13-Year-Old Benson Burres Makes Waves with Handmade Fishing Baits
Amanda Rink, Editor
Tucked away in the basement of his family home, surrounded by the faint scent of soft plastic and a workbench full of colorful molds, 13-year-old Benson “Benny” Burres is doing what he loves – making fishing baits that catch more than just fish.
Benny, a seventh grader at CGD Middle School, isn’t your average kid. Sure, he likes fishing and spending time outside with his three younger siblings, but he is also the proud owner of Benson’s Baits, a small business that sells handmade soft bait to local anglers. It is a venture born from his passion and of course, a lot of hard work.
“I started fishing when I was 3 or 4,” Burres shared with The Wright County Monitor. “My parents would take me out, and we’d go on trips up to Minnesota. I love the fight from the fish and getting to use all kinds of lures and baits. And when a fish hits topwater—that’s the coolest feeling ever.”
It didn’t take long for Burres’s love for fishing to turn into something more. He’d seen other people make their own lures and thought it would be awesome to make his own colors and designs. The idea stuck with him and soon he was spending hours educating himself through YouTube videos, learning all he could about making soft baits.
But before he could get started, Burres had to convince his parents, Jared and Kelsey, that the business would be worth wild.
“I asked my mom if I could start making baits, and she made me write out every step and list all the supplies I’d need,” Burres explained. “We sat down and figured out how much everything would cost. Then, we ordered the supplies and set up a little area in the basement for me to work.”
Getting started wasn’t easy. Burres had to pay for everything himself, which meant saving money up from his chores and farm work. But it was worth it when he made his first batch of bait. Burres chose to make soft baits like sankos, craws, and flukes, his go-to when fishing because they seemed fun to make. “I like making my own colors,” he said. “It’s cool to create something different.”
With supplies in hand and a custom logo designed, Burres pitched another idea to his parents – selling Benson’s Baits in their family’s ice cream shop, The Main Scoop. The response was better than he could have imagined. Local anglers are excited to support the young entrepreneur.
When asked what the hardest part was, Burres stated: “Spending my own money on all the supplies and making sure I did it right. I watched a lot of videos to figure it all out.”
But he wouldn’t have it any other way. Benny Burres knows hard work is part of the deal, and he’s got some great advice for other kids with big ideas: “Make sure you really love what you’re doing. Then watch videos or read books to learn as much as you can before you start.”
The 13-year-old is not just making baits, he’s reeling in his own dreams, one handmade lure at a time. With the support of his family, the fishing community, and a whole lot of passion, it is safe to say Benson’s Baits is off to a swimmingly start!
