A Chicago startup that sells lures and other fishing equipment has taken off during Covid-19, and it even made an appearance in Orlando as NBA players used the company's fishing gear in the bubble.
Catch Co., a Chicago fishing gear startup that sells a subscription box called Mystery Tackle Box, has been among the handful of businesses that have been uniquely positioned to succeed during the coronavirus pandemic by selling its products to outdoor enthusiasts who are looking for a fun, and socially distanced, way to spend the spring and summer months.
CEO Ross Gordon said the startup's e-commerce sales in March were up 115% year-over-year, and its April sales were up nearly 200%. He attributes the growth to the closure of many brick-and-mortar retail stores during the spring, and the increase in the number of people looking for lures and tackle online.
"Very quick, as retailers started to close, we saw an explosion in our online sales," Gordon said. "Fishing has become very, very popular ... People are home all day. Schedules are more flexible. If you want to go out for an hour in the morning before logging on to your computer, you can."
Indeed, fishing licenses are on the rise in many states. In Minnesota, licenses were up 45% in May compared to the same time last year. In Iowa, they were up almost 69%.
Founded in 2012 as Mystery Tackle Box and rebranded to Catch Co. in 2016, the startup sells its fishing gear though a number of channels: its flagship Mystery Tackle Box subscription service, its e-commerce shop Karl's Bait & Tackle, and at major retailers like Walmart and Dick's Sporting Goods.
Gordon said the company will sell its 5 millionth tackle box this month, and it expects to sell another 2.5 million over the next 12 months.
The startup has an active social media presence with more than 1 million followers across Facebook, Instagram and YouTube, and its team was in contact with several NBA players who used the startup's lures while fishing in Orlando at the NBA bubble in Disney World. Gordon said the startup sent lures to players like Ben Simmons and Paul George, and Simmons was seen with one of Catch Co.'s lures in an Instagram story.
Gordon said Catch Co. has grown to more than 50 employees, and plans to continue expanding by offering more than just fishing lures. The company also produces video content on YouTube and Amazon Prime Video to connect with the next generation of fishers.
"Catch Co. is trying to build an ecosystem for the modern angler," he said.
