Fred Hall Show Deals

[JohnnyC]

I asked this very question. They sell a 7 and 8 foot sabiki rod. When I inquired about the 7 footer, the sales rep said that I might need to cut the bottom hook and retie my weight to shorten the length of the sabiki jig. No issues on the 8 footer. I decided to go with the shorter length because I felt it might be easier to work with on a kayak.

[Saba Slayer]

You either love it or hate it...I helped design it for AHI...so I kinda like it...!
I'm not sure if we'll have the same deal get 3 free sabikis deal down in Del Mar...I really don't think so since the Promar/AHI booth will not be down there...I'll check with the office.
You can fit up to a #4 AHI sabiki hook in it....the manfacturers all have their own exact size and they are not the same...regardless of the matching number.
OEX used to make a short cut down version of the AHI sabiki stick...I'm not sure if they still do it.
The 7' foot version is really under 7'...it was made to be just long enough to hold 4 of our sabiki hooks...so yes you need to cut off two hooks and re-tie the swivel snap for the weight. The 7' Sabiki Stick is easier on a kayak and so is 4 hooks or 4 wriggling Macks!
The 8' version holds all 6 sabiki hooks so no cut and re-tie is necessary.
I just use a torpedo sinker of various weights for the type of bait.
The build quality is good for a $50 rod...the connection in the middle of the 3 piece rod is tapered so the hooks don't get hung-up and the tip is the third generation model, designed to prevent hang-ups. Often the sabikis will hang up on the tip or get slightly stick...this is due to the sabiki losing or breaking the little dab of glow material and sliding sideways on the leader. A slight tug and release usually gets it free...but it's a sign that it's time to replace that old sabiki.

[alanw]

I will probably hit up the Del Mar show. Were there any Hobie deals in LB and will they be the same at Del Mar?

[2-Stix]

Originally Posted by JohnnyC

I asked this very question. They sell a 7 and 8 foot sabiki rod. When I inquired about the 7 footer, the sales rep said that I might need to cut the bottom hook and retie my weight to shorten the length of the sabiki jig. No issues on the 8 footer. I decided to go with the shorter length because I felt it might be easier to work with on a kayak.

I have a 7', and I keep all the hooks, and cut both ends and re tie for the weight and swivel. Shorten booth ends.

[JohnnyC]

Originally Posted by 2-Stix

I have a 7', and I keep all the hooks, and cut both ends and re tie for the weight and swivel. Shorten booth ends.

Thanks 2-Stix!! Will most definitely give your advice a try

[Hunters Pa]

Originally Posted by JohnnyC

I asked this very question. They sell a 7 and 8 foot sabiki rod. When I inquired about the 7 footer, the sales rep said that I might need to cut the bottom hook and retie my weight to shorten the length of the sabiki jig. No issues on the 8 footer. I decided to go with the shorter length because I felt it might be easier to work with on a kayak.

I was one of the reps for Promar/Ahi at the show.

Another approach is the cut the sabiki in half to get two 3-hook rigs. It can be a challenge when all 5 or 6 hooks have a flopping bait attached and you swing it into your lap, especially once you get half of them removed and secured. Then you have 3 flopping baits attached to a line with 3 swinging sharp hooks. this seems to be the approach for those that have the cut-down Kayak length sabiki sticks that OEX was making for a while. They would trim the 7-footer down by another foot or so.