JBuff

I don't see much if anything these days when it comes to infringement. I say this because at one time I got caught up in a mess where the players were heavy hitters in the mass production side of the industry. I learned the hard way, Del talked me into making me some molds back in 2011. He told me I only needed to modify the bait 20% and I wouldn't get sued. I believed him $3,600.00 it cost me for 6 6 cavity molds, produced my first batch put them up for sale. 3 days later I get a cease and desist from Reaction Innovation. I called Del all I got was let them sue you, that didn't help any. Then it became even more complicated when I got a call from Net Bait's lawyer grilling me for answers because they were suing Reaction for infringement. Here's the irony to the whole thing, Del was the originator of the Sweet Beaver CAD and RI ran with it and sold them while they were in AZ. before acquiring the patent, because of this anyone could've been making the bait and would've had a good leg to stand on in court. Del and I talked about it at length, LOL he still had the original CAD in his possession at the time not RI who patented it until 2014 when they didn't renew it. I didn't fault Del but it dulled me to the idea of having a mold made ever again

I don't know when MF discontinued the Blue Craw just love it. The Bear's is a relic for sure bought it in 2011 the last 2 oz bottle I have unopened and I shake it from time to time.

As a primary there's 2 choices to infuse blue in a laminated bait colorant or hi lite. Application in process allows for blue to accent or be dominate. If you make baits with blue for Bass blue to us is not blue to them. Blue was and is tricky for me because I focus on the true color a one time heat and done. I have 3 blues Bear's Marine, MF Blue Craw and California Blue from Lurecraft. They're all different in how they cook up, IMO the MF is the best because I can multi task it, cooked it's awesome, a color I can't arrive at with either of the other 2.

IMO an underappreciated color that I struggled with to keep. When, where and how....share your thoughts.

I'm not sure why they're using a mixing bowl would seem to be easier to use a measuring cup handle and accurate no need of a scale. Since they're injecting I'd believe they would be more efficient with pots. LOL "what does your dad do for a living'? "He lines up worms on a cookie sheet and he's really good at it".

Observations I've made over the years: 1) Shipping costs have soared stressing the profit threshold, either charge more or eat profit in an effort to stay competitive. I used a 3% increase rule starting every January, it wasn't enough but it did ease some of the overall profit loss. 2) One of the mistakes I made was not weighing out the savings I would have by purchasing plastic in bulk. Had I done this sooner I would've doubled my profit over the long term. 3) Limiting waste, by this I mean I calculated out as near to the ounce I required for each pour based on cavity count. I was set on only using fresh plastic for my baits because of this it was much simpler to be consistent with the colors. 4) Building a new business and continuing it's growth are two different issues. I observed how certain company's were growing or not in most cases it was obvious why in either. I got caught up in the biggest trap for a period of time and had to make the decision to step back or I wasn't going to last much longer. The trap was the desire to have product in any retailer that wanted it which leads to all sorts of issues including the increase in time producing to meet demand. That might sound like a good problem to have, trust me it's not, between the mental and physical stress I almost had a nervous breakdown. 5) Good publicity isn't always good for a business: I give an example, it was my first year when I received a message from a major publication asking me to send some baits for an episode of their TV show. I was flattered at first then the reality of the opportunity hit me. I had one modified 5 cavity mold for that particular bait the allure of being on TV and a free add in their magazine would've caused a demand I could never fulfill. There was no way I could afford at the time to purchase and modify more molds to keep up. Good publicity would've turned into bad publicity because I would be known as the guy that couldn't supply. The moral of the story is just because it has potential that potential can't influence your decision making to the point it can bury you.

Everyone who reads this should take it to heart for example: I took on a contract to pour 17,500 6" two color worms @ .22 ea. The profit was .06 ea. 35,000 strokes trust me I was miserable for most of the pour. When completed they wanted to double the next order, I told them the price would almost double which they balked at and I was kind of happy they did.

Every bait maker has come up with "the big waste of time mix". What gets me is when I make the same mistake a year later. The moments that you hit it spot is the driver, they remind you why it is that you do what you do. It can be integrating snake skin, an 8 layer laminate or color. During my time at the box store I had 3 customers that went in together and ordered 750 bags of Zoom Dirt brush hogs. Clay might be a great color it's funny really it's the ugly baits that work better than our perceived perfect match.

I recently offered some of my molds on a FB page. Never sold any before and I had no idea that scamming had become a big issue. Really weird when someone questions your integrity, I don't expect everyone to know me but still they could've looked up my profile on FB before posting some rude bs. I bailed and will probably go the ebay route even if it costs me money....messed up world these days.

I'd share a recipe if there was one, I made these from sprew mixes of various amounts.

Lots of good input posted in this thread of which I believe one of the most important is the decision to turn a hobby into a paying venture. I had my reasons for starting Fringe none which existed at the time of my retirement. If I was to convey anything to a start up: 1) Clear purpose 2) Analyze all of the available data prior. 3) Don't write checks your body can't cash, in other words know your limits if not you'll burn out trying. 4) Stay your course but maintain the ability to be flexible as needed. 5) Innovate it's the one issue that you control and by doing so you have ownership.

Craws for me are the most enjoyable bait I've ever made which stems from my days of tournament fishing. At each event I fished I would walk the bank and turn over rocks in search of getting a craw or two to use in deciding which color trailers I would use for my jigs. As mentioned above there are so many sub species and color variations making them is never boring. I found the greatest challenge is imitating the molting version which involves semi milky opaque and translucent elements. I only hand pour so I have options as to how many colors I can integrate in the laminating process needed to create the illusion ranging from 2 to 4 with 3 being the most common. If I'm really energetic I'll pick up a few lake rocks and bring them to the shop for color matching since they molt to their surroundings. I put them in a glass bowl of water then start to match in plastic, I do dibble in making my own skirt material so this is beneficial for that as well. How I've always viewed making a craw in how I'm going to fish it first and what the fish is going to see while I fish it. 99% of the craws I make have a an opaque white/pink or peach belly/bottom. The colors I mix and match the most often are Amber, GP, Red, MF Blue Craw and Scuppernong. Flake colors most commonly used .015 black, orange, red, blue, copper, .035 gold, red, copper

I had a conversation with David Alexander about it, he told me his postmaster chewed him out because one of his shipments leaked and made a mess. He was told don't do it again, David shipped only UPS after that and even though it was more expensive at the time he said it was a relief to not have to worry about it.

For starters you can test USPS but I wouldn't if they catch you they may not give it back. UPS & Fed Ex will ship liquids. I generally ship colorants a box within a box when possible. I wrap it with electrical tape around the cap regardless if it's been used or not and then put it in a zip lock bag. Most of the time if there's a problem it has to do with the lid. I'd be interested in all of the Bears

As I see it you have 2 choices. Start with June bug and add red or Blue fleck with a reduced amount of black.