The Tackle Box

The Tackle Box

The Tackle Box
4.4
7:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
7:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
7:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
7:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
7:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
7:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
7:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
7:00 AM - 2:00 PM
About
We are a full service tackle shop located in the world's greatest fishing spot, the Florida Keys. The variety of fishing in the Keys is unsurpassed. Our business is to help you catch fish by providing the right fishing tackle plus advice from locals who fish these waters daily. We also offer Fishing Charters and have Guide Service available.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.


4.4
4.4 of 5 bubbles67 reviews
Excellent
53
Very good
4
Average
2
Poor
1
Terrible
7

Greg B
1 contribution
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2021
The day before I visited the store, I broke a rod and my 11 year old son dropped the drag cap on my Penn 6500SS into the nice blue water. The Tackle Box was my third shop I visited looking for a new rod and a new rod/reel as we were down to two rod/reels with two more days of fishing left for my wife, two kids and myself. I walked into the store and was surprised at the selection of rods, reels and tackle they had in stock vs the other two shops I previously visited. I spoke with the owner and could not believe they had exactly what I was looking for. While I was in the store I noticed that they had a good amount of Penn equipment in stock. When I was checking out at the counter, I asked if they would happen to have a drag cap for my Penn 6500SS (I thought it was a long shot) and told them the story about my son dropping the cap in the water. Two minutes later I had a new cap for my Penn reel! I walked out of the store a very happy customer! Whenever we are in Marathon or the surrounding keys there is only one tackle shop I will be going to and that is the Tackle Box!!

Thanks for saving our last two days of fishing!!!
Written June 4, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Farron B
1 contribution
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2021 • Friends
I buy shrimp at the Tackle box on a regular basis. I have many times gone in to buy hand picks and the worker, owner, his wife or son have told me “no” reason to pay extra because the large shrimp are all very large. I was told to save my money.
Easy to believe some a hole from up North would bash this hard working family. Buy your stuff somewhere else. Stay the F out of Marathon.
Written March 13, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Dustin F
12 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2018 • Family
This was out first time fishing the keys and The Tackle Box supplied us with the knowledge and tackle needed to catch fish. Not having access to a boat, we needed information on how to catch fish from shore. The store set us up a chum bag, hooks, sinkers, and cut bait. With their advise we we're able to catch lots of snapper, barracuda, and shark. Thanks for making our family vacation a memorable one.
Written July 20, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Big D
Big Pine Key, FL70 contributions
1.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2022 • Solo
How rude. Walk in and was greeted by, “I hope you’re not Looking for live bait. Welcome to summer in the Florida keys“. I’ll never come back here. Take your nastiness elsewhere.
Written July 9, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

tarpon89
Staten Island,Ny109 contributions
1.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2012 • Family
I am going to make this as short and sweet as possible. I came in looking for 2 dozen live shrimp. I handed him my container and then went to the register to pay. He came back and handed me by bucket. First of all they are the most expensive place I got shrimp they were over $4 a dozen with tax. Then I was walking out of the store and I looked in the bucket and it looked like their was hardly any shrip in their. I counted 3 full times myself and I counted 18. I went back in the store and I asked nicely I think you made a mistake can you recount the shrimp please. Well you thought someone committed murder. I can't believe I have to do this for 2 dozen shrimp. I said any one can make a mistake I would just like you to recount them. Then he said no way and threw the shrimp back in his shrimp pool and told the cashier to just give me my money back. I kinda stood their in shock the way he acted and of course i figured out why. If he counted in front of me, then he would have been proven wrong . So he did the only thing he could do to save face and that is to give me my money back. I recommend you go some where else or if you have to then watch him count the shrimp when he puts it in you bucket. This probably goes for all types of bait.
Written June 29, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
It is not our intention to "short" anybody on bait, especially for 6 shrimp. It is nearly impossible to count swimming shrimp in a bucket, which is why we count each one by hand. The price may be a little higher, the reason being is that we have a saltwater well, where it is continuously pumping clean water in, which means you get livelier, healthier shrimp that live much longer. We stayed open late (it was a Sunday) just for this gentleman to get two dozen shrimp and listen to him complain about everything we had to offer. Sir, you are on vacation in the Keys, life aint that bad.
Written July 21, 2012
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Hector P
Miami Beach, FL1 contribution
1.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2015 • Couples
I walked in with my own shrimp bucket and the lady at the counter started to scan it so I would pay for it.
I bought 2 dozen shrimp and wanted to charge me for 3 dozen....When I complained she kept saying I was interrupting her, why shouldn't I ? she was overcharging me....then she copped a weird and agitated attitude, so I told her there were plenty of bait shops in the area right in front of other customers.
My final assessment of this place: Management needs to get rid of this menopausal woman, before it can be called a successful business.
Written May 3, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear Hector, Your view on what happened is somewhat correct. If you would have assessed the situation before you decided that you where the only one in the store, you would have seen that I was in the process of helping two other customers at the counter with their live bait orders which happened to be 3 dozen shrimp and 6 pinfish. You also decided you were to interrupt once again and ask where the weights were. You interrupted me a third time as I was trying to ring up the other customers 3 dozen shrimp and pinfish and asking my fellow employee if he got the correct count for them. That is when i got "my weird" attitude. I rang you up first to get you out of the store. You are correct that there are other bait stores and I have no problem with you patronizing them. You are also correct I am a Menopausal woman but I am also one of the owners and we run a very successful business.
Written May 4, 2015
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Jetsetter4840
3 contributions
1.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2013
Went in to get bait, was told after we were about to pay that its cash only. Not to mention when we walked in we didn't even get a hello, just a rude stare. For running a buisness they sure arent customer friendly. Save your time and money, go somewhere else!
Written August 14, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
To say that this week is stressful is a understatement. We got to the shop Sunday morning a discovered we had been broke into. Merchandise was stolen, along with some personal items. All of our computers were trashed, which means no cash register, no inventory records, or credit card machine, which is why it was cash only. We are trying to re-coup data, buying new computers, figuring out what has been stolen. No excuse for being rude, and I am sorry. We are basically in a zombie state at this time.
Written August 16, 2013
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Miona B
New York1 contribution
1.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2015 • Business
I went to Tackle Box to get a reel cleaned and was met by courteous people, but when I went back to get the reel I found out that it appeared to not be cleaned. I ask the lady behind the counter if I could get a card and talk to the person that did the work. Her response was "he works in here but talk to him"......Naturally the wasn't there, so I ask for a card so I could call him. Well, then when I paid for it which was supposed to be $35.00......she charged me tax on the labor. When I questioned her on taxing labor which was against the law.....she got mad, blew up and then some man came up and said "I would have charged tax also....WHY?
First she was beautiful when you buy something, but definitely don't question the ripping off that you will definitely get in the business....If you go in the store price everything before and definitely check what you get before you leave the store....SHE GOT HOSTILE WHEN QUESTIONED!!!!
Written January 5, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear Sir, First and foremost I assure you that your reel had been cleaned and lubed. We have not been in business for 10 years by taking advantage of people. Secondly I told you that your reel was tight because it probably needed new bearing(s) that would not have been cost effective to replace. You brought it to us to clean and lube and that is exactly what you got. As far as tax on labor goes, in the State of Florida if you use a part, then you tax labor not just on the part but the entire repair. We replaced a missing screw from the housing. I adjusted the price to make you happy. My attitude comes from the way I am treated. When a customer is rude and loud, I respond the same way. When they yell as they are going out the door "I'm getting on the internet" I cant help but laugh. I'm sorry that we did not meet your expectations but do assure you that the job was completed as asked.
Written January 9, 2015
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

