Crowder Bros. Ace Hardware adds fishing department to Bradenton store

BRADENTON, Fla. - Nov. 10, 2020 - PRLog -- Crowder Bros. Ace Hardware has added an expansive fishing department at its Bradenton store to better serve the growing number of anglers in Manatee and Sarasota counties.

The new fishing department features a full selection of rods, reels, tackle and supplies from industry-leading brands. Additionally, Crowder Bros. also carries his and her outdoor clothing, including fishing shirts, shorts and hats from AFTCO and Hook & Tackle, as well as Costa and Maui Jim polarized sunglasses that protect eyes from harmful UV rays and eliminate glare, and OluKai and XTRATUF footwear.

Combined, Manatee and Sarasota counties have 319 square miles of water and 62 miles of coastal beaches, making the region a mecca for freshwater, saltwater, deep sea and inshore fishing.

"Being located just minutes from great fishing, we know our customers will love the combination of the helpful service that Crowder Bros. has been known for since 1955 and the best brands in fishing gear, like Penn, Shimano, St. Croix and Daiwa," said Scott Hamblen, chief merchandising officer for Crowder Bros. "After years of supporting the Coastal Conservation Association of Florida, we knew it was time to create a fishing department for our friends where we would want to outfit ourselves."

Because of COVID-19, more outdoor enthusiasts have turned toward fishing as an outlet to maintain social distancing. According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Manatee and Sarasota counties are experiencing above-average, year-over-year increases in residents applying for fishing licenses:

Freshwater fishing licenses
· Manatee: +19.8%
· Sarasota: +16.8%
· State average: +13.1%

Saltwater fishing licenses
· Manatee: +16.8%
· Sarasota County: +15.7%
· State average: +12.8%

Fishing department associates at Crowder Bros. are available to share their expertise about products, nearby fishing holes and weather conditions to ensure anglers have a productive day on the water. The final license-free fishing day in Florida this year is Saturday, Nov. 28 for saltwater fishing.

Crowder Bros. Ace Hardware is located at 5409 Manatee Ave. West in Bradenton. For more information and store hours, please visit CrowderBros.com (http://www.crowderbros.com/) or call 941-795-8442.

About Crowder Bros. Ace Hardware

Founded in 1955 by John and Chester Crowder, Crowder Bros. Ace Hardware and Crowder's Gifts & Gadgets operate stores in Bradenton and Lakewood Ranch within Manatee County. Crowder Bros. is part of the Sunshine Ace Hardware family, a locally owned and operated company with nine additional stores in Collier, Lee, Charlotte, and Pinellas counties. Learn more: CrowderBros.com (http://www.crowderbros.com/).