WOW
I cant believe this ! so sad . John was a good friend to many .

May he rest in peace. My condolensces to his friends and family, Dave Collins

Just heard this very sad news. What a shock.
My sincerest condolences to his wife, son and entire family.

Wow is this shocking. My condolences to his family. He will surely be missed.

Habs
 

Rest in Peace .tight lines forever

WOW......a big loss to our fishing community. He will be remembered by all. My condolences go out to his family and friends.

What a great guy. He will be missed. Thoughts and prayers to his family and RIP

I've known John for 20 years. Field tested plugs for him before he went commercial with the Habs needle.
I am beyong grief over this. Had the pleasure of meeting his son at my house during some construction. great guy, great family and a great friend to me. for oh so many years.

wow, this is a shock I had just bought reel off of him on friday morning. My condolonces go out to his family and friends, for the short amount of time I knew him he seemed to be a great guy.

i sadly never got the chance to run into him. nor had the pleasure of getting my hands on one of his plugs. but i enjoyed all of his posts. heck picked up quite a few tips from him on here. and i know many many fishermen have had much enjoyment, thanks to his creations.
this truly bums me out. the striper community has lost a another great.

but on a positive note. how many people can say " i made a bunch of complete strangers really really happy." Habs is one of those few.
Hopefully people won't decide to retire his plugs. And continue to fish them as he would have wanted.

God Bless John Haberek

REST IN PEACE
I will miss talking to you and fishing with you. the true king of the wooden needle fish. your legacy will live on in the surfcasting community.

Speechless. Thoughts and prayers to John's family and friends. Too many have been taken too soon.
ET

I met and fished with John 5-6 years back. A real gentleman surf fisher and a lot of fun to be around. My condolences to his family.

john and I talked often , me bugging him for plugs...he always had time to deliver my small orders ..Im am shocked...sad. rip john

Sad news. Made a personal commitment to begin using his plugs this year and purchased quite a few. Always heard he was a wonderful man. Sorry I never met him. His legend will live on.

never talked to him, but have fished around here long enough to know what a loss this is to our little community. Couldn't believe the news when I logged on. I would like his family to know that they are in my thoughts. RIP John

I am stunned to hear this. My deepest and most sincere sympathies to his family. IMO he really added something significant to this sport. I will miss him.

So sorry to hear. :( Thoughts and prayers sent for his family.

I was so shocked and saddened to hear about this. What a terrible shame and a horrible loss.

This is indeed a sad day for all in the fishing community.My best to his family.

R.I.P John....shocking isn't the word..wth...was he ok before he retired for the nite,I mean was/had he been sick at all???? anyone know??

that stinks
 

he was a great guy to me and my son always a good word...if I wasn't with my son, he would always ask how he's doing...just seen him a couple weeks ago at W.L.gun culb, he looked fine...r.i.p. he will not be forgetton

RIP
 

John You will be missed. thiughts and prayers to Johns Family.

RIP JOHN. :(

Some night this fall, under a cloud covered moon, into the face of a chill wind, waves breaking over a boulder field, a needle will be driven into the darkness, then start its slow journey back towards the beach, only to stopped by an unyielding force, heavy, alive, and stong, and the rod will bow, and the drag give way, and the spool start to empty, and a heart start to pound,........ and his spirit will again be with us. RIP, Habs.

I really thought when I clicked on the thread it was about a plug that got destroyed or something. Never met him, but my sincere condolences go out to his family and friends. Rest in peace.

A man who was certainly one of the best at his trade.

horrible news,just plain shock.RIP JOHN

RIP - t & p to family and friends.

Mike laptew called me today with the shocking news....John was a good friend and very proud to be...I always enjoyed being around John during our fishing and filming ventures. I watched him progress, from producing his very first lure to becoming one of the best quality lure maker's and productive fishing lures made on this side of the globe. A true legend that will never be forgotten. My condolences and prayers go out to his family and friends.