Great bait for fresh salt water with plenty of tackle from any from beginners to pros owner dave is very friendly and knowledgeable with great advice read more

I'm an avid fisherman in southern Rhode Island. it has come to my attention that many of your customers are the jet ski crowd that has invaded Rhode Island waters. Though it's a free ocean and an enjoyable fishery perhaps it would serve the fishery as a whole if you educate your customers regarding ediquette while fishing around other folks chasing false albacore and bonito. Please do not: 1. cut off other anglers who are slowly preparing an approach on a school of fish. 2. Please don't race over and jump on schools of fish, it only spooks them and they sound. 3. If another angler is hooked up please don't motor close to the boat hooked up where as they may cut off the hooked fish. Everyone wants to have a good time on the water but it's becoming not a good time. As a part of the community I would hope you would please pass on some sage advice to this new breed of angler. It would be much appreciated. read more

If you want to come somewhere to be cut down and talked to poorly this is your store. My husband and I came to the store 3 minutes early which is not unheard of when you are visiting a bait store as every fisherman on planet earth wants to get out on the water early. Jeff was extremely rude to my husband as I heard because my window was rolled down while I was in the car with our child. He went in the store to purchase green crabs which he called the day before to confirm they would have. They did not have them which is fine, not the end of the world. However he was also going to purchase a higher end rod and reel combo for his birthday. After going in the store Jeff's hostility continued so we decided just to leave. When running a business, a client is coming to you to give you business and entrusting you to provide them with at the bear minimum at least mediocre service. They don't come to you to be talked down to and to have you get aggressive with them for showing up early. Inexcusable and we will be taking our business elsewhere. read more

I've been shopping here for thirty years and have nothing but positive things to say about Dave and the guys who work for him. I buy mostly bait, but know enough about tackle to see that this operation, despite the "lnformal" ambiance, is first cless. Here's a hint: if you want to hit it off with Dave bring up skiing. He's a fanatic, and his stories are all true. I've crossed paths with him on the slopes- and he recognized me! And he always asks about my son, if son doesn't happen to be with me. read more

The selection at Ocean State Tackle is like nothing I have seen. They have every lure, plug, etc. imaginable. The place is just loaded with gear floor to ceiling. The custom rod selection is again like nothing I've seen. VERY impressive. The customer service was next level. John mapped out half a dozen striper spots in South County. He look ton of time trying to put me on the fish. Dave is an amazing guy. They sell great products at great prices and make every effort to put their customers on the fish. I can't recommend this place more highly. Wish I could add more stars to their review, this place is that good. read more

Excellent selection of lures, easy to get to location if you are passing through providence to go fishing. Cash only is kind of a bummer but who can blame the guy. Owner Dave is a character, NOT a bad guy. It's a tackle shop not a daycare, don't be a baby. I'll be in to spend some money any day. See you soon. read more

Best bait shop. Period. Don't bother with the big box stores or large chains. They don't have the bait. OST has the best, most consistent bait selection, for 100 miles in any direction. They have fresh, brined pogies (menhaden) when everyone else is out. They charge less for their eels and shiners than anyone between CT and the Cape. They got worms. Clam bellies. Tongue... you name it. It SMELLS like a bait shop. They know their fish and are happy to share it. In fact, there are usually so many anglers hanging around that you can usually walk right into a conversation about "where they are hitting". No pretense. No BS. Just bait, gear, and info. Oh, and a little attitude to go along with your coffee at 5am. If you haven't been, do yourself a favor and stop by. The owner, Dave Henault will have you in stitches. 5 stars. read more

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Last visit was 5 years ago and hadn't returned due to over pricing popular lures/plugs and poor attitude of owner Dave. Visited today and was reminded why to stay away. Walking in Dave was swearing/screaming at a long time customer, followed customer to car hurling every insult imaginable! Disturbed by the incident, just wanted to get epoxy jig I was looking for and get out. Prices aren't marked, avg price for this jig is $8.00.. placed on counter with my debit card and he says "$11.00 and we only take cash". I said, oh never mind and left.. to never return. read more

I'm glad I disregarded the negative reviews on here posted by customers who didn't get a foot rub when they went into a bait shop. Having promised my 8 year old his first trip, I just needed a few basics for freshwater fishing - primarily live bait. I didn't have a shopping list or even the basic recollection of what I'd used when I last fished from shore 10 years ago. Dave was overtly helpful, corrected some of my selections (which would've made our experience less enjoyable) after he understood my objectives, and even gave me some unsolicited advice to make future trips more fruitful. While I was there, he ensured that he remained engaged with our transaction while other customers - with far more specific requests - were properly attended to and even went as far to double check one person's bait order before checking them out. I'll be returning very shortly to get both bait and advice for our future trips!! read more

Ocean State Tackle - Nolan's first cast AND catch! - Fishing Near Me - Providence, Rhode Island

Ever seen the movie "Best Little Whorehouse in Texas"? Yup, it's like that except that it's a bait shop not a whorehouse, and it's not in Texas it's in Rhode Island. Word on the street is that there is a sleazy lawyer trying to disparage this place so let me set the record straight- this is a place for real fishermen. If you need bait or advice or a good friend that knows all there is to know about fishing, then go see Dave at Ocean State Tackle. You can't go wrong. Highly recommend. You won't be disappointed. read more

