I've been in this business for five years and know many rig makers from the East Coast to the Panhandle. Some makers I respect, while others leave me shaking my head. I'm not generalizing all rig makers, but there are clear differences: some focus on quality and effort, while others are just out for profit. Most rig makers use pre-made leader lines with two drop loops, a swivel at the top, and an old crane swivel at the bottom for weights. These swivels often weaken, lose their coating, and rust, eventually breaking. Rig makers typically add hooks and floats bought in bulk from companies. Consequently, you end up with sliding floats that move up to the main line, which are less effective as they allow crabs to destroy the bottom float and take your bait. Some use fluorocarbon, charging extra despite it costing about 18 cents a yard. Then there’s the other issue: What materials are they using? What is your hook strength? Are they brand names or they the cheapest they can find to turn over a dollar. If the materials they use aren’t listed on the package, then more than likely they are mid-range materials that could be suspect. They can't help it, that's all they know that's what they were taught. Buy cheap and turn over pennies on the dollar and use volume to make money. Tackle shops aim for profit, so they stock affordable rigs aimed at casual tourists, though quality rigs are available too. Some shops make their own high-quality rigs using good materials at competitive prices since there's no labor cost involved. To ensure you buy a quality rig, read the packaging and ask staff about the materials. If they're knowledgeable, it's a sign of a reliable product. Why is the price of the rig important? It's not. What matters is having a quality rig that won't break when you hook the fish of a lifetime, so you don't lose your personal best catch. My business was started after observing that many people were losing significant fish due to using low-quality tackle shop rigs. What's unique about Psychos Surf Fishing rigs? Well to begin everything stated above is what drove me to make a better fishing rig. I'll briefly highlight key points. The rigs I sell use high-quality materials like Yo-Zuri disappearing pink leader and SPRO power swivels, which are small, strong, and equipped with bearings for high-speed spinning. These components are nearly invisible to fish like Pompano. I rigorously test hook strength and have rejected many popular ones on the market. My floats are the best on the market, hand-painted and designed to mimic popular bait. Fish first notice the float, then discover the bait. The fixed float provides buoyancy and movement, attracting fish. Triple-coated, including with "KSB Clear Diamond Coat" used in classic cars, they are highly durable and in some cases Crab-resistant. I’m not in this for money; my thrill comes from helping people catch their dream fish. Customers often get free on-the-spot advice from me. While beach fishing charters can cost up to $250 for four hours, my guidance on the beach is complimentary. Building relationships with customers happens one interaction at a time, not through tackle shop sales. Though I’ll have some rigs in tackle shops for convenience, most sales will be in person or online. You can purchase a rig either from the tackle shop or Psychos Surf Fishing. Before entering the tackle shop, ask yourself: Is this the week I catch my dream fish? If yes, will I just buy any rig based on price? Make good choices and be informed. Sincerely, Jim Price Psychos Surf Fishing , LLC
