T-Dogg’s Bait & Tackle fills niche for Guthrie County anglers

Tristan West has operated the seasonal fishing shop from his Panora garage since 2012.

By Rich Wicks | Panora Times, May 2026

If you are looking to go fishing in Guthrie County, where can you buy bait and tackle? If you simply want live bait, vending machines and convenience stores can meet that need. But if you need fishing tackle, there are very few options. If you want a store that specializes in fishing and offers a wide variety of fishing tackle and related items, T-Dogg’s Bait & Tackle is the place to visit.

Owner and lifelong Panora area resident Tristan West operates T-Dogg’s Bait & Tackle out of the garage at his home at 505 W. Market St. in Panora. He explained how his business came to be.

“When I was growing up, there was a bait shop across town. I used to go down there and see the gentleman who ran it and visit with him. Then I started this shop in 2012. At that time, I didn’t have nearly as much stuff in the garage as I do now,” West said.

T-Dogg’s is closed during the cold months, but once he opens, West makes up for lost time.

As a one-person business, West has a demanding schedule, since his standard hours of operation are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. seven days a week.

“It’s open from March or April until October,” West said.

One downside to that schedule is that West rarely gets a chance to go fishing, but he enjoys visiting with customers about their fishing experiences.

West said his store carries everything needed to get a line in the water, including candy and pop.

“I pretty much have everything to get you started,” he said.

West said his best-selling items are lures and poles. He also stocks a wide variety of hooks, bobbers, sinkers, tackle boxes and many other items. He sells bait, including nightcrawlers, leeches, shrimp and chicken liver, but not minnows. In the past, he found it difficult to maintain minnow buckets and keep the tiny fish alive and active.

Late spring is traditionally the busiest time at T-Dogg’s. He recalled being surprised at how busy the store became during its first season.

“It was so busy the first Memorial Day after I opened, and it’s always crazy chaotic in here on Memorial Day,” he said.

At other times, he passes the time using his phone. He does not mind sitting and waiting. Patience is a crucial part of fishing and running a fishing store.

The business accepts cash only, and since West is the only employee, there are times he may not be in the garage when a customer arrives.

“If I’m ever not in the garage, just ring the bell,” he said.

Generally, the garage door is open during business hours, which sometimes results in more than customers coming in.

“I’ve had a lot of sparrows and different birds fly in here, and it can be tough to get them out,” West said.

Over his 14 years in business, West has learned to listen to what his customers want. He encourages people to call ahead at 641-757-7942 if they wish to check availability on specific items. West said maintaining inventory is the most challenging part of his job, but he strives to offer a little bit of everything.

“I try to keep a good overall selection. For a garage business, I’m pretty well stocked,” West said.

West maintains a Facebook page for his business where customers can see updates to his offerings. Although the seven-days-a-week schedule is demanding, West does not plan to make significant changes in the foreseeable future.

“I plan to keep doing this as long as I’m able to and the body will let me,” he said. n