Favorite Bait Shop?

  • Mike W
    MN/Anoka/Ham lake
    Posts: 13294
    February 20, 2013 at 3:46 pm #1280768

    So what is your favorite baits shop and why. We all seem to have that one to complain about. There are just as many good ones out there that need some air time as well.

    A few of mine are,

    Joes Sporting Goods in st paul. Good supply of river tackle, know a few people that work there, Always great to see Rogers smiling face and be treated like family.

    Vados in Fridley is great for some of the best cared for live bait around. Doesnt hurt to have a cute gal serve up your bait every now and again to.

    Everts has to be right there to for having everything I need to fish the river. Cant beat the location and people there to. Kinda like the river fisher persons Mecca.

    Dont get around to to many more but one I found over the weekend while fishing north of town was in Harris off 35. Might just be called Harris Bait. Started out with self serve bait tanks outside for that real early morning service. Walked in side and was amazed at the amount of ice fishing jigs and tackle they had. This place was loaded. Didn’t get any minnows there but did notice the long row of minnow tank inside to. Will be back next time fishing in that area.

    Justin Schneider (Woods & Water Insurance)
    Hugo, MN
    Posts: 1938
    February 20, 2013 at 3:51 pm #1143938

    Quote:

    Dont get around to to many more but one I found over the weekend while fishing north of town was in Harris off 35. Might just be called Harris Bait.

    That would be Fish Lake Bait Mike.

    Fish Lake is my go to bait shop for all my live bait needs. Todd and his staff carry quality bait at very resonable prices. They also accommodate special orders as well for those that buy there bait in bulk like I do.

    dfresh
    Fridley, MN
    Posts: 3053
    February 20, 2013 at 3:51 pm #1143939

    Moore’s Bait and Tackle Bob always knew your IDO handle.

    Seriosuly though, Vados can’t be beat as far as live bait goes.

    suzuki
    Woodbury, Mn
    Posts: 18621
    February 20, 2013 at 3:53 pm #1143941

    I only visit 2 with any regularity so my favorites are Blue Ribbon in Oakdale and AAA in Spooner.

    bigpike
    Posts: 6259
    February 20, 2013 at 3:59 pm #1143944

    This may seem silly but my favorite is the one I am heading to on the way to fishing, that one and Burokers here in Eau Claire. Mike has good fresh bait, he gives a good quantity and will get what you need if you want something special if he can.

    jighead-two
    Cedar Falls, Iowa
    Posts: 642
    February 20, 2013 at 4:05 pm #1143947

    Hank’s Live Bait & Tackle
    Waterloo, Iowa

    cupspits
    Posts: 308
    February 20, 2013 at 4:06 pm #1143948

    Everts on pool 4 is my favorite and r an r in Clinton ia is very good also

    lhprop1
    Eagan
    Posts: 1899
    February 20, 2013 at 4:08 pm #1143949

    It depends on which way I’m heading. If I’m heading 94 east, it’s Blue Ribbon. If I’m heading south, it’s John’s in Northfield (or is it Faribault). If I’m heading north, it’s Thorne Bros. If I’m heading west, it’s Wayzata Bait.

    Rollie & Helen’s is fun to go to when I’m in the area.

    bzzsaw
    Hudson, Wi
    Posts: 3480
    February 20, 2013 at 4:09 pm #1143951

    Indianhead Sport Shop in Cumberland. The owner (Tim) is a great guy. He likes to BS as much as anyone. I bought my dock from him. He has let me borrow winches to raise/lower my dock on several occasions over the years at no charge. I’ve also borrowed his impact wrench to try and loosen a rusty dock bolt. He doesn’t normally carry a large inventory of large musky sucker minnows in the fall, but will have them for you if you order them in advance. They are typically 2.50 per minnow cheaper than his competition. He will also help sell pretty much anything you want to get rid of (boat, dock, lift, trolling motor, etc.) for a minimal charge.

    redneck
    Rosemount
    Posts: 2627
    February 20, 2013 at 4:12 pm #1143952

    Wait, there are bait shops other than Everts??????? Now I am confused Per square foot it would be hard to find a baitshop that has more assortment than Evert’s. It is amazing what is packed into such a small space. I have to admit that I enjoy wandering through Four Seasons in Red Wing too though. They have a great assortment but they have much more area to work with. Between those two it would be hard to not satisfy any river angler

    john-o
    Hastings, MN
    Posts: 144
    February 20, 2013 at 4:13 pm #1143953

    Vados is great. I’m working in Faribault now and really like John’s Bait in Faribault.

