Local lure/tackle makers speak up

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Daniel Bavery on September 15, 2009 at 8:35pm

Lots of people here know what I make. 10" stik baits, I call them P-stix. I also have a small 5 1/4" stikbait mold that I use for the leftovers after cooking the 10" ones, I just give the small ones away for free.

The "company" if you will, is called Reel Invasive. Website is in the works and will be dedicated to big baits and gear related to such. If you guys have any questions or want some I can hook it up at a discount for wafish peoples, just send me a message.

This is a link for my baits:

http://www.hookeduptackle.com/m8_view_item.html?m8:item=Reel%20Inva...

Permalink Reply by Robert Akers on September 15, 2009 at 9:07pm

Well, what an opportunity for me.
I own a small company called MAD BASS Custom Baits. I am located in Wenatchee.
I have a web site under construction but some items are showing. www.madbassbaits.com.
Some of my baits are also being offered through Quest Pro Tackle - www.questprotackle.com
I specialize in what I call the NW reaper design, plus various other plastic baits. My signature bait is my version of the chatter bait called the "Chatter Bug". It's on my site.
My company is "finesse specific" and I attempt to offer colors that relate to our NW forage.
To my understanding I am the only company offering my type of reaper. I could be wrong but that is what I am told.
In addition, I have out of state contacts make (for me) topwater poppers (very good bait) and unique tube baits for this area. Lou at Coulee Playland felt they were something needed for our smallmouth fisheries.
If you have any question about my bait line, please feel free to call anytime (509) 860-1338
or of course e-mail me.
I look forward to any inquiries.

Permalink Reply by D.J. LaRoche on September 16, 2009 at 5:48am

I own West Coast Custom Tackle. I offer several different baits in a ton of different colors. www.westcoastcustomtackle.com I specialize in hand pours and do custom colors upon request. Some of my baits will also be offered by Quest Pro Tackle in the very near future. Some of my more popular baits are the Money Shot minnow, Western Lizard, Western Stik, Pro Worm and the Money Worm. I am located out of Enumclaw.

Permalink Reply by Marc Marcantonio on September 16, 2009 at 8:24am

I got onto the dropshotting technique before more than a handful heard about it in the USA. At that time I used to take a barrel swivel, and cutoff one line tie at the swivel; then I would solder a straightened brass (soft) paperclip into the hole in the barrel swivel. Then I would slide a Texas worm weight onto the paperclip and slightly bend the end to keep it from sliding off. Sometimes I would use a glass bead with the weight for added noise. The idea was if the weight got hung, you could pull hard and straighten the paper clip and the weight would slide off freeing you from the snag.

The problem was the rig was bulky, the wire was sometimes hard to straighten, and it cast absolutley terrible. Then Bakudan came out with their round weights, and this was a huge improvement so I switched to them. They were compact, cast great, and easy to attach and replace when lost. Although these were an improvement, I found round weights offered some new disadvantages. They are easy to snag in rock, which gets expensive in the Pacific Northwest. They also make it tough to tell what the bottom composition is by the feel because they roll. They also add to line twist.

The more I used the dropshot rig, the more I realized that the versatility of this rig will grow well into the future and new fishing techniques would be developed with a drosphot weight that will make it a valuable tournament tool. I just wasn't satisfied with the weights on the market.

I felt there had to be a better design, so I applied what I had learned over the years in different weight designs for different species of fish, and I felt a teardrop shape coupled with a line clip with two swivel points would cure the disadvantages. Since I couldn't find such a design on the market, and I really wanted this style for my tournament fishing, necessity became the mother of invention. I designed my own and made them myself.

They worked better than I even imagined, and before long all my friends demanded I make some for them. I make enough money with all the other jobs I do, and I really did not want to have another job that would cut into my fishing time, so I set out to develop my buisness in a way that satisfied all. I decided to have my weights made by a contractor, and I sold only to distributors. No direct sales to individuals, and no sales to tackle stores; only distributors. This way I could make them as I had time, and store large quantities, and then ship and bill only a few people instead of thousands. Of course this means considerably less profit margin, but I need my time for fishing and family, and I'm more about developing the best product that helps people enjoy their fishing than I am about being a tackle manufacturer.

Over the years I have refined the shape and components of QuickDrops to make them the best they can be. I built new molds using computer designs to give them the optimum hydrodynamic shape and balance to reduce line twist and allow straight casting and sinking. They are made in the USA, and are available at most tackle stores (including QuestTackle.com) and are packaged in recloseable plastic boxes. The labels are color coded by size to make it easy to pick out what size you need.

No other dropshot weight comes in 8 sizes from 1/16 oz up to 1 ounce.

