The Death Of The Small Tackle Shop

[Mobasser]

When I first started bass fishing, I bought all my stuff at a small tackle shop called Clock Bait Shop.                               A husband and wife owned this shop, and had run it since the mid 1960s. They were both good at fishing. I used to love this shop.                      It was in an old house, and they had converted the front two rooms into the tackle shop. In the winter months, I'd stop in and have a cup of coffee. There was always at least one guy in there talking fishing.                          They carried Fenwick, All Star, and Diawa rods. Reels were ABU, Shimano, and Diawa. If you were looking at a new rod, they would say come back and bring your reel. He'd rig up your reel and let you take it out in a lot next door, to cast and see if you really liked it. He sold scores of rods and reels this way. They also did rod and reel repair, and usually had some nice used rods and reels for sale, at very good prices.                                Eventually Carl, the owner passed away, and his wife ran it for a couple of years, before she retired. Now, the building is gone. It's a vacant lot, and the house is no longer there.                                 There's only one shop about an hr drive from my house, but it's nothing like Clock Bait Shop.                                These days, ordering on line seems to dominate tackle sales. I really wish we had a good small tackle shop near home, and if you've got one in your area, I'd say your lucky.                               Do you have a shop like this near you?                                      There's not many around anymore.                            

[MN Fisher]

When I moved into my place back in '86, there were 5 'mom&pop' tackle shops in the general area.

 

Re-zoning, taxation changes and such have closed all but one.

 

That one now is scheduled for removal as the city it's in wants to raze the strip-mall it's a part of and put an auto dealership in there....and that short (1 mile) stretch of road already has 3 auto dealerships.

[LrgmouthShad]

I was really impressed by a trip to Fitz Tackle near Lake of the Ozarks.

 

Aberdeen Bait and Tackle in NC is UNMATCHED. They rival TW for amount of my money spent.

[Cbump]

Tackle Depot, Weatherford, TX

[roadwarrior]

My favorite:

https://www.yelp.com/biz/grays-tackle-shop-sheffield

[TnRiver46]

I still have 2-3 I visit 

[NavyToad]

A good small tackle shop is an endangered species nowadays. Dashiell’s was an incredible shop near me who’d been in business since the ‘60s. The owner decided it was time to retire and sold it to a knucklehead who ran it into the ground in 3 years. His son impregnated the cashier and the owner just didn’t maintain the stock. Bass Pro is only 30 miles from me, but I’ve only been there 3 times in 20 years. The novelty of Bass Pro wore off real quick.

I miss being able to drive 5 miles to replace a lure a being right back on the water.

 

 

 

 

[TOXIC]

The internet is what killed the mom n’ pop stores.  We’ve become lazy and in our quest to avoid people, time, driving, and overall selection, we order online and it magically shows up at our door.  The seminars and demonstrations I used to give when I was pro staff for Bass Pro Shops, we’re packed any weekend I was there, then they dropped off to the point I only did special sales, then they dropped off to only the spring and fall classic events.  They used to bring in the big names and even though they still do to a lesser extent, the attendance has dropped off.  I had a good friend who owned a small tackle shop that was near a Bass Pro and he made a good living carrying baits that BPS didn’t and his knowledge of the local waters and what worked.  Sadly he passed away and the shop was sold but I do think it’s still in business.  

[FrnkNsteen]

I have 2-3 pretty good bait shops reasonably close to where I live. I MUCH prefer to go buy things from them and couldnt tell you the last time I ordered anything from Bass Pro or the other big brand stores. The issue I have with them is either they have expanded their own name products so much they don't carry much else, or they take so long to ship that it kills the impulse to purchase due to knowing I won't get it for 2-3 weeks.

 

That said,.. I do occasionally stop by the local Academy if I head that way, but they have reduced their rod & reel options so much I typically just look for clearance deals.

 

My favorite local shop is Honey Creek Tackle in Indiana south of Indianapolis. They have a nice mix of name brand baits and lures, plus a mix of their bulk plastics. Also have a nice variety of rods abd stock most models of Daiwa, Lews and Shimano reels. They are also a boat dealer and have a hunting sectuon so I can cover a lot of bases.

