Jason Williamson's first experience with Taipan Rods was at last year's Bassmaster Classic. On media day, he was parked next to B.A.S.S. Nation qualifier Tim Klinger, who was a Taipan pro staffer.
"The first thing I noticed was the craftsmanship," Williamson said.
It made quite such impression on the Elite Series angler that he recently became the newest member of the Taipan pro staff and is set to launch a signature series of rods at the Bassmaster Classic Expo this week. Williamson, a South Carolina native, will be competing in his third career Classic at Lake Hartwell.
Taipan is based in Yuma, Ariz., and owned by Simon Apodaca, who builds each rod blank from scratch.
"Simon has been so cool to work with," Williamson said. "His craftsmanship is the best I've ever seen. They're light, well-balanced, sensitive and built with great components. It's hard these days to get all of that in one rod, but he's done it."
