About us

Martin's Fishing Tackle — Where Every Cast Begins

From a Small Idea to a Los Angeles Landmark

Martin's Fishing Tackle didn't start with a grand business plan or a corporate boardroom strategy. It started with a simple, deeply personal passion — a love for fishing that was passed down through generations and grew into something far greater than any single catch.

Our founder, Martin, grew up spending his earliest mornings on the shores of Southern California's lakes, rivers, and coastlines. Some of his most vivid childhood memories involve waking before dawn, the sky still painted in shades of indigo and grey, casting a line into the still water alongside his father and grandfather. Those quiet hours on the water taught him patience, respect for nature, and an appreciation for the simple but profound joy of a fishing trip well spent. More than that, they taught him the critical importance of having the right gear — the lure that triggers a strike, the hook that holds true, the line that doesn't fail when a trophy fish decides to run.

As Martin grew older, his passion for fishing only deepened. He began spending weekends not just fishing, but studying tackle. He became obsessed with the subtle differences between lures — how a slight change in color, shape, weight, or action could mean the difference between a blank day and a banner one. He experimented with dozens of brands, tested gear in every condition Southern California had to offer — from the calm freshwater lakes of the Inland Empire to the rugged surf along the Pacific coast, from the rocky jetties of the harbor to the deep offshore waters teeming with game fish. Through years of trial and error, he developed an intimate, firsthand understanding of what works, what doesn't, and why.

The Birth of a Tackle Shop

By the early 2010s, Martin had become the person everyone in his circle turned to for fishing advice. Friends, family members, coworkers, and even strangers at the boat ramp would ask him the same questions: What lure should I use? Where's the best spot? How do I rig this? He was always happy to help, but he noticed a recurring problem — most big-box sporting goods stores offered overwhelming walls of tackle with no real guidance. The staff often knew less about fishing than the customers. Online retailers offered convenience but lacked the personal touch, the ability to ask questions, feel the weight of a lure in your hand, or get honest advice from someone who had actually used the product on the water.

Martin saw a gap, and he decided to fill it.

In 2015, he opened the doors of Martin's Fishing Tackle at 2821 S Western Ave in the heart of Los Angeles, California. The shop was modest at first — a small retail space with a handful of carefully selected lures, hooks, lines, and accessories. But what Martin's Fishing Tackle lacked in square footage, it more than made up for in expertise, curated quality, and genuine customer care.

From day one, Martin set out to build something different. He didn't want to be just another tackle shop that stacked shelves and hoped for the best. He wanted to create a place where every customer — whether a seasoned tournament angler or a parent buying a child's first fishing rod — would walk out feeling more confident, more prepared, and more excited about their next time on the water.

A Curated Selection, Not Just a Stocked Shelf

One of the foundational principles of Martin's Fishing Tackle is curation. Martin personally tests and evaluates every product before it makes it onto the shelves or the website. He won't sell anything he wouldn't use himself on the water. This commitment to quality over quantity means our customers can trust that every item in our store has earned its place through real-world performance.

Our product range spans the full spectrum of fishing tackle and accessories:

  • Lures: An extensive and carefully chosen collection of crankbaits, spinnerbaits, soft plastics, jigs, topwater lures, swimbaits, and specialty lures designed for specific species and conditions. We carry options for freshwater bass, trout, catfish, and panfish, as well as saltwater species including halibut, yellowtail, calico bass, and more.

  • Hooks & Terminal Tackle: From premium treble hooks and circle hooks to weights, sinkers, swivels, snaps, and leaders, we stock the terminal tackle that forms the backbone of any successful rigging setup.

  • Fishing Line: Monofilament, fluorocarbon, braid, and specialty lines from the most trusted brands in the industry. Martin personally tests line for strength, abrasion resistance, and casting performance to ensure our recommendations are backed by experience.

  • Accessories & Gear: Tackle boxes, pliers, line cutters, fish grips, rod and reel maintenance tools, landing nets, stringers, and a wide range of accessories that make every fishing trip smoother and more enjoyable.

  • Rod & Reel Accessories: Grips, reel seats, rod blanks, line guides, and other components for anglers who prefer to customize or build their own setups.

Every product on our shelves and website is accompanied by detailed specifications and honest descriptions, so you know exactly what you're getting before you buy.

