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http://www.post-trib.com/sports/1591420,ba...ps-0526.article

Seven years and still going strong
* Michigan City bait shop not affected by bad economy so far.
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May 26, 2009
By Jeff Parry, Post-Tribune correspondent

Linda Ross of Lake Michigan Tackle explained that despite the economic downturn, business at the Michigan City bait shop has been good, which seems to be a common trend among area bait shops.

"Many people have remarked that they are taking up fishing or starting to fish again because it is cheaper than other activities such as golf or going to an amusement park," Ross said.

Lake Michigan Tackle

Where: 1315 Franklin Street, Michigan City; 872-3474

Hours: Monday through Friday -- 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Saturday -- 6 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Sunday -- 6 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Prices: Waxworms -- $2.50 per package; Large night crawlers -- $2.60 per dozen; Small crawlers -- $3.60 per 30; Spawn sac -- $4.00 per dozen; Salmon roe -- $8.00 a half-pound

Linda and her husband, Jerry, bought out the original owners of the long established bait shop seven years ago. With the help of their son Scott, the Ross' have been busy updating and remodeling the shop over the past two years giving the store a more open concept. The pegboards lining the walls and two aisles are well stocked with lures, hook, sinkers and other fishing paraphenelia.

"One of the hottest selling lures has been the Fishlander Spoon which are made in Traverse City, Michigan," Ross said of the huge selection the store offers. "The Magnum sells for $4.89, while the No. 2 goes for $4.39 and the smallest version, the No. 1, sells for $3.99."

In addition to the bait shop, Jerry Ross is a veteran Lake Michigan charter boat captain. While the majority of his charter business is from operating trips out of Michigan City, he also spends some weeks fishing along the Michigan side of the big lake in locations such as Ludington, Michigan.

"The fishing for salmon and trout was phenomenal this spring," Linda Ross commented. "It has slowed down a little lately, though they are still catching fish.

One of the advantages of being in the charter business is that often, when someone is exiting the fishing charter business they will let Jerry sell their used equipment at the store. For example, there are four salmon rods and reels as well as three boxes of lures that are selling for $250.00.

In the past the Ross' have operated the bait shop from April 1 into November. This year, however, they are planning on conducting business over the winter months for the convenience of ice anglers.

"We have had quite a few people ask us about being open in the winter so they could get bait to go ice fishing," Linda Ross explained. "We did some research and were surprised to see how popular the sport has become. The equipment available today for ice anglers is so advanced. They have modern day conveniences such as portable ice shanties to stay warm as well as graphs and underwater cameras that are on the cutting edge of technology."photo provided

Linda Ross and her husband Jerry bought Lake Michigan Tackle seven years ago and they're still thriving in the business.