“I Was Nervous to Start Cranky Fishing Designs (But I Did It Anyway)”

“I Was Nervous to Start Cranky Fishing Designs (But I Did It Anyway)”

I Was Nervous to Start Cranky Fishing Designs (But I Did It Anyway)

Starting anything new is scary — especially when you’re putting your passion out in the open for the world to judge.

When I first thought about creating Cranky Fishing Designs, I had doubts. Not because I didn’t believe in the vision — but because I knew how personal it was.

This wasn’t just a t-shirt brand. It was a piece of who I am.

Why Was I So Cranky?

I’ve been obsessed with fishing for as long as I can remember. Not casual, weekend fishing. I’m talking up before sunrise, crankbait box organized by water clarity, skip birthdays for the spawn kind of fishing.

I’d look for shirts that represented that mindset — the intensity, the attitude, the addiction — and they didn’t exist.

Everything was either corny or corporate. So I said screw it. I’ll make my own.

The Fear Was Real

But that’s when the fear kicked in.

  • What if no one buys them?

  • What if people laugh at my designs?

  • What if I’m just wasting time and money?

I had every excuse not to start.

But I realized something: if I never started, I’d never know.

So I Took the Shot

I put out a few designs. Hit upload. Started making content. Told no one for a while.

Then the feedback started coming in:
“Dude this is badass.”
“I’d rock that every time I’m on the water.”
“Finally — a shirt brand that gets it.”

And just like that, I knew — even if I only sold a few, I was building something real.

For Anyone Out There Holding Back

If you're reading this and thinking about launching your own thing — whether it’s fishing content, a lure company, or something totally different — just know: it’s okay to be nervous.

Start small. Stay consistent. Make it yours.

You don’t need permission to build something awesome.

Why I’m Still Cranky (In a Good Way)

Today, Cranky Fishing Designs is more than I imagined. And it’s just getting started.

We’re a community of anglers who live this stuff — and now we’ve got the shirts to prove it.

Thanks for being part of it.

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