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Posts: 208
Location: Northern Wisc. | Just wondering? This should help others in search of good Bait and tackle shops...
Mine is the Musky Shop in Minocqua.... |
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Posts: 1040
| Smokeys Musky Shop on Pewaukee Lake |
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Posts: 1220
| Fortunately for me, I do not need to choose from the two above. I am a big hanger-out at both. Smokey's is like a second home for me nearly every week all year (John even supplied several boxes of fresh Krispy Kremes for everybody last week on the opener. But, there is just no going up North for me without a stop at the Musky Shop. Even when I am headed to Eagle River, I'll go the "long way" around Minouqua so I can stop. Other guys scour the internet for all the deals but I try to spend the bulk of my bait money in those two places. Marty Forman |
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Location: Illinois | Ye Olde Bait Shoppe |
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Posts: 152
| Pastika's in Hayward was until it closed over the last year or so. I had been going through since I could hold a fishing pole. |
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| Thorne Bro's and Joe's Sporting Goods. |
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Location: Sawyer County, WI |
Happy Hooker Bait & Tackle. Great owners and convenient to lakes in eastern Sawyer County. |
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Posts: 1638
Location: Minnesota | thorne bros 98 percent of all my gear comes from there. 5 years ago had problems with my trolling motor had it fixed two times at a repair shop sent it into the factory still nothing factory said I hadtosend it to them 3 times before I could call it a lemon.I did not even buy it from thorn bros and they replaced for me.to me that goesa long long way. |
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Posts: 183
Location: Grand Forks ND | Quality Bait and Tackle in Detroit Lakes. |
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Posts: 1460
Location: Kronenwetter, WI | R-n-H |
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Posts: 396
Location: Northern Illinois | Rollie and Helens for the serious stuff. However, Happy Hooker outside Hayward would be my favorite for vacation mode - bait, lures, beer, soda ice cream - and total relaxation. I was also bummed when Pastikas closed down. |
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Posts: 532
Location: Ogden, UTAH 10 minutes from pineview reservoir | MTO |
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Posts: 4080
Location: Elko - Lake Vermilion | Throne Bro's 80% of the time.... and Spring Bay Resort,.....Since I live there most of the time.
Jerome |
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Posts: 2097
| Cave run pro shop! |
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Posts: 1416
Location: oconomowoc, wi | MTO for online... R n H for walk in browsing |
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Location: Eastern Ontario | I don't like any bait shops every time I enter one my money disappears. I don't even have to enter bait shops many baitmakers at the Muskies Canada meetings and again my money disappears |
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Posts: 173
Location: Green Bay, Titletown, WI | Smokey's On the Bay (Green Bay) for me. Everybody at the shop has been nothing less than awesome. Tilky, and James from TI helped me out big time with a rod that got damaged during shipping. At zero cost to myself. I like keeping my money local. Great guys, always willing to share info and tips. |
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Posts: 496
Location: midwest | It's a split between MTO and Big Wood Musky Lures for online...Thornes as a brick and mortar because of their awesome customer service. |
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Posts: 682
Location: Sycamore, IL | Smokey's!!! Every time I go there I think, "This is what a bait shop should be like". Relaxed old school vibe, great inventory, some custom stuff, knowledgeable and friendly staff, good prices and cheap beer... |
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Posts: 150
Location: Appleton, WI | The sportsman in Appleton. They have been nothing but nice to me as I am getting back into musky fishing. They alwaystakethe time to teach me abiutwhathas changed in 15 years of doing it. |
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Posts: 925
| Thorne Bros and Joe's since I live in the Twin Cities. But I always swing in the R&H Musky Shop if I'm up in that area. |
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Posts: 371
Location: Dixon, IL | I live near Chicago. I go Fishtech in Morton Grove for only what I need. I order most lures came from Rollie and Helens. I go to Chicago Musky Show to buy all what I need. |
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Posts: 104
Location: Grantsburg, Wisc | Thorne Bros...... |
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Location: Lake Tomahawk, WI | R&H is right down the road from my house, know the guys there well, great place. Kurt's in Minocqua has more variety for multi-species and extensive ice-fishing gear in the winter. Also, Figure 8 Baits in Kenora is awesome. If I had to own a bait shop that would be the one. Right on LOTW, can't beat that!
JS |
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Posts: 602
| MTO |
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Posts: 1283
Location: Walker, MN | Reed's in Walker MN. |
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Posts: 340
Location: Lake County Illinois | Smokey's and R+H for musky tackle,but also miss Pastikas as it always had that Old bait shop smell,also The Happy Hooker has everything you need while on a fishing trip,even martini olives!!! |
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Posts: 410
Location: Wakefield, MI | Rollie and Helen's, been going there for many, many years. Probably going to take a run down there this weekend.
