Schmack Em' Bait and Tackle hooked on love for the community

Schmack Em' Bait & Tackle Shop, 3516 E. 650 South, Macy, is a locally owned business that supplies bait and tackle to the Nyona/South Mud Lake area.

More than just a place to get fishing gear and hunting supplies, Schmack Em’ Bait & Tackle also serves the neighborhood as a unique convenience store, notorious for its surprising variety of items that range from baking powder to honey and shaved chocolate. The one-stop shop also hosts community vendor events throughout the year, highlighting the Trigg's passion and commitment to the community.

Carrying a life-long love of fishing, Michael Trigg, transformed hobby to career in 2021 when he and his family opened the bait shop full time. Trigg's passion for fishing began at the age of 5 while fishing with his grandfather. After opening the bait shop, Trigg's daughter Jena Chandler caught her own enthusiasm with the sport. Previously a competitive cheerleader, Chandler traded pompoms for fishing poles when she joined the Caston High School Bass Fishing Team, a program headed by Trigg at both Caston and Tippecanoe Valley Schools. 

Chandler, a senior, is one of two team members with the program, but Trigg has hopes of adding more students to the team as time goes on. Despite the small start, the team has already received recognition. It was recently announced that Chandler and her partner, Caston junior Kain Finke, would be competing for both National and World Championships at the National Bass Fishing Tournament in Oklahoma on June 21. 

"It was definitely a shock when we found out they were going to Oklahoma. I had to take a moment and regroup because I was definitely emotional," Trigg said. 

He hopes to also expand the program to more schools in the area in the coming years. 

As support continues to flood the business, the need for growth has also created a need for more space at their storefront. Trigg said in recent years they have added more storefront to their building, but already have plans of adding another 48,000 square feet in the near future. Thankful for their loyal customers, Trigg says their business hopes to support the community as much as the community supports Schmack Em’ Bait & Tackle. 

"It's all to be tied back to the community. We didn't start our store to become millionaires. From hosting a kids fishing day, customer appreciation days, an annual fishing tournament every year for the Macy Fire Department, we appreciate everyone's support to our business and we love to give back as much as we can," Trigg said.