These guys are great! They are always very helpful and have gone out of their way to help my knucklehead son by educating him on many great fishing tips. This place is about 30 minutes out of my way and the drive is always worth it! read more

Very convenient location to get bait on the way to the docks. The staff was friendly and helpful. They have a huge selection of baits and fishing equipment if you should need any items. read more

This is a great place to pick up bait on your way to the Pinellas County beaches. My husband stops here on our way to the Gandy bridge to pick up live bait. Nice people, plenty of parking in front. read more

Great spot for bait! The guys here are super friendly and helpful. They directed us on what bait to snag and a few spots to check out. They enhance every bait and tackle you could ever need! We got shrimp, squid, mullet, crabs and a few extra hooks. Reasonable priced in comparison to other places we've been. We would definitely come back! read more

My 6 year old finally had a desire to go fishing and having grown up fishing with my Dad, I couldn't wait to take him. We're new to town and realized quickly that the gear we have from up north wouldn't fit this approach to fishing. I headed to this shop and was quickly greeted by Rob and let him know the situation, taking my son for the first time. He set us up with all of the essentials to take a kid out to the pier and teach him the basics, nothing more/nothing less, which I appreciated. He even gave me a few pointers to make sure my son had a good chance to hook up. They were really kind and friendly all around and the day was a success. The next day we returned and added a rod set up for Dad and again, Rob was really accommodating. We'll be return clients for sure, thanks for the great service/experience. read more

I mean it's an ild smelly bait shop....they have all your gear for a day of fishing...they seem to always have bait, and a great location. Friendly staff, good spot. read more

This place is the BEST BAIT SHOP (in my opinion). Why do I think this is the best bait shop in Tampa? The price is cheap. Also people where nice! The live bait was very lively! read more

The people here is not friendly at all. I asked questions and the guy at the cash register ignored me five times. The people that works here act like they don't wanna be here. Not my problem. Everything here is overpriced. I will never come here again. These people are never gonna disrespect me again. Take my business somewhere else. read more

The staff were incredibly helpful, helped us fix up our gear for a casual fishing day without charging us. I will certainly be back.

We visited this shop twice on our weeklong vacation to pick up bait. I understand this area is a vacation destination. With that being said, I could definitely sense the lack of patience for tourist at several other bait and tackle stores we visited. This was not the case at Gandy's. They were both friendly and informative and we enjoyed stopping by each time. read more

Gandy Bait & Tackle - Outdoor Gear Near Me - Tampa, Florida

I've fished at various places throughout the country, have gone to dozens of different bait shops, and Gandy Bait and Tackle is staffed with the rudest bait shop employees I've ever met. I'm extremely surprised there isn't a negative review on here yet. I'd say people who work at bait shops are stereotypically extremely warm and friendly people, that is not the case at Gandy Bait and Tackle. I live not too far away, have gone in plenty of times, each time I have a different experience with one of the shop employees being either rude to myself or someone else. The bald gentleman with the beard is in there every time I have gone in, not welcoming whatsoever, and never has a smile on his face. I've had countless negative encounters with him. I've had a few with others employees as well, but he sticks out so I'll focus on him. A few examples: I walked in and actually bought several things, you'd think he'd be happy about good business, at the end asked if there was a bathroom I can use. He looked at me and said "I don't know can you?" At first I thought he was kidding (a common thing to say to someone to maybe poke some fun), but he was not, keeping his same plain unpleasant look on his face almost seeming like he was trying to intimidate me. He never pointed me in the direction of a bathroom, so I left. Another time: again buying several things, went to the register to purchase my items. He asked if I had cash. I said "no, only card, sorry". He acted like this was an incredible inconvenience going so far to say "unbelievable". The card machine didn't even take long nor did it make him do any extra work. Another time: maybe two summers ago I was in there nothing out of the ordinary, the bald bearded man was acting miserable per usual, he rings me up, and I go outside to get my live bait. A nice college age kid got my bait for me. I was asked him "Bro, why is that bald bearded guy so rude all the time?" He said "I'm not sure, a lot of these guys who work here are just like him though, I won't work here much longer because of it." If another employee says the same thing that I'm thinking there's obviously an issue. That was the one and only time I saw that kid working there as well. LASTLY, and what should be the nail in the coffin but unfortunately won't be, I've experienced and have heard of two instances where the bald bearded gentleman has proven to be a racist. First, I was in probably a month ago again buying several things and getting checked out. The bald bearded man was miserable again per usual. A Spanish speaking man walked in the door behind me speaking perfect English but he did have an accent. Asked the bald bearded guy a question, bald bearded guy said "yes", and the Spanish speaking man walked out. The bald bearded man proceeded to make a series of noises mocking the Spanish speaking man, looked at me and said "could you understand what he was saying because I sure as f*** couldn't." I looked at him and said "nah, I understood everything" and grabbed my things and left. The second instance didn't happen to me directly, but my African American friend. This friend of mine went to the bait shop next door to buy his bait once, that bait shop doesn't always have snacks or things of that nature SO he walked over to Gandy Bait and Tackle to buy the things of that nature. The bald bearded man stopped him at the door and said "no, if you want to buy bait from them you can buy whatever else you need from them you stupid n*****." Once I heard that last story that was the nail in the coffin for me, I will never return to Gandy Bait and Tackle. I encourage everyone in the market for anything fishing related to go next door to go to the bait shop next door where every time I have entered I am warmly welcomed and helped with anything I ask. Hopefully one day either the bald bearded man will be gone or this place will be out of business. And NO, I am not an employee or have any affiliation with the bait shop next door (that's why I'm not sharing/advertising the name of it), I am simply sharing my God honest experiences. read more

