How It Started
Steelhead started this whole thing. I was tired of pulled hooks, light leaders snapping, and too many long-distance catch-and-release moments. Watching a buddy land fish with a softer, more forgiving rod made me realize my setup wasn’t working with the fish — it was fighting against it. Learning to soften that tip and use a more moderate action as a shock absorber changed everything for me. My hookup-to-landing ratio improved immediately, and that was the moment I understood how much the right rod truly matters.
Lessons From Fish
Over the years, bluegill, bass, walleye, steelhead, salmon, grouper, marlin — each one forced me to rethink length, power, and action. Every species behaves differently. Every technique demands something specific. With more than 40 years of experience and over sixty rods in my own arsenal, I’ve treated every new challenge as a test bench for better rod design. That’s what drives Sixth Sense Sticks — building rods that are tuned to the fish and the way you fish, not just pulling something off a rack and hoping it works.
Why I Still Build
I don’t rely on rods for my paycheck. I build because I love fishing, solving problems, and helping other anglers turn more mystery bites into grip and grins. Being a North Fork Composites Approved Rod Builder matters to me, but what matters more is knowing a rod I built helped someone land the fish they’ve been chasing. At Sixth Sense Sticks, it’s about passion, performance, and making every cast count.
Core Philosophy
Performance First
I treat every build like it is headed into my own sixty rod lineup, using proven blanks and components so performance, not paint, decides whether that stick earns deck space.
Designed for Your Fish
Each rod starts with a clear picture of your fish and method, then I tune tip, backbone, and handle layout so you feel more, break less, and land what bites.