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Posts: 177
Location: ON | This year I ran a 8' H-Mojo most of the time. I like the rod but it seems that anything around 4oz. and up is a bit much for it. Rod is rated 2-6oz.
Casts great with 2-3.5oz baits.
I want to add a rod and I think I can do an 8'6". It was an adjustment to get to 8' but now I love it. Reel is an NACL 60HS, love it.
I want to be able to do a few things with the rod. Not for blades, using the mojo for that.
Largest baits I will use will be about 6oz. I will primarily stick in the 3-4oz range with this rod. I like using 6-8" Leo, 10" Tubes, 8-9" cranks (mostly shallow), and at the bigger end of the baits Shadzillas (5-6oz). My concern is that the XH may not have enough give for the smaller baits.
Okuma 8'6" H or XH?
Premier 8'6" H or XH?
Other suggestion? Some LT's come up used once in a while I would buy a used one for the right buck, but which one? Sling Blade or Big Dawg?
I would love to try a TI, but I'm in Canada and unless a group buy is going on and I can get it shipped cheap, its a no go.
Open to suggestions. |
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Posts: 991
| Okumas are much softer in the tip than other brands...the H feels like a MH and the XH feels more like a MH/H IMO. I prefer a bit of a stiffer tip on the rods I use but if it were me I'd go with the XH premier or used big dawg if you find a deal on here. They are rated for heavier baits but IMO can handle smaller stuff nicely as well. |
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Posts: 906
Location: Canada | Check the Ontario Out Of Doors forums or also the Muskies Canada forums, there's some XH musky rods being sold there (same guy). Not a member? Send me a PM and I'll get you in touch with the guy selling them. |
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Posts: 833
| My advice would be to go to your local store and feel the various rods. What is a fast tip and H power to one manufacturer is not exactly the same to another. Based on what you are saying you are going to want a rod that loads well in the 3-4 oz range. I'd say you are talking no more than a H power rod, but that is from the backdrop of high end St. Croix stuff. Best way to narrow down your choice is to go and handle the rods your self and get a feel of which ones are stiffer in the tips. Absolute best way to know would be to see if you can find a shop that will let you cast them. Good Luck. |
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Posts: 1100
| I would, try to find a used St. Croix Big Dawg, my favorite rod. |
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Posts: 309
| I went through this dilemma, too. My all around favorite is now my 9' TI MH, which replaced my 8' H Compre that I bought over an 8' H Mojo - which I though to be too soft for it's size.
I then bought a 9' TI XH for the same reasons you list, because I thought the MH a little light for some lures. The XH casts very well, but retrieves weren't as enjoyable as the MH. Some love the big, heavy rods but I think I hit my limit with the 9' MH and would rather ease up on the cast (because a 6oz lure will fly, regardless) and have a more comfortable retrieve. But, I'm more arms and wrists, than armpits when using jerkbaits so that may play a factor.
The extra 6" is gonna make casting easier and feel like a softer tip, so the XH might be the way to go if you are focused on casts. But with Mojo being the bottom of the St. Croix line you probably want to consider it an M or MH when comparing to better rods. Just don't want you to jump into an XH, and realize you stepped up the weight more than you really wanted. |
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Posts: 177
Location: ON | That is what I'm figuring. The 6" will help a bit on casting
Maybe a Premier H will do. Rated to 8oz. Should do well up to 6 I would hope ands till be able to fire 6" jerkbaits, and work them with a bit softer tip than an XH. And that is essentially what I am after.
I don't care how far I can cast a 6oz plastic, because you are right it does fly. I do care however how far I can throw a 6" Leo or phantom. A bit more whip in the tip may just be the ticket.
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Posts: 340
Location: Lake County Illinois | On the Okumas Id go with the XH,The 8'6 and 9'3" XH are my two favorite rods.I have the Heavy models also and they only get used a little in the spring as they do have a softer tip. |
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Posts: 219
| ToothTamer has great rods. Good Balance and weight. 8'6" XH... anything you would need... They are very durable and good customer service... |
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Posts: 177
Location: ON | Same problem as TI. No Canadian dealer, shipping would cost me as much as the rod + taxes etc...
Would love to try a ToothTamer. Long handles, synthetic cork, they sound awesome.
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Posts: 134
| I have an 8' XH Innovations, and 9' XXH. I love length of the 9' but the for every application except pounders, the xxh is to much. I throw it almost exclusively because of the length but it doesn't load up to cast unless using a very heavy bait. My brother has an Innovations 9' heavy and its perfect for double 10s, large cranks, surface, etc. I am actually going to look into a 9' h for tails and such. Good luck... |
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Posts: 213
Location: Wisconsin | I have the Okuma in XH and XXH. I like them both. The XH is a great all around rod. It has more of a H feel to it. I use the XXH for big rubber and Big blades and the XH for everything else. I don't think you would like the Heavy action |
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Posts: 219
| 'Kukagami Jack' is a Canadian outlet/store that carries ToothTamer Rods... I just searched them On-line. Maybe give them a call... |
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Posts: 177
Location: ON | I think want a ToothTamer. Might need to get it drop shipped to Buffalo and make the 1 hr drive.
Or a Tuscarora TI Built XH. That would be nice too. |
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Posts: 92
| St Croix premier 8 1/2' XH
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Rod question (8'6" H or XH)