Pat's Bait and Tackle is now open in Vista.

Pat's Bait and Tackle had a perfect location right off highway 78.

Pat’s Bait and Tackle is NorthCounty’s newest tackle shop, but many area anglers will already be familiar with the face behind the counter.

Pat Martin worked in the Bob’s Bait and Tackle chain in the mid-’90s before taking a break from the industry and working at the Hubbs-Sea World Research Institute marine fish hatchery in Carlsbad where ironically he helped increase the numbers of fish in the ocean after a lifetime spent trying to catch them and teaching others how to do so.

After his stint at the white seabass hatchery he got back into the tackle game and manned JP’s Bait and Tackle in Vista where he continued to make connections within the industry while building a solid base of regular customers.

Shortly after JP’s closed down a relatively short time ago, Martin realized his long-time dream and opened his own shop located on the opposite end of the same parking lot JP’s was in.

Pat’s Bait and Tackle was open for just over a month before the official grand opening on May 30, and a visit to the shop on that day revealed a simple but adequate selection of fresh and saltwater gear in a roomy and open store. The shop’s inventory includes an impressive selection of high-end freshwater plastics from Roboworm and other respected hand-poured plastic companies as well as popular baits for big bass hunters such as the locally produced Mattlures swimbaits. The selection of terminal tackle features Owner brand hooks and a good variety of lead sinkers and jigheads for fresh and saltwater applications.

Being just a short drive from the coast, Pat’s Bait and Tackle also sports a full array of trolling lures for everything from albacore to marlin, iron jigs, Big Hammer swimbaits and a wide selection of bulk line that can be put on your reels while you wait.

Aside from Pat’s sufficient and growing inventory, perhaps the most valuable reason to visit the shop is Pat himself. He grew up fishing the local waters all the way through Baja, and one would have a tough time finding someone locally who is more knowledgeable in terms of rigging tackle for marlin fishing and marlin tactics. A well-rounded angler, Pat also is a wealth of knowledge in the fly-fishing department, and San Diego trout anglers at any level can benefit from a chat with him before making a trip to the sierras. While it is unknown at this time if he will eventually carry fly-fishing gear, beginners shouldn’t be surprised if he offers up a parking-lot casting lesson.

For more info: Pat's Bait and Tackle is located at 1908 Hacienda Drive (east of In-n-Out Burger) in Vista, and the phone number is 760-630-2248.