Back when Pat owned what use to be Ozzies, I thought he always had the best live bait of any other in the SE/E central part of the lake. Since he's been gone, I've had a hard time finding a good, consistent live bait source (leechs and crawlers).
What do you guys in the area think of the local bait store options?
How about you weekend warriors coming up from the south, where do you get your bait?
For me (weekend warrior coming up from the south), my options are the two spots at the intersection of 27 and 18 (gas station and what use to be Pat's), Portside, some other location on the route up that I haven't tried or getting them before hand from some other source, like Jewell Outdoors (which I haven't tired yet).
If you travel up HWY 65 to Mille Lacs, Vados Bait is BEST I have ever found. They are an outstanding bait shop and tackle dealer.
They are on Hwy 65 north of Osbourne Rd on the east side in SPring Lake Park:
7895 Highway 65 NE Spring Lake Park, MN 55432 Phone: 763-784-6728
For Local Bait on Mille Lacs lake Eastside, other than Portside, the Malmo Market (five minutes north of Hunter's Point) is a consistent place for good leeches and crawlers and a fair selection of tackle. It is at the corner of Hwy 47 and County Rd 2.
Also, accross the road from Malmo Market, Joe keeps some decent bait too at the store that is connected to Cosie's (Sunrise) Cafe... my family lives at Malmo Bay so I am biased.
I agree with Mr. Malmo. If you come from the cities Vados is the best option. It's the only thing I miss since I moved to Saint Cloud. Currently, I frequent Prince Bait on 169 and Stop Light Bait here in Saint Cloud. Both places have provided me with ample bait for the money. They aren't stingy like some stores tend to be. I think of them as classic bait shops and not gas/bait. I've used Jewell Outdoors. I was a little disappointed. I ordered a couple pounds of their Jumbos last year and they were barely large. I guess I learned a lesson: you're better off to see the bait before you buy it.
i ussaly catch my own bait, however the water has been too high to acess my normal leeach spots, i traded brad at frankies live bait,2 gallons of jumbo rainbow chubs-fathead-shiner mix for the best jumbo leaches i have seen in a while, i highly recomend Frankies Live Bait for your leech needs, can not wait to use em tommrow, also be celebrating my 34 th b- day on the lake tommrow evening, look faward to a fun weekend of fishing, good luck to everyone and be safe..........................................................LOOKOUT .........WALLEYES...CAPT GREG IS ON HIS WAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I have purchased minnows from Rod's this winter and the quality and selection was as good as it gets in the area. I have not purchased leeches from him, I still buy mine at Vados. I bought a 1/2 pound of mediums yesterday and they are the perfect size, maybe even a little bigger than I like.
