Henry’s Sport & Bait

Gross. Gross. Gross!!!
Never have I ever bought bait before. These guys were super helpful and friendly though. Made me feel comfortable purchasing the bait for someone else.
Gross.
We’ll probably be back.

I LOOOOOVE Henry’s Bait Shop!!! Theres so much to look at. They pretty much cover everything. Im a kayakfisherman and they even have rod holders for my kayak and lifejackets. Live bait, crankbaits, spoons, YOU NAME IT!!! Can get a little aggravating when its busy but I OVERLOOK IT. I NEEEEVER go fish the lakefront without first stopping at Henry’s on the way. Its like my ritual!!!

These guys are the Best !!! They know how to take care of their custumers. Been in Business forever and theirs only one reason why the name says it all Henry’s. I been going here since I was a kid and I always will. I love these guys !!!

Before I get into my review, I just want to bring up the fact that Henry’s is one of the only bait shops in the Chicago area, so we don’t have many options when stocking up before a trip.
With that being said, I do like Henry’s…most of the time. They give you a good count when you buy minnows and do have some good reports come in. They also run a few fishing derbies which is never a bad thing, especially when kids are getting involved in fishing. What I don’t like is the fact that bucketheads (a.k.a. guys who keep anything and everything they catch) frequent the place and you can run into some bad service at times. I’ve had times I’ve gone in the place and the workers were super friendly and I’ve had times where I’ve wanted to correct them on all the false information they were relaying.
Bottom line is if you’re short on gear and need to stock up (and don’t live near a Bass Pro), Henry’s is a good option. It doesn’t hurt that they’re also a stone’s throw from Maxwell Street Station either.

Henry’s is great! I have been there three times over the course of the last 2 years, and each time they have been friendly, efficient, and knowledgeable. I think it is a blessing to have a small, local fishing shop right in the city not be forced to travel to the suburbs to shop at a big box store.

I’ve been coming here since I was old enough to crawl! Love the staff here at Henry’s as they’re very knowledgeable about fishin, and the conditions/​where to go on Lake Michigan.
While they don’t have the largest selection and variety, this store provides awesome «big fish» stories and you can’t pay anyone in a big chain store to tell these awesomely authentic (while sometimes fabricated) stories.
Rest in Peace Henry… you’re missed!

The crew at Henry’s is very knowledgeable regarding midwest fishing especially Lake Michigan. They can tell you when and where the perch are biting and have a well stocked assortment of live bait and popular fishing tackle. You can get your Illinois fishing license here and unless you call during the weekend morning rush, they will spend a generous amount of time talking in person or via the telephone.

Henry’s is ok if you need something and don’t want to travel to the big box guys in the burbs.
I had a good experience with their reel repair. It was reasonable and they got the job done.
Their bait is ussually good and they give out fishing reports as well

The «gentleman» who answered the phone at this shop is one of the rudest people I have talked to in ages.
I was attempting to help a guest of mine find some fishing reel rod or something. Well, clearly I know little to nothing about fishing. Unfortunately my guest was from another country and had a hard time explaining the item to me.
MR. IMPATIENCE had no time to help us, basically blew me off, said he would not be «willing» to help me, and practically HUNG UP on me. It’s too bad because he was referred to me by another sport shop and it is VERY possible I could need his services in the future.
I don’t care if you are the only «real» fishing shop in town, you don’t treat potential customers like that!