Webster Bait & Tackle welcomes fun adventures under new ownership

With camping season just around the corner, it's time to dust off your fishing gear, boat, and camper, and settle into your favorite spot at Webster Reservoir. Should you forget any essentials, the new owners of Webster Bait & Tackle are ready to help make your summer seamless and fun!

Keith and Shaylyn Mannis began working in the shop in late March and, by April 6th, officially took ownership as K & S Partnership Inc.—better known as Webster Bait & Tackle.

The couple moved from Goodland—Shaylyn previously worked as an OB nurse in Colby, and Keith was in the HVAC business—seeking a new adventure together. When they learned the shop was for sale last October, they embraced the opportunity and set their sights on Webster.

Keith, an avid fisherman, camped at Webster with his family in the 1990s, while Shaylyn also enjoyed camping growing up. Both were ready for a change, and this opportunity felt like the perfect next chapter in their journey.

Their biggest challenge? 'Getting our lives rearranged,' they admit. Fortunately, family and friends pitched in—helping them move, clean, stock the store, install a new cash register system, and input all inventory. Now, they're relieved and grateful to have it all behind them.

'We wanted to be our own bosses,' Keith shared, while Shaylyn added, 'This is our first venture into retail, so we're learning every day— especially when it comes to mastering the Slushee machine!'

Since taking over, they've been busy expanding the shop's offerings.

Webster Bait & Tackle now boasts a complete line of fishing gear, live bait, upgraded minnow tanks, and a wide range of essentials— bags of ice, bottled water, firewood, grilling supplies, Bear Mountain barbecue pellets, groceries, packaged sandwiches (a customer favorite), ice cream, snacks, drinks, jerky, personal care items, cleaning supplies, sporting toys, and just about everything a camper could need. Fresh produce like eggs, milk, and bread will be available before Memorial Day, and soon, a new collection of shirts and hoodies featuring their logo will hit the shelves in various colors and sizes.

Looking ahead, Keith and Shaylyn plan to install a walk-in beer cooler, expand the cooler space for bottled drinks, and increase storage for campers and boats—offering rental spaces behind the shop for summer-long convenience. They’re also considering adding a coin-operated laundry in the future.

Customers can enjoy fresh-bagged popcorn during Happy Hour— 'from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., depending on the night,' Keith notes. The Thursday night 'Bucket of Beer' special is already a hit. More summer specials are in the works, and their new loyalty program rewards customers with points for every purchase.

Webster Bait & Tackle is also the area’s exclusive dealer of Waterland sunglasses, featuring polarized options ideal for serious anglers.

The couple juggles their new venture with other commitments—Shaylyn works three days a week as a nurse at Rooks County Health Center, while Keith sneaks away for a few hours of fishing when he can. In the winter, Keith plans to return to his HVAC business and craft tackle for fellow anglers.

“Walleye, crappie, whatever bites—I love it all. I even tried muskie fishing in Wisconsin last year and got hooked!” he says.

What Keith and Shaylyn enjoy most is meeting new faces, swapping fishing stories with customers, and building camaraderie with the Friends of Webster, who gather for Happy Hour and use the dining booths and outdoor spaces for their meet-ups. Regulars stop by for a morning coffee or to restock before hitting the water.

'Everyone has been so nice and welcoming. We love to chat and hear their stories—it’s truly amazing,' they both shared.

The Grand Opening celebration is set for Saturday, May 30th, at 1:00 p.m., featuring a Stockton Area Chamber of Commerce ribbon cutting. On the same day, they’ll serve pulled pork sandwiches and all the fixings for the American Legion Riders during their 4-Lake Fun Run.

Be sure to stop by Webster Bait & Tackle for your morning coffee, fishing supplies, and a friendly hello! They’re open 7:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and 7:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. For more information, call 785-425-7026.