Got to visit with Rojas and McClelland today

pro reel · 12-10-11, 08:13 PM

Our local Gander Mt. store had a grand reopening today after doing a complete store remodel. BASS elite tournament pros Mike Mcclelland and Dean Rojas were there. The store wasn't very crowded at all and I got to spend several hours visiting with them as we discused fishing techniques, tricks and tips. Of course I asked them about fishing reels and what if anything they did to their own reels. Surprisingly, they both said that they fish with stock reels and that they sometimes add some oil but don't know how to do much more than that. We talked about how some stock reels have to much oil and some are almost dry and they said that they see that same thing with the reels they get. They both said that they wished they had someone they trusted to go through their new reels each winter to have them in tip top shape for the start of the season. The Gander Mt. fishing dept. manager told them that they were talking to one of the best. They took my cards and we discused things that I could do for them like upgrade stock bearings etc. to give them more distance and less wear during a season of constant use. They were very interested and Dean said that if i could really give his stock Quantum Smoke an extra 10 yds that he would have me do all his reels every year and would gladly spread the word. Mike was also very interested in the Boca ceramic hybrid bearings and wants to try them in some of his reels, he told me that he just placed his order with Quantum for this years reels and as soon as he gets them he wants to send me half of them to get a new reel tune.
Tony and I also spent quite a bit of time picking thier brains for tips and we learned quite a few interesting things from them.

rrw4258 · 12-10-11, 08:36 PM

Sounds like a great day to me! I like it when pro's are personal and will take the time to talk to you like old fishing buddies. I have met Mike before, and he is a stand up guy. That is cool that you could be servicing reels for some of the pro's. Then it will be officialy a PRO reel service.

Ryan

Tavery5 · 12-10-11, 08:45 PM

It was very cool getting to talk to a couple of Pro's about different techniques and what they recommended for line, hooks, and rigging styles. It was very interesting to hear what they felt like was important in their fishing as opposed to what a person might imagine. Both very, very nice guys, they signed a couple of their signature baits for me. All in all a very fun afternoon.

joedog · 12-10-11, 09:01 PM

Sounds like a great day. I was always curious what the Pros did. They are right about finding someone to trust with thier reels. So many people feel because they can take a reel a part and put it back together that qualifies them to call themselves reel repair specialists. Pro I would assume you get many a reel in that was elsewhere first and your fixing thier fix. After alot of trial and error I now have found one I trust.
I wish you great success with your new clients and if the Alabama rig has taught us anything, "when the Pros speak, people listen". Get ready to get swamped next year winter time.

Jrob78 · 12-10-11, 09:03 PM

Wow! I'm jealous, that sounds like an awesome afternoon!! Congratulations on the potential high profile clients Kevin!

keithdog · 12-11-11, 10:02 AM

That is all so very cool Kevin. Now think about this Kevin. These guys fish the major tournaments and have the goal of reaching the Classic and getting the AOY award. They depend on their tackle for a living and to reach their goals. And they are thinking about entrusting you with their gear for success? THAT is quite an honer my friend!

bamabassman · 12-11-11, 10:36 AM

kevin......looks like you are gonna get REAL busy in the near future. good luck buddy. and ya'll can send them lures to me for christmas. HAHAHAHAHA!!!!

Bassboss · 12-11-11, 11:36 AM

Sounds like you're going to be getting some more business!

Bet it was a great day, you're really fortunate to be able to pick the brains of some of the best!

bassinbob · 12-11-11, 08:09 PM

Congratulations on "Landing" some cool clients. I'd love to talk froggin with Rojas. There are many days that's all I do on the water.
Fuinny some of the top pros don't do their own reels. Could be time restraints.

