Bait in Rensselaer County

[caddis]

Heard that that the bait shop in Rensselaer Closed. Any other options in Rensselaer County?

[bart]

Check here, you may find something in your area...

https://www.iceshanty.com/ice_fishing/index.php?topic=154985.0

[Adironzach]

Its not in Rensselear County, but Conroy's Bait & Supply is 10 minutes up 787 in Watervliet. Real friendly guy and his bait has always treated me well. He is also one of the few places i know of that carries live crawfish during the open water season.

[lowaccord66]

I like conroys as well.  Good bait.

[bogtrotter]

The scarcity of certified bait dealers in Rensselaer County is indeed annoying - - not to say mystifying: I would have assumed there would be more "Mom and Pop" style entrepeneurs eager to fill that niche, but, for whatever reason, there just is not.

Conroy's (which I've been in once, about 4 years ago) is really cool - - like stepping back in time into a 1940's Field and Stream advertisement.

The other thing I remember about them is that, when you buy shiners there, rather than simply dump them in your bucket, they line your bucket with a plastic bag, fill it with water, put the shiners in the bag, and then add compressed air and seal the bag. 

Or, at least they did when I was there.

[perchking4ever]

R&R bait Shop on Burden lake in Averill Park. Just opened up over the summer I believe.

[ship of fools]

I hate Conroy's  ......  i'm anxious to get fishing and assuming he even comes to the store it takes forever to get in and out of there. Last time i went this summer I literally waited 10 minutes for him in the store and he never bothered to come downstairs.

I do agree his bait seems to be very hardy and lasts a while.

[delta12]

Always been OKAY with Conroy's. Been there forever and wonder how much longer.  A real scarcity of shops, especially around Albany itself if heading in any direction other than towards Conroy's.

[lowaccord66]

I hate Conroy's  ......  i'm anxious to get fishing and assuming he even comes to the store it takes forever to get in and out of there. Last time i went this summer I literally waited 10 minutes for him in the store and he never bothered to come downstairs.

I do agree his bait seems to be very hardy and lasts a while.

Ya if you get there first thing it can take a minute...

[ship of fools]

Ya if you get there first thing it can take a minute...

Well that time was 3 in the afternoon but whatever.  It’s completely useless on a weekend unless you go the day before. I just find him annoying.  It could be me

[Adironzach]

Well that time was 3 in the afternoon but whatever.  It’s completely useless on a weekend unless you go the day before. I just find him annoying.  It could be me

Not just you. I forgot about how hit or miss he is sometimes. Thinking back to when i lived in watervliet, there was more than one occasion where he was suppose to be open and just never came to the door/ wasnt there.

[ship of fools]

Not just you. I forgot about how hit or miss he is sometimes. Thinking back to when i lived in watervliet, there was more than one occasion where he was suppose to be open and just never came to the door/ wasnt there.

It's been that way for 20 plus years. It's a last resort for me. If I'm going north I'll hit Crossroads or Fish 307.

[Adironzach]

It's been that way for 20 plus years. It's a last resort for me. If I'm going north I'll hit Crossroads or Fish 307.

Same here, thankfully im up in Saratoga now so i have a lot of options within 25-30 minutes from me now. Only head to ol' Conroy's if im targeting smallies in the mohawk/ hudson river area down there and need crawdads

[got em]

It's you ship . .  . . I've been going there 45+ years. . No problems. .had issues with the store in Rensselaer. . He was always complaining about not making money. . Guys there to early. . Etc. Mike or Ma always treated me great. .if it took a while for him or her to come down he always made up for it with extra bait or turn me on to new spots. . 

[ship of fools]

It's you ship . .  . . I've been going there 45+ years. . No problems. .had issues with the store in Rensselaer. . He was always complaining about not making money. . Guys there to early. . Etc. Mike or Ma always treated me great. .if it took a while for him or her to come down he always made up for it with extra bait or turn me on to new spots. . 

It certainly could be. I’m a customer service nut so poor service turns me right off. And it’s completely unacceptable if it eats into my fishing time😎

[butch76]

There is Flying Arrow in Rensselaer/East Greenbush also.

[Hardwaternubie53]

Mike, at Conroy's does something I have never seen anywhere else in my 60 some odd years of fishing. For the additional cost of $1.00, he will put your bait in an oxygen bag. This keeps them alive and fresh for several days. No areator needed. No batteries, no muss, no fuss. I love this when I am going a long distance to fish. Easy, cheap and I don't have to go looking for bait when I get to that far away lake.

[Mr.Esox]

That's Fordmans backyard he knows it all.

[xxxbeer247]

 Im not positive if he will be open in 2021 but big T next to the tomhannock reservoir in Pittstown has been very reliable for the past decade or so. Keep in mind that he doesn’t open until January 1 to coincide with the reservoir being the same opening day.

[Gbreen]

Try Averill Park Outfitters on43 great spot on the web

[Jake1]

Big T is closed. went to R&R on 1st burden lake today, no complaints. also heard very good things on averill park outfitters on Rt43 near Alps. not sure if shooters in Valatie has bait yet. and flying arrow. considering how crappy weather has been in recent years lucky to have anyone close by!

[mcdonata]

Flying Arrow Sports off Route 9 and 20 outside Rensselaer. Good bait, hardy. Bait comes in Thursday’s