the offering for hooks.  25 packs only (except the long shank) and the full size range (1/0 to 9/0, or what is offered in the pattern).  Gamakatsu for the swivels and Sunset for the sinkers, and MJ’s produce a good stinger gang in a few styles.

Second hand fishing goods – The jury is still out on this.  There is a lot of work involved, and I am not a “second-hand” sort of person, but it is a good service.  Our “new” second-hand listing will be posted soon.

Kiwi stuff – The Big Angry Fish live bait release clips are the go – I caught some nice pinkies using them in the trial and we have just received a new shipment.  I am certainly following Milan’s advice regarding burley products.  The Sinker Locks are a product with a very practical application – stop your sinkers or lures on a rigged rod beating up on the rod and reel when underway.

Mad Fish Bags – Ben has created a quality product.  Manufacturing standards are high and there are many applications.  Again, a product that we are proud to stock.

Clothing – There is a lot of competition in this market, but we will still produce custom competition shirts, and maybe stock a few others.  The image below is the final draft for the Port Hedland Game Fishing Club 2016 Blue Water Classic.  You have to congratulate the Club members for their awesome job in getting so many sponsors.

Custom things – I had some rod holders made up for the shop floor.  These were quite “industrial” and a good customer saw them and noted that he had been looking for something like this for a long time so we made him one.  3mm plate steel so you are not going to knock this thing over.  We will be looking at a few other custom made items in the near future.

I have also just provided consulting deliverables to the Wedge and Grey Shack Associations, the Shire of Dandaragan and the Shire of Yilgarn so it has been a busy time.  With the weather as it currently is, it’s time to test a few more products this afternoon (thanks heaps to Jill for letting me go and looking after the shop).  Hopefully my next post is a fishing story one.

Thank you again for all of the support, it is appreciated.  Mick 

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High Quality Bait; Fish Based Burley; Specialist Fishing Products and Services; Showroom Unit - 65 Buckingham Drive, Wangara. 9409 5500.

 


Bodie's picture

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Date Joined: 05/11/07

 Great read mate, and some

Tue, 2016-07-26 14:56

 Great read mate, and some good products.

 

Whats the damage on one of those rod holders, that thing looks the part!!! I'd be interested!

Mick C's picture

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Date Joined: 26/12/13

Rod Holder

Wed, 2016-07-27 16:46

Thanks mate.  The rod holder is a custom thing that can be made to specification (length, hole spacing, insert type, etc).  The one in the picture retails for around $600.

I did think about whether the cost would be prohibitive when it was quoted.  But then I compared what you get for $100+ for some of the rod stands that fall over if you put a few rods with reels in them.  I also thought about what the cost of 14 good quality combos would be and the protection that the holder would give them.  They are a really good thing and I guess you get what you pay for.

Happy to discuss requirements and tailor a design that suits your needs and budget.  Thanks again.  Mick  

 

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Ability is what you are capable of doing. Motivation determines what you do. Attitude determines how well you do it - LH.

 

Stevo81's picture

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 Great stuff Mick!

Tue, 2016-07-26 15:08

 Great stuff Mick!

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Dale's picture

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Tue, 2016-07-26 15:26

 Very good Mick, I used your shredded mulies mixed with berley and fished in a blob, herring went nuts over it.

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big john's picture

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Good stuff

Tue, 2016-07-26 16:27

Good stuff Mick, every time I drop by the range is expanding and along with that, the customer traffic.

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beau's picture

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Date Joined: 24/01/10

Good read Mick. Woah i need

Tue, 2016-07-26 16:28

Good read Mick. Woah i need one of those rod holders! Id love to see some of that shred down this way even further south than oceanside at complete rockingham. Big market for burley down here as it is really pinky central with cockburn sound just out the front. Do you approach the stores to stock the products or do they come to you?

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Mick C's picture

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Date Joined: 26/12/13

Shred Distribution

Wed, 2016-07-27 16:56

Thanks Beau.  See above about the rod holders.  It has been a bit of both really.  We are really still in product development and testing market acceptance so have limited distribution at the moment - it does seem to be going ok though.  You are right about Rockingham and I will follow this up soon.  Cheers.  Mick 

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Ability is what you are capable of doing. Motivation determines what you do. Attitude determines how well you do it - LH.

 

Humpback's picture

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Date Joined: 15/01/15

good stuff Mick

Tue, 2016-07-26 16:36

Good read Mick do like the look of the rods holder. Im going to try some of your mix for the 1st time this weekend so will call into your shop Thursday. Might have to try some of big Johns jigs see if the Dongara Dues like them.

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Engagement

Tue, 2016-07-26 19:46

 Love the member interaction, good stuff.

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unhurry's picture

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mate

Wed, 2016-07-27 12:34

great report, love reading your posts. 

You are doing a good thing for WA fishos - keep going!

Oceanside Tackle's picture

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Date Joined: 23/07/09

Well done

Wed, 2016-07-27 16:16

Well done Mick on your success and yes your shredded mulies are an awesome product. We have a massive Cockburn Sound Pink snapper clientele base and its been selling well, on that note we need to place another order very soon mate.

Keep up the good work, cheers from the Oceanside Team.

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Mick C's picture

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Thanks Oceanside

Wed, 2016-07-27 18:58

Thanks for the comment.  Still a lot of hard work to do, but the business is starting to develop on a solid product base.

I was very impressed with your shop when I dropped off the last order.  I wouldn't really want for anything else from a tackle shop, given your well considered product range.

