So what is it that makes a good tackle shop? Is it quanity, price..what makes a good shop good and a great shop better?
Off the top of my head, a good shop:
*carries the products that are the best value and doesn't bother with the flashy stuff that doesn't work
*isn't so cluttered you can't find what you want
*doesn't exclude (IE fly shops that are so elitist they won't take time to talk to someone who wants to fish lures or bait in a pond)
*has employees who use the equipment they sell and can honestly explain the benefits and weaknesses
*has prices competitive with the big box stores
*stands behind the products they sell, they handle warranty claims, no 30 day limits
*is close to home
*has convenient hours
*offers free workshops and demos, may offer loaner or free rental gear
*will special order upon request without price gouging
This list isn't exclusive to tackle shops, it could be a bike shop, a camera store, auto parts, pet shop, or any store that caters to a specific hobby. I find that the Portland metro area has an unusually high concentration of what I consider to be good or great stores, I just haven't found that great tackle shop yet. I would give fisherman's marine a good rating, the only fault I find is that they tend to cater to a higher end customer.