The Economics of Independent Marine 

Recreational Fishing Bait and Tackle 

Retail Stores in the United States, 2013

Clifford Hutt, Sabrina Lovell, and Scott Steinback

U.S. Department of Commerce

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

National Marine Fisheries Service

NOAA Technical Memorandum NMFS-F/SPO-151 

July 2015 

The Economics of Independent Marine 

Recreational Fishing Bait and Tackle 

Retail Stores in the United States, 2013

Clifford Hutt, Sabrina Lovell, and Scott Steinback

NOAA Technical Memorandum NMFS-F/SPO-151 

July 2015 

U.S. Department of Commerce 

Penny Pritzker, Secretary

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Kathryn D. Sullivan, Ph.D., Administrator

National Marine Fisheries Service

Eileen Sobeck, Assistant Administrator for Fisheries
ii

Recommended citation:

Hutt, Clifford, Sabrina Lovell, and Scott Steinback. 2015. The Economics of Independent 

Marine Recreational Fishing Bait and Tackle Retail Stores in the United States, 2013. U.S. 

Department of Commerce, NOAA Tech. Memo. NMFS-F/SPO-151, 110 p. 

Copies of this report may be obtained from: 

Clifford Hutt, Ph.D. 

Office of Science and Technology

National Marine Fisheries Service, NOAA

1315 East-West Highway

Silver Spring, MD 20910 

Phone: 301-427-8210

Or online at:

http://www.st.nmfs.noaa.gov/economics/fisheries/recreational/Bait-and-Tackle/bt-survey-2014
iii

Table of Contents 

LIST OF TABLES...................................................................................................................................................... V

LIST OF FIGURES.................................................................................................................................................... X

ABSTRACT ................................................................................................................................................................. 1

INTRODUCTION ....................................................................................................................................................... 2

METHODS................................................................................................................................................................... 5

SAMPLE FRAME AND PROCEDURES............................................................................................................................ 5

SURVEY INSTRUMENT................................................................................................................................................ 6

DATA CLEANING........................................................................................................................................................ 8

CASH FLOW ANALYSIS .............................................................................................................................................. 8

ECONOMIC CONTRIBUTION ANALYSIS .....................................................................................................................10

SURVEY IMPLEMENTATION ..............................................................................................................................14

RESPONSE RATE.....................................................................................................................................................14

NON-RESPONSE BIAS ANALYSIS ..............................................................................................................................15

NATIONAL OVERVIEW........................................................................................................................................17

CHARACTERISTICS OF MARINE BAIT AND TACKLE RETAILERS IN THE UNITED STATES...................................18

STORE COSTS AND EARNINGS IN THE UNITED STATES.........................................................................................19

Total Gross, Fishing, and Saltwater Fishing Sales ..........................................................................................19

Inventory and Operating Expenses...................................................................................................................23

ECONOMIC CONTRIBUTIONS OF MARINE BAIT AND TACKLE RETAILERS IN THE UNITED STATES ...................24

FACTORS AFFECTING BAIT AND TACKLE SALES IN THE UNITED STATES ...........................................................26

DISCUSSION.............................................................................................................................................................27

STUDY DESIGN........................................................................................................................................................27

ECONOMIC STATUS OF THE INDEPENDENT MARINE BAIT AND TACKLE RETAIL INDUSTRY..............................28

NEW ENGLAND.......................................................................................................................................................31

CHARACTERISTICS OF MARINE BAIT AND TACKLE RETAILERS IN NEW ENGLAND ...........................................32

STORE COSTS AND EARNINGS IN NEW ENGLAND ................................................................................................. 33

Total Gross, Fishing, and Saltwater Fishing Sales ..........................................................................................33

Inventory and Operating Expenses...................................................................................................................37

ECONOMIC CONTRIBUTIONS OF MARINE BAIT AND TACKLE RETAILERS IN THE UNITED STATES ...................38

RECREATIONAL FISHERIES SUPPORTING BAIT AND TACKLE SALES IN NEW ENGLAND.....................................40

FACTORS AFFECTING BAIT AND TACKLE SALES IN NEW ENGLAND....................................................................40

MID-ATLANTIC.......................................................................................................................................................43

CHARACTERISTICS OF MARINE BAIT AND TACKLE RETAILERS IN THE MID-ATLANTIC ...................................44

STORE COSTS AND EARNINGS IN THE MID-ATLANTIC .........................................................................................45

Total Gross, Fishing, and Saltwater Fishing Sales ..........................................................................................45

Inventory and Operating Expenses...................................................................................................................49

ECONOMIC CONTRIBUTIONS OF MARINE BAIT AND TACKLE RETAILERS IN THE UNITED STATES ...................50

RECREATIONAL FISHERIES SUPPORTING BAIT AND TACKLE SALES IN THE MID-ATLANTIC ............................52

FACTORS AFFECTING BAIT AND TACKLE SALES IN THE MID-ATLANTIC............................................................52

SOUTH ATLANTIC .................................................................................................................................................55

CHARACTERISTICS OF MARINE BAIT AND TACKLE RETAILERS IN THE SOUTH ATLANTIC................................56
iv

STORE COSTS AND EARNINGS IN THE SOUTH ATLANTIC......................................................................................57

Total Gross, Fishing, and Saltwater Fishing Sales ..........................................................................................57

Inventory and Operating Expenses...................................................................................................................61

ECONOMIC CONTRIBUTIONS OF MARINE BAIT AND TACKLE RETAILERS IN THE SOUTH ATLANTIC................62

RECREATIONAL FISHERIES SUPPORTING BAIT AND TACKLE SALES IN THE SOUTH ATLANTIC.........................64

FACTORS AFFECTING BAIT AND TACKLE SALES IN THE SOUTH ATLANTIC........................................................64

GULF OF MEXICO..................................................................................................................................................67

CHARACTERISTICS OF MARINE BAIT AND TACKLE RETAILERS IN THE GULF OF MEXICO................................68

STORE COSTS AND EARNINGS IN THE GULF OF MEXICO......................................................................................69

Total Gross, Fishing, and Saltwater Fishing Sales ..........................................................................................69

Inventory and Operating Expenses...................................................................................................................73

ECONOMIC CONTRIBUTIONS OF MARINE BAIT AND TACKLE RETAILERS IN THE GULF OF MEXICO ................74

RECREATIONAL FISHERIES SUPPORTING BAIT AND TACKLE SALES IN THE GULF OF MEXICO.........................76

FACTORS AFFECTING BAIT AND TACKLE SALES IN NEW ENGLAND....................................................................76

WEST COAST...........................................................................................................................................................79

CHARACTERISTICS OF MARINE BAIT AND TACKLE RETAILERS ON THE WEST COAST......................................80

STORE COSTS AND EARNINGS ON THE WEST COAST............................................................................................81

Total Gross, Fishing, and Saltwater Fishing Sales ..........................................................................................81

Inventory and Operating Expenses...................................................................................................................85

ECONOMIC CONTRIBUTIONS OF MARINE BAIT AND TACKLE RETAILERS ON THE WEST COAST ......................86

RECREATIONAL FISHERIES SUPPORTING BAIT AND TACKLE SALES ON THE WEST COAST...............................88

FACTORS AFFECTING BAIT AND TACKLE SALES ON THE WEST COAST..............................................................88

ALASKA ....................................................................................................................................................................91

CHARACTERISTICS OF MARINE BAIT AND TACKLE RETAILERS IN ALASKA .......................................................92

STORE COSTS AND EARNINGS IN ALASKA.............................................................................................................93

Total Gross, Fishing, and Saltwater Fishing Sales ..........................................................................................93

Inventory and Operating Expenses...................................................................................................................96

ECONOMIC CONTRIBUTIONS OF MARINE BAIT AND TACKLE RETAILERS IN ALASKA .......................................97

RECREATIONAL FISHERIES SUPPORTING BAIT AND TACKLE SALES IN ALASKA ................................................98

FACTORS AFFECTING BAIT AND TACKLE SALES IN ALASKA ...............................................................................99

HAWAII...................................................................................................................................................................101

CHARACTERISTICS OF MARINE BAIT AND TACKLE RETAILERS IN HAWAII......................................................102

STORE COSTS AND EARNINGS IN HAWAII ...........................................................................................................103

Total Gross, Fishing, and Saltwater Fishing Sales ........................................................................................103

Inventory and Operating Expenses.................................................................................................................106

ECONOMIC CONTRIBUTIONS OF MARINE BAIT AND TACKLE RETAILERS IN HAWAII......................................107

RECREATIONAL FISHERIES SUPPORTING BAIT AND TACKLE SALES IN HAWAII...............................................108

FACTORS AFFECTING BAIT AND TACKLE SALES IN HAWAII..............................................................................109

REFERENCES ........................................................................................................................................................110
v 

List of Tables

Table 1. Total gross sales bin ranges used in RBTES questionnaires, and their corresponding midpoint values that were used as estimates of a store’s total gross sales for analysis purposes. ... 7

Table 2. Inputs for national bait and tackle store economic input model. ............................................. 12

Table 3. Response rates by region and nationally for the Marine Recreational Bait and Tackle Store 

Economic Survey. ................................................................................................................... 15

Table 4. Comparison of key variables between respondents and non-respondents to the RBTES 

survey. ..................................................................................................................................... 16

Table US_ 1. Characteristics of businesses that sell recreational fishing bait, tackle, and related 

equipment in near coastal counties of the United States. Stores are categorized as 

either Bait & Tackle stores that cater almost exclusively to recreational anglers, or 

other stores that generate a significant portion of their business from other clientele. ...... 18

Table US_ 2. Estimated mean gross sales (all sales, fishing, and saltwater fishing) per store (using 

mid-point of selected sales range) by business type (Bait & Tackle versus Other). 

Saltwater fishing sales are also reported by item category. ................................................ 19

Table US_ 3. Estimated median, average, and total cash flow of retail stores in the United States 

that sell recreational fishing bait and tackle adjusted for the owners’ estimated 

percentage of sales for saltwater fishing items. Figures are reported for Bait & 

Tackle stores and Other Stores. .......................................................................................... 20

Table US_ 4. National economic impacts (employment, labor income, and output) generated by 

retail store operations that are supported by the sale of marine recreational bait and 

tackle. ................................................................................................................................. 24

Table US_ 5. Employment supported by retail stores that sell marine recreational fishing bait and 

tackle in near coastal counties of the United States: Top Ten Industries. .......................... 25

Table US_ 6. Employment and total output supported by the sale of marine recreational bait and 

tackle in the United States by industry type. ...................................................................... 25

Table US_ 7. Retail store owner opinions on how outside factors affected their sales of recreational 

fishing bait and tackle in 2013. ........................................................................................... 26

Table NE_ 1. Characteristics of businesses that sell recreational fishing bait, tackle, and related 

equipment in near coastal counties of New England. Stores are categorized as either 

Bait & Tackle stores that cater almost exclusively to recreational anglers, or Other 

Stores that generate a significant portion of their business from other clientele. ............... 32

Table NE_ 2. Estimated mean gross sales (all sales, fishing, and saltwater fishing) per store (using 

mid-point of selected sales range) by business type (Bait & Tackle versus Other) in 

New England. Saltwater fishing sales are also reported by item category. ....................... 33

Table NE_ 3. Estimated median, average, and total cash flow of retail stores in New England that 

sell recreational fishing bait and tackle, adjusted for the owners’ estimated 

percentage of sales for saltwater fishing items. Figures are reported for Bait & 

Tackle stores and Other Stores. .......................................................................................... 34

Table NE_ 4. National economic impacts (employment, labor income, and output) generated by 

retail store operations that are supported by the sale of marine recreational bait and 

tackle in New England. ....................................................................................................... 38

Table NE_ 5. Employment supported by retail stores that sell marine recreational fishing bait and 

tackle in near coastal counties of New England: Top 10 Industries. .................................. 39
vi

Table NE_ 6. Employment and total output supported by the sale of marine recreational bait and 

tackle in New England by industry type. ............................................................................ 39

Table NE_ 7. Saltwater recreational fisheries that generated the greatest sales of bait and tackle for 

retail stores in New England as identified by store owners and/or managers. 

Percentages exceed 100% as respondents were asked to select the top three fisheries. ..... 40

Table NE_ 8. New England retail store owner opinions on how outside factors affected their sales 

of recreational fishing bait and tackle in 2013. .................................................................. 41

Table MA_ 1. Characteristics of businesses that sell recreational fishing bait, tackle, and related 

equipment in near coastal counties of the Mid-Atlantic. Stores are categorized as 

either Bait & Tackle stores that cater almost exclusively to recreational anglers, or 

Other Stores that generate a significant portion of their business from other clientele. ..... 44

Table MA_ 2. Estimated mean gross sales (all sales, fishing, and saltwater fishing) per store (using 

mid-point of selected sales range) by business type (Bait & Tackle versus Other) in the 

Mid-Atlantic. Saltwater fishing sales are also reported by item category. ........................ 45

Table MA_ 3. Estimated median, average, and total cash flow of retail stores in the Mid-Atlantic that 

sell recreational fishing bait and tackle, adjusted for the owners’ estimated percentage 

of sales for saltwater fishing items. Figures are reported for Bait & Tackle stores and 

Other Stores. ....................................................................................................................... 46

Table MA_ 4. Regional economic impacts (employment, labor income, and output) generated by 

retail store operations that are supported by the sale of marine recreational bait and 

tackle in the Mid-Atlantic. .................................................................................................. 50

Table MA_ 5. Employment supported by retail stores that sell marine recreational fishing bait and 

tackle in near coastal counties of the Mid-Atlantic: Top 10 Industries. ............................. 51

Table MA_ 6. Employment and total output supported by the sale of marine recreational bait and 

tackle in the Mid-Atlantic by industry type. ....................................................................... 51

Table MA_ 7. Saltwater recreational fisheries that generated the greatest sales of bait and tackle for 

retail stores in the Mid-Atlantic as identified by store owners and/or managers. 

Percentages exceed 100% as respondents were asked to select the top three fisheries. ..... 52

Table MA_ 8. Retail store owner opinions on how outside factors affected their sales of recreational 

fishing bait and tackle in 2013. ........................................................................................... 53

Table SA_ 1. Characteristics of businesses that sell recreational fishing bait, tackle, and related 

equipment in near coastal counties of the South Atlantic. Stores are categorized as 

either Bait & Tackle stores that cater almost exclusively to recreational anglers, or 

Other Stores that generate a significant portion of their business from other clientele. ..... 56

Table SA_ 2. Estimated mean gross sales (all sales, fishing, and saltwater fishing) per store (using 

mid-point of selected sales range) by business type (Bait & Tackle versus Other) in the 

South Atlantic. Saltwater fishing sales are also reported by item category. ...................... 57

Table SA_ 3. Estimated median, average, and total cash flow of retail stores in the South Atlantic 

that sell recreational fishing bait and tackle, adjusted for the owners’ estimated 

percentage of sales for saltwater fishing items. Figures are reported for Bait & Tackle 

stores and Other Stores. ...................................................................................................... 58

Table SA_ 4. National economic impacts (employment, labor income, and output) generated by 

retail store operations that are supported by the sale of marine recreational bait and 

tackle in the South Atlantic. ............................................................................................... 62
vii

Table SA_ 5. Employment supported by retail stores that sell marine recreational fishing bait and 

tackle in near coastal counties of the South Atlantic: Top 10 Industries. ........................... 63

Table SA_ 6. Employment and total output supported by the sale of marine recreational bait and 

tackle in the South Atlantic by industry type. .................................................................... 63

Table SA_ 7. Saltwater recreational fisheries that generated the greatest sales of bait and tackle for 

retail stores in the South Atlantic, as identified by store owners and/or managers. 

Percentages exceed 100% as respondents were asked to select the top three fisheries. ..... 64

Table SA_ 8. Retail store owner opinions on how outside factors affected their sales of recreational 

fishing bait and tackle in 2013. ........................................................................................... 65

Table GM_ 1. Characteristics of businesses that sell recreational fishing bait, tackle, and related 

equipment in near coastal counties of the Gulf of Mexico. Stores are categorized as 

either Bait & Tackle stores that cater almost exclusively to recreational anglers, or 

Other Stores that generate a significant portion of their business from other clientele. ..... 68

Table GM_ 2. Estimated mean gross sales (all sales, fishing, and saltwater fishing) per store (using 

mid-point of selected sales range) by business type (Bait & Tackle versus Other) in the 

Gulf of Mexico. Saltwater fishing sales are also reported by item category. .................... 69

Table GM_ 3. Estimated median, average, and total cash flow of retail stores in the Gulf of Mexico 

that sell recreational fishing bait and tackle, adjusted for the owners’ estimated 

percentage of sales for saltwater fishing items. Figures are reported for Bait & Tackle 

stores and Other Stores. ...................................................................................................... 70

Table GM_ 4. Regional economic impacts (employment, labor income, and output) generated by 

retail store operations that are supported by the sale of marine recreational bait and 

tackle in the Gulf of Mexico. .............................................................................................. 74

Table GM_ 5. Employment supported by retail stores that sell marine recreational fishing bait and 

tackle in near coastal counties of the Gulf of Mexico: Top 10 Industries. ......................... 75

Table GM_ 6. Employment and total output supported by the sale of marine recreational bait and 

tackle in the Gulf of Mexico by industry type. ................................................................... 75

Table GM_ 7. Saltwater recreational fisheries that generated the greatest sales of bait and tackle for 

retail stores in the Gulf of Mexico as identified by store owners and/or managers. 

Percentages exceed 100% as respondents were asked to select the top three fisheries. ..... 76

Table GM_ 8. Retail store owner opinions on how outside factors affected their sales of recreational 

fishing bait and tackle in 2013. ........................................................................................... 77

Table WC_ 1. Characteristics of businesses that sell recreational fishing bait, tackle, and related 

equipment in near coastal counties of the West Coast. Stores are categorized as either 

Bait & Tackle stores that cater almost exclusively to recreational anglers, or other 

stores that generate a significant portion of their business from other clientele. ................ 80

Table WC_ 2. Estimated mean gross sales (all sales, fishing, and saltwater fishing) per store (using 

mid-point of selected sales range) by business type (Bait & Tackle versus Other) of 

the West Coast. Saltwater fishing sales are also reported by item category. ..................... 81

Table WC_ 3. Estimated median, average, and total cash flow of retail stores in the West Coast that 

sell recreational fishing bait and tackle, adjusted for the owners’ estimated percentage 

of sales for saltwater fishing items. Figures are reported for Bait & Tackle stores and 

Other Stores. ....................................................................................................................... 82
viii

Table WC_ 4. National economic impacts (employment, labor income, and output) generated by 

retail store operations that are supported by the sale of marine recreational bait and 

tackle on the West Coast. ................................................................................................... 86

Table WC_ 5. Employment supported by retail stores that sell marine recreational fishing bait and 

tackle in near coastal counties of the West Coast: Top 10 Industries................................. 87

Table WC_ 6. Employment and total output supported by the sale of marine recreational bait and 

tackle in the West Coast by industry type. ......................................................................... 87

Table WC_ 7. Saltwater recreational fisheries that generated the greatest sales of bait and tackle for 

retail stores on the West Coast as identified by store owners and/or managers. 

Percentages exceed 100% as respondents were asked to select the top three fisheries. ..... 88

Table WC_ 8. Retail store owner opinions on how outside factors affected their sales of recreational 

fishing bait and tackle in 2013. ........................................................................................... 89

Table AK_ 1. Characteristics of businesses that sell recreational fishing bait, tackle, and related 

equipment in near coastal boroughs of Alaska. .................................................................. 92

Table AK_ 2. Estimated mean gross sales (all sales, fishing, and saltwater fishing) per store (using 

mid-point of selected sales range) in Alaska. Saltwater fishing sales are also reported 

by item category. ................................................................................................................ 93

Table AK_ 3. Estimated median, average, and total cash flow of retail stores in Alaska that sell 

recreational fishing bait and tackle, adjusted for the owners’ estimated percentage of 

sales for saltwater fishing items. Figures are reported for all stores combined only due 

to sample size. .................................................................................................................... 94

Table AK_ 4. National economic impacts (employment, labor income, and output) generated by 

retail store operations that are supported by the sale of marine recreational bait and 

tackle in Alaska. ................................................................................................................. 97

Table AK_ 5. Employment supported by retail stores that sell marine recreational fishing bait and 

tackle in near coastal boroughs of Alaska: Top 10 Industries. ........................................... 97

Table AK_ 6. Employment and total output supported by the sale of marine recreational bait and 

tackle in Alaska by industry type. ...................................................................................... 98

Table AK_ 7. Saltwater recreational fisheries that generated the greatest sales of bait and tackle for 

retail stores in the near coastal boroughs of Alaska as identified by store owners and/or 

managers. Percentages exceed 100% as respondents were asked to select the top three 

fisheries. ............................................................................................................................. 98

Table AK_ 8. Retail store owner opinions on how outside factors affected their sales of recreational 

fishing bait and tackle in 2013. ........................................................................................... 99

Table HI_ 1. Characteristics of businesses that sell recreational fishing bait, tackle, and related 

equipment in near coastal counties of Hawaii. ................................................................. 102

Table HI_ 2. Estimated mean gross sales (all sales, fishing, and saltwater fishing) per store (using 

mid-point of selected sales range) in Hawaii. Saltwater fishing sales are also reported 

by item category. .............................................................................................................. 103

Table HI_ 3. Estimated median, average, and cash flow of retail stores in Hawaii that sell 

recreational fishing bait and tackle, adjusted for the owners’ estimated percentage of 

sales for saltwater fishing items. Figures are reported for all stores combined only due 

to sample size. .................................................................................................................. 104
ix

Table HI_ 4. Regional economic impacts (employment, labor income, and output) generated by 

retail store operations that are supported by the sale of marine recreational bait and 

tackle in Hawaii. ............................................................................................................... 107

Table HI_ 5. Employment supported by retail stores that sell marine recreational fishing bait and 

tackle in Hawaii: Top 10 Industries. ................................................................................. 107

Table HI_ 6. Employment and total output supported by the sale of marine recreational bait and 

tackle in Hawaii by industry type. .................................................................................... 108

Table HI_ 7. Saltwater recreational fisheries that generated the greatest sales of bait and tackle for 

retail stores in Hawaii as identified by store owners and/or managers. Percentages 

exceed 100% as respondents were asked to select the top three fisheries. ....................... 108

Table HI_ 8. Retail store owner opinions on how outside factors affected their sales of recreational 

fishing bait and tackle in 2013. ......................................................................................... 109
x 

List of Figures

Figure 1. Coastal and inland counties of the contiguous United States in which retail stores that 

sell recreational fishing bait and tackle were targeted for the RBTES. ............................. 3

Figure 2. Coastal and inland boroughs of Alaska in which retail stores that sell recreational 

fishing bait and tackle were targeted for the RBTES. ....................................................... 4

Figure NE_ 1. Frequency and cumulative percentage distribution of reported total gross sales of New 

England retail stores that sell marine recreational fishing bait and tackle by their 

selected business category. .............................................................................................. 35

Figure NE_ 2. Frequency and cumulative percentage of New England stores by the proportion of 

total gross sales consisting of sales of saltwater recreational fishing bait, tackle, and 

related equipment by business category. ......................................................................... 36

Figure MA_ 1. Frequency and cumulative percentage distribution of reported total gross sales of 

Mid-Atlantic retail stores that sell marine recreational fishing bait and tackle by their 

selected business category. .............................................................................................. 47

Figure MA_ 2. Frequency and cumulative percentage of Mid-Atlantic stores by the proportion of 

total gross sales consisting of sales of saltwater recreational fishing bait, tackle, and 

related equipment by business category. ......................................................................... 48

Figure SA_ 1. Frequency and cumulative percentage distribution of reported total gross sales of 

South Atlantic retail stores that sell marine recreational fishing bait and tackle by their 

selected business category. .............................................................................................. 59

Figure SA_ 2. Frequency and cumulative percentage of South Atlantic stores by the proportion of 

total gross sales consisting of sales of saltwater recreational fishing bait, tackle, and 

related equipment by business category. ......................................................................... 60

Figure GM_ 1. Frequency and cumulative percentage distribution of reported total gross sales of 

Gulf of Mexico retail stores that sell marine recreational fishing bait and tackle by 

their selected business category. ..................................................................................... 71

Figure GM_ 2. Frequency and cumulative percentage of Gulf of Mexico stores by the proportion of 

total gross sales consisting of sales of saltwater recreational fishing bait, tackle, and 

related equipment by business category. ......................................................................... 72

Figure WC_ 1. Frequency and cumulative percentage distribution of reported total gross sales of 

West Coast retail stores that sell marine recreational fishing bait and tackle by their 

selected business category. .............................................................................................. 83

Figure WC_ 2. Frequency and cumulative percentage of West Coast stores by the proportion of 

total gross sales consisting of sales of saltwater recreational fishing bait, tackle, and 

related equipment by business category. ......................................................................... 84
xi 

Figure AK_ 1. Frequency and cumulative percentage distribution of reported total gross sales of 

Alaska retail stores that sell marine recreational fishing bait and tackle. ....................... 95

Figure AK_ 2. Frequency and cumulative percentage of Alaska stores by the proportion of total gross 

sales consisting of sales of saltwater recreational fishing bait, tackle, and related 

equipment. ....................................................................................................................... 96

Figure HI_ 1. Frequency and cumulative percentage distribution of reported total gross sales of 

Hawaii retail stores that sell marine recreational fishing bait and tackle. ..................... 105

Figure HI_ 2. Frequency and cumulative percentage of Hawaii stores by the proportion of total 

gross sales consisting of sales of saltwater recreational fishing bait, tackle, and 

related equipment. ......................................................................................................... 106

1 

ABSTRACT

In 2014, the National Marine Fisheries Service (NOAA Fisheries) conducted the Marine 

Recreational Bait and Tackle Economic Survey (RBTES) to better understand the economic 

condition and contributions to the regional and national economy of retail stores that sell marine

fishing bait and tackle. This study focused on retail stores that sell bait and tackle to saltwater 

anglers in coastal and near coastal communities located in 23 U.S. states on the Atlantic, Gulf 

of Mexico, and Pacific coasts, including Alaska and Hawaii. The RBTES was designed to 

provide NOAA Fisheries’ first baseline economic assessment of the retail marine bait and tackle 

industry, and collected data on the 2013 costs and earnings of independently owned businesses. 

Efforts were made to collect data on national chains (e.g., Bass Pro Shops, Walmart) that sell bait 

and tackle, but they are not included in this report due to limited participation in the study. 

