Last Updated on July 31, 2026 by Daniel Globe
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Giving a child a lure with exposed hooks can turn a creative fishing project into a safety concern, so the right kit needs to balance fun with careful handling. The Shakespeare Customize-It Bait Kit gives your young angler three clear fishing-lure shapes to decorate before using them on the water. Its main strengths are the beginner-friendly design, built-in hook covers for the decorating stage, and the chance to fish with a lure your child created. The main tradeoffs are that markers or paint pens are not included and adult supervision is still essential whenever the hooks are handled.
Quick Verdict
Rating: 8/10, recommended with supervision
Best For: Families who want a simple craft activity that leads into a beginner fishing trip
Bottom Line: The kit turns three clear lure shapes into a hands-on project your child can personalize and then fish. It is a thoughtful introduction to lure fishing, but you must supply the decorating tools and remain responsible for hook safety.
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Brand | Shakespeare |
| Model | PAINTYOUROWNBAIT |
| SKU | 1524110 |
| Product type | Paint-your-own hard-bait kit for young and beginner anglers |
| Included lure shapes | Three fish-catching shapes designed to cover multiple depths |
| Color | Clear, ready for customization |
| Material | Plastic lure bodies |
| Listed dimensions | 5.95 x 5.9 x 0.75 inches |
| Decorating supplies | Markers and paint pens are compatible but not included |
| Water and species use | Made for different water types and a variety of fish species |
| Safety feature | Hook covers stay in place while decorating and come off only when fishing |
| Package note | One retail kit containing three customizable lure shapes |
What Is the Shakespeare Customize-It Bait Kit?
The Shakespeare Customize-It Bait Kit is a combined craft project and beginner fishing accessory. Instead of receiving only pre-painted lures, your child gets three clear plastic lure shapes that can be decorated with markers or paint pens. The supplies used for coloring are not included, so you need to provide them before the activity begins.
The three shapes are intended to work at different depths and across different water types. That gives your child a reason to talk about more than appearance. You can also discuss why lure shape, movement, color, water clarity, and retrieval style may affect what a fish notices.
This is not a complete fishing setup. You still need a suitable rod and reel, line, adult help with knots and hooks, and any locally required fishing license or safety equipment.
Who Should Buy It?
Best For
- Your child enjoys both crafts and outdoor activities.
- You want a simple project before a supervised fishing trip.
- Your beginner angler will value catching a fish on a self-designed lure.
Skip If
- You need a complete kit with markers, paint pens, rod, reel, and tackle.
- You cannot provide close adult supervision around sharp hooks.
- You want proven factory colors rather than a creative, trial-and-error project.
Before You Buy: Hook covers reduce risk during decorating, but they do not make the lures toys. Keep the covers on until you reach the fishing stage, store the kit away from small children, and have an adult manage exposed hooks.
Clear Lure Design and Customization
The clear lure bodies give your child a visible blank canvas. This is the kit’s central feature because it changes lure preparation from a passive step into an activity. Your child can create simple stripes, dots, contrasting backs and bellies, or other patterns without needing advanced art skills.
Markers and paint pens are not part of the package. That keeps the kit simple, but it also means the real cost includes whatever decorating supplies you choose. Check the instructions on those supplies, use them in a ventilated space when required, and let the design dry according to the pen or marker maker’s directions before fishing.
Pro Tip: Have your child give each lure a different high-contrast pattern, then note which shape, color, water condition, and retrieve produced the most interest. This turns one fishing trip into a simple observation project.
Three Shapes and Fishing Versatility
Shakespeare includes three fish-catching shapes rather than three identical blanks. The manufacturer says the shapes are intended to cover multiple depths and work for various species in different water types. That variety is more useful than a single craft lure because your child can compare how each shape moves and where it travels in the water.
The kit does not guarantee that every design will catch fish. Weather, season, fish activity, water clarity, location, presentation, and angler technique all matter. Treat customization as part of the experience, not as a promise of better catch rates.
Beginner-Friendly Use
The concept is easy to understand: decorate the clear bodies, leave the hook covers in place during the craft stage, and remove the covers only when it is time to fish. That simple sequence makes the kit approachable for a first lure project.
Using the finished lure still requires normal fishing skills. An adult may need to tie the lure to the line, choose a safe casting area, explain the retrieve, and remove a hooked fish. Your child should learn to look behind before casting and keep a safe distance from other people.
Safety Considerations for Young Anglers
The included hook covers are the most important safety feature. They help shield the hooks while your child decorates the lure, but they should remain fully seated until the lure is ready to be attached and used. Once a cover comes off, treat the lure as sharp fishing tackle rather than craft material.
| Safety Step | What You Should Do | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| During decorating | Leave every hook cover in place. | It reduces accidental contact with sharp points. |
| During drying | Place the lures where children and pets cannot grab them. | Covered hooks still require controlled storage. |
| Before casting | Have an adult inspect the lure, line, knot, and casting area. | A safe setup lowers the chance of a loose lure or nearby hook injury. |
| While fishing | Maintain space between anglers and supervise every cast. | Hooks can swing backward or sideways during casting. |
| After fishing | Replace covers when practical and store the lures in a closed tackle container. | Secure storage protects hands and keeps tackle organized. |
How It Performs in Real Use
As a Rainy-Day Craft
The kit works well as a short indoor project because the clear bodies are ready to decorate and the child can see a result quickly. The adult should control the workspace, check that the hook covers remain in place, and follow the directions for the chosen markers or paint pens.
