Meet the Owner: Southeastern Fishing Tackle Liquidators

Economic recession, devastating fire, 39 years on Florida Avenue and counting. If another sign of Southeastern Fishing Tackle Liquidators’ tenacity is needed, there’s always the giant great white shark head that gapes at passing traffic from the front of the building.

The Scanios, a Sicilian/Spanish family with Ybor City roots and a love for fishing, bought a fishing supplies company in 1972. In those days, Harrell Sporting Goods was strictly wholesale. Michael and Vince, the sons of Jimmie and Haydee Scanio, traveled across Florida servicing Harrell’s established client base. In the early ‘80s, the Scanios decided to open a retail store, the Tackle Mart, at Florida and Yukon avenues.

In 1986 they moved south on Florida Avenue to Tampa Heights, opening a new store with a new name, Southeastern Fishing Tackle Liquidators. An overnight fire leveled the store in 1999, prompting them to relocate a few blocks south to their current location at 2907 N. Florida Ave.

Southeastern Fishing Tackle Liquidators
2907 N. Florida Ave.
813-223-3775
fishsoutheastern.com

If they don’t have it, you probably don’t need it: Southeastern stocks fishing rods and reels, artificial and frozen bait, tackle, nets, charts, traps, buoys, apparel and shoes, aerators, and recently added fishing kayaks, among other things.

Fighting the big box stores: “What we have in the marketplace now,” said Michael Scanio, “is mail order, big box stores, places like Walmart, Sports Authority, Dick’s Sporting Goods. We saw there was a market for the dealer that really specializes,” in fishing supplies and expertise, Scanio said.

Under one roof: Surviving against an increasingly fragmented competition base means, according to Scanio, “having a strong presence in doing everything on site.” Southeastern builds custom rods and cast nets, repairs rods, reels, and cast nets, and services Coleman lanterns and stoves. “We’re truly a one-stop shop,” he said.

Back in the day: Michael’s fishing memories stretch back to his childhood and dot the bay area’s waters. He and his family would put in at Ben T. Davis Beach on Old Tampa Bay and go for redfish, trout, snook, drum and cobia. Summer beach house stays meant shore fishing at Indian Rocks Beach. As a Tampa Catholic student, Michael would skip class to fish behind the campus on the Hillsborough River. Today, Michael lives on a lake in Lutz with his own family.

Water’s not just for fishing: Next door to Southeastern is Michael Scanio’s other business, Aqua Systems, a store that sells water purifiers, softeners, reclaimers, along with well pump and tank service, well drilling, and a water testing lab. ilovemywater.com

Hours: Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.