A Unique Bait Shop
There has been a bait and tackle shop at this address for more than 30 years. In 1999, John (Gator) and Debbie Brown bought the shop. Gator was a Memphis city police officer and later transferred to the Bartlett police department where he helped to start up the motorcycle squad. Debbie was running the shop while Gator continued his police career and his professional fishing career fishing the B.A.S.S., F.L.W. and local tournament schedules. He was consistently placing in the tournaments and making a few dollars profit.
The shop offers unique personal services not found at the big stores. Gator loves to say, “We know our customers by face and name. We have time to talk to them. We swap fishing lies, we tell each other where they are biting and what baits are working best.” Our customers love seeing their special fish photos on this website. Gator has trouble remembering some things but he knows the details of the Tennessee lakes and can tell you which rock to cast to in Pickwick Lake.
Gator Brown’s has sponsored the local Bartlett children's fishing rodeo for the past 9 years. Gator and his staff will take time to help you rig your rod with the right tackle. We will match the new rod to the right reel and bait. We will not tell you to buy crickets when we know nothing is biting crickets during a cold spell. Many of our customers are not fishermen. They buy crickets and wax worms to feed their pets and backyard birds.
The shop pours its own lead weights and lead jigs. We even sell one pound lead ingots so you can pour you own jigs. Hunters and gun lovers buy lead for making bullets. Gator will even custom make a spinnerbait or jig if you can describe what you want. The shop is the only rod and reel repair shop in the local area. We can fill your reel with quality line. If you want sinkers or floats, the big stores must sell you a package of 4 or 8. At Gator Brown's you can hand pick one or two from the weight box and baskets. We try to keep our prices close to the big stores and some cases we can beat their prices.
We have a dedicated staff and friends that run the store and are here to serve our customers, our most valuable asset. We want you to become our customer as well and promise to give you the best possible product and service.
Today Gator Brown's is still a unique family owned and operated bait shop run by the family and friends. Thankful to their loyal customers and happy to offer old fashion customer service!
The shop offers unique personal services not found at the big stores. Gator loves to say, “We know our customers by face and name. We have time to talk to them. We swap fishing lies, we tell each other where they are biting and what baits are working best.” Our customers love seeing their special fish photos on this website. Gator has trouble remembering some things but he knows the details of the Tennessee lakes and can tell you which rock to cast to in Pickwick Lake.
Gator Brown’s has sponsored the local Bartlett children's fishing rodeo for the past 9 years. Gator and his staff will take time to help you rig your rod with the right tackle. We will match the new rod to the right reel and bait. We will not tell you to buy crickets when we know nothing is biting crickets during a cold spell. Many of our customers are not fishermen. They buy crickets and wax worms to feed their pets and backyard birds.
The shop pours its own lead weights and lead jigs. We even sell one pound lead ingots so you can pour you own jigs. Hunters and gun lovers buy lead for making bullets. Gator will even custom make a spinnerbait or jig if you can describe what you want. The shop is the only rod and reel repair shop in the local area. We can fill your reel with quality line. If you want sinkers or floats, the big stores must sell you a package of 4 or 8. At Gator Brown's you can hand pick one or two from the weight box and baskets. We try to keep our prices close to the big stores and some cases we can beat their prices.
We have a dedicated staff and friends that run the store and are here to serve our customers, our most valuable asset. We want you to become our customer as well and promise to give you the best possible product and service.
Today Gator Brown's is still a unique family owned and operated bait shop run by the family and friends. Thankful to their loyal customers and happy to offer old fashion customer service!
Meet the Staff
 Come meet our mascot, Lucy. |
Since 1999, Gator Brown has owned and run the shop with his wife Debbie. He truly has a passion and love for the shop and his customers.
In 2004, Gator suffered a stroke which kept him bed ridden for several years forcing his retirement from the police force. The daily shop business and Debbie were helped and supported by Mr. Cathey Isom who was a local mid-south fishing expert and best friend to the Browns. While Mr. Cathey is no longer able to help due to health issues, his knowledge and teachings remain a part of the everyday business. When you come into the shop expect to be greeted by Gator in his usual friendly nature and ready to help with whatever you may need. Gator wants to earn your business and will do his best to keep you as a lifelong customer. There are a number of customers that have been coming in the shop since they were youngsters and still shop with John and check in on a regular basis. |
In recent years, Gator Brown's has welcomed a new team member in Mike Chambers.
Most days you can find him deep in concentration while he cleans and repairs customer reels. Mike's service to customers in maintaining and keeping their reels and rods in great shape to catch that next big lunker or limit is an important part of the services and products that we offer.
He is also an avid crappie fisherman and will be happy to offer his insight into local crappie information. Fishing lakes in West TN and North MS he can usually tell you what they are biting and how deep they have been running at our local lakes. Also, a huge Mississippi State fan he is happy to discuss college sports especially when it comes to his beloved Bulldogs!
Most days you can find him deep in concentration while he cleans and repairs customer reels. Mike's service to customers in maintaining and keeping their reels and rods in great shape to catch that next big lunker or limit is an important part of the services and products that we offer.
He is also an avid crappie fisherman and will be happy to offer his insight into local crappie information. Fishing lakes in West TN and North MS he can usually tell you what they are biting and how deep they have been running at our local lakes. Also, a huge Mississippi State fan he is happy to discuss college sports especially when it comes to his beloved Bulldogs!