Creating Endless Possibilities
The Naked History
Naked Bait Co. was established in May 2006 by Blake Muhlenbruck, President, an avid outdoorsman who grew up in the mountains and Front Range of northern Colorado. In the fall of 2002 Blake was severely injured in an industrial accident that left him unable to care for himself. His wife Dawn Muhlenbruck/Vice President and three daughters supported him through his 4 year battle with rehabilitation and prescription drug withdrawals that nearly killed him. Left now to take care of the family, Dawn encouraged Blake and his buddies to spend as much time as they could outdoors so he could find himself and regain his independence.
Through Blake’s outings he noticed the difficulties that people with disabilities including himself, struggle with to enjoy the outdoors. With this in mind he developed Fishing The Future Catching The Dream (FFCD), a K-12 program to get kids out of the class rooms and get into the outdoors. Blake has also announced his plans to raise $1.5 million to build 100 handicapped accessible docks throughout the U.S. To learn more please visit our FFCD page!
During an 8 month battle to over come his addiction to prescription drugs he began building skirts to help distract his mind from the withdrawals. Blake found that other skirt tools were often difficult to use even for people without hand impairments. He felt it was a necessity to invent the Naked Bait Co. Skirt Expander, a skirt tool designed originally to help anglers who have hand impairments like himself. It only made sense to offer this tool to other’s who would benefit from its ease of use.
The Naked Bait Co. name came about in the small garage the company started in. Dawn simply asked Blake, ‘What’s the name?’ ‘Naked Bait Co!’ he said, because he had felt as if he had been stripped of his dignity going through the years of struggles.
Little did anyone know that the accident that almost took Blake’s life would be such a blessing. Although Blake’s body is no longer the same his mind is his strength. He believes that there is a strange magic that happens when you are in the outdoors that can heal all of us. You must regain a positive attitude and live your dreams. That magic, he believes is what saved him.
The Naked Bait Co. Family would like to thank all of our friends, family and strangers who have helped without reservations build our dreams. We will remain committed to our customers to bring the best products, service and price. And continue to pay it forward and help in building dreams for others.
The creation of the Naked Bait Co. name.
The word 'naked' has over 10 definitions in the English language. Naked Bait Co. was developed in relation to our products. We produce products that add to otherwise "naked" lures. You wouldn't want to leave home naked, so why should your lures?
The other reason 'naked' seemed fitting was due to Blake’s injury. During those four years, between doctor visits, prescription drugs, therapy and his own mental state, he began to feel as if he had been stripped down. He felt "naked". Blake began to use fishing as his rehabilitation. With the knowledge he gained during this period he was able to start living the Naked Bait Co. dream.
About Us
Blake Muhlenbruck
President/Founder/Lure Designer
Only Limited by Your Imagination!
