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Posts: 3240
Location: Racine, Wi | Hey everyone,
So the past few weeks I've been lucky enough to test out a few of Okuma's new EVX rods. I've been throwing the 9'3 XH and the 9'3 H to give them a final beat down and make sure they are working up to Okuma's standards, and boy are they!
The looks of the rods are similar to the current EVXs, however they now have the options of split grips (which were the ones I was testing out). I haven't really dove into the world of split grips prior to this, but these rods look very nice with the split grip and handle even better then they look. Any concerns I had with split grips prior to this are put to rest, as they are comfortable to fish.
Also, one of the biggest concerns of their rods has been addressed. They have lightened up the blanks by 20% so they are much lighter then the current EVXs on the market. The good thing is, they've lightened them up without sacrificing strength. The actions are very similar to the prior EVXs, but you can definitely notice that they have lightened the blanks.
As far as durability, I've been pounding the daylights out of the 9'3 XH ripping crank baits, pounders, hardheads, and throwing double 10s as well. The rod hasn't missed a beat! It's handled every fish I've gotten on them extremely well and (knock on wood), I haven't lost one yet on either rod (combined they've got 8 fish since I've thrown them). The 9'3 XH is rated the same as the prior version at 4-16 ozs.
The 9'3 H was the other rod I've been throwing. I've been using it for topwaters, depthraiders, 7" grannies, and smaller bucktails. It's the first time I've thrown a heavy action rod from Okuma, and it is perfect for these "smaller" baits. It bombs the baits out and has good backbone to stick it to the fish when setting the hooks.
Overall, I'm excited for these to hit the market as they've lightened up the blanks to make them easier to handle all day, and haven't changed the actions in doing so. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend the new EVXs when they arrive on market, and will definitely be picking up some more when they get here.
Feel free to ask any questions and I can answer them the best I can (I'm sure Mark will chime in when he gets time). I'll try to post some pics when I get a chance of the 2 that I have to give you an idea of what they look like. |
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Posts: 1937
Location: Black Creek, WI | Joel, Nice report. The the new design for Okuma sounds great. Will there be a way to tell the difference between the "old" and "new" blanks? Lastly, is there a tentative release date to the general public? |
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Posts: 32892
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | The new Okumas are noticeably lighter. I checked them out at ICAST, and was very impressed with the new build. |
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Posts: 3240
Location: Racine, Wi | Hey Jlo,
Not sure that there will be a difference cosmetically between the two outside of the split grip (I have to check but I think they are doing both full and split grips). There is a noticable difference in the weight between the two though, so just by picking one up, you could tell for sure.
Hopefully Mark will chime in as far as a release date goes. Hopefully soon though as I'm definintely picking up some more. The 9'3 XH has been a stud since I've gotten it for sure. The 9'3 H has done very well too, but I typically don't go lighter then the XH's on the Okuma sticks.
If I hear anything related to timing or ways to tell the different rods apart, I'll post it up here. |
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Posts: 60
| Glad to hear they lightened the rods up. Picked up a 9'3" a few months ago, fished it once for 3 hours and my arm was about to fall off! I ended up giving it to my son. I would love to check out the new ones when they come out as I loved the action of the rod, just a bit too heavy for me. Mike. |
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| Love the older Okumas, but my one complaint is their weight. Wanted to get my father an 8'6" or 9'3" to ease his back pain a bit when fishing all day, but was concerned about the weight. Glad to hear about Okuma's strides toward making a lighter rod! |
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Posts: 2019
| Have they put a better tip on the rod? |
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Posts: 32892
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | Never had a single issue with the tips on any of my Okumas. |
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Posts: 2019
| those metal tips wear out line twice as fast as a good fuji tip. |
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Posts: 32892
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | Not in my experience. I have no more line wear on my older Okumas than I do on the several rods I have with Fugi tip tops.
