The New Mangrove Fly Rods From TFO

Temple Fork called on Flip Pallot to design its new Mangrove Series.

Temple Fork Outfitters has done it again, introducing yet another great fly rod at an incredible price.

The $249.95 tag on the new Mangrove Series isn't a huge surprise. TFO has long been producing high-performance rods at affordable prices. To really understand what makes these sticks special, you need to pick one up, cast it, then fish it. That's when the Mangrove's true beauty is going to hit you, and you'll think to yourself: Wow.

Flip Pallot was the designer for this new series, and when he took on the task, he started by asking how to make yet another fast, powerful rod. But then he thought about all his experience prowling the saltwater flats, remembering that monster casts of 100 feet are more myth than reality. Much more frequently, the fish are no more than 60 feet away. Sometimes, they're much, much closer. Sometimes, your targets show up right beside the boat.

Now, I routinely tell folks that the toughest cast on the coast is an 8-foot throw with a 9-foot rod. It's just a joke, but it reveals more than a little reality. Redfish are notorious for sneaking in close. When that happens, presenting the fly with a super-fast rod is a hardship. You'd be better off with a rod that loads at short distances.

So Flip changed gears and opted for a more moderate action, meaning the rod bends well below the tip. Sure enough, with an 8-weight Mangrove, I can feel the rod loading with no more than 5 or 10 feet of fly line out the tip.

That quick loading also means the Mangrove shoots line very well. And that's a good thing when chasing moving targets on the flats.

Some complain that rods with moderate actions lack the backbone for fighting big fish, but that's not the case with a Mangrove. Flip put plenty of power in the lower two-thirds of the shaft, which is just fine. Anyone who fights a big fish with the tip of his rod is already engaged in a losing proposition.

What about those longer casts?

OK, the Mangrove isn't going to have a big impact on the tournament circuit, and if you're routinely throwing 100-foot casts, you'll probably prefer an Axiom or BVK. But I've been tossing nice loops with the Mangrove at 70 and 80 feet. It's just a matter of lengthening your stroke and tapping into the power of the Mangrove's butt.

My only concern with the Mangroves is that they'll get pigeon-holed as saltwater rods, and that would be a shame. These are going to be dynamite bass rods as well, because they load so easily at short distances. And I think they're going to be excellent streamer rods on the trout stream.

Each Mangrove gets TFO's proprietary TiCr coasting to help shield the shaft from the occasional impacts you get with a heavily weighted fly. The non-glare chestnut blank (which happens to look great with a bronze Galvan Torque reel) gets Tactical Series stripping guides and a full-Wells grip marked with a burled cork rod-weight ID system. Hook keepers are machined into both sides of the uplocking aluminum reel seat.

All Mangroves are 9-foot, four-piece models, available in line weights of 6 through 10 plus a 12, and they're protected by Temple Fork's unconditional lifetime warranty.

Guest Review: TFO's Mean Green Pitchin' Stick

Selection of TFO rods ready for action aboard G. Wayne Byrd's boat.

By G. Wayne Byrd

First Impressions/Technical Specifics: I have been fishing the P797-1 for a few seasons now, and it has proven to be a crucial stick in my arsenal, always present on the front deck of my boat. Designed primarily for pitching, I have found this rod can wear many different hats, and I will take you in-depth to discuss several options and applications that truly make this rod “The Mean Green Pitchin’ Stick.”

G. Wayne Byrd

The blank is adorned with 10 Tactical Series guides, a proprietary series of guides that features super-hard-chrome anodized inserts of stainless steel pressed into a machined hard-anodized, chromium-impregnated stainless steel frame for extreme durability in both fresh and salt water. This all means that you get a set of guides that are super hard and super slick while eliminating concerns about lost inserts. Plus these guides are 30 percent lighter than standard SiC guides. The P797-1 gets two double-foot guides, seven single-foot guides and, of course, the tip guide.

The rod is rated for 12- to 30-pound line and lures of ½ to 2 ounces. It weighs in at 6.2 ounces, making it lighter than many other rods of this length and power on the market today.

The P797-1 is a 7-foot-9 one-piece design for maximum sensitivity. When topped with a baitcast reel, the balance point is slightly in front of the middle of the reel seat, right where it should be. There is no fore grip, which reduces weight and improves balance.  There are not a lot of exposed threads in front of the hood ring, making it possible to place a finger or two right on the blank for added sensitivity.

The reel seat is a one-piece design, unlike the split two-piece reel seat used on most GTS casting rods. With a rod this large, I found that the split seat is not necessary. 

The split grips are natural high-grade hand-contoured cork for maximum sensitivity. The front grip and butt section grip is nice and long to accommodate most any hand, and it guarantees a nice feel and fit for all-day casting and comfort. The blank has well-appointed winding checks, wraps, logos and components. The hook keeper is out of the way, between the split grips.

The rod is finished with a thin layer of matte clear coat over polished graphite, producing an immaculate rod that is both durable and striking. The newly designed TFO logo is on the left, and the classic Temple Fork Outfitters logo script is on the right with rod length, weight rating, model number and power rating integrated.

In The Field: The P797-1 was designed primarily as a pitching stick and does a great job filling that niche. I use the rod for pitchin’/flippin’ jigs and weighted craws/soft plastics, and it truly excels in that department. I have also used this rod for Carolina-rigged presentations, umbrella rigs and smaller swimbaits all with spectacular results. I was in a situation where I used this rod for throwing large frogs and rats for some heavy duty topwater action, and it proved to be a deadly combination. 

As previously mentioned, the rod is rated for 12- to 30-pound line. I have used everything from 20-pound fluorocarbon up to 50-pound braid. When I pitch jigs and weighted plastics into heavy cover, I am primarily using 30- or 50-pound braid, and even though the 50-pound braid is significantly stronger than the ratings suggest, I have yet to have an issue.

