CUSTOMER Reviews & Comments

2024 Customer Reviews & Comments:

 "These are working like a champ for brown trout"

Maine angler/ customer "RL" made above comment when he reordered HBF's #5 P&P Rainbow Smelt/ natural color. 

Email Sent: 07/20/2024 by Maine customer "RL"

HBF: Thanks for the update, RL

07/17/2024 Email from Sam S..... 

"John,
Thanks again for all your help. I wanted to ask, one of the items I chose were salt cured and the others were P&P. Do you suggest one over the other? If it makes sense to switch everything to the P&P I would be okay with that. "

A new customer from  IL. ; "Sam S" emailed HBF several times asking question about our bait products.  We shipped his order and included several sample of other bait products we offer.  

Email sent July 17, 2024 @ 8:44 PM by "Sam S". 

** HBF offers our customers personalized advice and recommendations upon request.  Just ask!  

Just let you know, Maryland tournament team we took first.

I had 17 lbs. in catfish, and large catfish 6.8 pound. 

Sent 06/13/2024 @ 9:29 PM from KY customer "JT" 

His bait order in May was for a Catfish tournament. 

Phone Order:  Maine customer "TB" called to place his yearly order for P&P  Togue (Lake Trout) trolling bait.  P&P natural colored Rainbow Smelt is his go to bait.  "TB" reported his 2023 fishing success during his annual fishing trips to Northern Maine Togue Lakes as very good.  He remarked about the quality and durability of the bait he gets from HBF. 

Phone conversation 06/07/2024, order shipped 06/07/2024!

 Good morning John, I have decided to purchase the RSB smelt in the 4-5” size.   Thank you for getting back to me and am looking forward to the great product you sell as I’ve always been happy with what you have.  Have a good day. G... Y.... 

Repeat Maine customer "GY" 

Sent 04/28/2024 @ 7:55 AM

John, my bait arrived late Thursday and it was in perfect  condition. Fished the tournament on Sat & Sun, came in #3 out of +30 boats.  $650 payout. As always, your bait is the best. More Tourneys coming.

Phone call from "DL", a Tournament Catfisher competitor/ 04/09/2024 @ 11:17AM.

"DL"  has been a repeat customer for more than 8 years.

Got our Suckers today, they were huge! We wanted big bait and you delivered.  Thanks so much,  "S.. C.."

Repeat NY customer "SC" ordered the biggest whole P&P Suckers we had available.

Sent 04/04/2024 @3:25 PM

2022 Customer Review & Comment: 

 Good evening John,

I just received your message and email. I wanted to thank you for the time and effort you put into my order. I hope you had a great holiday and have a blessed new year. We are super excited to try out your products. Who would have thought I would have to order quality bait from across the country. Your customer service is top notch and we will be ordering again. 

Thanks again, 

Montana Customer "KG"   

Sent: 12/27/2022 @ 8:07 PM 

Just want to thank you for getting them smelts to me quick very happy with the results of them an how good they hold up… gonna definitely be ordering more again from you guys and I was recommended to you from "Dxxxx Xxxxxxxx" and was happy with the results…. 

Maine Customer:  DL

Sent: Wed, 07/20/2022

Hi John,  Quick fishing story for you :)  

Went fishing yesterday for the first time this season (xxxxxx, Lake - NY). Trolled 7 lines @ varying depths and lures with one being a preserved sewn smelt from you. After 2-3 hours it was quiet and we were going to call it a day, then one rod started screaming - the sewn smelt :) Caught a monster 10.5 lb lake trout !  Thanks for the great bait! 

NY Customer: JR

Sent:  Sunday, April 24, 2022 

Hi John,      

I received my order today and everything looks great. Thank you for the free samples as well !!       The smelt were still frozen solid too !!  

Sent: Wed 3/23/2022 @ 5:24 PM by Brian G/ NY customer

Hi John,               

"I’d like to get PP 4-5 inch suckers with my store credit. Again John thanks for being honest and advising me of my credit. The world would be a better place if we all could be a little more honest with each other. Thanks again. I’ll be sure to tell others where I got my bait !!" 

Sat 3/19/2022 2:38 PM/Jeff E/ HN customer

HBF:  Hello Jeff, thanks!    Jeff placed a large order for multiple items.  We were able to consolidate his order and pack into a single shipping box that resulted in a refund or a store credit. He chose a store credit.  

We screen all completed orders for errors/adjustments related to shipping cost, as we did Jeff's order.

We encourage customers contemplating placing large orders to contact us by phone or email for Custom Pricing.  

"Good afternoon john, The baits been great again as usual. Looking at making another order. What are the size of ur largest salted smelts"?     Regards.  Miguel D

Sent: Tue 2/22/2022 @ 1:15 PM by Canadian customer Miguel.

HBF:  Hello Miguel, Thanks for update, good to have customer comments.  Any suggestions as to how we could do better is appreciated, be it packaging, product type, etc.  

We have +7” whole salt-cured smelt available.  Sort size is +7”/ most are in the 8” size with few at 9”.  Packed in 6ct bags.  John@HBF   

"Hi John-  They did arrive today even though tracking said they were 

rescheduled again for a Monday arrival.  

