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Results 1 - 30 of 286
1 year ago
Darrin Heim
Also, what's nice is that we offer a UH standard Hood/Nut assemble as well as a ULH option with several different grip choices such as; cork, EVA, & carbon, including aluminum trim in silver, gloss black and matte black finishes along with any matching accompanying aluminum seat checks. Great ways to dress up both regular and CCT versions! Darrin
Forum: rodboard
1 year ago
Darrin Heim
Hey Tom, The APEX 16 are absolutely the most popular seats in Europe right now for comfort and style on all lighter finesse rods. Both in the CCT (Compressed Carbon Tech) and the regular nylon versions using a variety of fore grip options. That said, I much prefer the APEX 17 for both lighter and medium heavy builds. I feel this 17 version provides more comfort to grip/hold and has now rep
Forum: rodboard
1 year ago
Darrin Heim
This is a nice compilation movie of our ICAST show, can't put everything in but it's a quick view of some highlights.. Darrin Heim American Tackle Company
Forum: rodboard
1 year ago
Darrin Heim
Incredible show! In 40 years of doing these shows around the world going all the way back to AFTMA days, and this one was our best ever! I thank our staff and ProStaff for preparing and conducting one of our most expansive presentations yet. It takes a lot dedication and effort to coordinate all of our events while maintaining our marketing and meeting schedules. And as usual year in and year
Forum: rodboard
1 year ago
Darrin Heim
Likely the copy was geared more toward our trade customers using our other blanks of similar length and action/styles, but as mentioned it would also apply to other similar blanks in the industry done in the past as well. These styles of 8’, 8 1/2’, & 9’ (10’ too) blanks originated from a project I did in the early to mid ‘90s developing longer carbon blanks for SoCal fishing styles. They
Forum: rodboard
1 year ago
Darrin Heim
Hi guys, Mr. Ewanicki, the system allows the most effective line management by quickly capturing and controlling line from the reel. Then the angler and rod are able to produce long accurate casting. Mr. Danek, I agree with your initial premise. With the many variables finding the ideal combination isn’t easy to do, unless you use the most efficient and effective system available, and a s
Forum: rodboard
2 years ago
Darrin Heim
I knew Jack. Not sure but maybe he visited looking for components at one time or met him at some AFTMA shows but I also visited him at his shop in Cairns in the mid-to-late ’90’s. He was into reel design/repair along with building custom rods for his market near the Great Barrier Reef. A lot of people who headed to that “big game” mecca would have crossed paths with him as well as those in the in
Forum: rodboard
2 years ago
Darrin Heim
Hmmm, added up there’s over $140 worth of components without the carbon tube or the box…. So maybe coming in a box rather than dumped in a plastic bag lowers the cost? Wait minute, maybe the price is too low and why they’ve sold out every time they come back into stock. Or they are just "advanced” in appearance, performance, and claimed,,,, ad-vanced; i.e. state-of-the-art, new, modern, up t
Forum: rodboard
2 years ago
Darrin Heim
I love these discussions, so entertaining! Phil, If you want to support working Americans, then buy from a US vendor regardless of where it’s made. The fact is that more Americans make their livings purchasing, making, selling or servicing irrespective of country of origin. The option to do so provides the opportunity for businesses and consumers to be economically strong, and it's precise
Forum: rodboard
2 years ago
Darrin Heim
As Mr. Phipps said, hard to say, because if they truly were produced by Talon for PB (which was a long time ago), they should all be the same actions. And as he mentioned they have produced for others such as AWS etc. where maybe they are not the same. Before going overseas, PB blanks took a few different detours through; SoCal production, Talon/WA, Tridon/OK, Allstar/TX and Pac Bay even built
Forum: rodboard
2 years ago
Darrin Heim
Hi Mo, They can vary due to the nature of how they are produced but I just weighed a couple of bodies that were 9.5 grams. I love these seats as they are truly unique and there’s nothing else like them on the market. Darrin Heim American Tackle Company
Forum: rodboard
2 years ago
Darrin Heim
Hi Chris, Yes adds strength, weight, beauty, cost,,,,, the whole shebang. But realistically its all part and parcel of the style of these blanks being thinner diameter fast full-action saltwater blanks that fulfill many needs while not breaking. The wall thickness including all materials, tape etc. is thick but not abnormally so and the overall weights are what I would consider very light base
Forum: rodboard
2 years ago
Darrin Heim
I will say that these blanks are absolutely amazing and very versatile. They have a wide selection of power/line classes to be utilized for many applications from light to heavy duty but with enough power to go beyond the designated range. We tested these blanks extensively on the water taking a couple prototype rods to ICAST for people to pull on a finished product. The results were that we s
Forum: rodboard
2 years ago
Darrin Heim
I love to see comments/opinions on the competition but I tend to agree with Wade here… Next year enter the contest and submit what you believe is the perfect rod. But understand that this competition is about demonstrating the craft as a whole not just functionality. Likely the most functional rod won’t have ornate anything on it which based on the point system works against some of the other
Forum: rodboard
2 years ago
Darrin Heim
Hi My opinion is that it’s probably okay to produce a new decal. Nobody finds issue with restoration of a rod, plus the logo used on that rod isn’t close to anything that could be used today. I don’t know who actually owns the TM but I assume its the new ownership of Penn which good luck on getting approval for a single retro decal... Back in the day, if you owned a Sabre rod then you owne
Forum: rodboard
2 years ago
Darrin Heim
