This HISTORIC TACKLE SHOP is closing forever (feat. Gary's Tackle Box)

After nearly 50 years in the tackle shop business, Gary Simpson is officially retiring and Gary’s Tackel Box in Gainesville, FL, will be closing its doors forever. Both the shop and Gary have made invaluable contributions to largemouth bass fishing in Central Florida and will be sorely missed by the thousands of anglers that have stopped, shopped, and shared memories at Gary’s Tackle Box.
GARY’S TACKLE BOX
Closing November 23, 2023
5721 NW 13th Street
Gainesville, FL 32653
352-372-1791
garystacklebox.com
RICK’S RODS
Rick Pena [e-mail]
352-317-4426
SOCIAL MEDIA
Facebook - / retrobassinproductions
Instagram - / retrobassin
RETRO BASSIN' THEME SONG
/ retrobassin

[@Stumpjack]

Gary Simpson seems like the paradigm of the soft-spoken Southern gentleman. So nice that you got to go in and film this place before it closed. It's really a shame - as I'm sure every viewer and angler over 30 would attest - that small shops like this seem to be becoming more rare. As big box store fishing departments appear to be taking over, small shops like Gary's Tackle Box look like rare diamonds in a field of gravel. Try to get the personal service, fishing know-how and advice you'd get at a place like this from a big box employee. Just ain't going to happen. On the other hand, I believe there will always be a place for family run tackle shops like this. Fishing is not just about lone anglers pursuing fish, it's also a community of like-minded folks and an incubator for relationships among those folks - and there will always be entrepreneurs who love that aspect of the sport and want to capitalize on it. So, I think, I hope, new small tackle shops will continue to open up and be managed by people like Gary Simpson. BTW, you might do a follow-up video with him and his collection! It'd be pretty awesome to learn about those old lure makers of Florida.

[@RetroBassin]

I was lucky to spend the morning with Gary and the crew, and though it's a big loss for the Florida bass fishing scene, we already have plans to meet up with Gary at the Florida Antique Tackle Collectors (F.T.A.C.) show in St. Augustine this coming March and maybe even get out on the water with him before then. Folks lucky enough to be in driving distance from Gainesville, FL, have a few short days to pay Gary's Tackle Box a visit. For those that can't, I thought it was fitting to end this episode with Gary "closing" his old tackle box...

[@sammyvh11]

We are losing family owned tackle shops every day all around the country. It's very sad. Before You Tube this is how people learned how to fish at the local tackle and bait shops. Tight lines Gary!

[@joshuagibson2520]

Indeed. Drag Strips are also becoming more scarce by the week.

[@RetroBassin]

Yes, the big box stores just don't have the character of the local shops.

[@sammyvh11]

@@joshuagibson2520 local pro wrestling too

[@naughtydorf18]

I seen a few new tackle shops open but they mostly sell guns, high end "Southern" clothes, and scant tackle consisting of mostly resold Walmart brand stuff.

[@SouthJerseyBaitReviews]

Thats cause fishing is dying slowly and people dont even realize it. Cause everybody stuck in there own world.There is literally no fishing tackle shops near me when there used to be at least like 6-10 with in a 50 mile radius. Now its maybe 2 or 3 at most with in a 100 mile radius and there all salt water shops beside 1 freshwater one thats like 35 minutes away 😅. Tourneys have gone down the drain and views rates are going down but. It is what it is tho. People who enjoy it will continue to.

[@johnlong8157]

Sad to see another central Florida icon close the doors!!! The younger generation will never experience the awesome feeling of walking into a local mom & pops tackle shop !!! One of the fondest memories of my youth!!! Enjoy the next chapter of your life Gary. Thank you sir for giving everyone a small peek into his shop !!!!!!! 👍 👍

[@RetroBassin]

I am glad we got to show a snapshot of this amazing shop!

[@MichaelCline-j1n]

Thank you for sharing this gem and piece of history. Fishing has been my mental therapy. The world has changed and mom & pop fishing stores, gear, and old fashioned hospitality are becoming obsolete. It's so true that we tend to hold on to lures associated with our personal memories.

[@jabronijoeoutdoors]

So very thankful that my local tackle shop, Lucky Lure Tackle in OKC, has a very dedicated and passionate customer base so we have a REAL small business to buy lure from.

