Ep. 86: Grant Beck of Waterman’s Collective on Rod Building & Two Waters Tournament

Guest: Grant Beck (Waterman’s Collective)

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

Episode 86, recorded live on May 27, 2025, is a look at the rod-building side of the SoCal fishing community. Grant Beck of Waterman’s Collective talks through the Two Waters tournament, custom rod builds for [FISH]rx and Bait Slingers, and what it takes to run a rod shop while staying active on the water.

In This Episode

• Two Waters tournament — mixed-species format with a custom Waterman’s Collective x Bait Slingers rod as the top prize
• The halibut rod — the rod from the viral halibut catch becoming a tournament prize
• Custom rod builds for [FISH]rx and Bait Slingers — collaboration between bait brands and a rod builder
• Community-driven prize structure — bait lots and gear instead of cash payouts
• Running a rod shop — balancing builds, shipping, and staying active as an angler

What the Two Waters Format Shows

The Two Waters tournament highlights a different way to think about fishing competition. Instead of rewarding specialization, it rewards versatility — the ability to fish both freshwater and saltwater effectively. That reflects how a lot of anglers in California actually fish.

The prize structure reinforces that same idea. Instead of cash payouts, the rewards are gear built by the community — rods, baits, and setups that come directly from the anglers and builders involved. It keeps the focus on fishing rather than winnings.

Grant’s role sits slightly outside the typical conversation on the show. Most episodes focus on baits and technique. His work is the system that delivers those baits — the rods that determine how they’re fished, how they feel, and how effectively they stay in the strike zone.

Why This Episode Matters

This episode matters because it shows the infrastructure behind the fishing community. Baits and techniques get the attention, but rods — and the people building them — shape how those baits actually perform on the water.

If you’re fishing SoCal inshore, the takeaway is simple: your setup matters as much as your bait. The way a rod loads, casts, and handles fish directly impacts results. This episode gives context to that side of the equation.

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