Independent stores receiving the survey came from an exhaustive list of businesses compiled by 

NOAA Fisheries with the assistance of state marine fisheries agencies, and two major industry 

wholesalers. NOAA Fisheries received surveys from 944 stores out of 3,514 businesses that 

were sent surveys and were not otherwise identified as being ineligible to participate (i.e., did not 

have retail sales of bait and tackle; non-deliverable address; no longer in business) for a national 

response rate of 27 percent. A little over one-third (35.1%) of responding stores classified 

themselves as “Bait & Tackle” stores that catered almost exclusively to recreational anglers. 

These retail stores averaged $426 thousand in saltwater fishing related sales, representing 53.6 

percent of their total gross sales in 2013. Conversely, stores that classified themselves as “Other 

Stores” averaged $141 thousand in saltwater fishing bait and tackle sales, representing only 8.4 

percent of their total gross sales. These averages were extrapolated to an estimated combined 

total of $854 million in sales of saltwater fishing bait, tackle, and related equipment. Next, 

regional input-output analysis of the operating costs and net returns supported by saltwater 

recreational fishing sales was conducted to estimate their economic contributions. Nationally, 

independently owned retailers that sell marine bait and tackle were estimated to contribute $2.3 

billion in total economic output, including $796 million in income supporting more than 16 

thousand jobs in the United States. 
2 

INTRODUCTION

In 2014, NOAA Fisheries conducted the Marine Recreational Bait and Tackle Economic Survey 

(RBTES) to better understand the economic condition and contributions of retail stores that sell 

marine recreational fishing bait, tackle, and related equipment (excluding boats). For the 

purposes of this study, marine recreational fishing was defined as fishing for finfish or shellfish 

in the open ocean or inshore waters, or for spawning runs of anadromous species such as striped 

bass or ocean-run salmon for sport or pleasure. The RBTES was designed to provide NOAA 

Fisheries’ first baseline economic assessment of the marine retail bait and tackle industry. 

This study focused on retail stores that are independently owned small businesses that sell 

bait and tackle to saltwater anglers in coastal and near coastal communities located in 23 U.S. 

states on the Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico, Pacific coasts, Alaska, and Hawaii (Figures 1 and 2). 

Small businesses were targeted as they may be more disproportionately affected by regional 

fisheries management actions due to their greater dependence on local fisheries, and information 

on them in national reports is largely masked by data on larger national and regional chains. 

Across the United States, anglers took just over 72 million marine recreational fishing trips in 

2014 and generated significant economic impacts to both local coastal economies and to the 

nation as a whole. Stores that sell bait, tackle, and other fishing-related equipment can be 

significantly impacted by spatial and temporal changes in marine recreational fishing 

participation caused by regulatory actions, such as fishery closures. When NOAA Fisheries 

proposes new fisheries regulations, the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and 

Management Act of 1996 (and as reauthorized in 2007) requires the agency to enumerate the 

economic impacts of the policies it implements on fishing participants and coastal communities. 

The primary objective of the RBTES was to collect data on the annual costs and earnings of 

stores that sell bait, tackle, and other equipment for marine recreational fishing to facilitate 

assessment of the economic contributions to their local and national economy. Secondary 

objectives included obtaining data required to profile and categorize the different types of 

businesses that sell bait and tackle, and receiving feedback from business operators on how 

various factors affect their sales of marine bait and tackle. 

Prior to the RBTES, baseline economic data on retail stores that sell marine recreational fishing 

bait and tackle was limited. Regular surveys of marine recreational anglers conducted by NOAA 

Fisheries provide estimates of total sales of marine bait and tackle in the United States (Lovell et 

al., 2013), but these surveys do not distinguish between sales by large national chains and small, 

locally owned businesses. Furthermore, such surveys do not provide data on the operational 

expenses of bait and tackle stores, which are needed in addition to sales figures, to estimate net 

revenues and assess business conditions. Additionally, in national surveys of retail businesses, 

stores that sell bait and tackle are lumped into the broader sporting goods sector, or, depending 

on what else they sell, may also be classified as convenience, hardware, or general merchandise 

retail stores (U.S. Census, 2015). These issues make it difficult to assess the economic 

importance and health of locally owned and operated bait and tackle stores to coastal 

communities, thus necessitating the need for a targeted economic survey like the RBTES.
3 

Figure 1. Coastal and inland counties of the contiguous United States in which retail stores that 

sell saltwater recreational fishing bait and tackle were targeted for the RBTES. 
4 

Figure 2. Coastal and inland boroughs of Alaska in which retail stores that sell saltwater

recreational fishing bait and tackle were targeted for the RBTES.
5 

METHODS

Sample Frame and Procedures

The target population for the RBTES was retail stores that sell marine recreational fishing bait 

and tackle in coastal and near coastal counties of the United States. To assemble a sampling 

frame for this population, counties intended to be targeted were first identified (Figures 1 and 2). 

In most states, the minimum base set of targeted counties included those located on the coast, 

and the line of counties immediately inland of those. These inland counties were included as it 

seemed reasonable that bait and tackle stores in these counties, especially in larger population 

centers, would include saltwater fishing bait and tackle among their merchandise. Additional 

counties further inland were included in several states based on discussions with local fisheries 

managers, or to capture data on stores that cater to anglers targeting the spawning runs of 

anadromous species and fisheries in large coastal estuaries. Specifically, several inland counties 

were included in western states to capture bait and tackle sales associated with salmon runs, and 

numerous inland counties were included in the North and Mid-Atlantic to capture sales 

supported by striped bass runs, especially around the Chesapeake Bay region of Maryland and 

Virginia, and New York’s Hudson River Valley. In some cases the entire state was included due 

to the relatively close proximity of all counties to the coast. These included Maine, Rhode 

Island, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, and Hawaii. 

Once an initial list of target counties was assembled, state fisheries agencies were contacted to 

acquire lists of stores that likely sold bait and tackle. In most cases, potential stores were 

identified from lists of authorized state fishing license vendors. Several state agencies 

augmented the list to include stores with permits to sell live bait and those stores that received 

dissemination of state informational materials such as regulations booklets. The list of stores 

was supplemented with sample frames that had been generated for previous studies for the states 

of North Carolina, New Jersey, and New York. In some cases, state agencies were provided with 

lists of the counties of interest, and returned lists of retailers only located in those counties. In 

other cases the state provided a list for the entire state, and it was left to NOAA Fisheries to pare 

the list down to retailers in the targeted counties. Customer lists were also acquired from two 

major wholesalers of recreational fishing bait and tackle to supplement the license vendor lists 

obtained by state agencies and to fill any potential gaps. Due to spatial overlaps in the state 

agency and wholesaler lists, it was necessary to review the final list to remove duplicate records. 

This was done by ICF International, the survey research firm contracted to execute the survey. 

At the same time, store mailing addresses were compared to postal records to identify stores with 

incorrect or incomplete addresses, and they were corrected where possible to reduce the number 

of mailings to undeliverable addresses. This effort also identified and removed records that were 

clearly not for retail businesses, as fishing license vendors in many states also included county 

clerks, national chain stores, and other government offices. Removal of duplicates and records 

that were clearly not for retail businesses resulted in a sample frame of 5,290 potential bait and 

tackle stores.
6 

Given the busy and sometimes unpredictable nature of working at and managing a retail 

establishment, it was decided that a mail survey would be the best way of collecting the needed 

data for the RBTES. A mail survey would provide store owners the opportunity to complete the 

survey when their work schedule allowed, and reference the store’s records if necessary. Given 

the relatively small sample, and the desire to achieve adequate sample sizes to conduct separate 

regional analyses, it was decided to send initial mailings to all of the 5,290 identified stores in 

the sample frame. Mail surveys were conducted using a modified Dillman et al. (2009) method. 

In the final week of June 2014, store owners were first sent a pre-letter to inform them of the 

study, that they had been selected for participation, and would be receiving a survey in the mail 

in a couple weeks. The initial mailing also included a postage-paid return postcard that business 

owners could return if their stores did not sell bait and tackle so that they might avoid future 

mailings. This information also improved the quality of the sample frame by enabling 

inappropriate firms to be purged from the list. These businesses included retailers that 

specialized in hunting equipment and firearms, hunting and fishing lodges, guides and outfitters, 

other retail stores (e.g., grocery, convenience, hardware) that sold fishing licenses but not bait 

and tackle, and non-retail firms. 

Three weeks following the pre-letter, stores that did not return the postcard were sent a survey 

packet including a cover letter, a survey questionnaire, and a business reply envelope. One week 

later, all stores were sent a postcard that thanked the store owner for participating in the survey 

and included a reminder to return the survey. Three weeks after the first survey mailing, stores 

that had not yet responded were sent a modified cover letter and second copy of the survey 

questionnaire. The second mailing was followed by 2 weeks of reminder calls to stores that had 

yet to respond in an effort to recruit them into participating in the mail survey, and identify 

additional firms that were ineligible to participate in the study (e.g., did not sell bait and tackle, 

out of business, wholesalers, etc.). A brief phone survey of a sub-sample of non-respondents 

was conducted the week following the end of the reminder calls to assess the potential for nonresponse bias. Finally, in an effort to boost the final response rate, a third mailing of the survey 

questionnaire was sent to any remaining non-respondents in October 2014 after the busy summer 

season when store owners would likely have more time to complete the survey. This proved 

successful as the overall response rate increased from 20 to 27 percent.

Survey Instrument

Store owners were sent one of seven regionally tailored versions of the survey questionnaire 

based on their stores’ location. The seven regions were: 

• North Atlantic – Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut 

• Mid-Atlantic – New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia

• South Atlantic – North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, East Florida 

• Gulf of Mexico – West Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas 

• West Coast – California, Oregon, Washington 

• Alaska

• Hawaii
7 

The survey questionnaires asked store owners or managers to provide financial data on their 

sales and operational costs in calendar year 2013, or the fiscal year most closely matching the 

calendar year. Store owners were asked to indicate their 2013 total gross sales by selecting from 

a list of 12 sales ranges (Table 1). The use of bin ranges to collect gross sales figures was 

adopted based on feedback from representatives within the bait and tackle industry who 

expressed strong concerns about store owner willingness to provide exact sales figures. Industry 

experts and members provided consistent feedback that store owners would be extremely 

reluctant to provide exact sales and costs figures, and asking for such figures would significantly 

reduce final response rates. Based on this feedback, it was decided to use sales bin ranges in the 

survey questionnaire and assign each store the mid-point of the selected bin range as their 

estimated total gross sales figure for all data analyses. 

Table 1. Total gross sales bin ranges used in RBTES questionnaires, and their corresponding midpoint values that were used as estimates of a store’s total gross sales for analysis purposes.

Total gross sales bin ranges used in survey Mid-point value used in analyses

$0 - $49,999 $25,000 

$50,000 - $99,999 $75,000 

$100,000 - $199,999 $150,000 

$200,000 - $399,999 $300,000

$400,000 - $599,999 $500,000

$600,000 - $799,999 $700,000 

$800,000 - $999,999 $900,000 

$1,000,000 - $2,499,999 $1,750,000 

$2,500,000 - $4,999,999 $3,750,000

$5,000,000 - $7,499,999 $6,250,000

$7,500,000 - $9,999,999 $8,750,000 

$10,000,000 or more $12,500,000 

Consistent with the feedback received from industry members, store owners were asked to 

estimate the percentage of their total gross sales represented by sales of recreational fishing bait, 

tackle, and other related equipment, including both freshwater and saltwater fishing–related 

sales. Store owners were then asked to allocate their gross fishing sales across several categories 

(bait, fishing tackle including rods and reels, fishing line and nets, tool accessories such as pliers 

and knives, special fishing-related apparel such as waders, boat accessories and electronics, and 

spearfishing gear in Hawaii only) by percentage of sales. Next, store owners were asked to 

estimate what percentage of their fishing-related sales were for items used primarily in saltwater 

or anadromous fisheries. Other sales-related questions included whether or not the store sold 

live bait and, if so, what percentage of bait sales were for live bait; whether the store had internet 
8 

sales and, if so, the percentage of sales garnered there; and the distribution of fishing-related 

sales by season. Store owners were then asked to estimate their inventory and operating costs as 

a percentage of their total gross sales, and were asked to provide a percentage breakdown of their 

costs across 11 categories (e.g., inventory, employee pay, utilities, etc,). 

The survey also asked store owners to provide descriptive data on their businesses such as the 

type of business (bait and tackle, sporting goods, general retail, convenience, hardware, marina) 

they ran, total number of stores they owned (although they were instructed to only provide data 

on the store addressed in their cover letter), number of full- and part-time employees, which 

regional fisheries they believed generated the most sales, and their opinions on how several 

outside factors affected their sales in 2013. 

Data Cleaning 

Responses provided by store owners were examined in Microsoft Excel and Statistical Analysis 

Software (SAS, 2011) for errors and internal consistency. Outliers (greater than the 99th

percentile) and inconsistent observations for individual variables were set to “missing” for data 

analysis purposes without removing the entire record so as to avoid undue reductions in overall 

sample size. Three multi-part questions in the survey asked store owners to report their sales or 

costs across several categories with the final percentages totaling 100. A significant number of 

respondents provided answers that did not add up to exactly 100 percent. In many cases, the 

percentages provided when totaled were off by less than 5 percent, in which cases no adjustment 

was made to the data. In other cases, respondents misunderstood the survey questionnaires’ 

directions and provided responses that added up to the reported percentage of their total sales 

that were for recreational fishing–related merchandise (i.e., if they reported 80% of their sales 

were fishing-related, then their breakdown of sales by category added to 80% instead of 100% as 

instructed). In these cases, responses were recalculated to add up to 100 percent to ensure data 

consistency across respondents. Similar response errors were found with responses to the 

operating costs breakdown question, which was preceded by a question asking store owners to 

estimate their overall operating costs as a percentage of their gross sales. These reporting errors 

were corrected in the same manner as erroneous responses to the sales breakdown question. 

Next, cases where respondents did not provide any data for sales and costs breakdown questions 

(i.e., sales and costs by category) were addressed by replacing missing values with the average 

values of respondents. In cases where respondents provided data for some sales and cost items 

but not others (e.g., reported sales of fishing tackle but not boat accessories) it was assumed that 

the missing values were zero. Finally, returned surveys that did not include responses to any 

financial data, or provided financial data for a time period other than the 2013 calendar or fiscal 

year, were classified as partial responses and excluded from analysis. 

Cash Flow Analysis 

For analysis purposes, stores were divided into one of two business categories, which are labeled 

in this report as either: 1) Bait & Tackle stores that carried fishing-related merchandise only, 

and 2) Other Stores that sold fishing-related merchandise in addition to other non-fishing 
9 

merchandise (e.g., sporting goods, general retail, convenience, and hardware stores, and 

marinas). The vast majority of stores reporting were assigned to each of the above categories 

based on their responses to a question asking them to self-assign to a category that best described 

their business. However, several stores that did not select the Bait & Tackle category were 

reassigned to that category because they indicated that recreational fishing bait and tackle made 

up 100 percent of their overall sales. 

Cash flow analyses were conducted by estimating average saltwater fishing–related costs and 

earnings by business category and region for 2013. Cash flow represents the movement of 

money into and out of a business via its operating activities (Steinback and Brinson, 2013). For 

the purposes of this study, inflows represent business sales of saltwater fishing–related bait and 

tackle, and outflows represent the proportion of business expenses supported by saltwater 

fishing–related sales. The difference in inflows and outflows represented the net revenue 

associated with saltwater bait and tackle sales. Due to sample size limitations, Bait & Tackle and 

Other stores were not separated for regional analyses in Hawaii and Alaska, although stores in 

these regions were separated by business category for the overall national analysis.

As this study was primarily focused on the impacts of saltwater fishing–related bait and tackle 

sales, all cash flow analyses focused on the portion of business sales and operating costs that 

related to saltwater fishing. As mentioned previously, store owners were asked to indicate their 

total gross sales for 2013 by selecting one of 12 bin ranges, and assigned the corresponding midpoint to serve as an estimate of their gross sales (Table 1). Stores were further asked to indicate 

the percentage of their total sales that were for recreational fishing bait, tackle, and related 

equipment (both freshwater and saltwater), and the percentage of their fishing-related sales that 

were for items they believed were used primarily for saltwater fishing. These two percentages 

were multiplied for each store to estimate the percentage of their total sales for saltwater-related

bait and tackle. This percentage was then multiplied by the mid-point of the total gross sales bin 

range they selected to estimate the value of each store’s saltwater bait and tackle sales. Stores 

were also asked to estimate the percentage of their bait and tackle sales across six merchandise

categories (i.e., bait, fishing tackle including rods and reels, fishing line and nets, tool 

accessories, fishing apparel, boat accessories and electronics). A seventh merchandise category, 

spearfishing equipment, was added to the Hawaii version of the survey. For each store, these 

percentages were multiplied by their estimate of saltwater fishing sales to estimate the value of 

their sales for each inventory category.

The next step in cash flow analysis is to estimate a business’ cash outflows or costs. In keeping 

with the decision to not ask for exact dollar figures, store owners were asked to estimate their 

total operating and inventory costs as a percentage of their total gross sales. This percentage was 

multiplied by each store’s estimated total gross sales to estimate their total costs. Store owners 

were also asked to estimate their expenses across 11 expense categories as a percentage of their 

total business expenses (i.e., inventory, employee pay, building rent/mortgage, facility and 

equipment maintenance, marketing/advertising, professional services, insurance, shipping fees, 

taxes, and other costs). These percentages were then multiplied by the estimate of each store’s 

total expenses to estimate costs per expense category. All expense-related estimates were then 
10 

multiplied by the percentage of the store’s sales for saltwater fishing bait and tackle to estimate 

the value of expenses that supported that portion of the business. Of the 11 expense categories 

presented to store owners, the first was inventory expenses, or costs of goods sold. To estimate 

the inventory expenses associated with each merchandise category, each store’s estimated 

saltwater inventory expense was divided across the six to seven merchandise categories based on 

the reported percentage of the store’s fishing sales per category. For example, if 10 percent of a 

store’s fishing-related sales were for bait, it was assumed that bait accounted for 10 percent of 

the store’s inventory expenses. 

Once saltwater fishing–related sales and expense figures were estimated for each store, average 

estimates were calculated for both Bait & Tackle and Other stores nationally and in each region 

(except for Alaska and Hawaii, where limited sample sizes dictated the need for combined 

models). Average net revenues were calculated by subtracting total average saltwater fishing–

related expenses from average saltwater fishing bait and tackle sales. Finally, average cost and 

earnings figures were extrapolated to total costs and earnings nationally and for each region by 

estimates of the total number of Bait & Tackle and Other stores within the respective study area. 

The national and regional estimates of the total number of retail stores selling marine recreational 

fishing bait and tackle were generated by reducing the number of stores in the initial sample 

frame by the number of stores that were determined to be ineligible (i.e., did not sell bait and 

tackle, determined to be closed, determined to not be a retail business, or had an undeliverable 

address suggesting they were also out of business). The number of stores that were Bait & 

Tackle or Other Stores per region and nationally was determined by extrapolating from the 

percentage of responding stores reporting to be in each category per region (i.e., if 50% of stores 

responding within a region reported being Bait & Tackle stores, it was assumed 50% of all stores 

within the region were Bait & Tackle stores). 

Economic Contribution Analysis 

The results of the cash flow analyses were used to design input-output models in IMPLAN 

(Minnesota IMPLAN Group, Inc., 2010) to estimate the economic contributions of retail Bait & 

Tackle and Other Stores that sold marine bait and tackle at the national and regional level in 

2013. Input-output models estimate economic contributions, or impacts, of monetary 

expenditures by consumers and businesses by tracking a regional economy’s ability to absorb 

and circulate their expenses using economic multipliers (Miller and Blair, 1985). Multipliers 

represent the ratio between total impacts and final expenditures, and serve as a measure of 

circulation of expended dollars throughout the regional economy being modeled (Archer, 1984). 

In laymen’s terms, this means input-output models track how sales generated by the businesses 

of interest (in this case, stores that sell marine recreational fishing bait and tackle) support not 

only their own employees, but also sales and employment for the businesses that directly and 

indirectly support the operations of the bait and tackle stores (Minnesota IMPLAN Group, Inc., 

2010). Furthermore, input-output models also assess induced impacts generated by household 

expenditures of employees and business proprietors whose income is supported by sales of bait 

and tackle. 
11 

Economic impacts were estimated by business category (Bait & Tackle Stores and Other Stores) 

for each region (excluding Alaska and Hawaii, where all stores were combined for analysis due 

to sample size limitations) and nationally. A “sum-of-parts” approach was used to quantify the 

full economic impacts of sales of saltwater fishing bait, tackle, and related equipment (Steinback 

and Brinson, 2013). The results of the RBTES were used to quantify the direct sales, income, and 

employment impacts associated with retail sales of marine bait and tackle in coastal 

communities. Input-output models were assembled in IMPLAN to estimate the indirect impacts 

of retail store operating expenditures, and the induced impacts of the household expenditures of 

employees and store owners. The input-output models used in this report generated three

different metrics, referred to as impacts, for assessing the contributions to a region’s economy 

from business expenditures supported by sales of marine recreational fishing bait, tackle, and 

related equipment. The different measures of impacts are:

• Sales are the gross value of sales by businesses within the economic region. In the rest of 

this document, the terms “sales impacts” and “output impacts” are used interchangeably.

• Income includes personal income (wages and salaries) and proprietors’ income (income 

from self-employment).

• Employment is specified on the basis of full- and part-time jobs. There is significant 

part-time and seasonal employment in the retail service, recreational fishing, and many 

other industries. 

The first two types of impacts are measured in terms of dollars, whereas employment impacts are 

measured in terms of number of jobs. Additionally, the three categories of impacts are not 

independent, and it is important to note that adding them together would result in some double 

counting of impacts. 

IMPLAN models were assembled for each aggregated region using 2012 state-level data 

provided in the software package, and assigning retail store cost expenditures to the appropriate 

industrial or commodity sectors (Table 2). Several expenditure categories presented in the 

survey questionnaire included more than one IMPLAN sector. This was done to match up with 

typical bookkeeping records and to keep the number of questions in the survey to a minimum. 

Among inventory expenses, categories with multiple IMPLAN sectors included accessories (i.e., 

tools, knives), fishing apparel, and boat accessories (wireless communication devices, navigation 

instruments, lines, anchors). Among operating costs, categories with multiple IMPLAN sectors 

included utility expenses, professional services, and other costs. To avoid the biases associated 

with aggregating, it was necessary to divide the estimated expenditures under these categories 

across IMPLAN sectors. For several categories, expenses were divided across IMPLAN sectors 

using the average proportion of final household demand in each sector across the states included 

within a given model. These categories included accessories, fishing apparel, and utility 

expenses. The data needed to make these adjustments were provided within the IMPLAN 

database. However, for several expenditure categories, there was good reason to believe that the 

household demand proportions were not representative of expenditure breakdowns for stores that 

sell bait and tackle. In these cases, category expenditures were divided equally across the 
12 

associated IMPLAN sectors. For example, the household demand proportions in IMPLAN 

predicted that sales of wireless communication devices would exceed sales of navigation 

instruments by a factor of 10. While this is reasonable for overall household expenditures 

(households buy far more cell phones and wireless internet–connected devices than GPS units), it 

was not reasonable to assume such a breakdown in sales of boat electronics at stores selling bait 

and tackle, which are much more likely to sell GPS units. The same could be said of 

professional services (legal and accounting services). While household demand data shows far 

greater

Table 2. Inputs for national bait and tackle store economic input model. 

Expenditure/Income Category IMPLAN Sector(s) Description

Inventory

 Bait 17 Fish

 Fishing tackle (rods, lures, etc.) 311 Sporting goods

 Fishing lines and nets 129 Artificial and synthetic fibers and filaments

 Accessories (clippers, pliers, etc.) 185, 184 Handtools; Cutlery

 Fishing apparel 88, 89, 93, 311 All other textile products; Footwear

 Boat accessories and electronics

 (Electronics, lines, anchors) 

249, 238, 170, 129 Search, detection, and navigation 

instruments; Broadcast and wireless 

communication equipment; Iron and steel 

manufacturing; Artificial and synthetic 

fibers and filaments

 Spearfishing 311 Sporting goods

Employee pay and benefits Institutional 

spending pattern 

Households (Employee compensation)

Building rent/mortgage 39 Maintenance of non-residential structures 

Facility and equipment 

maintenance

385 Facilities support services

Utility expenses 351, 31, 33 Telecommunications; Electricity and 

distribution services; Water, sewage 

treatment, and other utility services

Marketing/advertising 377 Advertising and related services

Professional services (legal, 

accounting)

367, 368 Legal services, accounting services

Insurance 357 Insurance

Shipping fees 427 US Postal delivery services

Other costs 354, 3110, 3115, 

3313 

Monetary authorities (banks), paper 

products, fuel, non-paper office supplies 

Net Returns + Taxes Institutional 

spending pattern 

Households (Owner net revenue + taxes)
13 

demand for legal services than accounting services, the demand should be more evenly divided 

for small businesses, so it was divided evenly for the input-output analysis. Finally, costs listed 

under the “other costs” category were evenly divided into four sectors (i.e., monetary authorities 

or banks, paper products, fuel, and non-paper office supplies) based on descriptive information 

provided by store owners who reported other costs. 

Adjustments were also made to expenditure estimates for the banking and insurance sectors 

before inputting the data into IMPLAN as described in Steinback and Brinson (2013, p. 46). 

Only a portion of the expenditures made in these sectors generate economic impacts in inputoutput models, as their outputs are measured on a net basis in IMPLAN. For the insurance 

sector, claims and policy dividends paid back to businesses must be subtracted from premiums 

paid to avoid overstating the impact to the insurance sector. To do this, insurance premium 

expenditures by retail stores were adjusted by the average net profit margin percentage (10.7%) 

for property and casualty insurance firms in the United States (Yahoo! Finance, 2015a). For the 

banking sector, retail store expenditures on bank fees and interest payments were adjusted for 

each IMPLAN model by the average net profit margin percentage for each respective region

(9.3% to 22.9%) and the United States (14.7%) (Yahoo Finance, 2015b). Next, tax expenses 

were divided between federal and state/local taxes using an 80/20 ratio. Federal taxes were 

assigned to the federal government non-defense institutional spending pattern, and state/local 

taxes were assigned to the state/local government non-education institutional spending pattern 

contained in IMPLAN. These spending patterns represent the region-wide average expenditure 

patterns by state/local and federal government institutions not involved in education or defense 

activities, respectively. These spending patterns include goods and services purchased by 

government institutions as well as wages and salaries paid to government employees. 

For each model, employee pay was assigned to Employee Compensation under the Labor 

Income Change Activity which uses a Personal Consumption Expenditure (PCE) activity 

database containing data on average household expenditures of disposable income. Because this 

survey primarily targeted small businesses, it was assumed net revenues went to store owners’ 

household income, so these values were also assigned to the appropriate Household Income 

Change sector. Household Income Change Activities in IMPLAN are organized based on 

household income levels, as spending patterns vary across income levels (Minnesota IMPLAN 

Group, Inc., 2010). For each model, average store net revenues were estimated to determine the 

appropriate Household Income Change sector to include within the input-output model. 