You know your in a bait shop when you smell one. Best bait shop around. Ocean state tackle has everything from frozen squid, clam tongues, fresh pogies, live eels, night crawlers, and shiners. They are my to-go-to spot. in and out. I can get everything I need to fish for any new england species. Might I add they are super informative about their products and David knows exactly where the fish are. I bring all my fishing friends here from in-state and out of state before we go out on our fishing expeditions. My friends and I go there because they are very culturally diverse. Ocean state tackle is the place to be if your a no BS kind of fisherman. I must warn you... Dave has plenty of hilarious jokes and this shop is definitely not for the easily offended ladyboys. Ocean State Tackle. Two thumbs up. And will be there again for more pogies. read more

I am an avid Kayak angler all over NE from Charlestown RI, to Main , and have been to most bait shops in those areas. This place is one of my favorites because of Dave the owner. He has some great and funny stories ( believe me I have my share of shops i don't like much ) When fishing Rhody stopping at Ocean State Tackle is a must for me , Dave gets me the best seaworms, and good prices on all the gear, he always has an update were the action is. A very unique place. read more

The best bait shop in Rhode Island. They always have everything in stock and the guys there are very helpful. The walk up window makes things very easy and it is directly off the highway so it is very convenient. Great spot I recommend checking it out. read more

This place was great when the older gentleman worked there. Now this young kid is working and he always over charges u and doesn't give you the Wright amount of shiners. Then he charges u 25.00 for a small bucket. Then he tells ours he is out of big shiners only has little ones honest will never go back again. read more

This live bait and tackle shop have a fun, family friendly, smart staff. Take the kids, make the trip into an event. They carry a complete selection of everything. This is a cash only business so be prepared. They have incredible service, patience, and local fishing information. I took days to decide on a rod, no pressure at all just real information about the performance of each rod. I walked away with a great deal on a rod that fits my needs. read more

Dave, the owner, is really friendly and very talkative once you get him going. The place is basically your typical urban bait and tackle shop. It has a good selection of tackle for a mom and pop operation. Live and dead baits are well stocked. I would recommend this place based on both its long hours (he'll even open up in the middle of winter to sell ice fishing gear on an as needed basis) and central location. read more

When I go fishing, I go way atta my way to get Dave's fresh bunker bait. He's also a very knowledgeable fellow about local folklore. It's always more than just a retail experiance! There is fellowship in a grand sense. read more

I have become very good friends with dave over the years... you want bait I choose no other place. it's small, smells like a bait shop and you can stay for hours talking about fishing. there's a reason he's been in business as long as he has... his bait will catch you the biggest fish in your life ... read more

I've been fishing for more than 60 years and have never met a more worthless bunch in my life. Rude, and couldn't care less about my business or the rod that I ordered. Never got the rod. After three weeks of asking, they couldn't find out if it shipped or if it was ready to pick up at the store. THEY COULDN'T EVEN TELL ME IF MY ORDER WAS READY TO PICK UP! (I live an hour away and didn't want to make a trip for nothing. I stopped the credit card, and promptly bought the rod from someone else. Complete morons. AVOID! read more

Great advise. I have found that if you need good advise this is where you shop. All the best fishermen tell the sales people where the fish are and what they are biting. Also, if you are a new fisherman and need equipment, they are experienced and will tell you what you need and don't need to buy. I have seen mothers and fathers in the store for opening day equipment. They can explain how to get the fishing licenses online. read more

I sent a review a couple days ago and it has been removed. We ordered a part on 02282014 and have yet to receive the part or our money back. Even though requesting a refund and exchanging a couple emails I had to file a claim through PayPal to get our funds returned. Buyer beware here and make sure he has the item in stock if it is being mailed. I have no reason except to notify potential customers about this situation and as a disabled police officer feel my dealings with this business are just worthy of a review as those that are happy with theirs. Please don't remove again. read more

I don't even want to rate this place, I had such a miserable experience here that I don't even want to step foot into this business ever again. The older gentleman not the owner had such a rude attitude and made me feel un welcomed. I don't even want to give them my business anymore. All I did was ask a few simple questions on what they had for bait, and let me tell you the rudeness and snobbiness I received from this gentlemen, I felt like cussing him out but instead I took my business else where and they will never see me here again to buy bait. He just made the business lose a returning customer. Worst experience ever! I do not recommend this place due to their customer service!!! read more

We went in with high hopes due to the other reviews. Relatively amateur fishermen, and hoped for some friendly advice and gear. After waiting five minutes for the owner, Dave, to get off the phone, he hurriedly asked what we wanted, as he was apparently on hold. As we started speaking, he cut us off. After a few questions he finally started just throwing things on the counter. Not what we requested but what he said we needed. The total came to 18 dollars. As the business is cash only, I went across to 7-11 to use the atm, while my buddy stayed. When I returned he dismissively added the total again. Now 22.50... while we gathered our purchases awkwardly, he asked what we did for a living. My pal was practically mocked for his job, and I was looked at like a gremlin when I said I was disabled. While he chatted us up, he grabbed a large piece and demanded we needed it, only 6 dollars. My buddy asked advice on a good way to hook the night crawlers only to be told "you put the F***ing worm on the hook! It's not hard!" Repeatedly and loudly. Then he rang us out. Somehow 22.50 plus 6 dollars now equaled 32.50... at this point we needed the tackle and felt uncomfortable. We paid, and as we left, he stopped us outside the building to tell us how good the products would be if we didnt snag them on trees. He then made a production of it, one item at a time, speaking as if we were at best, idiots. Slowly and loudly, with more than a few swears, over and over. Finally we left and went out. The large "six dollar" piece we were left to find out was not suited to our needs at all. A couple others were simply poor choices, and bad advice. Even the night crawlers were on the small side. We had been properly swindled. read more