Posted 8/25/2009 11:08 AM (#395889 - in reply to #395676) Subject: Re: New Okuma Rods arriving!
Posts: 3240
Location: Racine, Wi
Well, I put a pounding on the 9'3XH and he 8'6 XXH this past week with good results. I pretty much threw pounders and a home made dbl 10 all week long on these rods. The 9'3s handled the pounders very well both casting and ripping (pretty hard rips too). I actually thought that the 9'3 was good for burning in the 10s as I didn't get tired until the last day when my wrist decided that a week straight of ripp'n pounders and throwing blades isn't a good idea However it does load up a bit in the 8, so for those of you that have more experience burning the blades, that might push you towards the 8'6" xxh. I personally don't burn them like most do all of the time, so the 9'3 worked well. It rocked for fighting fish as well.
The 8'6 worked awesome for throwing and ripping the pounders. The rod doesn't load up at all, but does have some tip action to it which helped in fighting fish. This is definitely the pounder rod I was looking for and can't believe I was throwing those on the 8'6 xh for as long as I was. You won't be disappointed with either of these rods for sure! Price is awesome, and they do what they were designed to do. Also, I don't have a built in rod locker in my boat, so when throwing the rods in my expedition at night, the telescoping feature made it a piece of cake to store.
Posted 8/25/2009 1:03 PM (#395923 - in reply to #395911) Subject: Re: New Okuma Rods arriving!
Posts: 706
Location: Richland Center, WI.
I picked up an 8'6" XXH from Smokey's a week ago and got a good deal on it and some other stuff I needed. Great people to deal with and get fishing info from. Now to find a reel for the rod.
Ken
Edited by muskyhunter63 8/25/2009 2:30 PM
A-Rod
Posted 9/2/2009 1:05 PM (#397614 - in reply to #388451) Subject: RE: New Okuma Rods arriving!
awesome rods, i picked up the 8'6" to handle the BIG blades......works like a charm
and the 9'3" i have is dedicated to BIG plastics...... Mag Doggies, Pounders , Super D's & Suzies aint got nothin on me no more!
lifetime warranty plus readily available at tackle shops is a big, big plus
not too mention the telescoping feature that helps make the long rod more manageable for storing it when not in use
my guess is you could troll with them too if necessary???
did i mention price.....???
affordable for the average joe,
that's why i was able to buy both sizes
check 'em out, you'll be glad you did
lambeau
Posted 9/2/2009 2:15 PM (#397630 - in reply to #397614) Subject: RE: New Okuma Rods!
i'm personally a believer in matching the right tool to the job. yep, some people prefer to grab one stick and "make do", but i'd rather have a couple different rods that are more technique-specific. for me, what i want in a double-10 rod is very different than the one i choose for a suick.
we did a demo of these rods at the Spring Bay outing that shows the various actions available in the Okuma lineup.
here's the video:
Posted 9/3/2009 3:37 PM (#397837 - in reply to #397630) Subject: RE: New Okuma Rods!
Posts: 299
Location: Ontario, California
Lambeau...
Thank you very much for the time in doing the rod demo. I know there were a lot of guys asking for that. We appreciate you taking the time to do that.
For an update on availability... We were just able to secure placement with the largest distributors in the Midwest which has a customer base of probably close to a thousand dealers. You should be able to find these rods more readily available in the near future.
Posted 9/3/2009 10:50 PM (#397900 - in reply to #388451) Subject: Re: New Okuma Rods!
Posts: 2687
Location: Hayward, WI
I'd like to see that video, but it doesn't work for me. It shows up garbled in the thread, and won't work if I access the video section either. The Toyota add loads, and then it says the video is playing, but there's no picture or sound. All of the new uploaded videos on here are like this for me.
Posted 9/16/2009 8:20 PM (#400254 - in reply to #388451) Subject: Re: New Okuma Rods!
Just wanted to let people know that I found another place to get the new Okuma rods this year (I had heard that a couple of the local places carrying them were sold out so maybe this can be helpful to those still interested).
I picked one up at Smokey's earlier this year and have been really impressed and have been looking for additional places that carry the extra heavy as they were sold out locally. If your still looking for one of these check out http://www.hookeduptackle.com/m8_view_item.html?m8:item=Okuma%20EVx... On top of having them in stock they provide even free shipping over $50.
Posted 9/18/2009 12:19 PM (#400602 - in reply to #388451) Subject: RE: New Okuma Rods!
Posts: 134
Location: East TN
So i'm sure this has been asked multiple times, but how would you guys compare the 8'6 XH vs. the 8'6 XXH? I am really contemplating pulling the trigger on one of these, just don't want to make the wrong choice since there is no where around me that I can check them out in person.
The rods main purpose will be dbl 10's and bulldawgs, but would like it to be able to possibly use it as a jerkbait rod occasionally as well. I think the Xh would be nice, but from what i've read it has more of a moderate bend...which i'm not really crazy about. Would the XXH be too much for throwing other baits?
Posted 9/18/2009 12:56 PM (#400612 - in reply to #400602) Subject: RE: New Okuma Rods!
