History of JAWTEC WORMS (1994 catalog flip-thru)
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- Опубліковано 6 лют 2025
- Long before he would become a fixture in the fishing tackle industry, a 14-year-old Bruce Benedict was fishing a Dallas bass club tournament with his father, Charles, when they noticed another angler fishing with homemade, hand-poured lures. That was the spark that set the young bait maker down a path that would dominate the southern fishing scene through the 1980s and 90s.
A Forney, Texas, native who often probed the waters of Lake Fork, Toledo Bend, and Sam Rayburn, Bruce sought styles, colors, and characteristics he didn’t see from soft plastics currently on the market, so he decided to design his own.
His first two molds he cut were a crawfish imitation, the Wacky Craw, and a spinnerbait trailer, the Wacky Worm, and by 1983 Bruce was selling them locally under the banner of Jawtec Worms.
But behind every great product is a great salesman, and much of Jawtec’s success can be attributed to Ken Addington, who served as Jawtec’s traveling salesman from 1983 to 1988.
Ken helped stock the shelves with Jawtec at tackle shops throughout Texas, Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Louisiana, eventually introducing the product to Academy Sports and the Bass Pro Shops Headquarters in Springfield, Missouri.
Ken and Bruce eventually parted ways, and Ken became a full-time guide during the “Ethel” era of Lake Fork, but that is another episode for another day.
Jawtec’s reputation spread like a brushfire across the southern states, and by the late 1980s Jawtec baits were cashing checks for big name pros like Rob Kilby, Charlie Reed, Randy Dearman, and Alton Jones.
For the next decade, Jawtec outsourced production to Sabine Manufacturing in Many, Louisiana, and cranked out wild creations with even wilder names such as the Chatter Box, the Rippin’ Rattler, the Bogus Wiggler, and the Baby Bowfin.
Wanting more control of his finished product, and also seeking the ability to add salt to his baits, Bruce brought Jawtec production in-house in 1994.
Bruce, along with wife Charlsie and business partner Ken Addington continued Jawtec production out of their Forney, Texas, facility.
Fatherhood would pull Bruce away from fishing competitively in 1997, and two years later he shot his last Jawtec worm to better raise and provide for his family.
Bruce Benedict’s son, Colt, was only four years old when Jawtec halted production, but the desire to pick up where his father had left off stuck with Colt through high school and after college.
Bruce suffered a stroke in 2020, and while recovering the topic of resurrecting Jawtec was a frequent conversation. One day Bruce told his son, “Colt, I need you to figure out how to make Jawtec again.”
Armed with 30-year-old bait making equipment and 17 original Jawtec aluminum molds, Colt worked nights and weekends for the next four months, perfecting his system for shooting soft plastics.
Realizing part time wasn’t going to get Jawtec back to its position of dominance, Colt quit his job to pursue Jawtec fulltime in 2021.
Colt would like to personally thank a number of individuals for making the resurrection of Jawtec Worms possible including Andu Medina, Clayton Nunn, Ken Addington, Donny Denkins, Gary Day, Jack Adams, Arla and A.R. Sachtleben, Rick Pierce, Richard McArter, Eddit Whaley, Johnny Davis, Jay Petty, Gary Kinard, Matt Reed, Donny Brown, Bill Barrow, James Morton, Josh Freeze, Marina Williams, and dozens more!
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/ jawtecbaitcompany
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Retro Bassin’
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All,
Thank y’all for the kind words and support!
Thank you Retro Bassin for working with me on getting this video together!
Jawtec products can be shipped all across the country by Anglers Pro Tackle and Outdoor in North Richland Hills. They are working on building a way to order online! But for the mean time. Give anglers pro a call!
(817) 503-2333
Do you or ever plan to ship to canada?
@@StelmachsWorld we are looking into ways for international distribution!
Bring back the original Wacky Craw. Dance with the one who brung ya!
