T-L Photo/CARRI GRAHAM The P&R Bait Shop celebrated its grand opening over the weekend.

RAYLAND — It’s that time of year — the P&R Bait Shop is now up and running for the season and the Rayland Marina will soon be open to all boaters.

The marina’s P&R Bait Shop had its grand opening at its new location on Saturday. Pat Marino, owner of the shop, said the business had a great turnout for its opening. Around 50 people came out, he said.

“We’ve had a lot of customers so far. (We’ve) sold out of bait twice already. … Each year business picks up more and more,” Marino said.

It is Marino’s fourth year owning the bait shop at the Rayland Marina. He said the store’s previous location was flooded out and that the new location, situated in a trailer to the left of the marina, is in a much better spot he said.

The shop sells both new and old fishing gear, bait, boat batteries and camping gear. Marino makes his own sinkers and jigs, among other fishing equipment.

Marino urges families to come out to the marina, where they can go boating, fishing and camping to enjoy the outdoors.

“If a child or someone needs a pole, I’ll give it to them,” he added.

He went on to say the Ohio Valley is a prime area for fishing.

“We have the New Cumberland Dam, Pike Island Dam and Hannibal Dam,” he said. “All are great for fishing. … The fish are good to eat, too, don’t let anyone tell you different.”

Marino said the shop will begin having Giovanni’s food truck come out to the marina on the weekends, providing the opportunity for people to enjoy some food while boating and fishing this summer.

The Rayland Marina is open for small fishing boats beginning today, but no large boats can be launched there just yet. The staff is still working on setting up the docks, Marino said. All the docks should be ready by the second week of May, then large boats will be able to enter the water, he said.

Also, Ohio’s free fishing days are coming up this weekend on Saturday and Sunday, when residents can fish all the public waterways in Ohio without a license.