Vintage 9/0 Hot rodding

[foakes]

No one understands and appreciates the big Penns like Daron.

It is the smallest details that set Daron's reels apart from the herd.

Couldn't be better.

Hope he appreciates and understands what you have built for him, Daron.

Best, Fred

[linesliderryro]

Thank you as always! The next goal with that reel will be tuna chucking for yellowfin tuna south of Grand Bahama in the providence channel. The tuna is only half the battle. Keeping it away from the over population of sharks is the other half. Not if, but when successful you fellas will see the pics here first. We have a crossing in December to harbor cay and im hopeful we get into them. If not spring time is always more promising. For the December trip she will be off wahoo weight duty and rigged strictly for tuna mode. Also, fun fact. She has a sister reel that belongs to my boss. A hot rodded diawa 900h done by Alan years ago. This reel also sentimental belonging to my boss's wife's father who used to fish it years ago in roatan. Recently I added some heat shrink to his handle and im pretty happy with the slight upgrade. The penn will probably follow. This sure is a fun group. Thanks everyone especially you Daron. I knew I shouldn't have  taken it anywhere else, but for the record my biggest fear is shipping the reel and it getting lost in the mail.  I will never make that mistake again.

[Crow]

Good job!

[Shark Hunter]

This reel is some of my greatest work.
It may look old and battered, but it puts out 70lbs of drag.
Not too shabby for a 70 year old reel.

[oc1]

With 70 pounds of drag, I would be the guy being dragged across the beach.  In the sand it leaves two furrows from two heels and a skinny butt-slide trench in between them. 

[thorhammer]

Bang. If you want the best, go to the best.

[Shark Hunter]

Haven't heard a peep since I sent it back to him.
Didn't even confirm he received it?
I better see some pics soon.

[Donnyboat]

Shucks Daron, if anyone knows this person, tell him to contact Daron and show some respect, we all know the detail you put into these reels, cheers Don.

[linesliderryro]

Ouch! Sorry guys, No excuses but i do have trouble logging in at times. I'm just not on here enough(my fault) Truth be told That big trip I mentioned above didnt happen due to weather. Sorry thats not the exciting story I want to tell but its the truth. Some little back story details about myself. I'm actually not a boat owner, I do however work for a great dude as a captain. Sometimes fishing just isnt his number 1 priority (as it is mine and i'm sure all of you). Its more of a happy wife happy life vibe with him, Cocktail crusing and sandbars>wahoo and tuna fishing unfortunatly. I tend to get that wahoo fishing itch NOW! in the fall and winter months when the water temps drop, we see more in our waters. We do get them here in the summer, but I dont have it in me as much with the heat...boring i know but again, truthful.

Good news as of now, We are schedueled to cross over on to the bahamas october 18th. My fingers are crossed. Im pushing very hard to wahoo fish. BUT..gotta keep the person who signs my checks happy(and the wife ...politics. Not complaining, but that is the situation. Speaking of fishing, that leads me to the most important part of this post.

Daron- My respect for not only your knowledge, but your efforts on all youve done for this reel is through the roof. I sincerly apologize for not keeping in touch. I mean it. It has everything to do with not being the best computer guy, nothing to do with not caring or being appreciative. I have a custom anodized tiagra 80w and a custom tiagra cerokoted 50w. Soooooo what...fun projects but to me they just dont compare to my favorite reel in the arsenal which is by far grandpa's 9/0 hot rodded by the best there is..Daron. Nothing will take away how sentimental and special this reel is.

I'd rather you guys think I suck at fishing    then to think im disrespectful or unappreciative. Truthful, but the reasons theres no pics posted, is because theres just no recent pics to post with fish that the hot rod has caught...embarrassing but humble. I'd like to thank everyone esspecially Daron whose enjoyed this thread following along. It's definitely one of the coolest brotherhoods iv experienced. I wish everyone tight lines and luck while out there doing what we love catching fish. I'm very hopeful to post pictures in the future, I just need to make the pictures happen before the post can. Thanks all!

[linesliderryro]

Here's a couple I got right before reel went in last year (2nd time). We fish a 5 line spread. My goal has been to get one of these awesome fish to hit the right reel!! It's caught a nice hoo since Daron has originally hotrodded it, Its posted above but i'm still waiting for a nicer fish to hit that reel since Daron had it in Late 2024(2nd time). My absolute plan is to make that happen. Id like to add the wear Daron mentioned in the thread is also likely do to catching  bull sharks and goliath groupers with the kids. Just stating that one nice hoo and a couple smaller hoo didnt do all that wear. (the fish never stand a chance fyi) All thanks to Daron. Those sharks and goliaths are a true test to Daron's art.  The wahoos eventually Gas, but the long runs are amazing against the drag Daron built. Its the best of both worlds...Fast runs from hoos, and locked down strength when going after goliaths. They like to run into the wreck we fish so they must be stopped. The reel does the job. Daron's work is proven!

[Brewcrafter]

That is sweet!  Nice 'Hoos! - john

[Shark Hunter]

Ryan,
I totally understand how life can get in the way of things and no apology is needed.
I appreciate you and your comments.
My Main Goal was to make you happy and I think I accomplished that.
I am actually in Florida right now, but once again the seaweed is killing the fishing.
Fish on my Brother!

[Gfish]

Hoo, dat's nice!
Daron for the mods, Alan for the basics, have both schooled me well in my first journeys into Conventional's .

Daron, is there any city outlet pipes close to where you're fishing? Maybe the water there is being fertilized.