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Posts: 16
| I am looking to buy a rod in the 100-150 price range and narrowed it down to these two. I do travel (fly) to fish so telescoping is nice.
Both are about 9' and I would do the Heavy EVX (rated 2-10oz) or the XH TI rod (rated 2-8oz). It will be my main initial musky setup with a Lexa 300 (6.3:1 ratio) on it. I have a 7'11" rod for bucktails and smaller topwater.
I plan to throw regular size bulldawgs and maybe magnums on this rod I am buying along with other 3.5oz-8oz baits. I may throw large spinnerbaits like a "Grinder" on it but mainly will be for "Rubber" and the occasional large topwater (over 3oz) that my other rod can not handle very well.
I fish for Tigermusky quite a bit but no musky at all in my state so I do not fish for them much but now am addicted enough to the Tigers that I gotta go chase the real thing.
I appreciate your input and I am open to other suggestions I may have overlooked.
I Do prefer split grip as well.
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Posts: 4053
Location: Land of the Musky | During August we are also shipping all rods with a free musky lure  XH rod would be the rod you want for those lures. Okuma rods are also really nice. I love my 9'3" telescopic Okuma I got about 3 years ago. Not sure if they make those anymore or not... |
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Posts: 173
Location: Green Bay, Titletown, WI | I have the TI telescopic split grip 9' xh. It is a "do it all" rod. Absolutely love it. I throw everything from 6" Jakes to regular medusas and everything in between, and it handles them all just fine. I have an NACL 60 5.4:1 with 80 lb PP. It's very rare i set this rod down. |
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Posts: 340
Location: Lake County Illinois | I have all the models in the Okuma EVX Telescopic series and they have been great,however I think the Okuma heavy models are a little on the light side and use them mainly in the spring for throwing lighter baits,I would recommend the Okuma 9'3" XH, like black dawg said its a much more versatile rod.IMO rod ratings can be deceiving sometimes as each rod company has a different stiffness or softness as far as heavy and extra heavy goes.My most used rods are my Okuma 8'6"XH and my 9'3"XH. |
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Posts: 16
| Super D - I feel this is a little bias asking you but.... Since you have both rods I will ask you for your input on the 9' XH TI rod vs the Okuma Telescoping 9'3 (H or XH as can buy either). THANK YOU
Anyone else feel free to chime in as well - input is appreciated. |
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Location: MN | I love my Okuma's. I have also heard nothing but good things about TI. I have fished with them a bit and know lots of guys that throw them and they are a solid product. The only reason I didn't go with TI is I was concerned with the 18 inch grip catching on jackets and such but I am sure you would get used to it. I would say both are a very solid choice and you should just get what feels best in your hand. If you are throwing dogs I would suggest the XXH in the 8 6 or the XH in 9 3 for the Okuma's. I have the XH 8 6 and it is an awesome rod but not ideal for mag dawgs or double tens.
One draw back of Okuma is they stopped making full grips in the telescopic. They only make full grips on their regular rods and I believe only up to 8 ft. You can still find some in stores but if you have an issue and have to send it in for warranty you will be getting a split grip telescopic or a shorter full grip non-telescopic for a replacement. No idea why they would discontinue the full grips. It seems like most guys prefer full over split. |
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Posts: 16
| How long is your Okuma handle length vs the TI handle length? It is tough to compare online sometimes as they use different measurement points.
I can not go hold the two rods and that is what makes this tough....as no one locally has them.
I am good with a split grip - preferred actually.
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Posts: 1938
Location: Black Creek, WI | I use an Okuma EVX 9'3" XH telescoping for big rubber. It tosses big bucktails well... but is heavier in weight than the TI rods. Enough of a difference that it is noticeable after a day or two of heavy fishing. I use a 9' XH Tackle Industries for bucktails. It is lighter in weight and performs well. If I had to choose between them... I'd go with the TI Rods. More options to choose from and they are lighter in weight than Okuma. |
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Posts: 415
| I have a couple of both brands, both are great rods for the money. I like the handles on my Okuma's better, but the TI is a little lighter. I have had some issues with breaking a few of the Okuma's, but their service has always been great, then again so is TI's service. Really in the end I don't think you can go wrong with either brand. |
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Posts: 4053
Location: Land of the Musky | Bigguyone - 8/21/2013 10:13 AM
Super D - I feel this is a little bias asking you but.... Since you have both rods I will ask you for your input on the 9' XH TI rod vs the Okuma Telescoping 9'3 (H or XH as can buy either). THANK YOU
Anyone else feel free to chime in as well - input is appreciated.
