Obsession Fishing: The year that has been…

[Obsession_Fishing]

Well it has been a massive year for Obsession Fishing with so many highlights, it has been hard getting them all down on paper! In both travel and rod distribution for our Nordic Stage range, we have had some great wins and would like to extend a huge thank you to everyone who has supported our brand over the last 12 months. It has been a roller coaster ride with many accomplishments that we look forward to expanding on!

Our Stockists…

Obviously a huge thanks must be extended to our stockists who over 2012 went from 0 to 15. Some of these stockists have helped ensure that in certain regions the Nordic Stage Areal range of rods is not just an obscure new rod on the scene, but a desirable rod for its quality, and achievable at its price point. Thanks for a great year all of our stockists and we look forward on presenting you with new rods in the range in 2013.

The trips…

Vision Sportsfishing Charters: Darwin

From a travel point of view we have forged some sensational relationships which should ensure some great trips in the future. The first of these was with Vision Sportsfishing Charters operated by Benjamin Currell out of Darwin. This charter is not your average NT Barra operation but a highly specialised tour focusing on the art of site fishing. Needless to say, as anyone who appreciates the excitement and adrenalin associated with a surface strike, this was a truly memorable experience. We look forward to teeing up another trip with Ben in 2013.

Reel Chase: Jewel Reef/Howick Island

Next trip off the rank was the much anticipated Jewel Reef expedition conducted with Reel Chase Charters. The weather was against for this trip but Reel Chase still managed to get our clients onto some serious fish including some big GT’s, Jacks and a Marlin. Another Jewel Reef trip will be scheduled for 2013 and we cannot wait to get back out there with Brett and his crew.

Noosa Fishing Shack: Noosa

In addition to our commercial trips, co-owners Henry and Angus also engaged in several “research and testing†missions helped along by some of our field testers. Greg Carter, owner of the Noosa Fishing Shack took us around the upper reaches of the Noosa River in search of Jacks, Bass and Tarpon. The Tarpon and Bass came thick and fast and considering the stunning scenery, it was chalked up as a great trip. Carter is a straight talking bloke with years of experiencing as fishing journalist, guide and recreational angler and we are just stoked that he is so impressed with the Nordic Stage range.

Mick’s Gone Fishing: Mackay

On two separate occasions the owners also managed to get up and visit our most northern field tester Mick Hasset. Mick is one of those anglers that exude fishing enthusiasm and it is always a pleasure to fish with him. The name of the game was Sooty Grunter and there was no disappointment. On both occasions, a descent was made into some truly sensational gorge country thick with large, angry sootys that kept the bends in our rods! Owner of the Mick’s Gone Fishing online blog, Mick has a lot of tackle coming his way for reviews and articles. With this considered, it is good to know that his Nordic Stage Areal Jaeger is still his absolute go to for light work.

The People…

We cannot stress enough how important our supporting group of people have been over the past 12 months and we would also like to extend a massive thanks to them for all their efforts. Our tournament anglers, field testers and of course staff have been hugely instrumental in not only positively promoting the Nordic Stage rod brand, but also giving us honest and candid feedback regarding test rods, their ideal applications and potential limitations. As a company who pride themselves on an ethical and honest base, we appreciate all our anglers have done to ensure we are putting the best possible product for the price into the end users’ hands.

With a desire to support the younger generation of anglers moving through the ranks, the team at Obsession Fishing have also created a new “Young Bloods†team. These under 20’s anglers have been chosen for their overwhelming enthusiasm towards the great spot of fishing and we hope with a little support they can go a long way on both the tournament scene, and in their own personal goals.

Pictured Above: The Dirty Dozen…

All our supporting anglers have been out on the water fishing hard in 2012 and each has been asked to give their personal best achievement for the year… The responses start from the top left and move clockwise per the above picture…

Their response the question, “What was your best result for 2012, be it competition or just for funâ€.

