BONER OUTFITTERS – SEBRING FLORIDA
FEBRUARY 3, 2016 | BY DON NORTON
I’m pleased to announce that I will be working with Jim Hengy, owner of IBG Enterprises, a manufacturer of custom apparel and Boner Outfitters LLC.
Many years ago a small company called Boner Custom Rods contacted me about building custom rods for them. I’d been building and repairing fishing rods for years and I was immediately impressed with the name. “Boner Rods”. Their business model was to sell custom built fishing rods with the “Boner” label and a line of apparel promoting the rods. Although they had no experience building rods or printing t-shirts, their plan was to hire me to build the rods and Jim Hengy to print the apparel.
IBG Enterprises signed an exclusive licensing agreement to sell their apparel and I took on the responsibilities of custom building their rods. After a few years, Jim and a small group of investors made an offer to acquire Boner Rods and the trademark. They incorporated the business under the name Boner Outfitters and moved it into his downtown Sebring location.
About that time, I opened REDS Fishing Tackle in Avon Park and carried the entire Boner apparel line as well as the rods. Self- taught, Jim upgraded the components of the Boner rods and began building them himself. A perfectionist, Jim created a superior brand of saltwater and freshwater fishing rods.
Through the years that followed, I moved to Ohio and Jim continued custom building rods and expanding Boner Outfitters to include skateboards, longboards and accessories, as well as a network of distributors.
When I moved back to Florida in 2012, I was impressed with the growth and distribution of Boner Outfitters. Opening my second fishing tackle store, REDS II in Sebring, Jim and I once again worked together to offer his line of fishing rods and apparel.
REDS II closed after only one year in business, but my passion for retail continued and resulted in working closely with Jim to offer retail fishing tackle at his location just off the circle in downtown Sebring.
Our goal over the next year is to build the retail side of Boner Outfitters while continuing to expand the network of satisfied customers throughout the country who have experienced the thrill of fishing with a Boner Rod.
With our combined experience of over 50 years of custom rod building and rod repair, Boner Outfitters will be expanding their current line of fishing rods to include both saltwater and freshwater flyrods, spinning, casting, trolling and any other type of rod customers may be looking for. Looking for the best flippin’ stik or pitchin’ rod? Try the 7 1⁄2’ medium/heavy action Boner Flippin’ Stik. In addition, Boner Outfitters will also be carrying a line of REDS custom built fishing rods and Denali Rods.
On the retail side, look for all your favorite’s. Medlock jigs, Zoom, Bass Assassin, Gambler, Bitters, Charlies Worms, Hart and Reaction Innovations are just a few of the many plastics, jigs and lures that will be available for purchase.
Got a broken rod, a rod with a broken tip or eye? Need a rod re-built, cork replaced or a new reel seat? Boner Outfitters can handle whatever needs to be done to your rod to get you back on the water fishing again quickly.
Our goal in the future is to offer fishing clinics, which would be open to the public; bass fishing guide services, as well as future bass tournaments sponsored by Boner Outfitters.
If you’re interested in opening a Boner franchise, carrying a line of Boner rods and apparel in your location, give Jim a call. Although franchising is not currently available, it is part of the business model for the future.
Visit the Boner Outfitters website at www.boneroutfitters.com or better yet, stop by the store at 239 North Ridgewood Drive, Sebring, Florida. Monday thru Friday, 9am to 5pm and Saturday 10am to 2pm. For more information call 863-382-0947.
ARCADIA GATOR GUNS & AMMO
On April 9th FWC will be holding a Hunter Safety Course for the South West Region at Arcadia Gator Guns & Ammo located at 715 N. Brevard Ave, Arcadia. The class will be from 9am to 1pm. Future classes will be held on a need by basis. Hunters born on or after June 1, 1975 and 16 years old, must pass a hunter safety course before purchasing a hunting license. This online Hunter Safety Course and Skills Day cover the knowledge, skills and attitude needed to be a safe hunter. Students should register for the hands- on Skills Day, then complete one of the acceptable online courses. You can register for the course at
http://myfwc.com/hunting/safety-education/courses/.
MERCURY MARINE’S NEW VESSELVIEW MOBILE APP PUTS THE POWER OF SMARTCRAFT ON YOUR MOBILE DEVICE
MARCH 4, 2016
Mercury Marine, the world leader in marine propulsion and technology, will introduce its VesselView Mobile app at the 2016 GEICO Bassmasters Classic, March 4-6 on Lake O’ the Cherokees in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Available for iOS and Android mobile devices, including smartphones and tablets, the VesselView Mobile app instantly provides users access to their boat’s SmartCraft digital data in the palm of their hand.
SmartCraft® is a fully integrated suite of digital technologies, including marine gauges, sensors, vessel systems and computer- controlled features that gives users a higher level of control over their boat’s propulsion and electrical systems. Now, with Mercury Marine’s VesselView Mobile, users can see SmartCraft engine data right on the screen of their mobile device. The app also includes useful new features such as Maintenance Reminders, Mapping, Performance Summary, and Fault Code Diagnostics.
VesselView Mobile makes preparing for and spending a day on the water easier, safer and more enjoyable by letting users perform the following functions from their mobile device:
- Connect to the SmartCraft data network in your boat from your iOS or Android mobile device via BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy 4.0)
- See all the SmartCraft engine parameters: Fuel usage, water temperature, oil & water pressures, battery voltage, rpm, etc. (parameters available are specific to each engine family)
- Get fault code diagnostic information so you know and understand if that fault is something to be addressed when you return to the dock, or is more urgent
- Locate your nearest Mercury Marine dealer
- Get points of interest information for your body of water, including fuel and restaurant locations, and more
- Record a moment on the water for future reference
- Access checklists associated with your boating lifestyle
- Get maintenance reminders and access historical maintenance information logs Mercury Marine’s VesselView Mobile app also provides users with a Web-based account that gives them an even deeper connection with their boat by allowing them to analyze fuel
MERCURY MARINE DEBUTS PROPELLER AT BASSMASTER CLASSIC
MARCH 7TH, 2016
Mercury Marine introduced Fury 4, a new tournament- level propeller, at the 2016 Geico Bassmaster Classic last weekend on Grand Lake O’ the Cherokees in Tulsa, Okla.
The company also showcased its new 115 Pro XS FourStroke outboard, which it introduced at the Miami International Boat Show in February.
The Fury 4 has four high-progressive-rake blades made of Mercury’s X7 alloy designed for tournament-loaded bass boats. It also features 8 PVS holes that are designed to get boats on plane faster and deliver excellent shallow-water launches.
The new Fury 4 from Mercury Propellers is available in 24-, 25- and 26-inch pitches in right-hand rotation. It is recommended for tournament-loaded bass boats with outboard power in excess of 200 hp.
Based on the Mercury 115 FourStroke, the new 115 Pro XS is 16 pounds lighter than the 115 OptiMax it replaces. It has a 2.1-liter displacement.
KISSIMMEE RIVER RESTORATION PROJECT UPDATE
BY: US CORPS
Notice is given that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Jacksonville District as part of the Kissimmee River Restoration Project has commenced backfill operations of Canal 38 starting at the US 98 bridge and extending south approximately 1.5 miles. It is anticipated that backfill operations will take approximately one year. Navigation through the construction zone is prohibited. During construction the Hidden Acres community can travel to the south along the channelized Kissimmee River however, the Kissimmee River Shores community will not have access due to safety concerns. Both Kissimmee River Shores and Hidden Acres access will be restored through the historic oxbows after construction is complete. Access to the channelized Kissimmee River will remain open at the Istokpoga, Structure 65C and Structure 65D boat ramps.
