saltwater

Fish_N_Fool, thanks for the advise. I have been making cranks since the 1970s. I know what I am going to build, I have 9 models, all have been tested for many many years, all winners. I won't bore you with my reasoning on not building unique blanks but, as a patented inventor I know the troubles, My blanks simply copy nature so no one can say I stole from them or my chasing those who copy me. I am asking blank painters what they would like because I see a lot of complaints about some brands of blanks. Poor weight distribution, poor action, poor quality etc. So I can build a better blank.

Vodkaman, 1 - Shape and size customers want: Researching all data bases, I have compiled a list of the most popular shapes and sizes for both freshwater and saltwater baits for northern and southern waters. I am making sure that I do not copy existing baits, only a generalized style, that is somewhat similar. 2 - Consistency, so if I buy ten blanks, they will be identical: This is what I am striving to accomplish, difficult but not impossible. 3 - Variety, plenty to choose from: At this time I have 9 blanks, 3 small, 3 medium and 3 large. Each can be made for top water or slow sinkers. 4 - .Custom shape service: Not at this time. Custom blanks will be available after I am well established. How are you going to do the cross section shape? I carved each bait and had a computer guided 3D printer create each two sided molds.

fishon-son, The size and type blank are a couple of the questions I am asking. What are some preferred sizes and types? Also the design is what is found in nature, small, medium and large bait fish. Designed for individual target species. Thanks for your advice. Vodkaman- No not made in China, made by hand in the U.S.A. from American components. Not made of plastic from injection mold. At this point it is a small venture. With just a few employees. My task is to make a better bait than all the others, most durable, best action and highest quality. Thanks for your suggestions.

With the intelligent, clever and experienced members here at TU, I have learned so very much. Thank you for the education. I am taking my education to the next step by manufacturing blank crank baits. I hope to get some input about what is lacking and what is needed from the blanks that are available on the market today. In other words, what do I need to do to make a better blank that in the end catches fish? Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Or go to craigpowersbaits.com and look for it there.

I use my underwater camera to help find fish and to see the topography. Of course, most of the fresh and saltwater here in south Florida is very clear down to 40 feet or so. The camera helps to target individual fish, leaving the undersized or unwanted species. Also, the camera is a learning tool where I can watch the behavior of the target fish. How they react to different baits etc.

Durham's Water Putty or Plaster of Paris.....

Dink, I remember my grandfather chewing tobacco and spitting it on live night crawler earthworms. Gramps always swore by it and his catch was always big. He didn't chew tobacco except when fishing...

What about Bait Girl? Rumor has it she was a hooker... Get it? Bait Girl...Hooker Sorry people I had to do it....

Fish smell through the little holes that look like nostrils called nares, they are not nostrils but openings to a sensory chamber. Most but not all species of game fish have taste buds around the out-side of their mouths, catfishes taste with their barbels.

Time to call our super hero to action...Bait Man. Bait Man and his young side-kick Bait Boy will collar the arch criminal known as the Copy-Cat Rat. KAPOW BASH KABOOM Stay tuned to the same Bait day and the same Bait channel...

JRammit, I asked the insurance agent about shipping baits without hooks. His response, "People could easily injure themselves when they try to attach the hooks". Gee Wiz.......damned if you do-damned if you don't

A recent Topic in the Hard Baits section about copyrights, trade marks and patents has brought-up a touchy subject that applies to manufacturers as well as the hobbyist, product liability. At first it seems silly but there is a legal precedence, think plastic bags with printed Warning A Choking Hazard For Children and food containers warning Contents Hot and Could Cause Burns. At first it does seem ridiculous that you can be liable if your product causes injury. But, it isn't far fetched to find yourself being sued because someone lost an eye from an errant cast or a child died after he swallowed your small jig and the hook became imbedded in his throat and couldn't be removed in time. True, I am not personally liable because my company is an LLC but my company can be liable. Speaking with a liability insurance agent he set certain requirements such as a clearly written warning label printed on my packaging. It states WARNING: CONTAINS SHARP HOOKS WHICH MAY CAUSE INJURY-NOT FOR USE BY CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF TWELVE. He went on to say that if the label was printed in several languages the premium would be lower and if the warning was permanently affixed to my product the premium would be lower yet. My company now has limited liability insurance with a warning label on the package. My policy has limitations and subject to circumstances with a limited amount of pay-out per incidence. Any thoughts?

There is a tend developing in my state (Florida). Many of the state recreation areas have banned the use of live bait, cut bait and attractants. So, the future for artificial baits is looking-up.

Be careful about naming names and making claims. You could find yourself being sued for defamation etc.