Accuracy when pitchin’ is right on the mark, and the rod throws swimbaits remarkably long distances. Many older-style pitching sticks use a telescoping blank, which I feel makes the rod tip heavy and poorly balanced. The P797-1 is a true one-piece blank that balances out perfectly.

Casting/Pitching: When throwing 2-ounce swimbaits with the P797-1, you might want to make sure your reel is filled to its maximum line capacity. The Mean Green Pitchin’ Stick will really lob the lures out there. At 7-foot-9, the P797-1 is great for both flippin’ and distance casting. The tip has a little bit of give when casting lures that are on the middle to higher end of the weight recommendations, but the rod still has the power to cast heavier lures and pull big fish from heavy structure. 

As the rod loads from the tip, it is extremely smooth and crisp. And the length is perfect, allowing me to dial in and hit my targets much better with the longer-than-standard pitching stick. Laying the jig right in the pocket is key when the fish require a flawless presentation.

Sensitivity: Made with high-modulus T-800 graphite, the P797-1 is tremendously sensitive, more than any other big stick I have used. Strikes are instantly identifiable, and my hook-up ratio with this rod is very high.

Power: The P797-1 is rated as XH power and handled any situation I presented. I was very impressed with how this rod fished many different types of lures and presentations. I like this rod for pitchin’ and flippin’ more than anything else, but it is capable of handling about anything you want to tie on. The Mean Green Pitchin’ Stick has the backbone to pull fish out of heavy cover. And because this rod is rated for lures up to 2 ounces, throwing 1-ounce jigs all day is a walk in the park.

Durability is a strong point for this rod, as I have thrown lures that exceeded the ratings with ease, and with over a year of heavy usage on this rod, all the components, from the cork grips to the tip guide, show no sign of wear and tear. The people at TFO have really committed themselves to durability with the GTS series.

Conclusion: The TFO GTS Series has set a new standard for tournament-quality bass rods. Designed by Gary Loomis, the GTS rods are an outstanding value and rival any rod on the market, even those costing two or three times more. 

One of the many great features on all GTS casting rods is the placement of the hook keeper. It is on the bottom of the rod between the split grips and keeps your rods from tangling, especially when store in a rod locker. 

As I have mentioned in the past, TFO has developed and trademarked a “Color ID Split Grip” system, which assigns a different color to each power rating. The ratings run from #1 representing Ultra Light to #7 representing Extra Heavy. The P797-1 is rated as extra heavy, which denotes #7 in the power key and gets it a green color. This system in absolutely awesome as all you have to do is look down at the color of the split grip section and you automatically know what power rod you are picking up.

Warranty/Pricing: If your rod fails for any reason, Temple Fork Outfitters will repair or replace your rod for a flat fee of $35.00, plus the cost of return shipping. Dealers are not authorized to offer replacements under this warranty.  In the event of a broken or damaged rod blank, it is not necessary to send in your entire rod. Just send the name and logo portion of the rod, with your current contact information (physical address, email and phone number). TFO will contact you with the return charges. Once they receive payment, they will send out your new rod, typically within 24 hours.

TFO/Gary Loomis Tactical Series rods are priced at a very moderate $149.95. I don’t know of another rod out there that incorporates TFO’s excellence, workmanship, selection, warranty and exactitude for anything close to this price point, and believe me, I have fished about every rod available in all price ranges. 

Do yourself a favor by picking up a few of Gary’s Tactical Series rods today, and join the rapidly growing TFO family. Until next time … Here’s to Bent Rods & Screamin’ Drags!

G. Wayne Byrd is a professional angler/outdoors writer and seminar speaker sponsored by the following manufacturers:  BassWax, Buckeye Shad, Cablz, Gamakatsu, HooRag, Keen Footwear, P-Line, Rat-L-Trap, Reel Grip, Rudy Project Sunglasses, Shark Tooth, SmartShield Sunscreens, TackleTech, Temple Fork Outfitters/TFO Rods, Tuf-Line and Wave Spin Reels.  For questions comments and bookings, contact G. Wayne at  bassmasters65@yahoo.com

Guest Review: TFO's C736-1 Casting Rod

G. Wayne Byrd and a beautiful smallmouth bass, taken on TFO's C736-1 casting rod.

By G. Wayne Byrd

First Impressions/Technical Specifics: I have been using the C736-1 for about a year now and I am extremely impressed with this versatile rod. Among the first things that come to mind are its light weight, the balance and that this rod is tough-as-nails, clean and precision made with attention to details.

The blank is adorned with 10 Tactical Series guides. These proprietary guides feature super-hard-chrome anodized, stainless steel inserts pressed into a machined, hard anodized, chromium impregnated stainless steel frame for extreme durability in both fresh and salt water. This means that your guides are super hard and super slick while eliminating issues with lost inserts. Plus these guides are 30 percent lighter than standard SiC guides. The C736-1 gets two double-foot guides, seven single-foot guides and, of course, the tip guide.  

This rod is rated for 10- to 25-pound line and has a lure weight rating of 1/2-1 to 1/2 ounces. The rod weights in at 4.6 ounces, making the C736-1-1 one of the lightest rods in its class. The blank was straight as an arrow, and the guides were perfectly uniform and clean, with no epoxy run-over. The 

C736-1 is a one piece rod designed for maximum sensitivity. When topped with a baitcast reel, the balance point is slightly in front of the middle of the reel seat, which is perfectly on track with where it should balance. The rod measures 7-foot-3, and there is no fore grip, which reduces weight and improves balance. There are not a lot of exposed threads in front of the hood ring, which makes it possible to place a finger or two right on the blank for added sensitivity. 

