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Posts: 184
| I am a new guy on the bait making scene and boy oh boy have I learned a thing or two since I have started. After buying baits for 15 years I decided to make some of my own and since then I have seen the "dark side" of bait making. Not only is it tough enough to attempt to make a decent bait but dealing w/ other bait makers is very challenging. I have had other people that make baits chop my baits in half to see the way they are made. I have had people send me nasty emails about everything from paint jobs to the way I construct baits. I never knew this dirty underworld existed when I was just a bait buyer but now that I am a bait maker it has disgusted me in the way bait makers deal with each other. I know its a very limited market and we are all trying to get money out of the same people but to drag people down that you have never met doesn't say much about them. I just wanted to take a second to let others know about this so if they ever decide to make a plug for sale they are aware of this nastiness that is out there. Keep your head up and eyes open b/c people you have known for a long time may drag your name down. This may get removed from the posts but thats okay. I was told by a guy that has been in this business for 30 years tell me that no bait maker will be friends with another b/c of jealousy and competition. just be careful if you make the venture that I have and don't be surprised by some of the emails you get. |
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Location: Illinois | It's just a microcosm of society that has existed since the dawn of man, envy. Just turn the cheek and pay it forward, and do not become what now disgusts you! But remember that time and experiences will jade you. Stay pure. |
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Posts: 532
| That is sad to hear. I enjoy making my own baits with no intention of selling because i get enjoyment of the fun of doing it. But now that you have shead some light on the dark side, i will definatly keep my actions to just myself. Thanks |
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Posts: 1224
Location: Okoboji | well one way to get even would be to post their name and message on here....hehe
that is why i just stick to painting....i know a guy who builds baits and i would never step on his turf or build a bait for sale without his oversight and agreement to me doing it. because i am learning from him and respect his advise and help.
but if your a new baitbuilder with no ties,,,i dont see the problem with you building baits!?!?
Edited by kodiak 12/14/2010 12:13 PM
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Posts: 110
| Never had any desire to make lures for sale - just a few for friends. Otherwise it just turns into a job. Lately I've gotten more requests they want before xmas and that pressures me into working on them when I'd rather be doin' something else. If I ever did start a bait making business, I have the perfect name - Constipated Bait Co. - If it don't catch fish - tough sh@%!  |
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Posts: 496
| Zach ,
Some say to keep your head up ....I have learned to sometimes keep your head down, keep it quite and do your thing . Word is already out on your products . Just keep making them the best that you can and the rest will come no matter who says what . Quality, fish catching baits will sell.... Good luck |
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Posts: 1149
| I can only imagine what goes on behind the scenes and what is said about the competition. Sorry to hear they're on to you. And I thought you were only making one style of lure. Imagine if you try to expand your line.
With bait makers in general, very few lures are truly new ideas. But each one is a little different in it's own way with the subtlest changes.
It is a shame but it's just business. It's the U.S. It's the global economy. It's a cut-throat world out there and someone will always want you to fail.
It really depends on far you want to take this bait making. If you want to take them to retail like Rollies, Gander, Bass Pro or any of those you better be prepared. If you remain on the small scale and sell from your website and on forums like this I think you'll do just fine.
Edited by MartinTD 12/14/2010 2:32 PM
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Posts: 278
Location: WV | Hate to hear that. I have been making baits for a short while now and have not had that experience-----that I know of yet. I have found people on this site quite helpful however that may change as I grow. The one thing that I do know is that muskies like my lures and that is what really matters.
Jerry Myers |
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| Zach I've seen your baits on another site and they certainly look good, also seem to be very well received by those that have used them judging by the feedback, all praises.
A good product sells itself and I think that is where the paranoia arises with your competition, they know you're good and they can't stand it.
Unfortunately, like a lot of things in life when there is money involved people show their true stripe. I learned that years ago in another craft, dog eat dog and it can get a bit testy.
