The 13 Best Fishing Shops in London

Sometimes the urge to go into a fishing store instead of shopping online is overwhelming. Maybe Amazon or Angling Direct just don’t cut the mustard for what you need and you feel like something’s missing. The smell of the carp bait or the touch of a new fly rod.

Luckily London has some brilliant fishing stores that are well worth a day out. Jammed into little stores on high streets with owners who have been there for 50 years makes any shop exciting.

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Central London

One of the more premium of London’s tackle shops, Farlows St. James’s stocks a host of fly and lure fishing tackle alongside more traditional outdoor wear for country pursuits.

Whatever you’re after – from lure rods and reels to fish smokers and waders, Farlows is a countryside mecca. However if it’s specialist carp fishing you’re after, Farlows won’t stock what you need.

This was conveniently located next to an Orvis, but almost every branch of Orvis has now shut down.

North London

Our favourite London angling store, Sharps is a scruffy little treasure of a fishing shop. The owner is so friendly and loves to hear about your angling adventures. The store has fantastic coarse fishing equipment and – crucially – fresh bait for your trip.

First Tackle is a North London superstore (packed into quite a small shop) that specialises in fly fishing and game angling. Amazingly – and you are reading this right – the store is only open on Tuesdays.

You can shop all major brands including Abu Garcia, Berkley, Shakespeare and Snowbee. The owner – I believe his name is Mike but don’t quote me on that – is really friendly and equally keen to hear about your angling stories.

Picks Cottage is one of the best fishing locations in London. It just so happens to have an excellent tackle shop to go alongside it.

The five lake fishing complex‘s tackle shop is stocked with supreme coarse fishing equipment from brands like Nash, Fox, Cygnet and Korda, with a primary focus on carp fishing supplies.

Frames Fishing Tackle – conveniently located next to Brent Reservoir in Edgware- is a coarse and sea fishing specialist angling store. Another small store without an inch going to waste, it’s fantastically stocked and the owners are really knowledgeable. Just a friendly fishing experience.

East London

A Roman Road staple, Roman Tackle is a megastore crammed into a small space. There isn’t an inch of space that hasn’t been used effectively for coarse fishing. Stocked with classic brands like Fox, there are hundreds of lures, carp fishing bait options and rod and reels galore.

Not a specialist fishing store by any means, but this army surplus and outdoor supplies store usually has a decent stock of coarse fishing rods, reels and basic fishing equipment alongside a swathe of quality outdoor kit.

Ilford’s Pro Master Angling Centre is one of – if not the – best fishing shops in East London. One that actually has a good online store, which is a real rarity.

Packed full of top brands – Preston Innovations, Nash, Korda; the list goes on – if you’re after overnight carp fishing gear or saltwater game fishing you should be able to find what you need in Ilford’s premier angling store.

West London

Rons is a southwest London stalwart of the angling scene. Another website-free fishing shop that is wall-wall packed with tackle. if you’re fishing The Thames on the stretch between Barnes and Twickenham, Rons is worth a visit. Just don’t show up on a Monday, Wednesday or Sunday!

Just past Twickenham Bridge near Isleworth, you’ll find Isleworh Angling & Tackle Shop. Complete with a superb selection of coarse fishing gear. A particular favourite brand of ours – Savage Gear – is an ever-present. As is Okuma, Nash and Sticky Baits. Honestly, there aren’t enough hours in the day to enjoy this fishing shop as it should be.

And – gloriously – open 7 days a week.

South London

Normally we wouldn’t venture this far south, but if you’re considering fishing The River Wandle, Cheam Angling is well worth a visit. If you get the tube down to Morden it’s a short bus ride down to Sutton and Cheam Angling.

if you’re looking for a fishing store stocked with a ton of coarse and game fishing equipment alongside outdoor supplies and clothing, head down to Cheam Angling.

South London Angling & Fireworks – I know, we have no idea either – is a fishing tackle and bait store situated between Lewisham and Blackheath. Perfect if you’re fishing a southeastern section of The Thames.

Brilliantly stocked and super friendly staff, it’s surprisingly good value for money. Just check the opening hours as they’re a little odd!

Whilst Decathlon isn’t a fishing-specific store, its Caperlan range of fishing gear is affordable and always pretty well stocked. Specialising in carp fishing gear, Caperlan has been bringing out more sea fishing kit in recent years and Decathlon’s stock is not limited to its own brand.