Ep. 120: Connor Doyle of Reaper Slow Pitch Jigs on Technique, PCS & Community

Guest: Connor Doyle (Reaper Slow Pitch Jigs)

Hosts: Daniel Dahlin ([FISH]rx), El Charly, Luke Dean (Bait Slingers / Artemis Charters)

Connor Doyle of Reaper Slow Pitch Jigs joined Episode 120, recorded live on February 24, 2026, fresh off a handshake invite from Charly at the last Tackle Meet. The conversation covered slow pitch technique for SoCal saltwater, three years of PCS experience, and what it means to build a brand where your family runs the booth while you’re at work.

In This Episode

• Reaper Slow Pitch Jigs at PCS: booth 400L in the hangar building near the seminar stage, Connor’s first year with his own booth after years supporting Performance Tackle and Turners
• How Connor got invited on the show: face to face handshake at Tackle Meet, which Daniel pointed out is exactly what the show is about
• Slow pitch jigging technique for SoCal saltwater: the drop, the flutter, and why the fall is where most bites happen
• [FISH]rx and Bait Slingers at PCS booth 932: booth test run with Luke’s family, 90-inch TV, iRod Genesis rods for spotted bay bass available
• How the fishing community has changed: less gatekeeping, more access, and why newer anglers are getting into it at a good time
• Connor’s 18-year-old son running the Tackle Meet booth while Connor was working: “You’d be so proud” from his dad on the phone
• Charly’s curtain situation finally explained: fine china, Christmas plates, and a mom’s china cabinet

Why the SoCal Fishing Scene Feels More Open Now

The community conversation toward the end of the episode was worth catching. Connor mentioned that when he first started going to tackle events, the old guard wasn’t exactly welcoming. Nobody was sharing anything. Now you’ve got couples getting into fishing together at Tackle Meet, asking questions, and getting real answers. Daniel’s take: “You’re getting into fishing at a really cool time because it wasn’t always this cool.” That’s not just nostalgia. It’s a real observation about how the SoCal fishing scene has opened up over the last five or six years.

Connor’s PCS setup story was also a good one. He’s been at the show for three years, always supporting whoever was selling Reapers at their booth. This year he went out and got his own 10 by 10. His dad, a buddy named Scott, and his sons are setting up Wednesday while Connor works. “My dad kept calling me,” he said. “He’s like, you should see Connor right now, you’d be so proud.” That’s a family business right there.

Why the Fall Is Where Slow Pitch Bites Happen

The slow pitch technique itself is a good entry point for anyone who’s been curious about vertical jigging in SoCal saltwater. Controlled lift, slack, fall: the bite usually happens on the way down. The same fall-based logic that applies to the bladed jig shows up here too. For the full slow pitch breakdown, the slow pitch jig guide goes deeper on setup and technique.

Why This Episode Matters

This episode is a good snapshot of where the SoCal fishing scene is right now: techniques evolving, more anglers getting involved, and small brands building real followings through consistency and community presence.

It also shows how transferable certain ideas are. The concept of letting a bait work on the fall instead of forcing movement shows up in slow pitch, bladed jigs, and other presentations. Understanding that principle opens up a lot of options on the water, especially when paired with a better read on current and structure like the SoCal structure fishing guide.

Watch the full episode on the Time On The Water YouTube channel. New episodes every Tuesday at 6 PM.