Tackle Shops in the San Jose Area

[OThessalonikios]

Hi everyone. I will be in the area next week and was wondering if there were any good tackle shops you recommend in the San Jose area. I live on the East Coast and throw a lot of swimbaits, but unfortunately have to buy them based on pictures on various websites. Every now and then I get one that is smaller than expected, etc.

I figured while I am out there for work it would be a good time to stock up.

Thanks.

[GregD]

The best stores I've found are...

Fisherman's Warehouse
http://fishermanswarehouse.com/shop/car ... contact_us

Mel Cottons Sporting Goods
http://www.melcottons.com/contactus.html

Reeds is also pretty good, but not at the same level as those two.

[ONTHETHING !!!]

If your looking for swimbaits then Coyote bait and tackle is the place in San jose area. They have all the popular baits. They also have everything else you could want for bass fishing. ONTHETHING !!! 408-463-0711

[Timber_Effects]

The best stores I've found are...

Fisherman's Warehouse
http://fishermanswarehouse.com/shop/car ... contact_us

Mel Cottons Sporting Goods
http://www.melcottons.com/contactus.html

Reeds is also pretty good, but not at the same level as those two.

I would second that !!
I work next door to Mels and I am over there way too much ( shhhh don't tell the wife)

[Steve Ericksen]

Coyote Bait & Tackle is hands down the best.

[GregD]

Coyote is a little out of the way for me, so I haven't had a chance yet to check it out.

Based on some of the above comments, I guess I should probably run down there some weekend and take a look.

[Slippy]

Mel Cottons

[bruizer343]

mel cottons...join a club get 10-15% discount.
san carlos x race st.

Reeds on east side.
alum rock ave x fire station #2

Fishermans Warehouse west side of SJ next to cupertino
HWY 85 x de anza-cupertino exit, next Mc e D's.
ask for Amy....she is a hottie. Or Glen if ya need help.

Coyote Bait n Tackle
south SJ, monterey rd x metcalf, south bound monterey rd.

BIG 5, WALMART, PayLess, Sport Mart( or whatever its called now)

westmarine on saratoga has deals on boxes. walmart cant be beat for storage and bags.

here was also a tackle shop , east side are owned by an Asian guy, I cant recall details ?

[OThessalonikios]

Thanks to all who responded. Looks like I have a few places to dump some cash this trip.

I have been to Fisherman's warehouse in the past. I will have to go back and try the others as well.

[CZ]

My personal opinion is mel cottons and fishermans are a waste of time especially if you are interested in Swimbaits.

Coyote Bait and Tackle is the spot - mels is a general outdoors shop with a fishing department, - fisherman's is a ocean fishing store that happens to have a few packs of EWG hooks and stuff + the crew their doesn't give a damn about bass fishing. I asked for tungsten about 3 years ago and they looked at me like I was crazy and said no one in california used those kind of weights so they didn't stock them. They won't treat you nice unless you look like a snobby rich man that wants to buy a rig to go albacore or salmon fishing.

If you want bass gear and want to see in person a lot of the actual quality swimbaits not the cheesy knock offs go to Coyote Bait and Tackle. Denise, Steve, Adam and the rest of the crew are always nice and they are a real bass fishing shop, not a meat hunter shop that occasionally sells a plastic worm or two or a snowboard shop that has a fishing department. I know some may say I am being too harsh, but if I am going to spend my dollars on tackle I would rather it goes to a shop that really is interested in bass fishing and the rest in San Jose just aren't.

[mac (Doyle McEwen)]

CZ, although I do agree Coyote is a better shop, you characterization of Mel's fishing department is way off base..They have a good selection of swimbaits and a great selection of soft plastics and hard baits used for bass fishing..My biggest complaint about Mels is their selection of line..Everything else is good to great..Coyote is also very good and their selection of lines is a lot better in my opinion..Another great tackle shop in the Bay area is Waltons Pond over in San Leandro..True, it is a drive from San Jose, but well worth the trip..

mac

[zaldain]

CZ Nailed it!

[TheFLY]

And don't forget Tackle Warehouse! For my money it is the best tackle store around no matter where you live!

www.tacklewarehouse.com

[Joe W.]

Coyote Bait and Tackle is the best tackle store you will find anywhere near San Jose. They have tons of swimbaits and everything else you could need. Don't waste time going anywhere else.

[bruizer343]

they all have something to offer. growing up in that area
I have seen all of the mentioned go through there own changes. creative fisherman use everything available to
Get-R-Done.

If anything Coyote Bait n Tackle is in a terrible location.
I'd probably spend alot there if it wasnt located off of Blood Alley.

If you really want the BEST.......Dont Mess with the rest.

The Hook Line and Sinker in Oakley is the BEST.

[WildDog3]

I have been to all the major tackle shops in northern cali and coyote in my opinion is the best. go take a look down there, you won't be sorry!

[FIT]

I have to agree both with CZ and Zaldain, Coyote is the place to shop.

FIT

[basstamer]

Since I too now live in the South Bay and work in San Jose this is VALUABLE info for me as well! Tight Lines,
Scott

[Kevin Evans - Kap]

IMHO - Depending on your budget and schedule. If I was you and wanted to checkout SWIMBAITS only I would plan on calling 1st to see whats in stock and then a road trip to a few different shops. 1st start with Coyote Bait and Tackle and then if you feel you need more I would hit the Hook in Oakley, CA. Then I also like the Bait Barn in Waterford, CA. a 24 hr shop that never closes. Only tackle store where u can get a Lunker Plunker at 3am. You could also hit the Fishermans Warehouse in Manteca, CA. just to see.

my 02 cents,
Kap

[big bass beckstrom]

Mel Cotton's is a great shop and i believe that it is the closest to you.