Before a First Fishing Trip
Decorating the lure before the trip gives your child a reason to feel invested in learning. You can use the three shapes to explain that lures do not all run at the same depth or move in the same way. This can make the first lesson more memorable than handing over a finished lure with no context.
At a Pond, Dock, or Riverbank
The varied shapes let you test more than one presentation without carrying a large lure collection. Results will depend on the water and local fish, so an adult should choose an appropriate lure and retrieve rather than assuming every shape fits every location.
As a Gift for a Young Angler
The kit is more personal than a standard pack of finished lures because the recipient creates the final appearance. It makes the most sense as a small add-on gift for a child who already has access to fishing gear and adult guidance, not as a complete standalone fishing present.
How to Use It Correctly
- Prepare a controlled workspace. Cover the table, gather your markers or paint pens, and keep food away from the area.
- Inspect the hook covers. Confirm that every cover is secure before your child touches or decorates a lure.
- Create distinct designs. Use simple patterns and avoid coating moving joints or attachment points if a lure has them.
- Follow the decorating-tool directions. Allow the design to dry fully for the time recommended by the marker or paint-pen maker.
- Check the lure before fishing. An adult should inspect the body, hooks, split rings, line tie, and knot.
- Remove covers only at the fishing stage. Keep unused lures covered and stored while one is in use.
- Rinse and dry after use. Clean off dirt or residue with fresh water, dry the lure, and store it where the hooks cannot catch clothing or skin.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Three clear lure shapes provide more variety than one blank lure.
- Each shape can support a different color or pattern experiment.
- Hook covers protect the points during the decorating stage.
- The activity connects creativity with basic lure-fishing lessons.
- The finished lures can be used in different water types for various species.
Cons
- Markers and paint pens are not included.
- Sharp hooks require close adult supervision even with covers supplied.
- Custom colors may need trial and error and do not guarantee catches.
Is It Worth the Price?
The Shakespeare Customize-It Bait Kit sits in the budget-friendly gift and activity category rather than the premium tackle category. Its value comes from combining three usable lure shapes with a creative project, so it can provide both an afternoon activity and a reason to plan a supervised fishing trip.
You get the most value when you already own suitable markers or paint pens and have the rest of the fishing setup. It is less compelling when you must buy all decorating supplies and tackle from scratch, or when your child would rather begin with proven, pre-painted lure patterns.
How It Compares to Alternatives
A ready-to-fish set such as the Ozark Trail 5-Piece Freshwater Hard Bait Kit offers more finished lures and removes the decorating step. A single established lure such as the Rapala Original Floating Minnow is a better fit when your priority is a familiar factory pattern rather than a craft experience.
The Shakespeare kit makes the most sense when personalization is part of the goal. You trade the consistency of factory colors for a hands-on activity and the satisfaction of fishing with a design your child made.
Frequently Asked Questions
What comes in the Shakespeare Customize-It Bait Kit?
The kit contains three clear fish-catching lure shapes with hook covers for the decorating stage. Markers, paint pens, a rod and reel, line, and other fishing equipment are not included.
Are markers or paint pens included?
No. You need to supply markers or paint pens separately and follow their use, ventilation, and drying instructions.
What age is this bait kit for?
Shakespeare describes it for young and beginner anglers but does not provide a specific age range on the verified product page. Use your judgment based on your child’s maturity, and provide direct adult supervision because the lures contain hooks.
Should the hook covers stay on while decorating?
Yes. The manufacturer specifically instructs you to leave the hook covers in place during customization and remove them only when fishing.
Can the lures be reused?
Yes, the lure bodies are intended for fishing rather than one-time display. Rinse and dry them after use, inspect the hooks and hardware before the next trip, and store them in a closed tackle container.
Will custom colors catch more fish?
No color pattern can guarantee a catch. Your results also depend on fish activity, water conditions, season, location, lure action, and how the bait is retrieved.
Is this a complete beginner fishing kit?
No. It is a customizable lure kit, so you still need a rod, reel, line, suitable terminal tackle, adult help, and any license required where you fish.
Who should skip this kit?
Skip it when you cannot supervise exposed hooks or when you want an all-in-one package with art supplies and fishing gear. A pre-painted lure set may also be better when you care more about immediate use than customization.
The Bottom Line
The Shakespeare Customize-It Bait Kit is a strong choice for families who want to pair a simple art project with a supervised fishing lesson. Its three clear shapes and hook covers make customization practical, but the missing decorating tools and need for close adult supervision are meaningful limitations. Skip it when you need a complete fishing kit or a child-safe toy with no sharp tackle.