[@RetroBassin]

I've been there and even filmed a Retro Bassin' episode...great shop!

[@jabronijoeoutdoors]

@@RetroBassin seen it! Great episode.

[@randyblaukatintuitive]

Thank you for this video

[@RetroBassin]

Thank you for tuning in, Randy! So glad we were able to show Gary’s one more time. I know you appreciated the anti-live-scope intro to this one…

[@bill-qv3er]

I first met Gary in the late 1980's fishing the Red Man Tournament Trail. They do not get any better than Gary Simpson. It is sad that it has come to this. Best of luck in the future Gary!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Bill

[@DEBOSFishing]

What an awesome vid! So cool seeing the store and hearing all of the stories. That stuff is gold! Funny to see the old stuff coming back as "reimagined".

[@samuelschult985]

Wow, what a classic tackle shop can't believe am seeing this on his first day of retirement 👍

[@NewOlSchoolFishin]

Dang! Listening to Gary really takes me back to my younger days being in tackle shops talking fishing and picking through the entire place! Good memories 🤠

[@RetroBassin]

Glad you enjoyed, NSF!

[@tedlincolnsfishinglife]

so glad we got you in there before he closed... I'm hoping he will become a recurring guess (along with me..) now that you are in florida. Gary in his helpful but calm way has definitely been a big influence on my fishing and my life and many, many... others! I just hope is that now I'll get to see Gary on the water more instead of in a shop! Cheers to Gray! (the man that my ex-gf has to thank for teaching me how to be "specifically vague" it is an art on to it's own!) and all the other at both the tackle box and gary's tackle box!

[@LowBrowFishing]

What a great video! There's always such a rich history and legacy attached to those old tackle shops. When one close down it's as if the local community is losing a part of itself and its identity.

[@JD.California_monkey_mackerel]

I'm from California I never know Gary This makes me so sad mom and pops tackle shop closing this is why I don't like Amazon or any onlin shopping I have never shopped online and I will never buy online I will continue to support and Walk in to my local tackle shop until I die because I have a lot of memories going to my dad's rest in peace favorite tackle shop wishing this Man good luck wow so emotional if only that old tackle box could talk all the beautiful memories wow 😢 I'm just thinking of my father and are love for fishing and for all the beautiful moments I got to spend with him fishing my best friend my father i miss u dad 😢🕊️

[@toddcooper3155]

Thank you for taking the time to do this. Gary is a Gainesville Hero. Countless people he has helped over the years to catch fish and make memories.

[@johnb9871]

So sad to see these places going, but great to hear the stories!

[@victorremick9721]

That's a trip that wont be forgotten. Us old timers are walked by everyday but are becoming fewer and ferther between. Things sure arnt the way they use to be. The NEW BEES will never know what they missed

[@Steve13lb12oz]

Gary is a bass fishing icon! He is an amazing fisherman, and even more amazing gentleman. I grew up hanging around the store and Gary would make time to show me new things about fishing. I would often put lures on the racks or clean up after other people would make a mess. Gary would give me a few lures for my efforts. One of my personal heroes.

[@RetroBassin]

Great story, Steve!

[@robertthierry8297]

Really enjoyed watching Gary tell his stories not many old school tackle stores left I use to love stopping at out of the way shops fishing is definitely different culture nowadays. Enjoy your retirement.

[@egomaniac247]

Man, this was just the best of two worlds: sitting under the learning tree and sitting around wasting time BS'ing with the boys. He's right about fishing and introducing too much competition....money & greed ruins everything

[@gillgetter3004]

Yes the old tackle stores are leaving my area too, suppose it’s all over the country. I drive 35 miles to go to one that’s still hanging on. They do some hunting stuff also waterfowl decoys and ammo. They have the largest selection of ice fishing lures and equipment I’ve ever seen. And are big in live bait Wholesale and retail so I expect them to be around for awhile I hope. I think I was in Gary’s in one of the older shops they had with my brother in law in Florida about 82 or 83. Wish him good luck in his retirement 👍

[@mikemcelveen2973]

Thank you for doing this!

[@SWCFLORIDA]

Another classic episode Chris. Kermit was hard to leave

[@mattthomen1608]

Man i am glad you went here before its gone.what a legendary spot.very iconic. Thx Retro!