The grips are made from natural high-grade, hand-contoured cork for maximum sensitivity, and the rod incorporates a split grip design. The front grip and butt section grip are nice and long to accommodate most any hand, and it guarantees a nice feel and fit for all day casting and comfort. 

The C736-1 features a split reel seat for maximum blank contact and sensitivity. The blank has well appointed winding checks, wraps, logos and components. The hook keeper is located out of the way between the split grips of the rods. 

The rod is finished with a thin layer of matte clear coat over polished graphite, producing an immaculate rod that is both durable and striking. The newly designed TFO logo is found on the left side, and the classic Temple Fork Outfitters logo script is on the right side with rod length, weight ratings, model number and power rating integrated. 

In The Field: I have used the C736-1 for everything from Rat-L-Traps to flippin’ soft plastic stick worms to Carolina rigs, jigs, deep running crankbaits, heavy spinnerbaits and top water applications. 
I have fished lakes, reservoirs, swamps and ponds both from the boat and from shore in about every situation you can imagine. I have fished smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, spots and peacocks with the occasional baby tarpon and bowfin thrown in for good measure.  The rod has performed well in all circumstances.

I keep two of the C736-1 rods loaded on the boat deck at all times. One rod has a T-rig weightless stick worm, and the other rod is rigged with either a 3/4oz or 1oz Rat-L-Trap. With the stick worm, I use 30-pound Tuf-Line XP braid, and with the Rat-L-Traps I use P-Line Floroclear in 12- and 15-pound varieties, right in line with the rod’s specifications. The Tactical Series guides are exceptionally smooth and slick. You will be amazed at how much these guides reduce the loud noises made by braided lines on standard guides during a hookset or while ripping the bait through weedbeds. The 1/2- to 1 1/2-ounce lure rating is spot on, but I think the true sweetspot of this rod falls between 3/4 and 1 1/4 ounces. 

I have also found the handle length to be absolutely perfect. It’s long enough to get the leverage you need when throwing big baits or flippin’ deep pockets, but not so long that it will catch on your jacket or shirt when retrieving and putting action on the lure.

Casting: Casting crankbaits with the C736-1 is simply awesome. I am able to throw the lures as far as I need with ease. During a typical day of practice or tournament fishing, I usually make more than 2,000 casts a day, and a rod that loads properly and casts easily is a huge advantage. With a length of 7-foot-3, this rod is plenty long enough to flip and pitch soft plastics. As mention before, this is also my go-to rod for throwing T-rigged weightless stick worms. Whether flippin’ into heavy cover and structure or casting the stickworms 50 yards, the C736-1 performed flawlessly.

Sensitivity: Sensitivity is important when throwing crankbaits, but it's much more important when trying to detect the subtle hits you often get when flippin’ soft plastics. Many times, you don’t actually feel the strike. You must watch the line closely and wait for the line to start moving a bit. When the line moves and you feel that tap-tap, you can set the hook. In both scenarios, the C736-1 excels. When running traps over weedbeds, you can feel the hooks grazing over the top. As you run your crankbaits through sand or bounce them off rocks and structures, everything gets relayed through this extremely sensitive blank. And that translates into more hook-ups for you the angler.  

Power: The C736-1 is rated as having heavy power, and I feel that it’s rated properly. If one were to throw lures under the recommended weight, the rod would feel too stiff and would not perform as intended. When throwing lures in the recommended weight range, this rod performs impeccably well. 

The rod loads from the tip and becomes progressively stiffer. If you are trying to horse a lunker out of thick cover, the C736-1 has plenty of backbone to get the task accomplished. I have pulled 7 and 8-pound largemouth from thick Everglade pads and Texas sticks and stumps without any trouble. I have also used the C736-1 over lily pads and grass with topwater rats and frogs, and this rod really has the backbone to hook 'em up and pull 'em out.

Do not get the impression that the C736-1 is a broom stick, because while very powerful, the rod still has a nice fast crisp tip to assure you will detect the lightest of hits.

Conclusion: If you are looking for a rod that has an abundance of sensitivity with a ton of backbone, try the C736-1 Tactical Series casting rod. Another great feature on all GTS casting rods is the placement of the hook keeper, which is at the bottom of the rod between the split grips. This keeps your rods from tangling up, especially when stored in your boat’s rod locker. 

As I have mentioned in the past, TFO has developed and trademarked a “Color ID Split Grip” system, which assigns a different color to each power rating. The ratings run from #1 representing Ultra Light to #7 representing Extra Heavy. The C736-1 is rated as heavy power, which denotes #6 in the power key and gets it a dark brown color. This system in absolutely awesome. All you have to do is look down at the split grip section to know the power of the rod you are picking up.

Warranty/Pricing: If your rod fails for any reason, Temple Fork Outfitters will repair or replace your rod for a flat fee of $35.00, plus the cost of return shipping. Dealers are not authorized to offer replacements under this warranty.  In the event of a broken or damaged rod blank, it is not necessary to send in your entire rod. Just send the name and logo portion of the rod, with your current contact information (physical address, email and phone number). TFO will contact you with the return charges. Once they receive payment, they will send out your new rod, typically within 24 hours.

TFO/Gary Loomis Tactical Series rods are priced at a very moderate $149.95. I don’t know of another rod out there that incorporates TFO’s excellence, workmanship, selection, warranty and exactitude for anything close to this price point, and believe me, I have fished about every rod available in all price ranges. 

Do yourself a favor by picking up a few of Gary’s Tactical Series rods today, and join the rapidly growing TFO family. Until next time … Here’s to Bent Rods & Screamin’ Drags!

