piscicidal

John, thanks. When Robert and I started this out, we started with the premise that there was a "hole" in the market for a decent carbon fiber reel handle. Typical JDM handles are, in my opinion, too light/flimsy to be used in many heavy duty bass fishing applications (i.e. flipping/punching). And, I am also of the opinion that those handles are at a price point where most US fishermen cannot seriously consider them. Most people are not going to put a $160 handle on a $140 reel. I know I wouldn't.... Our goal was to create a product that was sturdier than the typical JDM handle (a lot of musky/northern pike fishermen are buying them), with larger knobs, and at a much lower price point. I think we've also made some additional refinements which differentiate us from the competition. For example, many of the JDM handles CNC cut the handles, with no secondary operation, which results in a very sharp edge on the carbon. We do a secondary operation which adds a variable round to those outer surfaces...it is a tedious, and expensive operation, but one that we feel is necessary. I have had several people buy our handles, after slicing up their knuckles on a competitors' CF handle. Obviously, the cork knobs are a differentiator, as well. This is also an expensive, time-consuming process, but one we think our customers benefit from. The oversized cork knobs keep your hand engaged to the reel, when that big fish hits. Cork is very comfortable in the cold weather and we think it looks pretty good, as well. We worked with many big name bass/esox/saltwater fishermen (guys who catch big fish, like Steve "Big O" Parks) on working out the design details, to ensure that the handle was robust long before we sold one handle. So thanks again, John, for your great (unsolicited ) endorsement. Robert and I have been a bit overwhelmed with the positive response and feedback (and orders) we've received, and we really appreciate it all.

bigfruits, Flamingo is an awesome place to fish. I'm no expert when it comes to this place, but we have fun with it and catch our share. 90% of the time I'm using a heavy (1/2 - 3/4oz) Kalins jig head and a Gulp Shrimp. You can catch pretty much anything there on that setup. I will also bring a couple spoons, some jerkbaits (mirrolure, x-rap), and a couple topwaters (top dog). A spinning rod with 20lb braid tied with a 2foot length of flouro leader (30lb) tied on and you'll be set. A typical trip we'll catch 10-15 different species of fish, with a couple of the desired species (snook/redfish/tarpon).

For me: Jigs/worm/pitch: flouro (sunline shooter: 16lb) Flip/punch: braid (power pro: 65lb) Frogs/paddletails (daiwa samarai: 50lb) Spinnerbaits/salt water (power pro: 20lb) Topwaters/jerkbaits/crankbaits (mono, mc coy mean green 12lb) Finesse/senkos/flukes/shakey (flouro: invisx 10lb) Each year (our season "starts" in October) I try a new flouro line. This year Im trying the sunline shooter. Like it so far...a little less stretchy than invisx and slightly less manageable. My partner Robert turned me onto Mc Coy Mean Green. This line is awesome. This is THE most manageable line there is. It lays down on the spool so nice and you can bomb long casts with it. And its cheap too. I would highly recommend it for people learning the baitcaster. Im probably a little different with the spinnerbait line...my spinnerbait fishing usually involves some type of grass. I like using the thin braid to rip the blades thru grass with minimal compliance. I use a softer (M action) rod for this to keep fish buttoned up. I like power pro, especially for flipping. That stuff saws through vegetation and it holds its color relatively well. Its inexpensive also. The daiwa samarai is good for moving baits...casts very well. Good for bombing moving baits out there.

Nice, David. Yeah...he had Brandon McMillian and Randy Tharp in there last week...I was joking with Steve yesterday about him taking down my picture from his website and putting those guys up. LOL.

Tight race. Results not exactly matching my exit polling data, though. This is all very useful, thank you!

Great responses. Keep em coming!

BR members. Robert and I are looking for some candid feedback on our product. So which do you prefer?? http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=451577574878150&set=a.400118190024089.76626.400113070024601&type=1&theater Thanks, Mike

Correction....28lbs won toys for tots. I thought Steve said 20 but I heard wrong. It was won by Mikeyballzz buddy Mikey Keyso, who doubled down on Carmen Patti's tourney Saturday (winning that also). Second place was 18 and change, so Keyso pretty much lapped the field.

