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Alpha Angler Spin' PO (TAC-Mag) aka "Fluker"
So instead of responding to everyone who's inquired directly about the rod that Don Hogue helped develop, I'm going with the shotgun program... forum post.
A couple years ago Don Hogue and Ryan Brown approached Alpha with a challenge to build a unique spinning rod for throwing Flukes. A tactic these fellows have used across the country, and made quite a bit of money at it. The end result took about 18 months, multiple prototypes, and hours of re-engineering to finalize. While I was building the damned thing, Hogue was cashing checks with the prototype, and Jason stole mine. I'm not going to complain, as I got to work with guys like Tag Watson in the development as well, and probably learned more about a technique I assumed was simple. Tag's first outing with a prototype was a 6lb smallie caught on a tube... but when does Tag ever catch anything smaller that 6lbs?
The good news is, Hogue is open about how to be successful using a fluke, and didn't care what I put in the video for the end result. I also don't suggest anybody get into a casting contest with the guy.
With approaching boat tournament season including two clear water fisheries, I assume there'll be a need for this type of bait launcher.
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Gene Batey on
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That spot looks pretty familiar, Looks like Boardman area?
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Permalink Reply by Jordan Doucet on
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When I heard of this, I had to get my hands on one. I've caught a handful of bruiser brown on it already and am looking forward to more. This rod definitely bombs a bait way out there, and also has the power to whoop on a big nasty river smallmouth.
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Permalink Reply by Daniel Bavery on
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Jake makes some amazingly balanced rods. Dude saved me from not being able to fish barely at all to now going hours without stopping and having no fatigue.
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Permalink Reply by Jake Anderson on
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The part where Boomer explains that a 2500 size reel is best, is to be listened to. If you go bigger it wont feel right at all.
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We developed the guide train around the 2500 reel size for multiple reasons, but comfort was the pretty high up there. I personally don't want to look like I'm geared up for an episode of Wicked Tuna with a PENN 5000 cause it will cast a bit farther.
With the smaller line diameter of braid, a 2500 can carry enough line for 50-60 yard casts without pulling too much line off the reel and affecting rate of retrieve. The most important part of the TAC-Mag design was the guide train itself. We used an algorithm provided by Fuji for the first three guides on the rod. The idea was the tame the line as efficiently as possible. The actual process took forever, but it was fun.
The neighbors house is exactly 158 feet from the edge of my driveway. We would build up a rod and put guides on it, then cast it toward the neighbors house. This took months. We knew we had it figured out when we could hit the neighbor's bedroom window with a weightless fluke. The more pissed the neighbor was, the more satisfied we were with the design. Luckily for us, the neighbor is one of my fishing buddies.
After we had the casting distance, we designed the rest of the rod around the weight of a 2500 reel for balance.
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Permalink Reply by Mike Bess on
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My dog figured out another way to piss your neighbor off...
Jake Boomer said:We developed the guide train around the 2500 reel size for multiple reasons, but comfort was the pretty high up there. I personally don't want to look like I'm geared up for an episode of Wicked Tuna with a PENN 5000 cause it will cast a bit farther.
With the smaller line diameter of braid, a 2500 can carry enough line for 50-60 yard casts without pulling too much line off the reel and affecting rate of retrieve. The most important part of the TAC-Mag design was the guide train itself. We used an algorithm provided by Fuji for the first three guides on the rod. The idea was the tame the line as efficiently as possible. The actual process took forever, but it was fun.
The neighbors house is exactly 158 feet from the edge of my driveway. We would build up a rod and put guides on it, then cast it toward the neighbors house. This took months. We knew we had it figured out when we could hit the neighbor's bedroom window with a weightless fluke. The more pissed the neighbor was, the more satisfied we were with the design. Luckily for us, the neighbor is one of my fishing buddies.
After we had the casting distance, we designed the rest of the rod around the weight of a 2500 reel for balance.
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