TARPON!

After my tarpon trip last weekend, I talked to Paul Guillot and gave him the hot tip on the SPI tarpon. He made the best of it and went 2 for 3 including this giant 6'6". These were caught on the "Tarpon Sniper" rod I made for him last October. You can see more of this rod at:

http://2coolfishing.com/ttmbforum/showthread.php?t=239813

Congrats to Paul on a fantastic catch. Tarpon this size are a rare find, and to catch one off the rocks is a great accomplishment!!

Rainshadow Bay Rod

This rod is built on a Rainshadow IP843 blank and will be used as an all-arounf bay rod. It has a Forecast rubberized textured reel seat with a spalted maple winding check. The thread is Madiera dark emerald green with Holland tan trim. The guides are REC Black pearl recoils, and it has a teardrop Recoil hook keeper.

South Padre Tarpon/Snook

Here's some shots from the SPI jetties on 7/30 and 7/31. On friday morning, I jumped six tarpon using rattle traps and a Rapala shad rap. It was a strong outgoing tide, and they were setting up on rocks on the channel side of the jetties. Dad and I went back out friday afternoon, and dad caught his first snook! The tarpon weren't cooperating in the late afternoon. They were rolling just out of casting range. On saturday morning, Travis came down and we hit 'em with some live mullet. Travis hooked a monster that had him almost spooled twice before it finally broke off. He jumped about 4 more and I jumped about four before I finally got a hook into this one!! This was the first tarpon and snook I've caught in several years, and we got to spend some QT with Keith, Karyn, Presley, and the rest of the fam, so it was a great trip down south!!

Lake Austin - Late Spawn!

Keith and I hit Lake Austin today and found this fish sitting on a bed! I got her pissed off enough to bite, and then Keith threw in and caught her... twice! Once on the way out and again on the way back. We caught about 8 fish total and 3 nice keepers...

Ranch Rod

This is a Phenix S700L blank with a prickly pear cactus butt and rattlesnake skin in the split grip. The customer requested "ranch colors", so I went with a green and black classic twist thread with vintage tan trim.

Lake LBJ - 4th of July weekend

We hit the lake for July 4th weekend with my cousin, Ross and his wife, Kim. Rachel also had her friends, Lindsay and April out there. Ross & I had rods set out all weekend and were only catching little catfish. The one time we decided to go up to the house, Rachel and Lindsay were sitting down on the dock watching the poles.... Of course, that's when the biggest bass of the weekend came along and took down a live perch!! This was Lindsay's first bass ever!! Nice catch!!

LSU Tiger Rod

This is a Phenix S706M Blank built as a light surf casting rod. The butt cap is Texas Agarita wood mixed with purple acrylic resin, with an inlaid Tiger coin. The thread colors are Gudebrod purple (with cp) and metallic gold. The guides are the new "Black Pearl" Recoils, and they're spiral wrapped.