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THURSDAY-SUNDAY 7A - 7P
(239) 466-8737
We hope all of our beloved customers faired Hurricane Ian ok. Bait N Wait is open and we’re back to the basics. It’s just the original owner, John Zukaitis, working the shop like back in the good-ol’-days.
✉ Gift Certificates are available! ✉
WHY LIVE SHRIMP ARE SMALL OR OUT OF STOCK
LIVE SHRIMP ARE SMALL OR OUT OF STOCK
Finally! We know why live shrimp are small during the summer, at least.
We also found out what’s behind their sudden disappearances from bait shops across SW Florida, and in this short post, we’re going to cover both.
WHY?
Florida’s live bait industry relies on wild pink shrimp populations in the Guld of Mexico. The shrimp we stock at Bait N Wait are caught the night before in water off Florida’s west-central coast.
Because the shrimp are wild, their natural life cycle plays a central role in their size and availability throughout the year.
THE LIFE OF GULF PINK SHRIMP
These prized critters have a short lifespan of about two years. They spend their first year in nursery habitats on the west coast of Florida. Where many get scooped up for bait. A new generation of juvenile shrimp arrives in late spring each year.
The juveniles stay in the shallows until they reach maturity, usually by the following spring. After that, they migrate offshore to spend their second year in deeper waters. Because mature shrimp leave around the same time juveniles arrive, we’re left with small shrimp from early summer until the newcomers get bigger.
WHAT ELSE AFFECTS SHRIMP?
It’s no secret that shrimp are often missing from bait shops. We order them daily, but sometimes the shrimp have other plans.
Pink shrimp are cautious. They spend all day hidden in the sand and usually travel at night, but they will burrow at night too if there are unfavorable conditions. Strong winds, a bad storm, heat waves, and cold fronts can all set shrimp to digging.
Suppliers can’t catch them when they’re in the sand. Unfortunately, this behavior is not limited to summer and can cause supply troubles throughout the year.
FISHING WITHOUT LIVE SHRIMP
It’s frustrating when shrimp are out of stock or smaller than desired, but luckily, they aren’t the only things that fish will bite. In their absence, we like to try out new lures and frozen baits, as well as catch our own bait with cast nets.
Stop by the shop to browse out latest selection of frozen baits and lures that are hand-picked for fishing in Lee County or check out our range of high-quality cast nets.
When the shrimp go on strike, you’ll be ready.
We are family owned and operated
Welcome to baitNwait.com a NFCA life member. the number one spot in Southwest Florida for all your fishing needs. We have gifts for all occasions for that fisher person in your life. Located minutes from both Fort Myers Beach and Sanibel we offer the right items for either live or artificial fishing.
Fishing is a fun and exciting sport for young and old to enjoy. At Bait ‘N’ Wait we understand this interest and provide not only the equipment needed, but the expertise needed to make your trip an enjoyable one. North American Fishing Club discounts given to NFCA members.
We are more then a tackle shop stop by and check us out. but bring your sense of humor.we have plenty of that.
We'RE proud to be one of many retailers OF TICA tackle.
Looking for A PLACE TO KEEP YOUR BOAT?
STOP BY TO DISCUSS OUR AVAILABLE SLIPS
Bait N Wait is a distributor of TICA tackle
Tica Fishing was founded in 1965 as EVER WINNER, LTD of Taichung, Taiwan. In the beginning EVER WINNER focused on their manufacturing expertise on machined parts and athletic equipment. Soon after, EVER WINNER started producing fine quality fishing tackle for the world market.
EVER WINNER’S reputation for high quality innovative products and ON TIME delivery is legendary. In 1991 EVER WINNER created the “TICA” Brand. For many years EVER WINNER was a supplier (OEM manufacturer) to many famous fishing tackle brands, “TICA” was EVER WINNER’S chance to establish themselves under their own label.
TICA has many patents issued for its innovative designs such as “CYBERNETIC” frame concepts which is unique and a major improvement to gear/frame alignment, stability and line management. TICA has always developed its own designs as to give a fresh approach to rods and reels to the fishing world. TICA/EVER WINNER now has branch operations in Taiwan, USA, Japan, China, Europe and more than 30 agents worldwide!
TICA’s experience at manufacturing technology with their research and development team has led to some of the world’s finest rod and reels. TICA will continue to lead the fishing industry in new designs and quality innovations for the future. You can take price in owning and fishing an engineering masterpiece.
Thank you for choosing TICA Fishing Tackle; they are truly “BORN TO PERFORM”.
We can always use broken rods and reels for parts.I would like to trade a clean and lube service for three combos or six rods or six reels .of your retired equipment. reel service excludes lever drag reels and internationals.
A new item that is worth looking at is our n-f-l [ national fishing league ] custom rods they are one of a kind and the fish will swim in line to have the honor to be caught with this item.
If you want something a little more wild try our razzle dazzle redos. this one of a kind rod will not only catch fish but dazzle your fishing buddys and the fish will be razzled by the glitter a must have item