Your order is appreciated.  We will get it to you tomorrow in case any of your land based customers would like to use it over the weekend.

Cheers.  Mick 

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Ability is what you are capable of doing. Motivation determines what you do. Attitude determines how well you do it - LH.

 

Yewiefish85's picture

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Date Joined: 02/01/11

 Hi Mick, those release clips

Thu, 2016-07-28 15:27

 Hi Mick, those release clips look good, do you know the release pressure on them?, price? And do you offer mail order at your shop?

Mick C's picture

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Date Joined: 26/12/13

BAF Release Clip Detail

Thu, 2016-07-28 21:19

Yewie,  

You can adjust line pressure on the clip via the dial as shown below.  There is also a handle to fully open and close the clip as required.

The arrangement below is just one of many - you can put the clip where you like on your rod or even attached to your boat.  It has a lot of different applications.

$22.  This item we will post, not like the fish products - yet.  We have sent a few around Australia as the Kiwi retail shops that stock them currently do not sell direct overseas.  It is a specialist product and given the item cost is not worth their while I guess.  Australia post cost only if we send them out to FW Members, and I am happy to discuss.

Cheers.  Mick  

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Ability is what you are capable of doing. Motivation determines what you do. Attitude determines how well you do it - LH.

 

Yewiefish85's picture

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 Cheers Mick pm sent

Fri, 2016-07-29 06:05

 Cheers Mick pm sent

Callum24's picture

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 been good mate loved making

Thu, 2016-07-28 22:09

 been good mate loved making up the bomb with Luke and been able to pack all the new baits, packs and shred, maybe next time freeze the bomb in onion bag then freeze that in the buckets she should hold together a bit better and attract fish from overseas! 

Defently haven't seen better bait than what your getting 

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jamey ford's picture

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 Hezzy built pots you wont go

Fri, 2016-07-29 06:33

 Hezzy built pots you wont go wrong with those people, been a fairly longterm user of his gear and found them well made  and set up and very good catchers , if you're looking for pots for the upcoming season you wont go wrong with these and the advice he has on successful crayfish ingredients .

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Far Quirk!

Mick C's picture

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Date Joined: 26/12/13

Short Run Custom Shirts for Trips Away with the Mates

Sat, 2016-07-30 21:05

A recent example.  Option 2 is the one.  This is a run of four.

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Ability is what you are capable of doing. Motivation determines what you do. Attitude determines how well you do it - LH.

 

Mick C's picture

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Date Joined: 26/12/13

Custom Shirts - Digital Sublimation has Come a Long Way

Tue, 2016-08-02 22:36

Good to see the final draft physical products prior to manufacture.  Made in Perth.

 

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Ability is what you are capable of doing. Motivation determines what you do. Attitude determines how well you do it - LH.

 

Mick C's picture

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Date Joined: 26/12/13

Shredded Prawn Waste

Mon, 2016-08-08 10:08

I think this one has a lot of potential.

 

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Ability is what you are capable of doing. Motivation determines what you do. Attitude determines how well you do it - LH.

 

big john's picture

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Bun

Mon, 2016-08-08 10:17

Where's the bun? 

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WA based manufacturer and supplier of premium leadhead jigs, fligs, bucktail jigs, 'bulletproof' soft plastic jig heads and XOS bullet jig heads.

Jigs available online in my web store!

Mick C's picture

Posts: 605

Date Joined: 26/12/13

Shredded Whiting

Mon, 2016-08-08 11:00

FW Member popped in with a bunch of sand whiting.  100% quality here.

 

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Ability is what you are capable of doing. Motivation determines what you do. Attitude determines how well you do it - LH.

 

Mick C's picture

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Date Joined: 26/12/13

Well Deserved Trip Away

Mon, 2016-08-08 18:49

The custom shirts came in for delivery to Brendan tomorrow.  A well deserved trip to Yardie for the brothers and mates following a hectic week in Melbourne recently.  Been promised a few photos with the group in the shirts.  Nice to be able to offer the service.

 

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Ability is what you are capable of doing. Motivation determines what you do. Attitude determines how well you do it - LH.

 

Mick C's picture

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Date Joined: 26/12/13

Green Brothers at Yardie

Mon, 2016-08-22 21:23

Brendan sent me the photos of the guys in the Shore Catch custom shirts - worn for 8 days straight.  They got some nice fish, and plenty of waves, with images to be posted on Danny's FB page soon.

 

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Ability is what you are capable of doing. Motivation determines what you do. Attitude determines how well you do it - LH.

 

Posts: 274

Date Joined: 14/05/12

shirts

Tue, 2016-08-23 13:03

 saw the smelly pricks in coral bay in those shirts..looked the goods though

Cowboy's picture

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Date Joined: 27/02/15

That Mulie Shred product is

Fri, 2016-08-26 22:03

That Mulie Shred product is something else.... We could nearly start a thread with sounder shots and "conversions" from blokes using the shred. I was anchored up in the Sound on Sunday and my 12yo son said "Dad, the sounder is busted, we need a new one, this one's screen isn't working..." I asked why and turned around, and unfortunately, didn't get a photo at the time, but the horde of herring and skippy under the boat in 6m had coloured in the whole display. Casting 20m back with fresh squid got what we were after.... Great product, I'm amazed at the dispersal rate. Nearly a measured dose!

Posts: 108

Date Joined: 24/06/14

 Is the Shredder still

Sat, 2016-08-27 08:26

 Is the Shredder still available for shredding our fish frames? Got a bunch of them filling the freezer and need to make some room!