The History of Jenk's Bait & Tackle

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Elza and Ruby Jenkins (Jenk's)

Jenk‘s Bait and Tackle is currently the oldest operating bait shop in Sawyer County, Wisconsin. It began across the street from our current location when Elza B and Ruby H. Weakley Jenkins Jenkins first opened it in 1946. Mr. Jenkins was a true outdoorsman and trapped his own bait to sell at the shop–a tradition that we proudly continue to this day! Elza passed away on 10 Aug 1976 in Duluth. Ruby lived until 1993.
Elza B. Jenkins (Jenks)
Elza B. Jenkins

Al and Judy Wessel

In 1968, Elza and Ruby Jenkins sold the Jenk’s Bait and Tackle to Al and Judy Wessel. Not long after they bought the business, Al and Judy moved Jenk’s Bait and Tackle to its current location today. Judy Wessel from time to time still helps our around the shop to this day.

Randy Armsbury

In 1980, Randy Armsbury, after a chance conversation, ended up buying Jenk’s Bait and Tackle from Al and Judy. Randy operated the shop for 35 years with his wife Sue and his boys Randy Jr. and Brad. Randy dedicated his life to the shop and the fishing community in Hayward, WI.

Randy Armsbury

February 28, 2014 - Michael Piccirillo

In 1987, a young boy walked into Jenk’s Bait and Tackle for the very first time with his father and grandfather. During that visit, the young boy told Randy Armsbury, “I want to buy your bait shop.” Then in 2011, 24 years later, Randy called that same young boy who was already a young adult and reminded him that he once wanted to buy the bait shop and asked if he still wanted it. Three years later, that young boy’s dream was realized on February 28, 2014 when Michael Piccirillo bought Jenk’s Bait and Tackle from Randy.
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Jenk’s Bait and Tackle is not just a bait shop. It is a fishing tradition that has continued on for generations. The old faces that walk through the doors each season, as well as the new faces coming in to make more memories are what makes Jenk’s Bait and Tackle what it has become today. The history and tradition of the shop does not begin and end with the succession line of owners, but rather is shared each season with our customers who make Jenk’s Bait and Tackle the tradition and experience that it is. The faces have certainly changed throughout the years, but the Jenk’s Bait tradition and experience of fishing and camaraderie has remained steadfast through the generations.