@@StelmachsWorld you may want to call them up and see how much it would be for a bulk retail kit and have them send it up , the shipping maybe a lot I know shipping from Baja area up to bc or Alberta the cost for a 15lb 13 x 18 x 7 was about 35 dollars and then the customer was charged an import fee of 86 the 35 is usd but the 86 was cad
Haven't heard Jawtec's name in forever! Man we used to catch a ton of bass on the wacky craw on Toledo Bend
dad used to use this back in the day
Awe man I can't wait to fish with some of these....its gonna be epic....
Having started bass fishing in the 90's while in high school. I only got to fish whatever baits the local bait shop had in the bargain bin. But looking at some of the bait available back then making a comeback is awesome and is giving me a chance try lures I couldn't back then.
Another great and informative video Retro. Really like the old catalog videos.
You always make the weekend better!
I enjoy your channel , I fished Jawtec in my younger days , the baby bowfin is the only bait that I had my biggest stringer of bass , bought a lot of those worms and still have the original till this day in my worm bag .
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Never fished any jawtec baits but I sure am stoked to see them making a come back. Thanks for bringing them to my attention brother. Tight lines.
There’s just something about old school soft plastics…I was glad to hear Jawtec were making a comeback after being out of the picture for so long. It’s always nice to see a brand name resurrected and live again in more than name only.
Another dose of retro gold! I love jawtec and their history. Thanks for the videos keep them coming!
I’m so glad UA-cam recommended you I’m loving the channel and I’m definitely going to purchase some of these jawtecs
Always look forward to seeing new content and seeing the hidden old school baits still at bait shops
Really enjoy hearing and the storytelling of history you do on old baits and companies! Keep the vintage history alive brother! Keep the videos coming I enjoy them all!
I've never heard of jawtec but I would love to try them
Love this old company! So glad they are back!! Great Job Retro!
Man that is a company that brings back memories!
Bruce use to have a pretty big set up in the Mesquite Tx Walmart that he would stock himself since it was so close to his house. I use to see him in there quite a bit restocking everything and he was always willing to take time to talk to you about any of his products.
I still have a pretty good stockpile of vintage Jawtec stuff. My all time favorite was the Big Bite Jigs and the Classic Craw (think thats what it was called). The Classic Craw was a jumbo version of the Gene Larew Hawg Craw and that sucker was THICK! One of my all time favorite baits to flip cattails with.
I knew that Jawtec was making a comback because I have seen a Jawtec truck in the Lake Ray Hubbard area a few times. Colt has some really big shoes to fill and I wish him all the best!
Love seeing the old Jawtec packaging and great to hear the company is back on the map
The family picture is awesome. I'm enjoying your histories of these retro bassin companies.
Nice! I flipped with Jawtec worms back in the day. Loved them. I am glad they have returned.
I would love those Jawtec plastic fantastic baits.
Up until now, I had never heard of this company. Thanks for helping to get them back on the map. Looks like good baits.
Every time I hear Jawtec I have flashbacks to Jawdawg aftermarket controllers that I used to have to use at my friend's houses. Jawdawg controllers..........it makes me shudder just thinking of them they were that bad. Jawtec on the other hand, always had decent luck with them. I remember them being cheaper than Berkeley Power Worms (always one of my go-to's as a kid when I could afford them, still a favorite now) but hard to find here up north. Usually the only time I could buy them was at the yearly Sports Show we had at a big arena in Milwaukee that had all kinds of distributors from around the states. Thanks for the good memories, as always!
Always good to see companies make a comeback. Especially Texas-based ones.
Alot of awesome looking baits right there!
Gotta love the old school gold love every vid and they just get better
It’s always great to watch some quality fishing history. Thanks brother.
Welcome back JAW TECH!!! Look forward to fishing with your baits.Good Fishing !
I don't think Ive ever used any JAWTEC baits but they look very good! Lures like that never go out of style! Thanks for sharing more cool stuff buddy!
Good to see the lure from yesteryear being reinstated it will give the anglers more choice and variation to catch thier haul keep up the good work thanks
Good to see em back in production
I remember my grandfather using the craw bait when I was young. I lived in Texas and everyone had these baits. This video brings back memories. Thanks
I probably ate a few hundred dollars worth of the wacky craws as a kid. Happy they are coming back, any word on what new flavors uhhh colors they will be adding?
