 |  Metairie, LA USA Local: 504-324-2268 Email: mlanelist@rodnreel.com  When Dave Davis bought Hi-Ridge Marina last year, it was apparent that the Alabama native and his team of investors had their work cut out. The docks, bulkhead and live bait facilities were falling apart, the parking lot flooded on high tides, and there were only a handful of customers and boats at the hoist.But like most astute businessmen, Davis had a plan. With considerable renovations, top-notch service, and the right marketing vehicle, he felt he could attain some degree of profitability in a couple of years.  Less than four months after the renovations were completed at the Port Sulphur marina, Davis and his crew at Hi-Ridge are serving more customers that they ever dreamed possible. Davis hired the best managers and employees he could find. Then he hired good contractors to make the capital improvements. Finally, he hired Rodnreel.com to get his message across to millions of outdoors enthusiasts."We’re farther ahead than I ever thought we’d be at this point," said Davis, who is also a regional manager with Redd Pest Control. "We’re taking care of the things that needed to take care of. But I think the key has been our advertising with Rodnreel.com."  For less than the cost that most spend on a single fishing trip - $85 a month, Davis had a custom-designed, multi-paged website put together, complete with numerous color photos and professionally written text on Hi-Ridge Marina. Louisiana’s most-visited outdoors website gives readers with valuable information on his operation – the facilities, services, overnight accommodations, testimonials, area-specific fishing reports, even directions to the marina."It’s a powerful medium," Davis said. "No, there weren’t many boats launching when we first took over Hi-Ridge. Last Saturday, we stopped counting at 125." Like others, Davis has been especially impressed with the far-reaching potential of Rodnreel.com. He has been bringing in new clients from nearby, and from across the Gulf States. Between his website and posting regular fishing reports on the Port Sulphur area, Davis finds box filled with e-mail inquiries every day.  "Every day I try to post reports and answer e-mails," he said. "It works. People ask about the fishing, the conditions and the overnight accommodations. They’re from as close as Buras, and as far away as Alabama and Florida. I’m meeting probably 25 new customers a week."Rodnreel.com has allowed Davis’ business to reach a much larger, more targeted audience. He claims that after advertising in one regional fishing and hunting magazine for several months, he discontinued the ad after getting much better results with Rodnreel.com. The ads are less expensive, and the site has the potential to reach more of the people he needs to get his message to – avid fishermen and hunters. "There’s an incredible amount of content on Rodnreel.com," Davis said. "I can post reports, and read reports of how people are doing in other areas. Then, I can pass that information along to my customers." From his computer, Davis can access live Doppler radar and satellite imagery, or check the ranges and precise times of tides. He can also use moon phases, feeding periods and weather forecasts to his advantage. From the reports section he’ll note seasonal migration patterns, successful baits and techniques. Rodnreel.com empowers its patrons with other valuable information such as coastal and offshore wind and wave conditions. Readers can also find out the top guides across the state, as well as listings of marinas, tackle stores, marine dealers and other businesses related to the recreational fishing industry. "There’s just so much information," Davis said. "It’s like one-stop shopping." However, with the increased business, Davis has had some problems. "Some of the guys who’ve fished here for years say they don’t like it at all," he said, smiling. "They’ve never had to wait in line before. So we’re having to add another hoist and expand our facilities." What a difference a few months, and Rodnreel.com has made for Hi-Ridge Marina. Click here for more information on Hi-Ridge Marina. [Success] [Al Walker] [Bobby Bryan] [Brandon Carter] [Brian Epstein] [Condeauxs] [Damon McKnight] [Dan Dix] [Erik Rue] [Frank Moore] [Gary Bonnano] [Herman Solar] [HI-RIDGE MARINA] [Jody Donewar] [Kevin Hunter] [Peace Marvel] [Redbone] [Shadow Grass] [Steve Himel] [Theophile Bourgeois] For advertising information click here. | Email LA Fishing & Hunting Our high speed connection to the Internet is provided by Broadband IP All content on this site Copyright 1995-2009 Rigs, Reefs & Wrecks Inc. |