 

 

[Captain Phil]

We have a local bait shop in Eustis called Owens that is right out of the sixties.  I love visiting the place.  The owner is an outboard repairman, which I am sure helps him with cash flow.  The walls are covered with worm bags and lures. There is so much stuff they have moving display racks to hold it all.  They sell live native shiners, minnows, grass shrimp, worms and crickets. They sell a lot of salt water tackle as well.   If they don't have it, they can get it for you.  Down in Orlando, Bitter's Bait and Tackle is worth a visit.  One of the largest Bass Pro Shop stores is in Orlando.  The store is fine if you need a boat, trolling motor, sun glasses or a shirt.  They are always out of the baits I want, so I don't go unless it's for something special. 

[Darth-Baiter]

i still see them.  i'll buy stuff from them when i can.

 

but yea.  i dont see it lasting that long.  

[WRB]

We still have a few smaller mon & pop tackle shops within 40 minute drive, the local shop J & T Tackle the son ran into the ground. Closest to me now is Fish ‘N Fools about 20 minute drive that carries bass tackle.

I like to patronize the small shops so they stay in business and have someone to chat with occasionally. You are going to pay a little more but can also touch, feel and look at what your buying, plus keep up with what’s working where.

The days of the small independent tackle shops are numbered, so enjoy them while you can.

Tom

 

[jbmaine]

I'm just a few minutes from the KTP. There's also a fly fishing shop and a mom and pop bait and tackle shop within a half an hour.

[Chris186]

I wish there was still a small shop near me with a good selection. I think there are a couple of saltwater shops, but no real freshwater places. Bass pro for me is about a 40 minute ride, and every time I go there they have nothing I want. Every.Single.Time. I do like going for the trip though, even if the inventory is underwhelming.

[Deleted account]

There will always be an opportunity for small niche shops, but most are/will be based around famous or very good fishing, long gone are the days of small local shops in most neighborhoods, but that's true of a lot of businesses. There is just no way to compete with the volume, reduced overhead, and market share vs profit mentality of internet sellers. 

[thomas15]

I grew up on the Jersey Shore, lots and lots and lots of fishing opportunities both fresh and salt water mostly salt water. As a kid growing up in Belmar we had 4 or 5 tackle shops that we could ride our bikes to but in general at that age we just bought the basics and that was it.

 

As an adult we lived further south in Tuckerton, NJ, same thing lots of fresh and salt water opportunities. Tuckerton (Little Egg Harbor Twp) is actually a destination for spring/fall marine stripped bass. There was a bait and tackle shop there, Scott's Bait and Tackle that had a huge selection, always something for even those on a budget, fantastic advice on where, how and what no matter how clueless you were they would patiently draw you a map of where you should start, what you should do. They had quite a bit of black powder supplies also. Everything was just crammed into this small building.

 

We left NJ in 2004 and since then the owners have retired and the business closed. It was the place to buy supplies and get advice and literally their advice was sought out by everyone, from those pounding the banks to those with 85' twin screw offshore rigs. Very sad this place is no more.

 

Side note, the actual building that housed Scott's is now an authorized Penn Reel parts/repair company if you have a Penn reel and need a part that is where you get it but no tackle. They have parts for my 60 year old Penn Long Beach 65.

[SC53]

Bitters is about the only one left in central Florida proper ( they are actually in Longwood). John’s tackle selection there rivals any of the big stores. And he carries  all the name brand stuff plus a huge selection of his brand of plastics. 
 

[Mobasser]

I can get to Bass Pro Shops in about 1hr from my house, but it's a bummer. Very few folks that work there know much about fishing, and the selection is poor.

We also had a great one not far away about 10 yrs ago. They've slowly shrunk down they're fishing section, and replaced it with clothing and shoes- boots. Now they cater to a younger crowd. This must be where the money is for them.

[Spankey]

I’m fortunate enough to have two shops close enough to me that I can buy quality rods and reels from. Two things I don’t like to buy sight unseen. But not to say I never did, but don’t like to. 
 

Their selection of bass lure has a lot to be desired. But I realize they can’t satisfy everyone so there are ways around that. For trout season baits and live bait guys they sort of have it all covered. And catfish guys. 
 

