How to Start a Bait & Tackle Shop

A bait and tackle shop is a fisherman’s go-to supply shop for bait. Normally, a bait and tackle shop is located near boat launches, piers, and lakes. If they’re licensed, a bait and tackle shop can make extra money by selling drinks and beer to fisherman. Some bait and tackle shops also sell snacks.

Ready to turn your business idea into a reality? We recommend forming an LLC as it is the most affordable way to protect your personal assets. You can do this yourself or with our trusted partner for a small fee.

 Northwest ($29 + State Fees)

DIY: How to Start an LLC

Start a bait & tackle shop by following these 10 steps:

  1. Plan your Bait & Tackle Shop
  2. Form your Bait & Tackle Shop into a Legal Entity
  3. Register your Bait & Tackle Shop for Taxes
  4. Open a Business Bank Account & Credit Card
  5. Set up Accounting for your Bait & Tackle Shop
  6. Get the Necessary Permits & Licenses for your Bait & Tackle Shop
  7. Get Bait & Tackle Shop Insurance
  8. Define your Bait & Tackle Shop Brand
  9. Create your Bait & Tackle Shop Website
  10. Set up your Business Phone System

We have put together this simple guide to starting your bait & tackle shop. These steps will ensure that your new business is well planned out, registered properly and legally compliant.

Exploring your options? Check out other small business ideas.

STEP 1: Plan your business

A clear plan is essential for success as an entrepreneur. It will help you map out the specifics of your business and discover some unknowns. A few important topics to consider are:

Luckily we have done a lot of this research for you.

What will you name your business?

Choosing the right name is important and challenging. If you don’t already have a name in mind, visit our How to Name a Business guide or get help brainstorming a name with our Bait & Tackle Shop Name Generator

If you operate a sole proprietorship, you might want to operate under a business name other than your own name. Visit our DBA guide to learn more.

When registering a business name, we recommend researching your business name by checking:

  • Your state’s business records
  • Federal and state trademark records
  • Social media platforms
  • Web domain availability

It’s very important to secure your domain name before someone else does.

What are the costs involved in opening a bait & tackle shop?

Bait and tackle shop startup costs are low. Normally, it takes $5,000 to start one. This cost covers the rent, the utilities, and insurance. It will also cover the shop’s basic supplies, like tanks, aerators, refrigeration, gear, tackle, and vending machines. As a bait tackle shop grows, it’ll need more supplies to keep fishers happy.

What are the ongoing expenses for a bait & tackle shop?

A bait and tackle shop needs to source its live bait. Typically, it catches its own. Expenses include gasoline for water trips and bait nets. If you want to source your own bait from another provider, expect to pay about $20 per bucket of shiners, snappers, suckers, or fat heads.

Who is the target market?

The ideal customers are fishermen. Instead of targeting a specific type of client, focus on the area. Establish your bait and tackle shop near a beach, a pier, a lake, or a river. Preferred clients are locals, because they buy bait in bulk. If you have to pay extra money for an extra location, do it. It’s worthwhile to pick a location with return customers.

How does a bait & tackle shop make money?

Many bait and tackle shops make money by selling bait alone. Some bait stands, in fact, only have a single tank with live bait. Others, meanwhile, offer lures, hooks, line, and even spare rod pieces. Depending on the location, a bait and tackle shop will offer different items. Ocean fishing is different than freshwater fishing, and it needs additional gear.

Bait and tackle shops can also sell food and drinks for money. Some shops sell beer and liquor. Other shops may open a café. While rare, some shops are also seafood restaurants. Really, it depends on the shop’s location. Bait can be charged by the bucket, or it can be charged by individual fish, worm, etc. Tackle is sold on a per item basis.

How much can you charge customers?

Charge customers between 25 and 95 cents for live bait, per bait. Fishing lures can be priced between 95 cents and $10. As for tackle, prices range from $15 to $80, depending on what you’re selling. If you’re selling rod necessities, like spinning reels, you can sell products up to $100.

How much profit can a bait & tackle shop make?

A good bait and tackle shop can make about $45,000 per year, if it’s small. Larger franchised bait and tackle shops, meanwhile, can make over $200,000 in profit per year. A lot of a bait and tackle shop’s success depends on its availability—as well as the area’s fishing needs.

How can you make your business more profitable?

Commercial fishing is a big business, but it might not be big in your area. Instead of expanding your floor space off the bat, look for better locations. Host special events like contests, and sponsor charitable community work.

Want a more guided approach? Access TRUiC’s free Small Business Startup Guide – a step-by-step course for turning your business idea into reality. Get started today!

STEP 2: Form a legal entity

One crucial aspect that cannot be overlooked when starting your bait & tackle shop is the importance of establishing a solid business foundation. While sole proprietorships and partnerships are the most common entity types for small businesses, they’re a far less stable and advantageous option than LLCs.

This is because unincorporated business structures (i.e., sole proprietorships and partnerships) expose you as an owner to personal liability for your business’s debts and legal actions, while LLCs protect you by keeping your personal assets separate from your business’s liabilities.

