Ep. 70: Nick Hernandez of Young’s Tackle on Bait Slingers & the 2025 Season

Guest: Nick Hernandez (Young’s Tackle) | Hosts: Daniel Dahlin ([FISH]rx), El Charly, Luke Dean (Bait Slingers / Artemis Charters)

Episode 70, recorded live on January 14th, opened 2025 under the shadow of the LA fires — Daniel opened with thoughts for the community before moving into fishing. Nick Hernandez from Young’s Tackle is a consistent fan favorite on the show, and this episode covered the tournament circuit, Luke officially building out the Bait Slingers brand beyond a repost page, and the [FISH]rx rebrand now fully in effect.

In This Episode

• Opening thoughts on the LA fires — Daniel opened the episode extending thoughts to all community members affected by the LA fires in January 2025. A reminder that the fishing community is a real community with real people in it
• [FISH]rx rebrand now fully in effect — Daniel confirmed the transition from Dahlin Baits to [FISH]rx is complete. Same product, same maker, more room to grow. The rebrand allowing room beyond soft plastics and removing the last-name-on-product constraint
• Bait Slingers expanding beyond a repost page — Luke announced Bait Slingers transitioning into merchandise and brand identity beyond its original Instagram repost format. The bait Slingers name evolving into a full brand with merch through Amis
• Tournament circuit 2025 — three tournaments active simultaneously: SWBA, LA Fishing Alliance tournament, and Spotty Bowl. The competitive SoCal inshore circuit as an ecosystem that brings different fishing communities together
• PCS Show approaching — PCS barreling down the road and Daniel focused on getting back to pouring after a period of not pouring. The show as the production deadline that forces a focus period
• Peacock bass drop shot discovery — Daniel came back from a Florida trip having discovered that peacock bass, which have smaller mouths than largemouth, respond well to drop shot presentations. The technique transfer bringing a Florida insight back to California

Beyond the Rod & Reel with Young’s Tackle

The Bait Slingers evolution announcement is worth noting in the context of the show’s arc. Luke’s original Instagram page was a repost account. By Ep. 70 it was becoming a full brand with merchandise. That’s a multi-year community-building arc that the show helped enable — the exposure from TOTW gave Bait Slingers an audience that made the brand expansion viable.

Nick Hernandez is consistently the show’s highest-engagement guest from the community — the numbers show it and the live chat energy confirms it. He’s not a technique guest or an industry guest; he’s a community anchor. When he shows up, the community shows up.

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