Monday, August 17, 2015

Illinois Bait Shops - B & S Bait Tackle

Illinois Bait Shops

Illinois Bait Shops - B & S Bait Tackle

About a month ago we swung by our local bait shop to pick up some last minute items. Eureka... the idea about writing reviews and a series on Illinois bait shops starting flooding to our mind.

Our local bait shop is B & S Bait and Tackle located outside Ashland, Illinois about one mile east of Jim Edgar Panther Creek's entrance.  Owned by Roy and Sue, a friendly and outgoing married couple of over 50 years, this shop has a real sense of community charm to it.

Illinois Bait Shops
"I started this shop as a retirement plan,," Roy said, "and that was 16 years ago."  "I'm 75 and still work, so my wife runs the shop during the weekdays and I work it on the weekends." During prior stops I've met his wife and what a great person.  She is dedicated to the sustainability of the shop.  "She is great at ordering what the stores needs and gets great deals which allows us to pass our savings onto our customers" he continued.  He said that he using the money he makes and rolls it back into the shop, adding more to the inventory and helping local people have access to more items.

Illinois Bait ShopsB & S Bait and Tackle has it all.  In fact, we've been to fishing shows that have less stuff.  Of course their biggest seller is live bait.  They have minnows, crickets and leeches to name a few. That's not all they have. Walking around you see lots of the odds and ends related to fishing, from poles to lines and lures to plastics. They even have ammunition in stock, hunting knives, rods and reels, clothing, hats and local products.

 "When we first opened we only had what people would need to go fishing and then people started coming in asking my wife for odds and ends related to camping and the camping and food section became a part of the store." Roy said.  As you look around the store, you can see that they have everything that you may need if you find yourself without while camping at Jim Edgar Panther Creek.  This is the closest store to the campground, and so convenient.
Illinois Bait Shops
Jim Edgar Panther Creek holds several bass and muskie fishing tournaments through out the year.   Many of these anglers stop in to buy a refreshment and get the local intel on how the fish are biting. "I always know when a tournament is in town," Roy said, "because our business goes up".  When I first heard this it made me think about a post I wrote several months ago called - 3 facts ever Hunter and Angler Need to Know.  When anglers get into their car to head to a lake, river or stream they're literally helping the economy.  B & S Bait Tackle is just one example of how tournament anglers are helping local business stay here in Illinois.
Illinois Bait Shops
We spent over 40 minutes talking about fishing, hunting and the great outdoors.  They were very welcoming and we love stopping in to say hi on our way to the lake.

B & S Bait and Tackle really has a great shop and you should stop in and check it out.  Let them know that Capitol Outdoors sent you.  Who knows we might see you in there.




Remember Enjoy the Outdoors Good Luck and Stay Safe -
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