In practice, this means that if your bait & tackle shop were to face a lawsuit or incur any debts, your savings, home, and other personal assets could not be used to cover these costs. On top of this, forming your business as an LLC also helps it to appear more legitimate and trustworthy.

More than 84% of our readers opt to collaborate with a professional LLC formation service to kickstart their venture. We’ve negotiated a tailored discount for our readers, bringing the total down to just $29.

FORM YOUR LLC

Note: If you’re interested in more information before getting started, we recommend having a look at our state-specific How to Start an LLC guide (DIY) or our in-depth Best LLC Services review (for those opting for a professional service).

STEP 3: Register for taxes

You will need to register for a variety of state and federal taxes before you can open for business.

In order to register for taxes you will need to apply for an EIN. It’s really easy and free!

You can acquire your EIN through the IRS website. If you would like to learn more about EINs, read our article, What is an EIN?

There are specific state taxes that might apply to your business. Learn more about state sales tax and franchise taxes in our state sales tax guides.

STEP 4: Open a business bank account & credit card

Using dedicated business banking and credit accounts is essential for personal asset protection.

When your personal and business accounts are mixed, your personal assets (your home, car, and other valuables) are at risk in the event your business is sued. In business law, this is referred to as piercing your corporate veil.

Open a business bank account

Besides being a requirement when applying for business loans, opening a business bank account:

  • Separates your personal assets from your company’s assets, which is necessary for personal asset protection.
  • Makes accounting and tax filing easier.

Recommended: Read our Best Banks for Small Business review to find the best national bank or credit union.

Get a business credit card

Getting a business credit card helps you:

Recommended: Apply for an easy approval business credit card from BILL and build your business credit quickly.

STEP 5: Set up business accounting

Recording your various expenses and sources of income is critical to understanding the financial performance of your business. Keeping accurate and detailed accounts also greatly simplifies your annual tax filing.

Make LLC accounting easy with our LLC Expenses Cheat Sheet.

STEP 6: Obtain necessary permits and licenses

Failure to acquire necessary permits and licenses can result in hefty fines, or even cause your business to be shut down.

State & Local Business Licensing Requirements

In most states, it is necessary to obtain a bait shop license. Certain state permits and licenses may be needed to operate a bait & tackle business. Learn more about licensing requirements in your state by visiting SBA’s reference to state licenses and permits.

Most businesses are required to collect sales tax on the goods or services they provide. To learn more about how sales tax will affect your business, read our article, Sales Tax for Small Businesses.

Certificate of Occupancy

A bait shop business is generally run out of a shack or storefront. Businesses operating out of a physical location typically require a Certificate of Occupancy (CO).  A CO confirms that all building codes, zoning laws and government regulations have been met.  

  • If you plan to lease a location:
    • It is generally the landlord’s responsibility to obtain a CO.
    • Before leasing, confirm that your landlord has or can obtain a valid CO that is applicable to a bait & tackle business.
    • After a major renovation, a new CO often needs to be issued. If your place of business will be renovated before opening, it is recommended to include language in your lease agreement stating that lease payments will not commence until a valid CO is issued.
  • If you plan to purchase or build a location:
    • You will be responsible for obtaining a valid CO from a local government authority.
    • Review all building codes and zoning requirements for your business’ location to ensure your bait & tackle business will be in compliance and able to obtain a CO.

STEP 7: Get business insurance

Just as with licenses and permits, your business needs insurance in order to operate safely and lawfully. Business Insurance protects your company’s financial wellbeing in the event of a covered loss.

There are several types of insurance policies created for different types of businesses with different risks. If you’re unsure of the types of risks that your business may face, begin with General Liability Insurance. This is the most common coverage that small businesses need, so it’s a great place to start for your business.

Another notable insurance policy that many businesses need is Workers’ Compensation Insurance. If your business will have employees, it’s a good chance that your state will require you to carry Workers’ Compensation Coverage.

Find out what types of insurance your Bait & Tackle Shop needs and how much it will cost you by reading our guide Business Insurance for Bait & Tackle Shop.

STEP 8: Define your brand

Your brand is what your company stands for, as well as how your business is perceived by the public. A strong brand will help your business stand out from competitors.

If you already have a logo, you can also add it to a QR code with our Free QR Code Generator. Choose from 13 QR code types to create a code for your business cards and publications, or to help spread awareness for your new website.

How to promote & market a bait & tackle shop

Fortunately, bait and tackle shops frequently promote themselves. Reach out to local restaurants, fishing areas, and near-water locations. A lot of fishers rely on big-name brands to get their tackle. That said, they’ll turn to local bait and tackle shops for convenience. Again, a lot of shops thrive from being near the water.

As for marketing, make a Facebook page. Put flyers around local businesses, and reach out to local business owners. A lot of your marketing will be word-of-mouth marketing.

How to keep customers coming back

Attract customers by being in an accessible location. Marinas, beaches, and piers will be your best bet. Retain customers by being fully stocked, offering good advice, and being accommodating. A lot of fishers return to the same bait and tackle shops out of habit, so make sure you’re kind to your regulars.