However, only the proportion of net revenues that were supported by sales of saltwater fishing 

bait and tackle were inputted into each model. 

In IMPLAN, regional purchase coefficients (RPCs) reflect the proportion of the total demand for 

a commodity by all users in a region that is supplied by producers located within the region 

(Minnesota IMPLAN Group, Inc., 2010). IMPLANs default RPCs were applied to most 

inventory expenditure estimates to ensure that imported goods were not included in the impact 

estimates. The one exception for inventory items was for bait purchases. As virtually all bait is 

derived from local harvesters, all RPC values for bait inventory purchases were increased to 100 

percent. Similarly, margins are used in IMPLAN to convert the retail-level prices paid by 
14 

anglers into appropriate producer values (Minnesota IMPLAN Group, Inc., 2010). Margins 

ensure that correct values are assigned to products as they move from producers, to wholesalers, 

through the transportation sectors, and finally on to retail establishments. Retail margins were 

also modified to 100 percent for select sectors where all small business purchases were expected 

to made within the region. Among operating expense sectors, this adjustment was made for all 

utility sectors (electric, water, telecommunications), building rent, facility maintenance, 

advertising, and professional services. Additionally, margins for inventory purchases were 

adjusted by reassigning retail-level margins to wholesale trade businesses, because the objective 

was to model the economic impacts of the operating expenditures of retail businesses instead of 

consumer purchases. 

Throughout this report, the results of the input-output analyses are referred to as either 

“economic contributions” or “economic impacts” with no implied distinction in the terms. Note 

that impact estimates for specific regional models measure only the impacts that occurred within 

that region due to business expenditures in that region. Impacts that occur across regions are 

captured in the aggregate U.S. model. For this reason, the impacts estimated by the aggregate 

U.S. model exceed the sum of the impacts estimated by the regional models.

SURVEY IMPLEMENTATION 

Response Rate 

Of the 5,290 stores in the initial RBTES sample frame, 1,792 were determined to be ineligible to 

participate in the study, leaving us with an eligible population of 3,514 potential stores that sold 

bait and tackle (Table 3). Stores were determined to be ineligible to participate either because 

they reported that they did not sell bait and tackle (n = 906), they had undeliverable addresses (n 

= 646), or they were confirmed to be out of business or a non-retail establishment (n = 224). 

Surveys were returned by 944 stores across the country for a national response rate of 27 percent 

(Table 3). Of the 944 returned surveys, 884 provided adequate data for inclusion in the data 

analysis. Regional response rates ranged from a low of 25.0percent (204 out of 789

eligible) in the Gulf of Mexico, to a high of 34.4 percent (11 out of 32 eligible) in Hawaii (Table 

3). The percentage of sample units that were identified as being ineligible stayed consistently 

around 31 percent for all regions with the exception of Alaska, where 63 percent of the firms in 

the original sample were determined to be ineligible. This was due to the large number of guide 

services, outfitters, and fishing lodges that were in the list of fishing license vendors in the state. 

These businesses were considered for removal from the sample frame before the survey began, 

but were kept in the frame on the small chance any sold bait and tackle to their clients. Due to a 

near complete lack of reporting from these businesses, and information gathered during the 

telephone recruitment calls following the second mailing, it was determined that all of these 

businesses should be classified as not selling bait and tackle. A final population of 3,514 stores 

that were believed to sell bait and tackle in the study area remained after removing stores that 

were determined to be ineligible for the study. 
15 

Table 3. Response rates by region and nationally for the Marine Recreational Bait and Tackle 

Store Economic Survey. 

Ineligible Final

Eligible

Population3 Region

Initial

Sample

Returned

Surveys1 Refusals

Do not sell 

bait & tackle Undeliverable Other2 

Response 

Rate4 

New England 656 122 9 91 72 26 467 26.3

Mid-Atlantic 926 172 8 107 148 39 632 27.3

South Atlantic 1,033 177 14 145 138 42 708 25.0

Gulf of Mexico 1,164 204 14 161 140 74 789 25.9

West Coast 1,029 206 8 182 85 38 724 28.6

Alaska 435 52 13 215 58 0 162 32.5

Hawaii 47 11 0 5 5 5 32 34.4

National 5,290 944 66 906 646 224 3,514 27.0

1

 Of the 944 returned surveys, 884 provided adequate data for inclusion in all economic analyses. 

2 Other ineligible includes operations that were confirmed to be out of business or non-retail firms. 

3 Final eligible population = initial sample minus ineligibles.

4 Response rates = completed returns divided by eligible businesses (initial sample minus those with

 undeliverable addresses, did not sell bait and tackle, or other ineligible).

Non-response Bias Analysis 

A short telephone survey of non-respondents was conducted 3 weeks after the second mailing of 

the survey instrument. Attempted calls were made to 178 stores, of which 34 completed the nonrespondent survey. An additional 25 stores were determined to be ineligible for participation in 

the RBTES, and 60 refused to participate. Non-respondents were asked to answer several 

questions regarding their business operations in 2013. These questions included selecting the 

category that best described their business, the number of stores they owned, the number of 

people they employed, how much they generated in gross sales using four broad ranges, whether 

fishing bait and tackle sales accounted for more or less than 50 percent of their sales, and 

whether saltwater bait and tackle sales accounted for more or less than 50 percent of their 

fishing-related sales. 

Results of the non-response survey were compared to data provided by survey respondents, and 

minimal differences were found between the two groups (Table 4). The distribution of stores 
16 

across business categories was largely similar for most categories. Bait & Tackle stores made up 

35 percent of respondents and 31 percent of non-respondents that participated in the nonresponse follow-up. More variation was found across the other store categories but, as these 

categories were lumped for analysis purposes in this report, it was felt to be of minor concern. 

The distribution of gross sales between respondents and non-respondents also showed minimal 

difference, with non-respondents actually reporting slightly greater earnings. No significant 

difference was found between responding and non-responding store owners based on the number 

of stores owned or number of employees. Finally, stores were categorized in both samples based 

on their responses to the two questions pertaining to the percentage of their sales that were for 

fishing and saltwater fishing bait and tackle. It was found that non-respondents were more likely 

to be stores whose fishing-related sales accounted for less than 50 percent of their gross sales, 

but only if less than 50 percent of their fishing-related sales were for saltwater fishing bait and 

tackle. Conversely, respondents were more likely to have answered greater than 50 percent for 

both questions. 

Table 4. Comparison of key variables between respondents and non-respondents to the RBTES 

survey.

Respondents Non-respondents

Variable Frequency Percent Frequency Percent

Business Category

 Bait & Tackle 312 35.3 11 31.4

 Sporting Goods 137 15.5 2 5.7

 Convenience 132 14.9 4 11.4

 Gen Retail 104 11.8 3 8.6

 Hardware 88 10.0 6 17.1

 Marina 111 12.3 9 25.7

Gross Sales

 Less than $200K 294 33.3 9 30.0

 $200K - $600K 196 22.2 7 23.3

 $600K - $1M 270 30.5 6 20.0

 $1 million + 124 14.0 8 26.7

Fishing/Saltwater Sales

< 50% / < 50% 200 22.6 11 34.4

< 50% / > 50% 326 36.9 10 31.3

> 50% / < 50% 73 8.3 3 9.4

> 50% / > 50% 285 46.6 8 25.0

Mean no. stores 1.1 (0.02) 1.2 (0.11)

Mean no. employees 8.7 (0.46) 8.0 (1.69)
17 

NATIONAL OVERVIEW
18 

Characteristics of Marine Bait and Tackle Retailers in the United States

Of the 884 stores that provided usable cost and earnings data, 312 classified themselves as Bait 

& Tackle stores that catered exclusively to recreational anglers (Table US_1). Of the 572 Other 

Stores that returned usable surveys, 137 (23.9%) were sporting goods stores that sold 

merchandise for a variety of sports, 132 (23.1%) were convenience stores, 111 (19.4%) were 

marinas, 104 (18.2%) were general retail stores, and 88 (15.4%) were hardware stores. Based on 

these percentages, it was estimated that the final population of 3,514 stores selling bait and tackle 

in the study area included 1,259 Bait & Tackle stores and 2,255 Other Stores. These numbers 

are important, as they were used to extrapolate average business costs and earnings figures to 

total figures for economic impact analysis. The vast majority of store owners in both categories 

reported owning only one store (93.9% Bait & Tackle, 91.4% Other Stores). Less than 2 percent 

of store owners reported owning three or more stores (Table US_1). Years of selling saltwater 

fishing bait and tackle averaged approximately 25 years for both categories, with 13 percent of 

stores having done so for 50 years or more. Bait & Tackle stores reported employing an average 

of 3.2 full-time positions and 3.7 part-time positions in 2013 (Table US_1). Other Stores 

reported having a total of 6.9 full-time and 5.7 part-time employees on average. 

Table US_ 1. Characteristics of businesses that sell recreational fishing bait, tackle, and related 

equipment in near coastal counties of the United States. Stores are categorized as either 

Bait & Tackle stores that cater almost exclusively to recreational anglers, or other stores 

that generate a significant portion of their business from other clientele.

Business Type

Bait & Tackle Other Stores

N % N %

Business type

 Bait and tackle 312 100.0

 Sporting goods 137 23.9

 Convenience store 132 23.1

 General goods retailer 104 18.2

 Hardware store 88 15.4

 Marina 111 19.4

 

Number of stores owned

 One 292 93.9 521 91.4

 Two 13 4.2 38 6.7

 Three or more 6 1.9 11 1.9

Mean SE Mean SE

Years selling fishing bait 

and tackle 25.0 1.2 25.1 1.0

Number of employees

 Full time 3.2 0.3 6.8 0.5

 Part time 3.7 0.4 5.7 0.4
19 

Store Costs and Earnings in the United States

Total Gross, Fishing, and Saltwater Fishing Sales 

Nationally, Bait & Tackle stores reported an average of $794 thousand in total gross sales per 

store in 2013 (Table US_2). However, the distribution of gross sales was somewhat skewed, as 

61.7 percent of Bait & Tackle stores reported gross sales of $400 thousand or less (Figure US_1). 

Bait & Tackle stores generated sales averaging $623 thousand for recreational fishing bait, 

tackle, and related equipment excluding boats, representing 78.4 percent of total sales (Table 

US_2). Bait & Tackle stores reported $426 thousand in saltwater fishing–related sales 

representing 68.4 percent of fishing-related sales and 53.7 percent of total gross sales on average 

(Table US_2). Extrapolating by the estimated 1,259 Bait & Tackle stores in coastal and near 

coastal counties, it was estimated that saltwater recreational fishing bait and tackle sales by local, 

independent Bait & Tackle stores in near coastal counties in 2013 totaled $536 million (Table 

US_3).

Table US_ 2. Estimated mean gross sales (all sales, fishing, and saltwater fishing) per store (using midpoint of selected sales range) by business type (Bait & Tackle versus Other). Saltwater 

fishing sales are also reported by item category.

Bait & Tackle (N = 312) Other Stores (n = 572)

Variable Mean SE Mean SE

Gross sales

 Total 794,151 95,860 1,675,830 107,122

 Fishing related 622,591 80,137 211,793 18,337

 Saltwater related 425,898 48,199 140,981 14,482

SW Sales by 

Category 

 Bait 71,735 6,142 27,807 3,322

 Live bait 14,633 1,522 6,947 1,461

 Fishing tackle 199,624 27,910 50,845 6,003

 Fishing lines/nets 44,989 6,075 14,278 1,992

 Accessories 36,499 8,469 11,535 1,479

 Fishing apparel 37,524 6,881 8,593 1,418

 Boat accessories 

 and electronics 21,646 5,843 21,555 5,119 

 Spearfishing 1,675 1,379 948 651

Total costs 612,323 76,075 1,290,839 83,252
20 

Table US_ 3. Estimated median, average, and total cash flow of retail stores in the United States that 

sell recreational fishing bait and tackle adjusted for the owners’ estimated percentage of 

sales for saltwater fishing items. Figures are reported for Bait & Tackle stores and Other 

Stores.

Expenditure/Income

Category

Bait & Tackle (N = 312) Other Stores (n = 572)

Median Mean SE

Total

(1,000) Median Mean SE

Total

(1,000)

Inflow – Gross revenue 148,500 425,898 48,199 536,206 23,275 140,981 14,482 317,911

Inventory

 Bait 9,094 28,759 2,693 36,208 276 9,945 1,351 22,425

 Fishing tackle 17,577 86,916 13,818 109,427 1,131 20,070 2,647 45,258

 Fishing lines and nets 4,070 18,496 2,583 23,287 142 5,046 777 11,380

 Accessories 2,645 14,781 3,582 18,610 107 4,265 594 9,618

 Fishing apparel 408 16,622 3,446 20,927 0 3,020 574 6,811

 Boat accessories and 

 electronics

0 8,363 2,451 10,529 0 9,302 2,761 20,976

 Spearfishing 0 367 293 462 0 403 285 908

Employee pay and 

benefits

14,388 54,329 6,752 68,400 2,076 19,745 2,128 44,524

Building 

rent/mortgage

8,332 25,240 3,414 31,777 395 7,739 1,035 17,451

Facility and

equipment 

maintenance

2,424 8,540 1,169 10,752 319 3,901 431 8,796

Utility expenses 5,373 15,708 1,875 19,776 694 6,133 852 13,830

Marketing/advertising 2,592 9,940 1,529 12,514 112 4,434 1,020 9,998

Professional services 

(legal, accounting)

1,681 5,495 703 6,918 149 2,823 456 6,365

Insurance 2,608 12,212 2,068 15,376 321 4,496 557 10,138

Taxes and licensing 

fees

2,222 12,489 2,100 15,724 333 5,011 675 11,300

Shipping fees 282 6,555 1,281 8,253 4 2,958 1,068 6,671

Other costs 0 8,089 2,316 10,184 0 1,422 312 3,207

Net Returns 74,804 92,999 117,085 17,216 30,269 68,256

Nearly 30 percent of Bait & Tackle stores indicated that saltwater fishing–related sales 

accounted for over 90 percent of their total gross sales, and the majority (54.4%) reported 

saltwater fishing–related sales made up over 70 percent of their total gross sales (Figure US_2). 

Fishing tackle sales (which included rods and reels, lures, terminal tackle, and tackle storage 

boxes and containers) accounted for nearly half (47.0%) of saltwater fishing sales, at just under 

$200 thousand. Bait, both alive and dead, was the category with the second highest sales 

volume, at $71.7 thousand followed by fishing lines and nets at $45 thousand, fishing apparel at 
21 

Figure US_ 1. Frequency and cumulative percentage distribution of reported total gross sales of retail 

stores that sell marine recreational fishing bait and tackle by their selected business 

category. 

0.00%

20.00%

40.00%

60.00%

80.00%

100.00%

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

Frequency

Frequency Cumulative %

0.00%

20.00%

40.00%

60.00%

80.00%

100.00%

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

Frequency

Gross Sales Range 

Bait & Tackle

Other Stores
22 

Figure US_ 2. Frequency and cumulative percentage of stores by the proportion of total gross sales 

consisting of sales of saltwater recreational fishing bait, tackle, and related equipment by 

business category.

0.00%

20.00%

40.00%

60.00%

80.00%

100.00%

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

Frequency

Frequency Cumulative %

0.00%

20.00%

40.00%

60.00%

80.00%

100.00%

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

Frequency

Percent Saltwater Sales

Bait & Tackle

Other Stores
23 

$37.5 thousand, fishing accessories (e.g., knives, clippers, pliers) at $36.5 thousand, boating 

electronics and accessories at $21.6 thousand, and spearfishing equipment at $1.7 thousand. 

Other Stores reported an average of $1.68 million in total gross sales per store in 2013, twice 

what Bait & Tackle stores reported (Table US_2). Sales figures of Other Stores were even more 

skewed than those for Bait & Tackle stores, as 53.5 percent of Other Stores reported gross sales 

of $800 thousand or less (Figure US_1). Only $212 thousand of Other Store sales were for 

recreational fishing bait, tackle, and related equipment, representing only 12.6 percent of total 

sales (Table US_2). Other Stores reported $141 thousand in saltwater fishing–related sales 

representing 66.5 percent of fishing-related sales and 8.4 percent of total gross sales (Table 

US_2). Extrapolating by the estimated 2,255 Other Stores in the study area, it was estimated that

saltwater recreational fishing bait and tackle sales by Other Stores in near coastal counties in 

2013 were $318 million (Table US_3).

The vast majority (70.9%) of Other Stores reported saltwater fishing sales that represented 10 

percent or less of their total gross sales (Figure US_2). Fishing tackle sales (which included rods 

and reels, lures, terminal tackle, and tackle storage boxes and containers) accounted for a little 

over a third (36.1%) of saltwater fishing sales, at just under $50.8 thousand. Bait, both alive and 

dead, was the category with the second highest sales volume at $27.8 thousand, followed by 

boating electronics and accessories at $21.6 thousand, fishing lines and nets at $14.3 thousand, 

fishing accessories (e.g., knives, clippers, pliers) at $11.5 thousand, fishing apparel at $8.6 

thousand, and spearfishing equipment at $948. 

Inventory and Operating Expenses 

On average, Bait & Tackle stores reported $612.3 thousand (77% of store earnings) in total 

expenses, leaving them with $181.8 thousand in average total net revenues per store (Table 

US_2). After adjusting for the percentage of Bait & Tackle store sales that were for saltwater 

fishing bait and tackle (53.7%), it was estimated that Bait & Tackle stores averaged $333 

thousand in expenses supporting those sales, which extrapolated to all stores resulted in an 

estimate of $419 million in total inventory and operating expenses. In 2013, the average Bait & 

Tackle store had an average net cash flow of $93 thousand associated with sales of saltwater bait 

and tackle, which extrapolated out to an estimated $117 million in net revenues across all Bait & 

Tackle stores in near coastal communities (Table US_3). The largest expenditures for the 

average Bait & Tackle store were inventory ($174 thousand), employee pay and benefits ($54.3 

thousand), and building rent or mortgage ($25.2 thousand) (Table US_3). Other expenses 

included utilities ($15.7 thousand), taxes and licensing fees ($12.4 thousand), insurance ($12.2 

thousand), marketing and advertising ($9.9 thousand), facility and equipment maintenance ($8.5 

thousand), shipping fees ($8.1 thousand), professional services ($5.5 thousand), and other 

miscellaneous costs ($8.1 thousand) (Table US_3). 
24 

On average, Other Stores reported $1.3 million (77% of store earnings) in total expenses, leaving 

them with $385 thousand in average total net revenues per store (Table US_2). After adjusting 

for the percentage of Other Store sales that were for saltwater fishing bait and tackle (8.4%), it 

was estimated that Other Stores averaged $111 thousand in expenses supporting those sales, 

which extrapolated to all stores resulted in an estimate of approximately $250 million in total 

inventory and operating expenses. In 2013, the average Other Store had an average net cash 

flow of $30.2 thousand associated with sales of saltwater bait and tackle, which extrapolated out 

to an estimated $68.3 million in net revenues across all Other Stores in near coastal communities 

(Table US_3). The largest expenditures for the average Other Store were inventory ($52.1 

thousand), employee pay and benefits ($19.7 thousand), and building rent or mortgage ($7.7 

thousand) (Table US_3). Other expenses included utilities ($6.1 thousand), taxes and licensing 

fees ($5.0 thousand), insurance ($4.5 thousand), marketing and advertising ($4.4 thousand), 

facility and equipment maintenance ($3.9 thousand), shipping fees ($3.0 thousand), professional 

services ($2.8 thousand), and other miscellaneous costs ($1.4 thousand) (Table US_3).

Economic Contributions of Marine Bait and Tackle Retailers in the United States

Using the expenditure data described above, national input-output models were constructed in 

IMPLAN to estimate the economic contributions of retail store operations supported by 2013 

sales of saltwater recreational fishing bait and tackle in near coastal communities. Separate 

models were estimated for Bait & Tackle stores and Other Stores. In 2013, Bait & Tackle stores 

in near coastal communities contributed an estimated $1.45 billion in total sales output to United 

States businesses, $496 million in income to individuals working in the United States, and 

supported 9,791 jobs (full- and part-time) (Table US_4). Other Stores contributed an estimated 

$872 million in total sales output to United States businesses, $300 million in income to 

individuals working in the United States, and supported 6,535 jobs (full- and part-time) (Table 

US_4). Combined, the sale of saltwater fishing bait and tackle by local, independent retailers in 

near coastal communities contributed a total economic impact of $2.33 billion in total sales, $796 

million in income, and 16,326 jobs (Table US_4). These contributions were the result of a 

combined $854 million in sales of saltwater recreational fishing bait and tackle, indicating a 

multiplier ratio of 2.7 between direct sales and total sales output generated. 

Table US_ 4. National economic impacts (employment, labor income, and output) generated by retail 

store operations that are supported by the sale of marine recreational bait and tackle.

Total Saltwater 

Bait & Tackle

Sales ($1,000)

Economic Contributions

Business

category

Employment

(Jobs)

Income

($1,000)

Total Output

($1,000)

Bait & Tackle 536,206 9,791 495,748 1,454,177

Other Stores 317,911 6,535 300,359 872,076

Total 854,117 16,326 796,107 2,326,253
25 

The top 10 industries with the most employment supported by the operations of marine bait and 

tackle retailers are shown in Table US_5. Naturally, individuals directly employed by retailers 

that sell bait and tackle made up the largest percentage (47.6%) of total employees supported. 

Following those directly employed by the industry, the highest numbers of jobs supported were 

in wholesale trade (863), commercial fishing (529) which provides bait, and food services and 

drinking places (498) (Table US_5). Top 10 industries supported primarily by store operational 

expenses include wholesale trade, commercial fishing, maintenance and repair of nonresidential 

structures, and employment services. Industries supported by employee household spending 

include food services and drinking places, offices of physicians, private hospitals, and retail 

stores. Table US_6 provides a summary of total output and employment impacts by industry 

type. After marine bait and tackle retailers, the broader industry types most supported by sales of 

saltwater bait and tackle were the service sector ($628 million in total sales, 4,453 jobs), 

manufacturing ($339 million in total sales, 589 jobs), and retail and wholesale trade ($247 

million in total sales, 1,683 jobs).

Table US_ 5. Employment supported by retail stores that sell marine recreational fishing bait and tackle 

in near coastal counties of the United States: Top Ten Industries. 

Employment (Jobs)

Industry Bait & Tackle Other Stores

Marine bait and tackle retailers 4,452 3,329

Wholesale trade businesses 568 295

Commercial Fishing 327 202

Food services and drinking places 308 190

Maintenance and repair construction of nonresidential structures 268 151

Real estate establishments 146 89

Employment services 125 --

Offices of physicians, dentists, and other health practitioners 122 76

Private hospitals 119 76

Retail Stores - General merchandise 110 74

U.S. Postal Service -- 83

Table US_ 6. Employment and total output supported by the sale of marine recreational bait and tackle 

in the United States by industry type.

Bait & Tackle Other Stores

Industry Type

Employment

(Jobs)

Total Output

($1,000)

Employment

(Jobs)

Total Output

($1,000)

Total 9,791 1,454,177 6,535 872,076

 Marine bait and tackle retailers 4,452 536,206 3,329 317,911

 Agriculture 388 31,421 240 19,398

 Mining 32 12,270 20 7,643

 Construction 273 39,934 154 22,565

 Manufacturing 375 211,278 214 127,290

 Transportation, communications,

 and public utilities 236 53,278 134 32,231

 Retail and wholesale trade 1,101 161,600 582 85,262

 Services 2,736 384,703 1,717 242,970

 Government 198 23,488 144 16,806
26 

Factors Affecting Bait and Tackle Sales in the United States

Store owners were presented with a list of 10 factors, and asked for their opinion on whether 

those factors had a positive or negative effect on their sales of recreational fishing bait and tackle 

in 2013 (Table US_7). A majority of Bait & Tackle store owners indicated that seasonal fishery 

closures (67.5%), fisheries regulations (65.9%), the status of the economy (58.7%), and other 

government regulations (55.2%) had negative effects on their sales of bait and tackle in 2013. 

Among owners of Other Stores, the only factors that a majority felt negatively affected their 

business were the status of the economy (59.7%) and seasonal fisheries closures (50.1%). The 

factors Bait & Tackle store owners were most likely to feel had a positive effect on their sales in 

2013 were the weather (20.2%), the status of the economy (18.8%), and improvements in fish 

stock status (16.0%). The factors Other Store owners were most likely to feel had a positive 

effect on their sales in 2013 were the weather (16.1%), the status of the economy (13.5%), and 

changes in fishing participation (12.9%). 

Table US_ 7. Retail store owner opinions on how outside factors affected their sales of recreational 

fishing bait and tackle in 2013. 

Bait & Tackle Stores (%) Other Stores (%)

Factor Negative Positive Neutral Negative Positive Neutral

Fisheries regulations 65.9 7.6 26.5 43.7 6.7 49.6

Fishery seasonal closures 67.5 6.0 26.5 50.1 5.9 44.0

Marine protected areas 31.2 5.0 63.8 21.9 5.8 72.3

Other government 

regulations 55.2 6.1 38.7 45.4 4.5 50.1

Status of the economy 58.7 18.8 22.4 59.7 13.5 26.8

Changes in fishing 

participation 43.8 13.8 42.4 29.7 12.9 57.3

Changes in fish stock status 41.2 16.0 42.9 29.4 12.0 58.5

Changes in operating costs 49.5 8.4 42.1 38.2 6.1 55.7

Internet sales of bait & 

tackle 38.7 10.8 50.5 23.7 1.8 74.5

Weather 49.7 20.2 30.1 35.2 16.1 48.7
27 

DISCUSSION

Study Design

The RBTES focused primarily on independent, primarily small, retail businesses as opposed to 

larger national and regional chains like Bass Pro Shops, Academy Sports, and Walmart. The 

RBTES focused on smaller businesses, as these stores may be more disproportionately affected 

by regional fisheries management actions. Saltwater fishing–related sales make up a relatively 

small portion of total sales for larger regional and national chains. This, plus their larger regional 

footprint, makes it comparatively easier for national and regional chains to absorb any negative 

effects to saltwater fishing sales. However, efforts were made to collect data on national and 

regional chains for comparison purposes. Annual financial reports were acquired for those 

chains that are public companies, and efforts were made to reach out to private firms for limited 

financial data. Unfortunately, no participation was received from privately owned national 

chains, and the annual reports of the public firms rarely broke out sales figures specifically for 

fishing and never for saltwater fishing. Attempts were made to contact the public national chains 

for supplementary information on the percentage of their sales that were for fishing and saltwater 

fishing, but responses were received from only a few firms. As the number of firms providing 

data was inadequate to reliably typify the rest of the national and regional firms, it was decided 

not to include those data in this report. 

