‘This community is our home.’ How a Bradenton tackle shop helps with hurricane recovery

With just over a week until Christmas, Discount Tackle Outlet of Bradenton Owner and Manager Scott Traylor is thrilled to see an uptick in business from longtime loyal customers.

There are also many new faces visiting the shop in the months since back-to-back storms created such havoc in our area.

“Business is definitely picking up,” Traylor said. “With the elections over, a horrendous hurricane season in the books, new area resident transplants and some beautiful Florida weather, people are itching to get back out on the water to fish, pick up a new pastime or are simply in the market of gift-giving for the fishing enthusiast in their lives.”

“Either way, it’s a positive turn for business after recent months of stand-still and storm clean-up. The support for local business here has been amazing and continues to be our lifeline,” he added.

Discount Tackle is not only a place for new equipment. They also have been helping anglers get their fishing tackle that was damaged by the hurricane back up and running, a part of the business that has been busier than normal.

“We also offer in-house rod & reel repair services that have been booming since the storms went through. Many people experienced flooding, which unfortunately ‘dunked’ much of their fishing equipment,” said Traylor. “Having repair specialists on staff has made it possible to accommodate the needs at hand, allowing us to be able to get their gear back into working condition. It also keeps the wheel of business turning.”

“With many new residents breaking ground here in Manatee County, interests of being involved in the ever-flowing ecosystem are evolving. With every new face comes an opportunity for us to share not only proper product education, but pertinent information only locals, in-deep with nature here would know,” Traylor explained.

“It’s exciting to me actually — I love seeing a new customer leave with a smile on their face and a new excitement to experience the greatness of our incredible Gulf waters. We pride ourselves in knowledge and old-school customer service here and have continued this practice for over 25 years now.”

In addition to rods, reels, terminal tackle, rod and reel repair services and other fishing gear, Discount Tackle Outlet of Bradenton also offers apparel, frozen bait, fresh fish spread from Gulley’s, bagged ice, gift items, koozies, sunscreen, all-natural bug-spray, gift certificates and more.

Traylor also mentions, “We offer a one-year in-store warranty on all rods and reels and that’s something you just can’t get when shopping online. We are a brick and mortar store and always will be. This community is our home and this community is who we serve and we love every minute of it.”

Located in the heart of Bradenton, Discount Tackle Outlet, 3113 First St., has been serving the Manatee County community for over 25 years.

Many born-and-raised fishing enthusiasts started their very first jobs here and continue to patronize the business today. This has helped rebound from the lost business caused by the hurricane season which left many locals off the water and not concerned with fishing.

“It’s a family here, no matter how many years pass, the core belief of family and customer service remains. I look forward to each and every customer that walks through the door, because there is just so much about this incredible area that our knowledgeable staff is capable of sharing. This fishing tradition is one very close to me, my family and to this business,” says Traylor.

As far as fishing goes, even with the recent snaps of cold, the fishing has been good. The pompano bite has been off-the-chart lately.

The snook, redfish and trout bite has been good from Sarasota to Tampa Bay and the hogfish bite offshore has been plentiful. Red grouper opens back up in January, so now is the perfect time to get geared up for the season.

As Traylor says, “There’s always something to fish for, you just have to get out there.”