These guys are the real deal. They are always so quick to help, and go over the top for customers. Great prices, tackle, and bait!

Best spot I've been to in the Tampa area. They're not far from Ballest Park pier either

This place is a great find especially if you're heading out by Gandy. My husband was used to fly fishing in Montana and we not used to salt water fishing. The staff were very helpful and knowledgeable. My husband was able to load up on everything he needed. The biggest bonus is that they are extremely reasonably priced! read more

These guys are great. Always helpful, helped me learn the area and fishing techniques when I was new and alone there.

Great bait shop for live or frozen bait. Also a good spot for a variety of fishing gear. The staff is very friendly and knowledgeable, and the prices are reasonable. I would recommend this shop to anyone fishing in the Tampa area. read more

Just stopped by to get my first time fishing gear and the two fellas there were really helpful. Shows me how to tie a knot, suggested places to go fishing and didn't try to sell me more than I needed for my first time. Very happy I stopped by. read more

Nice place near some good spots. They have live bait at a great price. Very helpful for beginners at salt water. Just ask

Best damn bait shop there is. Hands down! Been going here for years and there's no one better. Never had a negative experience. Bill and little tenderoasty are the best! Very knowledgeable and pleasant experience. read more

Since I've gotten back into fishing several months ago, this is where I always get my bait. They have 3 sizes of shrimp(reg, med, & select) and have at least 2 sizes most of the times I've came(late morning, late night, and in the evening). They also carry pinfish, which are also usually in stock when I stop in. Sometimes they also carry chubs and fiddler crabs. There are also frozen baits, chum, various supplies(weights, hooks, line, etc), ice, snacks and drinks. The staff is always friendly and more than helpful. I've even received recommendations as far as places to fish at and specific spots(to include where to go on base). Not sure how their price compares to other places, but I must admit that it isn't too big of a priority as I want what I want, plus selection varies everywhere I've been to(4 places total) with the exemption of shrimp(everywhere has it). I do recommend this place, as they always have what I need. read more

update still the same this is to my friends that fish. last weekend i stopped at gandy bait & tackle and tried to buy select shrimp. the shrimp they tryed to sell me were between 2" and 3". i told the kid that in know way these shrimp were selects. he tried to school me like i was a tourist on what a select was. i have only been buying bait in florida for 40 years. born in tampa to boot. here's how the kid explained to me how select shrimp was determine. you lay the shrimp across your hand if it goes across its a select. i call bullshit. i buy select shrimp all the time and " select" are 6" to 8" fore the most part or bigger. just putting out there gandy bait & tackle will never get my business again also any body i can get the word out to. what they are sale as select's are not right. for those who are buying them you can do a lot better else where ... just so you know read more