588941 Sun Jan 18 18:22:57 -0800 2009 1 1 San Francisco Bay Area 0 4337565 This is the third, maybe fourth, time I've noticed fresh fish being sold at bait and tackle shops. Surf City Anglers sells fresh halibut in-season that the owner's brother, a commercial fishmenan, catches. I saw a sign recently at the Berkeley marina bait and tackle for fresh crabs. Today, after years of passing by, I FIANALLY stopped to check out the sign for live crabs at the Sonoma marina. The owner of the bait and tackle store has a friend who is a fisherman and supplies them. You walk down a ramp to a pier where there is Leonard's bait and tackle shack. Outdoor on the pier there are a few tanks with live crabs ($7.50 lb today). There were about six crabs (approx 1 1/2 lbs) and while moving around, they seemed resigned to their fate. Crabs sold as is. No cooking. No dressing. Point to crab. It gets weighed and put in a plastic bag. That's it. Some customers who were buying crabs, said they were great. I was on my way to lunch at Bouchon, so I did not by any ... though the thought of trying to barter with Keller to exchange lunch for some local crab did cross my mind. It seemed like a funny idea at the time. Anyway, Leonard (I assume) said when you see the sign, they have crab. Or you can call and inquire. The number is on the place record. They also had live shrimp but he said that was just for bait. The business card he handed me was for Sole Man sport fishing. Don't know if that is his friend or not. Has anyone every seen fish or live crabs being sold at any other bait shops? Has anyone bought any? Sun Jan 18 18:22:57 -0800 2009 10264 rworange 1 4337647 I forgot one ... Western Boat & Tackle in San Rafael. San Rafael - Western Boat & Tackle - Crab sandwiches, clam chowder, cooked crab, live lobster, fish, wine & bait http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/355986 This is the only one with a full-service fish counter. They are not sole-ly relying on local fishing boats as they have fish like live lobsters in tanks. Sun Jan 18 19:04:43 -0800 2009 4337565 10264 rworange