Missile Baits
Missile Baits is a privately-held, USA-based manufacturer of soft plastic bass fishing baits, sold direct-to-consumer through its own e-commerce store and Amazon, serving recreational and tournament anglers with tournament-proven designs co-developed by pro staff including founder John Crews and Mike 'Ike' Iaconelli.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2012
- HeadquartersSalem, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Missile Baits does
Missile Baits is a privately-held, founder-operated manufacturer of soft plastic fishing baits headquartered in Salem, Virginia, founded in 2012 by Bassmaster Elite pro angler John Crews. The company designs and sells creature baits (D Bomb, Baby D Bomb, D Stroyer), craw baits (Craw Father, Chunky D), finesse straight worms (Magic Worm, Mini Magic Worm), Ned rig baits (Ned Bomb, Quiver), swim baits (Shockwave, Spunk Shad, Freedom Flyer), and specialty shapes (Bomba, Bomb Shot, Stupid Dumb Fish Ball), alongside a dedicated jig line (Missile Jigs) co-developed with Bassmaster Classic champion Mike 'Ike' Iaconelli. Several SKUs are manufactured through OEM partnerships — Roboworm hand-pours the Magic Worm line in 16 custom colors, Brazalo Lures builds the Buzz Wagon buzzbait on Gamakatsu hardware, and the Spunk Shad is licensed from Hog Farmer Baits — while the company itself runs two sub-brands, Missile Jigs and Fish Lung (saltwater aeration/bait care products).
The business model is direct-to-consumer e-commerce through the owned missilebaits.store storefront with free shipping above $60, supplemented by an Amazon marketplace presence and a Bixgrow-powered affiliate program. Pricing is unit-based, with most soft plastics in the $4–$10 range, bulk count bags at $16–$60, the Buzz Wagon at $11.99, and apparel/accessories from $14.99 up to $300 for specialty items like the Autism Awareness jersey; bundle SKUs and digital gift cards broaden the catalog. Go-to-market relies on a pro staff of tournament anglers (Iaconelli, Crews, Schmitt, Huff, Patrick) who both design and endorse the products, a company-run tournament trail (e.g., Smith Mountain Lake), email newsletter acquisition with a 10% discount hook, and active social channels on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram.
The customer base is horizontal and long-tailed — recreational and tournament bass anglers buying individual packs and bundles for techniques spanning flipping, pitching, Texas rig, Ned rig, Neko rig, Carolina rig, drop shot, and Chatterbait trailers. The company's tournament-proven positioning is supported by documented wins (Bryan Schmitt, August 2022 Bassmaster Elite on the Upper Mississippi; Cody Huff, Bassmaster Elite Series 2022 with Magic Worm; Kyle Patrick, 2023 Bassmaster Open on Lake of the Ozarks). Operations remain small (1–10 employees), all products are made in the USA, and there is no disclosed institutional funding, parent company, or subsidiary structure.
Missile Baits firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Missile Baits
- Legal name
- Missile Baits
- Website
- https://missilebaits.store
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2012
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Missile Baits is a privately-held, USA-based manufacturer of soft plastic bass fishing baits, sold direct-to-consumer through its own e-commerce store and Amazon, serving recreational and tournament anglers with tournament-proven designs co-developed by pro staff including founder John Crews and Mike 'Ike' Iaconelli.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Missile Baits industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Fishing Tackle
- SIC
- Miscellaneous Plastics Products (3080)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Lures, Flies & Terminal Tackle Specialty Retail (CRAMALAJ)
Keywords
Where Missile Baits is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Salem
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Missile Baits business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Personnel, Others
Revenue model
- Product Sales: Direct-to-consumer sales of soft plastic baits, terminal tackle, jigs, and apparel through their e-commerce store and Amazon
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Individual soft plastic baits |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Bulk count bags |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Buzz Wagon buzz bait |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Apparel and accessories |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Bundle deals |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels6 records
Missile Baits product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Missile Baits designs, manufactures (or coordinates manufacture via partners), and sells USA-made soft plastic fishing baits, professional jigs co-developed with Mike "Ike" Iaconelli, complementary terminal tackle, branded accessories and apparel, gift cards, and bundles, primarily direct-to-consumer to bass anglers through missilebaits.store and Amazon. The catalog spans creature baits (D Bomb, Baby D Bomb, D Stroyer, Baby D Stroyer, Chunky D, Craw Father, Bomb Shot), finesse worms (Magic Worm, Mini Magic Worm, Quiver 4.5/6.5, Ned Bomb, Bomba 3.5, Micro D Bomb), swim and minnow baits (Shockwave 3.5/4.25, Spunk Shad 3.0/3.5/4.5/5.5, Freedom Flyer 4.25/6.0), specialty baits (Stupid Dumb Fish Ball, 7" AA Bad Bubba Shad, The 48, Twin Turbo), buzzbaits (Buzz Wagon), jigs, terminal tackle, accessories, and apparel.
