515 bait

08/28/2026

Made a trip to the produce auction today and loaded up!

08/19/2026

Hope everyone is having a great summer and getting out there catching some fish! 🎣
We've enjoyed seeing all the catches and making a few memories of our own. The good news is that 515 Bait Shop will be opening back up in a couple of weeks, and we can't wait to see everyone again.
As fall approaches and the temperatures start cooling down, we're looking forward to hearing the stories, seeing the pictures, and helping you get on the fish. Here's to a great fall and winter fishing season ahead!

08/15/2026

515 Bait Shop update: We currently have frozen shad for $5/lb, night crawlers, and cut bait available. Unfortunately, we do not have live fish right now. The summer heat has made it tough to keep up with the tanks, but we're planning to restock and get everything rolling again within the next week or so as we gear up for the fall and winter fishing season.
We're excited about what's ahead. Having bait available closer to Badger Creek is something we've been working toward, and this winter we're even kicking around the idea of having a couple of Ice Castles available for anglers.
Thank you to everyone who has supported us through this journey. We're here for the long haul, learning, growing, and doing our best to serve local fishermen year-round.
If you have ideas, suggestions, or things you'd like to see us offer, leave a comment below. We'd love to hear your thoughts and appreciate any feedback that can help us grow. Thank you all for the continued support!

07/28/2026

🎣 515 Bait Update 🎣
Due to the extreme heat and rising water temperatures, 515 Bait is taking a temporary break from normal operations.
The summer heat has been tough on live bait, and we want to make sure we are doing what’s best for the fish while also taking this time to improve our setup, explore better bait options, and find new ways to better serve our fishing community.
🚨 515 Bait is NOT shutting down! 🚨
We are just temporarily closed during the heat and will be back stronger for fall fishing and the upcoming ice season! 🧊🎣
For now, everything will be by appointment only.
Available: 🪱 Worms
🐟 Frozen Shad — $5/lb
🔪 Cut bait in the top freezer: • Bulldog Blue
• Chicken livers
• Catfish candy
• Hot dogs and other catfish favorites
Give us a call and we’ll get you taken care of!
📞 Tony: 515-777-0246
Thank you to everyone who has supported 515 Bait. We appreciate this fishing community and are excited for what’s coming next! 🎣
515 Bait — Built for the Midwest

07/25/2026

⚡ FLASH SALE! ⚡
Get your bait and hit the water!
🎣 Large Minnows — $3 per scoop
🐟 Green Sunfish — $1 each
🦈 Shad — $3 per pound
🪱 Worms — $3 per container
🔪 Cut Bait — $3 per bag

07/21/2026

Hey, Van Meter! I could use a little feedback.
I'm trying to stock the produce cart with what you actually want to buy instead of just guessing.
Right now I'm planning on bringing things like:
🌽 Sweet corn (currently $9 a dozen)
🍑 Peaches
🍅 Big, fresh tomatoes
🥒 Cucumbers
🥒 Pickling cucumbers
🫛 Green beans
🧅 Onions
🌱 Radishes
🥬 Kohlrabi
What else would you like to see me bring back from the auction?
As we get later into the season, I'm hoping to have 🍉 watermelons and 🎃 pumpkins too.
I'm also thinking ahead to fall with ideas like a pumpkin patch and hayrack rides. Is that something your family would enjoy?
Leave me your suggestions. I'd rather bring home what people are actually looking for than guess. Thanks, everyone! 🌽

07/20/2026

Everybody wants to compare local sweet corn to Walmart.
Here's the difference...
Most local vendors have already paid around $7 a dozen before they even load the truck. Then they spend hours hauling it, standing out in the heat, hoping they sell enough to make $2–3 a dozen. If the corn doesn't sell, they eat the loss—not some big corporation.
When you buy local, you're not just buying corn. You're supporting the family that picked it, loaded it, drove it to your town, and is out there in the Iowa heat trying to make an honest living.
If $10 a dozen isn't worth it to you, that's okay. Walmart is always an option.
But don't complain about local prices while expecting local farmers and roadside vendors to keep showing up for your community.
Support local if you can. It makes a bigger difference than you might think. 🌽🇺🇸

07/19/2026

07/18/2026

Deardorff sweetcorn $9/doz.