Posts: 2378
BubbaTn - 9/18/2009 12:19 PM
So i'm sure this has been asked multiple times, but how would you guys compare the 8'6 XH vs. the 8'6 XXH? I am really contemplating pulling the trigger on one of these, just don't want to make the wrong choice since there is no where around me that I can check them out in person.
The rods main purpose will be dbl 10's and bulldawgs, but would like it to be able to possibly use it as a jerkbait rod occasionally as well. I think the Xh would be nice, but from what i've read it has more of a moderate bend...which i'm not really crazy about. Would the XXH be too much for throwing other baits?
Posted 9/25/2009 4:45 PM (#401835 - in reply to #388451) Subject: Re: New Okuma Rods!
Posts: 134
Location: East TN
Well, Got home today and had a present waiting my boat from the UPS man! My 8'6 XXH, Just from feeling the rod here at home, I must say I really like the feel of the rod. Hoping to try it out this weekend.
One thing I did notice tho, The tip eye is just slightly out of center with the rest of the eyes. Just wondering if anyone else has noticed this with their rods? Its nothing really I'm too concern with I don' t think, but just kinda curious.
Posted 10/6/2009 11:41 PM (#403517 - in reply to #401835) Subject: Re: New Okuma Rods!
Posts: 315
are these heavy rods at all, yesterday i was able to throw a slingblade alittle bit and i love that its light but i hate the price. i love the price of the okuma i just dont want it to be overly heavy
Posted 10/7/2009 8:09 AM (#403532 - in reply to #403519) Subject: Re: New Okuma Rods!
Posts: 134
Location: East TN
sworrall - 10/7/2009 12:52 AM
I use rod balancers on all my rods, so none seem very heavy no matter, but in short...no, I don't feel the Okuma rods are 'heavy' at all.
What exactly do you use for rod balancers with the Okuma rods? I have noticed that my 8'6 xxh is fairly tip heavy, and I had considered some kind of balancer, just wasn't quite sure what to use.
Posted 10/7/2009 8:28 AM (#403534 - in reply to #403532) Subject: Re: New Okuma Rods!
I use Bass pro Shop balancers. Cost is about $10 and they work great. For fat cork, you may just need to sand a little cork off with sand paper to slide the balancer on.
Posted 10/7/2009 9:42 AM (#403543 - in reply to #388451) Subject: Re: New Okuma Rods!
Posts: 231
Another option is use lead tape strips. These are the same strips golfers use for added weight on their irons. It might look a little "RedNeck", but will definatlely get the job done.
Nate, just wanted to thank you for the link, & anyone else who is interested. As of today, they're offering a 20% disscount, and I got a GREAT deal on the Okuma 8'6"XXH. Free shipping + the 20% off.... can't beat that! I can hardly wait to get the new Okuma, Great product!
Posted 10/22/2009 6:47 PM (#406066 - in reply to #406034) Subject: Re: New Okuma Rods!
Posts: 299
Location: Ontario, California
Thorne Bros, Reeds and Joes are new accounts in Minnesota that will have (or already have) the EVX range of rods. Other customers in Wisconsin that recently purchased are Dorn Hardware and Dorn Outdoor Pro Shop in Madison
Posted 10/22/2009 7:30 PM (#406068 - in reply to #388451) Subject: Re: New Okuma Rods!
Chas,
No problem! I didn't even know about the 20% off deal.......$95 shipped for a 9' rod with a lifetime warranty......sweet deal! Thanks for the update on the additional shops as well Mark, keep up the good work!
Posted 10/23/2009 12:26 PM (#406134 - in reply to #388451) Subject: RE: New Okuma Rods!
Location: MN
I have the 9'3" Heavy and use it for dawgs and slow blades. Works awesome for mag dawgs and good for big blades.... little flexy with the dbl 13s. Also, a great trolling rod! Broke in mine with a 50+ incher, using it for trolling at that time. She handled the fish great.
Posted 11/3/2009 11:57 AM (#407525 - in reply to #388451) Subject: Re: New Okuma Rods!
Posts: 231
I just recieved my new 8'6 XXH Okuma, and got to give it a little test run this morning. I'm very impressed to say the least!! Thank you Mike W.(lambeau) for your Demos & Verbal descriptions. This rod is exactly as you described (for big blades), with the saltwater reel it's just what I was hoping for! I know it will work fine for ripping big minnow baits, and large plastics, also. I have (like others) custom Vermont DB's, & other high end blanks, but was really happy with qaulity of this stick for such a low price. I also was pleasntly suprised with the NICE protective sleeve it comes with. The rod is (as mentioned), a little on the physical heavy side, but that's not a big deal for what I'll be using it for.
I know there's been pleanty of postive feed back on this line of rods from Okuma, but I just wanted to give more credit to where credit is due! Now I have to figure out an excuse to give my wife to purchase a few more, to add to the growing army of sticks I already own. LOL!
You won't be disappointed with either of these rods for sure! Price is awesome, and they do what they were designed to do. Also, I don't have a built in rod locker in my boat, so when throwing the rods in my expedition at night, the telescoping feature made it a piece of cake to store.
