BRYAN, Texas (KBTX) – A Bryan bait shop that has been a community staple for more than seven decades is getting statewide recognition.
Texas Monthly is featuring Bait Barn Fisheries in its latest issue, calling it a “monument” to the Texas fishing community. The magazine highlights how the bait shop has survived and thrived while others have disappeared, praising its hand-painted signs and deep roots with generations of Brazos Valley families.
The red wooden storefront sits on East State Highway 21 in Bryan and has been part of the community since 1952.
How the feature came about
Owners Paul and Stephanie Patranella told KBTX that the feature piece came after attending a singer-songwriter event in Galveston.
“Met some folks down there and one of them happens to be a writer. She decided that she loved this place. She’d been coming here since she was a kid and pitched the story to Texas Monthly, right? So, Texas Monthly said yes, and here we are,” Paul said.
The Patranellas knew in early January the feature was going to happen. When the writer first asked if it would be okay to pitch the story, the couple said they flipped out.
“Are you kidding? It’s Texas Monthly,” Paul said.
The Patranellas have owned Bait Barn Fisheries since 2003. They raised and homeschooled their kids on the property for about eight years, and a couple of their children still work at the shop.
Bait Barn Fisheries is located at 2704 E, TX-21, Bryan, TX 77803.(kbtx)
Paul said the family is thrilled Texas Monthly allowed them to be part of the magazine.
“We’re thrilled that, you know, it seems what we’ve done here over all these years, maybe it’s worth it,” he said. “We are part of the community. It’s evolving around us all the time.
What the shop sells
The shop sells bait fish, including perch and goldfish. This week, customers are buying bait for catfish tournaments in the rivers, Paul said. The bait is used to catch large catfish or gar.
Bait Barn Fisheries also stocks lakes with fish for recreation and holds government contracts for fish hauling.
Expanding into food sales
The shop is currently licensed to sell catfish, bass, hybrid striper, redfish and oysters for food. Paul said the next step is offering live fish that customers can buy in their store for food rather than just bait. He says the goal is to launch the expansion before the end of the year.
Bait Barn Fisheries in Bryan plans to expand its operations after gaining attention from a recent Texas Monthly feature.(kbtx)
He added that it’s not just about boosting business. The expansion is about helping neighbors afford fresh food as grocery prices climb.
“Beef is high, everything’s expensive. We’re hoping to be able to put something out there that, you know, will help people who need it,” Paul said.
He said they are hoping to put live fish out there for a price point that makes it affordable for everyone.
“For anybody who really wants to have fresh fish,” he said.
Next year will mark the shop’s 75th anniversary.
Copyright 2026 KBTX. All rights reserved.