The sampling frame for this study was assembled from a multitude of sources. The primary 

sources used to build the frame were state fish and wildlife agencies. In most cases, these 

agencies provided lists of businesses that are fishing license vendors, although some states had 

separately maintained lists of stores that sold bait and tackle, and in a few cases their lists were 

supplemented by stores holding permits authorizing the sale of live bait. In the case of four 

states (New York, New Jersey, North Carolina, and Hawaii), lists of stores used for previous 

assessments of bait and tackle stores were provided by sources within NOAA Fisheries. Finally, 

customer lists were provided by two major industry wholesalers to supplement the frame built 

through state and federal contacts. All of these sources combined resulted in an initial sample 

frame of 5,290 stores after identifying and removing duplicate entries. Given the tractable 

number of sampling elements this list provided, it was decided to send mail surveys to all stores 

instead of sampling from the frame. 

Through the process of conducting the survey, 906 of the originally identified sampling elements 

were determined to be ineligible for the study, as they did not sell bait and tackle. These were 

mostly retail stores and other establishments that were authorized to sell fishing licenses but that 

did not sell recreational fishing bait and tackle. These included stores that catered exclusively to 

hunters and gun enthusiasts in addition to grocery, convenience, and hardware stores that sold 

licenses but no bait and tackle. In Alaska, another large portion of businesses that did not sell 

bait and tackle, but were authorized to sell fishing licenses, included hunting and fishing guides, 

outfitters, and lodges. Removing these businesses from the sample frame before the survey 

began was considered, but they were kept on the off chance any sold bait and tackle to their 
28 

clients. Due to a near complete lack of reporting from these businesses, and information 

gathered during the telephone recruitment calls following the second mailing, it was determined 

that all of these businesses should be classified as not selling bait and tackle. Additionally, some 

sampling units from the original frame were classified as not selling bait and tackle when they 

were determined to be wholesalers instead of retailers. Finally, an additional 886 sampling units 

were determined to be ineligible for the study as they proved to have undeliverable addresses or 

were confirmed to be out of business, leaving a final eligible sampling frame of 3,514 retail 

stores. 

It is difficult to say with certainty how complete this final tally of stores is, which is an important 

caveat as the sample frame size was used to extrapolate average cost and earnings estimates to 

total expenditures for economic impact analysis. As such, the economic impact estimates 

presented in this report should be viewed as conservative estimates. However, at an average of 

8.3 independent stores selling bait and tackle per county surveyed, it is assumed that the 

sampling frame is fairly complete.

Economic Status of the Independent Marine Bait and Tackle Retail Industry

This report presents the costs and earnings of independent retail stores that sell marine 

recreational fishing bait, tackle, and related equipment, and the economic contributions of the 

associated expenditures are presented for seven coastal regions and the combined United States. 

Stores were divided into two groups for analysis purposes: 1) Bait & Tackle stores that catered 

exclusively to recreational anglers and 2) Other Stores that sold recreational fishing bait and 

tackle in addition to other unrelated merchandise. The justification for this separation in the 

analysis was that Bait & Tackle stores are dependent on recreational anglers for their business. 

Conversely, sales of bait and tackle are more likely to provide supplementary income for Other 

Stores. Data collected by the RBTES shows these assumptions to hold up in most cases. A 

majority of Bait & Tackle stores reported that sales of saltwater fishing bait, tackle, and related 

equipment made up over 70 percent of their total gross sales, and nearly 30 percent reported such 

sales accounting for over 90 of their total gross sales. Conversely, nearly 71 percent of Other 

Stores reported that saltwater fishing sales made up 10 percent or less of their total gross sales, 

and less than 3 percent reported that greater than 70 percent of their sales came from saltwater 

fishing related sales. This is not to suggest that saltwater fishing–related sales are not important 

to Other Stores. Indeed, the extra income provided by these sales can mean the difference 

between a profitable year and a less successful one. However, most Other Stores would have 

much greater flexibility to weather periodic downturns in sales of saltwater bait and tackle.

The data provided by store owners suggests that businesses are experiencing good cash flow, 

with the data showing strong average net returns for both Bait & Tackle and Other Stores. For 

both business categories, inventory and operating costs for saltwater bait, tackle, and related 

equipment averaged approximately 79 percent of sales, leaving them with a 21 percent profit 

rate. On face value, this would seem to be a high profit margin for a retail business; however, 

this study targeted small, independent stores where net revenues commonly represent the 
29 

owner’s personal household income. That being the case, the estimated net revenues would 

appear to be reasonable. Furthermore, data were not collected on the more sensitive questions of 

total business assets and liabilities, as many industry insiders expressed reservations during the 

survey design phase about participating or providing specific dollar values on these items. While 

stores were asked for costs on facility rent and mortgage payments, it is possible that other debt 

payments may have been excluded from some cost estimates. Additionally, tax deductions and 

depreciation were not considered in calculations of net earnings, which would have increased 

effective net revenues and profits. As such, it is difficult to make any definitive conclusions 

about the overall financial condition of bait and tackle retailers. 

Considerable variation was found in the financial figures for bait and tackle retailers, 

notwithstanding the differences between Bait & Tackle and Other Stores. All figures showed 

considerable variation, and median values were always considerably lower than mean values, 

with several categories having median values of $0. This can be credited in part to the fact that 6 

percent of Bait & Tackle stores and 15 percent of Other Stores reported no sales of saltwater bait 

and tackle in 2013. These stores could not be removed from analysis, however, as total sales and 

expenditure estimates were generated by extrapolating mean estimates by the number of stores 

within the sampling frame. One positive related to the number of stores reporting $0 in saltwater 

bait and tackle sales is the fact that it suggests the counties selected for the study area effectively 

covered the area where independent retailers sell saltwater bait and tackle. 

Total sales of saltwater bait, tackle, and related equipment by independent retailers in near 

coastal communities were estimated to be $854 million in 2013. Out of this figure it was 

estimated that $543 million in sales were for tackle (including lures, terminal tackle, rods and 

reels, and tackle boxes and containers), fishing line, nets, knives, and other tool accessories. 

Comparatively, the 2011 National Marine Recreational Fishing Expenditure Survey (NES)

estimated $3.6 billion in total sales for saltwater fishing–related tackle and equipment in the 

same categories (Lovell et al., 2013). These numbers would suggest that tackle sales by 

independent retailers in near coastal communities account for approximately 15 percent of the 

total market. While 15 percent may seem like a small share, the RBTES did not include the 

larger national and regional retail chains such as Bass Pro, Dick’s Sporting Goods, and Walmart, 

in addition to the growing sector of online-only tackle retailers. Walmart alone is known to hold 

a massive piece of the market, and reported over $274 billion in total net sales in the United 

States in their annual financial report (Walmart, 2013). In regard to bait sales, the RBTES 

estimated sales of $150 million between Bait & Tackle and Other Stores combined in 2013, 

while the NES estimated $370 million in sales for bait in 2011. Again these figures suggest that 

sales by independent retailers make up approximately 40 percent of the market compared to the 

larger chains. One would expect independent retailers to make up a substantially larger 

proportion of the bait market than the tackle market, as bait is perishable and more likely to be 

purchased on the day of trip at a store close to the fishing site. However, it is important to point 

out that the RBTES and NES estimates are developed using markedly different approaches. 

While the RBTES uses a direct survey of retail store owners, the NES estimates are based on 

surveys of recreational anglers from mail and on-site intercept surveys. Another possible reason 
30 

for the differences in the RBTES and NES estimates are the degree to which either store owners 

or anglers attributed the percentages of sales/expenditures to saltwater fishing versus to either 

freshwater fishing or other uses for the equipment (such as pleasure boating). Anglers may have 

attributed a higher percentage of the item’s use to saltwater fishing than the percentage assumed 

by the retail store owners, resulting in a higher estimate via the NES average expenditures. 

Finally, while the RBTES only targeted retailers in coastal and near coastal counties, the NES 

asked anglers for expenditures made anywhere in their state of residence. As such, the NES 

would have captured sales outside the geographical area covered in the RBTES, although one 

would expect a substantial majority of independent saltwater bait and tackle retailers to be 

located in counties close to the coast.

As always, it is difficult to say with certainty the accuracy of the estimated total sales figures. It 

is known from the non-response survey that stores where saltwater fishing sales made up a 

smaller portion of their total sales were less likely to respond. This suggests that average sales 

and costs may be overestimated. At the same time, it is certain that the sampling frame did not 

include all stores that sold recreational fishing bait and tackle in the study area. This is likely 

especially true for Other Stores that only sold some bait on the side, such as gas stations that 

keep a few boxes of night crawlers in stock. However, this under-representation would have the 

effect of causing the analysis to underestimate total sales, suggesting the combined biases may 

cancel each other out to some extent, although to what degree is uncertain. 

The results of the input-output models show that sales of saltwater bait and tackle by 

independent retailers in coastal communities support a substantial amount of economic activity 

in the United States. The sale of saltwater fishing bait and tackle by independent coastal retailers 

in 2013 contributed a total economic impact of $2.33 billion in total sales, $796 million in 

income, and supported 16,326 jobs. In addition to individuals directly employed by coastal

retailers that sold saltwater bait and tackle in the United States in 2013 (7,781 jobs), it was

estimated that an additional 8,545 jobs were supported in other business sectors through indirect 

and induced transactions. Service sector businesses (4,453 jobs) and retail and wholesale trade 

businesses (1,683 jobs) were found to be most dependent on saltwater bait and tackle sales. 

Based on the summed total sales outputs of the regional input-output models, it can be estimated 

that $1.8 billion of those sales outputs were supported in the 23 coastal states, while the other 

$501 million were supported in the other 27 states or through economic interactions between the 

various coastal regions. The reason for this discrepancy is because the aggregate United States 

input-output model estimated economic impacts over all 50 states, while the regional models 

only estimate economic impacts within the states of each region (Lovell et al., 2013). This is 

also why the national model had a multiplier ratio of 2.7 while the regional models multiplier 

ratios ranged from 1.6 to 2.3. The aggregate United States model is able to capture more 

economic interactions not only because it includes 27 more states than the combined regional 

models, but also because it captures economic interactions between coastal states in different 

regions. 
31 

New England

- Maine

- New Hampshire

- Massachusetts 

- Rhode Island

- Connecticut
32 

Characteristics of Marine Bait and Tackle Retailers in New England

Of the 117 New England stores that provided usable data, 66 classified themselves as Bait & 

Tackle stores that catered exclusively to recreational anglers (Table NE_1). Of the 51 Other 

Stores that returned usable surveys, 19 (37.2%) were sporting goods stores that sold merchandise 

for a variety of sports, 11 (21.6%) were marinas, nine (17.7%) were hardware stores, eight

(15.7%) were general retail stores, and five (7.8%) were convenience stores. Based on these 

percentages, it was estimated that the final population of 467 stores selling bait and tackle in the 

study area included 261 Bait & Tackle stores and 206 Other Stores. These numbers are 

important, as they were used to extrapolate average business cost and earnings figures to total 

figures for economic impact analysis. The vast majority of store owners in both categories 

reported owning only one store (100.0% Bait & Tackle, 90.2% Other Stores). Only 2 percent of 

Other Store owners reported owning three or more stores (Table NE_1). Years of selling 

saltwater fishing bait and tackle averaged around 25 years for both categories. Bait & Tackle 

stores reported employing an average of 1.6 full-time positions and 2.1 part-time positions in 

2013 (Table NE_1). Other Stores reported having a total of 7.8 full-time and 5.1 part-time 

employees on average. 

Table NE_ 1. Characteristics of businesses that sell recreational fishing bait, tackle, and related 

equipment in near coastal counties of New England. Stores are categorized as either Bait 

& Tackle stores that cater almost exclusively to recreational anglers, or Other Stores that 

generate a significant portion of their business from other clientele. 

Business Type

Bait & Tackle (N = 66) Other Stores (n = 51)

N % N %

Business type

 Bait and tackle 66 100.0

 Sporting goods 19 37.2

 Convenience store 4 7.8

 General goods retailer 8 15.7

 Hardware store 9 17.7

 Marina 11 21.6

 

Number of stores owned

 One 66 100.0 46 90.2

 Two 0 0.0 4 7.8

 Three or more 0 0.0 1 2.0

Mean SE Mean SE

Years selling fishing bait 

and tackle 24.1 2.5 25.8 2.7

Number of employees

 Full time 1.6 0.2 7.8 1.9

 Part time 2.1 0.3 5.1 0.8
33 

Store Costs and Earnings in New England 

Total Gross, Fishing, and Saltwater Fishing Sales 

In New England, Bait & Tackle stores reported an average of $374 thousand in total gross sales 

per store in 2013 (Table NE_2). However, the distribution of gross sales was somewhat skewed, 

as 62.5 percent of Bait & Tackle stores reported gross sales of $200 thousand or less (Figure 

NE_1). Bait & Tackle stores generated sales averaging $322 thousand for recreational fishing 

bait, tackle, and related equipment excluding boats, representing 86.1 percent of total sales 

(Table NE_2). Bait & Tackle stores reported $250 thousand in saltwater fishing–related sales, 

representing 77.6 percent of fishing-related sales and 66.8 percent of total gross sales on average 

(Table NE_2). Extrapolating by the estimated 261 Bait & Tackle stores in coastal and near 

coastal counties, it was estimated there were $64.5 million in saltwater recreational fishing bait 

and tackle sales by local, independent Bait & Tackle stores in near coastal counties in 2013 

(Table NE_3).

Table NE_ 2. Estimated mean gross sales (all sales, fishing, and saltwater fishing) per store (using midpoint of selected sales range) by business type (Bait & Tackle versus Other) in New 

England. Saltwater fishing sales are also reported by item category.

Bait & Tackle (N = 66) Other Stores (n = 51)

Variable Mean SE Mean SE

Gross sales

 Total 373,864 101,935 2,374,510 492,073

 Fishing related 321,988 96,988 311,526 96,528

 Saltwater related 249,999 96,128 140,040 72,096

SW Sales by 

Category 

 Bait 46,814 7,954 20,110 12,420

 Live bait 11,370 2,862 899 479

 Fishing tackle 158,502 79,840 44,732 25,445

 Fishing lines/nets 12,918 2,851 18,766 12,294

 Accessories 11,908 2,784 9,993 4,174

 Fishing apparel 14,848 7,629 10,151 5,207

 Boat accessories 

 and electronics 2,290 822 34,604 27,462 

Total costs 275,978 80,653 1,784,757 381,870
34 

Table NE_ 3. Estimated median, average, and total cash flow of retail stores in New England that sell 

recreational fishing bait and tackle, adjusted for the owners’ estimated percentage of sales 

for saltwater fishing items. Figures are reported for Bait & Tackle stores and Other 

Stores.

Expenditure/Income

Category

Bait & Tackle (N = 66) Other Stores (n = 51)

Median Mean SE

Total

(1,000) Median Mean SE

Total

(1,000)

Inflow – Gross revenue 49,575 249,999 96,128 64,500 3,750 140,040 72,096 29,268

Inventory

 Bait 7,187 18,274 3,695 4,715 21 3,980 1,791 832

 Fishing tackle 5,063 68,921 42,526 17,782 221 9,576 4,015 2,001

 Fishing lines and nets 664 4,245 854 1,095 30 3,583 1,721 749

 Accessories 541 4,035 913 1,041 28 2,461 1,093 514

 Fishing apparel 57 6,532 4,065 1,685 0 2,113 855 442

 Boat accessories and 

 electronics

0 833 338 215 0 9,795 8,158 2,047

 Spearfishing 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Employee pay and 

benefits

2,889 29,195 9,924 7,532 483 17,862 8,217 3,733

Building 

rent/mortgage

2,520 10,772 2,743 2,779 56 11,403 7,652 2,383

Facility and 

equipment 

maintenance

921 3,299 596 851 48 4,238 2,231 886

Utility expenses 2,597 14,285 6,279 3,686 139 10,813 7,510 2,260

Marketing/advertising 638 3,731 1,047 962 45 3,949 2,142 825

Professional services 

(legal, accounting)

371 2,496 814 644 54 6,648 3,926 1,390

Insurance 1,673 4,693 995 1,211 75 4,462 2,336 933

Taxes and licensing 

fees

1,269 4,894 1,594 1,263 33 4,603 2,248 962

Shipping fees 319 3,826 1,638 987 0 1,484 790 310

Other costs 0 10,418 8,438 2,688 0 913 548 191

Net Returns 22,866 59,550 15,364 2,517 42,154 8,810

Twenty-five percent of Bait & Tackle stores in New England indicated that saltwater fishing–

related sales accounted for over 90 percent of their total gross sales, and the majority (54.7%) 

reported saltwater fishing–related sales made up over 50 percent of their total gross sales (Figure 

NE_2). Fishing tackle sales (which included rods and reels, lures, terminal tackle, and tackle 

storage containers) accounted for 63.4 percent of saltwater fishing sales, at $158.5 thousand. 

Bait, both alive and dead, was the category with the second highest sales volume at $46.8 

thousand, followed by fishing apparel at $14.8 thousand, fishing lines and nets at $12.9 

thousand, fishing tool accessories at $11.9 thousand, and boat accessories and electronics at $2.3 

thousand. 
35 

Figure NE_ 1. Frequency and cumulative percentage distribution of reported total gross sales of New 

England retail stores that sell marine recreational fishing bait and tackle by their selected 

business category. 

0.00%

20.00%

40.00%

60.00%

80.00%

100.00%

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

16

Frequency

Bait & Tackle

Frequency Cumulative %

0.00%

20.00%

40.00%

60.00%

80.00%

100.00%

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

16

Frequency

Total Gross Sales

Other Stores
36 

Figure NE_ 2. Frequency and cumulative percentage of New England stores by the proportion of total 

gross sales consisting of sales of saltwater recreational fishing bait, tackle, and related 

equipment by business category. 

0.00%

20.00%

40.00%

60.00%

80.00%

100.00%

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

16

18

Frequency

Bait & Tackle

Frequency Cumulative %

0.00%

20.00%

40.00%

60.00%

80.00%

100.00%

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

Frequency

Percent Saltwater Sales

Other Stores
37 

Other Stores in New England reported an average of $2.37 million in total gross sales per store in 

2013, more than six times the average reported by Bait & Tackle stores (Table NE_2). Sales 

figures of Other Stores were even more skewed than those for Bait & Tackle stores, as 52.9 

percent of Other Stores reported gross sales of $800 thousand or less (Figure NE_1). Only $312 

thousand of Other Store sales were for recreational fishing bait, tackle, and related equipment, 

representing only 13.1 percent of total sales (Table NE_2). Other Stores reported $140 thousand 

in saltwater fishing–related sales, representing 45.0 percent of fishing-related sales and 5.9 

percent of total gross sales (Table NE_2). Extrapolating by the estimated 206 Other Stores in the 

study area, it was estimated there were $29.3 million in saltwater recreational fishing bait and 

tackle sales by Other Stores in near coastal counties of New England in 2013 (Table NE_3).

The vast majority (75.0%) of Other Stores in New England reported saltwater fishing sales that 

represented 10 percent or less of their total gross sales (Figure NE_2). Fishing tackle sales 

(which included rods and reels, lures, terminal tackle, and tackle storage boxes and containers) 

accounted for a little under a third (31.9%) of saltwater fishing sales, at just over $44.7 thousand 

(Table NE_2). Boating electronics and accessories was the category with the second highest 

sales volume at $34.6 thousand, followed by bait at $20.1 thousand, fishing lines and nets at 

$18.8 thousand, fishing apparel at $10.2 thousand, and fishing accessories (e.g., knives, clippers, 

pliers) at just under $10.0 thousand. 

Inventory and Operating Expenses 

On average, Bait & Tackle stores in New England reported $276 thousand (74% of store 

earnings) in total operating costs, leaving them with $97.9 thousand in average total net revenues 

per store (Table NE_2). After adjusting for the percentage of Bait & Tackle store sales that were 

for saltwater fishing bait and tackle (66.9%), it was estimated that Bait & Tackle stores averaged 

$186 thousand in expenses supporting those sales, which extrapolated to all stores resulted in an 

estimate of $48.4 million in total inventory and operating expenses. In 2013, the average Bait & 

Tackle store had an average net cash flow of $59.6 thousand associated with sales of saltwater 

bait and tackle, which extrapolated out to an estimated $15.4 million in net revenues across all 

Bait & Tackle stores in near coastal communities in New England (Table NE_3). The largest 

expenditures for the average Bait & Tackle store were inventory ($102.8 thousand), employee 

pay and benefits ($29.2 thousand), and utility expenses ($14.3 thousand) (Table NE_3). Other 

expenses included building rent and mortgage ($10.8 thousand), other miscellaneous costs ($10.4 

thousand), taxes and licensing fees ($4.9 thousand), insurance ($4.6 thousand), shipping fees 

($3.8 thousand), marketing and advertising ($3.7 thousand), facility and equipment maintenance 

($3.3 thousand), and professional services ($2.5 thousand) (Table NE_3). 

On average, Other Stores in New England reported $1.8 million (75% of store earnings) in total 

operating costs, leaving them with $590 thousand in average total net revenues per store (Table 

NE_2). After adjusting for the percentage of Other Store sales that were for saltwater fishing 

bait and tackle (5.9%), it was estimated that Other Stores averaged $97.9 thousand in expenses 

supporting those sales, which extrapolated to all stores resulted in an estimate of approximately
38 

$20.2 million in total inventory and operating expenses. In 2013, the average Other Store had an 

average net cash flow of $42.2 thousand associated with sales of saltwater bait and tackle, which 

extrapolated out to an estimated $8.8 million in net revenues across all Other Stores in near 

coastal communities in New England (Table NE_3). The largest expenditures for the average 

Other Store were inventory ($31.5 thousand), employee pay and benefits ($17.9 thousand), and 

building rent or mortgage ($11.4 thousand) (Table NE_3). Other expenses included utilities 

($10.8 thousand), professional services ($6.6 thousand), taxes and licensing fees ($4.6 thousand), 

insurance ($4.5 thousand), facility and equipment maintenance ($4.2 thousand), marketing and 

advertising ($3.9 thousand), shipping fees ($1.5 thousand), and other miscellaneous costs ($913) 

(Table NE_3).

Economic Contributions of Marine Bait and Tackle Retailers in the United States

Using the expenditure data described above, regional input-output models were constructed in 

IMPLAN to estimate the economic contributions of retail store operations supported by 2013 

sales of saltwater recreational fishing bait and tackle in near coastal communities of New 

England. Separate models were estimated for Bait & Tackle stores and Other Stores. In 2013, 

Bait & Tackle stores near coastal counties contributed an estimated $140.3 million in total sales 

output to New England businesses, $54.0 million in income to individuals working in New 

England, and supported 958 jobs (full- and part-time) (Table NE_4). Other Stores contributed an 

estimated $59.5 million in total sales output to New England businesses, $24.9 million in income 

to individuals working in New England, and supported 298 jobs (full- and part-time) (Table 

NE_4). Combined, the sale of saltwater fishing bait and tackle by local, independent retailers in 

near coastal communities contributed a total economic impact of $200 million in total sales, 

$78.9 million in income, and 1,256 jobs (Table NE_4). These contributions were the result of a 

combined $93.7 million in sales of saltwater recreational fishing bait and tackle, indicating a 

multiplier ratio of 2.1 between direct sales and total sales output generated.

Table NE_ 4. National economic impacts (employment, labor income, and output) generated by retail 

store operations that are supported by the sale of marine recreational bait and tackle in 

New England. 

Total Saltwater 

Bait & Tackle

Sales ($1,000)

Economic Contributions

Business

category

Employment

(Jobs)

Labor Income

($1,000)

Total Output

($1,000)

Bait & Tackle 64,500 958 53,999 140,287

Other 29,268 298 24,905 59,472

Total 93,768 1,256 78,904 199,759
39 

The top 10 New England industries with the most employment supported by the operations of 

marine bait and tackle retailers are shown in Table NE_5. Naturally, individuals directly 

employed by retailers that sell bait and tackle made up the largest percentage (44.4%) of total 

employees supported. Following those directly employed by the industry, the highest numbers 

of jobs supported were in wholesale trade (81), commercial fishing (51) which provides bait, and 

food services and drinking places (47) (Table NE_5). Top 10 industries supported primarily by 

store operational expenses likely include wholesale trade, commercial fishing, maintenance and 

repair of nonresidential structures, and employment services. Industries more likely to be 

supported by employee household spending were likely to include food services and drinking 

places, offices of physicians, private hospitals, and retail stores. Table NE_6 provides a 

summary of total output and employment impacts by industry type. After marine bait and tackle 

retailers, the broader industry types most supported by sales of saltwater bait and tackle were the 

service sector ($55.5 million in total sales, 361 jobs), and retail and wholesale trade ($24.3 

million in total sales, 172 jobs). 

Table NE_ 5. Employment supported by retail stores that sell marine recreational fishing bait and tackle 

in near coastal counties of New England: Top 10 Industries. 

Employment (Jobs)

Industry Sector Bait & Tackle Other Stores

Retail stores selling bait and tackle 455 103

Wholesale trade businesses 66 15

Commercial Fishing 43 8

Food services and drinking places 34 13

Maintenance and repair construction of nonresidential structures 24 19

Private hospitals 17 6

Retail Stores - General merchandise 15 --

Offices of physicians, dentists, and other health practitioners 15 5

Real estate establishments 14 5

US Postal Service 12 --

Accounting, tax preparation, bookkeeping, and payroll services -- 7

Legal services -- 6

Table NE_ 6. Employment and total output supported by the sale of marine recreational bait and tackle

in New England by industry type. 

Bait & Tackle Other Stores

Industry Type

Employment

(Jobs)

Total Output

($1,000)

Employment

(Jobs)

Total Output

($1,000)

Total 958 140,287 298 59,472

 Marine bait and tackle retailers 455 64,500 103 29,268

 Agriculture 44 3,066 8 559

 Mining 1 76 0 39

 Construction 24 3,462 19 2,679

 Manufacturing 12 4,856 4 1,622

 Transportation, communications,

 and public utilities 20 4,542 7 1,959

 Retail and wholesale trade 135 19,475 37 4,847

 Services 249 38,066 112 17,471

 Government 19 2,244 8 1,027
40 

Recreational Fisheries Supporting Bait and Tackle Sales in New England

Store owners were asked to identify the three saltwater fisheries they believed generated the 

greatest sales of bait, tackle, and related equipment for their business in 2013. In New England, 

striped bass and bluefish generated the greatest sales for both Bait & Tackle (78.8%) and Other 

Stores (53.8%) (Table NE_7). Bait & Tackle store owners indicated that summer and winter 

flounder (33.3%) and scup (24.2%) were the second and third greatest generators of sales for 

their businesses. Other Store owners indicated that Atlantic mackerel (25.0%) and other 

fisheries (23.1%) were the second and third greatest producers of sales for their businesses. 

