thill Posted January 11, 2008 Report Share Posted January 11, 2008 I came up with a lure design some years ago that really proved successful at picking bigger fish out of a school of mixed ocean fish. They really worked well. Friends pressed me to mass produce the lure, after getting a patent. But observing that even patented lures quickly gathered knockoffs, I came to the conclusion that I would be better to keep my lure to myself and close friends, and enjoy how well it works! I think, because the lure really works, that within a year or two, the big boys would be making knockoffs that would push the original right out of the market. Then the fish would get used to seeing them and their success would drop off. In the end, I would have just wasted my time, effort and idea. What do you guys think? Small and successful, or go big and try for the $$$? -TH Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Legendary Posted January 11, 2008 Report Share Posted January 11, 2008 If I was you I would mass produce it and make your money the first year or two. Just make sure you can make enough to supply your market. Thats when knock-offs get the advantage. As you ca see though in fishing theirs always something new and better next year so make the money why you can. Just my opinion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Senkosam Posted January 11, 2008 Report Share Posted January 11, 2008 Agree with the logic and realities of both posts. Do you have the legal resources, funds and time to fight and infringement? Few of us do and k/o's come out of the woodwork from the big boys who browse this site. To establish the bait: 1. produce it in numbers that the distributor(s) can count on 2. maintain customer loyalty with service and good price If the bait is as good as you say it is, it doesn't matter how many fish have seen it. It will work year after year and be a standard, regardless of how many of the big boys discontinue selling it. Good Luck FrankM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Prager Posted January 11, 2008 Report Share Posted January 11, 2008 It wouldn't take that long for the ko's to appear if you have "this years" hot bait. Just look at the Basstrix of Chatterbait. A couple of month's after it made it's way onto the front cover of Bassmaster, you can now buy ko's at Bass Pro Shops. If you have the next great bait, make as many as you can, because that's all you'll have the opportunity to sell! It's a real shame but it is what it is! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
longhorn Posted January 11, 2008 Report Share Posted January 11, 2008 I agree with your conclusion to keep it small and enjoy the success. I've read a thread on here that a guy got the patent and spent thousands and still didn't have his investment back. I have a bait that I keep to myself because so far nothing like it has come out so the bass are not conditioned to it. I'm sure many on this site have something they keep for themselves and close friends. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thill Posted January 15, 2008 Author Report Share Posted January 15, 2008 Guys, Thanks for the feedback. This lure is in it's 7th year of production, and is more in demand than ever. But I've gotten tired of the nights of pouring plastic and mixing colors, so I've stopped taking orders. The startup costs I've gotten to get the lures produced for me run from $3500 to $7500, and it would take a LOT of lures just to cover those costs. Hard to pull the trigger when you are not sure you will even recover your startup. -TH Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