G. Wayne Byrd is a professional angler/outdoors writer and seminar speaker sponsored by the following manufacturers:  BassWax, Buckeye Shad, Cablz, Gamakatsu, HooRag, Keen Footwear, P-Line, Rat-L-Trap, Reel Grip, Rudy Project Sunglasses, Shark Tooth, SmartShield Sunscreens, TackleTech, Temple Fork Outfitters/TFO Rods, Tuf-Line and Wave Spin Reels.  For questions comments and bookings, contact G. Wayne at  bassmasters65@yahoo.com

TFO Sponsors Collegiate Bass Championship Series

Temple Fork Outfitters, the maker of affordable high-performance fishing rods, has become a sponsor of the 2013 BoatUS Collegiate Bass Fishing Championship Series.

Working with industry pioneer Gary Loomis since 2008, TFO offers two series of spinning and casting rods. The original Signature Series features fast-action rods in various lengths and powers, with most bass models retailing for $99.95. The Tactical Series offers a lineup of technique-specific rods that are state-of-the-art, with prices starting at $149.95.

'We look forward to working with Temple Fork Outfitters in 2013," Danny Blandford of the Association of Collegiate Anglers said. "They’ll be introducing students to great products at prices within their budget, which is a win for our collegiate anglers.  We’ll be doing a variety of promotions with TFO this year, so our Facebook fans and event participants are in for a treat.”

"TFO’s core values of quality, affordability, and passion are perfectly represented by collegiate anglers," TFO's Collins Illich said. "We are proud to be working with the BoatUS Collegiate Bass Fishing Championship Series and look forward to following these anglers' futures.”

Guest Review: Ultralight Spinning Rod From TFO

By G. Wayne Byrd

First Impressions/Technical Specifics: The TFG FWS 761-2 is part of Temple Fork Outfitters’ Gary Loomis Signature Series of rods. In fact, it falls under the Signature Travel Rod category due to its two-piece design. This fast-action ultralight rod, which retails for $99.95, is rated for 2- to 6-pound lines, with a generous lure rating of 1/32 to 3/8 ounces. The rod itself weighs in at 4.1 ounces. The two-piece design lets you break the rod down for easy transport to your favorite fishing hole.

A versatile rod that's easy to pack

The blank is a beautiful dark motor oil color and has well appointed winding checks, wraps, logos and components. The blank was nice and straight upon inspection, and the guides were perfectly uniform and clean with no epoxy run-over whatsoever. This rod measured exactly 7 feet, 6 inches in length.

Higher end rods will typically utilize more guides than lower end rods. TFO adorned the blank with nine high quality SiC guides, which increases sensitivity through more line contact points along the blank. The grips are made from a combination of burl and premium cork rings, which provide great sensitivity, and the rod incorporates a split grip design. The front grip is the perfect length to accommodate most any hand and guarantees a nice feel and fit for all-day casting and comfort. The Temple Fork Outfitters gold logo script is on the right side of the rod with length, weight ratings, model number and power rating integrated.

G. Wayne Byrd

In The Field: I tend to focus on bass fishing in most of my reviews but actually fish for just about anything that swims. When headed out to test the FWS 761-2 for the first time, it was truly a weekend of multiple species and multiple locations involving many diverse fishing situations. I paired the rod with a Wave Spin DHxL spinning reel and opted for the upper end of the line rating by spooling up with 6-pound P-Line Fluoroclear line. The balance point of this outfit was right in the middle of the foregrip, which is right in line with where it should be. 

Many ultralight rods tend to remind me of a big noodle. That was not the case with the FWS 761-2. The blank was tremendously crisp, well balanced and had an overall pristine and lightweight feel to it. I started out by throwing Kastmasters of 1/32 to 1/4 ounces in a medium size trout pond. I then went to 1/4-ounce in-line spinners, and on the aforementioned lures, I landed multiple rainbow trout in the 1- to 2-pound range. I then changed things up a bit and headed to a nearby stream and tied on a fly/bubble combination. After several well-fed takers, I was off to check out a small well-structured pond rumored to have an abundance of perch, bluegill, bass and carp.

After swinging the stick at multiple perch and bluegill, I thought to myself: I know this is an ultralight rod, but I am going for a few bass! I tied on a 1/4-ounce weighted wacky rig hook and slipped on a 4-inch stick worm. I even threw a 3/8-ounce and 1/2-ounce Rat-L-Trap and finished the day presenting a 1/8-ounce drop shot rig. I hooked and landed a 3 1/2-pound largemouth on the FWS 761-2 after playing the fish gently and trying not to horse it in on the light equipment.

Casting: The FWS 761-2 has a delicate tip and loads very easily. Long casts were performed with ease. I was impressed that I could cast 1/16-ounce and 1/8-ounce in-line spinners with such vigor and distance. If one would downsize the line to a 3- or 4-pound test, this action-packed rod would cast these lightweight lures a country mile. 

I was able to cast accurately right from the beginning, and the rod felt great in my hands. Due to the way in which the rod balanced and the fact that it only weights 4.1 ounces, casting fatigue was not a factor. It was a sincere pleasure to cast the FWS 761-2 from dawn to dusk for two days straight. 

Sensitivity: As mentioned before, the FWS 761-2 is a two-piece rod. I can genuinely say that this rod is just as sensitive as the majority of one-piece rods on the market today. I could feel the thump-thump of the blades turning over when retrieving a 1/16-ounce Panther Martin spinner and could even feel the hooks of my Rat-L-Trap fouling while running slightly over the top of weed beds. I could also feel the erratic movement of the Kastmasters even when I used the 1/32-ounce and 1/16-ounce versions.  With the light tip of this rod, I felt like I knew the fish was hooked before the fish knew itself. 