While mackerel are rarely pursued by recreational anglers, they are commonly caught for use as 

bait for striped bass, so high sales of the specialty rigs used to catch them is not surprising. 

Commonly listed other fisheries in New England included black sea bass, haddock, and sharks. 

Table NE_ 7. Saltwater recreational fisheries that generated the greatest sales of bait and tackle for 

retail stores in New England as identified by store owners and/or managers. Percentages 

exceed 100% as respondents were asked to select the top three fisheries.

Bait & Tackle Stores Other Stores

Fishery N % N %

Striped bass/Bluefish 52 78.8 28 53.8

Summer or Winter flounder 22 33.3 7 13.5

Scup 16 24.2 5 9.6

Tautog 11 16.7 3 5.8

Atlantic cod 8 12.1 6 11.5

Atlantic mackerel 7 10.6 13 25.0

Bluefin tuna 6 9.1 6 11.5

Bonito 1 1.5 0 0.0

Other 11 16.7 12 23.1

Factors Affecting Bait and Tackle Sales in New England

Store owners were presented with a list of 10 factors, and asked for their opinion on whether 

those factors had a positive or negative effect on their sales of recreational fishing bait and tackle 

in 2013 (Table NE_8). A majority of Bait & Tackle store owners indicated that seasonal fishery 

closures (65.6%), the status of the economy (65.6%), changes in operating costs (63.3%), 

fisheries regulations (65.0%), changes in fish stock status (58.3%), other government regulations 

(51.7%), and the weather (51.6%) all had negative effects on their sales of bait and tackle in 

2013. Among owners of Other Stores, no one factor was felt to have a negative effect on sales 

by a majority of store owners. However, over 40 percent indicated that the status of the 

economy (46.0%), changes in operating costs (44.9%), other government regulations (42.9%), 

and the weather (40.8%) all had negative effects on their sales of bait and tackle in 2013. 
41 

Table NE_ 8. New England retail store owner opinions on how outside factors affected their sales of 

recreational fishing bait and tackle in 2013.

Bait & Tackle Stores Other Stores

Factor Negative Positive Neutral Negative Positive Neutral

Fisheries regulations 65.0 10.0 25.0 38.0 4.0 58.0

Fishery seasonal closures 65.6 3.3 31.2 30.0 6.0 64.0

Marine protected areas 22.6 3.2 74.2 18.4 0.0 81.6

Other government 

regulations 51.7 6.7 41.7 42.9 2.0 55.1

Status of the economy 65.6 13.1 21.3 46.0 20.0 34.0

Changes in fishing 

participation 48.3 6.9 44.8 38.8 14.3 46.9

Changes in fish stock status 58.3 13.3 28.3 36.7 10.2 53.1

Changes in operating costs 63.3 6.7 30.0 44.9 4.1 51.0

Internet sales of bait & 

tackle 44.8 8.6 46.6 27.1 2.1 70.8

Weather 51.6 12.9 35.5 40.8 6.1 53.1

43 

Mid-Atlantic

- New York

- New Jersey

- Delaware

- Maryland 

- Virginia
44 

Characteristics of Marine Bait and Tackle Retailers in the Mid-Atlantic

Of the 160 Mid-Atlantic stores that provided usable data, 73 classified themselves as Bait &

Tackle stores that catered exclusively to recreational anglers (Table MA_1). Of the 87 Other 

Stores that returned usable surveys, 27 (31.0%) were sporting goods stores that sold merchandise 

for a variety of sports, 22 (25.3%) were marinas, 16 (18.4%) were convenience stores, 12 

(13.8%) were hardware stores, and 10 (11.5%) were general retail stores. Based on these 

percentages, it was estimated that the final population of 632 stores selling bait and tackle in the 

study area included 286 Bait & Tackle stores and 346 Other Stores. These numbers are 

important, as they were used to extrapolate average business cost and earnings figures to total 

figures for economic impact analysis. The vast majority of store owners in both categories 

reported owning only one store (94.5% Bait & Tackle, 94.3% Other Stores) (Table MA_1). 

Years of selling saltwater fishing bait and tackle averaged 28.2 years for Bait & Tackle stores 

and 24.5 years for Other Stores. Bait & Tackle stores reported employing an average of 2.0 fulltime positions and 3.4 part-time positions in 2013 (Table MA_1). Other Stores reported having a 

total of 4.4 full-time and 5.0 part-time employees on average.

Table MA_ 1. Characteristics of businesses that sell recreational fishing bait, tackle, and related 

equipment in near coastal counties of the Mid-Atlantic. Stores are categorized as either 

Bait & Tackle stores that cater almost exclusively to recreational anglers, or Other Stores 

that generate a significant portion of their business from other clientele.

Business Type

Bait & Tackle (N = 73) Other Stores (n = 87)

N % N %

Business type

 Bait and tackle 73 100.0

 Sporting goods 27 31.0

 Convenience store 16 18.4

 General goods retailer 10 11.5

 Hardware store 12 13.8

 Marina 22 25.3

 

Number of stores owned

 One 69 94.5 82 94.3

 Two 4 5.5 2 2.3

 Three or more 0 0.0 3 3.4

Mean SE Mean SE

Years selling fishing bait 

and tackle 28.2 2.5 24.5 2.2

Number of employees

 Full time 2.0 0.2 4.4 0.6

 Part time 3.4 0.5 5.0 1.0
45 

Store Costs and Earnings in the Mid-Atlantic

Total Gross, Fishing, and Saltwater Fishing Sales 

In the Mid-Atlantic, Bait & Tackle stores reported an average of $601 thousand in total gross 

sales per store in 2013 (Table MA_2). However, the distribution of gross sales was somewhat 

skewed, as 70.4 percent of Bait & Tackle stores reported gross sales of $400 thousand or less 

(Figure MA_1). Bait & Tackle stores generated sales averaging $534 thousand for recreational 

fishing bait, tackle, and related equipment excluding boats, representing 88.8 percent of total 

sales (Table MA_2). Bait & Tackle stores reported $476 thousand in saltwater fishing–related 

sales representing 89.2 percent of fishing-related sales and 79.3 percent of total gross sales on 

average (Table MA_2). Extrapolating by the estimated 286 Bait & Tackle stores in coastal and 

near coastal counties, it was estimated there were $136 million in saltwater recreational fishing 

bait and tackle sales by local, independent Bait & Tackle stores in near coastal counties in 2013 

(Table MA_3). 

Table MA_ 2. Estimated mean gross sales (all sales, fishing, and saltwater fishing) per store (using midpoint of selected sales range) by business type (Bait & Tackle versus Other) in the MidAtlantic. Saltwater fishing sales are also reported by item category.

Bait & Tackle (N = 73) Other Stores (n = 87)

Variable Mean SE Mean SE

Gross sales

 Total 600,685 175,374 1,087,356 189,177

 Fishing related 533,827 173,759 207,233 44,538

 Saltwater related 476,206 173,110 128,042 28,097

SW Sales by 

Category 

 Bait 113,228 21,287 27,495 7,578

 Live bait 20,871 4,500 8,006 2,929

 Fishing tackle 128,905 31,436 38,908 9,487

 Fishing lines/nets 50,821 18,391 10,577 2,715

 Accessories 93,601 68,008 11,600 3,480

 Fishing apparel 33,083 10,980 9,787 3,018

 Boat accessories 

 and electronics 46,812 34,093 26,613 11,375 

Total costs 476,268 149,632 848,239 144,648
46 

Table MA_ 3. Estimated median, average, and total cash flow of retail stores in the Mid-Atlantic that 

sell recreational fishing bait and tackle, adjusted for the owners’ estimated percentage of 

sales for saltwater fishing items. Figures are reported for Bait & Tackle stores and Other 

Stores.

Expenditure/Income

Category

Bait & Tackle (N = 73) Other Stores (n = 87)

Median Mean SE

Total

(1,000) Median Mean SE

Total

(1,000)

Inflow – Gross revenue 150,000 476,206 173,110 136,195 32,850 128,042 28,097 44,303

Inventory

 Bait 11,856 46,346 9,234 13,255 1,667 10,305 2,669 3,566

 Fishing tackle 14,364 55,385 14,461 15,840 2,051 14,832 3,685 5,132

 Fishing lines and nets 4,108 20,704 7,852 5,921 345 3,825 960 1,323

 Accessories 2,807 40,197 29,834 11,496 361 4,544 1,445 1,572

 Fishing apparel 810 14,556 5,484 4,163 0 3,597 1,174 1,244

 Boat accessories and 

 electronics

0 19,877 14,939 5,685 0 10,289 4,954 3,560

Employee pay and 

benefits

11,250 54,271 18,711 15,522 1,960 14,654 3,427 5,070

Building 

rent/mortgage

11,250 40,746 20,453 11,653 1,879 9,671 2,187 3,346

Facility and 

equipment 

maintenance

3,159 10,101 3,750 2,889 819 3,818 915 1,321

Utility expenses 7,560 17,667 4,009 5,053 911 5,123 1,188 1,773

Marketing/advertising 2,820 12,115 5,869 3,465 340 2,481 585 858

Professional services 

(legal, accounting)

2,142 4,445 738 1,271 245 1,784 404 617

Insurance 3,240 19,589 8,770 5,602 827 4,275 1,048 1,479

Taxes and licensing 

fees

2,537 21,664 9,553 6,196 612 4,978 1,361 1,722

Shipping fees 0 2,159 465 618 45 992 235 343

Other costs 0 11,022 7,870 3,152 0 996 257 345

Net Returns 72,097 85,362 24,413 20,788 31,880 11,030

Thirty-eight percent of Bait & Tackle stores in the Mid-Atlantic indicated that saltwater fishing–

related sales accounted for over 90 percent of their total gross sales, and half (50.0%) reported 

saltwater fishing–related sales made up over 70 percent of their total gross sales (Figure MA_2). 

Fishing tackle sales (which included rods and reels, lures, terminal tackle, and tackle storage 

boxes and containers) accounted for 27.1 percent of saltwater fishing sales, at $128.9 thousand. 

Bait, both alive and dead, was the category with the second highest sales volume at $113.2 

thousand, followed by fishing tool accessories at $93.6 thousand, fishing lines and nets at $50.8 

thousand, boat accessories and electronics at $46.8 thousand, and fishing apparel at $33.1 

thousand. 
47 

Figure MA_ 1. Frequency and cumulative percentage distribution of reported total gross sales of MidAtlantic retail stores that sell marine recreational fishing bait and tackle by their selected 

business category. 

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

16

18

Frequency

Bait & Tackle

Frequency Cumulative %

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

16

18

Frequency

Total Gross Sales

Other Stores
48 

Figure MA_ 2. Frequency and cumulative percentage of Mid-Atlantic stores by the proportion of total 

gross sales consisting of sales of saltwater recreational fishing bait, tackle, and related 

equipment by business category. 

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

Frequency

Bait & Tackle

Frequency Cumulative %

0.00%

20.00%

40.00%

60.00%

80.00%

100.00%

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

Frequency

Percent Saltwater Sales

Other Stores
49 

Other Stores in the Mid-Atlantic reported an average of $1.09 million in total gross sales per 

store in 2013, almost double the average reported by Bait & Tackle stores (Table MA_2). Sales 

figures of Other Stores were even more skewed than those for Bait & Tackle stores, as 57.5 

percent of Other Stores reported gross sales of $600 thousand or less (Figure MA_1). Only $207 

thousand of Other Store sales were for recreational fishing bait, tackle, and related equipment, 

representing only 19.0 percent of total sales (Table MA_2). Other Stores reported $128 thousand 

in saltwater fishing–related sales, representing 61.8 percent of fishing-related sales and 8.4 

percent of total gross sales (Table MA_2). Extrapolating by the estimated 346 Other Stores in 

the study area, it was estimated there were $44.3 million in saltwater recreational fishing bait and 

tackle sales by Other Stores in near coastal counties of the Mid-Atlantic in 2013 (Table MA_3). 

The majority (64.4%) of Other Stores in New England reported saltwater fishing sales that 

represented 10 percent or less of their total gross sales (Figure MA_2). Fishing tackle sales

(which included rods and reels, lures, terminal tackle, and tackle storage boxes and containers) 

accounted for a just under a third (30.4%) of saltwater fishing sales, at just over $38.9 thousand 

(Table MA_2). Bait was the category with the second highest sales volume at $27.5 thousand, 

followed boating electronics and accessories at $26.6 thousand, fishing accessories (e.g., knives, 

clippers, pliers) at $11.6 thousand, fishing lines and nets at $10.6 thousand, and fishing apparel at 

$9.8 thousand. 

 

Inventory and Operating Expenses 

On average, Bait & Tackle stores in the Mid-Atlantic reported $476 thousand (79% of store 

earnings) in total operating costs, leaving them with $124 thousand in average total net revenues 

per store (Table MA_2). After adjusting for the percentage of Bait & Tackle store sales that 

were for saltwater fishing bait and tackle (79.3%), it was estimated that Bait & Tackle stores 

averaged $391 thousand in expenses supporting those sales, which extrapolated to all stores 

resulted in an estimate of $112 million in total inventory and operating expenses. In 2013, the 

average Bait & Tackle store had an average net cash flow of $85.4 thousand associated with 

sales of saltwater bait and tackle, which extrapolated out to an estimated $24.4 million in net 

revenues across all Bait & Tackle stores in near coastal communities in the Mid-Atlantic (Table 

MA_3). The largest expenditures for the average Bait & Tackle store were inventory ($197 

thousand), employee pay and benefits ($54.3 thousand), and building rent and mortgage ($40.7 

thousand) (Table MA_3). Other expenses included taxes and licensing fees ($21.7 thousand), 

insurance ($19.6 thousand), utilities ($17.7 thousand), marketing and advertising ($12.1 

thousand), other miscellaneous costs ($11.0 thousand), facility and equipment maintenance 

($10.1 thousand), professional services ($4.5 thousand), and shipping fees ($2.2 thousand) 

(Table MA_3). 

On average, Other Stores in the Mid-Atlantic reported $848 thousand (78% of store earnings) in 

total operating costs, leaving them with $239 thousand in average total net revenues per store 

(Table MA_2). After adjusting for the percentage of Other Store sales that were for saltwater 

fishing bait and tackle (11.8%), it was estimated that Other Stores averaged $96.2 thousand in 
50 

expenses supporting those sales, which extrapolated to all stores resulted in an estimate of 

approximately $33.3 million in total inventory and operating expenses. In 2013, the average 

Other Store had an average net cash flow of $31.9 thousand associated with sales of saltwater 

bait and tackle, which extrapolated out to an estimated $11.0 million in net revenues across all 

Other Stores in near coastal communities in the Mid-Atlantic (Table MA_3). The largest 

expenditures for the average Other Store were inventory ($47.4 thousand), employee pay and 

benefits ($14.7 thousand), and building rent or mortgage ($9.7 thousand) (Table MA_3). Other 

expenses included utilities ($5.1 thousand), taxes and licensing fees ($5.0 thousand), insurance 

($4.3 thousand), facility and equipment maintenance ($3.8 thousand), marketing and advertising 

($2.5 thousand), professional services ($1.8 thousand), shipping fees ($992), and other 

miscellaneous costs ($996) (Table MA_3).

Economic Contributions of Marine Bait and Tackle Retailers in the United States

Using the expenditure data described above, regional input-output models were constructed in 

IMPLAN to estimate the economic contributions of retail store operations supported by 2013 

sales of saltwater recreational fishing bait and tackle in near coastal communities of the MidAtlantic. Separate models were estimated for Bait & Tackle stores and Other Stores. In 2013, 

Bait & Tackle stores near coastal counties contributed an estimated $292.6 million in total sales 

output to Mid-Atlantic businesses, $102.5 million in income to individuals working in the MidAtlantic, and supported 1,922 jobs (full- and part-time) (Table MA_4). Other Stores contributed 

an estimated $90.8 million in total sales output to Mid-Atlantic businesses, $34.7 million in 

income to individuals working in the Mid-Atlantic, and supported 656 jobs (full- and part-time) 

(Table MA_4). Combined, the sale of saltwater fishing bait and tackle by local, independent 

retailers in near coastal communities contributed a total economic impact of $383.5 million in 

total sales, $137.2 million in income, and 2,578 jobs (Table MA_4). These contributions were 

the result of a combined $180.5 million in sales of saltwater recreational fishing bait and tackle, 

indicating a multiplier ratio of 2.1 between direct sales and total sales output generated.

Table MA_ 4. Regional economic impacts (employment, labor income, and output) generated by retail 

store operations that are supported by the sale of marine recreational bait and tackle in the 

Mid-Atlantic. 

Total Saltwater 

Bait & Tackle

Sales ($1,000)

Economic Contributions

Business

category

Employment

(Jobs)

Labor Income

($1,000)

Total Output

($1,000)

Bait & Tackle 136,195 1,922 102,497 292,655

Other 44,303 656 34,679 90,799

Total 180,497 2,578 137,176 383,454
51 

The top 10 Mid-Atlantic industries with the most employment supported by the operations of 

marine bait and tackle retailers are shown in Table MA_5. Naturally, individuals directly 

employed by retailers that sell bait and tackle made up the largest percentage (47.6%) of total 

employees supported. Following those directly employed by the industry, the highest numbers 

of jobs supported were in commercial fishing (216) which provides bait, wholesale trade (150), 

and maintenance and repair of nonresidential structures (104) (Table MA_5). Top 10 industries 

supported primarily by store operational expenses likely include wholesale trade, commercial 

fishing, maintenance and repair of nonresidential structures, and employment services. 

Industries more likely to be supported by employee household spending were likely to include 

food services and drinking places, offices of physicians, private hospitals, and retail stores. 

Table MA_6 provides a summary of total output and employment impacts by industry type. 

After marine bait and tackle retailers, the broader industry types most supported by sales of 

saltwater bait and tackle were the service sector ($96.4 million in total sales, 607 jobs), retail and 

wholesale trade ($45.5 million in total sales, 288 jobs), and construction ($16.6 million in total 

sales, 109 jobs). 

Table MA_ 5. Employment supported by retail stores that sell marine recreational fishing bait and tackle 

in near coastal counties of the Mid-Atlantic: Top 10 Industries. 

Employment (Jobs)

Industry S Bait & Tackle Other Stores

Retail stores selling bait and tackle 877 351

Commercial Fishing 170 46

Wholesale trade businesses 117 33

Maintenance and repair construction of nonresidential structures 84 24

Food services and drinking places 57 17

Offices of physicians, dentists, and other health practitioners 26 8

Private hospitals 26 7

Real estate establishments 24 7

Retail Stores - General merchandise 23 5

Advertising and related services 18 --

Facilities support services -- 6

Table MA_ 6. Employment and total output supported by the sale of marine recreational bait and tackle

in the Mid-Atlantic by industry type.

Bait & Tackle Other Stores

Industry Type

Employment

(Jobs)

Total Output

($1,000)

Employment

(Jobs)

Total Output

($1,000)

Total 1,922 292,655 656 90,799

 Marine bait and tackle retailers 877 136,195 351 44,303

 Agriculture 173 8,678 47 2,341

 Mining 1 275 0 80

 Construction 85 12,883 24 3,717

 Manufacturing 23 11,471 7 3,427

 Transportation, communications,

 and public utilities 36 8,783 11 2,752

 Retail and wholesale trade 226 35,564 62 9,967

 Services 465 73,749 142 22,614

 Government 37 5,058 12 1,598
52 

Recreational Fisheries Supporting Bait and Tackle Sales in the Mid-Atlantic

Store owners were asked to identify the three saltwater fisheries they believed generated the 

greatest sales of bait, tackle, and related equipment for their business in 2013. In the MidAtlantic, striped bass and bluefish generated the greatest sales for both Bait & Tackle (76.3%) 

and Other Stores (69.0%) (Table MA_7). Bait & Tackle and Other Store owners both indicated 

that summer and winter flounder (60.5%, 42.5%), and bottom fish such as Atlantic croaker, spot, 

and scup (25.0%, 34.5%) were the second and third greatest generators of sales for their 

businesses, respectively. 

Table MA_ 7. Saltwater recreational fisheries that generated the greatest sales of bait and tackle for 

retail stores in the Mid-Atlantic as identified by store owners and/or managers. 

Percentages exceed 100% as respondents were asked to select the top three fisheries.

Bait & Tackle Stores Other Stores

Fishery N % N %

Striped bass/Bluefish 58 76.3 60 69.0

Summer of Winter flounder 46 60.5 37 42.5

Atlantic croaker/Spot/Scup 19 25.0 30 34.5

Black seabass 9 11.8 7 8.0

Marlin/Tuna 9 11.8 0 0.0

Tautog/Triggerfish 8 10.5 6 6.9

Red or Black drum 5 6.6 5 5.7

Weakfish 4 5.3 6 6.9

Other 13 17.1 17 19.5

Factors Affecting Bait and Tackle Sales in the Mid-Atlantic

Store owners were presented with a list of 10 factors, and asked for their opinion on whether 

those factors had a positive or negative effect on their sales of recreational fishing bait and tackle 

in 2013 (Table MA_8). A majority of Bait & Tackle store owners indicated that the status of the 

economy (81.3%), fisheries regulations (77.0%), seasonal fishery closures (69.9%), changes in 

fishing participation (66.2%), the weather (63.05), changes in operating costs (62.0%), changes 

in fish stock status (58.3%), other government regulations (56.3%), and internet sales of bait and 

tackle (51.5%) all had negative effects on their sales of bait and tackle in 2013. Among owners 

of Other Stores, a majority indicated that the status of the economy (73.5%) and the weather 

(50.0%) had negative effects on their sales of bait and tackle in 2013. 
53 

Table MA_ 8. Retail store owner opinions on how outside factors affected their sales of recreational 

fishing bait and tackle in 2013. 

Bait & Tackle Stores Other Stores

Factor Negative Positive Neutral Negative Positive Neutral

Fisheries regulations 77.0 6.8 16.2 38.6 8.4 53.0

Fishery seasonal closures 69.9 5.5 24.7 44.5 8.6 46.9

Marine protected areas 20.6 6.9 72.6 18.5 12.4 69.1

Other government 

regulations 56.3 4.2 39.4 40.7 7.4 51.9

Status of the economy 81.3 8.0 10.7 73.5 9.6 16.9

Changes in fishing 

participation 66.2 8.1 25.7 41.5 7.3 51.2

Changes in fish stock status 57.1 2.9 40.0 28.8 11.3 60.0

Changes in operating costs 62.0 7.0 31.0 37.8 6.1 56.1

Internet sales of bait & 

tackle 51.5 7.4 41.2 27.6 2.6 69.7

Weather 63.0 15.1 21.9 50.0 21.3 28.8

55 

South Atlantic

- North Carolina

- South Carolina

- Georgia 

- Florida (Atlantic 

coast) 
56 

Characteristics of Marine Bait and Tackle Retailers in the South Atlantic

Of the 162 South Atlantic stores that provided usable data, 45 classified themselves as Bait & 

Tackle stores that catered exclusively to recreational anglers (Table SA_1). Of the 114 Other 

Stores that returned usable surveys, 29 (24.8%) were convenience stores, 24 (20.5%) were 

marinas, 23 (19.7%) were general retail stores, 23 (19.7%) were hardware stores, and 18 (15.4%) 

were sporting goods stores that sold merchandise for a variety of sports. Based on these 

percentages, it was estimated that the final population of 708 stores selling bait and tackle in the 

study area included 197 Bait & Tackle stores and 511 Other Stores. These numbers are 

important, as they were used to extrapolate average business cost and earnings figures to total 

figures for economic impact analysis. The vast majority of store owners in both categories 

reported owning only one store (97.8% Bait & Tackle, 91.5% Other Stores). Years of selling 

saltwater fishing bait and tackle averaged approximately 29 years for Bait & Tackle stores and 

25 for Other Stores. Bait & Tackle stores reported employing an average of 3.3 full-time 

positions and 3.2 part-time positions in 2013 (Table SA_1). Other Stores reported having a total 

of 6.8 full-time and 6.4 part-time employees on average.

Table SA_ 1. Characteristics of businesses that sell recreational fishing bait, tackle, and related 

equipment in near coastal counties of the South Atlantic. Stores are categorized as either 

Bait & Tackle stores that cater almost exclusively to recreational anglers, or Other Stores 

that generate a significant portion of their business from other clientele.

Business Type

Bait & Tackle (N = 45) Other Stores (n = 117)

N % N %

Business type

 Bait and tackle 45 100.0

 Sporting goods 18 15.4

 Convenience store 29 24.8

 General goods retailer 23 19.7

 Hardware store 23 19.7

 Marina 24 20.5

 

Number of stores owned

 One 44 97.8 107 91.5

 Two 0 0.0 9 7.7

 Three or more 1 2.2 1 0.9

Mean SE Mean SE

Years selling fishing bait 

and tackle 28.8 3.0 24.6 2.0

Number of employees

 Full time 3.3 0.6 6.8 1.0

 Part time 3.2 0.5 6.4 0.8
57 

Store Costs and Earnings in the South Atlantic

Total Gross, Fishing, and Saltwater Fishing Sales 

In the South Atlantic, Bait & Tackle stores reported an average of $727 thousand in total gross 

sales per store in 2013 (Table SA_2). However, the distribution of gross sales was slightly

skewed, as 60.0 percent of Bait & Tackle stores reported gross sales of $600 thousand or less 

(Figure SA_1). Bait & Tackle stores generated sales averaging $587 thousand for recreational 

fishing bait, tackle, and related equipment excluding boats, representing 80.7 percent of total 

sales (Table SA_2). Bait & Tackle stores reported $543 thousand in saltwater fishing–related 

sales representing 92.5 percent of fishing-related sales and 74.6 percent of total gross sales on 

average (Table SA_2). Extrapolating by the estimated 197 Bait & Tackle stores in coastal and 

near coastal counties, it was estimated there were $107 million in saltwater recreational fishing 

bait and tackle sales by local, independent Bait & Tackle stores in near coastal counties in 2013 

(Table SA_3). 

Table SA_ 2. Estimated mean gross sales (all sales, fishing, and saltwater fishing) per store (using midpoint of selected sales range) by business type (Bait & Tackle versus Other) in the South 

Atlantic. Saltwater fishing sales are also reported by item category.

