Est. 1961 — Rebuilt 2023
A Texas Legacy Since 1961
From LeRoy's Bait & Tackle to Gator's Bait Barn — serving Lake Lavon fishermen for over 60 years.
Visit the Shop Today1961
LeRoy's Bait & Tackle Opens
1970s
Bill the Alligator Arrives
1990s+
Mike & Brenda Gray Take Over
2023
Josh Taylor Restores the Legacy
The Beginning
LeRoy's Bait & Tackle
In 1961, LeRoy Hoffard and his wife opened a small bait shop along Highway 78 near Lake Lavon. What started as a simple stop for bait quickly became a staple of the community.
Fishermen didn't just come here for supplies — they came for advice, stories, and a sense of belonging. For decades, LeRoy's Bait & Tackle stood as a trusted name for quality live bait and honest service.
Generations of anglers in Wylie, TX and across North Texas made this their first stop before heading out on Lake Lavon. For anyone looking for live bait near Lake Lavon, this was the place — it wasn't just a bait shop, it was where the fishing community gathered.
Bill the Gator
The Legend of Bill
Not long after the shop opened, someone brought in a baby alligator found along the Trinity River — “the Crek” — just down the road. The game warden was supposed to come back for him. He never did.
That alligator became the legendary Bill.
As Bill grew, so did his home. The shop built larger tanks and enclosures over the years, eventually receiving a special permit to keep him. Bill wasn't just an attraction — he became a local legend.
People traveled from all over Texas just to see him. Kids grew up with Bill. Regulars checked in on him every visit. He made LeRoy's Bait & Tackle unforgettable.
By the time Bill was fully grown, he measured over 8 feet and became the most photographed alligator in Collin County. He was the soul of the shop.
Watch Bill on the News
CBS Texas Feature — “LeRoy's Tackle and Bait Features 8-Foot Alligator Named Bill”
The Legend Lives On
Bill put this shop on the map.
Family Legacy
Carrying the Tradition
LeRoy eventually passed the shop down to his daughter and her husband, Mike and Brenda Gray, who ran it for more than 20 years.
They kept everything that mattered: the relationships, the quality bait, and the small-town feel. Their dedication carried the shop through generations.
Under their stewardship, LeRoy's remained the heart of the local fishing community — a place where you could always count on good bait, honest advice, and a familiar face.
Their legacy continued until Brenda's passing in 2023, marking the end of an era and the beginning of the next chapter.
LeRoy's Bait & Tackle — A community institution
The Rebuild
A New Chapter Begins
In 2023, Josh Taylor took ownership with one goal: bring it back to life without losing its soul.
The building needed serious work, but with a background in construction, Josh took on a full transformation — honoring the past while building something new.
Featured in the Wylie News
“Gator's Bait Barn Reels In History Under New Ownership” — February 2026
LeRoy's Bait & Tackle
Gator's Bait Barn
Honoring the past. Building the future.
The Name
Why “Gator's Bait Barn”?
The name is a tribute to Bill — the gator that made this place unforgettable.
Even today, customers walk in asking about him. His story lives on in the name, the brand, and the legacy of this shop.
Gator's Bait Barn carries that name as a promise: to honor everything that made LeRoy's special, while building something the next generation of North Texas anglers can call their own.
Vision / Future
Built for the Community
Keep the Tradition Alive
Everything that made LeRoy's great — the relationships, the bait quality, the feel — lives here.
Best Live Bait Around
The best fishing bait in Wylie, TX — fresh minnows, worms, and live bait sourced for Lake Lavon and Ray Hubbard, every day.
Support Local Fishing
From tournament anglers to weekend fishermen, we're here to help everyone get on the fish.
A Place for Memories
Bring your kids, your parents, your crew. The Barn is where new fishing stories start.
Stop By and Be Part of the Story
Located directly between Lake Lavon & Lake Ray Hubbard, Texas
Live Bait • Tackle • Local Knowledge