A Story of Passion and Creativity
Beginnings
Hello, I’m Paul Bejan and I welcome you to my website, www.bejanhandmadelures.com.
My story begins over 20 years ago, specifically during the period when I was preparing for my final university exam. I had been passionate about fishing since I was 5 or 6 years old, and I remember that even then I was most attracted to fishing with artificial lures. I liked that I could cover a large area of water in a short time in search of predators, as opposed to static stationary fishing where I wait for the fish to come to my bait. Waiting and patience were qualities I lacked. I was a more agitated temperament, what would probably be called ADHD today :). From there, it took a few years until I started building my own lures. It all coincided with the arrival of high-speed internet. I found some forums and blogs where I saw how anglers from the USA, Japan, or Italy were making their own lures and sharing all this information in detail. From there, it didn’t take long for me to try it too. The main reasons I decided to build my own lures were: at that time in Romania, the offer was quite limited; for me, the prices were quite high; and last but not least, the satisfaction of catching a fish with a lure I made myself. I didn’t know what that meant until the first catch, but I suspected it had to be a unique emotion. I don’t remember the first catch with a lure I made myself, but I do remember the first strike on one. It was the validation I needed. The fact that what I had made could catch fish, just like a Rapala or Salmo lure. That was all I needed. I started to gradually buy everything I needed. Of course, in those years, materials for building lures were hard to find. Initially, I started making lures from linden wood because it was easier to source than the “exotic” balsa. Wood waterproofing or topcoat were real challenges during that period. I tried dozens of varnishes recommended by all kinds of anglers from all over the world on forums where I savored every post, which for me was information that helped me make a quality lure. By quality, I mean a lure that is properly waterproofed, perfectly balanced so it doesn’t have issues in a strong current, and equipped with quality split rings and treble hooks. These were the aspects I focused on at the beginning. I was interested in the lure performing well, not necessarily looking good from a painting perspective. After I learned, mostly through “trial and error,” how to build a good lure, I wanted to build lures with an impeccable look as well. I bought my first airbrush, which was a “game changer” for me. I started playing with colors, combining them and getting all sorts of shades. The airbrush helped me paint in gradients, blend colors, and achieve what I saw others doing. Then I discovered aluminum foil, glitter, transfer foil, or metallic pigments that I mixed with resin for the topcoat and got some lures with extraordinary reflections. I continued to catch fish with my lures just as well as my friends who used lures from the biggest manufacturers in the world at that time. For me, it was another paradigm-shifting moment, where I decided I would no longer buy commercial lures, and the money I saved I would invest in the best materials for the lures I made myself.
From Passionate Angler to Mentor
Social media was gaining more and more ground. Blogs and forums were losing ground to social networks like Facebook or YouTube. Facebook groups were places where I found an abundance of information, I could ask questions, and I could make friends with whom to exchange ideas. Over time, I became more and more skilled; I knew more and more about building lures, I continued to catch fish with the lures I made myself, and I was very excited about these things. And as a proverb says that a shared joy becomes even greater, it applied to me too. The ideal place where I could happily share pictures of my creations and the joy of catching beautiful fish with my lures was Facebook. At the end of 2014, I created my Facebook page, Bejan Handmade Lures, where I posted, and still post, photos of the lures I make. I also posted a lot of pictures of fish I caught, but the page is mainly dedicated to lure photos. The page has gathered around 7k followers to date, which was another validation that it’s not just me who likes the lures I make 😊. In 2016 I also created an Instagram page where around 2k people who follow my work have gathered. My favorite space, however, remains YouTube. In 2018, I created a YouTube channel (Bejan Handmade Lures) where I have gathered around 20k followers to date. On YouTube, I have created over 100 tutorials about building lures where I present the techniques I’ve learned, tips & tricks, and answer questions in the comments. It seems like a space where I connect more easily with the community. The place where I answered questions, offered advice, and saw how great the desire of anglers is to build their own lures. On YouTube, I also post underwater videos of how the main lure models I make perform. As I said at the beginning of this article, I am mainly interested in the lure having a correct action. I also post some of my successful fishing trips during the year and show my followers how I use the lures I made myself.
The Vision and Mission of the Store
At this point, I felt that the next step in my development was to help other anglers like me who want to catch fish with lures they’ve made. I remember that for me the hardest thing was to get quality materials. Information is everywhere right now, and I will continue to create video tutorials, but getting quality materials can still be a problem. This is where the idea of creating this online store came from. You can buy everything you need for building your lures from one place, no longer needing to buy from 10 different places, pay 10 shipping fees, maybe make 10 trips to the post office or customs, and you have the advantage of saving time and money. Furthermore, in this store, you will find the materials that I consider to be the best, based on my more than 20 years of experience in which I have tried many paints, varnishes, or treble hooks that disappointed me. In the store, you will only find what has passed the tests I have conducted. The www.bejanhandmadelures.com store is not just about sales, it is also about providing anglers with the necessary tools to become creators and build the lure of their dreams. I believe that every angler can build at least a part of the lures they fish with because every angler deserves to know what it’s like to catch fish with lures they made themselves. You have my full support. Since 2018, on my YouTube channel, I have been teaching you how to do it, and starting in 2025, I will also provide you with the necessary materials. What I cannot offer you is the desire that you must find within yourself, because I am convinced that every angler should know the feeling you get when you catch a fish with a lure you made yourself.