Bait, Tackle, Repeat!
Late September can make a tackle box look suspiciously underprepared. Whether the plan involves bass, pompano, redfish, or whatever’s biting, these bait shops have the gear, bait, and local know-how to get the day started right.
Where to Stock the Tackle Box
At Cocoa Beach Fishing Center in Cape Canaveral, more than 50 years in business has translated into a pretty good understanding of what anglers need before heading toward the beach, pier, or offshore waters. The shop has served the Space Coast since 1971 and carries live and frozen bait, surf rigs, offshore tackle, rods, reels, and plenty of the little things that tend to disappear from the tackle box right when they’re needed. Rod-and-reel rentals are available for surf, pier, and inshore fishing, and the shop also handles rod and reel repairs.
Over in St. Petersburg, Riviera Bait & Tackle is a locally owned father-and-son shop built for Tampa Bay fishing. Live shrimp, pinfish, and fiddler crabs share space with rods, reels, line, lures, rigs, and terminal tackle. The staff also keeps tabs on tides, fishing reports, regulations, and what’s biting nearby, which can be considerably more useful than buying another lure and hoping for divine intervention.
Central Florida anglers can make a pit stop at Big Toho Marina in Kissimmee. Sitting directly on Lake Tohopekaliga, the marina’s bait shop sells live bait and fishing supplies for anglers heading onto one of the area’s best-known bass lakes. The waterside location means there’s very little distance between “we need bait” and “let’s fish.”
Gulf Gear, Covered
Up in Fort Walton Beach, Emerald Coast Bait & Tackle covers a wide range of Gulf Coast plans. The shop stocks live and frozen bait, rods, reels, tackle, and accessories for pier, inshore, and offshore fishing, with staff available to help match gear to local conditions.
The tackle box is stocked, the bait bucket is full, and Florida has plenty of water waiting. Now comes the important decision: where to cast first?
For more places to stock up before heading for the water, browse https://guidetoflorida.com/specialty-supply-retailers.
