Owner Josh Taylor named his business Gator’s Bait Barn to honor Bill, the beloved reptile who lived at the original LeRoy’s Bait and Tackle until the store’s closing in 2022.  Allison LaBrot /  The Wylie News

 A local staple for fishermen has been refreshed under new ownership. The building previously housing LeRoy’s Bait and Tackle is now Gator’s Bait Barn, rebuilt in 2025 by former customer Josh Taylor.

“I got my first fishing license here,” Taylor said as he recalled memories of fishing with his grandfather at the dam across the road from the bait and tackle store on Highway 78. Customers have shared similar stories during the store’s soft opening in January and the grand opening Feb. 7. Taylor said many have visited who were also introduced to the store by a grandparent and are now bringing their own children and grandchildren.

“I have three kids, so my goal in life would be just to pass this down to them and let them run it one day, and then have that generation start over again,” Taylor said.

LeRoy Hoffard opened LeRoy’s Bait and Tackle in 1961 and offered a wide variety of live and artificial bait until 2022. Taylor said he purchased the building, not the business, but wanted to preserve as much of the shop’s history as possible. When it came time to rename the building, he decided to honor an important piece of LeRoy’s Bait and Tackle history: Bill the alligator.

Found in the Trinity River around 2008, Bill was brought to the shop, where he delighted customers for years in a habitat at the back of the building. He was transferred to a new home in 2022 but continues his legacy in customers’ memories and in the renovated store’s name and logo. Taylor said people still come in and ask where the “gator” is. In addition to the name “Gator’s Bait Barn,” Taylor sells alligator heads and alligator feet keychains as a nod to the shop’s former resident.

The original LeRoy’s Bait and Tackle sign is now inside the store, but much of the earliest structure was completely rebuilt by Taylor. Termite damage had taken over the building, and he said it was around an eight-month process to get the building in the shape it is today. New electrical wiring, windows and flooring are part of the improvements that resulted in an almost completely new building for the business.

Two in-ground concrete tanks from the store’s early days are still in use and currently house live eels and catfish. Next to the original tanks are a new tank and filtration system that Taylor says allows the business to offer livelier and better-quality minnows to customers. 

Gator’s Bait Barn’s selection goes beyond live bait to be a one-stop shop for fishermen of all skill levels. Rods, life jackets, jigs and boat plugs are just a handful of the items that Gator’s stocks for every step from catching to cooking. Snacks and drinks are also available to purchase, and free coffee is on hand for early mornings on the water. The store’s inventory is purposefully curated with a focus on supporting local businesses. 

Giving back to the community is important to Taylor, and he thanks everyone who has supported Gator’s so far. Nearly 250 patrons attended the grand opening festivities, and more events are being planned for the future, including fishing tournaments, food trucks and monthly “biggest fish” competitions. The shop also offers discounts to veterans and local law enforcement. 

As Taylor and his team look to the future, a past owner gives them guidance from decades of experience. Mike Gray, Hoffard’s son-in-law, is often in Gator’s, passing on his knowledge to ensure the tradition of excellent service continues.

“We’ve trained our guys to be here on time to make sure that we’re here to be that dependable spot that LeRoy’s was always known for,” Taylor said. 

Gator’s Bait Barn is open seven days a week at 4013 North Highway 78 in Wylie. For more information, visit the Facebook page or call 469-264-3919.

By Allison LaBrot

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