‘Tackle Swap’ helps reel in money for St. Jude

PEORIA (25 News Now) - Fishing season isn’t a year-round activity. But with the warmer months on the way, small business owners were able to showcase their offerings to drum up excitement, all for a good cause.

Members from Tremont High School’s, Olympia High School’s, and Illinois Central College’s fishing teams hosted Saturday’s Bait and Tackle Swap for St. Jude at Tremont High. Among the items for sale were plastic and spinner baits, fishing rods, new and preowned tackle, and fishing apparel. 34 vendors took part, with some traveling from as far away as Kankakee and Morris.

Organizers say holding events like these help highlight the fishing community in Central Illinois, which they note is large, but rarely recognized.

”You’ll find these popping up all over,” says event coordinator Lee Kerr. “Little tackle swaps so all the vendors can get together and show their products. A lot of them are like me, they are small companies trying to get their product out there to a lot of people, and this is the best way to show that.”

All proceeds from the raffle tickets sold Saturday went to St. Jude Children’s Hospital.