Best Baits Ever!

[DelfiBoyz_One_and_Only]

I have been thinking about this for some time now! I have some baits that I have made that are awesome. Some of them are 2 or 3 plastic baits fused together to form a new bait. Others are hard baits carved out of wood that are like nothing yet created. Others are modification to existing baits.

My question is how do I go about selling these baits to big name companies? I don't have the funds to produce them and sell them myself. How much could I expect to sell the bait for? Do I need to get a patent before selling the idea?

I'm scared to post my ideas because I don't want someone stealing my idea before I can sell it. Has anyone gone through the process and sold any baits to any companies? ANY FEED BACK WOULD BE HELPFUL.

JAY-

[FloridaBassDude]

I have absolutely no experience selling baits, but my guess would be hit up your local tackle shops. I wouldn't expect them to start selling your product ASAP, but they might give some good advice on how to start...PM me once you get set up, I'd love to check out your baits!

[slonezp]

If in fact they are the best baits ever,you should have no difficulty selling them. 

[Long Mike]

Contact one or more of our Sponsors.  Each of them started small, just like you.

[DelfiBoyz_One_and_Only]

 

It would cost a good amount of money to make hundreds of baits. I would rather sell a couple baits first to a company. Then when I collect from that it should make me enough money to get started making other baits to sell myself. I would probably have to get a patient so that a bigger company don't copy my bait and sell it as their own without consent.

 

 

[cadman]

I will tell you right now if your idea is really unique, then don't post anything on any forums, don't give out any samples and don't go around showing it to everybody, because if it is really unique, by the time you figure out what to do it will be on the market copied. Been there done that. Unfortunately you will have to speak to a patent attorney, to see if there is something you can do to protect your idea. However, this is gpoing to be an expensive venture. Once you find  all that out, I would try to contact some lure manufacturing companies. This is really going to be a rough road, as there is so much tackle out there, that has been made over the years. Make sure you have all of your ducks in a row, Good Luck and maybe you'll hit it big

[DelfiBoyz_One_and_Only]

Cadman
that is some good advice I thought that getting a patent would be the first
step. I have only told 2 or 3 people I trust about this bait. I guess my next
step would be the patent office. I appreciate the advice and thanks again.

 

One more question what is hitting it big?  How much could someone make?

 

Jay

 

[cadman]

Jay,

  I am only giving you suggestions, I am not a lawyer and not trying to tell you how to proceed with your endeavour. But this is what I  would suggest .

 

#1 Find a patent attorney, and see if what you have can be patented or copywrite protected.

#2 If you plan on making these, you will have to be able to make these quickly, efficiently and cost effective. You will also have to be able to meet supply and demand. Once your product goes on the market and it's a hit, you will have to meet all customers sales demands. So making these one at a time is not an option. If you do not meet supply and demand, you will lose sales and money and as soon everyone finds out what you have you'll have maybe 6 months before China makes a cheap knockoff, and sells it for half of what you are selling it for.

 

In another words you have to be prepared if this really takes off.

 

If you remember the chatterbait fiasco several of years ago. When the Chatterbait first hit the market, they couldn't keep them in the store. Bass Pro was out of stock and couldn't keep them on the shelves. The reason the shelves weren't stocked, because they couldn't produce them fast enough. As soon as this happened, everyone and their mother was making and copying them. Rad Lures, was losing money not having the shelves stocked and then they were going after everyone that was copying their initial idea and stealing it.

 

In closing make sure you have a game plan. If you feel you won't be able to make these yourself, then sell your idea to a lure company and they will make it and market it.

 

"Hitting it Big" means that your idea and your product has or is making a lot of money and selling really well, basically a rough translation.

[roadwarrior]

Contact one or more of our Sponsors.  Each of them started small, just like you.

 

Especially Bobby (MegaStrike) and Big O (Rage Tail). Both have a strong commitment to "proprietary designs".

 

p.s. Trying to patent a lure is a complete waste of time and money. Look no further than the Alabama Rig for example.

 

 

[smalljaw67]

If it truly is unique you can protect the idea quickly and on the cheap and that is either making an extra one or having detailed drawings done to scale. You take those to a notary and have a paper that you had the contents sealed as witnessed by a notary with a paper that states it with the notary's seal. Once you have that done mail it to yourself and when you get it put it aside. It sounds stupid but by doing that you just furnished proof of when the design and prototype was developed for manufacture, that will provide you first level of protection until your patent goes through. The next step is what ever you are going to call it, make sure that neame is trademarked, copies that are made can't be called the same thing. The thing you don't want to hear is is money, this is the sad truth, you will need a lot of money because even if you can't produce it you can find places that do manufacture for clients which is what you would be, what most do at this level if they don't have the money is to find investors and sell them the concept and see if you can find someone to bank roll the project. As you were already told, approach a company with an idea that is unprotected you will be told no and 6 months later it will be on a shel at Cabelas, I seen it happen to Cadman with something he came up with and was kind enough to share and it ended up being sold by a large number of fishing tckle vendors. Good luck.