Andrew Baunach (Tournament Bass Angler): “Two bass electric wins this season one at Cania Dam and one at Moogerah Dam and a few other top 5 finishes. Also scored 12th in the Bass Electric Grand Finalâ€.

Josh Colling (Young Blood): “ I love fishing with light line so it was an awesome feeling to be using my Nordic Stage Areal Gunslinger with 2kg mono when I got a 50.5cm Yellowbelly in the Lake Windamere Golden Classic! Great fight!! That yellowbelly was a Length Masters fish for my club; Australian National Sportsfishing Associationâ€.

Stuart France (Tournament Bream Angler): “Definitely my Bass Electric placings; 1st place Wivenhoe Dam, 5th place Cania Dam, 4th place Cressbrook Dam and several other top ten finishes. Came in 11th at the Bass Electric Grand Finalâ€.

Nabeel Issa (Tournament Bream Angler): “Some great results in the Bream Circuit this year; 5th place at the Bribie Island ABT Grand Final, 8th place at the Gold Coast Classic Grand Final, 7th place at the Gamakatsu Final and 2nd at the ABT Bribie Island qualifierâ€.

Kendall Soo (Tournament Bream Angler): “My best finish in a proper comp this year is 4th in the Classic Grand Final followed by 5th place in ABT Bribie Island and 5th place in the Easter classic and a 7th in the GTS Final at Ballina. Also scored a 3rd in Minibucks fishing with Henryâ€.

Greg Carter (Field Tester): "Too many good times with the Nordic Stage Areal Jaeger, quite a few Jacks on light gear all are a highlight, 50 plus cm trevally on 4lb was a blast".

Andrew Phillips (Field Tester): "TB lures (T’b lures are a French made sportsfishing range of large stick baits and poppers Obsession are testing) slayed the GT's and red bass, stick bait worked especially well, slower retrieve some times had a couple of red bass fighting over the lure, even getting a double hook up on one lure, also even hooked up when doing a real quick retrieve to get the lure out of the water to take a photo of another fish and got smashed by a decent GT, almost ripped the rod out of my hand as wasn't ready for it".

Angus Gorrie (Co-Owner): "Without a doubt descending into a Mackay gorge with Mick and then catching over 40, big, fat and strong Sooty Grunter. Not only did this give my Nordic Stage Favourite (6-12lb) a great work out, it would rank in my top 3 fishing sessions of all time"!

Chris Locke (Young Blood): "I haven’t entered any recognised comps yet...but I’ve given my Nordic Stage Areal Sharpshooter a good work out on everything from trevally to tuna".

Mick Hasset (Field Tester): "Pushing the Nordic Stage Areal Jaeger to its absolute limits including barramundi, sooty grunter and even a land based spanish mackerel"!

Henry Do (Co-Owner): "Hands down upgrading several times my PB Giant Trevally on the Obsession Fishing trip to Jewel Reef. Awesome".

James Howarth (Young Blood): "My 6th place at Victoria Point KFT was a great start to my tournament career. I also managed 6th place in the Budd’s Beach Minibucks round. Another small highlight was winning the bream category in AFO’s Moreton Bay Classic. Now I have turned 16 I am looking to give the ABT rounds a good crack in 2013"!

Wrap Up…

Once again thanks to everyone who helped to make it a great 2012 for Obsession Fishing and stay tuned for an epic 2013 with more trips, new products and a lot of fishing!

The Team

Obsession Fishing Pty Ltd

Exclusive Distributors of Nordic Stage fishing rods.

www.obsessionfishingaustralia.com

angus@obsessionfishingaustralia.com

[Damien2Rad]

Had a blast travelling with and getting to know you guys and can't wait to get my hands on my vey own Favourite.

Will hopefully be able to make some trips this year and if that's unattainable for whatever reason, just go for a fish or a beer...

....and give Henry another Big Christmas Hug which I vaguely remember doing on Friday night.

[Jords]

yeahhhhhhh runt!

Hahah nice work obsession, good to see you boys making a name for yourselves. Hopefully Santa drops off a few more rod models for this year!

Cheers