Making a freek…

The name “Freek” originates from my formative years as a metalhead kid in a small town. Don’t get it twisted, the nickname was a term of endearment bestowed upon me by some of my my closest friends… who happened to be complete rednecks.

As the years went on and the lessons were learned, the “freek” moniker became a distant memory. Fast forward almost 20 years and here I am. I have an amazing wife, two incredible (and sometimes infuriating) kids, and a successful career in marketing. I am so grateful and thankful for the life i have now. However, a few years ago, i began to feel like something was missing in the realm of a creative outlet.

I used to be a musician. I wrote songs and performed on stage. not well, by any means, but I had that thing that allowed me to express myself creatively. I’m far too old for mosh pits and screaming into a microphone in front of massive, sometimes double-digit crowds these days (although i’m still a metalhead to the core and always will be). so, what could fill that creative void in my brain?

I tried a number of things. drawing, knife making, and woodworking to name a few. They were all fun, they just… didn’t do it for me. Not consistently anyway.

in september of 2023, taking inspiration from nate marling of marling baits who i had watched for years on youtube, i decided to give baitmaking a try. Marling always made it look so effortless and i love to fish. so, why not, It couldn’t be that hard… right?

it was that hard. it was so, very hard. Nonetheless, i persevered and completed my first crankbait. it… was… awful. Don’t believe me? Here it is.

See…I told you. Despite my first bait being as ugly as sin, with all the action of a dead leaf, I kept going. something clicked and i Eventually i got better.

Then I got way better. less than a year later, i am creating lures that i am incredibly proud of and want to share with the world.

The baits that I am producing now rival any on the market in both utility and aesthetic. they are something that can either be displayed as artwork, or fished hard and put away wet.

If you’ve read this far, you are either insanely bored or related to me. Either way, I appreciate you. Thanks for taking the time and hopefully you see something you like and want to make yours. If not, let me know. I’m always down to make something new.

-Jesse, A.k.a. “freek”