i believe him. i watched him slam bass one night them. you're right about the short rod. i think he uses an 8ft loomis with a short butt. he twitches them in fast too, not slow. he shined his light on the water and showed me the nasty action he got with them . looked just like a big juicy live eel dancing through the water. the way he rigs them they hold well in current too.
if i had a digi camera i'd post pick of the one he gave me
