Shop Talk & Batson Stories

April 15th 2025

Witch Doctor Tackle & Batson Enterprises

A win/win partnership that has stood the test of time. Be sure to check out Witch Doctor's new Sandman Series developed in close collaboration with Bassmaster Elite Series Pro Cole Sands

In the evolving world of fishing tackle and rod building, true innovation stems from collaboration. Over the past decade, Witch Doctor Tackle (WDT) and Batson Enterprises have forged a partnership that has not only redefined product excellence but also set new industry standards. What began as a meeting at the 2013 ICAST show in Orlando has grown into a relationship built on trust, quality, and shared passion for innovation.
Game Changing Partnership

Before 2013, Witch Doctor Tackle sourced products from multiple suppliers. At the time, finding reliable, high-quality components required casting a wide net. However, everything changed when WDT connected with Batson Enterprises and their product development team...

READ THE FULL STORY HERE ON WITCHDOCTORUSA.COM

December 10th 2024

25 Years Serving the Rod Building Industry

As Batson Enterprises enters our 25th year, we haven't forgotten where we came from. Below is a little history from Bill Batson himself.

I grew up on a ranch on “Ulupalakua,” Maui. My father was a Paniolo (cowboy). We lived a very simple lifestyle and fished for much of our food. I would not be the man I am today without the Hawaiian experience. Some of my most memorable times were fishing with my father. My favorite was fishing off the rocks at night for Ulua. I vividly recall my first Ulua gaffing experience. My blood was pumping, my headlamp was shaking. I was hanging over the side of the cliff with waves crashing into me. Dad was saying “He’s close, keep your eyes peeled.” There it was, a huge Ulua. I buried the gaff deep on my first try. I yelled “Dad, I got it!” He told me to hold on, he was coming. To this day I get goosebumps thinking about it. I still have the picture hanging in my office. It’s one of the highlights of my life.

In Maui, my father opened a shop called Phantom Custom Rods. He built some of the finest fishing rods in Hawaii. He was featured on the show “Fishing Tales” and was also featured in the book Fishing Hawaii Style. In 1990, My Father, Bob Batson, left Hawaii and went to work for a very prominent company in California. Eight years later my father transferred eight families from California to work in Sequim, Washington. By the year 2000, he took a leap of faith and started his own business. Hiring family first, my cousin Karry Batson and I were the only employees. With my father’s knowledge and worldwide contacts, he cultivated the business, and we were well on our way. Batson Enterprises – Rainshadow/Forecast Fishing Components took off. Soon after, with only five people running the company, we quickly grew too large to work out of my parents’ home and rented a 3,000 square foot building.

Unfortunately, in the year 2003, my father passed away to go to heaven and fish with God. My mom, Connie Batson, along with my cousin Karry Batson and I wanted to keep the family legacy going. I took on the role of CEO. Mike Thorson came on board at that time and together we cultivated the Batson name. Now, 22 years later, we have a team of twenty-five who offer exceptional customer service, innovation, engineering, and fishing industry experience. In 2005 we moved into a bigger 12,000 sq. ft. facility. The growth of our company has been incredible over the past 25 years. Connie Batson just recently retired as president and I, Bill Batson, have assumed the role of Owner & CEO, my cousin Karry is our Senior Salesman, my son Keller is an expert technical advisor, and my daughter Eden has also joined us, handling social media and pro staff relations for our marketing department. For me, my ‘Ohana (family) goes beyond blood relatives. My customers and employees are also considered family, and I continue to work hard to build my father’s legacy. In May of 2022 I traveled to Wisconsin to personally witness my father’s induction into The Custom Rod Builders Guild Hall of Legacy Legends. He was a great man, whom I miss every day.

-Bill Batson

SEE MORE BATSON COMPANY HISTORY HERE

March 26th 2024

Take Your BFS Game on the Road

Avid rod builder and angler Michael Danek gives an insightful and highly technical review of two models from Rainshadow's new Revelation RX7 multi-piece travel rod blanks.

There is a lot of discussion on this forum about BFS, bait-cast finesse system. With regard to the issue of the most appropriate BFS rod characteristics, I submit the following: The most important characteristic in casting, whether spinning or bait-casting, is.... read full post here at BassResource.com.

SEE THE COMPLETE RAINSHADOW RX7 TRAVEL SERIES HERE

March 10th 2024

Handing Out Good Angling Vibes..

Batson Enterprises' show giveaways create awareness of our craft and get folks hooked on the lifestyle, for life. Please remember to take your kids fishing!