Hi George and all., Silicon Carbide or SiC, is a ceramic material ring while the NanoPlasma is an American Tackle Nanolite ring option with a plasma deposition. There are several PVD coatings used to provide coloration including; TiN, TiC, TiCH, TiZrN, TiNc, TiO, TiZN etc. etc. They also provide some added durability and hardness for an improved product beyond the cosmetic aspect, though n
Forum: rodboard
2 years ago
Darrin Heim
Appreciation from American Tackle for allowing businesses a place to connect with enthusiasts.... In my opinion, it is difficult for a small business to effectively reach unique niche interest groups. Likewise, I think it equally important for enthusiasts to have a location to learn, share, and interact with businesses directly associated their interests. While other social media sources can
Forum: rodboard
2 years ago
Darrin Heim
Kendall Cikanek Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > I called you politely, three times. The first two > times I got disconnected. The third time, I got > very little in the way of meaningful answers. What > is your affiliation with Mudhole? As far as affiliation with Mudhole, I don’t know what you are asking. They are without a doubt the largest
Forum: rodboard
2 years ago
Darrin Heim
Hi Scot/all, I’ll comment to the original post first since I think it's appropriate. You mentioned the NGC which does indeed distribute line stress, as well as reducing weight toward the tip with smaller guides and it departs from traditional COF in order to capture and control the line quicker to obtain the aforementioned benefits. Like the NGC, another variation of using specific guide sizes
Forum: rodboard
3 years ago
Darrin Heim
Hi Guys, Chuck, the choice is yours on whether you want to start with the 18 or 12, as well as where to place them. What might effect your decision is what exact blank you are using, reel size, line/lure etc. What I mean is the reel size could determine the best height of the secondary ring (or even size) as well as the line/lure determining the size of the running guides you would prefer. The
Forum: rodboard
3 years ago
Darrin Heim
Thank you Tom for giving rod component companies a specific and fair platform to participate in. No other venue offers those in business specifically, to actively engage core enthusiasts directly in such a civil and informative manner. I just want to say that it doesn’t go unnoticed, so again thank you. Darrin Heim American Tackle Company
Forum: rodboard
8 years ago
Darrin Heim
Hi, If I remember correctly, Dynaflow guides were used on Daiwa rods back in the early 1980’s which is most likely where the concept/idea came from. That same style of flanged metal ring has been produced for years and has been available from some early Korean manufacturers as well. The originals were not flanged/folded on both sides(but had more of a smooth rounded ID) and similar to the orig
Forum: rodboard
8 years ago
Darrin Heim
Hi Tom, Others might have differing opinions but from what I have experienced, tradition and function take a dominant role in their rod design. European carp anglers take their sport very seriously and until now have stuck with what works for casting long distances(even though not all carp fishing requires casting). They typically prefer larger stripping guides which I assume is for heavier l
Forum: rodboard
8 years ago
Darrin Heim
Hi Mike, I just saw this so I wanted to give my biased opinion, I say biased because I would be suggesting American Tackle products. But this said, if given the choice of any or all the standard guide choices available, I would not hesitate in saying go with the MWG Casting edition! It’s the best choice because it’s the best design and the latest technology in line control. I guarantee that th
Forum: rodboard
8 years ago
Darrin Heim
Hi Todd, Thought I’d weigh in here. Angler’s Resource should be able to tell you what was made in titanium frames and what wasn’t. Both their titanium and Ti coated frames can look similar in color and sheen which tends to be bright or “titanium” looking. I cannot speak for Fuji but I don’t remember them offering titanium frames with back finish. Although you can deposition titanium frames
Forum: rodboard
10 years ago
Darrin Heim
Hi Jim, We hear all the time that the MWG rod is the favorite stick to fish. I personally am switching all my standard spinning/casting guides to MWG’s. As I say I won’t leave home without them… Best Regards, Darrin Heim American Tackle Company
Forum: rodboard
10 years ago
Darrin Heim
Hi Cris, Awesome, I think you’ll like them. I don’t have an 8’ suggestion although with my last build I started with a shorter version and moved the guides around to look good when the rod is deflected(and with progressively spacing down the rod) and it casts like a charm. Someone here might have some specific suggestions however I would start by locating the stripping and transition guide and
Forum: rodboard
10 years ago
Darrin Heim
Hi Cris, Consider the MicroWave Line Control System. It is outstanding for casting light weight lures etc. especially with light line. If you want to go higher end then look at the Tidal Wave sets but if it were me I would focus on efficiency and performance which is why MWG’s are ideal on this type of rod. Would probably want to go with the set of 9 and add a running guide or two. Best Re
Forum: rodboard
10 years ago
Darrin Heim
Loose line on a spinning reel can pose problems with loops on the spool that can come off in a mess. Consider the use of MicroWave spinning sets as they will wind the line tighter on the spool during the retrieve. I fish a lot of top water in the wind with spinning gear which is prone to tight-lose tight etc. retrieval and I feel my issues with that problem are greatly reduced if not eliminated a
Forum: rodboard
10 years ago
Darrin Heim
Hi all, Line control has always been a goal of guide layouts even if it wasn’t explained in that manner. Cone of flight and newer concept systems etc. all serve to guide the line the length of the rod during a cast with some degree of management. Nearly 2 decades ago rod builders and a specific component company shifted focus to controlling the line early in order to maximize performance. All
Forum: rodboard
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