Jarid Hilchey

Disabled Army Veteran. Master Bait Artisan. Co‑Founder of Barracuda Baits.

Jarid isn’t just one of the heartbeats behind Barracuda Baits—he’s the craftsman who literally builds the brand. A Disabled U.S. Army veteran, he may no longer fish tournaments due to injuries, but you’ll still find him on the water—wading, casting, and enjoying the pursuit that’s fueled his passion since day one.

After years of service and sacrifice, Jarid found healing and purpose in crafting baits that work—hard. He’s the hands behind the majority of Barracuda’s soft plastics, personally pouring, mixing, and testing every batch in small runs and with serious attention to detail. That “made-in-Texas” pride? Jarid is the engine that makes it real.

The Hand Behind the Plastic

A lot of bait companies outsource production—or just draw the lines while others pour. Not here.
Jarid controls the process from start to finish: selecting the plastic blend, mixing custom scents, deciding salt percentages, and ensuring each bait meets his rugged standards for feel, action, and durability.

That’s why when you buy a Barracuda bait, you're holding something that Jarid literally poured with his own two hands. Every rib, curl, and tail shape is part of his dedication to purpose-built performance, not assembly-line whimsy.

Ask Jarid: Quality You Can Trust

Even though tournament fishing is a chapter behind him, Jarid still lives and breathes the water. And when you see the Ask Jarid logo on a bait—be it color, scent, profile, or salt level—you’re getting insight from someone who knows how each tweak feels on the end of the line. Sizing isn’t random, scents aren’t generic, and durability isn’t an afterthought. These are Jarid’s standards, driven by years of tactical thinking and craftsmanship.

What Jarid Stands For

• Precision mixing – salt, scent, texture—custom tuned per profile

• Quality over quantity – small batches, hands-on quality control

• Real healing through creation – every bait is part of his comeback

• Pride in every pour – homegrown, veteran-made, Texas strong

“Every bait I pour matters—I still feel the tug of that first bite just like anyone else. I may not compete anymore, but I pour every ounce of effort into making sure your baits do.”
— Jarid, Co-Founder & Production Lead, Barracuda Baits