While Batson Enterprises does not sell direct to the public, our CEO and Owner Bill Batson loves to give to the public. If you have never witnessed this in person, take a look. It is a display of generosity at its finest, no strings attached. Hundreds of free raffle tickets are given out during each event and put into four categories, under 16, 16 and over, first responders and veterans. People line the isles and flock around us for a chance to win a custom built fishing rod. Bill calls it “chumming the water” when hats and other items are thrown out to the crowd. The excitement builds for the one of a kind Batson Raffle. The rods are built by industry greats, upcoming rod builders and master weavers. The smiling faces of the very young to the seasoned fisherman are in awe of the gift that they win. Bill says “Its my way of giving back to the industry and helping our future generations follow in the footsteps of their elders”.

Here is what a recent Batson Winner had to say “I attended the Pacific Coast Sportfishing Festival on 3/10/24 in Southern California, and was the VERY fortunate recipient of a BEAUTIFUL custom rail rod built by Jim Trelikes, as a part of the end of show raffle program that was sponsored by Batson Enterprises and Bill Batson. I am writing this email to THANK YOU for giving away this absolutely gorgeous rod!! I am looking forward to using it this summer to catch a big Blue Fin Tuna! However, it is such a work of art that I'm a bit hesitant to expose it to that treatment, but I promise that I'll make every effort to keep it in pristine condition. I'll definitely plan to pass it down to my son(who loves to fish also) when I am no longer able to wrestle those sea monsters. Thank you Batson Enterprises for this one-of-a-kind gem that will be cherished by our family for many years to come!!”

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February 9th 2024

The Legacy and Innovation of Batson Enterprises with Bill and Keller Batson

Dive into the world of custom rod crafting in this episode of the Mudfish Adventures Podcast, hosted by the enthusiastic Captain Steve "Scooby" Stubbe. Broadcasting directly from the bustling Houston Fishing Show, this special edition features an engaging conversation with Bill Batson and Keller Batson.

From humble beginnings on a Hawaiian cattle ranch to becoming a renowned name in the fishing industry, Bill and his son Keller Batson share their captivating journey of innovation, craftsmanship, and passion for fishing. Captain "Scooby" and his guests delve into the technicalities of rod components, the artistry behind custom builds, and the future of fishing gear technology. Join us on the Mudfish Adventures Podcast for an unforgettable journey through the legacy and future of fishing with Batson Enterprises.

HEAR MORE EPISODES OF THE MUDFISH ADVENTURES PODCAST

October 4th 2023

Team Rainshadow's Jameson Redding Hits The Road

If you haven't watched Jameson Redding's Road Trip Angler, you're missing out on one of the best fishing shows today.

Over the past two years, long-time Team Rainshadow pro staffer Jameson Redding has logged some serious miles pursuing angling adventures all over the U.S. in his TV/YouTube series Road Trip Angler. During the show’s most recent season, Jameson made it up here to Batson Country to experience some of our favorite Pacific Northwest fishing spots. We invite you to check out Road Trip Angler on YouTube. He's always fishing new and interesting locations and, of course, always showcases his custom-built Rainshadow Rods. Jameson's go-to blank series' include The Judge Crankbait, Revelation RX7, and Eternity RX10. New episodes are still becoming available so be sure to subscribe to the RTA YouTube channel and get notified when new episodes drop. Jameson is always up to something fun and interesting. See what he's got going on currently at in4adventure.com, or on his Facebook and Instagram pages.

Road Trip Angler is hosted by Jameson Redding as he hits the road to find the best fishing spots in America. Jameson grew up enjoying the outdoors in the foothills of NC. After discovering kayak fishing over a decade ago, he took a leap of faith and dedicated himself to the sport. He has developed an unmatched connection to the fishing community, and he loves exploring new waters, meeting new people, and sharing his passion for fishing through his many adventures.

SEE ALL ROAD TRIP ANGLER EPISODES ON YouTube

August 7th 2022

A Fishy Family Affair

Bill Batson and family took a trek to the beach and ended up creating a new angler. See the video on Facebook.

