Hit the show around 10:00 with fishing buddy Eddie/Tognut18 and met up with many of my co-conspirators/cronies.
Spent QT with several exhibitor/friends. Of course my homie Capt. Mike Bady of "The Captain's Table" charters out of Greenport was my first stop. I understand he did quite well in the bookings department - as is fitting, 'cause he's as good as it gets in a North Fork captain. Also, Capt. Neil was busily hawking his "Long Islander” series of moderately-priced custom rods, Tommy/ReelTeasers - who looked fit and trim, no doubt due to his recent retirement, Harvey Pnutbunker with all his latest creations, Capt. Rick Smith of the gorgeous Miss Beryl charter boat, and Mike Chow the custom rod builder - he had a nice display of his work there, btw. Spoke a bit with Capt. Bob of Sea Rouge charters, who had a table right next to Capt. Mike. Bob runs out of JI and shares the same grounds that I haunt for fluke and assorted other species.
After looking at most every factory and custom rod on display there, I purposely saved seeing my old friend Kilsong with his Black Hole rods for last. Eddie and I spent a good bit of time pulling on a host of them, (and driving Kil a bit crazy). I finally came away with a 6'8" Charter Special spinner, for my future tog jigging adventures. This is the twin to my spiral wrapped Charter Special, which KILLED IT last season on the deep fluke grounds.
What a nice rod, for relatively modest coin. Same blank as my first one, except it feels slightly different wrapped as a spinner. A relatively hard tip (for strong hook sets), with a deep moderate bend that should really cushion those last minute charges that a big blackfish likes to make.
In my opinion, for my "needs," honorable mention went to his prototype Challenger Bank 6'9" version of the CB 701L, what a nice rod that one is. He better hurry it into production, as the shorter length will make it a big seller for the small boat crowd. It does carry a higher price tag, commensurate with the higher-end blank and guide set than the Charter Special series feature. However, if you're looking for a step up from the Charter Specials in a factory tog jigger, this would be the one. I doubt there's nicer out there from any big manufacturer, at any price, in this type of stick.
I know Kil was "KILing it", as Capt. Mike bought a 6'8" Charter Special spiral wrap, as did my friend Flukinit - bunch a' damn copycats! Smart ones though!
Artie/Catcha50 bought an 11'6" Black Hole surf rod, and Mark/Bassman909 bought one of those nifty and uber-lightweight BH 9' "Suzuki" surf/jetty sticks - what a nice piece that one is.
Kil was working hard yesterday, with tons of traffic at his display. He looked kinda winded when we left him at 12:00 - winded but happy!
There were MANY vendors there displaying (and briskly selling) their fluke teasers and jigs, as well as all the various tog jig iterations, and tons of other terminal tackle as well. If you needed something, you probably found it there.
So what did youze guys pick up at the show?
Here's Mark/Bassman909, Eddie/Tognut and Joe/Flukinit hammin' it for the camera. What a crew!:
Spent QT with several exhibitor/friends. Of course my homie Capt. Mike Bady of "The Captain's Table" charters out of Greenport was my first stop. I understand he did quite well in the bookings department - as is fitting, 'cause he's as good as it gets in a North Fork captain. Also, Capt. Neil was busily hawking his "Long Islander” series of moderately-priced custom rods, Tommy/ReelTeasers - who looked fit and trim, no doubt due to his recent retirement, Harvey Pnutbunker with all his latest creations, Capt. Rick Smith of the gorgeous Miss Beryl charter boat, and Mike Chow the custom rod builder - he had a nice display of his work there, btw. Spoke a bit with Capt. Bob of Sea Rouge charters, who had a table right next to Capt. Mike. Bob runs out of JI and shares the same grounds that I haunt for fluke and assorted other species.
After looking at most every factory and custom rod on display there, I purposely saved seeing my old friend Kilsong with his Black Hole rods for last. Eddie and I spent a good bit of time pulling on a host of them, (and driving Kil a bit crazy). I finally came away with a 6'8" Charter Special spinner, for my future tog jigging adventures. This is the twin to my spiral wrapped Charter Special, which KILLED IT last season on the deep fluke grounds.
What a nice rod, for relatively modest coin. Same blank as my first one, except it feels slightly different wrapped as a spinner. A relatively hard tip (for strong hook sets), with a deep moderate bend that should really cushion those last minute charges that a big blackfish likes to make.
In my opinion, for my "needs," honorable mention went to his prototype Challenger Bank 6'9" version of the CB 701L, what a nice rod that one is. He better hurry it into production, as the shorter length will make it a big seller for the small boat crowd. It does carry a higher price tag, commensurate with the higher-end blank and guide set than the Charter Special series feature. However, if you're looking for a step up from the Charter Specials in a factory tog jigger, this would be the one. I doubt there's nicer out there from any big manufacturer, at any price, in this type of stick.
I know Kil was "KILing it", as Capt. Mike bought a 6'8" Charter Special spiral wrap, as did my friend Flukinit - bunch a' damn copycats! Smart ones though!
Artie/Catcha50 bought an 11'6" Black Hole surf rod, and Mark/Bassman909 bought one of those nifty and uber-lightweight BH 9' "Suzuki" surf/jetty sticks - what a nice piece that one is.
Kil was working hard yesterday, with tons of traffic at his display. He looked kinda winded when we left him at 12:00 - winded but happy!
There were MANY vendors there displaying (and briskly selling) their fluke teasers and jigs, as well as all the various tog jig iterations, and tons of other terminal tackle as well. If you needed something, you probably found it there.
So what did youze guys pick up at the show?
Here's Mark/Bassman909, Eddie/Tognut and Joe/Flukinit hammin' it for the camera. What a crew!:
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