My company name is West Coast Tackle & Co. (not to be confused with West Coast Custom Tackle) and this includes my QuickDrops business along with my tournament fishing business and my outdoor writing business (and some tackle sales rep business). I'm located in Steilacoom, WA. I also make other custom tackle items, but not for sale until I retire from my fulltime occupation.

I can't tell you how satisfying it is to have designed and supplied a product that is used by most of the top pros in the west (guys like Gary Dobyns and Ron Hobbs Jr.), and especially for my own use in my fishing. And thanks to all of you for your support!

ciao,
Marc Marcantonio
www.QuickDropsWeights.com
www.WestCoastTackleAndCompany.com
www.MarcMarcantonioBassPro.com

Permalink Reply by Aaron Christel on September 16, 2009 at 9:58pm

Mark, I went looking for some of your weights today and Auburn and Sportco are out. Sportco had 1/8 and 1/16, but I needed 3/8 or 3/16. I ended up getting some that I didn't want to purchase, but I needed them. How long before they are restocked? Since you work in Edgewood, is there any way to meet some time?

Thanks, Aaron

P.S., your weights are pretty darn good!

Marc Marcantonio said:

I got onto the dropshotting technique before more than a handful heard about it in the USA. At that time I used to take a barrel swivel, and cutoff one line tie at the swivel; then I would solder a straightened brass (soft) paperclip into the hole in the barrel swivel. Then I would slide a Texas worm weight onto the paperclip and slightly bend the end to keep it from sliding off. Sometimes I would use a glass bead with the weight for added noise. The idea was if the weight got hung, you could pull hard and straighten the paper clip and the weight would slide off freeing you from the snag.

The problem was the rig was bulky, the wire was sometimes hard to straighten, and it cast absolutley terrible. Then Bakudan came out with their round weights, and this was a huge improvement so I switched to them. They were compact, cast great, and easy to attach and replace when lost. Although these were an improvement, I found round weights offered some new disadvantages. They are easy to snag in rock, which gets expensive in the Pacific Northwest. They also make it tough to tell what the bottom composition is by the feel because they roll. They also add to line twist.

The more I used the dropshot rig, the more I realized that the versatility of this rig will grow well into the future and new fishing techniques would be developed with a drosphot weight that will make it a valuable tournament tool. I just wasn't satisfied with the weights on the market.

I felt there had to be a better design, so I applied what I had learned over the years in different weight designs for different species of fish, and I felt a teardrop shape coupled with a line clip with two swivel points would cure the disadvantages. Since I couldn't find such a design on the market, and I really wanted this style for my tournament fishing, necessity became the mother of invention. I designed my own and made them myself.

They worked better than I even imagined, and before long all my friends demanded I make some for them. I make enough money with all the other jobs I do, and I really did not want to have another job that would cut into my fishing time, so I set out to develop my buisness in a way that satisfied all. I decided to have my weights made by a contractor, and I sold only to distributors. No direct sales to individuals, and no sales to tackle stores; only distributors. This way I could make them as I had time, and store large quantities, and then ship and bill only a few people instead of thousands. Of course this means considerably less profit margin, but I need my time for fishing and family, and I'm more about developing the best product that helps people enjoy their fishing than I am about being a tackle manufacturer.

Over the years I have refined the shape and components of QuickDrops to make them the best they can be. I built new molds using computer designs to give them the optimum hydrodynamic shape and balance to reduce line twist and allow straight casting and sinking. They are made in the USA, and are available at most tackle stores (including QuestTackle.com) and are packaged in recloseable plastic boxes. The labels are color coded by size to make it easy to pick out what size you need.

No other dropshot weight comes in 8 sizes from 1/16 oz up to 1 ounce.

My company name is West Coast Tackle & Co. (not to be confused with West Coast Custom Tackle) and this includes my QuickDrops business along with my tournament fishing business and my outdoor writing business (and some tackle sales rep business). I'm located in Steilacoom, WA. I also make other custom tackle items, but not for sale until I retire from my fulltime occupation.

I can't tell you how satisfying it is to have designed and supplied a product that is used by most of the top pros in the west (guys like Gary Dobyns and Ron Hobbs Jr.), and especially for my own use in my fishing. And thanks to all of you for your support!

ciao,
Marc Marcantonio
www.QuickDropsWeights.com
www.WestCoastTackleAndCompany.com
www.MarcMarcantonioBassPro.com

Permalink Reply by Marc Marcantonio on September 16, 2009 at 10:11pm

Aaron,

Actually I delivered plenty of every size QuickDrop to Sportco more than a week ago, and they just have not put them out on the pegs yet. They have them in their possession, so if you go there tell them to get them out of the back stock room. Outdoor Emporium should also have them in stock. I believe 3 Rivers Marine has them in stock as well.