I’m rolling on this comment right now! Lol. Check out our Instagram for some pictures of the new products!
@@jawtecbaitcompany2500 will be placing an order soon.
Amazing video as always. The best thing about Saturday morning is coming home after fishing and getting to watch your videos. Thanks for the content and I can’t wait till next week.
I remember buying and using them when I went to visit family down south. I don't remember ever seeing them in NY or jersey
I just found some retro plastics at a yard sale and now I know they are Jawtec...Can't wait to pick up the new versions.
Great seeing a Texas company ressurected! Hopefully they keep production here as they grow, and not take the easy out if off shoring. Will have to try some of their lures, just to support a Texan business!
Right on! In the 90’s the Original Wacky Craw was Jawtec’s bread & butter bait. They made it in many productive color patterns. When they restarted the company recently , they have changed the design and texture of the bait. ( Big Mistake ) ……Best advice to Colt , Bring back the original Wacky Craw…..Asap!! Dance! with the one who brung ya……
Love to hear about a comeback. I'll definitely be looking for the Jawtec baits. Especially those craws. Thanks for the chance to win some! Keep up the good work!
The craw they brought back is not the original!
i'm definitely a fan of Colt. he seems like a geniunely amazing hearted person
Keeping it old school best on youtube bring 🔥🔥as always!!
Great video. I met Cole at a tackle show. Really down to earth and involved in his company.
Fun video and very cool to learn about jaw tech baits (unknown in the west coast)
Thank you for posting this up and I’m rooting for Jaw techs success
Awesome video! Love learning about old school lures. I was given my Dad's old tackle box. Using a 50+ years old Rapalla lure from his tackle, I caught a nice 1.5lb. bass. (Not a monster, by any means, but I watched it swim up and and swallow it, one of the coolest things I have ever seen!) Keep up the great videos!!!
It's really great to see a company come back, to many have been swallowed up by pure fishing and the like, so good luck with the venture and if I can find them I surely will give them a try.
You won the giveaway! Hit me up on FB or Insta with shipping info!!
I remember seeing Jawtech in the store years ago when I was a young teen and wanting to buy some. Great video and great product! Look forward to buying some of the new Jawtech products.
I love this channel. I'm all about fishing the old lures although I fish them on new tackle. Jawtec worms look great I have some soft plastics that look similar to some of the designs.
I really dig those I use to fish those back in 1990 good memories
I’m from Michigan and have never heard of jawtec. But it looks like I’m going to be ordering some.
Interesting baits. Never saw them back in the day in the Pacific Northwest! I'm going to root their comeback on!
I'm always a sucker for a good story about a retro bait company. I've never used Jawtec, but if I'm ever able to purchase some, you can bet I will!
🎣 + 👪 = ❤️
Those wacky craws look awesome
Had some French Fry from Jawtec back in the day. I think they were chartreuse pepper. Would like to have the new and old Jawtec. Thanks for the old school bassin content.
The best Carolina rig color out there!
Awesome show! I never used jawtec up here in Michigan, I saw them used on the BASSMASTER trail on tv! I want to try them out!
Keep up the good work on these videos tight lines and God bless
The Bogus Worm had some fantastic colors in 94. I hope the new ones get that hot pink tail option.
That JAWTECH Wacky worm looks amazing. I think that shrimp worm would maybe make a good chatterbait trailer. Love the old school vids.
I remember buying some Big Bite Jigs and Wacky Craws back in my high school days. A couple of shops had those but nothing else from Jawtec.
I remember those baits when I started fishing. I’d love to try those wacky craws on some redfish. Keep up the great old school videos it really brings back some old memories.
I'll be keeping an eye out for Jawtech.
Graduated High School 93. I remember fishing the Wacky Craw.... I will be ordering some new one's.
