Fishing · Ontario
AV Fishing Tackle
A small family-run bait and tackle shop in Scarborough, Toronto, with cheap live bait, carp and steelhead gear and early hours, though many reviewers describe curt service, especially by phone.
What visitors say
AV Fishing Tackle is a small mother-and-son tackle shop on Sheppard Avenue East in Scarborough, in a plaza near a Tim Hortons. It has been running for more than 20 years, and reviews are mixed: over half are five stars, but about one in six is a single star.
The stock gets good marks for a shop its size. Reviewers mention live bait including worms, minnows, roe, crayfish and leeches (one said it's the only place to get leeches in May), plus fishing licences, maps, and gear for bass, steelhead, panfish and ice fishing. Carp anglers in particular say it carries tackle they can't find elsewhere in the city. Worms are cheap, line refills are inexpensive, and the shop opens early and stays open late in season.
Many regulars praise the son for friendly, practical advice, including a first-timer who got help with setup, tips on local spots and free rod straps. Others like supporting a local independent over a big-box store.
Service is the sticking point. Numerous reviewers, including two in recent months, describe the woman at the counter as curt or rude, and several were told to come in and look rather than get stock information over the phone. Language barriers come up too. A couple of people found some items pricier than elsewhere, and one bought dead worms, so check bait before you leave.
Summarised from visitor reviews on Google Maps. Based on 156 Google reviews. Details change — confirm hours, prices and bookings with AV Fishing Tackle directly.