Cast Cray Outdoors opens fishing supply storefront in Sebring

Cast Cray Outdoors began in Rick Provence III's basement five years ago.

The artificial fishing lure company started with a jar of liquid plastic and a passion for fishing.

Provence made bug- and worm-shaped plastic bait and sold it online. Soon, demand grew, and Provence expanded to in-person sales.

On May 29, 2023, the Cast Cray storefront opened at 356 E. Maryland Ave. in Sebring.

From homemade basement bait to a booming business, the Lexington Township resident has no plans to slow down anytime soon.

Cast Cray’s origin: From screen printing to fishing supply

Before Cast Cray was established, Rick Provence III and his wife, Mandy, operated their contract screen-printing business and printing supply companies, Ohio Screen and Ohio Ink.

“It started out of a need to find somebody that we could depend on for reliable screen printing,” said Mandy Provence.

The couple decided to do it on their own. They began screen printing and selling printing supplies, including plastisol – the same liquid plastic ink used to create artificial lures.

Provence took inspiration from Nick Creme, the inventor of the soft plastic worm.

Creme, an Akron native, invented the traditional, flexible plastic worm lure in 1949.

“He literally made his first soft plastic worm modeled out of tin foil and used plastisol ink,” he said. “The whole fishing soft plastic bait industry was born in Northeast Ohio.”

Provence experimented with homemade molds and plastisol. He made different shapes, sizes and styles of artificial bait.

Through research, and trial and error, Provence said he produced his own compound of material to create the ideal artificial bait – plastic lures that look alive in the water and successfully attract fish.

“We believe we have found the perfect balance of durability and softness,” Provence said.

Expanding business and opening a storefront: 'People just wanted more options.'

As more people began purchasing fishing supplies online, Provence decided Cast Cray needed a storefront.

Six months ago, Provence purchased a building on Maryland Avenue in Sebring. The space was large enough for all three businesses: Ohio Screen, Ohio Ink and Cast Cray.

“People just wanted more options,” Provence said.

So, he began producing a wider variety of fishing supplies, from rods and reels to fake corn to Cast Cray merchandise. Some products have as many as 63 different colors for fishing enthusiasts to choose from.

"No other brand in the world has 63 colors of one style," Provence said.

In order to make products, he uses his custom compound of liquid plastic, adds color pigment and glitter-like flakes to the mixture. Then, it is heated to more than 300 degrees Fahrenheit and injected into molds.

Each bait is pulled from the mold and covered in a coffee-scented oil to attract fish.

A growing social media presence

In order to maintain online sales and attract new customers, Provence works hard to maintain a social media presence.

Cast Cray Outdoors posts on TikTok, Instagram, Facebook and YouTube.

A room within the store is dedicated to podcasting and live streaming. During live streams, Provence engages with customers, discusses upcoming products and even gives away products.

Future business goals: 'I like that we can do big things but stay small.'

Provence reports that Cast Cray has plans to continue expanding, both online and in person.

He hopes to make the storefront larger, adding more products to shelves and more Cast Cray clothing to the racks.

Provence also said he has an upcoming meeting with the local health department to discuss the potential of installing a creamery and walk-up coffee shop at the Cast Cray location.

Mandy Provence is proud of the progress the business has made so far, but said she has a goal. Stay personable.

"I like that we can do big things but stay small," Mandy Provence said.

She hopes that the business continues to grow and that she can continue to stay in touch with staff members and customers alike.

A deeper mission: motivating and educating youth

Provence said he loves to fish. Now, the business owner wants to share his passion.

That is why he created Cast Cray Cares, a foundation that provides education services, fishing rods and reels, bait and supply to children.

“The culture of the business is to try and get kids excited to fish and teach them how,” he said.

Provence said some children do not have parents who know how to fish, while others are unable to afford supplies.

This year, Cast Cray has sold an estimated 30,000 products, but the business has donated more than 50,000 through Cast Cray Cares.

“That’s our mission,” Provence said. “If I can sell baits and pay the bills, I can do this forever. That’s cool. That is success.”

Contact Abreanna Blose by email at ablose@gannett.com or by phone at 330-580-8513.

This article originally appeared on The Repository: Cast Cray Outdoors, a fishing supply company, lures big business in Sebring