I want to be the first to welcome Carmen to the board...

MotherNature · March 09, 2011, 02:44:58 PM

I know all of you have already expressed that you would like to thank him as well as Okuma and I just wanted to let you know that he is able to see the board so now you can.

A little info...

If you want to contact him privately be sure to PM him.

The email used on his profile does no go to him, it goes to Okuma directly so it should only be used for product questions that are outside the realm of this review.

I am really excited about this! You are all very deserving of the opportunity to do this and Mike and I look at this as you are doing us a favor because we trust each and everyone of you to do just what you are... look beyond the obvious. Thanks for being such a great group of guys and I know that Carmen is going to enjoy working with you as well.

Ron Fogelson · March 09, 2011, 03:31:33 PM

Hey Carmen welcome to Ultimatebass.com and thank you for the chance to look over and use both the Citrix reel and rod

coldfront · March 09, 2011, 06:32:03 PM

Thanks Carmen! appreciate the opportunity to be of help ... as always it's easier to work with people than companies...

and thanks for helping out the site with this opportunity...nice product from what I've been able to see so far...unfortunately, I'm still weeks away from 'front deck water time'... I'll get there...just not soon enough.

thanks again!

Okuma Fishing Tackle · March 09, 2011, 10:45:55 PM

Thanks for the warm welcome. Myself and the guys at Okuma are excited to work with the group of you. We enjoy the forums. They offer an opportunity to cut through the different media and get right down to the people actually fishing the gear. Laurie created an opportunity for us to interact with you... a group of the influencers on UltimateBass that she respects, and we appreciate it a lot.

Last year Okuma introduced the Serrano and Cayenne low-profiles. Those were not generational improvements of past products at all. They were completely new engineering and a total restructuring of the baitcast platform. Those reels have done very well and we believe they truly represent the best reel available at each of their prices. This year, a second body design was introduced in four families, Citrix($119), Alumina($99), Calera ($79) and Tormenta ($59). These four reels bring top end features into the broad base of the recreational market.

When it comes to fishing gear, the opinions of our friends and peers is very important. With these new products, and Citrix specifically, we wanted to be sure that as people ask questions about the product that some of the respected members of the community have actual experience with it. That's what we're looking to the group of you for. We want you to be able to be comfortable recommending the reels and rods.

Let me know how I can help. If you have questions, I'll get you answers. Already, you've generated some action points on our end. We can probably modify the rear grip on the Citrix rod as a nearly immediate in-line change to add a bit of length. On the EVA, it was incorporated to reduce weight over cork. A bit of that weight savings was poured back into the rod in order to deliver the machined reel seat.

On the Citrix cast control I saw a comment or two. Your all familiar with internally adjustable centrifugal braking systems (pop open the side plate and move the pins) and you're all also familiar with magnetic cast control systems that are externally adjustable (turn the dial). The Citrix cast control is a patented, externally adjustable centrifugal system... pins you adjust by dial. It's completely unique and delivers the most desirable cast control system with the simple dial adjustment.

I believe you all received the same reel and rod. I don't remember whether I sent the deep spool or the whiffle spool on the reel, and the rod was chosen for versatility not knowing the specifics of your needs.

If you'd like to email me directly, you can send to -redacted- -admin. The email on the Okuma Fishing Tackle account goes to Brandon Cotton at Okuma to better answer most questions.

Again, we're looking forward to working with you and do not hesitate to shoot me your questions.

Thank you!

Mike Cork · March 10, 2011, 09:15:06 AM

Thank you for the opportunity to work with you. I know that the members that received your products will put them to the test

From Florida to Louisiana to Missouri and north to ColdFronts still frozen waters.

So far I have really enjoyed both the rod and reel. I'll be putting together and in depth post here after the next week of fishing!

I haven't torn into the reel yet (I promise I will completely tear it down, that's just something I do

) but what is used for the drag system, carbon fiber discs or cloth?

Okuma Fishing Tackle · March 10, 2011, 09:42:01 AM

Drag system is a composite, not carbon fiber. Cayenne and Serrano feature the carbon fiber drag systems.

coldfront · March 10, 2011, 10:29:19 AM

Quote from: Mike Cork on March 10, 2011, 09:15:06 AMFlorida to Louisiana to Missouri and north to ColdFronts still frozen waters.

Baron's cheating by heading down to Florida...his home waters are still 'harder' than mine!

Camden · March 25, 2011, 09:27:34 AM

We all wanted to say Thanks Carmen. What I am loving most already is that you are wanting to work directly with your target demographic and not a "pro" to test your equipement.
And I promise you if anyone is gonna be rough on a rod its probably gonna be me and I promise not to beat it up to badly.

Thanks Again

coldfront · March 25, 2011, 10:09:16 AM

Quote from: Camden on March 25, 2011, 09:27:34 AM
We all wanted to say Thanks Carmen. What I am loving most already is that you are wanting to work directly with your target demographic and not a "pro" to test your equipement.
And I promise you if anyone is gonna be rough on a rod its probably gonna be me and I promise not to beat it up to badly.

Thanks Again

stringing up the Citrix tomorrow (14# Trilene XL is the line of choice which will then also allow me to compare/contrast directly against a Curado/Cumara combo - which isn't fair...but should be an interesting process)...hoping to be on the water with it April 2/3...probably white spinnerbaits, suspending jerkbaits...

just had 4-5 inches of wet snow dropped here last night...potential for another 3-5 through Sat night. Sure that sort of sucks...but the good news is: the ponds/lakes are ice free and won't ice over again until maybe DECEMBER!

This party is just about to get started...