Custom Tackle Authority Podcast

Shawn Akemon
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The Custom Tackle Authority Podcast brings together custom tackle makers, anglers, and fishing creators for real conversations about bait building, fishing culture, live content, and the passion behind custom tackle.

Episodes

  1. Oct 8

    20 Years in the Bait Business — So Why Wasn't It Ever Full-Time? | Lost River Lures

    What does it really take to run a successful bait business for 20 years? In this episode, I sit down with Mark from Lost River Lures to talk about the reality of building and maintaining a custom bait business for two decades. Mark has built a successful business, earned recognition from the fishing industry, had his baits featured by Bassmaster, connected with professional anglers, and even had the opportunity to meet some of the biggest names in the fishing world. So why didn't bait making ever become his full-time job? We dig into that question and talk honestly about the realities of running a bait business — margins, time, growth, scaling, and the difference between building a successful side business and turning it into a full-time career. And if you're a spinnerbait fisherman, there's something here for you too. Mark shares a spinnerbait masterclass covering the details, decisions, and thinking that go into building and fishing an effective spinnerbait. This is a conversation about more than making baits. It's about knowing what success actually looks like, understanding the business behind the product, and figuring out when — or whether — it's worth turning your passion into your full-time job. In this episode: 20 years in the bait businessWhat it really takes to keep a bait business goingWhy success doesn't always mean going full-timeThe economics and margins of custom tackleGrowing vs. staying smallWorking with professional anglers and the fishing industryWhat Mark learned along the wayA deep dive into spinnerbaitsSpinnerbait design, fishing, and presentationLessons for anyone thinking about starting a bait business20 years of experience. A successful bait business. And a lot of lessons worth hearing. Find Lost River Lures through Custom Tackle Authority and discover independent tackle makers you won't find at the big box store.

    20 Years in the Bait Business — So Why Wasn't It Ever Full-Time? | Lost River Lures

  2. Sep 15

    The Prostaff Problem: What Bait Makers Really Want | Featuring Sapper Baits

    The Prostaff Problem: What Bait Makers Really Want | Featuring Sapper Baits What does a bait maker actually look for in a prostaffer? In this episode of the Custom Tackle Authority Podcast, we sit down with Sapper Baits to take a deeper look at the relationship between small bait makers and the anglers who want to represent them. We talk about what “prostaff” really means, how bait makers find the right people to represent their brand, and the difference between a genuine brand ambassador and someone simply looking for free baits. We also get into the questions a lot of anglers—and a lot of small bait makers—probably have:  What makes someone a good prostaffer?  Do bait makers actually want people asking for free baits in exchange for videos?  What does a valuable prostaffer bring to a small bait company?  How important is actually being a customer first?  What makes someone stand out when a bait maker is looking for people to represent the brand?  What should anglers understand before approaching a small bait maker about prostaff?  And what should bait makers consider when building their own prostaff? This isn't just a conversation about getting free tackle. It's a look at how the relationship between a bait maker and the angler representing that brand can actually work—and what both sides need to bring to the table. Custom Tackle Authority is built to be the bridge between custom tackle makers and the anglers who want to discover them. This conversation is another look behind the curtain at the people who make the tackle we fish. Builders. Anglers. A Stronger Tackle Community.

    The Prostaff Problem: What Bait Makers Really Want | Featuring Sapper Baits

  3. Sep 4

    Po_gonefishin and the Sponsorship Game

    What does it really take to turn a social media following into sponsorships, opportunities, and a business? In this episode of the Custom Tackle Authority Podcast, Shawn sits down with Po_gonefishin to talk about the journey from building an audience to turning that audience into real-world opportunities. Po shares his experiences as a fishing creator, including what it takes to build an engaged following, attract sponsors, create valuable brand relationships, and turn content creation into something bigger than social media. The conversation explores the realities of sponsorships, branding, content creation, and building a business around an audience. From getting noticed by brands to understanding what sponsors actually bring to the table, Po offers an inside look at what happens when a following starts creating opportunities. Topics Covered:  Building an audience through social media  Turning followers into opportunities  Landing and working with sponsors  Creating value for brand partners  Building relationships with businesses and brands  Growing from content creator into entrepreneur  The future of Po_gonefishin and his business ventures The followers are just the beginning. The real game starts after the follow.

    Po_gonefishin and the Sponsorship Game

  4. Jul 31

    Custom Tackle Authority Podcast Episode 2: Built for the Hunt: From Sharks to Bass

    What happens when an angler develops a passion for both freshwater bass fishing and saltwater adventures? In this episode of the Custom Tackle Authority Podcast, Shawn sits down with the owner of Fin Hunter Tackle to talk about the journey behind the brand. From humble beginnings to building a growing tackle company, Fin Hunter shares how his love for fishing evolved into creating gear for anglers who demand quality and reliability. The conversation explores the differences between freshwater and saltwater fishing, the role family has played along the way, and the vision he has for the future of Fin Hunter Tackle. Whether you're a bass fisherman, a saltwater angler, or simply enjoy hearing the stories behind small businesses in the fishing industry, this episode offers an honest look at the passion that drives one builder to keep chasing the next adventure. Topics Covered:  The story behind Fin Hunter Tackle  Freshwater vs. saltwater fishing  Family, fishing, and finding balance  Building a tackle brand from the ground up  Dreams and future plans for Fin Hunter Tackle Discover more independent bait builders at CustomTackleAuthority.com and subscribe for new conversations with the people shaping the future of custom fishing tackle.

    Custom Tackle Authority Podcast Episode 2: Built for the Hunt: From Sharks to Bass

  5. Jul 14

    From Soldier to Custom Bait Maker | Enlisted 7 Custom Baits | Custom Tackle Authority Podcast Ep. 1

    Podcast Description Episode 1 of the Custom Tackle Authority Podcast features Enlisted 7 Custom Baits—TikTok creator, co-founder of the Custom Tackle Syndicate, veteran, and custom tackle builder. We dive into how he got started making custom fishing lures, the influence of his military service on his craftsmanship, building a brand through social media, and the legacy he hopes to leave behind. Whether you're a custom tackle maker, bass angler, fishing creator, or simply enjoy hearing the stories behind handcrafted fishing gear, this episode offers an inside look at one of the makers helping shape today's custom tackle community. Topics Covered  Starting Enlisted 7 Custom Baits  Military service and craftsmanship  Custom painted hard baits  Handcrafted bass jigs and spinnerbaits  Growing on TikTok  The Custom Tackle Syndicate  Building a lasting legacy  The future of custom tackle About the Custom Tackle Authority Podcast The Custom Tackle Authority Podcast highlights the builders, creators, and innovators behind the custom fishing tackle industry. Each episode features conversations with custom lure makers, rod builders, anglers, and fishing creators who are helping grow the custom tackle community through craftsmanship, creativity, and passion. 🎣 Discover custom tackle builders:  https://www.customtackleauthority.com

    From Soldier to Custom Bait Maker | Enlisted 7 Custom Baits | Custom Tackle Authority Podcast Ep. 1
  • 5 Episodes

About

The Custom Tackle Authority Podcast brings together custom tackle makers, anglers, and fishing creators for real conversations about bait building, fishing culture, live content, and the passion behind custom tackle.

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