Ep. 29: Gary Reyes Returns — Fast-Wind in Action & Weedless Big Baits

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

Gary Reyes came back for a second episode — and this time the fast-wind technique he’d broken down in Ep. 8 had already paid off. Daniel ran the technique the morning after hearing it the first time and had the best calico session he’d ever had. Ep. 29, recorded live on January 30, 2024, goes deeper: exactly how Gary executes the rod tip at high noon, the 6.25-inch bait he’s developing, and belly-weighted hooks for weedless big bait fishing.

In This Episode

• Fast-wind technique deep dive — Gary’s full breakdown: cast out, burn the bait back, rod tip at high noon. As the bait gets closer, the rising angle causes it to “act hurt” and the fish commit in the final few feet. Daniel ran this the morning after Ep. 8 and hit sand bass and two 4-pound calicos on the first try
• New 6.25-inch bait in development — Gary’s next mold: a 6.25-inch swimbait designed for the one-ounce fast-wind application. The size gives enough water resistance to feel the retrieve clearly without being too bulky to cast on the setups most calico anglers run
• Belly-weighted hooks for weedless big baits — Gary’s solution to Owner only making Beast hooks up to 3/4 oz: custom belly-weighted hooks from Performance Tackle that add ballast below the bait, keeping it running straight on the fast retrieve and giving enough weight for the one-ounce presentation
• January and February as peak weedless calico months — Gary’s biggest weedless calico have come in January and February consistently. The fish are less active but more predictable in their holding spots, and a big weedless bait fished through the right zone triggers the bite even when nothing else is working
• Jerkbait as a secondary calico technique — Gary fishes rip baits and 190-style jerkbaits after the fast-wind approach. When fish won’t chase the big fast bait, he drops down to a jerkbait with a longer pause. Two different gears for two different moods
• Big fish mindset — Gary isn’t interested in numbers. He’s targeting fish over eight pounds and fishes big baits on heavy tackle specifically because most anglers won’t. Less pressure on the big bait presentation means more willing fish

Beyond the Rod & Reel with Gary Reyes

Gary confirmed in this episode what Daniel had already learned the hard way: the fast-wind technique works, but execution matters. The rod tip at high noon as the bait comes in isn’t a style choice — it changes the bait’s arc in the water. When the bait starts to rise, it mimics a panicked baitfish trying to escape. That’s when the fish that’s been following commits. Without the rod tip up, you’re just fast-retrieving. With it, you’re creating a closing moment that triggers the strike.

The belly-weighted hook development is worth noting for anyone building custom big bait setups. Owner’s Beast hook maxes out at 3/4 oz. Gary worked with Performance Tackle to build custom belly weights that extend that range. The collaboration between a bait maker and a tackle shop producing a product neither could justify on their own is exactly how the SoCal custom tackle ecosystem works.

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