Minding Your Business- Harwich Sport Bait & Tackle

There aren't too many stores on the Cape that openly post, “Call me if you need me to come down to the store” if a customer needs something in the off hours of the day. But that’s exactly what Harwich Sport Bait & Tackle’s owner Paul Soucy lives by.

“This is a full service, one stop shop for anything people might need,” Soucy notes about his shop. “I always encourage people if I am closed and you want something, just call. I live 1.8 miles away. I’d be happy to come down and help you if I am available.”

That sure is a new level of customer service and you definitely feel that vibe when you walk through the front door of Harwich Sport Bait & Tackle. Soucy has made this shop on Rt. 28 in Harwich Port his passion project in retirement and it has become the go-to destination for all things fishing in town. 

“You know, I am a people-person,” Soucy said. “I like coming in here every day, seeing the different people come in, talking with them and helping them out, give some discounts. This has been a nice little hobby.”

When I asked Soucy how he got the fishing bug, we proudly reviewed his family’s history with me! 

“I did a lot of fishing as a kid growing up in Connecticut,”  Soucy said. “I used to do some night fishing, pond fishing and a little lake fishing. Then I got into flyfishing too which was fun. I was a math teacher for 38 years. My dad taught math. My two daughters are teaching math. My mom was a nurse, my two sisters were nurses and my wife was a nurse- that’s my family history. When this opportunity came up, I had just retired in 2018, we had moved here and we hemmed and hawed a bit and eventually thought, “Let’s do it!.”

Harwich Sport sells live bait like shiners, nightcrawlers, mealworms, dillies and troutworms and frozen bait like mackerel, pogies, clams, squid, crabs and eels. They also sell fresh and salt water tackle, lures, rods, reels and so much more. 

“Everybody comes in here looking for something different. Certain lures or to stock up on something different,” Soucy said. “The biggest thing is the vacationers who come in and sometimes say, ‘I want to go fishing but forgot some of my gear.’ And of course in the off season, it’s mostly the locals that keep me going.”

Harwich Sport also offers several services like rod repair, reel spooling and reel cleaning. Soucy can repair most broken tips, guides, and some other components, restoring a rod to optimal condition. His spooling machine will ensure your reel is properly spooled for smooth, reliable casting. Customers can choose from a variety of line options to match their fishing style and get folks back on the water with confidence. Additionally, the shop offers all sorts of rental equipment like clamming gear, rod and reel rentals and nets. 

Harwich Sport sells their own branded merchandise in the form of t-shirts, baseball jerseys and the newest edition to the line: logo sunshirts made out of recycled plastic from the ocean. Gift cards are also available for purchase. There is currently a great 60 percent off table in the shop featuring a potpourri of merchandise like filet knives, fishing line, bags, tackle boxes and more. 

While Soucy would like to get out and fish more, it’s all a matter of finding the time. He and his wife enjoy sponsoring a Cape League player in their home every year from the Harwich Mariners. They also sponsor local kids fishing derbies, the Cape Cod Salties and many other local causes. 

In a world where things move so fast and the summers on Cape Cod fly right by, Harwich Sport reminds you to slow it down a bit, cast a line and enjoy the day. Be sure to grab some gear and swing by Harwich Sport for all of your fishing needs soon!

Harwich Sport Bait & Tackle

431 Main St. Route 28, Harwich Port

508-430-4117

harwichsportbaitandtackle.com