[@keithdurgin345]

That's some awesome history! Wish I could make it to all these older tackle shops! The world will not be a better place when it's only online shopping!

[@RetroBassin]

You and me both, Keith!

[@johnm2617]

😮 Dont know gary < or the store < I'm from pa far from flordia

[@vincebrown5158]

Very cool episode. Its a shame no one wants this business.

[@diegoscoffin7491]

This video struck a cord with me. Being a Florida native from a small town in Florida, these types of tackle stores (and more importantly, people) are disappearing every day. It’s sad to witness as these old Florida originals disappear and the flood of new residents come pouring in

[@RetroBassin]

As a “new” Florida resident, I get both sides. The issue, I think it not appreciating the history of a place you are new to. And that happens way too often…

[@bassmann4691]

Thank you! Great video on Gary's Tackle Box. Nice to hear the stories. Yes, sorry to see another local tackle shop close. Wish i can visit before nov 22nd. Live too far to visit. In my travels I try to visit local shops to see what the locals are using. Once a while, i do find some local gold.

[@RetroBassin]

Let me know if there are any local shops you think need attention!

[@williamdomey7584]

Thank you for doing this. Another great educational video as well.

[@baitchuckin]

This is such a good watch! Awesome to hear these old stories! Thanks Retro!

[@RetroBassin]

I could have listened all day!

[@rossparker4374]

Wow what a place sad to hear it’s gone. But places like this live on through stories and videos like this. Great video Retro!

[@RetroBassin]

Don't worry, I'm sure we will have more stories from Gary in the future...

[@AtypicalOutdoors]

Great video, Ted has always told me About it! I hate to see it close 😢

[@RetroBassin]

I had never even been to Gary's and it was a bittersweet trip for me. Just glad we were able to make it happen!

[@rhodesianhunter9360]

We have one mom and pop hanging on in my city. There were so many when I was young. The one that hangs on is a shallow of what it was. There are new ones, but their the ones that adapted to the internet and sold guns. Still family owned, they just expanded to different areas. It’s definitely only going to the ones that are internet famous that remain.

[@stevemolina8801]

I live in Southern California and am 71 years old. There used to be a small tackle shop in almost every suburb. The good freshwater stores are few and far between, there are a few ocean stores but Im sure with the exception of one or two they will be dying out. As a man who has fished both in the ocean and bass its damn sad to see these disappear. The few big box stores who sell fishing equipment including BPS have few inside the store who can answer nothing in detail about the sport. I was a lucky man to have been born when I was.

[@DsTackleBox]

I get all the new stuff that comes into play with all their advertising and hoopla but that's just what it is. One week it's this newest lure and features and the next week it's something else. That's why we stick to the old school, time proven gear and especially the lures. It's just stuff that was proven to work. Not saying the new stuff doesn't but alot of times it seems it's alot of hype. Our lil shop will always be mainly old school lures and gear. It's just that...until we are long gone! Thanks for the video and the reminder of what this is all about!🎣🤠

[@brentcarr8365]

Can we buy retro bassin shirts or hats?

[@RetroBassin]

Stay tuned, good buddy. Will have the Retro lure and merch shop up soon!

[@brentcarr8365]

@@RetroBassin excellent!!!

[@joshuagibson2520]

Do what you love, never work a day in your life.

[@NedRigNerd]

Most old local bait shops I see always going out of business here in Ohio. Is because most have nothing but old stuff no one uses anymore and they refused to ever get new baits and stuff. You know discount the old and get new to sell. But Nope.. So why go to local bait shop and buy old stuff for high prices. When I can go to Walmart and get new and stuff and big brands, and the older style baits that are still popular for cheaper. Also never see a local shop with websites and socal medias, basically everything needed today to be successful.

[@bayouburner281]

#buylocal

[@lipfishingthosebass5812]

Mikes Tackle world decatur illinois is amazing,, this stinks about Garys but happy retirement

[@RetroBassin]

I have been to Mike's...and it's definitely due for an episode...

[@secretbassrigs]

Using FFS in tournaments really does miss the point of the sport

[@russellscara7684]

this is as bad as jimmy buffet dying

[@RetroBassin]

Bubbles up, good buddy.