Bait & Tackle (N = 45) Other Stores (n = 117)

Variable Mean SE Mean SE

Gross sales

 Total 726,667 153,407 1,655,769 234,901

 Fishing related 586,718 147,105 248,381 55,892

 Saltwater related 543,288 146,158 154,389 36,291

SW Sales by 

Category 

 Bait 84,921 14,574 27,700 6,976

 Live Bait 11,949 3,003 6,152 3,808

 Fishing tackle 267,560 88,057 56,991 17,909

 Fishing lines/nets 68,599 27,803 15,328 5,507

 Accessories 46,662 13,510 10,799 3,657

 Fishing apparel 35,772 14,363 5,098 1,618

 Boat accessories 

 and electronics 26,702 17,364 32,606 15,475 

Total costs 521,344 101,504 1,348,045 201,101
58 

Table SA_ 3. Estimated median, average, and total cash flow of retail stores in the South Atlantic that 

sell recreational fishing bait and tackle, adjusted for the owners’ estimated percentage of 

sales for saltwater fishing items. Figures are reported for Bait & Tackle stores and Other 

Stores.

Expenditure/Income

Category

Bait & Tackle (N = 45) Other Stores (n = 117)

Median Mean SE

Total

(1,000) Median Mean SE

Total

(1,000)

Inflow – Gross revenue 256,500 543,288 146,158 107,028 25,000 154,389 36,291 78,893

Inventory

 Bait 15,701 30,368 5,340 5,982 676 8,806 2,193 4,500

 Fishing tackle 36,926 102,148 34,940 20,123 959 23,358 8,339 11,936

 Fishing lines and nets 6,129 25,410 10,610 5,006 270 5,888 2,692 3,009

 Accessories 4,207 17,710 5,202 3,489 149 3,646 1,196 1,863

 Fishing apparel 995 13,235 5,431 2,607 0 1,999 788 1,021

 Boat accessories and 

 electronics

0 13,435 10,316 2,647 0 17,308 10,690 8,844

Employee pay and 

benefits

33,470 60,791 13,305 11,976 2,548 23,906 5,436 12,216

Building 

rent/mortgage

16,820 38,573 8,842 7,599 346 6,076 1,405 3,105

Facility and 

equipment 

maintenance

3,029 10,153 2,452 2,000 543 4,101 953 2,096

Utility expenses 9,768 18,317 3,323 3,608 824 6,199 1,467 3,168

Marketing/advertising 2,128 16,504 7,967 3,251 161 4,655 1,555 2,379

Professional services 

(legal, accounting)

2,156 6,185 1,470 1,218 180 2,413 731 1,233

Insurance 4,355 11,030 2,218 2,173 368 3,996 987 2,042

Taxes and licensing 

fees

2,253 9,863 2,154 1,943 480 5,649 2,315 2,887

Shipping fees 611 14,466 6,791 2,850 44 1,368 509 699

Other costs 0 12,339 6,234 2,431 0 1,379 534 705

Net Returns 117,952 142,761 28,124 17,452 33,642 17,191

Twenty percent of Bait & Tackle stores in the South Atlantic indicated that saltwater fishing–

related sales accounted for over 90 percent of their total gross sales, and the majority (62.2%) 

reported saltwater fishing–related sales made up over 70 percent of their total gross sales (Figure 

SA_2). Fishing tackle sales (which included rods and reels, lures, terminal tackle, and tackle 

storage boxes and containers) accounted for 49.4 percent of saltwater fishing sales, at $268 

thousand. Bait, both alive and dead, was the category with the second highest sales volume at 

$84.9 thousand, followed by fishing lines and nets at $68.6 thousand, fishing tool accessories at 

$46.7 thousand, fishing apparel at $35.8 thousand, and boat accessories and electronics at $26.7 

thousand. 
59 

Figure SA_ 1. Frequency and cumulative percentage distribution of reported total gross sales of South 

Atlantic retail stores that sell marine recreational fishing bait and tackle by their selected 

business category. 

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

Frequency

Bait & Tackle Frequency Cumulative %

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

0

5

10

15

20

25

Frequency

Total Gross Sales

Other Stores
60 

Figure SA_ 2. Frequency and cumulative percentage of South Atlantic stores by the proportion of total 

gross sales consisting of sales of saltwater recreational fishing bait, tackle, and related 

equipment by business category. 

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

Frequency

Bait & Tackle

Frequency Cumulative %

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9 1

Frequency

Percent Saltwater Sales

Other Stores
61 

Other Stores in the South Atlantic reported an average of $1.66 million in total gross sales per 

store in 2013, more than double the average reported by Bait & Tackle stores (Table SA_2). 

Sales figures of Other Stores were even more skewed than those for Bait & Tackle stores, as 56.4 

percent of Other Stores reported gross sales of $800 thousand or less (Figure SA_1). Only $248 

thousand of Other Store sales were for recreational fishing bait, tackle, and related equipment, 

representing only 12.6 percent of total sales (Table SA_2). Other Stores reported $154 thousand 

in saltwater fishing–related sales, representing 62.1 percent of fishing-related sales and 9.2 

percent of total gross sales (Table SA_2). Extrapolating by the estimated 511 Other Stores in the 

study area, it was estimated there were $78.9 million in saltwater recreational fishing bait and 

tackle sales by Other Stores in near coastal counties of the South Atlantic in 2013 (Table SA_3). 

The majority (61.5%) of Other Stores in the South Atlantic reported saltwater fishing sales that 

represented 10 percent or less of their total gross sales (Figure SA_2). Fishing tackle sales 

(which included rods and reels, lures, terminal tackle, and tackle storage boxes and containers) 

accounted for a little over a third (36.9%) of average saltwater fishing sales, at just over $57.0 

thousand (Table SA_2). Boating electronics and accessories was the category with the second 

highest sales volume at $32.6 thousand, followed by bait at $27.7 thousand, fishing lines and 

nets at $15.3 thousand, fishing accessories (e.g., knives, clippers, pliers) at $10.8 thousand, and 

fishing apparel at $5.1 thousand. 

Inventory and Operating Expenses 

On average, Bait & Tackle stores in the South Atlantic reported $521 thousand (71.7% of store 

earnings) in total operating costs, leaving them with $184 thousand in average total net revenues 

per store (Table SA_2). It was estimated that Bait & Tackle stores averaged $400 thousand in 

expenses supporting those sales, which extrapolated to all stores resulted in an estimate of $78.9 

million in total inventory and operating expenses. In 2013, the average Bait & Tackle store had 

an average net cash flow of $143 thousand associated with sales of saltwater bait and tackle, 

which extrapolated out to an estimated $28.1 million in net revenues across all Bait & Tackle 

stores in near coastal communities in the South Atlantic (Table SA_3). The largest expenditures 

for the average Bait & Tackle store were inventory ($202.3 thousand), employee pay and 

benefits ($60.8 thousand), and building rent and mortgage ($38.6 thousand) (Table SA_3). 

Other expenses included utilities ($18.3 thousand), marketing and advertising ($16.5 thousand), 

shipping fees ($14.5 thousand), other miscellaneous costs ($12.3 thousand), insurance ($11.0 

thousand), facility and equipment maintenance ($10.2 thousand), taxes and licensing fees ($9.9 

thousand), and professional services ($6.2 thousand) (Table SA_3). 

On average, Other Stores in the South Atlantic reported $1.35 million (81% of store earnings) in 

total operating costs, leaving them with $308 thousand in average total net revenues per store 

(Table SA_2). It was estimated that Other Stores averaged $121 thousand in expenses 

supporting those sales, which extrapolated to all stores resulted in an estimate of approximately 

$61.7 million in total inventory and operating expenses. In 2013, the average Other Store had an 

average net cash flow of $33.6 thousand associated with sales of saltwater bait and tackle, which 
62 

extrapolated out to an estimated $17.2 million in net revenues across all Other Stores in near 

coastal communities in the South Atlantic (Table SA_3). The largest expenditures for the 

average Other Store were inventory ($61.0 thousand), employee pay and benefits ($23.9 

thousand), and building rent or mortgage ($6.1 thousand) (Table SA_3). Other expenses 

included utilities ($6.2 thousand), taxes and licensing fees ($5.7 thousand), marketing and 

advertising ($4.7 thousand), facility and equipment maintenance ($4.1 thousand), insurance ($4.0 

thousand), professional services ($2.4 thousand), shipping fees ($1.4 thousand), and other 

miscellaneous costs ($1.4 thousand) (Table SA_3).

Economic Contributions of Marine Bait and Tackle Retailers in the South Atlantic

Using the expenditure data described above, regional input-output models were constructed in 

IMPLAN to estimate the economic contributions of retail store operations supported by 2013 

sales of saltwater recreational fishing bait and tackle in near coastal communities of the South 

Atlantic. Separate models were estimated for Bait & Tackle stores and Other Stores. In 2013, 

Bait & Tackle stores near coastal counties contributed an estimated $225 million in total sales 

output to South Atlantic businesses, $83.9 million in income to individuals working in the South 

Atlantic, and supported 1,733 jobs (full- and part-time) (Table SA_4). Other Stores contributed 

an estimated $163.8 million in total sales output to South Atlantic businesses, $60.3 million in 

income to individuals working in the South Atlantic, and supported 1,159 jobs (full- and parttime) (Table SA_4). Combined, the sale of saltwater fishing bait and tackle by local, 

independent retailers in near coastal communities contributed a total economic impact of $389 

million in total sales, $144 million in income, and 2,892 jobs (Table SA_4). These contributions 

were the result of a combined $186 million in sales of saltwater recreational fishing bait and 

tackle, indicating a multiplier ratio of 2.1 between direct sales and total sales output generated.

Table SA_ 4. National economic impacts (employment, labor income, and output) generated by retail 

store operations that are supported by the sale of marine recreational bait and tackle in the 

South Atlantic. 

Total Saltwater 

Bait & Tackle

Sales ($1,000)

Economic Contributions

Business

category

Employment

(Jobs)

Labor Income

($1,000)

Total Output

($1,000)

Bait & Tackle 107,028 1,733 83,892 225,074

Other 78,893 1,159 60,251 163,767

Total 185,921 2,892 144,142 388,841
63 

The top 10 South Atlantic industries with the most employment supported by the operations of 

marine bait and tackle retailers are shown in Table SA_5. Naturally, individuals directly 

employed by retailers that sell bait and tackle made up the largest percentage (45.0%) of total 

employees supported. Following those directly employed by the industry, the highest numbers 

of jobs supported were in commercial fishing (240) which provides bait, wholesale trade (166), 

and maintenance and repair construction of nonresidential structures (87) (Table SA_5). Top 10 

industries supported primarily by store operational expenses likely include wholesale trade, 

commercial fishing, maintenance and repair of nonresidential structures, and employment 

services. Industries more likely to be supported by employee household spending were likely to 

include food services and drinking places, offices of physicians, private hospitals, and retail 

stores. Table SA_6 provides a summary of total output and employment impacts by industry 

type. After marine bait and tackle retailers, the broader industry types most supported by sales of 

saltwater bait and tackle were the service sector ($98.5 million in total sales, 759 jobs) and retail 

and wholesale trade ($45.9 million in total sales, 325 jobs).

Table SA_ 5. Employment supported by retail stores that sell marine recreational fishing bait and tackle 

in near coastal counties of the South Atlantic: Top 10 Industries. 

Employment (Jobs)

Industry S Bait & Tackle Other Stores

Retail stores selling bait and tackle 800 502

Commercial Fishing 137 103

Wholesale trade businesses 96 70

Maintenance and repair construction of nonresidential structures 60 27

Food services and drinking places 52 38

US Postal Service 32 --

Real estate establishments 24 18

Advertising and related services 23 17

Offices of physicians, dentists, and other health practitioners 21 16

Retail Stores - General merchandise 21 13

Employment services -- 16

Table SA_ 6. Employment and total output supported by the sale of marine recreational bait and tackle

in the South Atlantic by industry type.

Bait & Tackle Other Stores

Industry Type

Employment

(Jobs)

Total Output

($1,000)

Employment

(Jobs)

Total Output

($1,000)

Total

 Marine bait and tackle retailers 800 107,028 502 78,893

 Agriculture 140 4,199 105 3,140

 Mining 1 219 1 148

 Construction 61 8,592 27 3,874

 Manufacturing 26 9,984 19 7,871

 Transportation, communications,

 and public utilities 35 7,363 25 5,578

 Retail and wholesale trade 193 26,891 132 19,029

 Services 434 56,117 325 42,373

 Government 43 4,681 23 2,861
64 

Recreational Fisheries Supporting Bait and Tackle Sales in the South Atlantic

Store owners were asked to identify the three saltwater fisheries they believed generated the 

greatest sales of bait, tackle, and related equipment for their business in 2013. In the South 

Atlantic, red drum and sea trout were identified as a top generator of sales by owners of both 

Bait & Tackle (55.3%) and Other Stores (58.1%) (Table SA_7). Bait & Tackle store owners 

indicated that other species (34.2%); coastal pelagics such as dolphin, cobia, and wahoo (31.6%); 

sharks (31.6%); and highly migratory species (marlin, tuna, sailfish, swordfish) were also large

generators of sales for their businesses. Among Other Store owners, Atlantic croaker and spot 

(35.5%) and other fisheries (29.9%) were the second and third most commonly indicated 

fisheries as top producers of sales for their businesses. Other fisheries commonly listed in the 

South Atlantic included flounder, bluefish, striped bass, and king mackerel. 

Table SA_ 7. Saltwater recreational fisheries that generated the greatest sales of bait and tackle for 

retail stores in the South Atlantic, as identified by store owners and/or managers. 

Percentages exceed 100% as respondents were asked to select the top three fisheries.

Bait & Tackle Stores Other Stores

Fishery N % N %

Red or Black drum/Sea trout 21 55.3 68 58.1

Dolphin/Cobia/Wahoo 12 31.6 28 23.9

Sharks 12 31.6 2 1.7

Marlin/Tuna/Sailfish/Swordfish 11 28.9 10 8.5

Spot/Atlantic croaker 8 21.1 45 38.5

Red snapper/Grouper 7 18.4 18 15.4

Black seabass 5 13.2 12 10.3

Jacks (Amberjack, Crevalle, pompano) 5 13.2 3 2.6

Other 13 34.2 35 29.9

Factors Affecting Bait and Tackle Sales in the South Atlantic

Store owners were presented with a list of 10 factors, and asked for their opinion on whether 

those factors had a positive or negative effect on their sales of recreational fishing bait and tackle 

in 2013 (Table SA_8). A majority of Bait & Tackle store owners indicated that other government 

regulations (68.6%), seasonal fishery closures (63.9%), the weather (55.6%), and the status of 

the economy (52.8%) all had negative effects on their sales of bait and tackle in 2013. Among 

owners of Other Stores, a majority of store owners indicated that the status of the economy 

(70.8%) and seasonal fisheries closures (54.9%) had negative effects on their sales of bait and 

tackle in 2013. 
65 

Table SA_ 8. Retail store owner opinions on how outside factors affected their sales of recreational 

fishing bait and tackle in 2013. 

Bait & Tackle Stores Other Stores

Factor Negative Positive Neutral Negative Positive Neutral

Fisheries regulations 50.0 11.1 38.9 47.0 5.2 47.8

Fishery seasonal closures 63.9 11.1 25.0 54.9 4.4 40.7

Marine protected areas 37.5 9.4 53.1 27.0 7.0 66.1

Other government 

regulations 68.6 5.7 25.7 48.7 5.3 46.0

Status of the economy 52.8 27.8 19.5 70.8 9.7 19.5

Changes in fishing 

participation 37.1 20.0 42.9 26.1 16.2 57.7

Changes in fish stock status 37.2 25.7 37.1 28.1 7.9 64.0

Changes in operating costs 47.2 8.3 44.5 40.4 5.3 54.4

Internet sales of bait & 

tackle 38.2 14.7 47.1 19.8 0.9 79.3

Weather 55.6 16.7 27.8 37.7 13.2 49.1

67 

Gulf of Mexico

- Florida (Gulf coast)

- Alabama 

- Mississippi

- Louisiana 

- Texas 
68 

Characteristics of Marine Bait and Tackle Retailers in the Gulf of Mexico

Of the 199 Gulf of Mexico stores that provided usable data, 63 classified themselves as Bait & 

Tackle stores that catered exclusively to recreational anglers (Table GM_1). Of the 136 Other 

Stores that returned usable surveys, 35 (25.7%) were marinas, 34 (25.0%) were sporting goods 

stores that sold merchandise for a variety of sports, 32 (23.5%) were convenience stores, 19 

(14.0%) were general retail stores, and 16 (11.8%) were hardware stores. Based on these 

percentages, it was estimated that the final population of 789 stores selling bait and tackle in the 

study area included 250 Bait & Tackle stores and 539 Other Stores. These numbers are 

important, as they were used to extrapolate average business cost and earnings figures to total 

figures for economic impact analysis. The vast majority of store owners in both categories 

reported owning only one store (89.6% Bait & Tackle, 89.6% Other Stores). Approximately 2 

percent of Bait & Tackle and Other Store owners reported owning three or more stores (Table 

GM_1). Years of selling saltwater fishing bait and tackle averaged approximately 21 years for 

both categories. Bait & Tackle stores reported employing an average of 4.3 full-time positions 

and 4.4 part-time positions in 2013 (Table GM_1). Other Stores reported having a total of 5.9 

full-time and 4.2 part-time employees on average.

Table GM_ 1. Characteristics of businesses that sell recreational fishing bait, tackle, and related 

equipment in near coastal counties of the Gulf of Mexico. Stores are categorized as 

either Bait & Tackle stores that cater almost exclusively to recreational anglers, or Other 

Stores that generate a significant portion of their business from other clientele.

Business Type

Bait & Tackle (N = 63) Other Stores (n = 136)

N % N %

Business type

 Bait and tackle 63 100.0

 Sporting goods 34 25.0

 Convenience store 32 23.5

 General goods retailer 19 14.0

 Hardware store 16 11.8

 Marina 35 25.7

 

Number of stores owned

 One 56 89.6 121 89.6

 Two 5 8.2 11 8.2

 Three or more 1 1.6 3 2.2

Mean SE Mean SE

Years selling fishing bait 

and tackle 19.9 2.3 21.8 1.6

Number of employees

 Full time 4.3 0.9 5.9 0.5

 Part time 4.4 0.8 4.2 0.5
69 

Store Costs and Earnings in the Gulf of Mexico

Total Gross, Fishing, and Saltwater Fishing Sales 

In the Gulf of Mexico, Bait & Tackle stores reported an average of $989 thousand in total gross 

sales per store in 2013 (Table GM_2). However, the distribution of gross sales was highly 

skewed, as 54.0 percent of Bait & Tackle stores reported gross sales of $400 thousand or less 

(Figure GM_1). Bait & Tackle stores generated sales averaging $841 thousand for recreational 

fishing bait, tackle, and related equipment excluding boats, representing 85.1 percent of total 

sales (Table GM_2). Bait & Tackle stores reported $725 thousand in saltwater fishing–related 

sales, representing 86.1 percent of fishing-related sales and 73.3 percent of total gross sales on 

average (Table GM_2). Extrapolating by the estimated 250 Bait & Tackle stores in coastal and 

near coastal counties, it was estimated there were $181 million in total saltwater recreational 

fishing bait and tackle sales by local, independent Bait & Tackle stores in near coastal counties 

of the Gulf of Mexico in 2013 (Table GM_3). 

Table GM_ 2. Estimated mean gross sales (all sales, fishing, and saltwater fishing) per store (using midpoint of selected sales range) by business type (Bait & Tackle versus Other) in the Gulf 

of Mexico. Saltwater fishing sales are also reported by item category.

Bait & Tackle (N = 63) Other Stores (n = 136)

Variable Mean SE Mean SE

Gross sales

 Total 989,286 236,819 1,644,526 198,383

 Fishing related 841,408 222,345 254,916 34,942

 Saltwater related 724,793 200,578 157,426 21,802

SW Sales by 

Category 

 Bait 85,707 15,398 45,396 8,903

 Live bait 24,089 1,544 16,765 4,677

 Fishing tackle 354,084 116,741 56,033 9,098

 Fishing lines/nets 72,178 20,932 13,760 2,777

 Accessories 42,456 8,671 13,137 2,478

 Fishing apparel 98,515 38,435 6,617 2,036

 Boat accessories 

 and electronics 47,549 21,790 13,238 5,926 

Total costs 833,191 214,186 1,332,536 164,291
70 

Table GM_ 3. Estimated median, average, and total cash flow of retail stores in the Gulf of Mexico that 

sell recreational fishing bait and tackle, adjusted for the owners’ estimated percentage of 

sales for saltwater fishing items. Figures are reported for Bait & Tackle stores and Other 

Stores.

Expenditure/Income

Category

Bait & Tackle (N = 63) Other Stores (n = 136)

Median Mean SE

Total

(1,000) Median Mean SE

Total

(1,000)

Inflow – Gross revenue 162,500 724,793 200,578 181,198 45,422 157,426 21,802 84,852

Inventory

 Bait 10,764 36,205 7,636 9,051 268 17,068 4,412 9,200

 Fishing tackle 27,000 167,528 59,927 41,882 2,574 21,902 4,022 11,805

 Fishing lines and nets 5,472 34,341 10,857 8,585 325 5,060 1,071 2,728

 Accessories 5,472 17,291 4,273 4,323 417 5,333 1,189 2,875

 Fishing apparel 1,421 48,529 19,837 12,132 0 2,177 675 1,174

 Boat accessories and 

 electronics

0 17,124 8,986 4,281 0 2,942 972 1,586

Employee pay and 

benefits

19,688 119,752 38,609 29,938 5,198 19,905 2,765 10,729

Building 

rent/mortgage

11,315 40,569 18,662 10,142 763 6,849 1,159 3,692

Facility and 

equipment 

maintenance

4,828 20,043 6,358 5,011 792 5,306 1,012 2,860

Utility expenses 6,325 22,513 5,112 5,628 1,584 6,924 1,153 3,732

Marketing/advertising 5,094 18,157 4,318 4,539 208 2,931 781 1,580

Professional services 

(legal, accounting)

2,474 12,564 4,046 3,141 296 3,275 752 1,765

Insurance 5,735 23,554 6,513 5,888 778 5,594 987 3,015

Taxes and licensing 

fees 5,214 22,944 7,310 5,736 720 5,692 1,010

3

,068

Shipping fees 138 8,010 2,508 2,002 0 1,735 667 935

Other costs 0 4,192 1,119 1,048 0 3,123 1,185 1,683

Net Returns 51,560 111,479 27,870 31,499 41,607 22,426

Thirty-two percent of Bait & Tackle stores in the Gulf of Mexico indicated that saltwater 

fishing–related sales accounted for over 90 percent of their total gross sales, and the vast 

majority (74.6%) reported saltwater fishing–related sales made up over 50 percent of their total 

gross sales (Figure GM_2). Fishing tackle sales (which included rods and reels, lures, terminal 

tackle, and tackle storage boxes and containers) accounted for 48.9 percent of saltwater fishing 

sales, at $354 thousand. Fishing apparel was the category with the second highest sales volume 

at $89.7 thousand, followed by bait at $98.5 thousand, fishing lines and nets at $72.2 thousand, 

boat accessories and electronics at $47.6 thousand, and fishing tool accessories at $42.5 

thousand. 
71 

Figure GM_ 1. Frequency and cumulative percentage distribution of reported total gross sales of Gulf of 

Mexico retail stores that sell marine recreational fishing bait and tackle by their selected 

business category. 

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

Frequency

Bait & Tackle

Frequency Cumulative %

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

Frequency

Total Gross Sakes

Other Stores
72 

Figure GM_ 2. Frequency and cumulative percentage of Gulf of Mexico stores by the proportion of total 

gross sales consisting of sales of saltwater recreational fishing bait, tackle, and related 

equipment by business category. 

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

0

5

10

15

20

25

Frequency

Bait & Tackle

Frequency Cumulative %

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9 1

Frequency

Percent Saltwater Sales

Other Stores
73 

Other Stores in the Gulf of Mexico reported an average of $1.64 million in total gross sales per 

store in 2013, almost twice the average reported by Bait & Tackle stores (Table GM_2). Sales 

figures of Other Stores were also skewed, as 59.6 percent of Other Stores reported gross sales of 

less than $1.0 million (Figure GM_1). Only $255 thousand of Other Store sales were for 

recreational fishing bait, tackle, and related equipment, representing only 15.5 percent of total 

sales (Table GM_2). Other Stores reported $157 thousand in saltwater fishing–related sales, 

representing 61.7 percent of fishing-related sales and 9.3 percent of total gross sales (Table 

GM_2). Extrapolating by the estimated 539 Other Stores in the study area, it was estimated there 

were $84.9 million in total saltwater recreational fishing bait and tackle sales by Other Stores in 

near coastal counties of the Gulf of Mexico in 2013 (Table GM_3). 

The majority (61.0%) of Other Stores in the Gulf of Mexico reported saltwater fishing sales that 

represented 10 percent or less of their total gross sales (Figure GM_2). Fishing tackle sales 

(which included rods and reels, lures, terminal tackle, and tackle storage boxes and containers) 

accounted for over a third (35.6%) of saltwater fishing sales, at just over $56 thousand (Table 

GM_2). Bait, alive and dead combined, was the category with the second highest sales volume 

at $45.4 thousand, followed by fishing lines and nets at $13.8 thousand, boating electronics and 

accessories at $13.2 thousand, fishing accessories (e.g., knives, clippers, pliers) at $13.1 

thousand, and fishing apparel at $6.6 thousand. 

 

Inventory and Operating Expenses 

On average, Bait & Tackle stores in the Gulf of Mexico reported $833 thousand (84% of store 

earnings) in total operating costs, leaving them with $156 thousand in average total net revenues 

per store (Table GM_2). After adjusting for the percentage of Bait & Tackle store sales that 

were for saltwater fishing bait and tackle (72.3%), it was estimated that Bait & Tackle stores 

averaged $613 thousand in expenses supporting those sales, which extrapolated to all stores 

resulted in an estimate of $153 million in total inventory and operating expenses. In 2013, the 

average Bait & Tackle store had an average net cash flow of $111 thousand associated with sales 

of saltwater bait and tackle, which extrapolated out to an estimated $28 million in net revenues 

across all Bait & Tackle stores in near coastal communities in the Gulf of Mexico (Table GM_3). 

The largest expenditures for the average Bait & Tackle store were inventory ($321 thousand), 

employee pay and benefits ($120 thousand), and building rent and mortgage ($40.6 thousand) 

(Table GM_3). Other expenses included insurance ($23.6 thousand), taxes and licensing fees 

($22.9 thousand), utility expenses ($22.5 thousand), facility and equipment maintenance ($20.0 

thousand), marketing and advertising ($18.2 thousand), professional services ($12.6 thousand), 

shipping fees ($8.0 thousand), and other miscellaneous costs ($4.2 thousand) (Table GM_3). 

