NPAA Member and New Supporting Partner Opens Pro Tackle Shop
Jan 4th, 2011 by OutdoorsFIRST
Modified Jan 4th, 2011 at 12:00 AM
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The Fox River Valley will welcome the newest fishing tackle pro shop this week. Wednesday, Jan. 5, The Reel Shot store at the first exit north of the Highway 41 Bridge (2755 Algoma Blvd Oshkosh, WI 54901) over Lake Butte des Morts will open featuring an atmosphere, staff, products, and services devoted to outdoorsmen with a passion for their specialties.
Owner Brian Keller, a full-time AIM and FLW pro for the past five years, with another decade of team tournament experience, said, “We will carry what’s working for the local hot bite. If an angler wants a certain color or lure, we’ll get it. Our motto is to get fishermen what they need when they need it.” Keller, NPAA member number 797 also became the newest Gold Supporting Partner of the NPAA.
One of the attractions, a 45-foot long 11,000 gallon aquarium stocked with freshwater fish of all kinds, makes The Reel Shot a must stop destination for Sportmen and women and outdoors oriented folks of any age. “We encourage school groups to visit and learn from the fisheries display,” Keller said.
The staff includes Jeff Kunz, General Manager, with 30 years of sporting goods retail experience. Jeff also is a tournament angler.
Marc Drewek is on staff and is a hunting specialist with 30 years of in-the-field time.
Three additional outdoors sports experts with 15 years experience each in their fields. Justin Mundt is the fishing specialist. Travis Manson is the sales and marketing specialist and also will be fishing the BASS Elite series as the first Wisconsin pro ever invited to compete in this prestigious national circuit. Troy Peterson is the promotions coordinator. The Reel Shot fishing pro staff consists of Brian Keller and his father James Keller, Travis Manson and John Schneider.
The fishing departments have been separated into four seasonal sections: walleye, bass, ice fishing/panfish, and Lake Michigan. “We’ll carry what the Big Box stores have, but with a distinct local flavor. And we will continue to stock the right product mix all season long,” he said, “And, we have live bait.”
Keller said after fishing the major pro-am tours, “I knew the current state of affairs regarding sponsorships, and wanted to continue competitive walleye fishing. That, however, required money and I wanted to do something fishing related to make money to do what I love to do. Now, I can technically be sponsored by every brand in the store, and promote what works honestly and also tell people where they can get it.”
Pro anglers fishing for all species will be encouraged to promote their sponsors and products at the store. The store number is 800-260-8446.
“Brian Keller has created a must-see store. With their staff’s passion for the sport, they are definitely set apart from a typical fishing shop. The NPAA is proud to welcome them to our growing family of Supporting Partners,” said Pat Neu, NPAA Executive Director.
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The NPAA is a non-profit organization focused on growing the sport of fishing and increasing the professionalism of its members. Its Supporting Partners include: Northland Fishing Tackle, Navionics, Mercury Marine, Evinrude Outboards, Lund Boats, Ranger Boats, Oahe Wings and Walleyes Guide Service, Outdoor First Media, Advanced Tex Screen Printing, Worldwide Marine Underwriters, ProStaffGear.com, FLW Outdoors, AIM, North American Media Group, Frabill, John Butts Outdoors, Prairie Pillow Sportsman’s Lodge, J.J. Keller Fishing Team, The Reel Shot, U.S. Forest Service, Great Lakes Sea Grant Network, Off-Shore Tackle, Fin-Tech Tackle, Berkley, Liddle Marketing, FPS Financial Planning Services, Do-it Corp., Optima Batteries, Pasha Lake Cabins, National Fleet Graphics, G2 Gemini, and Fish On Kids Books. More NPAA Member, Conference and Association news can be viewed at www.npaa.net.