County Gives Bait Shop The Boot

The lease at Jemison's Bait and Tackle Shop is up in 4 years but the county wants the popular tenant out by October.

Jemison's is just south of Alabama Port on Highway 193. The Jemison family has been in the bait business since the 1950s and have leased the current location from the county since the 80's.

That lease is set to expire in 2013 but the county sent Jemison's a letter to vacate by October.

Customer Russell Wilson says the public loves this place. "To me, the land belongs to the county but it also belongs to the public. They fish out back. They fish across road and use the boat launch across the road. You're taking away from the public. You're taking away from everybody."

The county has grant money to build public boat ramps and fishing piers. Commissioner Mike Dean says they've been working on this plan for years. "Now, we get to repair the bulkheads and build new fishing piers and wharfs also boat ramps and make it more for the use of all Mobilians."

Jemison's has started a petition in hopes that the county will have a change of heart. Commissioner Dean has agreed to take a look at the petition but says the county is ready to get this project started.