[DelfiBoyz_One_and_Only]

Jay,

  I am only giving you suggestions, I am not a lawyer and not trying to tell you how to proceed with your endeavour. But this is what I  would suggest .

 

#1 Find a patent attorney, and see if what you have can be patented or copywrite protected.

#2 If you plan on making these, you will have to be able to make these quickly, efficiently and cost effective. You will also have to be able to meet supply and demand. Once your product goes on the market and it's a hit, you will have to meet all customers sales demands. So making these one at a time is not an option. If you do not meet supply and demand, you will lose sales and money and as soon everyone finds out what you have you'll have maybe 6 months before China makes a cheap knockoff, and sells it for half of what you are selling it for.

 

In another words you have to be prepared if this really takes off.

 

If you remember the chatterbait fiasco several of years ago. When the Chatterbait first hit the market, they couldn't keep them in the store. Bass Pro was out of stock and couldn't keep them on the shelves. The reason the shelves weren't stocked, because they couldn't produce them fast enough. As soon as this happened, everyone and their mother was making and copying them. Rad Lures, was losing money not having the shelves stocked and then they were going after everyone that was copying their initial idea and stealing it.

 

In closing make sure you have a game plan. If you feel you won't be able to make these yourself, then sell your idea to a lure company and they will make it and market it.

 

"Hitting it Big" means that your idea and your product has or is making a lot of money and selling really well, basically a rough translation.

 I was wondering like dollar amount hitting it big is a relative term.  So I was wondering if I sell the bait to a company is 10k hitting it big or is 1million hitting it big.  Just trying to get a idea on how much these types of creations can go for.

 

Jay-

[DelfiBoyz_One_and_Only]

Especially Bobby (MegaStrike) and Big O (Rage Tail). Both have a strong commitment to "proprietary designs".

 

p.s. Trying to patent a lure is a complete waste of time and money. Look no further than the Alabama Rig for example.

 

 

The A-Rig is kind of a different deal all together.  The umbrella rig for stripers was created before the one for LM bass so in theory it was kind of a modification.  I have some baits that have or do, and are fished in a way like no other baits on the market.  I have spent days looking for anything similar to no avail.  So, It will be obvious if someone copies it.  The chatterbait is a great example though there are a million and one of those. 

 

I hope to sell one of my designs/baits to a company and then with the money generated from that possible creating my own line of baits.  Basically I am trying to turn a dream of doing what I love (anything fishing) into a reality.  Thanks again for your help.

 

 

Jay-

[cadman]

Jay,

  There are many ways to go about this, and I would definitely start the way Smalljaw mentioned. This will give you the first sense of security. Smalljaw's post has a lot of good advise in starting this whole process out. Getting a drawing with all of the dimensions down is the best way to document your idea. However, technical drawings are  not cheap, as the drawing that is made has to reflect the product you have. I don't want to drag this out because there are so many variables  to every one instance and you will have to be the one to make your own decisions. As far as monetary gain goes, that is an open ended question. You will never know what your lure money potential could be or should have been. It is all relevant. If you can sell it for a million dollars more power to you. Is it worth more?  Maybe yes maybe no. You may find out that no-one (don't take this personally) likes your idea and it has no value to them. You may also find someone else that thinks your idea is the next greatest fishing lure. As far as how much can you get, it all depends on who is interested, and even then everyone has a limit. The final decision is yours. You will have to do a lot of leg work and homework. Good Luck and hope to see your product out one of these days.

[DelfiBoyz_One_and_Only]

 

Cadman,

 

Thanks
again for all your tips and advice! I am just gathering everyone’s tips and
eventually will (once I have enough information) have to make my own decision
on the path I take. I am just waiting to see if someone on here has done this
and sold and idea. I want to get a rough idea on what to expect in case I get a
offer for this bait/baits. I have no clue right now what someone might sell their
creations for. It would be in any companies best interest to give me as little
as I would take for a idea.

 

So let’s say I created the first chatterbait, how much could that be worth? Just
trying to get a low end number for a okay regular bait and a high end for a
game changer bait.

 

I also want to thank everyone that has given me there opinions. It's not every
day that you come across people willing to offer advise especially living so
close to a big city like DC.

 

 

Jay-

[cadman]

You will have to follow the steps as everyone outlined and take it a step at a time. No-one will be able to give you a number on what to sell it for. Before you can come up with a $ amount, you need prospective interested parties that want to talk to you. Without anyone's interest it doesn't matter. This is a final decision only you can answer, since this is your creation.

[Comfortably Numb]

You may want to post on Tackleunderground where people have more experience with this.

 

A bait can not be patented. A unique feature on the bait can. I believe the Rage patent pertains to the raised ridge on the tail/craw, appendage. This single patent applies to all the Rage baits.

 

Sounds like you want to sell your idea and the patent that would go with it, rather than producing the baits and selling the product itself.

 

Carolinamike is a bait company on tackleunderground that could make the baits for you. Custom molds are pretty expensive and I would not be surprised if startup cost were $5000+.