They're still partially frozen so all good.  

Your packaging is amazing... well done!  

Thanks again for your great customer service" 

Sent: Fri 2/4/2022 @ 8:56 PM by CO customer Larry.

HBF:  this order was shipped UPS and was delayed delivery because of 

winter storms.  Our packing methods and materials extends the "shipping window"

for frozen products: 

"They're still partially frozen so all good.   Your packaging is amazing... well done!"

Thanks for the comment Larry! 

2021 Customer Review & Comment:

"John,  this is Robert from Pagosa Springs CO. I did receive my order today totally frozen and in tact. WOW very nice clean fish!

I want to thank you for your help as we have spoke on the phone before and appreciate your help on what to order.

Happy Holidays" 

Sent: Thursday 12/22/2021 5:39 PM MST by customer  Robert/ Pagosa Springs, CO

"Thank you so much, John! I greatly appreciate your accommodation. Truly first class service".

Sent:  Sat 7/10/2021 3:22 PM by customer Ryan/  Redmond WA, 98053  

"Hi John,

I just wanted to follow up quickly and let you know I picked my bait up from the UPS store this morning. I also wanted to thank you again for your patience dealing with this and your wonderful service to help me resolve the issue with UPS! Thank you again and I continue to look forward to ordering more bait! THANK YOU"! 

 Sat 2/13/2021 10:17 AM: NY customer had their order intercepted at delivery.  

HBF: We replaced the order ASAP and worked with UPS to rectify the issues. 

All ended well!!

"Hey John,

I received the bait. 

Thank you very much

Those shiners are huge". 

Fri 1/22/2021 9:34 PM email/ MA Piker customer

2020 Customer Review & Comment: 

"Good Morning John,

Received the bait today, looks fantastic"!

Dane G., NY customer 

Saturday, December 19, 2020 10:56 AM email

"I just wanted to say thank you for the prompt delivery !the bait looks and feels absolutely amazing ,I’m so excited I found you guys on the web. I’m going to tell all my fishing friends about you thanks again. One more thing is there anyway I can get a notification about when your jumbo golden shiners will be back in stock"? Thanks Rob

Fri 10/30/2020 @ 7:40 AM email.  Items ordered by MA customer Rob: 5x7" & 7x8" P&P Smelt 

"John, 

GREAT Job on the fast shipping A++++. Huge help to me for this weekend!! Have a great weekend". 

Thanks,  

Fri 8/28/2020 2:26 PM email: ES, frozen sucker customer in North Carolina. 

"I received my bait in the mail today that I ordered...I am very happy with the product, and thank you very much for the sample dace! The large sized suckers are impressive & every bit what I had hoped for...thanks again"!

Fri 8/21/2020 8:01 PM:  Comment from  Ricky, a New York customer  

Hello Mr. John,
"Received my order on frozen dace last night,, as you stated, this time of year may not be frozen,, well the whole package was still in great shape! Not totally thawed, but still not frozen solid. I am very impressed! Straight to the freezer, and I'm sure they will be just fine! Product was astronomical!! Thanks for great bait and emails keeping me posted on shipping!"

6/25/2020 6:18 AM: Comment from Larry, a ND customer

"Best smelt ever!" 

05/17/2020,  Comment from Eric. a Portland ME customer! 

"Wicked colors, one of the best dyed suckers, we crushed them"

05/13/2020,   Comment from Brandon, a NH customer.

 "Thank you for your great bait and your awesome service"

 Fri, Mar 6, 2020, 7:23 PM: Gregory B., a NY customer

"Got the smelt on Thursday and they look awesome!!!  Best smelt I have seen in years thank you very much!!"  

CO customer EC comment after receiving his Custom Order of whole frozen smelt. 01/24/2020 

2019 Customer Review & Comment:  

Hi John,

"I just wanted to let you know the package came yesterday. Your customer service has been great and beyond my expectations. I also want to thank you for the very generous product credit. It more than covered my shipping costs.

Thank you. Merry Christmas." 

WI customer Eric T.  by e-mail 12/24/2019 

Customer Review & Comment related to an order that was shipped to incorrect address:

HBF:  In our scurry to fill orders, once in a while we make mistakes, Eric's order went to Dustin in Colorado and Dustin's order went to Eric in Wisconsin.  We work with our customers to correct any mistakes and compensate for all costs related to any incident.  We care about our customers and meeting their needs for quality bait products.  Thank You, one and all!

2019 Hey Jon, "I'm sorry you didn’t hear back from me Friday. We ran into a family emergency. I sent the package back on Friday the 20th and it was returned back to us because of a post office mistake. We have kept it in the freezer to keep it frozen. As soon as the post office opens back up we will return the package again. I will attach the invoice that was in the package in this email."  

CO customer Dustin C.  by e-mail 12/24/2019

2nd comment from Dustin C. by e-mail 12/25/2019, 

Hi Jon and merry Christmas! 

"I really appreciate you taking time to reach out about the mistake. Never before have I experienced this level of quality customer service...  Once again thank you for your above and beyond customer service, merry Christmas and have a great new year."   