When fishing the fly/bubble technique in a stream, sensitivity played a big role, because with the flowing currents, it can be challenging to detect a subtle strike. I was very impressed with the 761-2 in the sensitivity category.

Power: Rarely do you hear the terms “ultralight rod” and “power” used in the same sentence. I would go out on a limb to say that the FWS 761-2 is actually somewhere between an ultralight and light rod. I felt the rod was slightly beefier than a typical ultralight but not quite to the power level of a light rod.  Going above the recommended rating, it handled 1/2-ounce Traps without hesitation but was delicate enough to toss 1/32- to 1/16-ounce lures with ease. The tip of the rod did a great job absorbing the head shakes of the largemouth bass, and the backbone of the rod was strong enough to control the fish and wear her down enough for landing. The FWS 761-2 turned out to be a tough but lively rod that I would recommend to anyone looking to add a top notch ultralight rod to their arsenal.

Conclusion: The FWS 761-2 is a great multi-purpose rod and an absolute joy to fish with. As I have mentioned in the past, TFO has developed and trademarked a “Color ID Split Grip” system that assigns a different color to each and every power rating. The ratings run from #1 representing ultralight to #7 representing extra heavy. The FWS 761-2 is rated as ultralight, which denotes #1 in the power key, and a mist green color is used for the #1 power. This system in absolutely awesome, as all you have to do is look down at the split grip’s color to  know the rod’s power. This rod is also available in 6-foot (FWS601-2), 6-foot-6 (FWS 661-2) and 8-foot (FWS 801-2) lengths to suit just about any application you might have.

Warranty/Pricing: If your rod fails for any reason, Temple Fork Outfitters will repair or replace your rod for a flat fee of $35, plus the cost of return shipping. To activate your warranty, fill out the warranty registration form on the TFO website. Dealers are not authorized to offer replacements under this warranty. In the event of a broken or damaged rod blank, it is not necessary to send in your entire rod. Just send the section showing the rod's name and logo, along with your phone number, email address and shipping address. Upon receipt, TFO will notify you of any return charges, Once TFO receives payment, the office will send out your new rod, typically within 24 hours of receiving it.

Do yourself a favor: Complement and improve your fishing experience by picking up a few of Gary's rods today, and join the rapidly growing TFO family. Until next time ... Here's to Bent Rods & Screamin' Drags!

G. Wayne Byrd is a professional angler/outdoors writer and seminar speaker sponsored by the following manufacturers: BassWax, Buckeye Shad, Cablz, Gamakatsu, Keen Footwear, P-Line, Rat-L-Trap, Reel Grip, Inferno Sunglasses, Shark Tooth, Smartshield Sunscreens, Tackle Tech, Temple Fork Outfitters/TFO Rods, TICA, Tuf-Line and Wave Spin. For questions, comments and bookings, contact G. Wayne at bassmaters65@yahoo.com

Brent Chapman Wins Angler Of The Year

Brent Chapman named 2012 Bassmaster Angler of the Year

I've been a bit distracted since Hurricane Isaac dropped in on New Orleans, but I wanted to point out that Tightlines UV pro Brent Chapman won the 2012 Bassmaster Angler of the Year title earlier this month. That's quite an accomplishment, given a very competitive field of great anglers, and you can read all about it in Brent's own words at the Tightlines website.

The key, according to Chapman, is having a visible lure, but most lures fall short because they rely on what's known as the "visible" light spectrum. The colors that we see just aren't good enough, because water filters them out so quickly. You can test this for yourself by dropping any standard bait into the water; as the bait descends, the colors we see quickly turn to black.

But fish don't rely exclusively on visible light for finding their food. Yes, they can see the same colors we see, but they also see colors in the ultraviolet spectrum. In fact, UV light is a vital part of the aquatic world, making up 80 percent of the light in the first six feet of water. Below six feet, UV is 100 percent of the light.

And that's why Chapman says Tightlines was so important to his success this year. Simply put, the Tightlines baits were visible when other lures became essentially invisible. And the fish responded.

So congratulations to Chapman on a very successful season and to Tightlines for playing such an important role in that success.

Meanwhile, ask your favorite tackle dealer about Tightlines UV. If he wonders why, just ask whether he's ever heard of Brent Chapman.

Guest Review: Crankbait Rod From TFO

By G. Wayne Byrd

First Impressions/Technical Specifics:  I recently received my GTS CB704-1 crankbait rod from Temple Fork Outfitters. The moment I pulled this clean and pristine rod from the shipping tube, I was anxious to get out on the water for some serious crankin’.

Professional angler and writer G. Wayne Byrd

The blank is adorned with 10 Tactical Series guides. These proprietary guides from TFO feature super-hard-chrome-anodized stainless steel inserts pressed into a machined, hard anodized, chromium impregnated stainless steel frame for extreme durability in both fresh and salt water. The guides are super hard and super slick, and they eliminate issues with lost inserts. Plus, they are 30 percent lighter than standard SiC guides.  

The rod is rated for 6- to 12-pound lines and has a lure weight rating of 1/4-3/4 ounces. The rod itself weighs in at 4.8 ounces, making the CB704-1 one of the lightest crankbait rods on the market. The blank was straight as an arrow, and the guides were perfectly uniform and clean, with no epoxy run-over present. The CB704-1 is a one-piece rod, designed for maximum sensitivity. 

When topped with a Tica Tactica HJ baitcast reel, the balance point is slightly in front of the middle of the reel seat, which is perfectly on track with where it should balance. The rod measures 7 feet in length, and there is no fore grip, which reduces weight and improves balance while making it possible to place your forefinger right on the blank for added sensitivity.