[DelfiBoyz_One_and_Only]

Thanks Dink will have to check that out. I appreciate your help!

 

Jay-

[Brayberry]

Just curious, and kinda off topic but what was the bait Cadman came up with but was stolen out from under him? Just curious

[Comfortably Numb]

Thanks Dink will have to check that out. I appreciate your help!

 

Jay-

 

Did he just call me a dink?

 

Just kiddin LOL

[cadman]

Just curious, and kinda off topic but what was the bait Cadman came up with but was stolen out from under him? Just curious

Brayberry, no offense to you or anyone here, but I will not discuss this issue. Thanks for your understanding.

[piscicidal]

Delfi_Boyz,

 

First off, let me say...I have 12 patents filed with the US patent office.  So, I do recognize that there is a time/place for protecting one's intellectual property.  But unless you have a really unique, useful, and differentiable concept (see Steve Parks' "Rage ridges" on his baits) I am not sure that trying to patent a lure geometry is the right way to go.  First off, filing a patent is expensive.  But, filing and DEFENDING a foreign patent from cheap Asian imitators is VERY expensive.

 

Unless you have the deep pockets to follow through on litigation, IMO, your best bet is to just go for it.  Beat any would-be plageurists to the punch.   Make sure your product is PERFECT when you are ready to go to market, stand behind it 100%, and then satisfy the &*^%$ out of your customers.  If you come out with a good product and with good customer service, your customers will stick with you rather than go for the cheap, Asian imitation.  The bass fishing industry is pretty good that way, in my experience.

 

If you want, I could look at your product(s) and give you my advice on how to proceed.  I would be happy to sign a non-disclosure agreement.

 

Mike

[BobP]

Looking at it as an outsider to the lure industry, it seems pretty daunting.  The inventors of the Chatterbait and the Alabama Rig had about a 6 month period to make and sell as many lures as possible before their market was cannibalized by other companies.  The strategy was to get enthusiasm among pro anglers, apply for patent protection, and build as many products as they could to fill demand while threatening copiers with legal action.  Copiers know that a patent is only worth as much as you are willing and able to spend to sue to make it stick.  If 20 copiers are putting out your lure in 6 months, how much of the money you earned selling it are you willing to burn, given the fact that you will never be able to sue them all?  And if a competitor puts out a product that can be legally considered as an improved or alternate design, you lose anyway.  I would contact the folks who started Chatterbait and Alabama Rig and ask their advice.  They've been through it and can give you a realistic idea of what to expect, what to look out for, etc.

[DelfiBoyz_One_and_Only]

Thanks BobP I will take that advice if they are interested in helping me out. I appreciate your advice.

Jay-

[Snakehead Whisperer]

Delfi_Boyz,

 

First off, let me say...I have 12 patents filed with the US patent office.  So, I do recognize that there is a time/place for protecting one's intellectual property.  But unless you have a really unique, useful, and differentiable concept (see Steve Parks' "Rage ridges" on his baits) I am not sure that trying to patent a lure geometry is the right way to go.  First off, filing a patent is expensive.  But, filing and DEFENDING a foreign patent from cheap Asian imitators is VERY expensive.

 

Unless you have the deep pockets to follow through on litigation, IMO, your best bet is to just go for it.  Beat any would-be plageurists to the punch.   Make sure your product is PERFECT when you are ready to go to market, stand behind it 100%, and then satisfy the &*^%$ out of your customers.  If you come out with a good product and with good customer service, your customers will stick with you rather than go for the cheap, Asian imitation.  The bass fishing industry is pretty good that way, in my experience.

 

If you want, I could look at your product(s) and give you my advice on how to proceed.  I would be happy to sign a non-disclosure agreement.

 

Mike

Sound advice. I would like to point out that most of the cheap Asian knock-offs are initially ripped off by somebody here in the US, who then source manufacturing in China. Sorry, but I'm always driving China's ambulance when this comes up. There are some seriously superior products coming out of China (especially metals, but they're not cheap.) It's the Americans who want to build stuff on the cheap who typically outsource manufacturing there... hence they don't want to pay for quality control and all of the other aspects that go into running a tight ship, leading to an inferior product. It's not the Chinese factories fault that we settle for garbage. They would happily make high quality stuff if we were willing to raise our prices here. BTW, I love HawgTech and you guys set a good example of how to do it right.

 

Also there is a thread on TU about this very thing, though it delves more into the legal aspects of being legit with taxes and the like. 

http://www.tackleunderground.com/community/index.php?/topic/24473-how-do-i-sell-my-baits-in-a-tackle-shop/

[NEjitterbugger]

All I have to say is take everyone's thoughts and really think about what your going to do. This is bassresource not some world of warcraft forum where over half the responses are negative garbage. People are giving you ideas and trying to critique your overall decision on what your going to do with this/these baits... Of course I'm not saying your not taking everyones suggestions into consideration but just remember, why would someone write something on a subject like this unless they were trying to help...