Covering Costs at Old Town Bait and Tackle

 

If you didn't see the extensive and explanative Facebook post by Nic Bremer, owner of Amelia Island Bait and Tackle/Old Town Bait and Tackle, he has instituted a parking/launch fee at Old Town Bait and Tackle. There is a $5 daily park or launch fee, or you can pay a $50 fee for an annual permit. 

As Nic mentioned in his post, he and his family have put a large amount of funds toward improving the property - a complete remodel of the Tackle shop, with an improved and consistent inventory - and they are consistent in opening on time, and every day! Crazy huh?  Those also brought in a few loads of rock to try and level the parking area.

The Bremers have remodeled and made work the "outhouse"  restroom, and keep it clean and stocked with toilet paper. They got the water spigot working and provided a water hose for rinsing off your boat. They installed a fish cleaning table down at the dock and installed water, a hose, and nozzle for use by anglers. THIS PRIVATE BOAT RAMP IS THE ONLY RAMP THAT HAS A CLEANING TABLE IN OUR AREA.

When you get your tax bill this November and you're looking at how much you pay in tax's, note that The County has NO cleaning tables at their ramps(Dee Dee Bartels, Goffinsville, Holley Pointe). The City has not cleaning table at the Marina ramp. The State has no cleaning table down at Sawpit Creek. Heck, it's been "closed" for the last 5 months! 

This ramp and dock also has a true "NO WAKE" zone - you don't have to worry about your boat getting waked and dinged up. Try that at Dee Dee Bartles, Goffinsville or Sawpit Creek - you're boat hull will look like the Anglers Mark's- dings and dents and scratches. Why don't they enforce the No Wake at these ramps? My gut tells me it's not "politically" viable. Every one they write a ticket to is a voter. 

Old Town has installed some new signage to try and manage the parking. Up front at the door you'll see a sign "Old Town Customer Parking" - you can pull up there and park and go in and make a purchase with no parking fee. 

If your launching a boat, pull out and park over by the bridge incline/14th Street, but PULL IN DIAGONALLY!  There's a sign. If you're in a car with no trailer, park over by the boat yard fence. DO NOT PARK IN THE BOAT TRAILER PARKING. There are few spots up near Eagans Creek where you can park.  Make sure you pay for your parking or launch fee. The Old Town Bait and Tackle staff will give you a parking permit. 

I know everyone hates to see a new fee, or prices to go  up, but for what we get - the improved Bait and Tackle store, wash down hose, restroom, cleaning table, a real No Wake zone, and parking...then I'll gladly pay the fee (NOTE: I purchased the annual permit). When I meet customers there, they will need to pay the $5 parking fee. Thanks, see you out there fishing. 

Captain Lawrence Piper is a fishing guide and US Coast Guard licensed Charter boat operator in Fernandina Beach on Amelia Island, Florida