Avalon Hodge Podge Celebrates 20th Anniversary

AVALON – It’s flounder season and the local fisherman are flocking to Avalon Hodge Podge—not only for bait and other fishing supplies but for the “inside scoop.” Owners Tammie and Dave Carbohn keep tabs on fishing conditions, book customers on local charters, and report on the biggest catches—and that’s just the start of what Avalon Hodge Podge offers its clientele. The business, which celebrates its 20th anniversary this year, caters to the casual fisherman as well as the serious angler, and the Carbohns are ready to share their wealth of knowledge at a moment’s notice.
“We not only provide great service, but local knowledge and a sincere willingness to help even the first time angler, not just the seasoned ones,” said Tammie. “A father or mother will come in and say, ‘My kid wants to fish or crab and I know nothing about it.’ So we set them up with everything they need, but more importantly nothing that they don’t. We’ll explain how it works and where to go. Then they come back with a smile and a thanks. We make them heroes to their kids.”
It’s a tried-and-true formula that has established Avalon Hodge Podge as a beloved destination for two decades now. This year, as the Carbohns mark 20 years in business, they coincidentally are celebrating the 30th anniversary of their marriage.
The couple met in high school back in Bensalem, Pa. They spent their weekends fishing, a favorite tradition introduced to Dave by his father when he would spend summers in Cape May. Dave shared his love of fishing with Tammie, and when he saw the ad for the bait and tackle shop in one of his fishing magazines, he proposed a move from Montgomery County, Pa., where they were living, to Avalon. Tammie agreed to take the plunge.
“It was half the size it is today,” explained Tammie. “The former owner Hal Sprang named it Avalon Hodge Podge because it carried a little bit of everything: groceries, house wares, silverware, plates, glasses as well as a little fishing and tackle.”
Slowly, the Carbohns transitioned Avalon Hodge Podge to its current focus on bait, tackle and marine supplies—“everything you need to catch fish at the Jersey shore except the gas,” according to the business tagline. In 2002, they gave the business a facelift, replacing the ’70s paneling with a modern alternative. In 2008, when their friend and colleague Chuck Roseman retired and closed Roseman’s Marine in Stone Harbor, they took over his inventory—and doubled their size.
“We now offer over 6,000 items for fishing, crabbing and boating,” said Dave. “We offer every bait a New Jersey fisherman could want from inshore fluke to offshore tuna. We are also a one-stop shop for all your boating needs, from bottom paint to spark plugs, and we offer all New Jersey licenses. It’s your one-stop shop for marine supplies, fishing bait and tackle, rod and reel repairs, fishing charters, crabbing supplies, inflatables for fun in the water and so much more.
The inflatables include private islands, chill lounges and party floats that seat a small group. There are also floats with trampolines, and fun themed varieties such as a giant pizza pie.
“We try to stay on top of what’s hot this year so our customers have all of the latest offerings,” said Tammie.
Avalon Hodge Podge’s year-round customer base is primarily from Avalon, Stone Harbor and Sea Isle, as well as the surrounding shore areas such as Cape May Court House. However, summer clientele come from all over the country and even from some European countries. Avalon Hodge Podge also takes online orders and has shipped all over, including Alaska and Hawaii.
Locally, they’ve partnered with many local captains and will book their charters, matching anglers with the best ones to accommodate their needs. While they don’t personally organize tournaments, they do sponsor the Meat Fish Tournament run by local angler Kevin Dougherty. Avalon Hodge Podge is the official weigh station and donates prizes to the winners.
Avalon Hodge Podge has always maintained a loyal customer base because of their exceptional service. As the source for all things fishing, they often accommodate customers’ needs, such as boat slip rentals. “We try to match boat slips for rent with people looking for rentals,” said Tammie. “We have a sheet where we keep track of local slips. If a customer has a slip they want to rent out, and someone comes in, we can introduce them to each other.”
The business uses Facebook, Instagram, Twitter to keep their customers informed of fish weigh-ins, special events, sales and hours of operation. In honor of the business’ 20th anniversary, there will be specials running all year long.
Avalon Hodge Podge is located at 2389 Ocean Dr., Avalon. For more information, call (609) 967-3274 or visit www.avalonhp.com.