Paul’s Bait & Tackle

Great place if you need basic tackle in the city

Good experience: I called in to see if they carried Red Wriggler worms, and the associate anticipated what I was us to with her question, «For fishing or composting?» Composting. Nice to see that they know what people are looking for when they drop in. When I got there, I was greeted outside – in spite of my goofy biking outfit. The associate was polite and took time to answer my questions about pricing, and even got the Wrigglers out of their boxes to show me what I’d be purchasing.
⁴⁄₅ stars because this place is ugly. But overall, Paul’s has a sizable inventory and a pleasantly helpful staff.

Northern boy that I am, I associate fishing with remote lakes and lonely stretches of river. During the past year, however, two authors opened my eyes to the possibilities of urban fishing. Ron Swegman’s «Philadelphia on the Fly» journals trout adventures on the Schuylkill River and Wissahickon Creek, a short mountain bike ride from downtown. In «The Fish’s Eye,» Ian Frazier describes early morning excursions with his rod and reel through subway turnstiles on the way to Hudson River piers. One of the most interesting character studies I’ve ever read is his piece about the proprietor of a compact fishing shop in midtown Manhattan, who knows more about where to find fish than most of his customers.
Imagining that kind of homespun wisdom is something I’m not likely to find in Bass Pro or Cabela’s, I decided that I would check out Paul’s Bait & Tackle. It’s a local business that has been around more than 50 years, and is run by the son-​in-​law and daughter of the original owner. My GPS got me close; the lighted sign on the north side of Chippewa guided me into the asphalt parking lot. Paul’s was at the back of the lot, beside a small apartment building. As I entered, a motion-​detecting sensor activated an artificial frog, its croaking «ribbet» announcing my arrival. I was greeted by one of the co-​owners, who told me to take my time looking around. As my eyes adjusted to the fluorescent lighting, I realized that even though it’s «off season» for fishing, there were plenty of options in lures and artificial baits. Supplies were available to tie flies or smelt your own sinkers and jigs, if you have time for that sort of thing. I checked out some high-​end reels in a display case, and browsed through a selection of vintage fishing books and videos. Fishing lures are good stocking stuffers; I also purchased a small wooden catch-​and-​release net that will strap easily to my backpack.
Best of all, in response to my questions about urban fishing, I was given a flyer with info about the Dept. of Conservation’s urban fishing program. Dozens of sites are listed. Soon, my trips into town may include getting down and dirty in the muck of River Des Peres or Forest Park’s Jefferson Lake. Afterwards, I may stop for a drink, and expand the definition of «sports bar» by telling my fishing tales. When you see the guy with a net strapped to his backpack, say hello, and buy him a drink.

I don’t go fishing much, but if I did, I would go here for my pre-​fishing goods.
This place has an incredible vintage sign out front circa 1960. I think they haven’t remodeled since they opened 50 years ago. A real relic from the past. I went in here after driving by for the last few months. Upon walking in, I am instantly transported to my grandpa’s garage, the smell of a hardware store with bait, tackle and lots of other odds n’ ends.
I love finding little spots like this. I hope they live on forever.