Now the 24 Hour Bait Shops can go green. Over the past several years many customers have been requesting a Green Compostable Bait cup. We now offer the EarthSmart line of bait cups. Packed in boxes of 1000 cups & 1000 lids or for the smaller retailers we carry them in one box which includes 200 cups and lids. We have them in 8, 12 & 16 oz. cups.
These work great in our 24 Hour Bait Shops for night crawlers, meal & wax worms, & crayfish.
EarthSmart™ is an innovative sustainable packaging company at the cutting edge of environmentally friendly product design. They offer a wide range of disposable tableware and take-out containers as well as custom-designed solutions to meet specific needs. Their products are made from 100% pure sugarcane Bagasse, a residual by-product of sugar production, and and offer a clean, sustainable, renewable option to petroleum-based products.
EarthSmart™ is dedicated to developing and providing environmentally-friendly products and sustainable packaging solutions to all facets of the foodservice industry. They are constantly researching new, innovative materials and processes to create earth-friendly products. It is their goal to help alleviate our collective dependence on foreign oil, slow our nation’s deforestation and aid in solutions to the growing problem of landfill proliferation.
Problem found 07/02/10
07/02/10
We are sorry but we just found out that our contact page was not working properly. Please click on the Request Information Here, and our contact Info Form will come up. We are very sorry for the problem with our site.
June 18th 2010
06/18/10
Great news for Southern Pennsylvania! Kurtz’s Fish Hatchery in Elverson Pa will be opening Pay to Fish at their hatchery. This will start on the weekend of June 25th, 26th & the 27th. No fishing license required. Take your kids fishing and have them catch fish. For more info call: 610-286-9250
Kurtz’s pay to Fish click here for more info
Baiting Anglers
TWO MEN PURSUE THEIR LOVE OF THE LIVE BAIT BUSINESS
By BRIAN McCULLOUGH, Staff Writer
Photo by Amy Dragoo
WEST NANTMEAL — Gary Harsel and Matthew Kurtz are moving to new fishing holes — larger ones for each.
Harsel, one-time owner of his own live tackle shop in Birdsboro, has spent the last decade developing and operating a unique vending business.
Called PA Live Bait Vending, Harsel developed a territory for live bait vending machines in Chester, Montgomery, Delaware, Berks and parts of Lehigh counties.
Last month, he sold that business to Kurtz, who, along with his parents and wife, run the 100-acre Kurtz Fish Hatchery in Elverson started by his grandfather.
The sale gives both the opportunity to pursue new markets within an industry they love.
“This gives me more time for my passion, research and development of these machines,” Harsel said.
“This has been a family passion since I was a little kid,” Kurtz echoed. “With the mom-and-pop bait shops declining, these machines present a great opportunity.”
Kurtz bought 20 machines from Harsel, adding to the four he already operated.
Kurtz had already supplied Harsel with the bait for the machines from the fish farm, which itself is celebrating 50 years in business.
“In essence, I become a customer to the family hatchery,” he noted.
Fueling the optimism for the new arrangement is the improved technology in the machines.
The original machines Harsel stocked could vend six types of bait. Several years ago, he developed the Liberty 24 Hour Bait Shop that can hold 24 varieties that is now sold across the U.S. and is moving toward worldwide distribution.
“We have plans for a second model (called the Atlantic) due out in late spring or early summer for the salt water market,” he said. “I’ve gotten inquiries from Spain, the Czech Republic and two from Australia.”
Locally, the company’s machines are in West Chester, Coatesville, Downingtown, Honey Brook, Pottstown and Boothwyn.
They are located at car washes, archery shops, hardware stores, convenience stores and bait shops.
The one in Boothwyn is in front of a Wal-Mart.
“We need these in our area because the bait and tackle shops are closing up,” Harsel said.
Nationally, the machines can be found as far away as Albuquerque, N.M., and Salt Lake City, Utah.
“I’m into sales,” Harsel said. “When you make your money on a product you know is reliable, it’s a pleasure.”
The improved reliability was a big reason Kurtz was comfortable expanding his presence in the live bait vending arena.
“They’ve come a long way,” he said. “There’s no kicking the machines. You can see exactly what you’re buying.
”The machines keep the bait at a constant 45-degree temperature, optimum for the wide variety of baits involved, Kurtz said. During heavy fishing season, the machines are stocked every week. During the slower months, they are serviced once every two weeks or so Harsel, and now Kurtz, pay the owners of the businesses where the machines are located to have them there and/or a commission for the product sold.“They need to be in a high-traffic area or it doesn’t work,” Harsel said.
They further benefit retailers by attracting anglers to their stores for coffee, drinks and food, the machine operators said.Kurtz said a second market seems to be opening up for the machines: pet food vending.
Residents appear to be buying the bait for their lizards, geckos and turtles.
“I’ve been amazed at how busy they’ve been during this time — and apparently that’s what’s been going on,” Kurtz said.
Welcome Burr Oak Outfitters
Pa Live Bait Vending would like to welcome Maggi Gifford of Burr Oak Outfiffers of Glouster Ohio. Burr Oak Outfitters is located on scenic State Route 78, which is known as “The Rim of the World” for its breathtaking views. Camping, fishing, boating and hiking are just minutes away at Burr Oak State Park. If you are ever in the area please stop by and pay them a visit. They are one of the many new operators of our Liberty 24 Hour Bait Shop,getting started this spring. We wish her the best and we will give her all the support she needs in operating her new machine. You can visit them at www.burroakoutfitters.com.