As the name implies, Tacklemeet is a swap meet for anglers,
yet its unique approach takes things to another level.
By Derrek Stewart 3/15/25
Brain Nugyen
provides the audience with his keen insight into the fundamentals of casting and
fighting fish.
Expert Speaker
Typically, seminar speakers are not found at a swap meet.
However, Tacklemeet had one of the best speakers in the Southern California
Saltwater Fishing Scene, Brain Nguyen. Nguyen's speaking engagement is what
attracted me to the event. Nugyen didn't disappoint, as he gave a spectacular,
thought-provoking, and highly educational interactive workshop. Anyone in
attendance, experienced or novice, undoubtedly learned and left the event
feeling more informed and enlightened.
After Nugyen's captivating workshop, I set out to walk the
aisles, and I found buzzing engagement booth after booth.
Old Friends
I crossed paths with some old friends, an unexpected pleasure.
I was delightfully surprised to encounter the best Deck Boss
ever. It's been a joy to share time on the water with the incredible Joshua Mogo. Our
adventures with Big Bass Dreams Charters have always been a source of great
fun, and Joshua's expertise has never failed to impress. It’s always a pleasure
to see you, my friend.
Meet Dustin Everett, a man with a heart of gold. I first met
Dustin at the LA Fishing Alliance Fishing Festival in San Pedro. In addition to
his successful clothing company, Dustin is a generous supporter of our Nation’s
Veterans, donating a significant portion of his proceeds and sponsoring Vet fishing trips. His contributions have made a significant impact, and his story
as a retired Marine is truly honorable and worthy of a separate piece. Stay
tuned for more about this remarkable individual. Check out Dustin on Instagram
- https://www.instagram.com/dwcc_usa/
At the 2024 Pacific Coast Sportfishing Show in Costa Mesa, I
met Captain Connor Doyle, who introduced me to his versatile line of jigging
baits. Here at Tacklemeet, Reaper Slow Pitch and crew offer their finely
crafted jigs, ranging from micro sizes to 400-gram deep water jigs, catering to a
wide range of fishing needs. The Reaper product line also includes clothing, superior
assist hooks, and a perfect micro jig case. From California’s Spotted Bay Bass to Hefty Rockfish and countless other species in all depths, Reaper understands
and meets your jigging needs.
Of course, I found plenty of opportunities to meet new
people and discover their passion for fishing and the craft they pursue.
Micro Trend
Fish Thug Baits
Fish Thug Baits features a diverse line of micro tubes,
minnow baits, and creature baits.
Sold in specialized kits or in individual bait packs, Fish
Thug offers a wide color option.
You’re mistaken if you think these products are only for
trout and smaller panfish. View all of Steve's lures at - https://www.fishthugbaits.com/
Cali Spoons, Cali Crank, Cali Glide
Sam Dunson of Cali Spoons, Cali Crank, and Cali Glides.
The Cali Spoons are 2.5”, the boxed Cali Cranks bodies are
approximately 1.75”, and the single crankbait in the classic trout-catching
Fire Tiger pattern body is 2.5”. All these lures come dressed with single hooks
instead of treble hooks, a feature I prefer.
Developed with trout in mind, these well-crafted,
exquisitely painted lures will certainly appeal to a wide range of fish species,
fresh and saltwater. https://www.instagram.com/calicrankbaits/
E.T.’s Custom Baits
E.T.’s Customs is hand pouring micro baits, with a focus on
versatility. While trout are on the target list, the prime target, surprisingly
to some, is Largemouth Bass. E.T.'s lineup includes soft plastic minnows, mini
swimbaits, mini craws, crickets, sea monkeys, and tadpoles.
What's exciting is that every lure manufacturer I’ve
discovered here at Tacklemeet has multiple species crossover applications. It’s
the same for E.T.’s Customs, making their product a versatile choice for any
angler. https://www.instagram.com/ets_custombaits/
Salt and Freshwater Crossover Lures
The Fishing Players
Targeting freshwater and saltwater species, The Fishing
Players have cleverly developed a diverse line of hard and soft lures. These
lures feature unique adaptations of traditional designs, sparking curiosity and
intrigue among fishing enthusiasts.
A boardwalk beach cruiser with a fishing rod rack! How cool is that?
Bullet Spoons
From Trout to Spotted Bay Bass, Sal’s Bullet Jigs have the
right stuff. All you need to do is look at these lures and there is no doubt
you have success at your fingertips.
Grant Beck’s Waterman's Collective is a community of several
affiliated companies, all sharing a passion for fishing and dedicated to
providing a diverse range of fishing products and services. They offer tackle,
baits, clothing, custom rods, and fishing charters. Among the available company
offerings are Waterman's Collective clothing, Fishead hard baits, Island
Plastics, Dahlin soft plastic baits and accessories, Artimis Charters, Loss
Prevention Lures, and accessories. These are not just products, but collaborations
designed by anglers specifically for fellow anglers, fostering a sense of
community and shared passion.
One of my personal favorites within the collective is Jesse
Bedford's company, Loss Prevention Lures. I love the company name! LPL offers a
robust product line that caters to both saltwater and freshwater fishing.
You can experience Jesse's expert craftsmanship firsthand at
Tacklemeet events. If a particular color or size is not available, Jesse is
always ready to create it for you on the spot, adding a personal touch to your
fishing experience.
The quality and fish-catching attributes of these lures are
not just noticeable, they are confidence-inspiring. With Kelp Bass in mind,
there are a few LPL baits that I must pick up, knowing they will deliver
results. https://watermanscollective.com/blogs/news/loss-prevention-lures
One of the most unexpected and delightful discoveries was
Rayn Candelaria and the SlayDay operation. Serving Los Angeles, Orange, and San
Diego Counties, SlayDay offers 21-and 23-foot, bow to outboard, center console aluminum rental
boats. If you want to get out there and fish, SlayDay
can make that happen.The list of amenities and options is impressive. Visit their website to
learn more - https://slaydaysocal.com/.
Swap meets, or in this case, Tacklemeet would indeed have
recycled fishing tackle for sale. This event had plenty of pre-owned gear at
bargain prices, waiting to be discovered by anglers searching for their
following catch. However, as you can see, a TackleMeet event is much more than
just a tackle swap meet.
Regardless of where they fall on the spectrum, the
individuals I met were shining examples of our fishing community. It was a
delight to connect with both familiar faces and new acquaintances, engaging in
conversations that revealed their shared dedication to crafting tools that
enhance the angling experience. This strong sense of community at TackleMeet
ensures that everyone, regardless of their background or experience, feels
welcomed and part of a larger, unified group.
What started as a traditional swap meet has evolved into TackleMeet, an outdoor expo that caters to every member of the fishing
community. Whether you're a grassroots start-up or a well-established industry
brand, TackleMeet provides an intimate setting where tackle companies can meet
their customers. Just as importantly, it's a place where customers can spend
quality time with the upper-echelon company representatives who design the
products and services they use, truly understanding their value and
significance.
Steve Heath Jr., Angler and Founder of TackleMeet, photo and graphics courtesy of TackleMeet
