By Terry Colley | The Outdoor Amputee
In kayak fishing, we spend a lot of time talking about the gear that helps us catch fish. Every once in a while, though, a product carries a story that matters just as much as what it does on the water. Veteran Cranks is one of those stories.
Veteran Cranks is a veteran-owned small business led by Charles, a veteran and craftsman who hand-paints custom fishing lures one at a time. Each lure is built with personality, detail, and a style that makes it feel less like something pulled from a mass-production line and more like a piece of functional art. But what makes Veteran Cranks stand out to me goes far beyond the paint job.
As a veteran himself, Charles has chosen to use his work to give back to fellow veterans. Rather than simply selling his custom lures in the traditional way, he offers them through donations. The proceeds are directed toward helping veterans and supporting the Save 22 ACT mission. That means every lure represents more than another bait in a tackle box – it becomes a way for anglers to support something bigger than fishing.
That purpose is one of the reasons I am proud to have Veteran Cranks as a sponsor of The Outdoor Amputee. I have always believed the strongest partnerships are built around more than a logo on a jersey or a product sitting in front of a camera. They should be built around people, shared values, and a willingness to make a positive impact. Charles embodies that approach.
There is also something special about knowing the lure you are throwing was painted by hand. No two stories behind these baits are exactly the same. The time and effort Charles puts into each one is visible, and that craftsmanship gives the angler a connection to the person who made it. In a fishing industry filled with large companies and high-volume manufacturing, there is still a place for small makers who care deeply about the product and the people it represents.
Supporting a business like Veteran Cranks is also a reminder that the kayak fishing community can have an impact beyond the water. We can support veteran-owned and veteran-focused efforts, highlight small businesses, and use the reach of our community to help people who have served our country. Fishing brings people together, and when that community rallies around a cause, even a small lure can become part of something meaningful.
For me, Veteran Cranks represents exactly what a sponsor relationship should look like: authentic, personal, and connected to a purpose. Charles is not just painting lures. He is using his talent to support veterans, raise awareness, and give anglers an opportunity to contribute while receiving something unique in return.
The next time you see a Veteran Cranks lure, look beyond the color pattern and the hooks. Behind it is a small business owner, a hand-painted piece of fishing gear, and a mission centered on giving back to veterans. That is a story worth sharing – and one I am proud to support.