Capitol Fishing Tackle Company

This people have been in business for almost 120 years, and when you walk in and meet the staff, it’s easy to understand why. I’ve only been there a handful of times and they ask me about my latest trip and offering advice. Extremely knowledgeable sales people. They’ll never pressure you into spending more than you planed to. I was accidentally overcharged on my previous purchase and when I told them, they were very helpful and gave me a great deal on my new jigging rod and Eric threw in some free jigs to make up for it. They have everything to get you started and they can order everything else in 3 – 4 business days. Oh, and they can match almost any other sporting goods store prices. I have no reason to go anywhere else for my supplies.

Best tackle store in Manhattan … wait… only tackle store. These guys are knowledgeable & jokesters. Prices decent (we r in Manhattan though), but their advice is invaluable. Good guys who deserve your business.

This was the best experience I’ve had at a tackle store hands down. I came in to get a new reel with a $ 50 budget, and the desk guy tells me all the reels in that range are out and the next he’s got is at $ 70. Told him I’d love that, but as a casual angler it’s just not necessary for me – his response? Grabs a $ 90 reel that’s on sale for 25% off and says «We’re doing this one. For $ 50.» Sold.
In addition, I picked his brain about fishing in the city and he was very knowledgable and gave tons of good advice about where to go and what to use.
Definitely come here for any and all fishing needs.

I was there recently. .. TWICE! I went in knowing they had moved from their previous location on 23^rd St years ago. I was thinking they might be some ornery old coots working here. I met a nice gentlemen named Mark who listened as I proudly showed him all the equipment I pulled from a giant carrying bag, all purchased from Capitol: a Shakespeare rod and Penn reel; 2^nd Diawa four piece rod and reed; fishing net; fish scalers, fillet knife, books; tackle box and an old Mitchell reel.
As I was showing the Mitchell reel, ready to give it to Capitol as a gift, Eric comes by as says, «Give him a $ 30.00 discount»!
Neal threaded two spools for my newer Penn reel, one at 6 and one at 8 lb test. Neal is a drummer and recognized the musician friend of mine from a year ago I am going fishing with!
Nice cats, great store, helpful staff. .. it doesn’t get any better!

Incredibly nice, knowledgeable staff. I walked in with a new rod and reel, and Eric helped rig it up for me and gave me some pointers for fishing in the city. I highly recommend this place and will definitely be back.

A hidden gem in the middle of the city.
Got my hubby a Father’s Day gift: an Ugly Stick and a PENN. I think it was under $ 200.
My husband normally goes on party boats for blues and other fish of mid to large sizes.
This gift was perfect. He loved it!
Store is operated by a third generation which was nice to know. Very helpful and educational since I knew nothing when shopping for rods and poles they made it easy.
Solid 5 stars!

After a fun outing on a Brooklyn fishing boat I decided to get outfitted with my own gear. I needed a good rod I could take on the subway suitable for not only porgies and seabass but fluke, striped bass and blues.
The staff was extremely knowledgeable and personable and hooked me up with a very nice three piece 7′ medium carbon fiber rod and bait casting reel for a decent price without trying to upsell me. And as a first-​time reel buyer they loaded my reel with line for free!
All the advice they gave me has proven to be spot on and having good gear has multiplied the fishing fun factor considerably. Highly recommended.

I went to Capitol to purchase some equipment for fishing on the East Side River. I really was starting from scratch, so I needed everything — rods, reels, line, leaders, hooks, sinkers, lures, etc.). I have some prior experience fishing in the sound, but wasn’t entirely sure how that knowledge would translate to urban fishing. Eric at Capitol Tackle was extremely helpful. He was upfront in asking me about my budget and didn’t try to sell me equipment that was more than what I needed. He spent over an hour with me, walking me through the various options, giving me some great advice, and even teaching me a new knot. I also got a couple of recommendations for charter boats in the area.
For an urban fishing store, I was really impressed by their selection — they have a good range in terms, price, quality/​skill level, and types of fishing (salt versus fresh). I didn’t see a lot of fly gear, but that’s not my thing so I wasn’t really looking. Right now the store doesn’t sell fishing licenses, but Eric said that should have that capacity next year. But being able to purchase in-​store is not really all that important in NY because because you can actually purchase a license online and get a temporary license that you can print at home.
The only other review on Unilocal of Capitol Fishing (as of today) was written by a person looking for rain boots, so I didn’t find the review helpful or accurate. If you are an angler looking for gear, advice, or frozen bait, this is the best spot in town.

When I wanted a pair of rainboots a couple of years ago – and it happened to be raining – I decided to go to Capitol Fishing, which had been located forever in the Chelsea Hotel. I found out where they had moved to and went there.
They had a bunch of «Snead’s Ferry Sneakers” – named for Snead’s Ferry, North Carolina and a favorite of the oystermen there, who wear them all the time – lined up on the floor, and I bought a pair. I went back the following day and bought a second pair, not realizing they’re not exactly an endangered species – just not that common up here. Only $ 29.99 and made in U.S.A! ($ 12 if you want to take the Amtrak down to N.C.) Can’t beat ‘em with a stick, although my cat likes to use them for a scratching post.
I was told just yesterday that these were called this, and that the oystermen turn the tops down for dress wear. I’ve considered wearing them all the time, because 1) they’re white and go with everything, 2) they have removable arch supports and are comfortable as hell and 3) they’re insanely tough, waterproof, and you can just hose ‘em down to clean them. But I have a lot of shoes that would get lonely if I favored any one pair.
Capitol Fishing is, of course, a tackle-​and-​gear kind of place. They have a good selection of rainwear, but alas – no hats to speak of, except baseball caps. I originally went there to try and get a rain hat, since I hate umbrellas and would rather wear a hat when it rains. The «Snead’s Ferry Sneakers” – also called «Wilmington Wellies» by some – saved the day for me. (And of course, you can make a pair of earrings out of a pair of trout-​fishing flies.)