The split grips are made of natural high-grade hand-contoured cork for maximum sensitivity. The front grip and butt section grip is nice and long to accommodate about any size hands and guarantees a nice feel and fit for all day casting and comfort. The CB704-1 features a split reel seat for maximum blank contact and sensitivity. The blank has well-appointed winding checks, wraps, logos and components.

The rod is finished with a thin layer of matte clear coat over polished graphite, producing an immaculate rod that is both durable and striking. The newly designed TFO logo is found on the left side and the classic Temple Fork Outfitters logo script on the right side with rod length, weight ratings, model number and power rating integrated.

In The Field: I tested the rod with a Tica Tactica HJ baitcast reel spooled with 8-pound P-Line Fluoroclear line and 12-pound P-Line. I started off by throwing 1/8-ounce Rat-L-Traps and went all the way up to 1-ounce Traps. I also tossed lipped crankbaits in the 1/4- to 3/4-ounce range. The sweet spot in this rod seems to be right in the 1/2 -to 5/8-ounce range as I felt the CB704-1 really excelled in this range and showed its true colors. I stayed fairly close to the listed ranges during my evaluation except for going up to 1 ounce with a few crankbaits, which the rod handled very well without compromising the integrity of the blank whatsoever.

Casting: When throwing cranks that weighed below the recommended 1/4 ounce, I noticed a reduction in casting distance, which is to be expected. The tip of the CB704-1 is nice and soft, but with a fast action feel, this rod really slung the lures out there with amazing distance. Due to the balance of the rod and its lightweight construction, casting all day long was an absolute pleasure without any fatigue. Extremely accurate casts were achieved after just a few warm-up casts, as this rod was easy to dial in quickly.

Sensitivity: The sensitivity factor is not habitually a predominant feature in most cranking sticks due to the use of fiberglass in the blank’s composition. Most cranking sticks I have used over the years are lacking in this area.  With that being said, the CB704-1 is one of the most sensitive rods I have ever experienced. Gary Loomis did a splendid job blending fiberglass and graphite to formulate the perfect combination in this rod.

You will be surprised how well you can feel the wobble and vibration of your crankbaits with the CB704-1. When cranking square-billed baits, I was able to feel all the structure I came into contact with, which is key as I constantly try to create reaction strikes from fish by banging the lure off of logs and stumps and anything else I can find around ambush areas. The CB 704-1 was extremely impressive in this category. 

Power: The GTS CB704-1 has a nice soft tip, but I would still consider it a fast action rod. You will be pleasantly surprised at the backbone this medium-power rod possesses. When throwing a 3/4-ounce Trap, I hooked up with a 5-pound largemouth and had no trouble swinging it into the boat. The rod loads up very smoothly, and I would even go as far as to say that the backbone rod was rather stout and comparable to many medium-heavy rods on the market. Don’t be afraid to put on a heavy crankbait and rip some fish out of the depths and into the boat with the CB704-1. This rod performed extremely well in each and every test I put it through.   

Conclusion:  Another great feature on all GTS casting rods is the placement of the hook keeper. It is set on the bottom of the rod between the split grips and allows you the angler to keep your rods from getting tangled up especially when storing rods in a boat’s rod locker. As I have mentioned in the past, TFO has developed and trademarked a “Color ID Split Grip” system, which assigns a different color to each and every power rating. The ratings run from #1 representing ultralight to #7 representing extra heavy. The CB 704-1-1 is rated as medium power, which denotes #4 in the power key. A gold color is used for the #4 power.

This system in absolutely awesome. All you have to do is look down at the color of the split grip section and you automatically know the rod’s power.

A longer version of this rod is available: the CB794-1. It encompasses the same ratings as the CB704-1, but its 7-foot-9 length appeals to those anglers who prefer a longer cranking stick. The 7-foot-9 length is also great for deeper-diving crankbaits.

Warranty/Pricing: If your rod fails for any reason, Temple Fork Outfitters will repair or replace your rod for a flat fee of $35.00, plus the cost of return shipping. To activate your warranty, fill out the warranty registration form on the TFO website.  Dealers are not authorized to offer replacements under this warranty.  In the event of a broken or damaged rod blank, it is not necessary to send in your entire rod. Just send the section showing the rod’s name and logo, along with your phone number, email address and shipping address. Upon receipt, TFO will notify you of any return charges. Once TFO receives payment, the office will send out your new rod, typically within 24 hours of receiving it.

GTS bass rods are priced at a very moderate $149.95. I don’t know of another rod out there that incorporates TFO’s excellence, workmanship, selection, warranty and exactitude for anything close to this price point. And believe me, I have fished about every rod available in all price ranges. Do yourself a favor : Complement and improve your fishing experience by picking up a few of Gary’s Tactical Series bass rods today, and join the rapidly growing TFO family. Until next time … Here’s to Bent Rods & Screamin’ Drags!

G. Wayne Byrd is a professional angler/outdoor writer and seminar speaker sponsored by the following manufactures:  BassWax, Buckeye Shad, Cablz, Gamakatsu, Keen Footwear, P-Line, Rat-L-Trap, Reel Grip, Inferno Sunglasses, Shark Tooth, SmartShield Sunscreens, TackleTech, Temple Fork Outfitters/TFO Rods, TICA, Tuf-Line and Wave Spin. For questions, comments and bookings, contact G. Wayne at bassmasters65@yahoo.com

Now, That's A Big Fish

Arkansas guide Jeff Moore, left, and his client with trophy brown trout

Arkansas guide Jeff Moore, left, of arkansastroutguide.com was fishing client Chuck Hayden of St. Louis, Mo., on the White River Saturday morning when the two ran into this monster brown trout. The fish weighed 36.7 pounds.

