Don't Forget Local Tackle and Sport Shops

[Down Deep]

This is the season when most of the equipment and gear are purchased for the upcoming open water season. Please keep the local shops in mind when shopping. Most of them are very competitive on pricing and selection. If there are problems with the equipment you buy you have a local advocate. I'm asking everyone to at least give the Locals a visit or call before pressing the "Submit Order" button. My suggestion is 1. Locally Owned Shop 2. Local Big Box Store 3. Online. Remember it's the local guy that is scooping your minnows at 5:00 am.

Thanks

[thebman]

I have to agree here. We bought a cabin a few years ago in the Battle Lake area. Middle of last summer we discovered Ben's Bait in Battle Lake. We had driven by it many times but finally decided to stop in. We discovered a really great local place and the prices were right in line with the bigger stores. I am in the market for a new panfish rod and reel after a mishap late last season and will wait until I get back up there to make my purchase. Plus they have great bait and have always been really friendly.

[Riverratpete]

Agreed, Hate to see the mom and pop bait shops go away, part of the MInnesota landscape..always try and get bait at the mom and pop shops.

[Tom7227]

Spending an extra $20 right now on a rod or reel and being able to keep a bait shop in business is worth it IMO. Those folks are going to be sitting on their thumbs until open water and they all have to feed themselves and their families.

[tunrevir]

I wholeheartedly agree, great post. Having big box stores nearby is often tempting but the customer service you get at the local baitshop can't be beat. I frequent my local bait shop and buy all of my licenses there, and always try to pick up a new lure or two, a rod here and there besides my bait. Oftentimes I have had the owner place an order for me and order in items that were hard to find or that he currently didn't have in stock and he was more then willing to do this, so if you don't see something you want ask about ordering it in through them.

Tunrevir~

[mainbutter]

So what "local tackle shops" are there in or just north of minneapolis? The only non big-box one I know of is Thorne Bros, and I generally skip them as it's more of a specialty shop with higher end stuff.

[Fowlmouth]

Whenever I'm in the area I'll stop at Mikes bait on 8, good people.

[LegattoAD]

There is also Anoka Bait and Tackle on HWY 10. I forget the cross street though.

[tacklejunkie]

This is the season when most of the equipment and gear are purchased for the upcoming open water season. Please keep the local shops in mind when shopping. Most of them are very competitive on pricing and selection. If there are problems with the equipment you buy you have a local advocate. I'm asking everyone to at least give the Locals a visit or call before pressing the "Submit Order" button. My suggestion is 1. Locally Owned Shop 2. Local Big Box Store 3. Online. Remember it's the local guy that is scooping your minnows at 5:00 am.

Thanks

Agree.

There's something homelike about walking into your local store and they greet you by name

[bullhead master]

I have to agree here. We bought a cabin a few years ago in the Battle Lake area. Middle of last summer we discovered Ben's Bait in Battle Lake.

Love that place my favorite place to go during summer!

[FL SNIPER]

I agree with Mike's bait on 8!!! Good old east sider running the shop! Don't be afraid to order things through him either...he gets it quick and is as cheap or cheaper than the big box stores!

[CAMAN]

I have to agree here. We bought a cabin a few years ago in the Battle Lake area. Middle of last summer we discovered Ben's Bait in Battle Lake. We had driven by it many times but finally decided to stop in. We discovered a really great local place and the prices were right in line with the bigger stores. I am in the market for a new panfish rod and reel after a mishap late last season and will wait until I get back up there to make my purchase. Plus they have great bait and have always been really friendly.

By FAR the best livebait in the area!

[FM_Mike]

Bens is great as is Ken's bait on Otter Tail. Both have great service and the prices

are fair. I always try to support the local shops. Advice, tips and conversation is always

the rule not the exception.

Mike

[TooTallTom]

So what "local tackle shops" are there in or just north of minneapolis? The only non big-box one I know of is Thorne Bros, and I generally skip them as it's more of a specialty shop with higher end stuff.

Vados on Hwy 65 and 79th and Capras just north of Hwy 65 and Co Rd J are both worth a look. I haven't been to Vados in a LONG time (like 15 years or so) but I stop into Capras quite a bit. Capras doesn't do live bait, but they do lots of fishing stuff as well as firearms/ hunting stuff and also have an indoor archery range upstairs. Definitely worth a look.

[gurkster]

Mikes on 8 in Forest Lake and Frankies in Chisago City - both top notch.

[reinhard1]

all good spots. my go to spot here in the cities [even though it's out of my way] i Vadoes baits in spring lake park off 65 and up north it's charlstroms near duluth. good luck.

[Northlander]

I agree 100% Double D. Marine General, Fishermans Corner, Chalstroms or the Bait Box get my $ 1st. Im sick of the Big Box stores. I really make a effort to buy 100% local and so does my wife. Small bussiness for us.

[tacklejunkie]

I do the Fisherman Corner, Marine General, Northwest Outlet, and on occasion, Chalstrom's and Minno-ette.

Where's the Bait Box?

[Northlander]

HWY 2 in Superior by Presidents.

[NCLaker]

Great post ... couldn't agree more, when ever possible I try to give them my business. Usually get as good or better price than the the big box.

Blue Ribbon Bait, Backwood Archery & Sport, Mikes Bait on 8, Frankies have all gotton a large portion of my fishing business.

[rkhinrichs]

i love stopping at frankies before fishing the st. croix in the fall, and picking up some bait!