Don’t make me come back there, OK I’m coming back there, one last time before I croak. Perhaps in two seminars I’ll be able to separate fact from fiction or opinion, or maybe not. These discussions seem to get a little long primarily because of the misunderstanding of the terms Flippin and Pitchin. I have no opinions here, I learned from the best ,D Thomas, Dave Glebie, Gary Klein, then proceeded
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I have the new RodMaker vol. 23 issue 3 in my hands, if you don’t, why not? Tom has once again published a classic. His articles on the Simple Spiral revisited and The Next Thing get to the core like no one ever has. This site will eventually cover parts of the articles, but why wait for second hand regurgitation of the original ? There is no such thing as a free lunch, despite the interne
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The advantage of a custom rod is we get to talk to the customer. If they know what they want we can build it that way or send them to someone that will. Jerk bait Rods are shorter and fished tip down, but when the fish is hooked on the next jerk, most I know fight the fish with the tip up. If they fight to the net tip down, build it the way they want. If the customer wants just the best rod
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When you fight a fish, the line ALWAYS goes to the fish, i.e. UNDER the rod. Fly Rods, spinning and spiral wraps the guides are already there. If you would like little fish to feel big, put the guides on top, the twisting in your hand makes those one pounders feel BIG! Hopefully we can keep our sense of humor here. I once built a true spiral wrap as a demo, line on top to bottom to top and back
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Ed. Some posts need repeating, and expanding, and submitting as an article to Tom. Do it. I intend to repeat myself in a “Magic Wand” series about 10 different Bass techniques, blanks, handles, guides. Braid to FG Knot to Fluorocarbon will be emphasized in each article when the angler wants more distance or sensitivity. Call me if you like for a few suggestions for your article. Rich Forhan
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Tom’s right. However, I loaned out that 540 degree TRIAL rod so many times that I forgot who had it last. So whoever has it, I want it back, it’s the only one like that I ever built, and it worked fine.
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Seth, good news, the first guide on a baitcaster has already been determined for you - it’s on the reel. Put the second guide wherever you like - within reason. If you want more casting distance, change to a better reel. More sensitivity ? Try braid & FG knot to a leader. Better at fighting fish ? Spiral wrap. The hard part is always picking the best blank for the technique you intend, the
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Somebody does know, they were all s-glass, talked with Dave Meyer a long time ago. Now why can’t I remember what I did last week ? Those glass Flip Rods are heavy, when you flip with them, always transition your left hand up the rod for balance and a brutal hook set. Pinch the line and at the end of the flip, 3 fingers under the rod. Never get caught with the line in your left hand away from th
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Dennis, could be just fine. I have gone through so many blanks I found none that matched those 2 in how they fish. Here is what I know works for me and high level pros for a flip stick. Low modular, not high, bends in the middle, not tip, one piece if possible. If you need more sensitivity, use braid and the FG knot to fluorocarbon. It is hard to describe the joy when Flippin’ or pitchin’ wit
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Chris, I’ve been down this road a few times, to say the least. The best I’ve found are no longer for sale. Try and find an original, one piece Fenwick Flip stick ( s-glass), also Shikari FS764 . Buy them, strip and rebuild for your self . I have a few of these , but being saved for grandsons. If you find any extras, let me know. Rich
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If you’re wanting a more sensitive rod to improve your fishing, think it through first. Knowledge combined with proper technique will prevail every time. My most sensitive rod in the hands of a rookie is good for laughs - just relax and laugh - it’s OK. The best advice I every got on how to feel a bite while using a 1/16 jig and a Gitzit came from Bobby Garland “pay attention and weigh the LINE o
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Sure, what Tom said. Now add a custom build and use braid with a leader.
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Pavel, this blank is the result of a long search for a better tight line moving lure blank for Bass. I asked Seeker to try their P706 and BS706, both E glass using S glass. They did, the rest is history. It will do what you want, and then some. Build it, then you tell your story, everyone has their own. Rich
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Real names combined with honest talent and selfless advice - a winning combination every time. Thanks to Tom and all who post here.