12-10-11, 08:13 PM	#1
pro reel BassFishin.Com Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Wichita Kansas Posts: 761	Got to visit with Rojas and McClelland today Our local Gander Mt. store had a grand reopening today after doing a complete store remodel. BASS elite tournament pros Mike Mcclelland and Dean Rojas were there. The store wasn't very crowded at all and I got to spend several hours visiting with them as we discused fishing techniques, tricks and tips. Of course I asked them about fishing reels and what if anything they did to their own reels. Surprisingly, they both said that they fish with stock reels and that they sometimes add some oil but don't know how to do much more than that. We talked about how some stock reels have to much oil and some are almost dry and they said that they see that same thing with the reels they get. They both said that they wished they had someone they trusted to go through their new reels each winter to have them in tip top shape for the start of the season. The Gander Mt. fishing dept. manager told them that they were talking to one of the best. They took my cards and we discused things that I could do for them like upgrade stock bearings etc. to give them more distance and less wear during a season of constant use. They were very interested and Dean said that if i could really give his stock Quantum Smoke an extra 10 yds that he would have me do all his reels every year and would gladly spread the word. Mike was also very interested in the Boca ceramic hybrid bearings and wants to try them in some of his reels, he told me that he just placed his order with Quantum for this years reels and as soon as he gets them he wants to send me half of them to get a new reel tune. Tony and I also spent quite a bit of time picking thier brains for tips and we learned quite a few interesting things from them.

12-10-11, 08:36 PM	#2
rrw4258 BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Bellevue, Ohio Posts: 2,338	Sounds like a great day to me! I like it when pro's are personal and will take the time to talk to you like old fishing buddies. I have met Mike before, and he is a stand up guy. That is cool that you could be servicing reels for some of the pro's. Then it will be officialy a PRO reel service. Ryan __________________ Never Give Up!

12-10-11, 08:45 PM	#3
Tavery5 BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Wichita, KS Posts: 2,427	It was very cool getting to talk to a couple of Pro's about different techniques and what they recommended for line, hooks, and rigging styles. It was very interesting to hear what they felt like was important in their fishing as opposed to what a person might imagine. Both very, very nice guys, they signed a couple of their signature baits for me. All in all a very fun afternoon. __________________ They call me Ishmael

12-10-11, 09:01 PM	#4
joedog BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: JANESVILLE,WI. 53545 Posts: 3,415	Sounds like a great day. I was always curious what the Pros did. They are right about finding someone to trust with thier reels. So many people feel because they can take a reel a part and put it back together that qualifies them to call themselves reel repair specialists. Pro I would assume you get many a reel in that was elsewhere first and your fixing thier fix. After alot of trial and error I now have found one I trust. I wish you great success with your new clients and if the Alabama rig has taught us anything, "when the Pros speak, people listen". Get ready to get swamped next year winter time. __________________ "Fishing isn't life or death... it's more important than that."

12-10-11, 09:03 PM	#5
Jrob78 BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 4,671	Wow! I'm jealous, that sounds like an awesome afternoon!! Congratulations on the potential high profile clients Kevin! __________________ There are 3 kinds of people in the world…those who can count and those who can’t. HRN4L Last edited by Jrob78; 12-10-11 at 09:09 PM.

12-11-11, 10:02 AM	#6
keithdog BassFishin.Com Premier Elite Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: IN Posts: 8,308	That is all so very cool Kevin. Now think about this Kevin. These guys fish the major tournaments and have the goal of reaching the Classic and getting the AOY award. They depend on their tackle for a living and to reach their goals. And they are thinking about entrusting you with their gear for success? THAT is quite an honer my friend! __________________ Just one more cast, and then some!

12-11-11, 10:36 AM	#7
bamabassman BassFishin.Com Premier Elite Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: cedar bluff, alabama Posts: 15,292	kevin......looks like you are gonna get REAL busy in the near future. good luck buddy. and ya'll can send them lures to me for christmas. HAHAHAHAHA!!!! __________________ so many lures, so little time.

12-11-11, 11:36 AM	#8
Bassboss BassFishin.Com Premier Elite Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Shawano, WI Posts: 7,761	Sounds like you're going to be getting some more business! Bet it was a great day, you're really fortunate to be able to pick the brains of some of the best! __________________ If you can't fix it with heavy squats or fish oil, you're probably going to die.

12-11-11, 08:09 PM	#9
bassinbob BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Pitts. Pa. Posts: 3,801	Congratulations on "Landing" some cool clients. I'd love to talk froggin with Rojas. There are many days that's all I do on the water. Fuinny some of the top pros don't do their own reels. Could be time restraints. __________________ you can have my fishin rod when ya take it from my cold dead hands

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