Maybe you’ve noticed a little spring cleaning on the Main Road in Mattituck, where Zuke’s Bait & Tackle (13355 Main Road, Mattituck) will open for the season on March 30. The Zuhoski family — parents Ian and Grace, kids Owen, 8, and Emma, 5, with a new addition arriving soon — have taken over the former Jamesport Bait and Tackle shop and are creating a fresh new look for the business.
Bill and Linda Czech, who owned and operated their tackle shop for decades, have sold the business to the Zuhoskis, but their regular customers will be glad to hear that Linda plans to remain working in the store this season.
“Her customers are her family,” says Grace. “We are so happy she will stay on.”
The Zuhoskis see the shop as an opportunity to own a business that their young family can be involved in.
“This will be a great experience for them … It’s a simply structured business, where they can have fun and gain real life experiences,” says Grace. “I want them to be as involved as possible.”
Ian, who has known Linda since he was a kid with an interest in snapper fishing, owns several businesses on the North Fork, including Coastal Plantings, Coastal Nurseries and Mott’s Tree Service.
“We’re looking to fine-tune the tackle shop and make it better. Obviously, Linda did something right. We’d like to offer more of a variety of supplies and bring kids into fishing and have fun,” he says.
The shop has received a facelift, with newly stripped floors, a fresh coat of paint, and the installation of a new sign, with a logo designed by family friend Rachael Haase of NOFO Logo by Orient Design. Owen and Emma helped pick the color of the sign and of the shop’s apparel, dusty sage and olive green.
A full complement of fishing staples will be available, including fishing line, crab pots, minnow boxes, cast nets, clam rakes, poles and lures. Offshore fishing setups and spearfishing supplies may be added later in the season, depending on demand. They plan to have charts and information on size limits and recreational seasons for anglers, as well as plenty of ice and bait. There’s also apparel such as sweatshirts and t-shirts, the shop will have deck boots, hats and sunglasses.
The family is also developing workshops for kids to learn the art of casting a line and making and painting their own lures.
“We’d love to have a kid’s tournament, as well,” Grace says.
The Zuhoskis love to be out on the water, but that’s difficult when their seasonal businesses ramp up for the summer. Owen often fishes on the bay with his grandfather Steven Zuhoski on his boat the Kielbassea, where they like to catch weakfish and striped bass.
Zukes Bait and Tackle plans to be open seven days a week during the season, most likely 5 a.m. to 5 p.m., from March 30 to the end of November. Follow them on social media and stay tuned for a new website coming soon for updates.