Product overview
Missile Baits is a small company based in Salem, Virginia dedicated to creating serious soft plastic baits to help bass anglers catch more fish. All products are made in the USA. The product portfolio centers on soft plastic baits (creature baits like D Bomb/Baby D Bomb, craw baits like Craw Father/Chunky D, worms including Magic Worm/Mini Magic Worm, ned rig baits like Ned Bomb/Quiver, swim baits including Shockwave/Spunk Shad/Freedom Flyer, and specialty baits like Bomb Shot/Bomba), complemented by a line of Missile Jigs (professional jigs designed with Mike 'Ike' Iaconelli including Monster Jig, Mini Swim Jig, Mini Flip, Micro Jig, Micro Football Jig, Flip Out Jig, Head Banger Jig, plus skirts), Terminal Tackle (Eye Roll Jig Heads, Hover Missile, Neko Weights, Rattle Shot Weights, Warlock Head, NedBall Head), and accessories (Bite Powder/Liquid, sunglasses, bags, decals). The company also offers apparel and gift cards.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Missile Jigs: A sub-brand dedicated to jig products including Ike's Monster Jig, Ike's Mini Swim Jig, Ike's Mini Flip Jig, Ike's Micro Jig, Ike's Micro Football Jig, Ike's Flip Out Jig, Ike's Head Banger Jig, Mini Skirts, and Full Skirts.
- Fish Lung
Products and services
- Baby D Bomb A 3.65-inch soft plastic creature bait designed for flipping, pitching, Texas rig, shaky head, and drop shot presentations for bass anglers; sold 7 per pack.
- D Bomb A 4-inch bulky creature bait with a ribbed body, designed for pitching and flipping; sold 6 per pack.
- Baby D Stroyer A downsized D Stroyer with a beaver-inspired body, oversized claws, ribbed construction, and flailing appendages; sold 10 per pack.
- D Stroyer A versatile creature bait with a beaver-adapted body for pitching, flipping, chatterbait trailers, and Texas rigs; sold 6 per pack.
- Craw Father A 3.5-inch soft plastic craw bait with subtle thumping action in the claws, for Texas rig, jig trailers, Carolina rig, ChatterBait, and punching; sold 7 per pack.
- Chunky D A 3.5-inch action craw bait with thick craw shape, ribs, and flanges near flappers, for jig trailers, Texas flipping, or swing head; sold 6 baits per clam pack.
- Bomba 3.5 A finesse thick craw body worm combining Ned Rig and Senko characteristics, for Texas rig weightless, Neko Rig, Ned Rig, and Texas Rig; sold 6 baits per bag.
- Bomb Shot A 4-inch soft plastic bait based on the D Bomb shape with a solid head for nose hooking or Texas rigging and continuous shimmying/quivering action; sold 15 per pack.
- Buzz Wagon A premium buzz bait built on a Gamakatsu Flip/Punch 3/0 hook with anodized blades, missile-shaped 5/16-ounce weight, wire drop down, and cone on blade for grass prevention; made in the USA by Brazalo Lures.
- Magic Worm A 6-inch hand-poured finesse straight worm made by Roboworm for drop shot, wacky rig, shaky head, Neko rig, Texas rig, or Carolina rig; 14 worms per bag (double bag quantity) in 16 custom colors.
- Mini Magic Worm A 4-inch version of the Magic Worm made by Roboworm for drop shot, wacky rig, shaky head, Neko rig, Slider head, or split shot; 16 worms per bag (double bag quantity).
- Micro D Bomb A 2.3-inch bite-sized creature bait for finesse applications such as drop shot, Ned rig, split shot, or Texas rig; sold 10 baits per bag.
Quantifiable outcome
- Magic Worm has factored into 2 wins and multiple top 10s on Bassmaster Elite Series 2022
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Missile Baits
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments1 record
Ideal customer profiles1 record
Missile Baits technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature2 records
Missile Baits partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Four partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- Mike 'Ike' IaconellicoreBassmaster Classic champion Mike 'Ike' Iaconelli collaborated with Missile Baits to design the Ike's Dice Jig, solving issues with urchin style baits. The Dice Jig headlines their new product lineup for ICAST 2026.
- Brazalo LurescoreBrazalo Lures manufactures the Buzz Wagon buzz bait for Missile Baits. The Buzz Wagon is built on a Gamakatsu Flip/Punch 3/0 hook and made in the USA by Brazalo Lures. Anodized blades are lighter than plated or painted blades for better performance.
