There are several extremely good bait and tackle shops scattered about the Bay area, this being Florida and all. But if we have to spotlight one above all others, we’ve gotta go with Gandy Bait & Tackle. Six or so years ago, Gandy Bait moved half a block up the street from the little hut it occupied forever (the little hut is now the still-worthy All Pro Bait & Tackle), and has since become a full-service angler’s one-stop, offering an impressive selection of live and frozen bait, an even more impressive selection of artificial lures and other gear, and plenty of credible advice from a friendly, knowledgeable staff. Perhaps most important, Gandy Bait keeps longer hours than most — 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. Mon.-Thurs., 5 a.m. to 1 a.m. Fri. and Sat., and 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sun. — in order to hook you up early or late. 4923 W. Gandy Blvd., Tampa, 813-839-5551, www.gandybait.com.