I don't know why, but Auburn has not ordered any in a long time; those who shop there should ask them to carry them again. QuestProTackle.com has them in stock, and when all else fails, TackleWarehouse.com always has them in stock and fast delivery.

Sure we could meet sometime on my lunch break in Edgewood! Thanks for the nice comments about QuickDrops, also.

ciao,
Marc

AARON373V said:

Mark, I went looking for some of your weights today and Auburn and Sportco are out. Sportco had 1/8 and 1/16, but I needed 3/8 or 3/16. I ended up getting some that I didn't want to purchase, but I needed them. How long before they are restocked? Since you work in Edgewood, is there any way to meet some time?

Thanks, Aaron

P.S., your weights are pretty darn good!

Marc Marcantonio said:

I got onto the dropshotting technique before more than a handful heard about it in the USA. At that time I used to take a barrel swivel, and cutoff one line tie at the swivel; then I would solder a straightened brass (soft) paperclip into the hole in the barrel swivel. Then I would slide a Texas worm weight onto the paperclip and slightly bend the end to keep it from sliding off. Sometimes I would use a glass bead with the weight for added noise. The idea was if the weight got hung, you could pull hard and straighten the paper clip and the weight would slide off freeing you from the snag.

The problem was the rig was bulky, the wire was sometimes hard to straighten, and it cast absolutley terrible. Then Bakudan came out with their round weights, and this was a huge improvement so I switched to them. They were compact, cast great, and easy to attach and replace when lost. Although these were an improvement, I found round weights offered some new disadvantages. They are easy to snag in rock, which gets expensive in the Pacific Northwest. They also make it tough to tell what the bottom composition is by the feel because they roll. They also add to line twist.

The more I used the dropshot rig, the more I realized that the versatility of this rig will grow well into the future and new fishing techniques would be developed with a drosphot weight that will make it a valuable tournament tool. I just wasn't satisfied with the weights on the market.

I felt there had to be a better design, so I applied what I had learned over the years in different weight designs for different species of fish, and I felt a teardrop shape coupled with a line clip with two swivel points would cure the disadvantages. Since I couldn't find such a design on the market, and I really wanted this style for my tournament fishing, necessity became the mother of invention. I designed my own and made them myself.

They worked better than I even imagined, and before long all my friends demanded I make some for them. I make enough money with all the other jobs I do, and I really did not want to have another job that would cut into my fishing time, so I set out to develop my buisness in a way that satisfied all. I decided to have my weights made by a contractor, and I sold only to distributors. No direct sales to individuals, and no sales to tackle stores; only distributors. This way I could make them as I had time, and store large quantities, and then ship and bill only a few people instead of thousands. Of course this means considerably less profit margin, but I need my time for fishing and family, and I'm more about developing the best product that helps people enjoy their fishing than I am about being a tackle manufacturer.

Over the years I have refined the shape and components of QuickDrops to make them the best they can be. I built new molds using computer designs to give them the optimum hydrodynamic shape and balance to reduce line twist and allow straight casting and sinking. They are made in the USA, and are available at most tackle stores (including QuestTackle.com) and are packaged in recloseable plastic boxes. The labels are color coded by size to make it easy to pick out what size you need.

No other dropshot weight comes in 8 sizes from 1/16 oz up to 1 ounce.

My company name is West Coast Tackle & Co. (not to be confused with West Coast Custom Tackle) and this includes my QuickDrops business along with my tournament fishing business and my outdoor writing business (and some tackle sales rep business). I'm located in Steilacoom, WA. I also make other custom tackle items, but not for sale until I retire from my fulltime occupation.

I can't tell you how satisfying it is to have designed and supplied a product that is used by most of the top pros in the west (guys like Gary Dobyns and Ron Hobbs Jr.), and especially for my own use in my fishing. And thanks to all of you for your support!

ciao,
Marc Marcantonio
www.QuickDropsWeights.com
www.WestCoastTackleAndCompany.com
www.MarcMarcantonioBassPro.com

Permalink Reply by Aaron Christel on September 16, 2009 at 10:28pm

Perfect Mark, I will send you an e-mail in a week or two when these crappy ones I got find a deep watery death. I appreciate it!

Permalink Reply by Randy Klemonsky on September 17, 2009 at 8:48pm

Good to know Sportco has Quickdrops on hand. It's been burning me up. They've been out for @ least a month and a half.

AARON373V said:

Mark, I went looking for some of your weights today and Auburn and Sportco are out. Sportco had 1/8 and 1/16, but I needed 3/8 or 3/16. I ended up getting some that I didn't want to purchase, but I needed them. How long before they are restocked? Since you work in Edgewood, is there any way to meet some time?

