People who enjoy trout fishing anticipate opening day each year. Jack Kester is one of those people. Opening day occurred on April 2. Everyone over the age of 16 needs a fishing license.
Fishing licenses can be obtained through the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission website www.fish and boat.com as well as other information on fishing and boating.
Twins Jack and Bob Kester enjoy fishing and hunting. They used to get their fishing supplies from Pete’s Bait Shop in Chinchilla until it closed.
They are the owners of J and B Printing.
“Once Pete’s closed, I knew there wasn’t anything else like it in the area,” said Jack Kester. “I was looking online and saw a vending machine for fishing and hunting gear. I purchased the machine and it came here from Oklahoma where it was made. I was having lunch at the Schultzville Deli and thought there was a need and thought about putting it outside. I talked to the owner, Lisa Zimmer, who thought it was a good idea.”
He started the vending business on May 16, 2021.
The Bait and Tackle vending machine is located outside of the Schultzville Deli and can be used 24 hours a day. It accepts only cash.
“I like having the vending machine here,” said Zimmer. “When we are closed then people can still use the machine.”
The deli sells sandwiches, hoagies and wraps. They also sell candy, chips, cookies, household goods, drinks, ice, lottery tickets, etc.
The machine is stocked for fishing with red worms, night walkers, meal worms, wax worms, and Catfish bait. It also has Berkley Power Bait and assorted fishing tackle, hooks, bobbers, weight lines and all fishing supplies.
For the fall, there is Pete Rickards Deer Hunting Lures and cover scents for early archery and deer season. There are also hand warmers, plastic gloves and scent wicks. The vending machine also holds ice fishing supplies, such as Tip-Up line hand warmers and wax and meal worms.
The vending machine is located near Lake Winola, Ford’s Pond, Hillside Park, Susquehanna River and Highland Campground.
Jack and Bob Kester run a fishing and hunting show and have done so for 20 years. The show this year was held om March 18. Event goers saw new and used hunting items, rods, reels, lures, books, magazines, patches, traps, guns, ammo, sport club pins and old PA game posters.
Jack Kester is married to Bonnie Kester, who also fishes. They have a son Nicholas who is stationed with the Army in Korea. They also have 2 daughters Erica Kester and Jaimee Radle who is married to A.J. Radle. They ae expecting their first grandchild in October.
“This machine gives fisherman and hunters a place to buy items 24 hours a day and is a great way to get the items you need when regular sporting goods stores are closed,”said Kester. “This machine is the first in Clarks Summit area that sells both bait and fishing tackle as well as hunting supplies. I have fished and hunted all my life with my brothers Jeff and Bob and we have a cabin in Pike County. I have 2 great brothers and many friends I have been blessed to be able to fish and hunt for over 50 years. I always enjoy showing new people who don’t know how to fish or hunt, how to do it.”
