cfrydenborg Posted July 17, 2014 Report Share Posted July 17, 2014 (edited) Hey guys, I just had an amazing idea for a new crankbait. For understandable reasons I do not want to disclose it. I realize the chances of it going anywhere are probably less than 1000000 to 1. Does anyone have any experience of how I could take it from just an idea to a product on a shelf. Any help would be greatly appreciated. By the way, I'm 15, so i don't have access to a great amount of resources or money. Edited July 17, 2014 by cfrydenborg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anglinarcher Posted July 17, 2014 Report Share Posted July 17, 2014 You have asked the million dollar question for sure. Fortunately there are a lot of people on this site that make lures and have businesses. I don't, not a production guy myself, at least not yet. But, I would first do a Patent check of your own on the internet. The US Patent Office has all existing Patents on line. Even then, you probably will not understand all of it. If you do, then stop making lures and become a patent lawyer, they make more money. LOL Eventually you will need to apply for a patent if you wish to protect it. If it is patentable, then get a patent. I suspect a Utility Patent would be your best bet, but do a search on this site for other responses. Next, DO NOT JUST SEND SAMPLES TO COMPANIES. They will copy the idea and you will get nothing. Next? A lot of people on this site have their own companies, but making crankbaits of sufficient quantity to make real money is probably tough. A design I have would sell for good money, but I cannot "crank" them out fast enough. It would make a decent side business if I did not have to work out of town so often, so perhaps this is something you can do. Last, if you want to go into big time production, well I personally cannot even start to help you. I hope there are ideas that come from others that help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dlaery Posted July 17, 2014 Report Share Posted July 17, 2014 unfortunately it's probably more about who you know, not what you know. If I were you I would try to make a prototype, I would make detail drawing and descriptions the best you can, I would notarize these documents, then look into getting a patent, not from a patent lawyer. I have a young man working for me and he come up with a product, got a patent, I think it is called a provisional patent, someone else on here might know, it cost him 2 or 3 hundred bucks. He is making them himself and cannot keep up with just local orders. That doesn't mean your idea would do that. His is somewhat simple but has some manufacturing problems. don't trust anyone with you idea. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RayburnGuy Posted July 17, 2014 Report Share Posted July 17, 2014 I would add one thing to what Dlaery said. When you have made drawings, and prototypes if possible, of your lure make copies and mail them to yourself. Once you receive them DO NOT open the package. The post mark will give you proof of the date you started working on your idea and could prove invaluable if you end up trying to protect your idea in court from anyone that has tried to steal your concept. good luck. Ben Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skeeter Posted July 21, 2014 Report Share Posted July 21, 2014 "By the way, I'm 15, so i don't have access to a great amount of resources or money." So what do you have access to? Skeeter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cfrydenborg Posted July 21, 2014 Author Report Share Posted July 21, 2014 (edited) about 500 bucks, some lure kits, and a few ideas. Edited July 21, 2014 by cfrydenborg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cfrydenborg Posted July 21, 2014 Author Report Share Posted July 21, 2014 (edited) "By the way, I'm 15, so i don't have access to a great amount of resources or money." So what do you have access to? Skeeter about 500 bucks, some lure kits, and a few ideas. Edited July 21, 2014 by cfrydenborg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skeeter Posted July 21, 2014 Report Share Posted July 21, 2014 What will the new crankbait be made of? Is there a way that you can make a prototype of the lure? You really don't have the money to have a company make the lure for you. You are going to have to make it yourself and see if the thing works. My suggestion is that you make the lure out of balsa first. Balsa is very easy to work with. To really make money on a lure either you or someone else is going to have to mass produce them. If the lure is to be made out of plastic, then an injection mold will have to be made. You are looking at a minimum of $3500 to $5500 for a one cavity mold. Those are prices from 10 yrs ago. Injection molds are rated at how many pounds per square inch (PSI) the mold can take as the plastic is being shot into the mold. The molds are made in two pieces and then the mold is strapped with metal bands to hold it together while the plastic is being injected. The higher the PSI rating of the mold.... the more bands it has and the more expensive it is. Plus you will need to find someone to make the mold for you and someone that has the machine to inject the plastic into the mold. Additionally, you will need to determine what type of plastic you are going to use. This can help determine how strong the mold will have to be made. Different types of plastics are injected at different PSI settings. So for starters, get some balsa and make one. You need to test your theories on your new design. NO ONE is going to invest that kind of money into making your bait unless you can show them that it is something special to begin with. At 15, I don't think anyone will believe that you have an engineering degree from MIT. So you have to show them. You need to prove to someone that you know what you are talking about. Sooooo, as we say here on TU......."Time to go play in the sawdust." Skeeter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
