TT Interview: Prototyping Rods and a Novel Approach to Tackle Development - Protos Founder Danny Uribe (continued)

Zander: Let's go deeper into these Protos rod prototypes, these have some unique blanks and titanium guides on them. Can you tell us more about these rods and the goal for the development?

Danny: The Protos Riverside Concept Rods are built using 4 different types of carbon fiber, 2 of which are not produced on a production scale yet and is somewhat experimental. We actually got the Carbon Fiber “TOW” from Toray and built our own sheets of Carbon with a new Resin. Again, another benefit is our ability to produce our own unique carbon sheets. These particular rods are designed to be extremely crisp but load up smoothly and provide lifting power. We want the rod to feel like an extension of your hand. The recovery and sensitivity was very important so we used 2 different types of cross weaves, 1 to provide compression strength to lighten the rod in the mid-section and another weave pattern to provide quick recovery on the top 1/3 of the rod. The Protos Ti5 guides are also immensely important. They are the lightest guides on the market so they don’t interfere with the balance and flex of the rod. The guides are extremely durable and will retain their shape even if stepped on, and they also have a tangle free frame design. The Ti5 guides also have no dampening so you can feel everything, bringing the sensitivity factor way up. We also designed the accent parts to counter balance the rod to make sure that it balanced out properly with a reel on it.

A look at the Ti5 spinning rod guide

Zander: When do you think we will see an actual version of this rod that customers can buy launch with a similar design?

Danny: At this point this particular rod is not going to go to market. I am sure we will see some variation of it in the future with one of our customers. Again, any company that works with us has access to it.

The prototype riverside rod is a showcase of every aspect of a potential build, including the blank, guides, and even the components and cosmetics

Zander: I hope we will see this blank and guide combination go to market. Let's switch gears from rods to watercraft. We also noticed Protos made some interesting announcements at ICAST, including a collaboration of a Protos boat with East Cape. Can you tell us more about this project?

Danny: The Collaboration we did with East Cape Boats was extremely exciting for Protos. With Kevin and Adam working very closely with us on this project we were able to produce something that was “Game Changing” . We worked with East Cape to develop a Proprietary Carbon Fiber hull with some Kevlar reinforcement for impact strength. We used Kevin and Adam’s knowledge of the boating industry and went to town on design. The Boat featured an exclusive Bulkhead “Alivewell” system where you can view through the glass on the bulkhead and check on your catch. We designed a custom bench seating system, custom machined mounts for the Lowrance HDS 16’s, as well as many other little features. Outside of the Unique hull and fabrication, The boat is also equipped with Powerpole Blade “ONE” pump, PowerPole Move, PowerPux integrated  power connection and quick release, Among many other Accessories.

The Protos East Cape collab boat debuted at ICAST earlier this year and features a proprietary carbon fiber hull with Kevlar reinforcement

Zander: Sounds like a slick boat. Can You share how much this custom boat will retail for, and is there something that you personally find the most interesting about the design?

Danny: Protos is Limiting the production to 12 units only at $140k per boat. The “Alivewell” system in my opinion is the coolest part of the boat. It’s very cool to watch your fish swimming around the tank like an aquarium.

The Alivewell design is a cool way to keep tabs on your "guests"

Zander: Very cool, I'd like to have something like that on my bass rig! It is quite a spectrum of design offerings from rods to boats. Of all the products that you have developed or are in the process of developing is there one that you are the most proud/excited about?

Danny: Every project we produce is unique and special in it’s own way. In all honesty every project is something I am proud, taking concepts from design to actual working pieces is a great feeling and something Both Jeremy and I are very proud of. I do prefer the Rod projects as I personally believe it’s an art form that you can pour more of your heart and soul into and really make a difference in how much fun you have on the water.

Putting the prototype Riverside rod to the test. Fish on!

A big red landed on the Riverside prototype rod

Zander: So what's next for Protos? Can you give us any insight into what is coming from the company over the next year?

Danny: Right now we have about 20 projects ranging from Rods, Reels, Rod Components, etc. You can definitely plan on seeing more cutting edge concept products in 2025. We are currently working on some new ways of producing rod blanks which is proving to be very affective.

Protos currently has around 20 different design projects in the works. Will we see more rods, reels, boats? It will be interesting to see more products launch under various brands leveraging this design house in the coming season

Zander: In closing is there anything you would like to say to TackleTour readers?

Danny: From the enthusiast perspective Protos is geared to be the best in new product development, when we showcase one our products you can rest assured that it will be geared towards the enthusiast and that it will be ahead of it’s time. Being a relatively small operation we have the freedom to develop and control all of what is produced making us very effective, attaining the best materials and being able to work directly with material manufactures. We are very excited to start showcasing what we are capable of to the public.

After seeing what the rods can do on Reds we are starting to fish them locally to see how they handle stripers

Danny releasing a redfish that helped put both the Protos rods and boat to the test

Zander: Thanks for the time today Danny, as well as the first look at your new rod designs. I'm looking forward to see some of the new designs launch, and under which brands in the coming year. Now that I've seen what these new rods can do with Redfish I'm also excited to personally see how they feel with one of our Delta Stripers on the line.