After 14 memorable seasons serving the Long Island fishing community, Captree Bait & Tackle will soon close its doors. Owner Brenden Rutigliano first took over the business in 2012, reviving a shuttered tackle shop and transforming it from what he called a “salty old farts” hangout into a welcoming, family-friendly hub for anglers of all ages. Since then, the shop has earned five “Best of Long Island” awards, cementing its place as one of the region’s most community-minded fishing shops.
Through the years, Brenden and his team have introduced thousands of kids to fishing via more than 20 free snapper derbies, and even founded the first Long Island High School Fishing League, giving young anglers a way to stay active in the sport. Captree B&T has also backed nearly every Long Island fishing nonprofit and fundraiser, with Brenden personally donating an estimated $100,000 in tackle and gear over the years.
The shop also helped host the Surf Rats Bowl Shindig, which has raised over $100,000 for Kids Need More, a charity that supports children battling cancer. Brenden still recalls his first season—right before Superstorm Sandy—when everything he’d built was destroyed, yet the community rallied to help rebuild.
“The shop has been part of every chapter of my life,” Brenden said, reflecting on meeting and marrying his wife and raising their now six-year-old son. “We’ve even watched customers and staff meet, date, get engaged, and married. It’s been more than a business—it’s been family.”
