Best Fishing Store You’ve been in

[BigAngus752]

This is a no-brainer and extra unbelievable that it's in Illinois:

 

http://www.mikestackleworld.com/

 

The variety is amazing. Mike passed away several years ago and his wife runs it every day with only a little assistance.  Unfortunately she told me that her kids have no interest in the place and she can't continue for much longer.  Fantastic place and wonderful lady.  

[LrgmouthShad]

3 hours ago, jlew said:

Aberdeen Bait and Tackle- Aberdeen, NC

Yes sir.

 

not even close

[Mat_ski]

Since last thread about ordering online vs buying in person I have been making a point to visit local tackle stores, both new and some I have not visited in a while.

I was actually pleasantly surprised at how much have changed for the better.
The most standout was Anglers International in Palatine, IL. Very large selection of tackle and gear in both high and low end of price range. 

[wobblypops]

On 2/23/2022 at 3:48 PM, Mobasser said:

Mine is no longer here. Frank Fensom Sportsman's Headquarters in Raytown Mo.             Another favourite which is gone was Clock Bait Shop in Gladstone Mo.                                         Rogers Sporting Goods in Liberty Mo. Still good,. but have started carrying more clothing and other stuff the last few years.                                                        I bought my first ABU 4600c at Clock Bait in the latter 1980s. The owner spooled it for me, mounted on my rod and let me cast it behind the store.                    Service like this around my area is gone now. I wish it was still like this now.

 It's Roger's Sporting Goods now, but it'll always be Roger's Lures to me. The old location with concrete floors and homemade baits was the BEST for a kid, could wander the aisles for hours. Back then it was almost all fishing, but now they're a huge Mathews archery and waterfowl dealer too, so tackle has lost some real estate on the floor. 

[Munkin]

I can say the 17 weeks I spent at Ft Leonard Wood in MO was the best for tackle shops. Besides BPS there were like 4 small shops within 45 minutes. 

 

Around here Jakes bait and tackle is the best.  About 2 hours north is SFT which has everything. 

 

Allen 

[Spy]

21 hours ago, wobblypops said:

 It's Roger's Sporting Goods now, but it'll always be Roger's Lures to me. The old location with concrete floors and homemade baits was the BEST for a kid, could wander the aisles for hours. Back then it was almost all fishing, but now they're a huge Mathews archery and waterfowl dealer too, so tackle has lost some real estate on the floor. 

The Archery/Tackle model is what will keep most private outfits afloat with brick and mortar going by the wayside and frankly it's a winning combo on all fronts, local shops serving local sportsmen.A

[collards]

I like the local places that are just jammed pack with all kinds of tackle and good advice. I like the fresh bait as well. There are two good ones within a short drive, but others are just selling bait for the lakes close by and a few popular tackle. Not too far from me is wacky worm in Gilbert, Pa.. It has a wall of plastic that is very good and the talk is great as a bunch of fishermen hang there. The Cabelas at Hamburg PA is hit or miss, but the staff is very nice.

 

[Big Swimbait]

Best local shop is Anglers Pro Tackle in N. Richland Hills, TX. For a big box store, Scheels in The Colony, TX is amazing. 

[collards]

here is a pic From the owners (wackyworm.com)

 

[TNBankFishing]

On 2/23/2022 at 2:45 PM, volzfan59 said:

Bass Pro Shops, Springfield, MO and Kodak, TN stores.

 

Edgemoore Tackle, Claxton, TN

 

Honey Hole, West Monroe, LA

 

Salt water, J & M Tackle, Orange Beach, AL

Edgemoor recently changed ownership but it’s the same great shop. The family running it are awesome. 

[Dogface]

On 3/25/2022 at 4:08 PM, collards said:

here is a pic From the owners (wackyworm.com)

 

 

A good stop especially for plastics. 

[volzfan59]

1 hour ago, TNBankFishing said:

Edgemoor recently changed ownership but it’s the same great shop. The family running it are awesome. 

What happened to the previous owner? He was always very "business like" and not super personable, but I liked him. He carried stuff that no one else had. I can't remember his name?

[TNBankFishing]

51 minutes ago, volzfan59 said:

What happened to the previous owner? He was always very "business like" and not super personable, but I liked him. He carried stuff that no one else had. I can't remember his name?

He was getting up there in age and the younger guy who worked with him took over the shop. He didn’t look it since he didn’t have any grey but there were underlying health issues you could see if you spent enough time in the shop. I was stopping in there almost every week from April 2020 until recently as supply chain issues made buying almost anything difficult. 
 

There was at least one incident with an attempted robbery and other nonsense which I think had something to do with it as well. 
 

They are starting to carry Megabass rods and some higher end reels too. I picked up my Zillion from them, even though I ended up selling it a month later. 

 

[Mbirdsley]

I really liked gander out doors.  Everything up here is so oriented towards walleye and big lake salmon trolling it’s not funny.  They had a huge selection of bass stuff. No other place around here would cary 1-11/2 oz punching jigs.  It really broke my heart when they closed all the stores in Michigan. 
 

I guess northwoods or franks in pinconning. Northwoods is starting to carry more and more of the mid range bass reels and rods $150-250 stuff. 
 

I’ve never been to the KVD ware house in Kalamazoo.  It’s on my bucket list though 

[BrianMDTX]

Oh man. When I was young, I remember three distinct shops in Maryland that were go-to’s. Tochterman’s in Baltimore (owned and operated by the same family since 1916); Johnny’s Bait House in Deep Creek Lake (unfortunately closed in 2003); and Angler’s Sports Center (everyone called it Angler’s 50 as it was basically on Rt. 50) in Annapolis. 
 

Lefty Kreh bought his first fly rod from Tochterman’s in 1948. Staying in business for 106 years is a legacy. Johnny’s was THE place in Western Maryland, and who you called for the daily fishing report. And you knew you were almost at the Bay when you hit Angler’s. 
 

Great thread for nostalgia.