RangeleyCruiser
Oquossoc51 contributions
1.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2014 • Business
My friend a I drove up to Marathon (from Key West) for a fishing trip with another friend that lives in Marathon. We decided to purchase live shrimp in Marathon rather than transport them from KW. We didn't search TA before we left KW, so as we passed The Tackle Box, we pulled over and went in to purchase 3 dozen live shrimp. The gentleman greeted us and went to get our 3 dozen shrimp. While scooping out the shrimp, the lady that was behind the counter (on the phone) commented that "we aren't going to be able to get more shrimp today". Thinking nothing of it, we paid for the shrimp ($3.90/doz) grabbed our live bucket of shrimp and drove the 2 miles to our friends boat slip. When we went to empty the shrimp into the boat live well, there were EXACTLY 25 shrimp (not 36). I guess I should have counted them as he scooped them out...but that seemed a little overbearing....I mean 3 dozen is 3 dozen. I meant to stop into the "Box" on our way back to KW, but figured it wouldn't have made a difference.....anyway, next time I guess I'll count them!!! One more thing...the live shrimp worked GREAT....but we ran out when the fish were biting!!
Written February 3, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I remember you guys coming in. I am not sure what happened, the only thing I can think of is that the shrimp dipper heard 2 dozen and I heard 3. You were defiantly charged for 3 dozen and I apologize. We owe you a dozen shrimp next time you come up this way.
Written February 8, 2014
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

George M
Novi, Michigan, United States1 contribution
1.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2013 • Friends
I recently purchased a home in Marathon and like to fish. All of the local bait shops seem to have an attitude toward newbies. The tackle box is the worst. I tried to buy the 6 dozen shrimp deal as advertised on the sign outside. My bucket looked like maybe 3-4 dozen tiny shrimp. When I mentioned my disappointment, the woman told me that was the way it was take it or leave it. I told them I didn't want the shrimp.Then her attitude became abusive. I will not return.
Written September 9, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear George - Just wanted to clear up a few things. The keys are a tourist destination, so 75-80% of the people who go to any local shops are 'newbies". We do not have attitudes against them, we treat them as we are treated. You ask for 6 dozen shrimp, you get 72 shrimp. If you would have counted I am pretty positive that is what was in your bucket. Shrimp do come in different sizes depending upon the season, moon phase, etc. sometimes they are very small and sometimes they are very big, we have no control over this. They are delivered every morning from Miami. We are at the mercy of the Shrimpers. In other words "it is what it is", I can not change it. As far as irate, I believe I said "ok, we are playing nice" took the shrimp back and gave you your money back. I apologize if you felt that you were treated badly, it is not our intention at all.
Written September 24, 2013
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

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The Tackle Box (2025) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Reviews)

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