To enhance the film's realism, bass pros Preston Clark of Palatka and J.P. Prouty of Vero Beach have bit parts and also serve as impromptu consultants.

Clark, a Bassmaster Elite Series pro, said he's enjoying the experience.

'We were taking off one time, and Billy Ray said, 'I haven't wrecked yet,' and I said, 'Well, that's not realistic. We wreck all the time.' So far, it's been a really good time."

Between takes, Clark and Prouty do what they do best — catch fish.

During a recent hot afternoon of shooting, Clark caught and released a 3-pounder near the boat ramp at Kissimmee Lakefront Park.

Engvall noticed and feigned jealousy.

"Man, there's a real fisherman!" the star said. "That's just disgusting, you know that? What'd you catch him on?"

Prouty, tied up to the dock, invited Engvall on board his boat and set him up with spinning rod baited with a Gambler Sweebo worm.

Engvall was rewarded with a bass about 1 1/2 pounds.

It was Engvall's lifelong love of fishing, he said, that prompted the Bait Shop screenplay.

"It's one of the few things they've never done a movie about," he said. "I go fly fishing, saltwater fishing. For me, it's the fun of the catch, then I let it go. Everybody should take their kids fishing."