What's y'all's opinion on the local bait stores? Do they have much life in them or are they out the door? I'd love to own and operate one. Just don't know that I could live off the income. They don't seem to have the foot traffic they once did. One locally is for sale. It got my mind to wandering.

Good question..I think you have to have a niche market to compete with big box stores these days. Ask if they’ll let you let at their books maybe?

Seems like when I was a kid they were everywhere now I only know of 2 close to me one in wetumpka and one close to kowaliga that is also a plant nursery. I definitely think they are a thing of the past and the only reason the 2 I know of locally are still open is because of other income sources. One in wetumpka is run by the kayak place across the street and the other probably make slot more off plants than bait. No one fishes with live bait like they used to. Nobody wants to sit and watch a cork when you got a 200hp boat and 5k worth of electronics it's done turned into a competition instead of a relaxing hobby. Id honestly rather watch a cork and relax its easier to drink beer that way

The only way I can see one being profitable these days is to cover a few markets at once. Along with bait, you'd probably need to sell:
- ethanol free gas (reasonably priced)
- ice
- snacks/drinks

Other things that seem to sabotage that business is hours of operation (need to be open early) and property size (need space for several people to get in/out with a truck, boat, and trailer).

There’s only one true bait shop here. But even Wal Marks here sells crickets and worms so I rarely make it over there.

The best one I've come across is in Eastpoint Florida right before you go over the bridge to Saint George Island. It's called Fisherman's Choice Bait n tackle.


Fisherman's Choice on Florida's Forgotten Coast offers a full line of bait, tackle and seafood.
We have everything you need for a fun day on the water including instant fishing licenses, live bait for fresh and saltwater fishing, rods, reels and tackle, protective apparel, snacks, ice and drinks.

Boating accessories including safety essentials and life jackets for the entire family. Trailer repair supplies. We're your headquarters for pompano and shark rigs as well as spear fishing and dive equipment.

We can even book a guided charter fishing trip for you. Come by and see us or call for a fishing report!

Hunting licenses available instantly, archery supplies, ammo and accessories.

Fisherman's Choice in Eastpoint, Florida is a multi-generation, family owned business. We're here for all your bait, tackle and seafood needs. Stop by on your way to Apalachicola, St. George Island or Carrabelle... we'd love to meet you and share our local knowledge!

You forgot cold beer, economically priced.

The best one around our area has closed last I heard, the owner past away a few months back he'd been in business for many years & was a great guy & did great reel & rod repair at a good price

One of the best in Decatur recently closed up shop. Had been there for 40+ years I believe. I can't imagine a true bait & tackle mom & pop competing with on-line sales and the box stores.

Try Shelton's in Moulton you wont be disappointed.

Does Sheltons sell minners, worms and crickets?

It more of a convenience thing. If I can I'll go to Wal-Mart or such, but if needing something fast I'm gonna find a quick clean place nearby. Maybe if you could partner up.with a food truck or ice cream truck to create for traffic.

Nope, unless they've added them recently, though I highly doubt it.

Neat, neat store though. Great folks & cust svc there too.

My opinion, sadly, is an emphatic don't do it. There used to be a couple shops around here, that had been there for years. I got to know both the owners pretty well and they both said that you don't survive selling bait. Back in those days though, we all bought most of our terminal tackle from them, and that's what kept them in business. Not the case anymore. I'll bet I've seen half a dozen places try and fail, in the last couple years, around here. I really miss the old style shops.

Don't see many any more. Think I'm gonna start raising my own worms again.

I can only think of two gas stations, when I was a kid, that didn't sell minnows, crickets and worms. Now I can only think of one that does, and it's at the boat launch.

They opened a public boat ramp a couple of years ago on hwy 90, at the Florida/Alabama line. Nice ramp too.

Just across the hwy on the Florida side, is about a 3 acre piece of land for sale. Been saying, if someone put a bait an tackle store there and sold of course, bait and tackle, plus ice and beer, and even put in gas pumps they would make good money. Ramp stays packed during the Summer months.

It don’t have gas or beer but Guntersville Tackle & Outdoors (GTO) is a hell of a great local hunting and fishing store. I love going there. They got minners, crickets, an entire room dedicated to soft plastics, rods, reels, guns, bows, you name it. I’d rather go there than Cabela’s.

3 percent to alder...jus sayin.... Buttercup....

There are several here. The one I like sells propane, snacks, tackle(small amount mostly terminal)crickets, worms and minners. The reason I think they aren't going anywhere is the liars club meetings the hold every day where old cronies come sit around and drink beer and try to out lie each other.