I have the 93 XH Okuma and its a good rod for throwing regular and mag swimbaits. The length of the rod makes it very nice and easy to throw those size lure. I persoanlly like the longer handles on my TI rods but the Okuma handles are not bad to use at all. I love my rods too and kind of hard to not push my own Okuma rods are nice so I have nothing bad to say about them and that is why I own one!
James
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Posts: 173
Location: Green Bay, Titletown, WI | James I sent you an email a few minutes ago about my TI rod.
In regards to the handle length. My TI rod got shut down tonight. So I had to fish with my shorter handle rods. I sure did miss that extra long handle!!!!! It helps incredibly when casting heavy baits! Also when I figure 8, I stick the but of the long handle in my armpit, and i can figure 8 one handed! I honestly had to re-learn to fish with a short handled rod..... My shoulders are noticeably more tired than usual tonight.... Can't wait to get my XH back up and running, and pick up an XXH for this fall! |
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Posts: 555
Location: Tennessee | TI all the way! Okumas are a very nice rod, but TI's are lighter and with IMO a better handle. Plus unmatched customer service from James. I'd definately say the 9ft XH would be the one rod, do all to own. It does everything well and some things superb! I'm having a custom rod built next month on the 7'6" blank and was going to have a thorne bro built later this year too but I've about decided to just use another TI blank. |
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Posts: 16
| First of all - thank you all for your continued input!
How well does the TI Mag Heavy (XH) throw magnum dawgs? I will mainly throw regular dawgs but may throw the occasional mag dawg. THANK YOU! |
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Posts: 555
Location: Tennessee | Bigguyone - 8/22/2013 12:58 AM
First of all - thank you all for your continued input!
How well does the TI Mag Heavy (XH) throw magnum dawgs? I will mainly throw regular dawgs but may throw the occasional mag dawg. THANK YOU!
I'm not super crazy about how the rod loads up when throwing mag dawgs, but it still does it well enough to keep doing it. the XXH would be better but if you will only be occasionally throwing them, you'll be fine with the XH |
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Posts: 173
Location: Green Bay, Titletown, WI | Just what wood_duck said. The XH can handle them all day, you will just get worn out faster. I'm picking up an XXH strictly for mag dawgs and up. |
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Posts: 139
| I have both. both are nice, but the TI seem lighter. Also my tip broke off my okuma which I heard was common. Glued it back on and all is well. Both work, but if I had to chose I would say TI just because it feels lighter to me. |
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Posts: 909
| TI GETS MY VOTE! 1 WORD "AWSOME" |
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Posts: 245
| I love my TI!
I have the 9' MH 2-piece, getting a 9' MH custom some time in the future though  |
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| Whats a custom? |
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Posts: 18
| I've got both a TI and an Okuma EVX (9' and 9'3", both split grip, both telescoping) and although both are nice, my preference is for the TI. I find the Okuma's tip a little light for bigger blades and such going into the 8, and I like the handle on the TI MUCH better. The extra length and beefier cork and handle that James uses feels better to me. YMMV. |
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Posts: 456
Location: Kansas City BBQ Capitol of the world | I would rather toss my money at a guy that cares for the sport, does things for veterans, works with people and makes and stands behind a good product.
TI gets my vote.
Ron |
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Posts: 173
Location: Green Bay, Titletown, WI | x2 |
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Posts: 16
| I went with the TI and ordered two of them...and decided I needed a few of James' lures as well while I was on the site Thank you to ALL of you for your input! I do appreciate it. |
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Posts: 555
Location: Tennessee | Bigguyone - 8/24/2013 1:33 AM
I went with the TI and ordered two of them...and decided I needed a few of James' lures as well while I was on the site Thank you to ALL of you for your input! I do appreciate it.
much happiness awaits you! |
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