Love your videos! Keep it up love learning stuff on where bass fishing history
Great video, those Sultan’s look like a great ring worm. I’ll be making an order for sure.
Never fished these in CA around that time- it was all about Angler's Choice worms for me- wish they were still around, epic finesse worms
Cool stuff, brings back a lot of memories!
Hell yeah. Good episode.
Happy to see them making a comeback 🙌 👏
Great video! Really enjoyed the history lesson.
Good stuff Chris. I sure miss Bruce.
I had some of the craws! First jig trailer I used
Love the history. Gotta get me some Jawtec!
If I had but one bait to fish for the rest of my days... it'll be the 6" Chatter Box in white. What an exciting lineup of baits.
I'd love to try these worms. I took one of my Jensen tackle extractor spinner baits out yesterday and just slayed the bass. Nothing huge but nothing small all pound and a half to two pound bass on it. I think I caught 6 or 7. I love those old short arm spinnerbaits
Great video Retro!
Hope they bring back “ the original wacky craw “ the new craw design is totally different. The public wants the original Wacky Craw!!!! from the 90’s.
Yes sir!!! Bill Dance is the man!!
That is a greaT video I can't wait to support these guy's..
I got to try that stud bug it looks like it will slay in the creeks
That is truly a wonderful story about how son Colt took the baton from his Dad and resurrected the Jawtec company. You're right, this is a feel-good story with a happy ending. Unfortunately for me it looks like the bulk of Jawtec retailers are in Texas and the South. Absolutely love the look of that Wacky Craw. That's a fish-catching bait for sure! That would be a killer on smallmouth up where I am. And if I might, I'd tell every angler to follow their Instagram page; they've got some absolute toads pictured there! Tell Colt to add some swag to the website when he's able. I'd totally sport a Jawtec cap and tee.
Check out the pinned comment from Colt!
Retro, have you ever considered featuring “ retro pic of the week” for those of us that enjoy fishing old school?
Now THAT is a fantastic idea, good buddy. I have not, but I will now!
Enjoy the history videos. Thanks
The new jawtech baits are awesome but have a wicked Garlic scent lol that worm has a lot of great action.
Just got the Jawtec 10" curly tail in the Hendrix May box. Very garlicky and a lot of action.
Wow they look great!!!!!!
Awesome episode!
Another great video
Can't wait for the win
My "retro" soft plastics are internally-rigged worms with multiple hooks and weed guards. I usually fish them with a split-shot 1-2 feet in front. Bass hammer them!
Oh man, those look absolutely sweet. I'm betting I can slay some black rockfish off my local jetties with that.
Another great video!!! Keep it ole skool!
I remember using some of those baits. Cought fish on them.
I just bought another stud bug bag. My 1st was in the color mardi gras. Today I grabbed irish whiskey stud bugs. Those stud bugs fish great as a worm, but they shine on a chatterbait. Also, when you open the bag people in the house will say "what in the hell is that????" because they are STINKY......... One day I am going to try them in the ocean. Jawtech is a great company and I found them because of Hendrix subscription box, or maybe it was the Dark Horse Tackle Box. One of those hooked me up with Jawtech. I really like the company.
Wacky Craw definitely looks like a a great bait. I have something similar that I use from slider.
Mr Addington is a big bass hammer and a good Ol boy country Asian 🤠🤙🏻Really good person.He has a cool channel too
Love the vids keep them coming
That was so much fun and I will be checking out the new bait selections. QUESTION: Who made the “kangaroo worm” and the “tube worm”? Just curious. Thanks for another great show.
Tom Mann made the Kangaroo and Creme made (and reintroduced) the Tube Worm!
@@RetroBassin thanks buddy. For some reason those two popped into my head while watching today’s show.
Those look like some awesome baits, def be able to give some good action and catch some lunkers
Nice old baits.
Very nice 👍👍
I bought some of the new Centipedes from JawTec. Smallies tear them up !
Retro, go check out the 80 year old tacklebox that Intuitive Angling With Randy Blaukat just opened - i immediately thought of you!