Owner of Chris’ Bait & Tackle
When it comes to fishing, you simply cannot beat expert local knowledge. And for the thousands of anglers who’ve walked through the doors of Chris’ Bait & Tackle in Capeville, VA, that’s exactly what they get from owner Christine (Chris) Snook. Since they opened their doors in April 1992, Chris, along with her husband Mark, have run the modest shop located just south of Cape Charles—on the right before you cross the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel (CBBT)—with that concept of good service with reasonable prices.
They stock plenty of live, fresh, and frozen baits, and you’ll also find just about any tackle, rods and reels you’ll need to ride a bull red drum or tame a trophy striper. They also carry hunting gear, including bows, blackpowder guns, and ammo.
So the next time you’re fishing Virginia’s lower Eastern Shore, make sure you stop in and talk to Chris and Mark. Odds are good they will get you rigged up right to hook up. They’ll also have the intel to put you on fish. PropTalk recently caught up with Chris for our July “Top Hook” conversation.
PropTalk: What are some of your favorite game fish to catch and why?
Chris Snook: Striper—Because there are so many ways to catch: live eels, trolling, casting and live baiting. Red Drum—Strong fighters, when you fish shallow, they make long runs; fish deeper water, and they bulldog to the bottom. Tarpon—Due to the challenge of finding one and their strength after a hook up.
Whom is your favorite person to fish with?
My husband Mark. Time fishing together is the best.
We figure you have lots of fishing experiences. Would you share some of your favorites?
I have a few—fishing with Jack Brady and catching my first tarpon; fishing with William Reynolds and learning about striper and flounder fishing; fishing with my husband Mark, and Jerry and Connie Peck, catching my first bull red drum measuring almost 56 inches; catching a 100-plus pound black drum with James and James Jr. Beasley. Captain Jack Eudy, striper fishing at the pilings of the CBBT. It can never be reduced to the most memorable; that’s what it’s about. Every trip has its highlights and memories. It’s just too hard to put it to one when all mean so much!
What’s the most challenging and rewarding part about owning a tackle shop?
The hardest part of being a tackle shop owner is seeing all the fish being caught and not being able to go. The job requires long hours and a constant knowledge of new items and giving a good fishing report so people can catch their fish of a lifetime.
The best part of the job is being able to tell people where and how to set up a proper rig to catch their fish and seeing the smile on their faces when the people return with their fish and the memories of the catch.
When you’re not in the tackle shop or out on the water fishing, what else do you like to do?
I enjoy going for a ride on our motorcycles, sitting around the fire pit with family and friends, playing with our four German Shepherds: Dakota, Storm, Breeze, and Mak. Hunting is also a good substitute when you can’t get out on the water.
Thursday, July 7, 2016 - 09:00
Owner of Chris’ Bait & Tackle
When it comes to fishing, you simply cannot beat expert local knowledge. And for the thousands of anglers who’ve walked through the doors of Chris’ Bait & Tackle in Capeville, VA, that’s exactly what they get from owner Christine (Chris) Snook. Since they opened their doors in April 1992, Chris, along with her husband Mark, have run the modest shop located just south of Cape Charles—on the right before you cross the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel (CBBT)—with that concept of good service with reasonable prices.
They stock plenty of live, fresh, and frozen baits, and you’ll also find just about any tackle, rods and reels you’ll need to ride a bull red drum or tame a trophy striper. They also carry hunting gear, including bows, blackpowder guns, and ammo.
So the next time you’re fishing Virginia’s lower Eastern Shore, make sure you stop in and talk to Chris and Mark. Odds are good they will get you rigged up right to hook up. They’ll also have the intel to put you on fish. PropTalk recently caught up with Chris for our July “Top Hook” conversation.
PropTalk: What are some of your favorite game fish to catch and why?
Chris Snook: Striper—Because there are so many ways to catch: live eels, trolling, casting and live baiting. Red Drum—Strong fighters, when you fish shallow, they make long runs; fish deeper water, and they bulldog to the bottom. Tarpon—Due to the challenge of finding one and their strength after a hook up.
Whom is your favorite person to fish with?
My husband Mark. Time fishing together is the best.
We figure you have lots of fishing experiences. Would you share some of your favorites?
I have a few—fishing with Jack Brady and catching my first tarpon; fishing with William Reynolds and learning about striper and flounder fishing; fishing with my husband Mark, and Jerry and Connie Peck, catching my first bull red drum measuring almost 56 inches; catching a 100-plus pound black drum with James and James Jr. Beasley. Captain Jack Eudy, striper fishing at the pilings of the CBBT. It can never be reduced to the most memorable; that’s what it’s about. Every trip has its highlights and memories. It’s just too hard to put it to one when all mean so much!
What’s the most challenging and rewarding part about owning a tackle shop?
The hardest part of being a tackle shop owner is seeing all the fish being caught and not being able to go. The job requires long hours and a constant knowledge of new items and giving a good fishing report so people can catch their fish of a lifetime.
The best part of the job is being able to tell people where and how to set up a proper rig to catch their fish and seeing the smile on their faces when the people return with their fish and the memories of the catch.
When you’re not in the tackle shop or out on the water fishing, what else do you like to do?
I enjoy going for a ride on our motorcycles, sitting around the fire pit with family and friends, playing with our four German Shepherds: Dakota, Storm, Breeze, and Mak. Hunting is also a good substitute when you can’t get out on the water.