It was a beautiful summer day in the Great Pacific Northwest. We decided to take a hike to one of our favorite Surf Perch fishing spots. My Beautiful Wife (Shelley) my Son (Keller) and my Youngest Daughter (Eden.) It was one of those days you dream about with fish after fish coming in.. Lots of laughter and some friendly family banter>>who has the most, who has the biggest...
In this particular spot other hikers and coming by once in a while.. All stopping to watch us having fun catching and releasing all of these fish. This one boy was very intrigued by what we were doing. I could see him out of the corner of my eye so I asked him if he wanted to try? He was very shy and just looked at his parents, so I asked his parents if he wanted to try. They said he has never caught a fish before, just then I hooked another one. I looked back at him and said here you go want to reel it in.. His eye got so big and he said YES PLEASE...So I handed him the rod, it was a 12' salmon rod (BP1446F-M) so it was a bit much for him. So, as you can see in the video, I helped him balance the rod by holding the top part while he reeled it in. He could feel the fish on the rod so he knew he had something. It was great to see the smile and SHARE the excitement with this young boy.. His family thanked me and we took plenty of pictures then Safely released the fish. These types of memories will last a lifetime for this young boy and his family. I am blessed to have been in the position to make that happen for them. " Remember that time we were hiking and I caught that big fish off the beach"
-FishOn

SEE THE VIDEO ON FACEBOOK

August 2nd 2023

Simple Spiral Wrap Rod Build with Fish Alaska Magazine

Fish Alaska Magazine staffers George Krumm and Marcus Weiner build and fish a spiral-wrapped Rainshadow Vertical Jigging Blank Model RCKJB600-112.

Spiral wrapped fishing rods are stable under heavy loads, making them especially well suited to fishing for large Alaska bottomfish. The simple spiral is the simplest, and for many types of rods, arguably most effective way to spiral wrap a fishing rod. There is a reason it is called the “simple spiral.” There aren’t numerous transition guides set at multiple, varying degrees of offset.

The simple spiral is easy to layout, that doesn’t mean it’s not as good as other spiral wrapped fishing rod methods. On the contrary, for most types of rods, it is arguably the best spiral wrap method because the line is routed from the top of the rod blank to the bottom with the fewest number of guides....read more

SEE FULL STORY WITH VIDEO AT FISH ALASKA MAGAZINE.COM

January 4th 2023

Tackle Tour Review of Eternity RX10 BFS Build

BFS (Bait Finesse System) rod builds are becoming very popular very quick. Tackle Tour reviews their custom BFS build created on Eternity RX10 model ETES72ML.

Check out this great RX10 performance review and detailed specs put together by Cal over at TackleTour.com. He built an ultra light, ultra sensitive BFS rod on one of the finest blanks Rainshadow offers. Cal's article doesn't just do a great job of highlighting the features of Rainshadow's flagship freshwater rod blank series, it also provides an interesting view into his own unique processes when designing and building a custom fishing rod.

READ FULL REVIEW ON TACKLE TOUR HERE

November 2nd 2022

A Batson Visit with Rod Building Industry Legend Garry Land

Garry pays a visit to Batson HQ and explores the Olympic Peninsula. Bill and Garry talk rod building history and swap a few good stories.

We're always glad to get a visit from the great Garry Land. Click below to read our bio on Garry and checkout his interview with Bill Batson.

READ FULL STORY AND WATCH INTERVIEW

September 20th 2022

Albacore Tuna Fishing with Team Rainshadow and Far Corners Sportfishing

Join the Batson Crew for a day of albacore fishing off Washington's Pacific Coast with Team Rainshadow Pro Staff Charter - Far Corners Sportfishing.

Every summer the Batson family and staff gear up for one of our favorite offshore fisheries - albacore tuna. Anglers run 30-80 miles offshore to the Pacific's continental shelf to chase these long-finned beauties. Click below to get the full story and see the Batson Crew give their Rainshadow rods a workout.

SEE FULL STORY AND VIDEO

December 5th 2022

Why Industry Pros Do Business with Batson

Batson proudly serves the fishing industry's most successful custom fishing rod builders, distributors, OEM fishing rod manufacturers, and fishing charters. See what they have to say about us.

"In my business, QUALITY is extremely important and we can honestly say that when we send out rods with the Batson blanks, guides, and reels seats, we can feel confident that the customer will be 100% satisfied and they are getting a true quality custom made rod that they can enjoy for many years." - Bryan Connley, Connley Fishing

SEE FULL TESTIMONIALS

November 6th 2022

From Redfish Champs to Redfish G.O.A.T.s

Sean O'Connell and Edward Adams Win 2022 Yamaha Bassmaster Redfish Cup Championship

It’s rare in the world of professional tournament angling for a team to post back-to-back wins, let alone 4 or 5.