Certainly not 'twice as fast'. |
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Posts: 2019
| Steve, do you throw mag dawgs and 10's/13's on the 9'3" XH? I have two of these rods and bought the very first batch two years ago....guess I have two "bad ones" because it is easily twice as fast, even posted about it over a year ago and a couple of others on this board agreed.. 80Lb Stealth and Cortland bronze are the lines I use - no issues with this on my other 7 rods - 4 St. Croix and 3 Tackle industries. |
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Posts: 32892
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | Yes I do, except the 13's. I'm using the 8.5' models and do not have issues wearing out line. If you want to replace the tip top with a Fugi, it takes about a minute and isn't expensive at all.
I did notice a bit more line wear using a Fenwick. It's a top end model, has a coated Carboloy tip, and looks like the coating is wearing off. I fished a new TI rod and an Okuma last week throwing heavy stuff and 10" Weagles... just went out and looked at the line. No difference I can see. |
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Posts: 2019
| I would like to - they are good rods, do you know what size tip in mm is need for the 9'3"? Wasn't trying to be a jerk and I dont have the issues with my 8'6" either but I believe it is becuase I dont throw big blades with this rod - IMO the 8'6" XH action is too light a rod to use for 10's (with any amount of speed) the constant tension of 10's and 13's on the 9'3" = frayed line in about 5-7 12hr days in my experience, I'm simply saying I wish they would put a fuji tip on to begin with I'd be happy to pay $8 more. |
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Posts: 1937
Location: Black Creek, WI | Any updates on these rods? Hoping to pick one up before the ice melts. |
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Location: Latitude 41.3016 Longitude 88.6160 | Will they be at the CHICAGO SHOW and by who ?????????? |
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Posts: 8792
| Noticed the line issue on mine too. Not a big deal, really - I just cut off a few feet every couple of days. Probably should be doing that anyway. |
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Posts: 245
| Check out the 2012 Okuma Catalog:
http://www.okumafishing.com/
Type "73" in the box on the bottom to jump right to the EVX Musky, seems the telescopic rods are only available in telescopic...
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Posts: 906
Location: Warroad, Mn | I have several of the new split grips rods also. So far they are great. Noticeably lighter than the older EVh muskie rods, and I really like the split grip which matches the way I cast and reel very well. I have been using the 8'-6" H and XH, but will no doubt be getting a 9'-3" soon. I think the folks at Okuma are waiting for a little more testing to be done before they turn them loose. I'm taking mine along to Tennessee for a couple of months of testing starting next month. So far these are very nice rods. I really haven't much line wear that seems to be very much different than what I've experienced with other rods. I throw DCG's all day long, and twitch lots of big crank baits, but maybe I don't do it right. And a Very Happy and Fishy New year to all! Doug Johnson |
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Posts: 1937
Location: Black Creek, WI | dougj - 12/31/2011 3:32 PM I have several of the new split grips rods also. So far they are great. Noticeably lighter I really haven't much line wear that seems to be very much different than what I've experienced with other rods. I throw DCG's all day long, and twitch lots of big crank baits, but maybe I don't do it right. And a Very Happy and Fishy New year to all! Doug Johnson Yah Doug.... I'm sure you are not doing it right and simply need more practice  When these rods do finally become available for retail, will there be any way to identify which are the "old" blanks versus the "new" blanks? Split grips will give it away... but what about the solid grips? |
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Posts: 476
Location: St. John, Indiana | will anyone have these in chicago? |
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Posts: 999
| I've also experienced linewear. Wish they had a different tip. |
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| I've run an EVX XH in the 9'3" size for 2 seasons with no issues regarding line wear. Also I toss pounders and 13s with it, it does both just fine. The one downside i see to the rod is that it is so stiff. If you are using it for bucktails you will find that it does not load that well and makes casting them more of a challenge. (If you let a bit more line out, this is less of an issue) On the positive side, it makes the figure 8 with the big blades less "Noodly" so there is definitely a give/take.