2019 "Harmon Brook Farm, thanks for the great bait. I caught a 40" Laker on the first sucker used.  Please refill our previous order."  CO customer Larry S. by phone 11/16/2019

2019 "Thank you so much John for the great looking smelt! Also for getting them too me a day early I'll definitely be ordering from you soon!"  Michigan customer posted email 04/24/2019  @ 5:46 PM

John,

"I got my bait. That's the best shipping box I've ever seen!"

Thanks,

MO customer, Kevin Y.,  posted email: 03/24/2019

Hey John,

"The bait arrived today.  It looks great and I am excited to use it.  Thanks a ton!" 

Utah customer, Jason C., email posted: Wed 2/6/2019 4:16 PM

Afternoon John

"All the fish arrived safe and sound and look wonderful. I appreciate the prompt service & delivery, We look forward to future business.

I will be needing some Salmon Selects this spring."

NH customer LB, email  posted: Wed 2/6/2019 2:39 PM

"Dear Harmon Brook, Thanks for another great year of fishing! We plan on ordering more for our trip to Canada this year. If you have any samples you could throw in of other sizes or products I would be very appreciative. I plan on buying more in the future and it would help to have a visual.....

Looking forward to using these smelt!!! Thank you for your time." 

Sincerely, Bob 

Bob , thanks for the compliment!  Your new order and samples  will be headed your way.  We appreciate your orders.

Bob posted this email 01/21/19.  Bob B., is a Michigan customer who purchased our certified bait products that are approved by Michigan DNR for use anywhere in MI.

John,
"Here are a few pics for you. Your bait put us on 3 pike over 30 lbs and many 20 pounders and a 6 pound bass ." 

Matt M., a NY customer, email posted Fri 12/7/18  @ 6:10 PM

Matt included the above report  for the past 2018 ice-fishing season  when he placed his "Custom Order" for 2019 season.  Some of his pictures are included in our Photo section. 

 John,
"I received the bait yesterday. It looks absolutely awesome!! I can’t wait ...."

Matt M., a NY customer, email posted 12/13/18 @ 10:30pm

"Harmon Brook Farm youre rippin it up. The Jumbo shiners are really Jumbos"

Thanks

Denny Y.

MA customer posted email 12/5/2018

"Hello John

Thanks for the prompt service, received suckers today, perfect size and service. We will continue doing business with you."   Larry 

Sent from my iPhone Wed 12/5/2018 11:32 AM

Larry S. 

Denver, CO customer

"My boys did real well at "Ragged", lots of Brookies and Splake on the preserved bait. Medium size is the best.

I'm going to Moosehead one more time this weekend" 

Weston G

Maine Customer

Received: 09/14/18 conversation during a bait purchase

"John, whoever packed that box of suckers did a good job.  Arrived rock-hard!"

Richard E

NE customer-Rooster Junction

Phone call: 09/12/18

"…thanks for your excellent service!

I am looking forward to smashing big ND walleyes with your bait"

Mike G., ND customer, posted email: 06/29/18

"Thank you very much John!! You are by far the best customer service I've ever had!!"

Todd B., SD customer, posted email: 06/27/18

"John, Well I'm happy to inform you it did arrive today around noon. There was very little thawing with the suckers. I'm very pleased with the bait as well as the entire process and outcome. I will definitely be placing orders in the future with you as well as get your name out here in Gxxxx Xxxxxxx Colorado to businesses and fellow fisherman. Lot's of pike and lake trout fisherman out here and a few of us cat-fisherman. I will also make it a point to spread the word to my friends in Nebraska and Texas on your companies info and my pleasant experience." 

Doug, a CO customer,  posted email: 05/16/2018 by email .

Update: 01/19/19, Doug reordered 2x previous order.

On 01/23/19  Doug received his order and sent us an email :

"Once again John I have to say for my second year ordering bait from your company it’s been an excellent and unscathed experience. I’m very impressed with the frozen sucker chubs and to ship 2000 miles in 3 days is awesome. I said it last year and I’ll say it again but your customer service and variety of products I personally think are remarkable. Not many companies I can honestly say I trust to do business with these days but I’ve spoken to you on the phone in the past and you bring back that customer service most companies don’t have anymore. (Honesty, integrity and personality) I thank you for that. I took your advice from last year and ordered early and the selection of bait was flawless this time of year.

Whoever packages the bait for long trips you should buy them lunch. They were packaged so good it was impressive. They did a great job!! 

You got good people there keep them. 

Thank You!!"

Hey John

"Received the shipment I ordered.  Looks just as advertised.....    

Will do business again."

Thanks,

Jered D., WI customer, posted email: 05/11/18

Hello John 

"This is Andy L*****  I just wanted to let you know that I am very pleased with the bait I purchased form you we are doing very well on your bait 

I am for sure looking forward to doing more business with you" 

Thank you, Andy 

Andy, a PA customer, posted email: 04/01/2018 

"Thanks for getting my shipment to me so fast you made my opening day of trout season here in NY very rewarding". Thanks again Tom 

PS. "Best bait we seen in a long time".

Tom, a NY customer, posted email: 03/31/2018