If you fancy yourself an angler, or are interested in casting your first line, there are plenty of excellent locations to catch a big one in Iowa! Across the state, alongside the many freshwater fishing spots, there are numerous bait and tackle shops to find the right gear you need. All locally owned and operated, what takes a good bait and tackle shop and makes it great is the staff that greets you at the door. For all the right fishing gear for anytime of the year in Iowa, plus a community of anglers who can help set you up right, be sure to check out these 10 best bait and tackle shops in Iowa.
Featuring bait and tackle, plus rods, reel and line, Tournament Tackle is the number one store in the Des Moines metro to outfit your Iowa fishing adventure. With a big selection of bait and tackle, including rigs, weed guards and buzz bait, there is little to nothing you can’t land after visiting Tournament Tackle of Des Moines.
Serving the avid anglers of Waterloo for nearly 80 years, Hank’s Live Bait & Tackle has learned a thing or two about fishing in Iowa and abroad. Alongside the helpful staff and monthly fishing seminars, Hank’s provides patrons with one of the densest selections of bait, tackle, and other fishing equipment. If you happen to miss Hank’s during opening hours and still want to fish, thanks to a 24/7 Live Bait Vending Machine outside the front door, Hank’s has you covered every hour of the day.
Serving as the great outdoors store of Iowa City, Fin & Feather has a wide selection of camping and hiking gear, technical and performance clothing, and all the sporting goods you could ever need. For the fishing selection, Fin & Feather carries live and manufactured bait, lures, rods, reels and all the accessories, plus some local information on the best places to land a big one.
Featuring a drive-thru window and bragging board, plus nearly 50 years of serving the Council Bluffs area, Woods Sporting Good has become a staple in the Iowa fishing community. Featuring an extensive selection of bait and tackle for every month of the year, Woods also provides rods, reels and a friendly sales service that can clue you into what’s biting this season.
Stacked with all the major brands and hard-to-find accessories, Lucky’s Bait and Tackle of Central City gives you that little extra luck to land a big one in Iowa. Featuring a long list of bait and tackle to choose from, Lucky’s Bait and Tackle also provides camping and some hunting supplies, plus a lot of local knowledge of the area and the best spots to fish.
Built by fisherman for fisherman, Clear Lake Bait & Tackle is owned and operated by two Clear Lake tournament anglers, and provides exactly the right gear for a great day on the water. With an inventory that is densely packed into the large retail space, Clear Lake Bait & Tackle specializes in bait, tackle, rods, reels and a friendly service that will have you coming back for more.
Hook, line and sinker, if you want the most dependable service and biggest selection when it comes to fishing gear, C.R. Bait & Tackle has you covered. Specializing in all-weather fishing, C.R. Bait & Tackle provides the live bait, rods, reels, lines and tackles, and all you have to do is go catch a fish.
The good folks over at No Limits Outdoors literally have no limit when it comes to the outdoor gear and services they provide. Whether you are a hunter, angler, or hiker, No Limits Outdoors can keep you outside longer and more comfortably. For bait and tackle, No Limits has a long selection, as well all the fishing accessories you need to enjoy your time out on the water.
Featuring minnows, chubs, and worms, the live bait isn’t the only thing you’ll find over at Cook’s Outdoors in Cedar Falls. Also featuring some general outdoor sport supplies like two-burner stoves, gloves, and tools, Cook’s Outdoor also specializes in the boats you need to get out on the water. Whether it’s an angler boat, pontoon, or kayak, alongside the live bait at Cook’s, you can really have some fun on top of the water.
Featuring everything and more you need to fish throughout the year, alongside the live bait and extensive selection of tackle, Kabele’s Trading Post also supplies the accessories, gear and fishing report to really make the most out of your day. Locally owned and operated, Kabele’s is a true angler’s destination filled with a ton of great gear and friendly people.
