About Us

Fat Nancy’s Tackle Shop “When Fishing is More Than a Hobby” Come visit us today! 1-877-801-FISH (3474)

In 1991, Rob Ripka and Mike Allport had an idea. “Having lived around here our entire lives, we were aware of the salmon fishing impact on the area,” Rob said.

With world class fishing available in Pulaski, New York and on Lake Ontario, Rob and Mike wanted to establish a truly first class tackle shop to match the amazing fishery available in the area. Rob and Mike turned what was a small convenience store in to a tackle shop over about a two year period.

“I've had a lifelong passion for fishing, and that, combined with our location, just made it a natural fit to start the tackle shop,” said Rob.

Fat Nancy’s: The Legend Begins

When Rob and Mike acquired the convenience store, the name, Pulaski Mini Mart, stayed for 2 years. In 1993, they renamed their tackle shop to Fat Nancy’s Tackle Shop.

“We wanted a name that people wouldn't forget even if it didn't have anything to do with fishing,” Rob said.

What’s In A Name?

In 1995, Fat Nancy’s Tackle Shop began hanging a 65 pound fish reproduction of a salmon out in front of their store. During the fall salmon run, someone stole the fish from the front of the store.

“I always thought we would get a ransom note, or a picture of the stolen fish on the beach in Atlantic City or some other vacation spot,” Rob said.

Without ransom or reason, the fish was gone. Rob and Mike then replaced it with a salmon reproduction that weighed 87 pounds. The 87-pound salmon reproduction now hangs inside the front of the store, and became the tackle shop’s new namesake.

“Many of the women that have worked for us over the years got tired of people coming in the store and asking them if they were Nancy,” Rob said. “The fish is now called Fat Nancy.”

Humble Beginnings & A Promising Present

“We have gone from a building that started out as a 2 bay service station built in the mid 1960's to a C-store with about 800 square feet of floor space. Now it's a 5,000 square foot building, which we started building in 2003 and opened in July of 2004,” Rob explained.

With the added space, Fat Nancy’s Tackle Shop now carries a much broader line of fishing products such as SHU-FLY rods, Shark Cannonballs and Michigan Stinger lures to name a few. Rob and Mike are just as enthusiastic about their store and their customers today as they were when they began transforming the Pulaski Mini Mart.

“It's been an amazing experience over the last 24 years and we've met some great people who come back year after year,” Rob said. “Your customers come into your store on a vacation, away from their everyday lives for a few days, to try to catch their fish of a lifetime. Dealing with happy people having fun makes it all worthwhile.”