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Doug, I hope you have a sense of humor regarding such a serious subject. I’ m a Bass angler that has caught a fair number of Muskies Flippin’ the dense grass for Bass. I would suggest you build one of each, keep the one you like and sell the other, you’ll be knowledge and money ahead. If you only want to build one, here’s an idea, build both on one rod. Use size 6 running guides (opposed) righ
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I talked with Bill many times. He was a behind the scenes catalyst in so many areas of rod building. His sense of humor will be sorely missed. When I stopped building for sale, he bailed me out by building many tournament rods for a certain Bass Pro. He was in on everything in bass rods. I talked to him several times after his wife passed, he was inconsolable . It would take a book to cover
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Apologies to all for the change in my schedule. I usually fly back to the EXPO on military space-A, rent a car, and attend to give seminars on both days. I work my way back to California on space-A after Sunday. There was no operation on the horizon when I made plans to fly to the East coast while my wife was in Hawaii with my two daughters. Plans changed when her heart doctor set up an operat
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Apologies to all for the change in my schedule. I usually fly back to the EXPO on military space-A, rent a car, and attend to give seminars on both days. I work my way back to California on space-A after Sunday. There was no operation on the horizon when I made plans to fly to the East coast while my wife was in Hawaii with my two daughters. Plans changed when her heart doctor set up an operat
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Dennis, I've tried the email you gave twice. Email me. forhanrods@gmail.com
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Dennis, yes. Email sent.
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Gib, you came to the right place. My answer to your first question - is yes, I do. Send your address to forhanrods@ gmail.com and I'll send your boy a copy of my color sheet I fininished in 1999 after many years of testing . The sheet is my drawing of 6, 6 1/2, and 7 ft bass rods, both spinning and baitcasting. It shows all measurements , guide names and sizes, etc. If your boy likes what he see
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Dennis, bring money to the show ($20) plus name and address on a card and I'll send you one of the few remaining copies. I will be giving away 3 copies to Tom for the Expo, one for the reception and one for each of the seminars I give. David, sorry you can't make it, we probably would agree on more than you think. I'm giving away my Do-It mold for lead rod weights to be inserted into blanks.
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Glenn, the answer to your question is YES ! I learned the Flippin' technique from Dee Thomas and the Pitchin' technique from Gary Klein. The right amount of weight for an 8 ft Flip stick to be perfectly balanced is ZERO ! I wrote the article for Tom K. some time ago about balancing Bass rods. Dee never explained the proper technique completely in an article because he intended to win in competi
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Thanks Phil .....good idea. The teacher - becomes the student - again. Keep it up, We're never to old or proud to learn. Rich Forhan
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Bill, "I wonder how a rod would cast with the line running completely around the blank LOL - LOL" I've been there, done that, a Revolver Rod , top to bottom, back to top and back to bottom. ( complete spiral around the blank in one direction) Used it as a Demo rod for skeptics of the spiral wrap. I loaned it out many times, but I cheated - it was a high end blank, Fuji guides and
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George, I' m always here, even when I'm gone. My email, phone number, etc. has not changed. Give me a call. If I'm out, I'll get back to you when I return. There should be an interview article in RodMaker by Tom on this issue and others that I wrote about over the years. Rich
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Chad, What Tom said. I spent several years researching and testing before I built the first complete Revolver Rod. I didn't intend to sell any - just change the Bass Fishing game forever. I gave the ideas away in print. Not one feature of the Revolver Rod was in use by any major MFG at the time. I talked to each of the big MFGs at ICAST. They all said the same thing - they were in the business o
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Steven - send money. check will do, $20 for paperback (8 left), $27 for hardback(9 left). I'm gone as much as I'm home - but I will ship when home. (wife of 45 years "made me an offer I couldn't refuse" for unlimited world travel - what could I do? ). 22 Monarch Ct. Oroville, CA. 95966 For the very frugal - subscribe to RodMaker mag., attend the Custom Rod Expo reception, I'm sendi
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the rest of the story - it has been over a decade when Competitive Edge asked me have my designs built in Florida and sold under their name (for a %]. I agreed, but only if the rods were built my way and to my standards. In other words - my way or the hi-way - they agreed at the time. My designs, American blanks of my choosing, Fuji components - that was it. They requested the first change - ins
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Glen, I know a little about those rods. Are the grips foam or cork ? - for the rest of the story.
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