I trust you have all received your packages

[MotherNature]

I would like to relay some of the conversations that I have had with Carmen, who is the man responsible for getting the packages for all of you. There were some things he wanted to make sure you know...

I don't want to take anything out of context so I am going to quote him...

"My greatest request is that they have fun and put the gear through its' paces.  That's really what I'm looking for. Within that, the ergonomics, casting performance, cast control, etc will all come out. Okuma's a brand made up of great people that are all enthusiasts of the sport.  They have a good time on the water and show up with a great spirit.  The gear is a reflection of that."

"The only point that I want to be sure to communicate is that these are not the top-of-the-line from Okuma... those would we Serrano and Cayenne baitcast reels and C3 rods that were introduced last year.  In looking around online, I've seen comparisons of Citrix made to reels at $179.99, $200 and even $300 like a Chronarch... the MSRP of Citrix reels and rods are $120 each and they often sell for less.  Citrix is exciting because it makes the high-speed 7.3:1 gearing accessible to more anglers than previously.  For the really accomplished anglers that invest heavily into their gear, I offer that info to try and keep the perspective in place."


Please keep in mind that we did put their products in the tackle review and we would like to see a review go up but I would like to see it happen after you have used and put to the test the products that they have sent you.

I am really glad that we were given this opportunity to be able to give a little back to you...

[Ron Fogelson]

Well packed, arived safe and sound.  Got some stuff posted up already as a 1st look type thing for the admin to look at.   

[Camden]

got mine yesterday and was well packaged. looks great and still waiting for some warmer weather to really get some use out of it. so far im liking it.

[Mike Cork]

As everyone gets to use this equipment please start new threads with concerns so that we can track subject matter (likes and dislikes). I've got to fish with my several times but have only used it for a jig, I want to play with other tackle and will post results here as well.  Thanks guys.

[Camden]

with the cold weather I haven't been able to get out with mine much. but it did hold up farely well in the freezing mist the other day.

[coldfront]

"My greatest request is that they have fun and put the gear through its' paces.  That's really what I'm looking for. Within that, the ergonomics, casting performance, cast control, etc will all come out. Okuma's a brand made up of great people that are all enthusiasts of the sport.  They have a good time on the water and show up with a great spirit.  The gear is a reflection of that."

"The only point that I want to be sure to communicate is that these are not the top-of-the-line from Okuma... those would we Serrano and Cayenne baitcast reels and C3 rods that were introduced last year.  In looking around online, I've seen comparisons of Citrix made to reels at $179.99, $200 and even $300 like a Chronarch... the MSRP of Citrix reels and rods are $120 each and they often sell for less.  Citrix is exciting because it makes the high-speed 7.3:1 gearing accessible to more anglers than previously.  For the really accomplished anglers that invest heavily into their gear, I offer that info to try and keep the perspective in place."
I am really glad that we were given this opportunity to be able to give a little back to you...

Like Cam, Ron...I received the rod/reel 'unexpectedly' and upon unpacking...found everthing in excellent condition.

It's still winter here...just got another couple inches snow the other evening...ice out is typically about St. Patricks day around here...so it'll be a while before I can get this stuff out on the water.

I hope Carmen is able to view this thread...as I want to say 'Thank you' to Carmen and the folks at Okuma for allowing us this opportunity...looking forward to working with the combo through the summer... 

and too, Laurie, Mike:  thanks to you folks as well...


Going to put up my running commentary as a means to keep 'notes' ...

Entry 1:  Received rod/reel this afternoon/evening...

will look closely at them tomorrow...just unpacked...and put the reel on the rod.

first impressions...

Rod:  MH action, 7 foot...looks like a fast/med fast action...looks great (real pretty rod)...when comparing to my Cumaras...feels a little heavier...will try this rod (still about 30 days from good water) when I get the chance...not sure the action is quite as 'fast' as I like for bottom baits...however, tossing spinner baits, buzzbaits...bigger cranks like the DD22s...should be a very good rod...but I'll have to wait to see...

Reel:  nice.  nice.  nice.  Smooth...

Combo:  here's where I'm not 'sure'...feels tip heavy with the reel 'on'...and I could see over the course of the day fatiguing the forearms...having the ability to add weight to butt would likely help.

If cranking, spinnerbaiting...I usually do a 'David Fritts' and stay seated...so I am supporting the rod hand with a leg...

As always, these are my thoughts...my opinions...and are based entirely on my preferences..

[Camden]

yes good point CF Will Carmen be able to view these or just going to go strictly off the reviews?

[iClass]

Package(s) arrived very well packed. Received the rod first and was impressed by the feel of it (knowing it wasn't a $350 rod) I found it to be light and ergonomically pleasing to hold.  The next day I received the reel.  It too, was well packaged.  The two together make a nice combo.  The reel does seem a bit heavy, especially compared to the rod, but the balance overall isn't bad.

