My quest for a good fishing rod started about 1980 when I bought a Lamiglass surf rod built by Honi-B. At that time the rod was of good quality and workmanship. A year later the Fenwick 16810 was introduced by McCully Bicycle. I purchased one of the first 16810 blanks that arrived in Hawaii. While sitting on the living room floor with the blank and John Holden's two books (Long Distance Casting & The Beach Fisher's Tackle Guide) I built my first fishing rod. I used this rod along with John Holden’s book to learn how to pendulum cast.

In February of 2003, my employer sent me to Florida for training. What an opportunity! This was a chance to meet up with a good friend and do some fishing in the St. Augustine area. As luck would have it the weather would not cooperate. Instead, George Pope and I shared dinner and fishing experiences. The following weekend the weather cleared a little but the ocean still looked like rolling sand dunes. George took the opportunity to show me two rods that Cono-flex had built especially for his testing. They were of parallel handle construction and effortlessly cast an eight ounce sinker. Since I was still on my quest to find the best ulua fishing rod, George suggested contacting Cono-flex and to ask them to design a rod to meet Hawaii's fishing requirements. George made the preliminary introductions and the process was started.

The introduction marked the start of the design phase for a new series of Cono-flex rods. This series would become the Cono-flex Makoi line. Makoi is Hawaiian for fishing pole. Designing the rods meant that Cono-flex must first become educated in the needs of Ulua fishermen. The education started by sending Cono-flex all three volumes of "Fishing Hawaii Style", butt caps, and terminal tackle. Weekly telephone conversations ensued with George often serving as an interpreter. Interpreter in the sense of understanding European rod design and construction while relating Hawaii's demanding requirements.

Three rod sizes were selected for prototype testing. In keeping with the Cono-flex tradition of naming all their rods, these names were selected: the Pro rated 4 to 6 ounces; the Ultra rated 6 to 8 ounces; and the Extreme rated 8 to 10 ounces. These are optimum ratings. More or less weight may be cast.

While Cono-flex builds rods with various types of tip to handle joints, the spigot joint was selected due to its many advantages and suitability for big rods. Spigots provide a linear transition between the handle and tip, thus maintaining an action closer to that of a one-piece rod. They are machined to exacting tolerances. This provides a joint excellent in strength that delivers maximum power from the handle to the tip. The spigots are hollow to achieve the proper flexibility. Should they become worn out after many years of use, replacements are available from Cono-flex. The spigots on the Makoi line are a little heavier than on most rods. Per George, "For testing, tie the line to an electric pole then heave with everything you got." George, Mahalo for the heavy-duty spigots. Recommended lubrication for the spigot is an ordinary pencil with soft graphite. I use a carpenters pencil. Or, if you want to treat your spigot to something special, dry powdered graphite, the same as you would use for locks, can be purchased from most home improvement centers.

The handle is graphite. It is of parallel construction and is both rigid and strong. This provides the power and casting ability of a longer rod while delivering excellent control. The long (seven foot) handle provides crisper than normal action and enhances quick loading of the rod. The crisp action makes it more suitable for the swing style of casting. . Since the handle is of parallel construction, it can be cut to provide the correct leverage in custom builds without sacrificing action.

The 7’4" tip section is more powerful through its length, than that of a typical British rod. Bite detection was sacrificed to conform to the power requirements of swing casting. The Pro and Ultra have composite tips that provide just the right combination of power and flex. The top 42 inches of the tip is advanced fiberglass while the graphite in the bottom part of the tip provides ample power without adding weight. This provides better action than can be obtained from a rod of a single material. The two material tip is referred to (in England) as a "flip tip" and was pioneered by Cono-flex over a decade ago. The 7’4" tip section of the Extreme tip is 100% carbon graphite. Due to the power and use (slide bait) of this rod, less flexibility is desirable.

The design length of all three models is 14 feet 4 inches. This provides ample power for almost all casters. Initially, I pushed for building the rods up to fifteen feet in length. I'm glad Cono-flex knows their business and only built to 14 feet 4 inches like their UKSF Tournament Casting Designs. A 15-foot rod with this much power and having a parallel handle, would be almost impossible to cast.

Cono-flex rods designed for Hawaii fishermen are the first of an entirely new generation. Materials are the latest graphite composites available in rod construction. The Pro and Ultra rods are of composite construction yielding a lighter weight, greater strength and crisper action. The Extreme is the workhorse. Built entirely of the newest graphite available, it is both light and powerful. The cost of the latest graphite rod building materials does have a significant impact on the price of the rods offered in Hawaii.

Cono-flex will be updating their existing line of rods to the newer materials that have recently become available. . Some of their popular designs will continue to be offered, using traditional graphite materials. This provides a greater selection and price range for fishermen. They built the first rod to cast 300 yards. It is the Tournament Extreme and will retain its originality. Building a 14 foot rod was nothing new to Cono-flex. However, building one to meet Hawaii's requirements from new materials meant starting new with a clean slate. They have exceeded all expectations.

Cono-flex, a family business, was established back when composite materials were new, and the current second generation owners continue the tradition of producing competition proven designs that fish as well as they cast. Cono-flex continuously updates their rods as newer materials become available while employing proven tournament winning technology. Stephen, one of the owners of Cono-flex has chosen a new Makoi Pro as his personal fishing rod.

Five sets of the Makoi series arrived in Hawaii on 7/25/03. They are being tested and are proving to be rods with exceptional performance. For additional information about the Makoi line or to special order other Cono-flex rods, you can contact Hawaii's Cono-flex distributor (Don's Tackle) at (808) 554-8565.

Be sure to visit Cono-flex on their web site at http://www.conoflex.com