Bait shops in Ct

[fishingman17]

there aren't many bait shops left i went fishing today to highland and went by trips and they are out of buisness  also nickles is closed i dont think there are any bait shops by highland lake   anybody know any places for the winter

[Josh B.]

Connecticut Outfitters   We have a high selection of ice fishing equipment, ALL WINTER, unlike Cabelas. Plenty o' shiners and grubs as well.

[fishingman17]

yeah thanks also upcountry but they are expensive

[chadroc]

only one i can think of out that way is up country sport fishing.  think its in avon.  on rt 44.  don't get out there much but pretty sure they have shiners for winter.

[DasRottweiler]

What about Blaines shop? Plus he is a sponsor, always good to throw cash at those who throw it back at the site . Ct-Outfitters.com

[Blaine]

Thanks guys... We realize we are a bit out of the way for some of you lucky enough to live in the hills. Many people that are travelling any distance to come see us will buy their bait by the pound and store it for when theyneed it. You end up saving a few bucks that way as well. We also stock all the treatment chemicals to keep them alive and happy until you use them. It's always best to call ahead a few days in advance so that we can add to our weekly order for whatever size you want. 

[Curley]

There is also Fall Mountain Outfitters in Torrington on rt.4 I believe. Haven't been in that shop in years.

[northwestslayer]

Right on route 8 going towards colebrook res. In wisted next to the package store and car wash  is fishermans cove.. Always alot of bait, nice guys and cheap.

[saxmatt]

I would do what Blaine said: stock up on bait and hold it in your own tank. Keeping your own bait is nice because you can fish whenever you want. I like being the first one on the lake in the morning and I'm usually on the ice before the shops even open. Up Country has shiners, but they run out often and don't have a great selection or ice gear. They are more of a fly shop. CT Outfitters always has bait, and they have a great selection of ice gear.

[WILLYTROUT]

for us guys in the eastern part of the state. jt's fly shop rte 84 exit 72. will be open all winter with bait. except mon.& tues. great place. right on rte 190 1/2 mile from the highway. the onle other place i know you can count on is crystal lake bait and tackle. hey blaine i live out by uconn but i promise i'm goinna take the ride to your store this year. i've been sayin that for a couple of years but this time i mean it.

wt

[jss111678]

willietrout i live in somers and use crystal lake bait alot. lives long good prices. you should go to the seminar at the shop on friday from what i hear they do good

[mongosmash]

hey i live in Enfield, i used to use the Zima brother's. their bait would always survive no ,matter what i did to them. but now i don't think their even open anymore. i drive by them all the time and don't see anything in their parking lot. so now i use the guy in the middle of town now. the name of the shop is Yankee bait and tackle. i have had some problems with the bait. but after some research I've found out that it wasn't the bait. i was keeping them in to small a container and the fish were filling it up with their own pee. my bad, the next time i buy the big or pike baits i Will also have a larger container to keep them in. also the older guy who owns the place is also pretty knowledgeable about the local fishing and how to caught them.
i also think his son still fishes in some local fishing club that is sponsored by Bass  .

[jss111678]

mongo i know who you use me too. but one of the brothers died last year and i went to get bait , he said he would no longer be doing it too much work with out his bro. bless them . good poeple , and had the best bait around here kept there bait for over 2 months with only 2 floaters thing last forever

[jss111678]

oh yah it is the bait over there he keeps it indoors and the water is warm , so when you take them into the cold they go into shock. one time i got them and drove straight to congamond maybe 20 minutes tops got on the ice had 4 dozen between 3 guys and almost all were floating by the time the holes were drilled. they started a fire and i took my metal bait bucket over the fire warmed the water dumped it in a 5 gallon pail with the other minnows and with in 5 minutes 3 1/2 dozen minnows were swimming again. it was to cold for his indoor minnows

[linebreaker]

Anyone know if Deans is still open over on 202 (I think). I remember his daughter ran it last year. It was nice cause it was on the way up towards waramug andMount Tom

[northwestslayer]

In winsted argus has bait during the ice season...

[Oldfart]

It was hit or miss with her. I drive past it often but never find it open or hours posted, but fishing reports are still on the chalkboard outside the door.

[jebra]

Dean's was open mostly weekends last season. 

[mongosmash]

mongo i know who you use me too. but one of the brothers died last year and i went to get bait , he said he would no longer be doing it too much work with out his bro. bless them . good poeple , and had the best bait around here kept there bait for over 2 months with only 2 floaters thing last forever

Are you talking about the Zima brothers. they haven't sold bait for sometime now. but that stinks that anybody has to pass on. i know that one of them smoked these old and nasty cigars. he would chew on the damn thing while he would serve up your bait. for me that made it look like the old time bait shops. now we use YANKEE BAIT AND TACKAL their bait is also inside and i know his bait is to warm. thanks for the info. I'll have to give that a try when they start to swim funny.

[Oldfart]

Dean's was open mostly weekends last season. 

Yeah, weekends.....and LAST season.