Article by Donovan Miles, c/o 2023

Published in 2022

James River Bait and Tackle (JRBT) is a shop that fits all a fisherman's needs. The shop has been in Hopewell for around 4 years. Anglers should go to JRBT because of its great customer service, prices, and gear.

The customer service at JRBT is stupendous. A customer named Chanel Powell said the owner, Donnie Bell, “is the only owner that greets all the customers, not just certain customers.” The owners are veteran fishers who are happy to share their wisdom. They have also hosted local fishing events like their Bass Series in 2022. Many other shoppers say they love his shop, and that they only want to shop at JRBT. A place doesn’t acquire that kind of loyalty without quality customer service.

Prices at JRBT are fair and a bit better than other tackle shops. Bell sells his fishing line for 40 cents a yard as opposed to Fish Tales, who sells theirs for a little over a dollar. Bell’s reasonable prices help him generate more customers. A few things he also sells are homemade like rigs, lures, rods, ect. Bell also sources his bait from the locals of Virginia and only imports a few things from North Carolina and Tennessee.

Bell offers a variety of brands, baits, and gear. You can find fresh bait that can last up to a week. His live bait comes from the Hampton Roads area and Gloster. If items like hooks, jigs, and weights are not homemade they come out of Tennessee and North Carolina. JRBT is always stocked up. Bell said, “if you don’t have it, you can’t sell it.”

If you want to shop at JRBT, you can find them at 1410 W City Point Rd, Hopewell. They are open at the hours posted below. You can check out their website here. You can follow them on Facebook here.