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Local Hooker Rods

About Local Hookers Fishing Rods

After walking down 39 flights of stairs in the WORLD TRADE CENTER – TOWER 1 on 9-11, I realized it was time for a change. I had no idea what to expect next. But I was sure I was going to put my destiny in my own hands from then on out.

My first fish was a Pickerel.  I caught it on Lake George in up-state NY in a canoe with my dad when I was five years old.  Most of my summers thereafter growing up I’d head to Cape Cod Mass.  My family rented a place on a bluff in Brewster, and later as I got a little older, one of my closest friend’s family owns Stage Harbor Lighthouse in Chatham.  We'd fish for stripers and blues, dig clams, sail and boat. It was a great life. I’ve always loved the ocean...

At 19, right out of high-school, I joined the Marine Corps. I was a Combat Engineer stationed in 29 Palms, CA. for my first three years and Iwakuini, Japan my last year. It was a great learning experience. My dad served in WWII, my older brother Tom is a former Marine, my son Will is currently serving with the Navy Seabees and my nephew Tom is looking at the Air Force. We believe deeply in serving our country.

 

After my tour-of-duty I headed to Boston and attended Northeastern University. I rented a place with my brother DJ and a close friend. In the summers we’d head to the Cape to fish.

I graduated from NU with a BS in Communications. I worked a few construction jobs and bought my first house in 1988 in Stamford, CT. with two partners. We renovated it and sold it. The house was directly across from a small saltwater cove, so I’d take half an hour a day to toss a line and Get Bent when I could.

After several years, a friend asked me to visit his home-office to see a video-conferencing presentation. I was blown-away at how well it worked. I accepted his offer to go to work for the company and started selling video-conferencing. It was this reason I was on the 39th floor of WTC-1 on 9-11. The rest is history…

My boat was moored at Ryders Cove Boat Yard in Chatham, Mass. and I was living there at the time.  I was approached by a friend I knew in the video business who shared the same passion for the water and fishing as I did.  He presented an idea and I was all over it.  Within a year we’d incorporated and were in business.  I contacted an old friend who is a patent & trade mark attorney in Washington, DC and we trademarked Local Hooker Rods and the tag line; Get Bent.

It was me, my partner and his brother at the time; just the three of us.  After a year I bought them out.  Like a lot of people trying to start a business, ignorance is bliss!.  My old friend Billy Uhlan, a former Recon Marine said: “Bobby, we’re Jar-Heads; we just don't know how to quit!”  You’ll never know until you push the outer-limits just a little further how far you can go.  So I kept pushing.  Thanks Billy! 

I've given this venture 100% of my time and money. I am in love with the idea, not just Local Hooker Rods, but the concept of building a great, MADE-IN-USA brand.  A brand that would stand for high-end quality made in the USA.  I found a rod builder with thirty years in the fishing business; and a master rod builder.  I knew nothing about building rods.  But we made a deal, I’d sell if he’d build.

Since I started Local Hooker, I’ve grown my dealer base from Kittery, ME. To Key West, FL.  I’ve done it in the worst economy we’ve seen in 40+ years.  Why?  Because guys like us will pay a little more for a high-quality, MADE-IN-THE-USA product.

Our goal was, and is today, to build the finest fishing rods available, bar none!  We are bringing back the quality and pride of MADE-IN-THE-USA to a heritage that goes back generations.  A heritage that IS the “oldest” profession on the planet: “Hookers”.

You’re going to like the way they fish; I guarantee it! So enjoy your rod, wear your tee-shirt or sweatshirt with pride and have some fun.

Thanks for taking the time to read this.

As we said in the Marine Corps; “Semper Fi” (Always Faithful, to God & country). So Local Hooker Rods helps support the Jimmy Fund (kids cancer), PAL (Police Athletic League - helping kids), The Fishing Academy (helping inner-city kids), The Schwartz Center (a children’s hospital), The 9-11 Fund, and the US Military.  Keep it in the USA and let's help our OWN first!!!

 

GET BENT soon…

Bob