Best Bait and Tackle Shops in Northeastern Connecticut

With the beginning of fishing season close at hand here in northeastern Connecticut, it is important to know where you can get tackle and buy bait. There are a trio of bait and tackle shops in northeastern Connecticut that I recommend, having utilized each one of them several times. Bob's Place in Attawaugan, B&J's Bait and Tackle in Plainfield, and Land & Sea Sports Center in Hampton all sell fishing tackle along with live bait to get you well on your way to a fine season of angling.

Bob's Place is easy to locate off of Exit 94 on Route 395. Head east off of the exit for a short distance until you come to a traffic light and then go straight. The road is very curvy in this section, so pay close attention as you negotiate it. Bob's Place is about a half mile down on the left, with a big sign that makes it impossible to miss. The address is 132 Ballouville Road in Dayville, with the phone number being 774-2286. Bob is a retired military man who opened the shop in the 1980s. He is friendly and knowledgeable about local fishing spots and very accommodating. If Bob doesn't have what you need on hand he will readily order it for you from one of the many companies he deals with. His prices for live shiners are more than reasonable and he has a varied assortment of fishing gear for year-round anglers, including ice-fishermen.

B & J's Bait and Tackle Shop is on Academy Lane off of Route 12 in Plainfield, about a quarter mile north of the traffic light that marks the intersection of Routes 12 and 14. B & J's also has live bait year round and a good selection of equipment. The phone number for B & J's is 564-7742. Land & Sea Sports Center is located on Route 6 in the small northeastern Connecticut town of Hampton. It is on the crest of a long hill at 441 Providence Turnpike, which is just another name for Route 6. Land & Sea Sports Center has live bait and fishing and hunting equipment for sale. You can reach them at 860-455-0028.

There is one other bait and tackle shop in eastern Connecticut that I am far less familiar with. I have been to Mike's Bait and Tackle on Church Street in Voluntown twice; on both occasions I found what I was looking for. If you need to buy a fishing license prior to heading to your favorite fishing hole, you should be able to do so at any of these establishments. However, it is always wise to call ahead to make sure that they still have some available. A resident fishing license in Connecticut goes for $20, with a non-resident license costing twice that much.