Thread: Looking for bait stores near Pinchot

If you are planning on fishing at Gifford Pinchot State Park (in Lewisberry), Hawghead Bait and tackle is right across the street from the rangers station on Rt 177 (Rossville Rd) open 7-7, 7 days a week.

If you are planning on fishing around Newville - closest place that I know of is Green Mtn General Store on Rt 34 south of Mt Holly Springs about 3 miles, - which isn't really close to Newville, about 25 miles away.

You can also always catch your own if you have a net (4'x4' seine net), but the creek minnows usually don't last too long in the warmer lakes around here. You might also want to try Little Buffalo State park near Newport - there is a place up there on Rt 34 as well - also near the juniata river, good small mouth bass.

Both Pinchot and Little Buffalo have crappies, closest lakes to newville - bigger lakes are around York and Hanover (Marburg, Longarm, Redman/Williams), or Huntington (Raystown)

Little late here but I was in Newville the other day and noticed a sign that said Smiths Live bait two houses up from the Dam . Has anyone dealt with him ?

Not to knock Hawghead but they seem to be closed during open hours quite often. Not just myself but a few others I know would call and say well will be there 1/2 hour before you close today and they would have already closed shop prior to the advertised closing time. The guy from Newville came to a show I was doing locally and passed out his cards a year or two ago. I assume you can call and ask questions. Perhaps the best most dependable bait and tackle show around is B and B in Hanover. Gordon the owner has been in business for many years and I can personally say he will be open when advertised unless there is a emergency on his part. He seems to be one of the last surviving shops in our area.

Haven't contacted Smith's but noticed he has a website on the sign. Website didn't register in my swiss cheese memory while driving by.

Used to be a place next to the warehouses on Rt 465 - "Shooting the X". Don't know what happened to them, seems they opened a few years back, had many varieties of live bait, archery range, lots of hunting stuff. They then sold most of their stuff at the sportmans show, sold the place, then closed up shop within a year. Must not of had enough customers.

guess I will have to run to Newville and check that guy out would be a nice to be able to get bait when going to Letter kenney Dam

Originally Posted by eseaee1

guess I will have to run to Newville and check that guy out would be a nice to be able to get bait when going to Letter kenney Dam

Get you a jar of crappie nibbles, jigs in various sizes, like shad and minnow imitations, and forget about going insane trying to find live bait. Outside of waxworms, occasionally for bluegills, I haven't used minnows in years. No idea how to fish them huh? Watch some YouTube videos on fishing plastics for crappies. You'll find everything you need to learn. You'll find that livebait is over rated. No more headaches looking for minnows and worms.

I concur - I did pretty well at Pinchot with Bobby Garland Baby Shads (Blue Ice) with silver crappie nibbles, especially at first light. I usually use minnows, but the jigs did better when I used them, didn't have to waste time baiting all the time.

Originally Posted by chaunc

Get you a jar of crappie nibbles, jigs in various sizes, like shad and minnow imitations, and forget about going insane trying to find live bait. Outside of waxworms, occasionally for bluegills, I haven't used minnows in years. No idea how to fish them huh? Watch some YouTube videos on fishing plastics for crappies. You'll find everything you need to learn. You'll find that livebait is over rated. No more headaches looking for minnows and worms.

I have done nothing but fished lures since the 80`s , I just like to be lazy every now and then and also it depends on what I am going for if I want minnows , Now going after Crappie and perch is new to me and I have to downsize my gear a little 6 inch worm and a 5/0 hook does not work so good , or most of the crank baits I have .. I have always fished for Bass and that was it but finding myself wanting to fish for other species now ..