Yeah, I was talking to my partner Robert (SouthFla) and I think we have an idea what's going on there....and if we ever get a chance to actually fish, we might find out. Robert and I are going to be at Garrard's grand opening up in Okeechobee Saturday. Gonna try and fish a couple hours that morning...Might be on Steve's radio show, early. If any of you guys are in the area, come look us up.

I talked to Steve Daniel earlier today...he said ~20lbs won Toys for Tots. Sounds like the fishing still a bit tough on the Big O, although he's been doing real well on his shiner trips..

It makes sense now...Those 5 series Dobyns are not taxed at all throwing the Big Ez setups, which are probably approaching that 1.5oz weight, when a heavy (Moaner) swimbait hook is used

I fulfilled several of my 2012 resolutions. 30lb bag (twice). Three bass over 8lbs. Made King if the Glades Classic tourney. For 2013, my goals: - Fish at least one BFL tourney on Okeechobee and cash a check. - A double digit bass. - Five bass over 8lbs. - 1000 bass caught. - Fish all King of the Glades qualifier tournaments and qualify for Classic tourney.

Carp?

I have a Dobyns 735c and 735ss....I launch big ezs with up to 1/2oz swimbait hooks all day long. Total weight of this setup is surely over an ounce. I'm not concerned about it. I've casted these baits 10s of thousands of times on these rods with zero issues. The day I cant throw Big Ezs on my 5 power rods is the day I start looking for new rods.

What's the "toys" tournament? Can someone post more info on this? I haven't fished Okeechobee in weeks, if I'm gonna donate, might as well be to a good cause....

That fish definately needed a time out...nice work!

I have two setups that get used for jigging. The first is my dedicated jig setup...the second doubles as a backup flipping stick. Dobyns 745DX, Chronarch 50, 16LB sunline shooter FC (open water jigging) Dobyns 805FLIP/PUNCH, Quantum Accurist 570PT, 50LB power pro (used for flipping heavy grass jigs...0.50-1.25oz)

When you need to set three alarms to awake up at 6:00 to go to work Monday-Friday, yet don't need any alarm to wake up at 4:00 on Saturday and go fishing.

When you snag your two year old daughter in the living room with a huddleston swimbait and you're not proud....because she didn't pull drag when you cranked her in!

When you plan your family Disney vacation around the spawn/moon phase at Lake Toho.

I agree with those who say keep the loomis. There may be some short-term anxiety over the purchase, but in the long-term you'll be glad you did it. Ive never regretted buying good stuff. OTOH, got a pile of cheap rods in my carousel that I look at every day with regret....could have got a couple more Dobyns Champs with the money I spent on those...

Cool video! One thing that may help if you are going to keep the chair is to mount the camera a little higher. I bought an 8foot PVC pipe...cemented a PVC "T" at the end of it, and then glued a go pro mount to that. I wrapped the other end of the pipe with foam and stick it into my rod holders at the center of the boat. This gives an elevated view and let's you kind of look down on the action. Just an idea.

Fishing Daddy is always putting someone else on fish up in central Florida. If I'm on any fish at Big O, Lee, I'll send you a PM...I wasnt on em my last two trips.

When my head is about to explode, here's what I do...go fishing. Fishing is supposed to relieve stress not create it. Just fish. Enjoy it. Eventually, you will gain the knowledge to make the on water adjustments. Keep a journal...it will speed up the learning process. After fishing, write down what you did right..if you caught some fish, why do you think they were there (wind, water clarity, forage, seasonal, etc). Come to this site...ask questions. Work on your technique at home. To me it's like in golf...you put the work in before/after the round (practice range, putting green, etc). Then when it's time to play, just go out confidently and enjoy it.

Rob I was at lox the day before. No bites on the Big Ez but I caught a ton on the skinny dipper. I've had to downsize to get bit lately. Check out our blog site. Www.hawgtech.com/blog