Hey TRB! It has been great getting to read up on yall, and I figured it was time for me to chime in. I'm Kyle Jud (CoastalBent). I currently live in Houston and moved here about a year ago from Jonestown, TX (just north of Austin close to Lake Travis). I grew up in South Texas in Harlingen and have fished the Lower Laguna Madre from the time I was old enough to hold a Snoopy pole. I also did a lot of bass fishing as a kid at a family lake house on Lake LBJ.
I've pretty much been a total fishaholic my entire life. During the past few years, I've been on a bass kick up in central TX, but now that Im closer to the salt again, I've been learning the beautiful brown waters of Galveston bay!
I'm 31 and have been married to Rachel a little over a year now. I've always enjoyed traveling and somehow I seem to be able to turn just about every trip into a new fishing experience. I've done a lot of fishing south of the border, and just a little north of the border too. I love going to far away places for the big ones, and going to the neighborhood pond in my float tube.
I got into building rods about three years ago and have gotten more and more into it with each build. Ive learned a whole lot by hanging around online and I really appreciate the sharing that has gotten me to where I am so far. I enjoy working with the lathe and with exotic wood to make my own grips and components. So far, I've built mostly spinning rods, casting rods and kingfish/tarpon rods. I've never gotten too into flyfishing, so no fly rods yet. I havent gotten into weaving yet either, but I can hear it calling me. I also enjoy putting together custom gaffs, fillet knives and hunting knives.
I have a tax id and a website, but I haven't gotten things set up yet. I'm definitely not looking to make a lot of money with this and don't want it to turn into work or stress. I would like to make enough so that it doesn't drain my checkbook and maybe save up enough to ditch my homemade wrapping gear!
For my day job, I help run a company that installs fire protection in apartments and hotels. It gives me enough free time to hit the water a few times a month, and kick back in the man cave to throw some rods together. I'm also into aquariums and dogs. We have a German Shorthaired Pointer named Cabo and a Boxer named Magnum that are like kids to us... big, hairy, shedding, slobbery kids. That's it for now, thanks for taking the time to check it out Here's a few pics of me and the dogs and a couple catches! See ya'll at FTU!!
Cool Party Jud. Try to keep the rod building fun but you are smart to keep it legal cause IF you get caught the pain aint worth it. Love the pooches. I had a Weimer and a Visula and now have a ****er and two heinz 57s. Great meeting you and hope some day it will be in person.