Thanks, Aaron

P.S., your weights are pretty darn good!

Marc Marcantonio said:

I got onto the dropshotting technique before more than a handful heard about it in the USA. At that time I used to take a barrel swivel, and cutoff one line tie at the swivel; then I would solder a straightened brass (soft) paperclip into the hole in the barrel swivel. Then I would slide a Texas worm weight onto the paperclip and slightly bend the end to keep it from sliding off. Sometimes I would use a glass bead with the weight for added noise. The idea was if the weight got hung, you could pull hard and straighten the paper clip and the weight would slide off freeing you from the snag.

The problem was the rig was bulky, the wire was sometimes hard to straighten, and it cast absolutley terrible. Then Bakudan came out with their round weights, and this was a huge improvement so I switched to them. They were compact, cast great, and easy to attach and replace when lost. Although these were an improvement, I found round weights offered some new disadvantages. They are easy to snag in rock, which gets expensive in the Pacific Northwest. They also make it tough to tell what the bottom composition is by the feel because they roll. They also add to line twist.

The more I used the dropshot rig, the more I realized that the versatility of this rig will grow well into the future and new fishing techniques would be developed with a drosphot weight that will make it a valuable tournament tool. I just wasn't satisfied with the weights on the market.

I felt there had to be a better design, so I applied what I had learned over the years in different weight designs for different species of fish, and I felt a teardrop shape coupled with a line clip with two swivel points would cure the disadvantages. Since I couldn't find such a design on the market, and I really wanted this style for my tournament fishing, necessity became the mother of invention. I designed my own and made them myself.

They worked better than I even imagined, and before long all my friends demanded I make some for them. I make enough money with all the other jobs I do, and I really did not want to have another job that would cut into my fishing time, so I set out to develop my buisness in a way that satisfied all. I decided to have my weights made by a contractor, and I sold only to distributors. No direct sales to individuals, and no sales to tackle stores; only distributors. This way I could make them as I had time, and store large quantities, and then ship and bill only a few people instead of thousands. Of course this means considerably less profit margin, but I need my time for fishing and family, and I'm more about developing the best product that helps people enjoy their fishing than I am about being a tackle manufacturer.

Over the years I have refined the shape and components of QuickDrops to make them the best they can be. I built new molds using computer designs to give them the optimum hydrodynamic shape and balance to reduce line twist and allow straight casting and sinking. They are made in the USA, and are available at most tackle stores (including QuestTackle.com) and are packaged in recloseable plastic boxes. The labels are color coded by size to make it easy to pick out what size you need.

No other dropshot weight comes in 8 sizes from 1/16 oz up to 1 ounce.

My company name is West Coast Tackle & Co. (not to be confused with West Coast Custom Tackle) and this includes my QuickDrops business along with my tournament fishing business and my outdoor writing business (and some tackle sales rep business). I'm located in Steilacoom, WA. I also make other custom tackle items, but not for sale until I retire from my fulltime occupation.

I can't tell you how satisfying it is to have designed and supplied a product that is used by most of the top pros in the west (guys like Gary Dobyns and Ron Hobbs Jr.), and especially for my own use in my fishing. And thanks to all of you for your support!

ciao,
Marc Marcantonio
www.QuickDropsWeights.com
www.WestCoastTackleAndCompany.com
www.MarcMarcantonioBassPro.com

Permalink Reply by Mike Bess on September 17, 2009 at 11:25pm

If sportco knew the meaning of "take your merchandise out of the back and restock your shelves" there would never be a problem. I've had their staff look in the back for 30 min before and guess what? They actually had what I was looking for.

Permalink Reply by Aaron Christel on September 18, 2009 at 12:18am

i was there Tuesday morning and a guy was stocking the shelves. I asked him about them and he said no. Thats frustrating.

Mike Bess said:

If sportco knew the meaning of "take your merchandise out of the back and restock your shelves" there would never be a problem. I've had their staff look in the back for 30 min before and guess what? They actually had what I was looking for.

Permalink Reply by Mike Lukjanowicz on September 27, 2009 at 7:23am

I started pouring basic lead heads a few years back, just for myself. A few friends needed some here & there, and that grew. I started making skirts last year, which turned into making jigs, and now after much trial and error, have some really good stuff. Not really an actual company yet, (name still in the works, and can not dedicate 100% of my time), but I am working on building up a small business. Some of you have seen my stuff, and can attest to the quality of the current line up. I've gotten feedback from some, but I'd love feedback from anyone who has used them. I'll try to post some pics in the near future. Currently offering 3 head shapes, (Lots of sizes), and 6 great colors. If you have any interest send me a dm. Hopinig to use this fall to really have a great assortment ready for 2010.