Johnny Habs Pictures and Stories

[NIGHT STRIKES]

First let me say I am in shock today, I still can't really believe this happened.
My heart felt condolenses goes out to his family and friends -Prayers Sent-And May you rest in peace John....
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I met John (HABS) about 7yrs ago via the internet and we quickly became friends and have kept in touch over the years. I truely enjoyed spending some time talking to John up at the RISAA show back in the spring about fishing,plugs and Labs and just recently talked on the phone about a week or so ago...
He always had time to help me out or send me a plug that I needed and I will never forget him..
The fishing community really lost someone very special..

John- Rest in Peace Buddy- Everytime I tie on one your your HABS plugs I will be thinking about you....


Steve

[JohnR]

I first met John 11 or so years ago while fishing with Bill Nolan at Quonie Breachway.‎ Bill & John were good freinds and I would run into them fairly frequently. Then as I got to know John a bit better you'd never know when you'd run into him other than that you would. He was everywhere and nowhere.

I'd run into him over Gil Pope's shop in Wakefield, at Weekapaug, or the old Ford pickup running around. Back then, you'd usually find him fishing Watch Hill or Quonnie.

The first "Plug Hoeing" I ever saw was a raid on the back of his van (before the explorer?) when Bill, Steve and a few others were rummaging through the Plano boxes of stuff fresh from Paint. Hot plug number 1? Hot Pink Needlefish.

Over the years I got to know John better and I am glad I did.

Someone was in trouble, John would donate plugs for a raffle or auction - nice stuff to - always the latest and greatest stuff from the lathe. He was pretty giving that way...

Time for thoughts and a prayer for his family...

[piemma]

I was going to wait awhile to post a Hab story but John has asked so I will post my favorite Hab story.

I can't remember the year but it had to be 1989 or 90. It's during the Striper moritorium and the minimum is 36".
I am at Fresh Pond Rock at about 3 AM in September. It's pouring. I mean it's coming down in buckets. On top of that the wind is SE at abot 20 gusting to 30. I am all alone sitting on the Rock with my back to the wind Grunden hood up and trying to light a smoke. (I smoked back then).
All of a sudden this voice says: "Are you going to sit there and feel sorry for yourself or f@#*ing fish?" I look up and there is this guy with a huge Fu Manchu looking down at me, smiling. I said who the F are you and he say I'm Hab. He grabs my rod and CUTS my line. Looks at my Super Strike needle and says "here try this" and hands me a purple Habs needlefish. I still have it and we became solid friends. I field tested hundreds of his plugs over the years.
I saw John a week ago at HD in Smithfield and the first words out of his mouth were "How you doin' with the big C? that was John, always concerned about you and your family.
Fish with John a hundred different places and never had more fun. He was just the best guy. I feel very sad today but hope he is resting is that great space above.

Tight lines my friend, tight lines.

[Clogston29]

I really didn’t know John well at all but here’s a story:

When I was first getting into surfcasting a few years back, I was asking around both online and in tackle shops as to what the must have plugs were. Hab’s needles kept being mentioned and I was determined to get some. I heard that Phil Burgess had gotten a shipment and gave him a call. He was nice enough to send be a few, although he didn’t sound too happy about it (it required payment with a credit card and, if you’ve ever met Phil, you know he doesn’t like credit cards – “I can’t pay Hab’s with credit cards!”). Anyway, I got the plugs and was amazed at the craftsmanship and wanted more. I heard that Hab’s was going to be making another delivery on a given Saturday so I headed down to Burgess. I arrived pretty much at the same time as John. I have to admit that I was a little intimidated by these two “old salts” and when Hab’s walked in and the first words out of his mouth were, “Hey Phil, got any beer” it didn’t exactly ease my mind. I was hanging back, looking around and John asked me what I was looking for. I told him I was hoping to get a few of his needles and he opened up the box for me and gave me some pointers as to what I should get (white!). I’ve built up a nice working collection of his plugs since and I’ve had a few conversations with John, mostly through PMs, and Phil and they really are both great guys.

Canalman recently asked me if I’d be interested in writing an article about Hab’s plugs focusing on the swimmers and other non-needlefish plugs he’s been putting out in increasing numbers lately. I was really looking forward to writing it and getting the chance to discuss the plugs with John.

He will certainly be missed.

[nightfighter]

Posted by bido, on the other board

[afterhours]

last year on the sunday of the risaa show john came over to my booth and read a poem that he'd written mentioning a lot of plug builders- does anyone have or know of a copy of it? ....it was great and i'm sure everyone would agree.

[UserRemoved1]

PJJoe would know where that is I'm sure Don. THAT was the single FUNNIEST frikin thing I ever heard him say in my life.

But you'll have to add 17 more to the list by now

Originally Posted by afterhours

last year on the sunday of the risaa show john came over to my booth and read a poem that he'd written mentioning a lot of plug builders- does anyone have or know of a copy of it? ....it was great and i'm sure everyone would agree.

[tattoobob]

Here is a pic of John and his plugs (proto=types)

I am at a loss of words right now,

[eelman]

I have had many a good time with John, we were friends since the mid 80s and hunted and trained dogs together, and fished for many years..

John Loved my father and spent many weekends at my parents home just shooting the breeze with my dad and loving all the food my mom cooked, we got out of touch for a while which often happens when family life changes things and just recently started to talk more this summer.


I am stunned at this news and shocked and really just cant think of any more to say at this point..Except that it is a terrible loss, To Jess and John Jr..May god be with you at this time, My prayers are with you both

[vineyardblues]

Here is a picture of what John was all about,
A few years ago at the Mass show show John gave this lure to my daughter, Today when I told her that a close friend had died, a friend who gave her the pink lure she said Hab's !!! She remembered! As did everyone who ever met him..................
VB