Also like Up North Sport and Gifts is Presque Isle, they have great prices on St Croix rods, usually have big suckers, and have a decent lure selection for such a small shop. |
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Posts: 150
Location: Central Minnesota | Thorne Bros. Best custom rods IMO. |
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Posts: 83
Location: minnesota | thorne bros! Happy I live somewhat nearby (but my wallet isn't lol) |
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Posts: 192
| Crazy D Tackel |
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Posts: 4343
Location: Smith Creek | R&H, Jenk's, Thorne Bros. |
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Location: sneaking out to get on the water ;-) | Thorne Bros. And Rollie and Hellens |
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Posts: 373
Location: Maine Township, MN | MTO and sometimes R&H due to sales tax in MN. |
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| Smokeys on the Bay! . Green Bay Wisconsin ! Best Muskie Walleye Bass & Great Lakes bait shop in wisconsin! |
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Posts: 147
Location: Northern New Jersey | Muskiefirst buy sell trade is my favorite. I think every lure I own with the exception of a few from ebay came from the forum here.
Edited by bmxrider11976 5/14/2013 11:18 AM
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Posts: 5874
| Smokey's on Pewaukee Lake when I'm down there. Lots of fun sitting upstairs when John is holding court. R&H when I'm headed to Northern WI and beyond. Always make it a point to stop and browse,. Usually run into a MF'er or two when I'm there. |
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Location: SE Wisconsin | Smokey's is my local shop, and the guys there are great! Rollie and Helens in Minaqua is a wonderful place to browse... without the wife along. |
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Posts: 427
| Does ebay count.
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Posts: 1040
| I find it funny that no one has mentioned Guides Choice in Eagle River.... |
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Posts: 4
| Smokey's on the Bay, great guys and good times |
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Posts: 153
Location: MN | For live bait it's Vados.
Muskie lures would be TB |
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Posts: 2754
Location: Mauston, Wisconsin | Milwaukee Muskie Expo!
USA - Smokey's at the boat launch because he has some hard to find basement baits, and its a pleasure going there - food & drinks right across the street. He'll even let you test drive a bait off the dock.
http://www.smokeysmuskieshop.com/
I'm a bait shop geek, I search for the unusual that no one else is throwing. I love saltwater bait shops and foreign bait shops - I've got stuff that will make you think - WTF? You should see "The Funky Chicken"!
Have fun!
Al |
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Posts: 60
Location: Janesville wi | The internet...I rarely throw baits that I can buy from a store in Wi. |
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Posts: 127
| Ross's Sport Shop is a great place to stop at if you're on your way through Phillips. It has been stocked well the times I've visited. |
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Posts: 3913
| RnH because Rollie helped me begin to lear to catch muskies, that was my first muskie board, even before M1. I still have a print out of his extended tips on how to fish a Suick. At one point I offered to divorce my wife and marry his daughter but for some reason that didn't work for Rollie, Helen and/or the daughter. Go figure. I call RnH first for anything I need.
Thorn Bros second because I once dropped a thick wad of roadtrip cash, about $800, on the floor one late afternoon. Another customer found it, turned it in and staff gave it all back to me the next morning. How could I not be loyal to that? |
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Posts: 13688
Location: minocqua, wi. | The MuskyShop ... hoping they add a coffee-shop sometime soon. Staff are fantastic people who've become great friends. |
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Posts: 667
Location: Roscoe IL | Aquatinc Arts in Tomahawk WI, Dave (owner) always gives price breaks and has a local fishing report on the board. If they don't have what you looking for, just let him know and he will get it. |
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Posts: 518
Location: Cave Run Lake KY. | cave run legend - 5/13/2013 6:04 PM
Cave run pro shop! Cave Run Pro Shop, (RALPH AND KAY kEENE) ++++++++++++++++++ Across the road 801 from Scott Creek boat ramp !!!!!  |
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Posts: 2691
Location: Pewaukee, Wisconsin | Smokeys Muskie Shop. Thats the only place I buy my stuff. Support your local tackle shops. |
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Posts: 452
Location: Waconia, MN | Thorne Bros. |
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Posts: 880
Location: New Berlin,Wisconsin,53151 | Smokey's Musky Shop on Pewaukee lake. John has assorted baits with some great deals. John offers sales all year long that can fill the tackle box with world class lures. I haven't been to the Green Bay store yet in fact I still think that Loie doesn't know that John has another store.
Support the Wednesday night league which registers at the Musky shop. Last week 24 guy's.
Netman |
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| Crazy D's is still in business? I like Blue Ribbon in Oakdale MN. |
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Posts: 19
Location: Tomahawk,Wi | I think you guys that are saying the internet or ebay are really missing out or don't get it. I totally understand if you live where there are no bait shops that carry musky equipment. But if you live or travel near a "real" musky shop, you should :
a. Support them(big $ purchases I understand getting the best deal,but at least throw them a bone)
b Enjoy them- Rollies or Thorne Brothers is like musky porn to me!!!!!!! I love just checking out all of the cool lures and color combos. |
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Posts: 4266
| R&H |
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Posts: 2027
| Gander Mountain in North Little Rock, AR... No musky shops here, but I stop by between appointments and sometimes find something I can use on my trips north. They just started carrying Revo Toros. I was able to handle one and a Calcutta before buying either. Wish they had a pond to test them both out though... |
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Posts: 403
Location: WI | Crazy D's closed a couple years ago. Always fun to check out his lure collection while getting some custom bucktails twisted up. Thorne Bros and R&H are a toss up. R&H is 100 miles farther away but I always stop in when I'm in the area. |
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Posts: 101
| Ross's Sport Shop in Phillips and Musky Business in Wisconsin Rapids!! |
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Posts: 458
| Musky Tackle online and MI musky shop. |
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Posts: 547
Location: Oshkosh | Another one for The Sportsman in Appleton!
