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Betty and Nick's Bait and Tackle

July 22, 2024 - 08:18:01

The surf fluke bite is starting to pick up a bit more according to John of Betty and Nicks in Seaside Park. Dennis from the shop has been pulling on short fish down near the inlet and at other IBSP spots. There was also a showing of small blues this week that hit cut mullet, but you had to reach on the outer side of the outer bar.

July 22, 2024 - 08:17:55

John at Betty & Nick’s said there are some blues biting out front and some bait finally showed up. Folks are seeing small bunker and rain fish. Fluke are around. In the back, crabbing slowed a bit. Anglers are getting some spot.

July 15, 2024 - 10:01:48

At Betty and Nicks in Seaside Park John stated that crabbing is super red hot along the Seaside bay docks if you want a solid crab boil. The surf has still been coughing up fluke even in the southerly chill as bucktails and Gulp claim the flatfish. Sharks are on the feed during the night hours on mullet and bunker baits.

July 15, 2024 - 10:01:44

John at Betty & Nick’s said fluke are biting in the surf along with some stripers. When customers ask John what their chance of catching a striper is lately, he says, “Well, it’s July, you’ll have better luck if you come back in November.” That said, crabbing is decent, and there are plenty of spot and puppy drum in the bay.

807 S.W. Central Ave.
Seaside Park, NJ 08752
phone: 732-793-2708
fax: 732-597-9497

In 1969, Betty and Nick Bushell of Perth Amboy, NJ purchased Mike's Bait and Tackle in Seaside Park. Mike's was a "Mom and Pop" type fishing store that was patronized by local and transit fishermen alike. The purchase was completed and the name was changed to Betty and Nick's, thereby explaining the origin of the name. A problem soon arose that would change the lives of many people for 25 years to come. At the time, Nick was one of the state's top striped bass fishermen. The newly acquired business was getting in the way of his angling. Something had to give, so Nick decided to offer his new venture to his son and daughter-in law, John and Beth. The changeover occurred in 1970 and so began the new era. When John and Beth took over Betty and Nick's, they were very young with a son still in diapers. The store was 13 the size you see today with just a little ten stool counter. Times were tough, but the duo had a lot of energy and new ideas. Their dream was to create a successful business while making new friends and a good life for their son and themselves. Working 14 hour days was common, but the rewards were great. Their philosophy was, and always will be, "The customer's needs must always be met." The one thing they were interested in was taking the time to teach the children who visited Seaside Park about fishing and conservation. After all, these are the future fishermen and women of tomorrow. The restaurant has become very popular and a mainstay in the lives of some of their hard working locals. Beth has been working very hard at building up the kitchen business by pleasing fishermen both young and old with delicacies like Carroll Shelby's Texas Chili and her heartwarming breakfast specials like "Deuces are Wild." Opening as early as 4 a.m., she catered to the fishermen and locals so that they could get their coffee and breakfast under their belts before facing the day and the elements. With the cost of operations rising steadily every year, a decision was made in 1983 to enlarge the store. John and Beth wanted to do this without losing the personality of the place. They separated themselves from big chain stores by offering personalized service to every customer. The expansion was completed a year later and is what you see now. The large capacity gave them the ability to carry a larger selection of the latest fishing equipment. By buying low, they are able to compete with the larger stores and catalogs while still keeping a one-on-one environment with their customers. This type of dedication has disappeared from the industry nowadays. In 1995, Betty and Nick’s celebrated its 25th anniversary in business. The newest arrival to the Betty and Nick's family is John Jr. Beth and John are hoping that he will provide a fresh insight on the future of a pursuit (fishing) that has become a science and not just a sporthobby. With the introduction of the "Fast Fishing Fax", mail order catalog, weekly lunch special faxes, and a website they are confident that they can provide their customers with the best service and personal attention around.