The line? Four-pound Maxima Ultragreen.

Jeff released the fish, hanging with it for 30 minutes to make sure it survived. If you want to try your hand, I'm sure Jeff remembers where he left the trophy.

Thanks to Jimmy Traylor of Wishes & Fishes Fly Shop in Bull Shoals for the tip.

The Snook Never Had A Chance

Tom Jindra with a typical Naples snook

If you've been wanting to catch a snook, head on down to Naples, Fla.

I was making plans to attend the big ICAST tackle show in Orlando when my colleague Guy Tillotson, who owns Grand Slam Group, asked whether I could squeeze in a couple days of fishing. Four of the boys from Temple Fork Outfitters were headed down to Naples, and Guy had three boats on standby. With room for six anglers, Guy said, that left one spot empty. The vacancy was mine, if I wanted it.

Of course, I said yes.

Our first meeting with the guides was Sunday morning at the marina. I was assigned to fish from Capt. Pat Gould's boat with BJ Im, who runs TFO's factory in South Korea. TFO President Rick Pope and rod designer Gary Loomis headed out with Capt. Bruce Jackmack, while Guy and TFO executive Jim Shulin fished with Capt. Roan zumFelde.

And the fish were waiting. Man, they were waiting.

BJ Im, left, and Capt. Pat Gould making me jealous

Like most anglers, I tend to think good fishing requires a long boat ride, in the hope of leaving the crowds behind, but Capt. Pat had other ideas. We were perhaps half a mile from the marina when Pat throttled down and idled up to a dock just off the main channel.

'Let's see if we can put something in the boat right away," Pat said, anchoring up-current from the dock. He rigged a pair of medium-weight TFO Tactical Series spinning rods with live shiners, handing one to BJ and the other to me. "Throw close to the pilings. The fish will be hanging tight to the structure."

My bait had been in the water for only a few seconds when I felt a jolt and set the hook. I cranked line furiously to keep my fish from wrapping around a piling. Moments later, I boated my first snook. Pat slipped the hook and returned my fish to the water. I hoped it would be the first of many, not a jinx from the first fish coming too easy.

I needn't have worried, as BJ was soon into a fish of his own. Many more followed, to the point that Pat seemed to grow impatient. Though we were catching plenty of nice snook, we weren't finding any real trophies. We weighed anchor and moved on.

Throughout the morning, we bounced from one dock to another, looking for a truly big snook. And twice, I connected with fish large enough to peel line off the reel and wrap it around pilings before I could turn them. The first, I never saw. The second wound through multiple obstructions and ran into the shallows against the bank before breaking off. I saw enough of that fish to make me wish for another chance.

BJ, meanwhile, cleaned my clock. Not only did he catch more fish, he took the biggest of the morning, a snook that hit just before we headed back to the marina.

Breaking for lunch and a siesta so the afternoon thunderstorms could blow themselves out, our crew returned to the water that evening to fish the lights. This time, BJ rotated out, and Jim Shulin joined me aboard Pat's skiff. We warmed up again by tossing more shiners under the docks. When darkness fell, we switched to BVK fly rods and turned our attention to any dock with a light hung low to the water.

Egrets perch on Capt. Bruce Jackmack's skiff, waiting for a handout

Neither Jim nor I was surprised to find snook zeroed in on small baitfish under the lights. What amazed us was the number, so many snook that it was akin to casting into an aquarium. Not that these fish were stupid. They were quite selective, wanting a fly that crossed right in front of their noses and speeding up just before it slipped out of the light and into the shadows.

With time running short before driving to Orlando, we met at the marina once more that Monday morning. BJ and I both wanted to throw fly rods, so we loaded into Capt. Roan's boat and headed into the backcountry to pound the mangroves with streamers.

The pity is that we didn't have more time. The good news? We scored so many fish that I look forward to going back. And when I do, I've got phone numbers for three skippers who can really find the snook.

Guest Review: Swimbait Rod Series From TFO

G. Wayne Byrd and trophy largemouth bass

By G. WAYNE BYRD

First Impressions/Technical Specifics:  When I first picked up the GTS swimbait rod from Temple Fork Outfitters, I found it the biggest and baddest big bait bass stick I have ever laid eyes on. This rod is built tough and is ready to hunt down that lunker trophy bass we all desire. 

At 7-foot-11 with a power rating of mag heavy, this rod is built to tackle serious swimbaits and heavy rigs. The blank is adorned with 10 Tactical Series guides, a proprietary series of guides that features super hard-chrome anodized, stainless steel inserts pressed into a machined, hard anodized, chromium impregnated stainless steel frame for extreme durability in both fresh and salt water. I know that’s a mouthful, but it means the guides are super hard and super slick. There are no more issues with lost inserts, and these guides are 30 percent lighter than standard SiC guides.  

The rod is rated for lines of 12 to 25 pounds, and it has a generous lure weight rating of 1 to 6 ounces. The rod weighs in at 6.3 ounces, which makes the BBC7116-1 one of the lightest swimbait rods on the market today. 

One thing I always do when picking up a rod for the first time is hold the rod up by my nose and look down the blank. Inferior rods often exhibit a less-than-straight line and, unfortunately, many high-end rods have issues as well. The rod might sweep to the left or right or in many cases contain a curvature upwards or downwards. When I performed this ritual on the BBC7116-1, the blank was straight as an arrow. The guides were perfectly uniform and clean, with no epoxy run-over present. 

The BBC7116-1 is a one-piece rod designed for maximum sensitivity, and when topped with a baitcasting reel, the balance point is 5 inches in front of the middle of the reel seat, which is perfectly on track with where is should balance. There is no foregrip, which I prefer as this allows me to put my forefinger directly on the blank for added sensitivity.

