Bait shop reports.

[Agronomist_at_IA]

So what do you guys think about bait shop reports....I'm always somewhat skeptical of them, and question if they are ever really worth much. The few solid leads reports I've ever actually gotten from any bait shop was when the bite was so dang good a person didn't even really need the info.

Ice reports and bad ice areas have always been good outta the bait shops though.

[Dave R]

I think they are credible.

[bearlake16]

I think it all comes down to how much you patronize a business and development a relationship. Spending a few extra bucks here and there on tackle. That sort of thing. Bet the bait shops down by you guys are really struggling with poor ice and very few customers.

[Unclegillhunter]

The one bait shop I have been going to for that last 30 or so years has let me know what is hitting and or nothing much going on in the last few days. So I pretty much trust the info I get through that source.
Keep it safe! JDL

[Buckshots]

Kabeles always says the perch are biting on Spirit, every year.  Even if they’re not. The majority of the pictures they post are from guides, and when they’re really struggling to get folks in the door, they’ve been known to post pictures from previous years. Luckily, there’s actually a perch bite on Spirit for a change. If one person catches a walleye, you can bet they’ll be saying there’s a good walleye bite, when that’s not the case. Their social media posting all over the place works though, sure are a lot of out of towners that flock there. Sheep.

[OGCollard]

Every time i have been to Clear Lake Bait and Tackle i have found their info quite useful. They have steered me to good areas where the fish are and what they are biting on. Im sure they have their honey holes they dont give up, i mean they do run a guide service as well, but their info has always helped me out

[Agronomist_at_IA]

Kabeles always says the perch are biting on Spirit, every year.  Even if they’re not. The majority of the pictures they post are from guides, and when they’re really struggling to get folks in the door, they’ve been known to post pictures from previous years. Luckily, there’s actually a perch bite on Spirit for a change. If one person catches a walleye, you can bet they’ll be saying there’s a good walleye bite, when that’s not the case. Their social media posting all over the place works though, sure are a lot of out of towners that flock there. Sheep.

LOL......this post was exactly how I was feeling. Lol

[Mr.Seaguar]

The pictures they post of dinky perch, embarrassing.

[maddogg]

The shop I go to says "Nobody tells me anything."

[Bryfish84]

Every time i have been to Clear Lake Bait and Tackle i have found their info quite useful. They have steered me to good areas where the fish are and what they are biting on. Im sure they have their honey holes they dont give up, i mean they do run a guide service as well, but their info has always helped me out

Clear Lake Bait and Tackle is always good. I would say it’s the best shop in the state.

[cropee]

Well if you think about it  It is difficult for a bait shop to give an up to date report. No one stops at the bait shop after they are done fishing. Just saying. Probably better off asking at caseys.

[Buckshots]

Well if you think about it  It is difficult for a bait shop to give an up to date report. No one stops at the bait shop after they are done fishing. Just saying. Probably better off asking at caseys.

Plenty of folks around here stop in the local bait shops after a day of fishing. Our bait shops around here will clean fish. For a fee of course.

[Kevin23]

So what do you guys think about bait shop reports....I'm always somewhat skeptical of them, and question if they are ever really worth much. The few solid leads reports I've ever actually gotten from any bait shop was when the bite was so dang good a person didn't even really need the info.

Ice reports and bad ice areas have always been good outta the bait shops though.

Around here they are usually a week or two behind. By the time enough people have figured out the bite and a loose lip shared to the bait shop, its been a week or two. Or they fish this weekend then stop back in NEXT saturday for bait and share that the fish are really biting, but it was a full week earlier.

Unless the shop owner is a guide or fished and the report is straight from him, I don't consider them reliable at all.

[crappie98]

Kabeles always says the perch are biting on Spirit, every year.  Even if they’re not. The majority of the pictures they post are from guides, and when they’re really struggling to get folks in the door, they’ve been known to post pictures from previous years. Luckily, there’s actually a perch bite on Spirit for a change. If one person catches a walleye, you can bet they’ll be saying there’s a good walleye bite, when that’s not the case. Their social media posting all over the place works though, sure are a lot of out of towners that flock there. Sheep.

The perch bite on spirit every year.  I live 3hrs from Kabeles.  I get ahold of them before I go out there about the bite.  When I get out there I stop in purchase my bait and lures there as well as a lot of my ice fishing stuff.  They always get me on the fish.  Been fishing those lakes for 20 years.  You have to work for the fish, not just drive out and drill 4 holes and fish like fair weather fisherman.  I laugh at people who bad mouth a place but keep creeping on their facebook page looking for information all the time.  Was out there last week and got on the perch real well.  Also caught a few eyes and lost 2 big ones.  We drilled about 50 holes and kept following the school.