Ep. 63: Connor Doyle of Reaper Slow Pitch Jigs on Jigging Technique & [FISH]rx Rebrand

Guest: Connor Doyle (Reaper Slow Pitch) | Hosts: Daniel Dahlin ([FISH]rx), El Charly, Luke Dean (Bait Slingers / Artemis Charters)

Connor Doyle makes Reaper Slow Pitch Jigs and runs Tow Boat USA charters. Episode 63, recorded live on October 29, 2024, is his first appearance on the show — and this is also the episode where Daniel announced the Dahlin Baits to [FISH]rx rebrand live on air. Connor’s slow pitch breakdown covers jig shape and action, dock structure presentations, and the bigger-bait-bigger-fish philosophy that’s defined his approach.

In This Episode

• Reaper jig shape and running undulation — the thin taper at the top creates an undulation in the running action as the jig falls and rises. Different from fat-profile jigs that fall straight. The motion that triggers strikes is the flutter at the end of the fall, not the drop itself
• Fishing parallel to docks — Connor’s approach for dock structure: run the jig parallel to the dock face rather than casting perpendicular. The bait stays in the fish’s feeding zone longer on a parallel presentation, especially for fish holding tight against the dock
• Tin foil tape as chrome finish — Connor uses tin foil tape as a chrome finish on his jigs. Time-intensive but produces the reflective finish chrome jigs require. The chrome Reaper has its own community following — a core group fishing nothing but chrome Reapers from shore
• Bigger baits for bigger fish — Connor’s direct closing statement: “We didn’t get bigger fish by throwing confidence, we got bigger fish by pushing the envelope.” Opening up to bigger profiles and different presentations is what moves the average size
• Assist hooks on slow pitch jigs — Connor’s assist hook setup: connected to the middle of the EWG hook, not the eye. Two position options. The assist hook as a way to convert short strikes on the jigging action without fouling the presentation
• [FISH]rx rebrand announced — Daniel announced the Dahlin Baits to [FISH]rx name change in this episode. Same product, same maker, more room to grow beyond soft plastics. The community response was supportive, and the rebrand became official

Beyond the Rod & Reel with Reaper Slow Pitch

The rebrand announcement gives this episode a place in the [FISH]rx timeline that most episodes don’t have. It happened here — mid-conversation, with a guest, on a Tuesday night live. Daniel explained the reasoning simply: Dahlin Baits was his last name on a product, and he didn’t want to be limited to soft plastics forever. The rx came from the fishing-as-prescription idea. The name change was new; the baits and the approach didn’t change.

Connor’s bigger-bait thesis is one the show returns to across multiple episodes and multiple guests. Gary Reyes, Benny Florentino, Scott from Bows n Arrows — they all arrive at the same place: if you want to catch bigger fish, you have to present something that looks like a bigger fish’s meal. The audience for a small bait is large. The audience for a big bait is select. Fish the audience you want.

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