Independent Bait Makers

[Jaderose]

Over the last couple of years or so, I've just about given up on buying baits from the big mfr's.  Most of the soft plastics, jigs, spinners, etc. I buy are made by folks working in their garages and have facebook pages or the like.  There are some real artists out there that are doing some really cool things...I typically get EXACTLY what I want, how I want it, AND I get the satisfaction of dealing with and giving my money to a single person that I can talk to and discuss things with.  This is NOT a slam on the big producers nor is it an advertisement for for any particular bait maker.  Just curious if anyone else has moved away from the big boys.

[Cgolf]

Not really. I did have my in laws get me some swing oil baits for Christmas that I am very pleased with, but as a general rule I only purchase stuff I can source locally or order from TW with free shipping. I don't want to order from here and there and get nailed for shipping from each place regardless of how cool the stuff may be. Not sure if this will change in the future or not, time will tell. I do know I will replace the swing oil baits when I run out, so that is a start.

[fishinbub]

I've always made as much of my gear as possible. I started tying flies and building fly rods when I was in middle school...I've even toyed with building cane rods and making fly lines. There's so much more information about making bass tackle and the start-up is considerably cheaper than the fly fishing gear...it really blows my mind. I've got no issue with the big box guys, I just get more satistfaction out of doing it myself.

[Big C]

I prefer small companies over big ones, any day (not just one guy opperations, just not "mega" companies).  Would you rather have someone who cares about what they do, doing their best to make the best lure possible, or a some distant factory, full of people who could care less?  Does it cost a little more?  Yes.  Is it worth it?  It is for me. I avoid the REALLY big companies, their stuff just doesn't appeal to me.  A few of my favorites are Big Hammer, Huddleston, Bull Shad, ect.  But being a lure maker, I'm probably a little biased.

[Gungun96]

I do enjoy buying from smaller bait companies but for jigs I will never buy from another large company. You can get much better quality jigs from people working out of a garage making custom jigs.

[HeartlandBassin]

i havent bought a jig in at least 3 years. I started making my own with my dad and i will never buy another. you can make EXACTLY what you want and i feel pretty accomplished when i catch a kicker on something I made.

[Jaderose]

The VAAAAST majority of my jigs are Northstar.  and I will replace with Northstar or Sieberts.  A lot of the really little guys include shipping in their prices.  I don't have anything against the big boys and I do, of course, buy from them.  I just like giving my money to the guy I can actually talk to and I've gotten some amazing baits.  The vast majority of these guys are mostly making baits for themselves and sell just to finance their "addiction".  I've bought preacher jigs custom made in the colors I wanted and with the amount of flash I wanted for less than 3 bucks each.  You think the bait monkey is bad when you go to BPS or TW?  Try dealing with him when the prices are low and the options are endless.  Guys like Sieberts or Northstar started just like this, I'm sure.  Making stuff in a garage.  Heck, Northstar is still that way.  I've been in Chris's workshop.  It ain't much but there some amazing jigs coming out of there.

 

 

 

With all that said, I recently wanted had to cut the barb off a Live Target Frog to unhook a smaller bass.  The body was still fine so I sent Live Target an email asking to purchase some replacement hooks.  I was told they didn't sell them but they would give me one.  They sent 2.  Bigger company but still great customer service.

[stkbassn]

There are great baits being made by the big manufacturers and the little guys , including the one man operations.  I have a mixture of both and just buy what strikes me as something I might do well on or think is quality. I have the most fun and get more satisfaction buying handmade custom baits and look forward to those the most but I buy more of the big guys stuff because it's always readily available and usually a bit more affordable and practical for every day fishing.