Hey fellers........I could use a little input from some of you local bass fishermen around this area. I've been doing a little bit of lure making and custom painting for my own personal use for several years now. During that time I've also done a few lures for some of my fishing buddy's, and several of them have tried to get me to start a little business of it. Well, about this time last year I decided that I would give it a shot and at least test the water just to see if there was anything to it. I created a very basic website, and even ran a few lures on ebay and such just trying to get some exposure. I've also painted up a few samples and handed them out (with a business card) to some of the fishermen that I run into around the local lakes here (mainly Lay, Logan, and Neely).
Now I'll be completely honest, I don't do taxidermist type high tech painting like we see some of these custom painters do, but I don't charge ridiculous prices to do them either. I try to stay with basic bass fishing patterns and colors that have high catching potential, and put a quality protective clear coat on every lure that I do. I seldom charge over about $3 a lure to the local's around here, and on average can complete and return the lures within a week or so.
I'm really trying to keep most of my business with the more local folks around here, and trying my best not to do a whole bunch of internet stuff (like ebay) if I can stay away from it. So far, I'm finding my efforts here locally to be slow at best. I'm doing a few lures every now and then, but when I do it's been mostly for some of the guys that I've known for a while. I don't do any tournament fishing anymore, so I'm really not doing any politicking around the ramps when things are really shaking. Even the couple of local tourney fishermen that I occasionally do something for never tell anyone because they don't want their competition using the same lure that they're using most of the time. :)
I realize this slow economy has many of us watching what we spend these days on recreational stuff, and maybe that's part of the reason that I'm having a hard time getting off the ground with my little venture. That said, I'm wandering if there is really much of this type thing to do around here when/if the economy was better. I also realize that from where I'm located here near Logan Martin, that the BPS in Leeds is really only a few minutes drive away, and you can just about buy any color/pattern/size of anything down there and be fishing with it the same day.

I guess what I'm asking here before I invest anymore on tools or supplies, is there a local business to be done with this thing to start with ??? Do many of you guys have this type work done ???.....and is about $3 a lure being reasonable for this area ??? . Now, so far I haven't invested $$$ into this thing that has put me in an awkward situation because I enjoy messing around with it for my own personal use anyway. That said, I wouldn't mind getting into this a little deeper and make a little bit of mad money every once in a while if I can.

I realize that there are several bbc members here that do custom work and advertise on the boards here. I'm in no way trying to cut into what they're doing or attempting to get "free advertising". I'm really just trying to find out if there is a local market here to be worked, and if there is a buck or two to be made every once in a while doing it. If not, then I'm gonna just keep on keeping on like I've been doing for years....but if there is, I would like to pursue it a little further maybe.

Got any advice...ideas...suggestions ????? don't worry about hurting my feelings, or speaking the blunt honest truth. I would much rather your reply/opinion be honest rather than to blow smoke up my butt.

Thanks in advance,

Diddle