It seemed a little strange to be talking with professional bass angler Fred Contaoi from Clear Lake, California, about something small.  Everything else in Contaoi’s life is big.  The lures he fishes with, the bass he catches, even his smile are all gigantic.  The towering Contaoi seemed somewhat out of place holding on to the new E21 Carrot Stix with micro guides.  Of course, Contaoi was all smiles hold up a big, fat Table Rock spotted bass that had just eaten his soft swimbait.  The key to catching bass that bass was making a long cast and slowly reeling it back in.  As the day went on Contaoi continued to enlighten me with knowledge about fishing rods and swimbaits.  “An angler should first figure out what rods feel good with certain lures,” Contaoi continued, “I like to fish 5-inch or 7-inch medium sized swimbaits like a Basstrix on a ½-ounce jig head with a 7’3” medium/heavy Carrot Stix.  I need a lighter tip to make a long cast, but some backbone to set the hook with these swimbaits.  While I fish a 6’9” medium/heavy Carrot Stix with round head War Eagle finesse jigs that weigh from 3/8 to 1/2-ounce.”  Carrot Stix Rods like Contaoi stick out from the crowd, Contaoi with his big smile and Carrot Stix with their famous orange colored finish.  “While Carrot Stik Rods have different models of rods with regular sized guides, I am especially excited about their series of Carrot Stix Rods with micro guides.  They are lighter and more sensitive plus the smaller eyes means better casting accuracy.  I also like the fact they are very durable and can easily be stored under the deck without damaging them,” explain Contaoi.

Not only is Contaoi excited about the new Micro Guide Rods, but so is Carrot Stix’s Marketing Manager Nigel Dacosta.  “A few months ago, we came out with four models of our new Carrot Stik Micro Guide Rods with more yet coming out,” Dacosta continued, “they are lighter, they do not allow the line to flutter which increases casting distance 30-percent, and with the number of guides, it means more line touching all of the time for better sensitivity.”   The Micro Guide Rods are re-inventing standards in fishing rods just like the E21 Carrot Stix did with its lite weight high modulus graphite and nano bio-fiber technology did when the first orange rods appeared. 

All of this advanced technology equals lighter, stronger, and more sensitive fishing rods for anglers.  For Contaoi, it’s another tool in his arsenal that allows him to present his lures correctly.  So do not be surprised if you see big Fred Contaoi walking softly and carrying a big orange fishing pole with a giant smile on his face.  Apparently, the micro thing is making a big difference in his fishing.