Squidco Fishing

Squidco has been at it since 1939, when Jay and John Elson opened the doors. The same Elson family still runs the shop — John works it alongside his son Joey at the Barnett Ave storefront, where a wholesale warehouse sits behind the retail counter (the long-standing nickname among regulars is "the Costco of tackle shops").

The bench carries Phenix and Varmac rod blanks for builders, a pre-owned reel program, and reel repair fast enough that Avet service has been documented as same-day. Squidco has also built more than fifty Jim Bingham memorial rods in the last six years.

Hours are Tue–Sat, 10–6; closed Sunday and Monday. One thing to know: Squidco sells frozen bait but not live — for live San Diego bait, you're going to the bait barge or a landing. See the full San Diego tackle directory for landing-attached options. See also: Fisherman's Landing Tackle and Angler's Choice on Rosecrans.