I can get to these shops in 1/2 hr. Drive. 
 

As a kid and a young guy there were mom and pop shops and hardware stores that I thought had great selections. Loved to be taken there. They started dying out soon after I started driving in ‘76-‘77. My bases were covered for many years by a great shop I found outside of Allentown. Found some great trout fishing up in that area so it went hand in hand. He closed up and got scared when Cabela’s moved in. 
 

If I feel like taking a road trip to BPS or Cabela’s I can but that’s not very often. There DICK’S and Wally World in the area but generally don’t have much. I hear some of you guys have DICK’S and Wally’s with great selections. 

5 minutes ago, Mobasser said:

I can get to Bass Pro Shops in about 1hr from my house, but it's a bummer. Very few folks that work there know much about fishing, and the selection is poor.

We also had a great one not far away about 10 yrs ago. They've slowly shrunk down they're fishing section, and replaced it with clothing and shoes- boots. Now they cater to a younger crowd. This must be where the money is for them.

That’s the truth. I wish BPS all the luck in the world. But my desire with them fell off when a lot or too many house brand items seemed to over run things. There was a time they were full line dealers for most manufacturers like Bill Lewis, Storm, Berkley and many others. I’m not into their (BPS) baits. 

[MN Fisher]

Just now, Mobasser said:

I can get to Bass Pro Shops in about 1hr from my house, but it's a bummer. Very few folks that work there know much about fishing, and the selection is poor.

I'm lucky that way

 

Within 30 minutes of my place I've got Scheels, Fleet Farm, Omnia (for pickups), and Cabin Fever Sporting Goods...also if absolutely have to there's a DSG that still has a decent fishing selection.

 

Within an hour - Cabelas, Sportsman Warehouse, Thorne Bros., Joes, and Capra.

There's also a number of smaller shops in that 1-hour range...mainly bait, but they do carry tackle as well.

[Mobasser]

Just now, MN Fisher said:

I'm lucky that way

 

Within 30 minutes of my place I've got Scheels, Fleet Farm, Omnia (for pickups), and Cabin Fever Sporting Goods...also if absolutely have to there's a DSG that still has a decent fishing selection.

 

Within an hour - Cabelas, Sportsman Warehouse, Thorne Bros., Joes, and Capra.

There's also a number of smaller shops in that 1-hour range...mainly bait, but they do carry tackle as well.

I forgot about Academy, a two year old store about 25 min away. Good sales on stuff there.

[Spankey]

1 minute ago, MN Fisher said:

I'm lucky that way

 

Within 30 minutes of my place I've got Scheels, Fleet Farm, Omnia (for pickups), and Cabin Fever Sporting Goods...also if absolutely have to there's a DSG that still has a decent fishing selection.

 

Within an hour - Cabelas, Sportsman Warehouse, Thorne Bros., Joes, and Capra.

There's also a number of smaller shops in that 1-hour range...mainly bait, but they do carry tackle as well.

I live in the wrong part of the country. Should have moved away years ago. 

[gim]

The problem with some of these "mom and pop" tackle stores here is that the majority of their business is directly tied to the sale of live bait.  I rarely use live bait other than maybe a crappie trip or two in the spring with small minnows.  Live bait caters to walleye anglers here, not bass anglers.  They make more money in the winter when almost everyone uses some sort of live bait.

 

As @MN Fisher stated we have an abundance of in-person retailers within about 30 minutes.  Scheels, Cabela's, Dicks, Thorne Brothers, Fleet Farm, Omnia...I personally think Cabela's has the best selection of fishing tackle though.

[MN Fisher]

3 minutes ago, gimruis said:

I personally think Cabela's has the best selection of fishing tackle though.

I think between Scheels and Fleet Farm, I get everything I need - haven't seen a need to hit Cabelas in years.

[NorthernBasser]

I have a smaller ma and pa tackle shop near me that has an amazing selection of baits. Even better than the closest BPS/Cabela's IMO.

 

The only issue is they over-charge so much that It's hard for me to justify shopping there as much as I'd like to. I'm ok paying a little more to help a local shop. But when you're charging $8 for a pack of Rage Bugs (that retail for $6) when I can get them on sale for $5 online...it's tough.