STEP 9: Create your business website

After defining your brand and creating your logo the next step is to create a website for your business.

While creating a website is an essential step, some may fear that it’s out of their reach because they don’t have any website-building experience. While this may have been a reasonable fear back in 2015, web technology has seen huge advancements in the past few years that makes the lives of small business owners much simpler.

Here are the main reasons why you shouldn’t delay building your website:

  • All legitimate businesses have websites – full stop. The size or industry of your business does not matter when it comes to getting your business online.
  • Social media accounts like Facebook pages or LinkedIn business profiles are not a replacement for a business website that you own.
  • Website builder tools like the GoDaddy Website Builder have made creating a basic website extremely simple. You don’t need to hire a web developer or designer to create a website that you can be proud of.

Recommended: Get started today using our recommended website builder or check out our review of the Best Website Builders.

Other popular website builders are: WordPressWIXWeeblySquarespace, and Shopify.

STEP 10: Set up your business phone system

Getting a phone set up for your business is one of the best ways to help keep your personal life and business life separate and private. That’s not the only benefit; it also helps you make your business more automated, gives your business legitimacy, and makes it easier for potential customers to find and contact you.

There are many services available to entrepreneurs who want to set up a business phone system. We’ve reviewed the top companies and rated them based on price, features, and ease of use. Check out our review of the Best Business Phone Systems 2024 to find the best phone service for your small business.

Recommended Business Phone Service: Phone.com

Phone.com is our top choice for small business phone numbers because of all the features it offers for small businesses and it’s fair pricing.

Is this Business Right For You?

Bait and tackle shops are perfect for people who love to fish. If you love fishing on the ocean, on lakes or on rivers, consider opening one. They’re also great for friendly sports-lovers. Bait and tackle shops are normally people-oriented. If you like the small shop environment, a bait and tackle shop may be for you.

Want to know if you are cut out to be an entrepreneur?

Take our Entrepreneurship Quiz to find out!

Entrepreneurship Quiz

What happens during a typical day at a bait & tackle shop?

Bait and tackle shop owners have several responsibilities. First, they need to maintain the live bait. To do so, they need to keep the tanks, aerators, and water supplies clean. Bait and tackle shop owners must also keep bait and tackle stocked. They should also make sure other bait is refrigerated. Vending machines need to be restocked, and customers need to be kept happy. A successful bait and tackle shop owner also cleans, works the register, markets, and manages the area.

What are some skills and experiences that will help you build a successful bait & tackle shop?

A successful bait and tackle shop will understand the area. They’ll know which fish can be caught, and they’ll also know how to catch them. More importantly: They’ll know how to use their bait.

A good bait and tackle shop will also offer high-quality lures, bait, and tackle. Fishers lose their tackle and bait a lot, and they’ll pay extra for high-quality products. If your bait and tackle shop is on a pier, near a restaurant, or on the beach, it’ll need to be noninvasive. Serve customers, give information, and let them fish.

What is the growth potential for a bait & tackle shop?

Normally, bait and tackle shops stay local. It’s rare to see a bait and tackle chain, but they do exist. Large bait and tackle shops may expand, stocking hunting, camping, and survival supplies. Stores like Outdoor World, for example, sell many supplies.

For the most part, a bait and tackle shop will serve a very specific area. Fishers search by location, when fishing. For this reason, they’ll buy bait and tackle from whichever shop is closest. There isn’t too much competition with bait and tackle shops, but you should still have a competitive pricing mindset. If your shop is in a popular fishing area, fishers may still turn to other shops if their prices are better.

Take the Next Step

Find a business mentor

One of the greatest resources an entrepreneur can have is quality mentorship. As you start planning your business, connect with a free business resource near you to get the help you need.

Having a support network in place to turn to during tough times is a major factor of success for new business owners.

Learn from other business owners

Want to learn more about starting a business from entrepreneurs themselves? Visit Startup Savant’s startup founder series to gain entrepreneurial insights, lessons, and advice from founders themselves.

Resources to Help Women in Business

There are many resources out there specifically for women entrepreneurs. We’ve gathered necessary and useful information to help you succeed both professionally and personally:

  • Funding
  • Events
  • Guides
  • Support

If you’re a woman looking for some guidance in entrepreneurship, check out this great new series Women in Business created by the women of our partner Startup Savant.

What are some insider tips for jump starting a bait & tackle shop?

Invest in an underperforming, unprofitable location. When you’re starting, you’re better off relying on low expenses. Determine your competition, and consider competing with existing shops. It can take a tackle shop some time to get started, but they can become powerful local shops once they’ve gained footing.

How and when to build a team

You can operate a bait and tackle shop alone at first. Soon, however, you should bring on at least two or three employees. These employees will need to help with bait refrigeration, cleaning, processing orders, and stocking the shop. If you plan on franchising, you’ll need to have a team of at least five employees.

Useful Links

Industry Opportunities

Real World Examples

Further Reading