As I had never ventured offshore before my accident, I had no idea of how to handle the big fish I was going to run into out there. So as is the case with most great inventing, trial and error would play a significant role.

We made our first journey during the summer of '96 to about 10 miles out to fish for snapper, reds and grouper near the rigs.

I experimented with a device called the strong arm, using extra tape to hold the larger rod in place and shoulder straps to hold me in my chair. It worked okay, but it's made for lighter tackle and didn't hold up good enough against the bigger fighting fish that I knew I'd meet farther out. That's what I really wanted to go after. It did, however, provide the ideas for what eventually lead to the working rig I use today.

It starts with a custom made plate that attaches to the rod with hose clamps.

The second part of the equation is a glove that is sewn front and back with velcro. And since the rod plate is also velcroed, i can securely attach my hand to the rod.

The final piece of the puzzle is a strap that wraps around everything and gives me a solid grip for fighting deep sea size fish.

I also have to put on my shoulder harness and put a rod butt holder on the chair cushion to help with long fights.

Come follow me on the blue water excursions that have come to be some of my biggest accomplishments: