Top Tackle Stores in Wilmington
What’s better than a day at the beach? A day spent fishing the blue waters of the Atlantic Ocean! Before you head to your fishing destination, visit one of the following top tackle shops. They will surely have all the fishing lures, line, hooks, bait, etc. you will need. Most of the time you can even get reports and advice from the store clerks. There are many places to purchase your marine and fishing accessories in Wilmington, but few compare to the quality, stock, and service of the following three!
Tex’s Tackle
215 Old Eastwood Road, Wilmington
Tex’s Tackle is open Tuesday thru Sunday with Monday being their own “fishing day” as they put it. Their mission is to “provide customers with quality rods, reels and tackle they can depend on.” They carry famous brands such as Penn, Calcutta, Abu Garcia, BlueWater Candy, and Berkely just to name a few. Tex’s also carries other brands you may not have heard of, but are great for fishing nonetheless. If you can’t find what you are looking for, give Tex’s a call and someone there will make some calls and find it for you.
In the far right corner of the store, Tex’s has lots of frozen baits. You can choose from large to small Ballyhoo, Cigar Minnows, Mullet, Squid, Shrimp, Sardines, Ribbonfish, and many more.
Tex’s line winding department is stocked with decent monofilaments from 6 to 130lb test as well as Power Pro braided line. Most times, they can spool your reels while you shop. Even if you need new line or wire on your downriggers, they can do that too!
If you break or just need parts replaced on your rods, bring them to Tex’s where they will be replaced and fixed in no time by experienced hands.
Bug-Em Bait Company
Oleander Drive, Wilmington
The people at Bug-Em Bait are very friendly and courteous, and will go out of their way to see that you are satisfied and well-equipped for your day of fishing. If every other store in the area is sold out of frozen Cigar Minnows, check Bug-Em. They will surely have it and lots more frozen bait in their freezer!
Bug-Em Bait Company is run by fishermen for fishermen and serves the coastal areas of Wrightsville Beach, Carolina Beach, and Wilmington. You will find a variety of services and gear here for anglers. They have famous brand fishing gear of all kinds, lures, bait, rigging equipment, monofilament, rods – custom built and factory, reels. They also have power drives, equipment repair and service, and great advice. Bug-Em carries special products like Teaser Reels made by Reel Colors out of Connecticut, Mahi Candy lures in several colors, and their own custom live bait rigs and longer downrigger release clips.
Bug-Em Bait Company was founded in 1991 by Captain Lloyd Eastlack. The company was established to allow Captain Eastlack the opportunity to share his knowledge of the exciting sport of fishing when he retired from many years of charter fishing along the North Carolina coast. Captain Lloyd Eastlack is also the inventor of the ‘Ugly Bug’, a famous and popular saltwater fishing lure, and knows what fish are interested in. He will gladly share his lifetime of experience with anyone who needs advice or just a cool fishing story. Bug-Em Bait Company will help you find the charter Captain who can take you to where the fish are – inshore or offshore – and can furnish everything you might need for a successful trip.
Island Tackle & Hardware
N Lake Park Blvd, Carolina Beach
One of my favorite stores to go to in search of fishing tackle is Island Tackle & Hardware in Carolina Beach. It is only 5 minutes south of Wilmington and well-worth the drive.
Island Tackle carries hooks, sinkers, fishing line, rods, reels, and all the famous fishing lures you need! They have pre-made rigs, small and larger bait bins, as well as many large spools of fishing line available in various colors and types. Island Tackle also has rod and reel combos you can rent. Major brands include Penn Reels, Calcutta, and Got-Cha lures. They offer the widest assortment in colors and sizes of lures compared to any other store around! Beyond that, Island Tackle has the best prices!
They also have marine equipment and accessories like anchors, trailer hitches, parts to fix your trailer and boat, and cleaning supplies. Visit them and see for yourself how extensive their line of fishing and marine accessories is!
If you need frozen bait, Island Tackle has it. If you need to weigh-in your fish, Island Tackle has an official weigh station. If you need maps, the latest printed edition of the Fisherman’s Post saltwater magazine, sunscreen, or just Menhaden oil, Island Tackle has it all!
Furthermore, Island Tackle also has an in-house reel repair shop for all Penn Reels. Island Tackle has someone to spool your reels too.
Be sure and talk to Wanda Barbour, owner, when you go. She is always there with a smile and helping hand!
