30 replies to this topic

[CanadianAngler87]

I guess I don't share the same observations of local bait shops, at least not the old school 'mom and pop' shops. Of the ones I've been to, three quarters of the stores are full of old useless crap. The remaining selection is usually dismal. I mean how could they have selection "way above any other competitors" when the store is 1/20th the size of Bass Pro, Sail, or even LeBaron??

I'm all for supporting good people selling good products, but the few shops I've been to recently had nothing whatsoever over the big box stores. Maybe it's just the stores I've been to, YMMV.

I'll certainly look into any recommendations in this thread.

Sometimes that old stuff is the stuff you want. Fish tend to see alot of hardware, some of that old stuff you can bet fish havnt seen.

Aa for Rainbow Sports his stock is kept up to date. He also brings in hand made tubes and other hardware that the big names wouldnt even think of putting on there shelves. I can also get custom colours made for tube jigs through a guy the owner of rainbow knows.

[LostAnotherOne]

I guess I don't share the same observations of local bait shops, at least not the old school 'mom and pop' shops. Of the ones I've been to, three quarters of the stores are full of old useless crap. The remaining selection is usually dismal. I mean how could they have selection "way above any other competitors" when the store is 1/20th the size of Bass Pro, Sail, or even LeBaron??

I'm all for supporting good people selling good products, but the few shops I've been to recently had nothing whatsoever over the big box stores. Maybe it's just the stores I've been to, YMMV.

I'll certainly look into any recommendations in this thread.

Stores that specialize in fishing products is the way to go. Bass Pro shops is one of them. I was talking more about stores that dont care too much about fishing stuff like CT and Walmart. I dont know which stores you go to that three quarters of the merchandise are crap, but the ones I have been in are great like Bills Bait and Tackle and also Fishing World which are in Hamilton. Thanks

[FishingNoob]

I guess I don't share the same observations of local bait shops, at least not the old school 'mom and pop' shops. Of the ones I've been to, three quarters of the stores are full of old useless crap. The remaining selection is usually dismal. I mean how could they have selection "way above any other competitors" when the store is 1/20th the size of Bass Pro, Sail, or even LeBaron??

That's why stopped going to them. But now that there are a few recommendations, I probably try one of them.

[grubman]

I can relate to Klamp, there used to be a store on Eglinton E and Warden Ave. The guy was arrogant, condecending, rude and never offered any help. Similar to a shop out in Prickering. The first guy went out of business, geee I wonder why.....lol.

I've always had good service at LeBarons and BP. In the end you go to where you feel comfortable. I've heard stories about LeBaron, but in most retail outfits, when management is a prick to their employees, the customer will see/feel it. Crap flows downhill.

[spinnerbaitking]

Chad at Kitchener Rainbow Sports has hired a new guy & Forest knows his stuff too, Natural Sports has been good anytime I've been in, Woodstock has Angling Outfitters & Jos has everything & knows his Electronics inside & out, if your up my way Port Elgin has J & S Tackle with a great selection for Fishing multi species & a Archery Shop & Underwood has a good selection for Trout & Salmon, just my observation check them out . keep listing them when I'm on the road I like to stop into the smaller shops you never know what your going to find.

[Swing4Steel]

becareful at lebarons tho they have the worst return policy....15 days and no ticket no laundry even if the price is still on it

[NADO]

Rainbow Sports, Natural Sports, Kingsway Fish and Tackle

[Klamp]

Stores that specialize in fishing products is the way to go. Bass Pro shops is one of them. I was talking more about stores that dont care too much about fishing stuff like CT and Walmart. I dont know which stores you go to that three quarters of the merchandise are crap, but the ones I have been in are great like Bills Bait and Tackle and also Fishing World which are in Hamilton. Thanks

I withheld the names to be polite. But seeing two of them were at least 40 minutes to get to only to be VERY disappointed with the selection deserves mention if anyone wants to know. Of course it's only my opinion, as someone else mentioned there might be stuff of interest to others. Like people with too much money, or guys who find the need to collect every single Canadian Wiggler.

[CanadianAngler87]

Chad at Kitchener Rainbow Sports has hired a new guy & Forest knows his stuff too, Natural Sports has been good anytime I've been in, Woodstock has Angling Outfitters & Jos has everything & knows his Electronics inside & out, if your up my way Port Elgin has J & S Tackle with a great selection for Fishing multi species & a Archery Shop & Underwood has a good selection for Trout & Salmon, just my observation check them out . keep listing them when I'm on the road I like to stop into the smaller shops you never know what your going to find.

Went to Rainbow Sports today and met Forest for the first time! Great guy and very helpful. Showed me so stuff and gave me some great advice. Chad was there aswell, some of the nicest guys I have ever had the pleasure of meeting.

[georgianbaydrifter]

proline has straight goods or at least when they were my competetion they did

[fisherman77]

There is a Bait shop called True Canadian Outdoors in Vaughan they have a good website and good selection of live bait.