Christmas came early for us here! We get to add another business to our ever growing page! Please give a warm welcome to Doc's Custom Tackle with owner Dave Fuentes.
Dave's entrepreneurial spark ignited when he couldn't find jigs in the right size while fishing on the Detroit River. When he did stumble upon the right size, the quality was so lackluster that he thought, "I can definitely out-jig this!" His biggest hurdle as a small business owner? Getting noticed in the right circles. The jig market is as crowded as a fish fry, but once folks get a glimpse of the craftsmanship behind each jig, they'll know who's the real catch. For supplies, he credits KB Tackle for hooks and a local junk yard for lead. Very resourceful!
Dave's been casting lines since he could walk, often with friends in tow to make the adventure even more entertaining. While his neighbors are all about the walleye, Dave's heart—and dinner plate—belongs to the northern pike. So, how does he reel in those elusive walleye? Jigs and split tails are his secret weapons. His most unforgettable catch? A whopping 42.5-inch northern pike, which also inspired his logo. Talk about a fish tale with a twist! Oh, and don't forget that he is a full time taxidermist specializing in furry four-legged animals.
But that is not all that Mr. Fuentes has under his hat. He is also a board member for a non-profit that takes veterans out for free on hunting and fishing trips. This is something that is personally touching to me, as my grandfather and numerous uncles served in the United States Military.
What is his advice for the new angler? "Learn 1 species first, even if it's panfish; then expand from there!" That is sound advice!
Stop and check out his Facebook page! He is posting some amazing things that you won't want to miss!