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You really won't make a lot of money selling handmade jigs because the competition is fierce and the labor and material costs are what you want to recoup. Giant companies have theirs hand or machine made overseas so cheap that Cabelas and Bass Pro can buy them by the tens of thousands at a time.
Find a niche' you can sell to. Friends, family, local bait shops etc. Some people do ok if they have their own internet website. I just do basic crappie, panfish and some White Bass lures and spoons because that is what I am good at and what I fish for, and what the customers ask for. I do not try and create all types of "Specialty" orders because customers don't want to pay you for the time invested in creating them.
Most importantly, Have fun.
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Your already tying the jigs, this can be used a write off on your taxes. All it takes at this point is a business license. You really don't have to sell any for the first couple of years. Its one of the reasons I am starting the process. I do love crappie fishing however, making the jigs is a labor of love. You may be able to get enough back on your taxes to pay for some of the items you purchase. I would talk to a tax consultant first however.
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F4A,
I'd say go for it man. You make some of the nicest looking and most creative jigs I see posted on this board. I think you will find yourself with quite a few buyers. You may consider selling jigs on an "inventory" or push basis as opposed to an order-filling basis. What I mean is, tie up a few 100 and sell them. See how that goes and then tie up another 100 or 200 then sell those. That way you will be able to control how much tying you have to do. If you get into filling orders you may find yourself busy year-round.
Good luck with this. I have no doubt you could sell a few.
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I have to agree with you there. I am just not ready to make this a full time thing. Much more important things to do for me.
I am gonna go through all the stuff I have posted and make a list of what has gotten the best responses and go from there. Gotta have a simple pattern in there just because but will stick with my crochets mainly. Now that I have my breads that will work really well I can save some time making them and have a nice looking taper at the tail and keep it narrower at the head.
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Fish 4 All
If you decide to do this - don't forget about the Tax Man - the IRS and your state agency.....
At the Federal level - there is the 10% excise tax issue, your state may want sales tax and who knows what else.....
UG
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During the 70's I accepted a job as a mfg rep for IN, KY and southern IL. Represented Creme, Stearns, Heddon, Thompson Center, Tarus, etc. Did this for 9 years. Had a great time but, I found that I turned my hobby of fishing 135+ days a year to 5-10. Spent many weekends at dealer shows, sport shows, etc., talking about the good old days.
Be careful that your partime of 35 hrs turns into much more. Set a goal that 35 is the max.
Jigs look great. I need to learn that technique.
Chuck
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I know all about the tax man is why I pay the excise tax on everything I order ahead of time. No business license yet, not making enough. Had one and my taxes were credits because I lost me shirt and wound up with 450 spinners I will use for the next 10 years.
I had an accountant talk to me about it and told me this "if you are going to count your time making the jigs you will never actually make money so you will never have to claim it unless you start selling over $500 worth a year." This was the accountant for the woman that ran a tackle shop locally. Is she right, don't know. I keep track anyway, just to make sure that I have it if I ever make it big.
So far I have made under $100 in 3 years. Spinner making didn't even pay for my shipping so I am gonna take jig making a little slower and see how it goes. Maybe it will pay for a little more than shipping this time.