Most rods in Temple Fork’s GTS rods feature a split reel seat. I was happy to see the BBC7116-1 features a one piece reel seat which in my opinion is perfectly acceptable on a stick of this size and magnitude. I do not feel that any sensitivity whatsoever is lost with the full reel seat, and it’s actually much easier to cast and handle a rod of this size when the full reel seat is utilized. The blank was clean and pristine in appearance, with well appointed winding checks, wraps, logos and components. The rod is finished with a thin layer of matte clear coat over polished graphite, which produces an immaculate rod that is both durable and striking. The newly designed TFO logo is found on the left side and the classic Temple Fork Outfitters logo script on the right side with rod length, weight ratings, model number and power rating integrated.

In The Field: I tested the rod with several different baitcast reels spooled with everything from 20-pound P-Line co-polymer to 50-pound Tuf-Line XP braid with a 15-pound fluorocarbon leader. It’s really nice to know that the Tactical Series Guides are braid friendly. You will not have to worry about the braid grooving your guides. I really enjoyed throwing big baits with the braided line as it adds that extra feeling of security and confidence. I felt like I could pull a shipwreck out of the water with this heavy duty stick.

Casting: I started out by throwing 1-ounce Mag Traps to test the lower end of the lure weight capabilities. I went up and above the upper end recommendations by throwing the Rago Tool Swimbait which weighs in at 8.8 ounces. The rod was definitely capable of handling any situation I put it through. Remember to keep your thumb on the spool when casting lures of these sizes as they can get away from you and overrun your spool quickly. The rod casts and follows through very smoothly, delivering long effortless casts. For a stick this size, the weight was a nice benefit as 6.3 ounces is under the weight of many 7-foot-6 flippin’ sticks.

Sensitivity: The sensitivity was much better than I expected from such a heavy a rod, and I was extremely pleased. I was able to feel the side-to-side wobble of the 1-ounce Mag-Trap as well as the thumping sensation of the 8.8-ounce Rago Tool. I even went a step farther by tying on a Natural Motion Snake that was approximately ½ ounce, and I was able to feel the bait well enough to swim it snake-style through the water as a topwater bait. This created multiple topwater explosions, and the BBC7116-1 prevailed and landed several 3- to 6-pound largemouth with ease. I used a half-ounce Rat-L-Trap and was able to feel my hooks getting fouled while running the lure over weedbeds. The BBC7116-1 has the level of sensitivity found in smaller rods, which speaks highly for this magnificent swimbait rod. 

Power: The BBC7116-1 has an enormous amount of raw backbone, as one might imagine with its mag heavy rating. Even with all that backbone, the rod has sensitive tip and mid sections and feels quite lively. I was able to swing heavy bass into the boat without breaking stride and did not feel like I was placing the rod in jeopardy of breakage. This big-and-bad bass stick tosses heavy and large lures precisely with unprecedented ease. The rod loads up very smoothly, and the action is rated as fast, but I would almost consider it to be extra fast from my test and experiences.

Conclusion:  Another great feature on all GTS casting rods is the placement of the hook keeper. It is located and set on the bottom of the rod between the split grips and allows you to keep your rods from getting tangled up especially when storing rods in a boat’s rod locker. The hook keeper worked out extremely well when used with the large-hook big baits in the 6- to 10-inch range, because it’s an open-ended keeper so you can clip any size hook you wish. 

As I have said in the past, TFO has developed and trademarked a “Color ID Split Grip” system, which assigns a different color to each and every power rating. The ratings run from #1 representing ultra light to #7 representing extra heavy. The BBC7116-1 is rated as mag heavy, which denotes #6 in the power key and a dark brown color is used for the #6 power. This system is absolutely awesome as all you have to do is look down at the color of the split grip section to know what power rod you are picking up. My primary target was largemouth bass, but I did get lucky while in Florida and had the opportunity to land several baby tarpon with the BBC7116-1. The TFO GTS BBC7116-1 has quickly become my go-to rod when it comes to throwing large and heavy lures.   

Warranty/Pricing: Temple Fork Outfitters offers a limited lifetime warranty on their conventional series of rods. The warranty covers the original registered owner for the life of the rod. If your rod fails due to defects in materials or workmanship, TFO will repair or replace your rod at no cost. Dealers are not allowed to replace rods under this warranty, so all you need to do is send the rod and a check for $40 to TFO, and the turnaround time to receive your repaired or replaced rod is usually about one week. If it’s determined that your rod was defective, your $40 will be returned along with your repaired or replaced rod. If it is determined that your rod damage was NOT due to material or workmanship defects, TFO will keep your $40 and send your repaired or replaced rod out to you. GTS bass rods are priced at a very moderate $149.95. I don’t know of another rod out there that incorporates TFO’s excellence, workmanship, selection, warranty and exactitude for anything close to this price point and, believe me, I have fished about every rod available in all price ranges. Do yourself a favor to complement and improve your fishing experience by picking up a few of Gary’s Tactical Series bass rods today and join the rapidly growing TFO family. 


Until next time … Here’s to Bent Rods & Screamin’ Drags!

G. Wayne Byrd is a professional angler/outdoor writer and seminar speaker sponsored by the following manufacturers:  BassWax, Buckeye Shad, Cablz, Gamakatsu, Keen Footwear, Rat-L-Trap, Reel Grip, Rudy Project Sunglasses, Shark Tooth, SmartShield Sunscreens, TackleTech, Temple Fork Outfitters/TFO Rods, TICA, Tuf-Line and Wave Spin.  Questions/Commentary/Bookings? Contact G. Wayne at  bassmasters65@yahoo.com