I've been making muskie lures myself for about twenty years now but have never sold them. I've given dozens away to neighbor cottagers at Chautauqua over the years and those same few guys keep coming back for more, older gents mostly because I make old school plugs, pikies and vamps mostly which is what they like but can't find elsewhere. I know I make a good lure and they've caught muskies on Chatauqua, the Niagara, St. Lawrence, the Muskokas and Kawarthas. I'm actually a bit amazed at how far and wide they've traveled without me trying to push them.
I do aspire to enter the market with one of mine, one which is all mine and rather innovative but outside of a select few who know about it, nobody is going to see any until I put them out there with me controlling the marketing. Involving others can make it a tough experience, monetarily and socially. Like one other guy here said, using your own website is probably best. Good luck Zach, great looking baits ! |
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Posts: 1106
Location: Muskegon Michigan | Wow , Ive been in the business for years(since 1996) and have never had any run ins with any other bait makers over anything. I dont know about this dark side you are talking about. Zach, you just build your lures and the hell with anyone getting into your face. The way I see it as long as you are not copying someone else you got no worries and every legal right to build lures. The old guard guys like Bill Crane are great men who will go out of their way to help you. Rolf from Wishmaster helped me to build my Deep threats and eventually led me to build the Titan. Todd from Phantom, Tony from Big Game? these are all guys I know who are real good people. I havent heard anyone running you down but if I do Ill let you know. Have fun with this man., Lure building is supposed to be fun. Mike |
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Posts: 941
Location: Freedom, WI | I am with Kingfisher. I am friends with a bunch of baitmakers including some bigger some smaller so it is not all, must be just a few like people in general. Just keep building and when selling keep things legal so the ones giving you a hard time can not turn you in. That has happened to a couple of guys I know, it is a pain but better safe than sorry. |
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Posts: 1207
Location: Pigeon Forge TN. | Hey Zach, You just keep on doing what you are doing and continue with the good quality you are putting in them and you will continue to advance. What other bait makers have to say ( the ones that are causing your heartaches) pay no attention to them. The way I look at it all is, as long as the musky industry keeps growing as it is than, there is room for every one. It just gives the average consumer several choices to chose from and that is the way it is.
Quality and pricing is your main key, hang on to them and you will grow.
There are a lot of very good painters out there also and it works the same way with us. The consumer purchase will be the guide.
There are good pieces of advice coming to you on this thread, Stand Tall my friend and move on. |
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Posts: 910
Location: South-Central VA | Zach,
I'm a new fellow baitmaker! Should we sign a peace treaty?!? LOL
I know what you are talking about, there are always people motivated by jealousy. Why do you think that every time someone shoots a huge buck the internet is buzzy with 'eyewitnesses' who saw the guy shoot it at night, etc, etc. Those kinds of people will always exist.
Like the other guys have said, keep doing what you are doing and stay clear of controversy. Avoid the troublemakers when at all possible!
jeremy |
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Posts: 32935
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | Zach,
A simple question from an owner of this website:
Why post something in a manner that almost guarantees it's deletion? You obviously know the rules, and violating them just to strike out at others isn't exactly rising above the guys giving you trouble, and is precisely WHY we have a set of posting permissions established. The fight won't be allowed here, and we don't appreciate anyone trying to drag it here...even indirectly.
That said, a bit of friendly advice from a 35 year veteran of bait building and design(can't hold a candle to the hard baits here, but I was hell on wheels with soft plastics for a very long time):
Best way to combat the very thing you are complaining about is to not...repeat -NOT- engage the problem children directly or indirectly. The risk of doing so, even in direct emails back and forth, is to resemble them to the casual observer to the point where discerning who is and who is not the 'problem' becomes difficult.
There is a large community of casual to small enterprises here, and most are very open and friendly. Enjoy the friendships you will make here, and avoid the temptation to create animosity with those who choose to be otherwise. Take notes from folks like Roger and others who have posted here.
Keep building great Basement Bait style creations and sharing them with the other artists here, and worry not about anyone who tries to take issue. |
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Something no one told me