If you need to rent fishing rods, bait or kayaks or paddle boards, Jackie Lowes can hook you up.

His new business, The Hook Up, started selling fishing gear in March. About two weeks ago, Lowes expanded his business to include rental of paddleboards and kayaks.

“I love what I do. I love being on the water here,” said Lowes, whose Freeport home has a private dock that she often uses with her husband and five teenage sons.

It was his family’s love for fishing that inspired Lowes to start the business. Lowes used to fish with her father when she was young and now enjoys doing it with her own family. She wanted to make it easier for other families in Freeport to share these experiences.

Her business, which she hopes will eventually expand to include a physical location and bike rental, opened in time for the start of the trout season this year.

Lowes accepts bait, rod and hook orders via text message or phone call or through an online ordering platform on their website.

With the help of her sons, she delivers fishing gear to the public wharf on Riverside Drive, the boat launch on First Street, or the private docks in Freeport. It can usually deliver within 10 to 15 minutes.

“People don’t have to leave their boats to get their bait,” she said. “It’s very useful.”

Lowes said his kayak and paddleboard rental service was the only one in Freeport. It also offers courses on mastering kayaks and paddleboards. Buffalo Creek, she says, is a great place for beginners who want to learn on calm, shallow waters.

“The people who have called are really excited,” she said. “People want to go outside. “

Lowes said she can often be flexible by working after hours, although the hours change during the summer months. The business, closed for a week, reopens on Saturday.

The Hook Up has given Lowes the opportunity to spend more time with her family, she said, as her children help her with the deliveries. In addition, it gives her the chance to inspire other families to enjoy the outdoors together, which is very important to her.

“I encourage everyone to get outside,” she said, adding that outdoor activities have been particularly popular after many people were stuck in their homes during the pandemic. “We’ve been stuck inside for so long.”

The Hook Up also offers special ammo orders, which she says have been hard to come by lately.

Fishing, kayaking and paddle boarding are inexpensive options for family activities during the summer, she said. She compared a day on the water in Freeport to a mini vacation near her home.

“It’s literally in your backyard,” she said.

Lowes said she sees many families using her services, which makes her happy. She said she enjoyed seeing young children on the water with their parents.

“We have realized with everything that is going on how important family is,” she said. “Being able to go out with the family and enjoy the place where they live is great. It definitely brings you closer.