- RobowormcoreRoboworm manufactures the Magic Worm and Mini Magic Worm for Missile Baits. These are hand-poured finesse straight worms made in 6" and 4" sizes with 16 custom color choices.
- Hog Farmer BaitscoreMissile Baits partnered with Hog Farmer Baits to bring the Spunk Shad into the Missile lineup. The Spunk Shad is a licensed shape and name from Hog Farmer Baits, featuring a pintail swimbait design with thick ribbed body.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Missile Baits competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Z-Man Fishing: Soft plastic and ElaZtech bait maker with strong tournament presence and pro staff. Competes in the same creature-bait, jig-trailer, and swimbait categories as Missile Baits.
- Gary Yamamoto Custom Baits: Pioneer in soft plastic bass baits (Senko, etc.) and a long-standing pro-staff-driven brand. Closely comparable to Missile Baits as a soft-plastic specialist reliant on tournament validation and pro endorsements.
- Zoom Bait Company: Leading mass-market soft plastic bait manufacturer with a deep creature-bait, worm, and finesse lineup. Competes head-to-head with Missile Baits on creature baits like the D Bomb and craw-style offerings.
- Big Bite Baits: Soft plastic creature bait and swimbait brand targeting tournament bass anglers. Overlaps with Missile Baits on craw baits, creature baits, and jig trailers.
- NetBait: Soft plastic manufacturer with a strong pro-staff and creature-bait lineup (Paca Craw, etc.). Direct competitor in the flipping/pitching creature-bait segment.
- Reaction Innovations: Boutique soft plastic brand (known for the Sweet Beaver) built around tournament-tested creature baits. Comparable niche-DTC positioning to Missile Baits in finesse and flipping baits.
- Strike King Lures: Major U.S. bass-tackle brand producing soft plastics, jigs, crankbaits, and hardbaits used by tournament pros. Directly competes with Missile Baits in the soft-plastic creature bait and jig categories across both DTC and retail.
- Roboworm: Finesse worm specialist whose Magic Worm is also manufactured for Missile Baits. Direct comparable in hand-poured finesse straight worms used in drop-shot, wacky, and Neko rigs.
- Hog Farmer Baits: Tournament-validated soft plastic brand whose Spunk Shad shape is licensed into Missile Baits' lineup. Directly comparable in pintail swimbaits and finesse soft plastics marketed to pros.
Emerging players
- 6th Sense Fishing: Fast-growing bass tackle brand with soft plastics, hardbaits, and apparel targeting tournament anglers. Comparable go-to-market via social media, pros, and DTC, competing for the same end consumer.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Missile Baits social profiles
Digital presenceMissile Baits financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Missile Baits leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Missile Baits funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Missile Baits M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Missile Baits
What does Missile Baits do?
Missile Baits designs, manufactures (or coordinates manufacture via partners), and sells USA-made soft plastic fishing baits, professional jigs co-developed with Mike "Ike" Iaconelli, complementary terminal tackle, branded accessories and apparel, gift cards, and bundles, primarily direct-to-consumer to bass anglers through missilebaits.store and Amazon. The catalog spans creature baits (D Bomb, Baby D Bomb, D Stroyer, Baby D Stroyer, Chunky D, Craw Father, Bomb Shot), finesse worms (Magic Worm, Mini Magic Worm, Quiver 4.5/6.5, Ned Bomb, Bomba 3.5, Micro D Bomb), swim and minnow baits (Shockwave 3.5/4.25, Spunk Shad 3.0/3.5/4.5/5.5, Freedom Flyer 4.25/6.0), specialty baits (Stupid Dumb Fish Ball, 7" AA Bad Bubba Shad, The 48, Twin Turbo), buzzbaits (Buzz Wagon), jigs, terminal tackle, accessories, and apparel.
Is Missile Baits a public or private company?
Missile Baits is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Missile Baits founded?
Missile Baits was founded in 2012. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Missile Baits based?
Missile Baits is headquartered in Salem, United States, in the North America region.
How does Missile Baits make money?
One revenue line is on record: product Sales.
Who are Missile Baits's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Z-Man Fishing, Gary Yamamoto Custom Baits, Zoom Bait Company, Big Bite Baits, NetBait, Reaction Innovations, Strike King Lures, Roboworm and Hog Farmer Baits. 6th Sense Fishing is listed as an emerging player.
Does Missile Baits have an API?
No public API is recorded for Missile Baits.
What industry is Missile Baits in?
Missile Baits's product category is Fishing Tackle. Its primary akta.pro industry code is CRAMALAJ, Lures, Flies & Terminal Tackle Specialty Retail. Its SIC code is 3080.