    desperado
    Posts: 3010
    February 20, 2013 at 4:13 pm #1143954

    Around home (NE Metro, or the Croix, or Chisago) .. Blue Ribbon in Oakdale

    On the way to Mille Lacs … Prince Bait in Milaca

    On the way to Winni … Fred’s in Deer River

    On the way to Red … Dr Tackle in Kelliher

    On the way to LOTW … Lucky Bait in Baudette

    On the way to Rush … Fish Lake Bait in Harris

    85lund
    Menomonie, WI
    Posts: 2317
    February 20, 2013 at 4:17 pm #1143957

    Everts, for 2 reasons, Good people and it means I get to go fish the river after walking out the door

    artifishal
    Posts: 216
    February 20, 2013 at 4:27 pm #1143966

    Thorne Brothers for me. Great people, great selection, and reasonable prices!

    nhamm
    Inactive
    Robbinsdale
    Posts: 7348
    February 20, 2013 at 4:29 pm #1143967

    Favorite right now means the cheapest for me, and that means GM in Blaine. Got everyone beat by a couple bucks usually and never walked out buying a dozen shiners with less than 16 or 18 in the bag.

    wildfan
    Ogilvie Minnesota
    Posts: 598
    February 20, 2013 at 4:34 pm #1143970

    Jerry’s Bait Shop in Mora,
    Friendly people, nice lively bait and the dog that sits behind the counter.
    Just a small town friendly bait shop.

    chamberschamps
    Mazomanie, WI
    Posts: 1089
    February 20, 2013 at 4:38 pm #1143974

    Sell licenses.

    Sell small minnows by the scoop.

    Be friendly and knowledgable of the local bite.

    Keep the bait livley.

    Be open before dawn and after dark.

    At least keep basic gear and tackle on hand. I’m probably not going to buy high dollar stuff from a bait shop but if I need #4 trebles I get them when I pick up bait.

    Carry some locally made things that you can’t find at big retailers. Hair jigs, blades, and such…

    corey_waller
    hastings mn
    Posts: 1525
    February 20, 2013 at 4:42 pm #1143976

    Four Seasons RedWing.

    If you use it on the river they got it all.

    francisco4
    Holmen, WI
    Posts: 3607
    February 20, 2013 at 4:43 pm #1143977

    Happy Hooker Bait and Tackle in Oak Harbor, OH.

    Palerider77
    Posts: 630
    February 20, 2013 at 4:58 pm #1143981

    Evert’s, Four Seasons, and Meleen’s when I go to the pond.

    Fife
    Ramsey, MN
    Posts: 4044
    February 20, 2013 at 5:13 pm #1143986

    For me, it mostly comes down to convenience and quality of bait. Vados and Prince Bait are the two that I use most often. I like to hit the River Rat on my way to Winnie and Lucky’s when I go to Lake of the Woods. For tackle, I generally order everything online.

    mplspug
    Palmetto, Florida
    Posts: 25026
    February 20, 2013 at 5:15 pm #1143987

    Since there are none by my house, whatever is near the lake/river I am heading too. Which stinks, because it becomes a crapshoot.

    I’ll give a thumbs up to to Jerry’s Bait in Mora. The River Minnows work like gold on Pike. River minnows are usually river chubs, but sometimes you get other things mixed into the batch.

    been fishing
    Posts: 43
    February 20, 2013 at 5:15 pm #1143989

    four season redwing very good and some good sales

    biggill
    East Bethel, MN
    Posts: 11321
    February 20, 2013 at 5:16 pm #1143991

    Quote:

    Dont get around to to many more but one I found over the weekend while fishing north of town was in Harris off 35. Might just be called Harris Bait.

    I beleive it is Fish Lake Bait. They are also a supplier to other bait shops. If you need bulk, they’ll have it.

    I stop there on the way to the Rainy River. They even will adjust their store hours if you call them ahead of time. Good people too.

    I somehow misst the previous reply. There must be an echo.

    mplspug
    Palmetto, Florida
    Posts: 25026
    February 20, 2013 at 5:17 pm #1143993

    When I lived on the north side, Vado’s definitely was the go to bait shop.

    amundsonjon
    wi
    Posts: 109
    February 20, 2013 at 5:18 pm #1143994

    Everts or four seasons for local pool 4 if going to baudette mn Stevens lucky bait has the best bait and open 24hrs largest scoop around

    bigcrappie
    Blaine
    Posts: 4330
    February 20, 2013 at 5:37 pm #1144009

    Fleet Farm in Blaine. “.69 a scoop” need I say more

    super_do
    St Michael, MN
    Posts: 1089
    February 20, 2013 at 5:54 pm #1144013

    Little Jim’s in Annandale.

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