That is an excellent answer, thanks for posting this USMA65.
Guess the supply chain is even more complicated than I would have envisioned.
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On 3/20/2020 Superdave 336 asked Mitch (PICO) a question on the guest forum. His question was whether all PICO products were made in the USA. This is a question many of us have as we try to wean ourselves away from dependence upon countries which really do not have our best interest at heart (most of the world).
Mitch's answer:
"Hey Dave. Glad you asked!
Unfortunately, no, they are not. Its just the plain truth that we live in a global supply chain, and its really hurting tight now.
For instance.... The pico perch is moulded right here in NW Arkansas. However the plastic resin its made from, comes from Taiwan.
The Hardware they are put together with, comes out of Vermont, from metal stock shipped in from china.
The Hooks, well they are mustad..... Made from German Wire stock, formed in China, and distributed from the Dominican Republic.
Even the packaging is from California, from plastic resin out of Aisia.
We do every bit as much of it here, in the U.S.A. as we can. And will always work toward an effective, efficient way to do more. But this is just the reality of this business in this day and time!
hope that helps... Great question, and glad you asked!"
I appreciate these two men broaching the question at all, much more getting the answer we got. If you are like me you would want to buy all American if possible. Evidently that is just not the reality we live with today. I am a customer of PICO, but have been critical when I opened the last shipment and saw CHINA on the box. I believe we can all understand that reaction in light of what they did concerning the coronovirus. However, as sportsmen we owe those American based companies supplying our needs our support as they wade through this maze. For my part being overly critical of PICO, I apologize. Now if you will just do something about those front hooks on the cranks ;-)
Respectfully submitted,
USMA65
That is an excellent answer, thanks for posting this USMA65.
Guess the supply chain is even more complicated than I would have envisioned.
Sent from my iPhone using Crappie.com Fishing mobile app
Proud Member of Team Geezer!
Yeah, the fact is, everything is made everywhere. Hopefully at least, we get more made here in the future. At least our website is 100% made in America with all American Members, a couple Canadians too, which is cool, aye. And that's because Crappie ain't no where else, Only USA and Canada.
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When talking to sales you seldom get the rest of the story. Mitch had done his homework and gave an honest answer. Very little of the products we use
today are 100 percent American made even though they are advertised as such. Also we seldom get honest answers from sales. Not that they are trying
to deceive us, they just don't know or care. Way to go Pico.
Tell'em I'll be there."G" thanked you for this post
Yes, we live in a complicated and interdependent world. The rapid pace of the pandemic demonstrated our interconnectivity. Changing will not be easy to do. However, as has been said many times on CDC, we need to continue to support the companies and organizations that support us.
I seriously appreciate each and every one you, as well as your patronage over these past couple of years. Its been exciting huh!
If I had a magic wand I would certainly make a bait that the best suitable hooks for would not connect on.
As it stands today, with your support over these few years, we are now at a production level where we can actually ask a hook company to make a hook specifically for our own lure.
This has been going on for several months. I have already personally rejected two sample sets sent to me. Sorry. But if I won't use them, sure ain't gonna ask you to. This will be an ongoing effort, I assure you, and hopefully the 2021 season will have custom hooks made only for Pico cranbaits! How cool would that be! You guys are all part of the process too, so take some pride in that!
As for that supply chain? I would dare say, its more broken than is being reported by a long shot. I deal with it daily. It's a mess, with many variables, one being "just in time delivery" that we all rely on daily. Our country, sadly, over several decades and administrations, has regulated, mitigated, legislated and taxed American business to what we have today.
And as I personally hang my head to pray for our country, I realize that I'm holding a cup of coffee, and looking at the rubber soles on my tennis shoes. Im looking foward to some iced tea later! 3 things we import, that I really don't want to give up........ ever!
Yall have a good memorial weekend, and please remember the lives that we sacrificed to make this country great. And if you find a moment, give a little nod above for my grandson, Who deployed last week.
Thank you vets, for your service
Thank you fishermen, for your business
Thank you crappie.com for the opportunity to bring us all together
Mitch Glenn
And staff
Pico lures
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-We don't need no stinkin' minners!--
www.picolures.comSlab, need2befishin, slowhand, Billbob, SuperDave336, Redge, kycreek, Skippa Chippa, Javelin 180, RMGeorge LIKED above post
Mitch is a good scout
I have spent most my life fishing........the rest I wasted.
PROUD MEMBER OF TEAM GEEZER
PICO Lures Field Rep
Pico LIKED above post
Only problem with Mitch is our conversations take place much too early in the day normally. Recently we were texting at 2:30 AM then got Just Steve into the mix.
If you guys had any idea how much Mitch grieved over having to stop hand-painting all PICO INTs in his shop until all hours of the night. I urged him to look into off-shore to be able to keep up with his competitors who have been off-shore for years. He was selling a custom, hand-painted lure for $5.99 when the bass guys were paying $25 for a hand-painted lure than was nowhere as effective. Give him time to get the hook issue solved and for now keep an eye on your hooks like I have for 40+ years while using every crankbait known to man and some that weren't.
www.crappie-gills-n-more.com
Podunk Ideas Pro Staff /test platform
PICO Lures Field Rep
Excel Boats Pro Staff
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St Croix and G Loomis build great rods in the US. It can be done, if there is a market for them.