Well, Here I am again!

I once again find myself here having decided to discontinue selling TNT baits from my website. I am not saying that I will never be selling baits again,I said that about 10 months ago and came back at it in just around 2 months. But I just wont be taking orders for them anytime soon. I have tossed around several ideas on how to continue juggling with life and my side business and haven't figured it out. I like making too many type's color's etc. But that is where the hobby aspect gets me in trouble. Business sense wise you should only have 1 or 2 types and just hammer'em out. The business end of it really hasn't ever been a factor, it has strictly been to make the best and have fun making them. Making them where they not only look good but work good as well. With making baits it can consume quite a bit of time, time that really I know should be better spent elsewhere. I had a lot of sound advice last time I done this, and this time I am gonna do what I know is right, go enjoy life. This is a hobby of mine that has gotten so out of whack it is unreal,lol. Sad but true. I have already modified the website, as the last time I done this I got nailed with quite a few orders when wanting to stop. I appreciate the support from JP Greeson and the TFF, it has been an awesome place to market baits. Thanks to my pro staff for sticking with me and helping me promote what I believe to be one of the best out there. More than anything thanks to my customers for your patience with me in getting orders out to you over the past few years. I have enjoyed so many phone calls, pictures, and emails it has made it pretty cool.

For the customers who have ordered from me that I currently have already recieved there orders I will get those finished up and out asap. For the customers that want to order, I am sorry watch the forum maybe in the future I will have some for sell in the future first come first serve.

Thanks again and good fishing to you.

Bryan... That's not funny man. How are we going to keep wack'n the fish without any TNT's - 180's or Haymakers...

If this is for good, then I thank you for making the best bait I have ever used! It has been fun trying out all your stuff and seeing which worked best.
Take care and good fishing to ya!

Sorry to hear that Byron. Your slabs were the best - hands down in my book. Enjoy all the time that this decision will give you.

Bryon, just sent you a PM.

I just want to say thank you for making quality lures that has made both mine and my families fishing trips fun and very productive. Your slabs have been and will probably always me my favorite. If you ever decide to go at it again, please let me know.

I hate to hear this too. It's unfortunate that it's so difficult to take something that you like to do, maybe even love to do, and can't make it profitable to the point where it is your job and how you make your income so that your family life doesn't suffer.

The really bad thing is that I'm in need of some TNT's.

I sure am glad that I got last order in now! I bought some 180's and I love them. Thanks for the fish catching Bryon! I'm going to have to make them last. Please stay in touch on the TFF! We all want to see pics of all those fish you catch! Thanks again!

Well after our phone conversations, I did admit to you it is more trouble than it is worth, after you factor FET, state tax, shipping, pay-pal fees, packaging fees, all those slabs that are not to specs that go back in the furnace, all the time that goes into them, and the unknown health risks we expose ourselves via lead and paint fumes. And time away form the family and fishing. I wonder why I am doing it myself anyway.

I thank you for the advice you have given me and will continue to push your baits and the other baits I believe in and hope to fish with you soon.

Like I said last night if we sold the baits for the time and effort we put into them they should sell for about 4.00 each plus shipping... I think Varner made a really good point the other day, if they are not to my liking they will not leave my house.

Best Regards
-armando

i have purchased the slabs at the TFF show in Arlington the last two years and Byron makes a great product
I know those business decisions can be gut wrenching
hang in there

I just ordered some earlier this week. I guess I just beat the cutoff. I've really enjoyed using your baits, they are awesome. Good luck to you.

dang.. Now what am I gonna do
Bryon you know I support and respect your decision !! Gotta take care of that great wife and daughter you got man

I, for one, would have no problem paying $4.00 per TNT180 from Bryon. I have more confidence in these lures than any other, which is one of the biggest things when it comes to lures.

If you tilt your ear towards the north and listen real close, I bet you could just about hear Bryon kicking himself. and trying to figure out how he can make that work. LOL

BEING IN THE SLAB BUSINESS MYSELF, I KNOW WHAT YOUR TALKING ABOUT! IT TAKES ALOT OF TIME OFF YOUR HANDS. I'M TALKING ABOUT THE FAMILY TIME AND FISHING TIME! I KNOW EVERYONE ON THIS FORUM RESPECTS YOUR DESICION. YOU BY FAR MADE ONE OF THE BEST SLABS I HAVE EVER SEEN. I NEVER USED ONE BUT IT'S OBVIOUS HOW WEEL THEY WORKED BY JUST READING THIS FORUM! GOOD LUCK IN THE FUTURE AND GOOD LUCK FISHING. TAKE CARE!

BRAD J.
RJR LURE CO.

Bryon I really hate to hear that, I was just in Academy at lunch and was about to grab a handful of slabs and I stopped and thought "No, I'll give Bryon an order". Having said that I totally understand, I gave up part time jobs awhile back so I could spend more time with my family and get in a little more fishin' too. Good luck and I'm sure the sandbass, hybrids, and stripers are breathin' a big 'ole sigh of relief!

