Kyle Patrick + Douglas Rods = Opens Win, Classic Berth, Century Belt
Elite Series rookie Kyle Patrick was affiliated with Douglas Rods even before he started fishing the Bassmaster Opens. After graduating from college he started a tournament circuit in New York – when they saw his success they approached him to sponsor the trail, and the relationship grew from there.
“They’re best known for their roots in fly fishing for salmon and steelhead in places like Pulaski, New York and Oregon,” he said. “But they specialize in creating many different rods for specific applications. Their rod designer, Fred Contaoi is so purposeful about anything he does, whether it’s making a rod for big glide baits for stripers from the bank, or for northern finesse, he doesn’t stop until he gets it exactly right.”
Patrick has access to the full lineup of Douglas rods, and uses a wide variety for specialized techniques, but there are certain sticks that have been integral to his rapid rise. Here are four of his favorites:
“I love this rod for a Damiki Rig, which is very hot technique these days. I like the length, too – some people prefer a 7’6”, but this one is right for me and has the action where it’s not flimsy. You can horse them to the boat. We’ve learned from Kyoya Fujita about using heavier line, like 15 pound braid to 15 pound fluoro, and this rod is just right for that.”
“The is another 7’4” rod that I love. I use the Missile Baits Magic Worm a ton and this is the rod I use for power shotting, but it’s also great with chatterbaits, jigs, and skipping docks, even fishing offshore. It’s a workhorse.”
“This is my Senko rod. I caught 111 pounds at Lake Fork on a wacky Senko – it was the only thing they would eat. I fished it on 12 pound test Sunline fluorocarbon. No braid, no knots.”
“This is often the one blue rod on my deck. This rod has close to the same action as the other one, but it’s a little bit stouter. I think both the St. Johns and the Harris Chain will be tough tournaments, and I expect I will be skipping a lot of frogs around in the canals, where a 7’6” rod would get in the way.”
