The days of randomly-placed, exceptional tackle shops are waning. When I started tournament fishing in the mid-1990s, there were no fewer than four high-quality, independent shops within a short drive of my home. Today I can’t think of any within 50 miles.

That’s the result of several things, most notably the rise of the internet and mail-order options. Today’s shopping options are generally limited to online sales, big box stores, and tackle shops on or near major fishing venues. I’ve long wondered why more marine dealers didn’t integrate a meaningful tackle selection into their showrooms. After all, the people who are in there are typically willing and able to drop a decent amount of coin on their pastime and depending on the nature of their visit they may be spending a substantial amount of time in the building. Furthermore, the real estate is already paid for or leased, so there’s little or no incremental cost there.

I know that some boat dealers have adopted this strategy: Anglers Marine in Anaheim, California has a legendary supply of west coast specialties; and my friend Dan O’Sullivan has worked with the crew at Bucks Island Marine in Alabama to enhance their selection.

I learned about Bait WrX in Springfield, Missouri through Randy Blaukat’s YouTube channel. He frequently films his videos from the showroom, highlighting the various products on offer, most notably but not exclusively those from Megabass. I was reminded of Bait WrX when I learned that they were directly affiliated, and adjacent to, Boat WrX, which was the number one Bass Cat Boats dealer for the last year.

With that in mind, when my plane touched down in Springfield in late September, I gathered my rental car and headed not to the Johnny Morris mothership, but instead to this independent bait shop, loaded with universal killers as well as regional and small-scale items. I was not disappointed.

First Impressions of Bait WrX

The first thing I noticed when I walked into the shop was how clean it was. Sterility is not a characteristic I’d typically associate with independent stores. They often smell of shop dogs and minnow tanks. That’s OK, it’s character, and I love finding a forgotten hidden gem of a bait on the far back reaches of a peg, but there’s also nothing wrong with perfectly aligned and organized tackle. The floors were clean, everything was in place, and tackle was organized by types of lures, then suborganized by brand. Notably, in these times of supply chain disruptions and lean inventories most of the pegs were packed. In addition to lengthy rows of gear, there were also thematic end caps and islands with gear including swimbaits and Alabama Rigs.

WRX2.jpgSelection of hard and soft swimbaits and glide baits for Ozarks lakes

I was given a friendly greeting by two employees, and told to ask if I needed anything, but no one hovered over me, which is how I like to shop.

Regional and Specialty Bass Tackle

As promised in Blaukat’s videos, the Megabass selection was extensive, and included not only staples like the Vision 110, but also some lesser-known and JDM products, plus a hefty selection of the company’s rods.

Selection of Megabass USA and JDM jerkbaits

A display case in the back had some limited-run and custom-painted lures.

I also noticed a hefty supply of brands that aren’t quite as prevalent in most east coast shops, like Doomsday Tackle and 6th Sense.

6th sense fishing lures by Casey Sobsczak

Most importantly, they had ample amounts of gear that is known to work well in the Ozarks, including Wiggle Warts and the various vintage-wart-lookalikes, along with all sorts of football jigs and swinghead jigs.

Jewel Bait company football jig peanut butter and jelly

Additionally, Bait WrX had a variety of limited edition lures under the counter. These included not only Water Wood Crankbaits, but also super high-end gliders like the KGB Chad Shad and Legend, perfect for the clear waters of Table Rock and Norfork.

Water Wood Crankbait made of marupa pedra Brazilian Amazon wood

My Purchases and Some Regrets

In the end, I spent less than $60 at Bait WrX, not because I didn’t covet more (particularly the KGB glide bait) but also because I had limited luggage space and already have more tackle than I could ever need or use. I purchased a 6th Sense wake bait, a Megabass spinnerbait, some Doomsday dropshot soft plastics, a Crock-O-Gator buzzbait I’d never seen before (with a double barb to hold a Horny Toad) and various football jigs for my January trip to El Salto.

I do wish I had spent more time at the front counter, quizzing the staff about some of the local bait preferences and talking swimbaits, particularly those KGBs. Fortunately, since the Bass Fishing Hall of Fame induction ceremony will require me to be back in Springfield each fall for the foreseeable future, I’m certain I’ll get more opportunities. No matter how hungry I am, or what else I have to do, I’m pretty sure it’ll be my first stop after the plane lands.