Man TxB I guess those 180's I gave you got you hooked, he he he

Good fishin', Pal

Naw, I was already hooked and just got another fix from TNT this last week. Be nice and I'll give you one

Thanks for a great product...
It has been a real pleasure to be associated with you...
I promise to keep in touch, as the best thing to come out of this for me is a friendship that I will cherish...
Good luck my friend...
Tell the Mrs. and daughter hello from JIGUM JIGS....
Matthew

ok this is a disaster...just kidding. we all stuggle to balance the grind of life. IDEA! maybe people could offer time for time. ex someone takes you fishing and gets paid in slabs? i'm half joking but....

25lb mono for TNT slab rods...hehe

Thanks Bryon. You made a really good product. Mark Twain once said, "I've always been satisfied with quality". Bart

Dude, if you quit selling, people might start to actually believe that slabs like the Beast and the Potlicker actually catch fish.....lol

Byron, Good luck to you. I have often wondered how you do it. It is time consuming. More than likely you have burned the midnight oil many times trying to fill an order. I make them for my own use and I think XYZ is correct. They would have to sell for $4.00 each to make it worth while. There is a certain satisfaction from reeling in a fish that hit a home made lure.

Thanks guys for the responses and emails. DTA brought up a couple good points, the satisfaction that comes from making a bait and catching fish is really a neat thing. But when you have gone at it the last 3-4 years and watch it evolve knowing that your lures are responsible for thousands of fish caught a year is pretty cool as well.

Like I said there will be a time that I sell them on the forum again, more than likely it will be around Mar-May time frame of 2008. Cause there really is no way I can totally stop making them, I have way to many supplies and cool tools that I have purchased over the last few years to make it a little easier. I like to do it to get away from the day job. But when it starts to consume to much time when filling orders it is no fun. I can sit down and knock out say 100 lures pretty fast,but when I go off an order it doesnt work near as fast. So as the fall and winter/holidays comes up I will enjoy a nice break and when it is too cold to do anything else I will make some baits,but you can pretty much bet that come next year Mar-May there will be some for sale first come first serve. The types will be limited /sizes and colors as well. Will probably have them in lots of dozen per type,etc type deal. Looks like I have a market for $4 slabs so might have to think about that,lol. I already have roughly 2-3thousand poured just need the finishing, plus I have already outsourced some more TNT180 1oz baits to be poured and will actually have them powder coated, so if you think the finish was tough before, these will be basically indestructible. So I wont just go totally away, but I see me becoming the fella that just sells them at one whack then no more till next year kinda deal(leaving me most of my spring/summer and fall to do as I please). I think it will work, but then again I have yet to have a slab spoil on me yet so will see.

Funny you brought up midnight oil DTA, I have burned more than my fair share of that, plus you should see me on my lunch break from my real job, grab something quick and package baits,etc. I think that when a guy orders something it should be ready to ship, and there should be outta your hands in less than 24 hours. But the reality is the way I am doing it now is impossible. So it will all be simplified and be done the way it works best for me.

Thanks again for your kind words to me and my family. We will enjoy the break/and I am gonna love the fishing! Tight lines to all.

Byron,
Why don't you just make a batch of lures at your leasure. Then put them up for sale. There would not be any presure to make and ship them in a short time. Just sell those and no more. Take a breather and do it again. That may ease the presure some.
Don

Bryon,

While I hate to hear you are stopping, I can understand your reasoning. Your baits have always been my "go-to's". I guess I'll have to find others. Good luck with the fishing. If you ever get to the DFW area, give me a shout. Your welcome on my boat anytime.

Master Jedi, i will tell you I would pay $4 plus shipping anyday for your lures. Think supply and demand!

Raise the price, take the orders and make the baits you make.

If a person is not so successful and they can buy a bait that will help them then 4 or 5 bucks is no big deal.

Forget the wholesale pricing you have had in the past and make it worth it to you. Nobody will be mad because of your rate hike.

Supply and demand X what is it worth to you!

I love TNT!

You know HD, Your only the 4th person in the last few days to tell me the same thing. You can best believe there will be an increase on the rebound of this deal. I use to try and gauge my slabs to the competition's price. When I get stock piled come next spring, I can tell ya I could really care less about what the competition does price wise,etc. The baits will probably costs more,but the supply will definately be limited. This cat justs needs a nice long break.

Right now, since I'm almost out, I'd be willing to pay a $6.00 a bait. However, I may not be able to.

What folks have to remember is that these baits are indestructible. If you don't lose them, you will only have to change out the hooks on them every once in a while because those wear out - but the bait will look good as new.
That makes them worth way more than the competition is selling theres for.

Supply & Demand & durability = big $$$. I don't think you'll have any problems (in the future) getting whatever you ask for your baits.

Now..I gotta go find all those baits that I've broken the hooks off of and start replacing hooks. Happened again yesterday. Tried to get the hook out of a fish and one of the barbs on the treble snapped right off. Kept fishing with the bait with only two hooks on the treble. It kept catching fish too.