More Than a Store — A Community Hub

From the beginning, Martin envisioned his shop as more than a retail destination. He wanted Martin's Fishing Tackle to be a gathering place for the Southern California fishing community — a space where anglers could connect, share stories, swap tips, and bond over their shared love of the sport.

Over the years, that vision has become a reality. Our store has hosted informal fishing seminars, rigging workshops, and product demonstrations. On any given day, you'll find a mix of customers browsing the latest arrivals, locals swapping reports from their most recent trips, and beginners asking Martin or our knowledgeable team for guidance on getting started. The atmosphere is warm, welcoming, and unmistakably authentic — this is a shop built by anglers, for anglers.

We've also built an active and engaged online community. Through our website and social media channels, we share fishing tips, product reviews, local fishing reports, how-to content, and stories from the water. Our goal is to extend the Martin's Fishing Tackle experience beyond our physical storefront and reach anglers wherever they are — whether they're in Los Angeles, across California, or anywhere else in the country.

A Commitment to the Angler

What truly sets Martin's Fishing Tackle apart is our unwavering commitment to the angler. We understand that fishing is more than a hobby for many of our customers — it's a tradition, a source of peace, a way to connect with family and friends, and for some, a livelihood. We take that seriously.

Every interaction at Martin's Fishing Tackle — whether it's in-store, over the phone, or through our online shop — is guided by a set of core values:

  • Honesty: We give straightforward, honest advice. If a product isn't right for your needs, we'll tell you. If there's a better option, we'll point you to it. We'd rather earn your trust than make a quick sale.

  • Expertise: Our team doesn't just sell tackle — we use it. We fish regularly across Southern California and stay current with the latest techniques, trends, and product innovations. When you ask us a question, you're getting an answer rooted in real experience.

  • Quality: We stand behind every product we sell. We partner with reputable manufacturers and brands known for their craftsmanship and reliability. If something doesn't meet our standards, it doesn't make it to our shelves.

  • Accessibility: We believe everyone deserves access to great fishing gear and expert guidance, regardless of their budget or experience level. We carry options at a range of price points and are always happy to help customers find the best value for their needs.

  • Sustainability: We care about the waters we fish and the ecosystems that support them. We advocate for responsible fishing practices, support local conservation efforts, and encourage all anglers to practice catch-and-release where appropriate, follow local regulations, and leave the water better than they found it.

Serving Los Angeles and Beyond

Located on South Western Avenue in Los Angeles, Martin's Fishing Tackle is conveniently situated to serve anglers from across the greater Los Angeles area and beyond. Whether you're based in South LA, Downtown, Hollywood, the South Bay, the San Fernando Valley, or the Inland Empire, our shop is easily accessible and well worth the visit.

For customers who prefer to shop from home, our online store brings the full Martin's Fishing Tackle experience to your doorstep. We've built our website to be a comprehensive, easy-to-navigate resource where you can browse our full product catalog, read detailed descriptions and specifications, and place orders with confidence. We offer free standard shipping on all orders across the contiguous United States, because we believe that great tackle should be accessible to every angler, no matter where they're located.

Looking Ahead

As we look to the future, our mission remains the same as it was on day one: to be the most trusted, knowledgeable, and customer-focused fishing tackle resource in Southern California and beyond. We are continually expanding our product selection, exploring new brands and innovative tackle, and finding new ways to serve our growing community of anglers.

We're also exploring new ways to engage with our community — from in-store events and fishing outings to expanded online content, tutorials, and partnerships with fishing guides and local anglers. The world of fishing tackle is always evolving, and we're committed to evolving with it while staying true to the core values that have defined Martin's Fishing Tackle from the very beginning.

Come Visit Us

Whether you're gearing up for your first fishing trip or your thousandth, we'd love to see you at Martin's Fishing Tackle. Stop by our shop at 2821 S Western Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90018, give us a call at +1 (323) 419-9032, or reach out to us online at info@martinsfishingtackle.com. We're always happy to talk fishing, recommend the perfect tackle for your next adventure, or just share a good fish story.

Because at Martin's Fishing Tackle, every cast begins with the right gear, the right advice, and a team that genuinely cares about your time on the water.

Tight lines. See you on the water.

— The Martin's Fishing Tackle Team