Went to the Academy on Parker and the Tollway to get my new license and looky what I saw.

I bought some but hated the hooks. They are nice baits but the hooks seem cheap.

What size did you buy? 3/4oz I use Eagle Claw 2x, 1oz or bigger I use Eagle Claw 3x. Not saying Eagle Claw are the best out there...but I am buying the better quality ones that they carry,I have used Mustad, VMC's in this same class of hooks and can tell ya they are about the same in quality.... Any suggestions you might have I am all ears and always open to serve better....I have folks that ask for those Gamawhateverwhooo's,but you know if I charge what would be necessary with those hooks I would really catch flack for my prices, Seriously, I am interested in what size baits you purchased though, cause the smaller hooks on the 3/4oz are the Eagle Claw 2x and I have to agree that I am not in love with them. But Eagle Claw doesnt make a 3x in that size that I can purchase at the volume I buy them at. Thanks for your feedback.

Those look great.


Bryon class act.

I thought the hooks were just about perfect. But if your someone that doesnt like the hook size for the slab....its something that you could change out yourself with your on hand picked hook. No matter what one does in life....you can never please everyone. Just my .02

I bought one too. At the Academy on Bryant Irvin Rd.

I have never even fished a slab, but it looks nice on the line. I hope to learn to fish it soon.

Where else can you leave your personal feedback and hear back from the man himself in 8 (YES 8!) minutes.

I got some also. But I'm not quite sure how to fish with it either. Any tips from anyone? Great reviews though.

Hooks I don't worry. I bend them all but having a slab that I can change the hooks on 6,8 times and the slab still looks great , I'll take that any day.

I havent had a problem with hooks at all . I actually cut 1 of the hooks off the treble and squeeze the barbs on the remaining 2 anyway, to make it easier on the catch and release days.

I generally just let the slab drop to the bottom, reel up the slack, and raise the rod tip anywhere from 6"-2' and let it drop while staying in contact with the slab, so you can feel the bite. The bite will come generally about 90% of the time on the drop. Byron is the expert and hopefully he will chime in. I believe he has some tips on his website. Carefull, I just started a couple of years ago and now I'm addicted.
http://www.trollingnolanstackle.com/

I too bought some from that location. Almost didn't find them though. They were at an end cap, but 2 isles away from the other like baits.

I'm no expert at fishing them, but I have worked them two ways. 1st) Let it drop straight down and when it stops on the bottom I crank up 5-7 turns pretty quick and then just some raising and lowering and reel in about every other time or so. This just takes a little experimenting to see whats working.

2nd) About the same as 1st, but I will cast it out and try to cover more area. Let it fall for a bit and then just do the lowering/raising & reeling thing. Only other difference here is that I will include a little more "twitching" or "jerking" when raising.

I could be doing this incorrectly, but I've caught some this way. If anyone can teach me a better way I am very open to learning.

Nice baits, academy should feel special carrying those!!

I have used TNT's slabs for years. The paint on the slabs outlasts any other slab I have ever found. I agree after catching several fish the hooks may bend but, they all do. I straighten them out and fish on.

In my opinion TNT slabs are one of the best slabs made! You can catch a hundred fish on one and it would still look like it came out the box. One thing I always do is change the silver hooks to red eagle claws and have no problems.

As far as the hooks, I've got no complaints. while other mfgr's
baits have hooks that BREAK, the eagle claw hook that Bryon uses
aren't as deeply tempered & they BEND, which is a good thing if you fish slabs alot. beleive me, it's a lot better to bend out a hook and get your slab back from that tree in 30' of water, than it is to have that hook hold & lose a $3 slab.
Besides, these are white bass, not redfish. they're not exactly tackle-busters. Hybrids, yes to an extent, but if your drag is set correctly, you're not gonna lose a fish to a bent hook. Keep up the good work, Bryon!
JMO....
tight lines
-Brian

+1 on the removing one of the hooks off the treble and flatten the barbs for the catch and release days. Much faster, easier and safer for you and the fish.

Going back to Academy on Cherry Lane today to see if they have them on the racks yet.

Bryon,
Just my opinion but I think the hooks on the 1oz. 180's are the perfect size for sandies & stripers & would like the same size on the 3/4oz. I will likely change these out myself. Not sure what brand I would go w/ though. Great slabs & have already caught me a lot of fish & I have only had them for just over a month. Good work!

I crush the barbs on mine also. Certainly makes releasing the fish, even if you are keeping it, easier. Especially when they suck in the entire hook and you get all 3 hooks set.

I haven't tried cutting one off, but will next time.

I too have removed one of the hooks at times. Makes it easier to get the fish and your bait back in the water quicker. H & H Lure Co. uses a Double Hook on their spinners which I have tried on the TNT slabs. It seems to work good, but I have yet to find a tackle store that carries just the hooks. You can buy the hooks from H & H, but they have $100 minimum order requirement.
http://www.hhlure.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=56635

Guess I will just keep cutting one of the hooks off for now.

I love the hooks, I just wish they didnt lose their luster after 3000 fish have been caught on one, ahahaha.

Great job Mr. Nolan, you have a great product and have marketed it well.

do you know if the NRH store is out. I called and they said they could not find them?

I have been using TNT Slabs and I think that they are one of the best slabs on the market. I flaten all of my barbs. Its just much easier.

got mine , NRH store has some. I ll try 'em tomorrow, see if you guys are telling the truth about 'em or if I got taken, lol.