Thank you Okuma and  Carmen.  I did get a chance to put the rod through it's paces during a tournament and brought in probably eight to ten fish with it.  Will post more in the product review section.

[Baron49]

My rod and reel arrived during a blizzard in NY that dumped another 2 feet of snow.  My wife has been snowed in for the past couple days, but says as soon as the storm lets up and the snow plows clean out the street and driveway it will be shipped down here to Florida.

[Baron49]

Rod and rell arrived here from New York in good condition.  It sure is nice looking with the matching gold rings.  What impressed me the most right off the bat was the light weight of the rod.  With the reel added it has a perfect balance and we will see what happens with it on the water.

[Camden]

i myself was really surprised with the rod as well. very lightweight. i have had limited time on the water with it but liking it so far

[coldfront]

my first impressions were that my rod/reel combo was/is a bit tip heavy...will see what happens when I spool up with line...

I'm double-checking my impressions as anytime I differ from Baron, it's warranted...

[Baron49]

my first impressions were that my rod/reel combo was/is a bit tip heavy...will see what happens when I spool up with line...

I'm double-checking my impressions as anytime I differ from Baron, it's warranted...

We all hold a rod differently and have different size hands.  I have large wide hands and palm the reel.  Found the reel slighlty heavy compared to my Revo Premiers, but about the same as my Revo SXHS's.  The rod is very light weight and when I first looked at it I thought it was closer to a medium then a MH, but after using it to haul a couple of bass out of heavy kissimmee grass it showed a good amount of butt strength. 

After using it for a full day on the water I have to say the combo is very well balanced and is very well matched with both the rod and reel.  For my other comments please check out the post I made on the other thread.

[coldfront]

For my other comments please check out the post I made on the other thread.

I did and I have Baron...and am about 3 weeks from getting a chance to use the rod on actual 'open water'...

I'm with you on the hands part...while I'm not Fogy, XL gloves are small for me...as the part across my knuckles doesn't want to fit in most gloves very well...(still can't palm a basketball well enough to dunk   , but could put a volleyball down in my day...not a bad thing for a 6 foot tall white guy  )

I palm my reels too...fact, your post got me to thinking...about how different folks hold rods completely differently ...and even during the cast itself, grips 'shift'... 

[Mike Cork]

I love how you guys are digging into this I personally love the fit as far as my hand (Just ordered two of the cayennes) . Never understood Ron's issues with reels and the roll part but he has had this issue every since the HEG gearing and the super low profile reels. Keep digging and taking notes

[Baron49]

your post got me to thinking...about how different folks hold rods completely differently ...and even during the cast itself, grips 'shift'...

This is one thing I do not like about the rod......is the short grip behind the reel seat.  For my big hands and fingers, all of my pinky finger and a good part of my ring finger is on the blank during the cast and I do not like that feeling.  To me it is a loss of control of the rod when i don't have a firm grip in the handle of a rod.

[Camden]

i just went and tried mine and i do see what your talking about Baron. with my smaller hand i dont have a problem but i can see where a bigger hand would overlap the grip onto the blank.

[coldfront]

This is one thing I do not like about the rod......is the short grip behind the reel seat.  For my big hands and fingers, all of my pinky finger and a good part of my ring finger is on the blank during the cast and I do not like that feeling.  To me it is a loss of control of the rod when i don't have a firm grip in the handle of a rod.

I'll get a photo of my grip...but to describe it, it stays the same...unless I'm casting for distance (cranks, etc) then the other hand goes to the butt of the rod for extra leverage...again, see if I can toss up some photos...probably be a heck of a lot more clear than just typed words...

[coldfront]

okay, made it out on the water for the first time since last October...   

electronics worked like a charm...trolling motor still has a minor issue to fix from last fall's 'smooth move of the year' event...     but it'll be easy/cheap...  just glad I caught it now...

on the the real issue:  the okuma products.

spooled up with 14# Trilene XL... tossed 1/4 ounce spinnerbait all day...worked on setting brake/magnets to meet my needs...winds were 'gently' wafting about at about 25 mph...

the rod loads/flexes great...at 7 foot, it has a bit more flex than I like...and tends to continue flexing after some of the awkward roll casts I used...on the side arm/over hand casting it worked like a charm.  Think I'd like this rod for crankbaits!  (which I'll be getting to later this year)...

Rod/reel combo was comfortable for me to hold.  Balance was good enough to not be 'noticed'...which is how I like it...

Reel casts extremely smoothly...really like it...

I'm looking forward to working with this in pitching/flipping situations, weightless senkos...crankbaits...and will have more feedback as I get through that .

Now, having said all this...i don't foresee anything coming up that'll be disappointing in these products.  Now, I'm not saying the action of the rod is exactly what I would say my preferences are...but from what I have seen so far, I would expect the rod/reel to perform well...  now we'll watch and see how it holds up over the summer...(again, expectations are that it'll be great there too...)