On average, Other Stores in the Gulf of Mexico reported $1.33 million (81% of store earnings) in 

total operating costs, leaving them with approximately $312 thousand in average total net 

revenues per store (Table GM_2). After adjusting for the percentage of Other Store sales that 

were for saltwater fishing bait and tackle (9.8%), it was estimated that Other Stores averaged 

$116 thousand in expenses supporting those sales, which extrapolated to all stores resulted in an 
74 

estimate of approximately $62.4 million in total inventory and operating expenses. In 2013, the 

average Other Store had an average net cash flow of $41.6 thousand associated with sales of 

saltwater bait and tackle, which extrapolated out to an estimated $22.4 million in net revenues 

across all Other Stores in near coastal communities in the Gulf of Mexico (Table GM_3). The 

largest expenditures for the average Other Store were inventory ($54.5 thousand), employee pay 

and benefits ($19.9 thousand), and utility expenses ($6.9 thousand) (Table GM_3). Other 

expenses included building rent or mortgage ($6.9 thousand), taxes and licensing fees ($5.7 

thousand), insurance ($5.6 thousand), facility and equipment maintenance ($5.3 thousand), 

professional services ($3.3 thousand), other miscellaneous costs ($3.1 thousand), marketing and 

advertising ($2.9 thousand), and shipping fees ($1.7 thousand) (Table GM_3). 

Economic Contributions of Marine Bait and Tackle Retailers in the Gulf of Mexico

Using the expenditure data described above, regional input-output models were constructed in 

IMPLAN to estimate the economic contributions of retail store operations supported by 2013 

sales of saltwater recreational fishing bait and tackle in near coastal communities of the Gulf of 

Mexico. Separate models were estimated for Bait & Tackle stores and Other Stores. In 2013, 

Bait & Tackle stores near coastal counties contributed an estimated $409 million in total sales 

output to Gulf of Mexico businesses, $112 million in income to individuals working in the Gulf 

of Mexico, and supported 2,907 jobs (full- and part-time) (Table GM_4). Other Stores 

contributed an estimated $192 million in total sales output to Gulf of Mexico businesses, $48.5 

million in income to individuals working in the Gulf of Mexico, and supported 1,495 jobs (fulland part-time) (Table GM_4). Combined, the sale of saltwater fishing bait and tackle by local, 

independent retailers in near coastal communities contributed a total economic impact of $601 

million in total sales, $160 million in income, and 4,402 jobs (Table GM_4). These 

contributions were the result of a combined $266 million in sales of saltwater recreational fishing 

bait and tackle, indicating a multiplier ratio of 2.3 between direct sales and total sales output 

generated.

Table GM_ 4. Regional economic impacts (employment, labor income, and output) generated by retail 

store operations that are supported by the sale of marine recreational bait and tackle in the 

Gulf of Mexico. 

Total Saltwater 

Bait & Tackle

Sales ($1,000)

Economic Contributions

Business

category

Employment

(Jobs)

Labor Income

($1,000)

Total Output

($1,000)

Bait & Tackle 181,198 2,907 111,493 409,052

Other 84,852 1,495 48,491 192,163

Total 266,050 4,402 159,984 601,215
75 

The top 10 Gulf of Mexico industries with the most employment supported by the operations of 

marine bait and tackle retailers are shown in Table GM_5. Naturally, individuals directly 

employed by retailers that sell bait and tackle made up the largest percentage (46.6%) of total 

employees supported. Following those directly employed by the industry, the highest numbers 

of jobs supported were in wholesale trade (415), commercial fishing (253) which provides bait, 

and food services and drinking places (131) (Table GM_5). Top 10 industries supported 

primarily by store operational expenses likely include wholesale trade, commercial fishing, 

maintenance and repair of nonresidential structures, and employment services. Industries more 

likely to be supported by employee household spending were likely to include food services and 

drinking places, offices of physicians, private hospitals, and retail stores. Table GM_6 provides 

a summary of total output and employment impacts by industry type. After marine bait and 

tackle retailers, the broader industry types most supported by sales of saltwater bait and tackle 

were the service sector (141 million in total sales, 1,103 jobs), retail and wholesale trade ($70.9 

million in total sales, 467 jobs), and manufacturing ($28.8 million in total sales, 73 jobs). 

Table GM_ 5. Employment supported by retail stores that sell marine recreational fishing bait and tackle 

in near coastal counties of the Gulf of Mexico: Top 10 Industries. 

Employment (Jobs)

Industry Bait & Tackle Other Stores

Retail stores selling bait and tackle 1,355 698

Wholesale trade businesses 206 209

Commercial Fishing 186 67

Food services and drinking places 91 40

Maintenance and repair construction of nonresidential structures 79 30

Real estate establishments 42 18

Offices of physicians, dentists, and other health practitioners 39 17

Employment services 36 16

Advertising and related services 35 --

Private hospitals 33 14

Facilities support services 30 17

Table GM_ 6. Employment and total output supported by the sale of marine recreational bait and tackle

in the Gulf of Mexico by industry type. 

Bait & Tackle Other Stores

Industry Type

Employment

(Jobs)

Total Output

($1,000)

Employment

(Jobs)

Total Output

($1,000)

Total 2,937 434,576 1,513 206,216

 Marine bait and tackle retailers 1,355 197,433 698 97,111

 Agriculture 212 6,446 212 6,138

 Mining 4 2,008 2 1,050

 Construction 81 11,950 31 4,601

 Manufacturing 54 20,881 19 8,908

 Transportation, communications,

 and public utilities 59 13,104 26 6,242

 Retail and wholesale trade 329 51,869 138 19,976

 Services 760 98,996 343 45,012

 Government 53 6,364 26 3,124
76 

Recreational Fisheries Supporting Bait and Tackle Sales in the Gulf of Mexico

Store owners were asked to identify the three saltwater fisheries they believed generated the 

greatest sales of bait, tackle, and related equipment for their business in 2013. In the Gulf of 

Mexico, red drum and sea trout were identified as a top generator of sales by owners of both Bait 

& Tackle (62.9%) and Other Stores (59.2%) (Table GM_7). Store owners indicated that red 

snapper and grouper were also large generators of sales for both Bait & Tackle (50.0%) and 

Other Stores (47.9%). 

Table GM_ 7. Saltwater recreational fisheries that generated the greatest sales of bait and tackle for 

retail stores in the Gulf of Mexico as identified by store owners and/or managers. 

Percentages exceed 100% as respondents were asked to select the top three fisheries.

Bait & Tackle Stores Other Stores

Fishery N % N %

Red or Black drum/Sea trout 44 62.9 84 59.2

Red snapper/Grouper 35 50.0 68 47.9

Dolphin/Cobia/Wahoo 11 15.7 23 16.2

Spanish mackerel 12 17.1 15 10.6

Jacks (Amberjack, Crevalle, pompano) 4 5.7 18 12.7

Gulf and southern kingfish 7 10.0 14 9.9

Marlin/Tuna/Sharks/Swordfish 8 11.4 8 5.6

Black seabass 2 2.9 3 2.1

Other 14 20.0 28 19.7

Factors Affecting Bait and Tackle Sales in Gulf of Mexico

Store owners were presented with a list of 10 factors, and asked for their opinion on whether 

those factors had a positive or negative effect on their sales of recreational fishing bait and tackle 

in 2013 (Table GM_8). A majority of Bait & Tackle store owners indicated that seasonal fishery 

closures (71.0%) and fisheries regulations (65.2%) had negative effects on their sales of bait and 

tackle in 2013. A large percentage of Bait & Tackle store owners also identified other 

government regulations (45.6%) and the status of the economy (41.2%) as factors that negatively 

affected their sales in 2013. Among owners of Other Stores, a majority indicated that seasonal 

fishery closures (57.5%) and the status of the economy (56.8%) had negative effects on their 

sales of bait and tackle in 2013. Fisheries regulations (47.5%), other government regulations 

(47.1%), and changes in operating costs (43.5%) were also identified by a large percentage of 

Other Store owners as negatively affecting sales.

 
77 

Table GM_ 8. Retail store owner opinions on how outside factors affected their sales of recreational 

fishing bait and tackle in 2013. 

Bait & Tackle Stores Other Stores

Factor Negative Positive Neutral Negative Positive Neutral

Fisheries regulations 65.2 5.8 29.0 47.5 8.5 44.0

Fishery seasonal closures 71.0 8.7 20.3 57.5 6.4 36.2

Marine protected areas 22.9 2.9 74.3 15.2 8.7 76.1

Other government 

regulations 45.6 8.8 45.6 47.1 5.8 47.1

Status of the economy 41.2 27.9 30.9 56.8 19.4 23.7

Changes in fishing 

participation 29.9 16.4 53.7 28.3 15.2 56.5

Changes in fish stock status 17.9 23.9 58.2 21.0 11.6 67.4

Changes in operating costs 35.8 10.5 53.7 43.5 8.0 48.6

Internet sales of bait & 

tackle 28.4 9.0 62.7 27.9 3.0 69.1

Weather 36.2 33.3 30.4 36.5 15.3 48.2

79 

West Coast

- California 

- Oregon 

- Washington 
80 

Characteristics of Marine Bait and Tackle Retailers on the West Coast 

Of the 187 West Coast stores that provided usable data, 54 classified themselves as Bait &

Tackle stores that catered exclusively to recreational anglers (Table WC_1). Of the 133 Other 

Stores that returned usable surveys, 39 (29.3%) were convenience stores, 29 (21.8%) were 

sporting goods stores that sold merchandise for a variety of sports, 26 (19.6%) were hardware 

stores, 25 (18.8%) were general retail stores, and 14 (10.5%) were marinas. Based on these 

percentages, it was estimated that the final population of 724 stores selling bait and tackle in the 

study area included 198 Bait & Tackle stores and 526 Other Stores. These numbers are 

important, as they were used to extrapolate average business cost and earnings figures to total 

figures for economic impact analysis. The vast majority of store owners in both categories 

reported owning only one store (87.0% Bait & Tackle, 91.7% Other Stores) (Table WC_1). 

Years of selling saltwater fishing bait and tackle averaged approximately 25 to 27 years for both 

categories. Bait & Tackle stores reported employing an average of 4.8 full-time employees and 

5.1 part-time employees in 2013 (Table WC_1). Other Stores reported having a total of 8.9 fulltime and 6.9 part-time employees on average.

Table WC_ 1. Characteristics of businesses that sell recreational fishing bait, tackle, and related 

equipment in near coastal counties of the West Coast. Stores are categorized as either 

Bait & Tackle stores that cater almost exclusively to recreational anglers, or other stores 

that generate a significant portion of their business from other clientele.

Business Type

Bait & Tackle (N = 54) Other Stores (n = 133)

N % N %

Business type

 Bait and tackle 54 100.0

 Sporting goods 29 21.8

 Convenience store 39 29.3

 General goods retailer 25 18.8

 Hardware store 26 19.6

 Marina 14 10.5

 

Number of stores owned

 One 47 87.0 121 91.7

 Two 3 5.6 8 6.1

 Three or more 4 7.4 3 2.2

Mean SE Mean SE

Years selling fishing bait 

and tackle 24.9 3.1 27.3 2.6

Number of employees

 Full time 4.8 1.0 8.9 1.5

 Part time 5.1 1.5 6.9 1.0
81 

Store Costs and Earnings on the West Coast 

Total Gross, Fishing, and Saltwater Fishing Sales 

West Coast Bait & Tackle stores reported an average of $1.2 million in total gross sales per store 

in 2013 (Table WC_2). However, the distribution of gross sales was significantly skewed, as 

51.9 percent of Bait & Tackle stores reported gross sales of $400 thousand or less (Figure 

WC_1). Bait & Tackle stores generated sales averaging $911 thousand for recreational fishing 

bait, tackle, and related equipment excluding boats, representing 74.8 percent of total sales 

(Table WC_2). Bait & Tackle stores reported $326 thousand in saltwater fishing–related sales, 

representing 35.8 percent of fishing-related sales (the lowest percentage of any region) and 26.8 

percent of total gross sales on average (Table WC_2). Extrapolating by the estimated 198 Bait & 

Tackle stores in coastal and near coastal counties, it was estimated there were $64.5 million in 

saltwater recreational fishing bait and tackle sales by local, independent Bait & Tackle stores in 

near coastal counties in 2013 (Table WC_3). 

Table WC_ 2. Estimated mean gross sales (all sales, fishing, and saltwater fishing) per store (using midpoint of selected sales range) by business type (Bait & Tackle versus Other) of the West 

Coast. Saltwater fishing sales are also reported by item category.

Bait & Tackle (N = 54) Other Stores (n = 133)

Variable Mean SE Mean SE

Gross sales

 Total 1,217,593 291,787 1,759,398 215,781

 Fishing related 911,093 240,102 137,483 23,469

 Saltwater related 325,891 61,501 60,853 13,330

SW Sales by 

Category 

 Bait 37,475 11,415 10,930 2,298

 Live bait 4,372 1,393 1,688 774

 Fishing tackle 179,354 36,789 28,816 7,158

 Fishing lines/nets 38,677 7,680 8,183 2,479

 Accessories 24,634 6,399 5,443 1,580

 Fishing apparel 24,764 8,764 3,813 1,414

 Boat accessories 

 and electronics 9,659 3,819 2,481 785 

Total costs 972,581 239,172 1,294,103 157,240
82 

Table WC_ 3. Estimated median, average, and total cash flow of retail stores in the West Coast that sell 

recreational fishing bait and tackle, adjusted for the owners’ estimated percentage of sales 

for saltwater fishing items. Figures are reported for Bait & Tackle stores and Other 

Stores.

Expenditure/Income

Category

Bait & Tackle (N = 54) Other Stores (n = 133)

Median Mean SE

Total

(1,000) Median Mean SE

Total

(1,000)

Inflow – Gross revenue 159,625 325,891 61,501 64,526 6,125 60,853 13,330 32,009

Inventory

 Bait 7,292 17,126 4,935 3,391 98 3,690 820 1,941

 Fishing tackle 29,553 90,042 20,080 17,828 305 11,667 3,232 6,137

 Fishing lines and nets 5,474 18,953 3,945 3,753 7 3,073 1,087 1,617

 Accessories 2,859 12,211 3,526 2,418 2 2,101 664 1,105

 Fishing apparel 1,433 11,387 3,876 2,255 0 1,510 576 794

 Boat accessories and 

 electronics

0 4,508 1,789 893 0 929 333 488

Employee pay and 

benefits

14,789 35,472 7,975 7,023 480 9,823 2,691 5,167

Building 

rent/mortgage

10,726 18,461 3,520 3,655 71 3,381 881 1,778

Facility and 

equipment 

maintenance

1,323 4,017 889 795 29 1,808 520 951

Utility expenses 4,875 8,305 1,654 1,644 144 3,031 854 1,594

Marketing/advertising 3,927 7,072 1,297 1,400 5 1,047 263 551

Professional services 

(legal, accounting)

1,313 3,422 751 677 14 960 264 505

Insurance 1,776 6,883 1,844 1,363 61 2,021 546 1,063

Taxes and licensing 

fees

2,024 7,909 1,903 1,566 29 2,439 628 1,283

Shipping fees 398 6,126 2,219 1,213 0 573 175 301

Other costs 0 9,514 3,824 1,884 0 428 144 225

Net Returns 71,863 64,483 12,768 4,880 12,373 6,508

Fifteen percent of Bait & Tackle stores on the West Coast indicated that saltwater fishing–related 

sales accounted for 90 percent or more of their total gross sales, and the majority (51.9%) 

reported saltwater fishing–related sales made up over 50 percent of their total gross sales (Figure 

WC_2). Fishing tackle sales (which included rods and reels, lures, terminal tackle, and tackle 

storage boxes and containers) accounted for 55.0 percent of saltwater fishing sales, at $179.4 

thousand. Fishing lines and nets was the category with the second highest sales volume at $38.7 

thousand, followed by bait at $37.5 thousand, fishing apparel at $24.8 thousand, fishing tool 

accessories at $24.6 thousand, and boat accessories and electronics at $9.7 thousand. 
83 

Figure WC_ 1. Frequency and cumulative percentage distribution of reported total gross sales of West 

Coast retail stores that sell marine recreational fishing bait and tackle by their selected 

business category. 

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

0

2

4

6

8

10

Frequency

Bait & Tackle

Frequency Cumulative %

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

Frequency

Total Gross Sales 

Other Stores
84 

Figure WC_ 2. Frequency and cumulative percentage of West Coast stores by the proportion of total 

gross sales consisting of sales of saltwater recreational fishing bait, tackle, and related 

equipment by business category. 

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

Frequency

Bait & Tackle

Frequency Cumulative %

0.00%

20.00%

40.00%

60.00%

80.00%

100.00%

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

Frequency

Percent Saltwater Sales

Other Stores
85 

Other Stores on the West Coast reported an average of $1.76 million in total gross sales per store 

in 2013 (Table WC_2). Sales figures of Other Stores were also skewed, as 51.9 percent of Other 

Stores reported gross sales of $800 thousand or less (Figure WC_1). Only $137.5 thousand of 

Other Store sales were for recreational fishing bait, tackle, and related equipment, representing 

only 7.8 percent of total sales (Table WC_2). Other Stores reported $60.9 thousand in saltwater 

fishing–related sales, representing 44.3 percent of fishing-related sales and 3.5 percent of total 

gross sales (Table WC_2). Extrapolating by the estimated 529 Other Stores in the study area, it 

was estimated there were $32.03 million in saltwater recreational fishing bait and tackle sales by 

Other Stores in near coastal counties of the West Coast in 2013 (Table WC_3). 

The vast majority (84..8%) of Other Stores on the West Coast reported saltwater fishing sales 

that represented 10 percent or less of their total gross sales (Figure WC_2). Fishing tackle sales 

(which included rods and reels, lures, terminal tackle, and tackle storage boxes and containers) 

accounted for nearly half (47.4%) of saltwater fishing sales, at $28.8 thousand (Table WC_2). 

Bait was the category with the second highest sales volume at $18.0 thousand, followed by 

fishing lines and nets at $8.2 thousand, fishing accessories (e.g., knives, clippers, pliers) at just 

under $5.5 thousand, fishing apparel at $3.8 thousand, and boating electronics and accessories at 

$2.5 thousand. 

Inventory and Operating Expenses 

On average, Bait & Tackle stores on the West Coast reported $973 thousand (80% of store 

earnings) in total operating costs, leaving them with $245 thousand in average total net revenues 

per store (Table WC_2). After adjusting for the percentage of Bait & Tackle store sales that 

were for saltwater fishing bait and tackle (26.8%), it was estimated that Bait & Tackle stores 

averaged $261 thousand in expenses supporting those sales, which extrapolated to all stores 

resulted in an estimate of $51.8 million in total inventory and operating expenses. In 2013, the 

average Bait & Tackle store had an average net cash flow of $64.5 thousand associated with 

sales of saltwater bait and tackle, which extrapolated out to an estimated $12.8 million in net 

revenues across all Bait & Tackle stores in near coastal communities on the West Coast (Table 

WC_3). The largest expenditures for the average Bait & Tackle store were inventory ($154.2 

thousand), employee pay and benefits ($35.5 thousand), and building rent and mortgage ($18.5 

thousand) (Table WC_3). Other expenses included utility expenses ($8.3 thousand), other 

miscellaneous costs ($9.5 thousand), taxes and licensing fees ($7.9 thousand), marketing and 

advertising ($7.1 thousand), insurance ($6.9 thousand), shipping fees ($6.1 thousand), facility 

and equipment maintenance ($4.0 thousand), and professional services ($3.4 thousand) (Table 

WC_3). 

On average, Other Stores on the West Coast reported $1.29 million (74% of store earnings) in 

total operating costs, leaving them with $465 thousand in average total net revenues per store 

(Table WC_2). After adjusting for outliers and the percentage of Other Store sales that were for 

saltwater fishing bait and tackle (3.5%), it was estimated that Other Stores averaged $48.5 
86 

thousand in expenses supporting those sales, which extrapolated to all stores resulted in an 

estimate of approximately $25.5 million in total inventory and operating expenses. In 2013, the 

average Other Store had an average net revenue of $12.4 thousand associated with sales of 

saltwater bait and tackle, which extrapolated out to an estimated $6.5 million in net revenues

across all Other Stores in near coastal communities on the West Coast (Table WC_3). The 

largest expenditures for the average Other Store were inventory ($23.0 thousand), employee pay 

and benefits ($9.8 thousand), and building rent or mortgage ($3.4 thousand) (Table WC_3). 

Other expenses included utilities ($3.0 thousand), taxes and licensing fees ($2.4 thousand), 

insurance ($2.0 thousand), facility and equipment maintenance ($1.8 thousand), marketing and 

advertising ($1.0 thousand), professional services ($960), shipping fees ($573 thousand), and 

other miscellaneous costs ($428) (Table WC_3). 

Economic Contributions of Marine Bait and Tackle Retailers on the West Coast 

Using the expenditure data described above, regional input-output models were constructed in 

IMPLAN to estimate the economic contributions of retail store operations supported by 2013 

sales of saltwater recreational fishing bait and tackle in near coastal communities on the West 

Coast. Separate models were estimated for Bait & Tackle stores and Other Stores. In 2013, Bait 

& Tackle stores in near coastal counties contributed an estimated $138.4 million in total sales 

output to West Coast businesses, $48.1 million in income to individuals working on the West 

Coast, and supported 1,083 jobs (full- and part-time) (Table WC_4). Other Stores contributed an 

estimated $70.3 million in total sales output to West Coast businesses, $22.0 million in income to 

individuals working on the West Coast, and supported 595 jobs (full- and part-time) (Table 

WC_4). Combined, the sale of saltwater fishing bait and tackle by local, independent retailers in 

near coastal communities contributed a total economic impact of $208.7 million in total sales, 

$70.1 million in income, and 1,678 jobs (Table WC_4). These contributions were the result of a 

combined $96.5 million in sales of saltwater recreational fishing bait and tackle, indicating a 

multiplier ratio of 2.2 between direct sales and total sales output generated.

Table WC_ 4. National economic impacts (employment, labor income, and output) generated by retail 

store operations that are supported by the sale of marine recreational bait and tackle on 

the West Coast. 

Total Saltwater 

Bait & Tackle

Sales ($1,000)

Economic Contributions

Business

category

Employment

(Jobs)

Labor Income

($1,000)

Total Output

($1,000)

Bait & Tackle 64,526 1,083 48,117 138,366

Other 32,009 595 21,993 70,300

Total 96,535 1,678 70,110 208,666
87 

The top 10 West Coast industries with the most employment supported by the operations of 

marine bait and tackle retailers are shown in Table WC_5. Naturally, individuals directly 

employed by retailers that sell bait and tackle made up the largest percentage (60.1%) of total 

employees supported. Following those directly employed by the industry, the highest numbers 

of jobs supported were in wholesale trade (99), food services and drinking places (41), and 

maintenance and repair of nonresidential structures (40) (Table WC_5). Table WC_6 provides a 

summary of total output and employment impacts by industry type. After marine bait and tackle 

retailers, the broader industry types most supported by sales of saltwater bait and tackle were the 

service sector ($49.3 million in total sales, 334 jobs), retail and wholesale trade ($27.8 million in 

total sales, 169 jobs), and manufacturing ($14.6 million in total sales, 33 jobs). 

Table WC_ 5. Employment supported by retail stores that sell marine recreational fishing bait and tackle 

in near coastal counties of the West Coast: Top 10 Industries. 

Employment (Jobs)

Industry S Bait & Tackle Other Stores

Retail stores selling bait and tackle 642 366

Wholesale trade businesses 71 28

Maintenance and repair construction of nonresidential structures 27 13

Food services and drinking places 26 15

Commercial Fishing 16 9

US Postal Service 13 --

Offices of physicians, dentists, and other health practitioners 11 7

Retail Stores - General merchandise 11 4

Real estate establishments 10 6

Advertising and related services 10 --

Facilities support services -- 5

Employment services -- 5

Table WC_ 6. Employment and total output supported by the sale of marine recreational bait and tackle

in the West Coast by industry type. 

Bait & Tackle Other Stores

Industry Type

Employment

(Jobs)

Total Output

($1,000)

Employment

(Jobs)

Total Output

($1,000)

Total 1,175 151,812 670 82,949

 Marine bait and tackle retailers 642 64,526 366 32,009

 Agriculture 19 2,485 11 1,425

 Mining 1 261 0 137

 Construction 27 4,152 14 2,075

 Manufacturing 23 9,947 10 4,657

 Transportation, communications,

 and public utilities 21 3,869 10 2,170

 Retail and wholesale trade 118 19,581 51 8,234

 Services 211 31,023 123 18,312

 Government 21 2,521 10 1,281
88 

Recreational Fisheries Supporting Bait and Tackle Sales on the West Coast 

Store owners were asked to identify the three saltwater fisheries they believed generated the 

greatest sales of bait, tackle, and related equipment for their business in 2013. On the West 

Coast, bottomfish such as rockfish, greenling, and sculpin were identified as a top sales generator 

by a majority (57.4%) of Bait & Tackle store owners (Table WC_7). Bait & Tackle store owners 

also indicated that pelagics (tuna, yellowtail, durado) (37.0%), ocean-run salmon (33.3%), and 

halibut and seabass (33.3%) were also top generators of sales for their businesses. Other Store 

owners were most likely to indicate that ocean-run salmon (50.0%), shellfish (36.2%), and 

bottomfish (19.6%) were the greatest producers of sales for their businesses. 

Table WC_ 7. Saltwater recreational fisheries that generated the greatest sales of bait and tackle for 

retail stores on the West Coast as identified by store owners and/or managers. 

Percentages exceed 100% as respondents were asked to select the top three fisheries.

Bait & Tackle Stores Other Stores

Fishery N % N %

Rockfish, greenling, sculpin, 

bottomfish 31 57.4 27 19.6

Tuna, yellowtail, durado 20 37.0 9 6.5

Ocean-run Salmon 18 33.3 69 50.0

Halibut, other flatfish, seabass 18 33.3 18 13.0

Crab, lobster, abalone, clams, shellfish 10 18.5 50 36.2

Bonito, barracuda, wahoo 7 13.0 7 5.1

Sturgeon, striped bass 6 11.1 17 12.3

Surfperch, corbina, croakers 3 5.6 6 4.3

Swordfish, marlin, sharks 3 5.6 0 0.0

Other 7 13.0 23 16.7

Factors Affecting Bait and Tackle Sales on the West Coast

Store owners were presented with a list of 10 factors, and asked for their opinion on whether 

those factors had a positive or negative effect on their sales of recreational fishing bait and tackle 

in 2013 (Table WC_8). A majority of Bait & Tackle store owners indicated that seasonal fishery 

closures (67.3%), fisheries regulations (65.4%), marine protected areas (60.4%), other 

government regulations (57.7%), and the status of the economy (53.9%) all had negative effects 

on their sales of bait and tackle in 2013. Among owners of Other Stores, the majority indicated 

that the status of the economy (55.2%) and seasonal fishery closures (51.9%) had negative 

effects on their sales of bait and tackle in 2013. 
89 

Table WC_ 8. Retail store owner opinions on how outside factors affected their sales of recreational 

fishing bait and tackle in 2013. 