Peter |
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Posts: 1901
Location: MN | Bobby's Sport Shop in Vermillion Bay |
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Posts: 218
| jonnysled - 5/17/2013 7:52 AM
The MuskyShop ... hoping they add a coffee-shop sometime soon. Staff are fantastic people who've become great friends.
If we had coffee, Frosty and I would never get anything done. I think Hanson would make a terrific barista though.
Edited by Peter Stoltman 5/18/2013 1:41 AM
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Posts: 396
Location: Northern Illinois | I would also like to mention Jackson Lures for online shops. I think it is as close to a actual bait shop as an online site can come. It has carefully selected lures that work instead of just what will make money for them. Also, one time I regretted not purchasing a particular lure after I made a purchase from them. I sent them an email and asked them if they were going to one of the shows and if I could pick it up there or work out some other arrangement. They sent me the lure with free shipping. I agree with others that know we need to support shops like this. |
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Posts: 1150
Location: Minnesota. | Thorne Bros...no question! |
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Posts: 81
| R&H Musky Shop. Great friendly and helpful staff. |
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| Smokeys on the Bay Bait and Tackle Green Bay Wisconsin ! Best inventory of custom musky tackle in the midwest and the guys that run it are great. |
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Posts: 200
Location: Minnesota | For the best selection of lures and gear, I prefer Thorne Bros.
For the small bait shop atmosphere and conversation, a decent selection of muskie lures, and live bait, I prefer Blue Ribbon. |
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Posts: 255
Location: MadCity Wisconsin | Jenks Bait Shop, east of Hayward, Wis. and only a stones throw from the Chippewa Flowage. I always stop in when in the Hayward area. I have had immediate work done on reels there when needed.....a big bonus.
Dorn's on the westside of Madison, Wis. at Midvale and Nakoma. They give Muskies Inc. guys a discount and have a huge selection of lures. Jim does a great job running the shop. |
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| Propster - 5/17/2013 11:23 PM
Bobby's Sport Shop in Vermillion Bay
Ole bend over Bobbies eh? lol
This is my favorite too, cause it means I'm in Canada fishing! |
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Posts: 13688
Location: minocqua, wi. | buying a license at bobby's is an experience worth the trip! those who have know exactly what i'm talking about. |
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Posts: 130
Location: Menomonee Falls, WI | Smokey's Musky Shop on Pewaukee Lake hands down!!! John, Ron, Gordy, Rick and the rest off the staff are top notch and will provide you with as much help with all the lure and lake info you will need. Always a good time down at Smokey's. |
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Posts: 139
| i like smokey's on Pewaukee lake. Good people and pretty good selection. |
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Posts: 519
Location: Bloomington, IL | I second Elkman99 and surely second johnnysled.
If you've been there, you know the scoop...it's definitely an experience! |
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Posts: 75
| Jenks in Hayward or Crazy D's in Elk Mound |
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Posts: 32935
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | Some 'bait shops' have online stores, but without a store front, I don't think the strictly online sellers have what could be referred to as a 'bait shop'. |
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Posts: 165
| We don't have much here in SW Ohio so I'd have to say Muskie First, lol. |
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Posts: 87
| Thorne Bro's hands down! The best customer service and they always have the latest and greatest fishing stuff! |
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Location: Illinois | I loved Pastikas when it was around, now when I'm North I do my shopping at Stone Lake Bait & Tackle or Hayward Bait and Bottle. I need to try Jenks, it sounds from others to be a very nice shoppe. But if you live in the SW Chicago Burbs, Fishing Connection in Tinley Park is the best place to shop! They all sell worms and have storefronts. And I thank them all. |
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Posts: 294
| Smokey's on the Bay for this guy! It's been a long time since Green Bay has had a good old school shop to hang out at and bs with the guys. Tilky, Jay, and Ryan are good guys. |
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Posts: 462
Location: Syracuse, Indiana | FWIW - I ordered some 'dawgs from MTO today. 43 minutes later, I received an email that they had been shipped! Wow! Incredible service. |
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Posts: 572
Location: Maplewood, MN | Joe's Sporting Goods, great people. Thorne bros and Blue Ribbon are pretty fantastic as well. |
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Posts: 350
Location: WESTERN WI | Is Crazy D's in Elk Mound, WI still open? If I recall they had a huge auction in 2011, and I have been by twice since and it was not open, but their website is still running.. Hmm....
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Whats your favorite bait shop?