Born and raised in Miami, Rick Berry is a second-generation rod builder who held his first rod as a toddler.

He begged his father to take him on fishing trips to Flamingo in the Everglades National Park. In the late 1950's

he began fishing Flamingo with his dad, Bill, who later established Bill's Tackle Shop located in Key Largo.

As a teen and into his early 20's, Berry fished the Keys extensively and by 1970 married and moved his young

bride to Key Largo where they began a 20-year career owning and operating "Bills' Tackle" until 1989.

By 1978 in addition to running the tackle shop, Berry began REB Manufacturing and created the Key Largo Rods

line. Berry discovered early on that there were many rods available but not always the right rod for the right job,

which has become a mainstay of his emphasis in building rods.

Berry has always been an innovator in the design and building of fishing rods. To date he has created over

2,500 designs. In addition Berry has been instrumental in creating, designing, and contributing to the design

of numerous rod components including reel seats, blanks, aluminum butts, guides and more. Currently Key Largo

Rods manufacturers and assembles over 200 different models in addition to custom work.

Living in Islamorada, Berry enjoys the unique variety of fishing in the Keys, the Everglades and vast Gulf of Mexico.

He loves deep jigging, trolling and reef fishing which he did twice a week for 20 years off Key Largo. He also enjoys

backcountry fishing, where he won the Redbone Pro Celebrity Angler Tournament.

Along the way Berry became a Fishing writer making time to write for most local newspapers in the Keys including

the Miami Herald for 11 years. In 1978 he began a long-standing part time radio career that continues today. Berry

has broadcast on close to 50 different stations and today can be heard Saturdays on AM 1080 WMCU in Miami on

"Florida Sportsman Live!" and Thursday nights on US1 Radio 104.1 FM on Big Pine Key.

Fishing and rod design continue to be Berry’s passion. As the future of rod building continues to evolve with new

techniques and technology, Rick Berry will lead the way adding his touch to each and every rod.