CLEAR LAKE — Dan Krauth had a clear sense of
purpose when he earned a management degree
from Iowa State University at age 46.
“Wherever I end up, I want to have the best
bait-and-tackle store around,” he told
guidance counselors.
Done deal.
Krauth bought the fishing-related inventory
when Dome Bait and Tackle closed in 2006.
Now, at 58, he’s surrounded by rods and
reels, minnows, spinners and jigs, boats,
buckets, waders, augers and portable ice
houses at the Crazy Minnow Co., his piece of
angling heaven at 504 Highway 18 East in
Clear Lake.
There’s a steady stream of customers.
“I enjoy the people I get to visit with,”
said Krauth, a Mason City native who chose
the name of his business while talking
fishing with friends.
“If you want to know what’s happening, he’ll
tell you, with a proactive approach,” said
Billy Krefft, a fellow member of the Clear
Lake Fishing Club. “Dan, he’s all about
making his store better.”
Krauth left the carpentry business, which
had made his back ache. He lost money in
that first year with the Crazy Minnow, made
a little money the second year.
He’s off to an “excellent” start in Year No.
3.
He has sold more than 250,000 minnows since
the lake froze solid in December and
hundreds of ice anglers took advantage.
“It’s been a very good year,” he said.
“There’s definitely a need for this type of
store in this area.”
“It’s got a good supply for local anglers. A
good variety,” said Jeff Giesman, another
Clear Lake angler. “It’s kind of a one-stop
shop.”
Dome Bait, in Ventura, was among the only
bait shops left on Clear Lake — one of the
Midwest’s most popular stops for anglers
chasing walleyes, northerns, crappies,
yellow bass and monster muskies.
“You can’t say enough about how relieved the
hard-core fishermen were when Dan decided to
take the plunge,” Krefft said. “We’re lucky
to have him. We throw the largest amateur
team walleye event in the Midwest (the Clear
Lake Walleye Classic, set for Saturday and
Sunday, May 17-18). We couldn’t do it
without him.” |
Store’s hours
will change
The Crazy Minnow Co. is open from 7:30 a.m.
to 5:30 p.m., seven days a week during the
winter. Starting in April, the store will be
open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., seven days a
week, owner Dan Krauth said. It’s located
next to Daylight Donuts on the north side of
Highway 18 in Clear Lake.
Crazy Minnow is hosting the 19th-annual
Clear Lake Walleye Classic, Saturday and
Sunday, May 17-18. See
www.clearlakefishingclub.com or call
641-357-BAIT (2248) for more information on
the event.
— Dick Johnson dick.johnson@globegazette.com
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