This is the first time we have offered any discount on these blanks , and the discount applies only to the ones we have in stock . You may want to call to check availability .

Robert

The AFAW blanks have been recieving rave reviews up here in the North East. Everyone I spoke with who has tried them loved how well they cast and how great they fished. Looking foward to seeing them at teh 2008 High Point show.

Billy -
I've seen the line-up of blanks. They're beautiful. The 60/40 split Fusion is an absolute "dream stick". I'd say it's the best surf rod for heavy wave action and long sloping beaches - Lewes & Fenwick, Delaware; Outer Banks, N.C; Assateague Island, Maryland. I've had 2-3 people ask me to build on these. I just couldn't justify the cost/blank. It's a 'personal thing' (or maybe I need to up my prices) - I like to provide fishermen with a cost-effective final product. At $250.00 per blank plus shipping people's faces go a little pale & their hands stop on the way to the back pocket after we start adding on the other (deservedly) high-end components plus bench time. Perhaps if I were physically located closer to one of those beaches the fishermen I routinely deal with would understand that this blank is made for the conditions that they'll face.
If Robert /Ray have them at the show I'll get one --- FOR ME, build it then put it in a customer's hands. That's really all it takes I think to sell the blank - put the fisherman on a beach that needs a rod blank capable of 8 N bait but doesn't feel like a telephone pole in the hand.

Ken,

The Fusion is a Wheels reels blank, not AFAW; I agree it is a very nice rod. I am looking forward to seing the AFAW line in High Point.

Walt Davenport
"Roadhouse Rods"

Walt
Absolutely correct! FISHSTICKS4U are also offering "in stock / on sale" on Tony Wheeler's rod blanks. I'd like to offer these to customers but I just can't afford to lay out enough $$ to qualify for Tony's minimum blank order.

Ken, I am not familiar with the Wheels & Reels blanks, but the AFAW blanks are well within reason price wise for comparable graphite blanks from other surf rod companies.

THere are a few of the AFAW blanks floating around the North East, they were wrapped by a couple of builders and passed around to a bunch of surf fishermen for testing and feedback. So far everythign has been positive, that I have seen. From what I hear they are a real ThumbBurner...hopefuly Jim sees that and gets an lol.

I watched the AFAW video -- Amazing! Simply amazing - 4 oz of lead 500+feet is certainly impressive... I can feel the pain inmy right thumb burning just watching it - and it didn't look like he even pushed the rod as hard as it would take.

Ken Preston Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I watched the AFAW video -- Amazing! Simply
> amazing - 4 oz of lead 500+feet is certainly
> impressive... I can feel the pain inmy right
> thumb burning just watching it - and it didn't
> look like he even pushed the rod as hard as it
> would take.

Hi Ken,

You may find this link interesting.

[breakawayusa.com]

Brenda is in the Women's division
Jacob is in the Youth division (under 18)
Bill is in the Senior's division (65+)

I have seen Bill cast on numerous times in the 480 to 500 foot range. At one time he was using a Breakaway LDX. The last time I saw him he was using a Zziplex. Bill is either 80 or 81 years young.

Don


Don Becker

Thanks! Definitely out of my class I routinely "kersplash" at about 30 feet - or watch the unattached weight sail out of sight . Clearly a coordination / technique issue at the butt end of the rod for me.

A little off subject: Neal and James tossing (casting) baseballs out of Oriole Park (2002)

[www.longcasters.org]

DOn - the way it's been explained to me - the Zipppy's are superb casing rods, but like many of the rods designed for Distance Casting Competitions - they do not fish very well. THE AFAW, and I will assume the Wheels & Reels - will do a great job Distance casting, and are excellent to fish with. SInc I don't fish with anything over 8', I have no idea for myself.

Ken Preston Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> A little off subject: Neal and James tossing
> (casting) baseballs out of Oriole Park (2002)
>
>
Hi Ken,

A few years back I was asked to join Neil Mackellow and Roger Mortimore in a casting demonstration in Florida.
It was great to witness up close Neil's casting expertise. I offered Neil the opportunity to cast my rod and reel. Neil looked at my 6/0 and said something about not being a fool. Roger did take up the challenge and did exceptionally well. Roger caused quite a stir in the UK when he cast 8 ounces a distance of 795 feet. Later I was able to tap into Roger's expertise when he made an around the world fishing and casting tournament tour. On his stop in Honolulu, he conducted a casting workshop. Hopefully Neil will one day make it to Honolulu.

Baseballs? Why not apples? The folks in the UK know how to have a good time!

[myfishcasting.org]

Don


Don Becker