Bait & Tackle Stores Other Stores

Factor Negative Positive Neutral Negative Positive Neutral

Fisheries regulations 65.4 5.8 28.9 40.3 7.5 52.2

Fishery seasonal closures 67.3 3.9 28.9 51.9 4.5 43.6

Marine protected areas 60.4 5.7 34.0 29.8 0.8 69.5

Other government 

regulations 57.7 5.8 36.5 46.2 3.0 50.8

Status of the economy 53.9 17.3 28.9 55.2 11.9 32.8

Changes in fishing 

participation 32.7 19.2 48.1 26.1 11.9 61.9

Changes in fish stock status 35.3 21.6 43.1 31.8 18.2 50.0

Changes in operating costs 36.5 9.6 53.9 26.5 7.6 65.9

Internet sales of bait & 

tackle 26.5 20.4 53.1 18.3 0.8 80.9

Weather 43.1 21.6 35.3 25.8 21.2 53.0

91 

Alaska
92 

Characteristics of Marine Bait and Tackle Retailers in Alaska

Of the 46 Alaska stores that provided usable data, five (10.9%) classified themselves as Bait &

Tackle stores that catered exclusively to recreational anglers (Table AK_1). Of the 41 Other 

Stores that returned usable surveys, 16 (34.8%) were convenience stores, 12 (26.1%) were 

sporting goods stores that sold merchandise for a variety of sports, eight (17.4%) were marinas, 

four (8.7%) were hardware stores, and one (2.2%) was a general retail store. Due to the low 

number of Bait & Tackle stores reporting, it was decided to combine all stores in Alaska for 

analysis purposes. Combined, 93.5% of store owners in Alaska reported owning only one store. 

No store owners reported owning three or more stores (Table AK_1). Years of selling saltwater 

fishing bait and tackle averaged 27.4 years. Stores reported employing an average of 7.2 fulltime positions and 5.7 part-time positions in 2013 (Table AK_1). 

Table AK_ 1. Characteristics of businesses that sell recreational fishing bait, tackle, and related 

equipment in near coastal boroughs of Alaska. 

Variable N %

Business type

 Bait and tackle 5 10.9

 Sporting goods 12 26.1

 Convenience store 16 34.8

 General goods retailer 1 2.2

 Hardware store 4 8.7

 Marina 8 17.4

 

Number of stores owned

 One 43 93.5

 Two 3 6.5

 Three or more 0 0.0

Mean SE

Years selling fishing bait 

and tackle 27.4 3.6

Number of employees

 Full time 7.2 1.4

 Part time 5.7 1.2
93 

Store Costs and Earnings in Alaska

Total Gross, Fishing, and Saltwater Fishing Sales 

In Alaska, stores that sell recreational fishing bait, tackle, and related equipment reported an 

average of $1.67 million in total gross sales per store in 2013 (Table AK_2). However, the 

distribution of gross sales was highly skewed, as 50.0 percent of stores reported gross sales of 

$400 thousand or less (Figure AK_1). Stores generated sales averaging $193 thousand for 

recreational fishing bait, tackle, and related equipment excluding boats, representing 11.6 percent 

of total sales (Table AK_2). Stores reported $168 thousand in saltwater fishing–related sales, 

representing 87.2 percent of fishing-related sales and 10.1 percent of total gross sales on average 

(Table AK_2). Extrapolating by the estimated 162 eligible stores in coastal boroughs of Alaska, 

it was estimated there were $27.3 million in saltwater recreational fishing bait and tackle sales by 

local, independent Bait & Tackle stores in coastal boroughs in 2013 (Table AK_3). 

Table AK_ 2. Estimated mean gross sales (all sales, fishing, and saltwater fishing) per store (using midpoint of selected sales range) in Alaska. Saltwater fishing sales are also reported by item 

category.

Variable Mean SE

Gross sales

 Total 1,670,109 464,688

 Fishing related 193,074 72,346

 Saltwater related 168,333 70,187

SW Sales by 

Category 

 Bait 17,990 6,682

 Fishing tackle 53,259 23,914

 Fishing lines/nets 15,162 6,478

 Accessories 10,388 4,278

 Fishing apparel 18,219 5,908

 Boat accessories 

 and electronics 42,737 36,829 

Total costs 1,331,156 365,165
94 

Table AK_ 3. Estimated median, average, and total cash flow of retail stores in Alaska that sell 

recreational fishing bait and tackle, adjusted for the owners’ estimated percentage of sales 

for saltwater fishing items. Figures are reported for all stores combined only due to 

sample size. 

Expenditure/Income

Category

All Stores (N = 46)

Median Mean SE

Total

(1,000)

Inflow – Gross revenue 26,000 168,333 70,187 27,270

Inventory

 Bait 25 5,510 1,920 893

 Fishing tackle 837 23,269 12,599 3,770

 Fishing lines and nets 116 5,458 2,495 884

 Accessories 68 4,240 2,125 687

 Fishing apparel 374 4,961 1,688 804

 Boat accessories and 

 electronics

0 23,770 21,933 3,851

Employee pay and 

benefits

3,931 24,247 9,723 3,928

Building 

rent/mortgage

504 8,859 3,958 1,435

Facility and 

equipment 

maintenance

185 3,723 1,228 603

Utility expenses 1,110 5,575 1,634 903

Marketing/advertising 68 3,980 1,566 645

Professional services 

(legal, accounting)

19 3,013 1,289 488

Insurance 523 4,478 1,295 726

Taxes and licensing 

fees

531 5,059 1,996 820

Shipping fees 366 9,918 5,869 1,607

Other costs 0 894 348 145

Net Returns 17,343 31,377 5,083

Only one store in Alaska indicated that saltwater fishing–related sales accounted for 100 percent 

of their total gross sales, and the majority (59.2%) reported saltwater fishing–related sales made 

up 10 percent or less of their total gross sales (Figure AK_2). Fishing tackle sales (which 

included rods and reels, lures, terminal tackle, and tackle storage boxes and containers) 

accounted for 31.6 percent of saltwater fishing sales, at $53.3 thousand. Boat accessories and

electronics was the category with the second highest sales volume at $42.7 thousand, followed 

by fishing apparel at $18.2 thousand, bait at $18.0 thousand, fishing lines and nets at $15.2 

thousand, and fishing tool accessories at $10.4 thousand. 
95 

Figure AK_ 1. Frequency and cumulative percentage distribution of reported total gross sales of Alaska

retail stores that sell marine recreational fishing bait and tackle. 

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

Frequency

Total Gross Sales 

Frequency Cumulative %
96 

Figure AK_ 2. Frequency and cumulative percentage of Alaska stores by the proportion of total gross 

sales consisting of sales of saltwater recreational fishing bait, tackle, and related 

equipment. 

Inventory and Operating Expenses 

On average, stores in Alaska reported $1.33 million (79.7% of store earnings) in total operating 

costs, leaving them with $339 thousand in average total net revenues per store (Table AK_2). 

After adjusting for the percentage of Bait & Tackle store sales that were for saltwater fishing bait 

and tackle (10.1%), it was estimated that Alaska stores averaged $137 thousand in expenses 

supporting those sales, which extrapolated to all stores resulted in an estimate of $22.2 million in 

total inventory and operating expenses. In 2013, the average Alaska store had an average net 

cash flow of $31.4 thousand associated with sales of saltwater bait and tackle, which 

extrapolated out to an estimated $5.1 million in net revenues across all stores in near coastal 

boroughs in Alaska (Table AK_3). The largest expenditures for the average store were inventory 

($67.2 thousand), employee pay and benefits ($24.2 thousand), and shipping fees ($9.9 

thousand) (Table AK_3). Other expenses included building rent and mortgage ($8.9 thousand), 

taxes and licensing fees ($5.1 thousand), insurance ($4.5 thousand), marketing and advertising 

($4.0 thousand), facility and equipment maintenance ($3.7 thousand), professional services ($3.0 

thousand), and other miscellaneous costs ($894) (Table AK_3). 

0.00%

20.00%

40.00%

60.00%

80.00%

100.00%

0

5

10

15

20

25

Frequency

Percent Saltwater Sales

Frequency Cumulative %
97 

Economic Contributions of Marine Bait and Tackle Retailers in Alaska

Using the expenditure data described above, a regional input-output model was constructed in 

IMPLAN to estimate the economic contributions of retail store operations supported by 2013 

sales of saltwater recreational fishing bait and tackle in near coastal boroughs of Alaska. In 

2013, sales of saltwater bait and tackle from independent stores contributed an estimated $44.3 

million in total sales output to Alaska businesses, $15.9 million in income to individuals working 

in Alaska, and supported 319 jobs (full- and part-time) (Table AK_4). These contributions were 

the result of $27.3 million in sales of saltwater recreational fishing bait and tackle, indicating a 

multiplier ratio of 1.6 between direct sales and total sales output generated.

Table AK_ 4. National economic impacts (employment, labor income, and output) generated by retail 

store operations that are supported by the sale of marine recreational bait and tackle in 

Alaska. 

Total Saltwater 

Bait & Tackle

Sales ($1,000)

Economic Contributions

Business

category

Employment

(Jobs)

Labor Income

($1,000)

Total Output

($1,000)

Total 27,270 319 15,866 44,269

The top 10 Alaska industries with the most employment supported by the operations of marine 

bait and tackle retailers are shown in Table AK_5. Naturally, individuals directly employed by 

retailers that sell bait and tackle made up the largest percentage (63.6%) of total employees 

supported. Following those directly employed by the industry, the highest numbers of jobs 

supported were wholesale trade (12) and the U.S. Postal Service (10) (Table AK_5). Top 10 

industries supported primarily by store operational expenses likely include wholesale trade, 

commercial fishing, maintenance and repair of nonresidential structures, and employment 

services. Industries more likely to be supported by employee household spending were likely to 

include food services and drinking places, offices of physicians, private hospitals, and retail 

Table AK_ 5. Employment supported by retail stores that sell marine recreational fishing bait and tackle 

in near coastal boroughs of Alaska: Top 10 Industries. 

Industry S Employment (Jobs)

Retail stores selling bait and tackle 203

Wholesale trade businesses 12

US Postal Service 10

Maintenance and repair construction of nonresidential structures 9

Commercial Fishing 9

Advertising and related services 7

Food services and drinking places 6

Facilities support services 4

Offices of physicians, dentists, and other health practitioners 3

Accounting, tax preparation, bookkeeping, and payroll services 3
98 

stores. Table AK_6 provides a summary of total output and employment impacts by industry 

type. After marine bait and tackle retailers, the broader industry types most supported by sales of 

saltwater bait and tackle were the service sector ($7.71 million in total sales, 55 jobs), retail and 

wholesale trade ($3.5 million in total sales, 23 jobs), and construction ($1.6 million in total sales, 

10 jobs).

Table AK_ 6. Employment and total output supported by the sale of marine recreational bait and tackle

in Alaska by industry type. 

Industry Type

Employment

(Jobs)

Total Output

($1,000)

Total 319 44,269

 Marine bait and tackle retailers 203 27,270

 Agriculture 9 574

 Mining 0 267

 Construction 10 1,585

 Manufacturing 1 550

 Transportation, communications,

 and public utilities 5 1,273

 Retail and wholesale trade 23 3,474

 Services 55 7,682

 Government 13 1,596

Recreational Fisheries Supporting Bait and Tackle Sales in Alaska

Store owners were asked to identify the three saltwater fisheries they believed generated the 

greatest sales of bait, tackle, and related equipment for their business in 2013. In Alaska, coho 

salmon were indicated to be a top generator of sales by a majority (56.5%) of store owners

(Table AK_7). Store owners indicated that Chinook salmon (41.3%) and halibut (32.6%) were 

also major generators of sales for their businesses. 

Table AK_ 7. Saltwater recreational fisheries that generated the greatest sales of bait and tackle for 

retail stores in the near coastal boroughs of Alaska as identified by store owners and/or 

managers. Percentages exceed 100% as respondents were asked to select the top three 

fisheries.

Fishery N %

Coho salmon 26 56.5

Chinook salmon 19 41.3

Pacific halibut 15 32.6

Sockeye salmon 14 30.4

Pink salmon 9 19.6

Chum salmon 6 13.0

Greenling (lingcod) 3 6.5

Rockfish 2 4.3

Other 5 10.9
99 

Factors Affecting Bait and Tackle Sales in Alaska

Store owners were presented with a list of 10 factors, and asked for their opinion on whether 

those factors had a positive or negative effect on their sales of recreational fishing bait and tackle 

in 2013 (Table AK_8). A majority of Alaska store owners indicated that fisheries regulations 

(54.6%) and seasonal fishery closures (50.0%) had negative effects on their sales of bait and 

tackle in 2013. Over 40 percent indicated that other government regulations (45.5%), changes in 

fish stock status (45.5%), and changes in operating costs (43.2%) all had negative effects on their 

sales of bait and tackle in 2013. 

Table AK_ 8. Retail store owner opinions on how outside factors affected their sales of recreational 

fishing bait and tackle in 2013. 

Respondent Rating (%)

Factor Negative Positive Neutral/Don’t Know

Fisheries regulations 54.6 2.3 43.2

Fishery seasonal closures 50.0 4.5 45.5

Marine protected areas 16.7 0.0 83.3

Other government regulations 45.5 0.0 54.6

Status of the economy 38.6 9.1 52.3

Changes in fishing participation 22.7 6.8 70.5

Changes in fish stock status 45.5 6.8 47.7

Changes in operating costs 43.2 0.0 56.8

Internet sales of bait & tackle 18.6 2.3 79.1

Weather 19.1 11.9 69.0

101 

Hawaii
102 

Characteristics of Marine Bait and Tackle Retailers in Hawaii

Of the 11 Hawaiia stores that provided usable data, six (54.6%) classified themselves as Bait &

Tackle stores that catered exclusively to recreational anglers (Table HI_1). Of the five Other 

Stores that returned usable surveys, three (27.3%) were general retail stores, one (9.1%) was a

sporting goods store that sold merchandise for a variety of sports, and one (9.1%) was a 

hardware store. Due to the low number of stores reporting, it was decided to combine all stores 

in Hawaii for analysis purposes. Combined, 81.8% of store owners in Hawaii reported owning 

only one store. No store owners reported owning three or more stores (Table HI_1). Years of 

selling saltwater fishing bait and tackle averaged 36.8 years, the highest of any region by 

approximately 10 years. Stores reported employing an average of 5.7 full-time positions and 7.2 

part-time positions in 2013 (Table HI_1). 

Table HI_ 1. Characteristics of businesses that sell recreational fishing bait, tackle, and related 

equipment in near coastal counties of Hawaii. 

N %

Business type

 Bait and tackle 6 54.6

 Sporting goods 1 9.1

 Convenience store 0 0.0

 General goods retailer 3 27.3

 Hardware store 1 9.1

 Marina 0 0.0

 

Number of stores owned

 One 9 81.8

 Two 2 18.2

 Three or more 0 0.0

Mean SE

Years selling fishing bait 

and tackle 36.8 6.4

Number of employees

 Full time 5.7 1.9

 Part time 7.2 3.4
103 

Store Costs and Earnings in Hawaii

Total Gross, Fishing, and Saltwater Fishing Sales 

In Hawaii, stores that sell recreational fishing bait, tackle, and related equipment reported an 

average of $2.86 million in total gross sales per store in 2013 (Table HI_2). The distribution of 

stores by their reported gross sales can be seen in Figure HI_1. Stores generated sales averaging 

$710 thousand for saltwater recreational fishing bait, tackle, and related equipment excluding 

boats, representing 24.8 percent of total sales (Table HI_2). Stores reported $707 thousand in 

saltwater fishing-related sales, representing 99.5 percent of fishing-related sales and 24.7 percent 

of total gross sales on average (Table HI_2). Extrapolating by the estimated 32 eligible stores in 

Hawaii, it was estimated there were $22.6 million in total saltwater recreational fishing bait and 

tackle sales by local, independent Bait & Tackle stores in 2013 (Table HI_3).

Table HI_ 2. Estimated mean gross sales (all sales, fishing, and saltwater fishing) per store (using midpoint of selected sales range) in Hawaii. Saltwater fishing sales are also reported by item 

category.

All Stores (N = 11)

Variable Mean SE

Gross sales

 Total 2,861,364 1,077,324

 Fishing related 709,966 189,985

 Saltwater related 706,652 190,060

SW Sales by 

Category 

 Bait 31,149 18,724

 Fishing tackle 361,998 93,021

 Fishing lines/nets 110,856 34,690

 Accessories 36,659 8,760

 Fishing apparel 15,783 7,165

 Boat accessories 

 and electronics 31,456 14,164 

 Spearfishing 96,777 42,802

Total costs 1,805,398 606,568
104 

Table HI_ 3. Estimated median, average, and cash flow of retail stores in Hawaii that sell recreational 

fishing bait and tackle, adjusted for the owners’ estimated percentage of sales for 

saltwater fishing items. Figures are reported for all stores combined only due to sample 

size. 

Expenditure/Income

Category

All Stores (N = 11)

Median Mean SE

Total

(1,000)

Inflow – Gross revenue 487,500 706,652 190,060 22,613

Inventory

 Bait 0 4,296 2,718 137

 Fishing tackle 73,500 100,401 40,409 3,213

 Fishing lines and nets 20,275 24,615 8,679 788

 Accessories 3,326 8,124 3,040 260

 Fishing apparel 142 2,995 1,640 96

 Boat accessories and 

 electronics

0 8,570 4,198 274

 Spearfishing 731 21,491 11,691 688

Employee pay and 

benefits

54,000 54,728 14,227 1,751

Building 

rent/mortgage

16,351 25,237 8,559 808

Facility and 

equipment 

maintenance

4,158 5,880 1,968 188

Utility expenses 5,994 24,826 13,567 794

Marketing/advertising 4,320 7,548 2,867 242

Professional services 

(legal, accounting)

8,175 8,322 2,730 266

Insurance 2,997 8,937 2,488 286

Taxes and licensing 

fees

14,985 15,770 4,400 505

Shipping fees 5,994 19,480 13,517 623

Other costs 0 719 460 23

Net Returns 272,552 364,713 11,671

Among stores in Hawaii, 54.5 percent indicated that saltwater fishing–related sales accounted for 

60 percent or more of their total gross sales (Figure HI_2). Fishing tackle sales (which included 

rods and reels, lures, terminal tackle, and tackle storage boxes and containers) accounted for 51.2 

percent of saltwater fishing sales, at $362 thousand. Fishing lines and nets was the category with 

the second highest sales volume at $111 thousand, followed by spearfishing at $96.8 thousand, 

fishing tool accessories at $36.7 thousand, boat accessories and electronics at $31.5 thousand, 

bait at $31.2 thousand, and fishing apparel at $15.8 thousand. 
105 

Figure HI_ 1. Frequency and cumulative percentage distribution of reported total gross sales of Hawaii

retail stores that sell marine recreational fishing bait and tackle. 

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

0

1

2

3

4

Frequency

Total Gross Sales 

Frequency Cumulative %
106 

Figure HI_ 2. Frequency and cumulative percentage of Hawaii stores by the proportion of total gross 

sales consisting of sales of saltwater recreational fishing bait, tackle, and related 

equipment. 

Inventory and Operating Expenses 

On average, stores in Hawaii reported $1.81 million (63.1% of store earnings) in total operating 

costs, leaving them with $1.06 million in average total net revenues per store (Table HI_2). 

After adjusting for the percentage of Bait & Tackle store sales that were for saltwater fishing bait 

and tackle (24.7%), it was estimated that Hawaiia stores averaged $342 thousand in expenses 

supporting those sales, which extrapolated to all stores resulted in an estimate of $10.9 million in 

total inventory and operating expenses. In 2013, the average Hawaiia store had an average net 

cash flow of $365 thousand associated with sales of saltwater bait and tackle, which extrapolated 

out to an estimated $11.7 million in net revenues across all stores in Hawaii (Table HI_3). The 

largest expenditures for the average store were inventory ($72.4 thousand), employee pay and 

benefits ($54.7 thousand), and building rent and mortgage ($25.2 thousand) (Table HI_3). Other 

expenses included utility expenses ($24.8 thousand), shipping fees ($19.5 thousand), taxes and 

licensing fees ($15.8 thousand), insurance ($8.9 thousand), professional services ($8.3 thousand), 

marketing and advertising ($7.5 thousand), facility and equipment maintenance ($5.9 thousand), 

and other miscellaneous costs ($719) (Table HI_3). 

0.00%

20.00%

40.00%

60.00%

80.00%

100.00%

0

0.5

1

1.5

2

2.5

3

3.5

Frequency

Percent Saltwater Sales

Frequency Cumulative %
107 

Economic Contributions of Marine Bait and Tackle Retailers in Hawaii 

Using the expenditure data described above, a regional input-output model was constructed in 

IMPLAN to estimate the economic contributions of retail store operations supported by 2013 

sales of saltwater recreational fishing bait and tackle in Hawaii. In 2013, sales of saltwater bait 

and tackle from independent stores contributed an estimated $38.1 million in total sales output to 

Hawaiian businesses, $19.0 million in income to individuals working in Hawaii, and supported 

285 jobs (full- and part-time) (Table HI_4). These contributions were the result of $22.6 million 

in sales of saltwater recreational fishing bait and tackle, indicating a multiplier ratio of 1.7 

between direct sales and total sales output generated.

Table HI_ 4. Regional economic impacts (employment, labor income, and output) generated by retail 

store operations that are supported by the sale of marine recreational bait and tackle in 

Hawaii. 

Total Saltwater 

Bait & Tackle

Sales ($1,000)

Economic Contributions

Business

category

Employment

(Jobs)

Labor Income

($1,000)

Total Output

($1,000)

Total 22,613 285 18,957 38,060

The top 10 Hawaiia industries with the most employment supported by the operations of marine 

bait and tackle retailers are shown in Table HI_5. Naturally, individuals directly employed by 

retailers that sell bait and tackle made up the largest percentage (61.1%) of total employees 

supported. Following those directly employed by the industry, the highest numbers of jobs 

supported were in wholesale trade (13) and food services and drinking places (9) (Table HI_5). 

Top 10 industries supported primarily by store operational expenses likely include wholesale 

trade, commercial fishing, maintenance and repair of nonresidential structures, and employment 

services. Industries more likely to be supported by employee household spending were likely to 

include food services and drinking places, offices of physicians, private hospitals, and retail 

stores. 

Table HI_ 5. Employment supported by retail stores that sell marine recreational fishing bait and tackle 

in Hawaii: Top 10 Industries. 

Industry S Employment (Jobs)

Retail stores selling bait and tackle 174

Wholesale trade businesses 13

Food services and drinking places 9

Maintenance and repair construction of nonresidential structures 5

Offices of physicians, dentists, and other health practitioners 4

US Postal Service 4

Private household operations 3

Private hospitals 3

Real estate establishments 3

Retail Stores - Food and beverage 3
108 

Table HI_6 provides a summary of total output and employment impacts by industry type. After 

marine bait and tackle retailers, the broader industry types most supported by sales of saltwater 

bait and tackle were the service sector ($8.3 million in total sales, 64 jobs); retail and wholesale 

trade ($3.2 million in total sales, 26 jobs); and transportation, communications, and public 

utilities ($1.2 million in total sales, 5 jobs).

Table HI_ 6. Employment and total output supported by the sale of marine recreational bait and tackle

in Hawaii by industry type. 

Bait and Tackle

Industry Type

Employment

(Jobs)

Total Output

($1,000)

Total 285 38,060

 Marine bait and tackle retailers 174 22,613

 Agriculture 3 129

 Mining 0 16

 Construction 5 960

 Manufacturing 2 782

 Transportation, communications,

 and public utilities 5 1,246

 Retail and wholesale trade 26 3,174

 Services 64 8,345

 Government 6 797

Recreational Fisheries Supporting Bait and Tackle Sales in Hawaii

Store owners were asked to identify the three saltwater fisheries they believed generated the 

greatest sales of bait, tackle, and related equipment for their business in 2013. In Hawaii, 

offshore fisheries for pelagics (tuna, mahi, ono, billfish) were indicated to be a top generator of 

sales by a majority (63.6%) of store owners (Table HI_7). Store owners indicated that fisheries 

for bonefish and jacks (54.5%) and spearfishing (36.4%) were also major generators of sales.

Table HI_ 7. Saltwater recreational fisheries that generated the greatest sales of bait and tackle for 

retail stores in Hawaii as identified by store owners and/or managers. Percentages exceed 

100% as respondents were asked to select the top three fisheries.

Fishery N %

Offshore trolling (tuna, mahi, ono, billfish) 7 63.6

Casting (bonefish, jacks) 6 54.5

Spearfishing 4 36.4

Reef trolling (papio, barracuda, etc.) 2 18.2

Shallow bottom fishing (moana, ulua, weke-ula) 2 18.2

Tuna hand-lining 1 9.1

Deep bottom fishing (opakapaka, onaga, etc.) 0 0.0

Kona crabbing 0 0.0

Other 2 18.2
109 

Factors Affecting Bait and Tackle Sales in Hawaii

Store owners were presented with a list of 10 factors, and asked for their opinion on whether 

those factors had a positive or negative effect on their sales of recreational fishing bait and tackle 

in 2013 (Table HI_8). A majority of Hawaiia store owners indicated that other government 

regulations (54.6%) and changes in operating costs (50.0%) had negative effects on their sales of 

bait and tackle in 2013. Over 40 percent indicated that marine protected areas (45.5%), and the 

weather (45.5%) also had negative effects on their sales of bait and tackle in 2013. 

Table HI_ 8. Retail store owner opinions on how outside factors affected their sales of recreational 

fishing bait and tackle in 2013. 

Respondent Rating (%)

Factor Negative Positive Neutral/Don’t Know

Fisheries regulations 36.4 9.1 54.6

Fishery seasonal closures 20.0 10.0 70.0

Marine protected areas 45.5 9.1 45.5

Other government regulations 54.6 0.0 45.5

Status of the economy 36.4 45.5 18.2

Changes in fishing participation 27.3 36.4 36.4

Changes in fish stock status 27.3 18.2 54.6

Changes in operating costs 50.0 10.0 40.0

Internet sales of bait & tackle 72.7 0.0 27.3

Weather 45.5 18.2 36.4
110 

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