Very good rod at it's price point IMO. |
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| You must be referring to the XXH not the XH. I have both and agree with everything you say... about the XXH. The XH is an excellent double 10 rod. Loads very well enabling you to cast them a mile. A little whippy through the 8, but still very manageable and you can still attain high speeds in the 8. I will sacrifice that for added cast lengths and ease of casting. |
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Posts: 3240
Location: Racine, Wi | I believe they are redoing the tips on them due to the line wear (at least they are aware of it, and I think they are changing this). As far as the 9-3 xxh, I think it's a very good big blade rod, and the new ones are definitely super good for throwing big blades. I got a big smile on my face the first cast I took with one. Not sure on the timing, hopefully Mark will chime in here when he gets a chance. |
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Posts: 3240
Location: Racine, Wi | Jason, just read your post. As far as telling how they differ, I'm not sure cosmetically how you can tell, but just by picking them up, you'll be able to know right away. Very noticable weight difference. |
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Posts: 1937
Location: Black Creek, WI | Thanks Tuffy. The reason I'm asking how to identify the new one's is in case I order one on-line and can't pick it up myself to do the "weight test". Otherwise, I'm guessing the split grip would be another way to differentiate the old blank from the new blank (split grip being the new blank)? |
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Posts: 476
Location: St. John, Indiana | Thorne Bro's had these rods at the chicago show.......and 20% off !!! |
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| weedsnager - 1/15/2012 3:39 PM
Thorne Bro's had these rods at the chicago show.......and 20% off !!!
How did they feel weight wise? |
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Posts: 476
Location: St. John, Indiana | I don't have an older version to compare it to, but the 8'6" split grip that I bought was still pretty tip heavy compared to 9' tackle industries rod that felt alot better balanced. |
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Posts: 999
| Anybody get a chance to check out the new Okuma rods at the Chicago show? How much lighter are they compared to the old ones? |
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Posts: 529
Location: Not Where I Want To Be | I don't recall seeing them Mr Musky, But maybe i wasn't looking hard enough. |
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Posts: 519
Location: Bloomington, IL | Are they making a new model in XXH in the 9'3" length? The old model only had H and XH. The 2012 catalog only shows H in the 9'3" length. Can someone confirm if the new 2012 models will be available in XH and XXH in the 9'3" length?
Thanks! |
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Posts: 340
Location: Lake County Illinois | Hello everyone I was wondering about the new 9'3" xH okuma split grip model.I currently use all the older models in the telescopic series and like them alot.I have been to both the chicago and milwaukee muskie show and have seen the 8'6" split grip all models and the 9'3"H and all feel great,but have not seen the 9'3"xH which i really want to try out,also i have the new 2012 Okuma catalog and there is no 9'3"XH model listed and not on there website either.Any information regarding this rod would be appreciated as i have seen Tuffy1 was trying this model out,maybe just not in stores yet or still being tested?Thanks Ray |
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| Yes the 9' 3" is available in a XH. It was accidently ommited from the catalog. The Okuma website has not been updated with the new rods. They are waiting for the new website they are launching soon. The new series rods will feature the same tips on the old rods. Do you find the line wear so bad you are cutting line and re-tying baits each day or after a few trips? |
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Posts: 3240
Location: Racine, Wi | Hey Jlo,
I talked with the Okuma rep at the Milwuakee show, and he said you can tell the difference between the "old" and "new" models as there will be an "a" at the end of the model name on the new rods. Also, he said they are available in both the split grip and full cork models.
As for the line wear and tips, I have noticed wear on my line, however I've never had a line break on me due to it, and I don't retie every day, or every weekend even. So although, I do get more cautious, it's never caused a line failure for me.
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Posts: 582
| Anyone know the price on these yet? |
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Posts: 1937
Location: Black Creek, WI | Tuffy, Thanks for the update. Glad to hear the "a" will differentiate "old" from "new" blanks. Can't wait to try one out. |
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Posts: 3240
Location: Racine, Wi | Jackson, as far as I know, they are the same price as the old models. $120 I believe.
Jlo, no problem, I think you'll like them, specifically the 9'3" xh. |
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New Rods Coming from Okuma