Super User roadwarrior Posted July 6, 2016 Super User Posted July 6, 2016 From the Home Page: http://www.bassresource.com/fishing_lures/helios-okuma-rod-review.html Great review! 1 Quote
Super User new2BC4bass Posted July 6, 2016 Super User Posted July 6, 2016 Very nice review. That is the exact rod I have been wanting for some time, but I keep hoping to find it at an awesome price. I am also a fan of Daiwa reels and own several of the same models Gary has, but I am thinking the Helios Air is a good possibility for this rod. Another fine reel I'd consider is one that several people have already reviewed for bassresource, and that is the Primmus Xi HS. A wonderful reel. That isn't to say that I wouldn't try a 105H, Fuego or Alphas on it....or even a T3 1016 or Tatula Type R. Quote
Super User roadwarrior Posted July 7, 2016 Author Super User Posted July 7, 2016 We have had the opportunity to review several Okuma models and have been impressed. Quote
Super User .ghoti. Posted July 7, 2016 Super User Posted July 7, 2016 Okuma also sent me one of their spinning reels to try; an Inspira model, a budget reel that does not feel like a budget reel. MSRP is $80. It feels better than that. I've only use it once, for a short evening outing so far, but I have three days of trout fishing coming up in a couple of weeks. When I get back from that trip, I'll be tearing it down, for a complete clean and lube, and see just what it's made of. Then I'll write a review. Quote
Super User QUAKEnSHAKE Posted July 26, 2016 Super User Posted July 26, 2016 I ordered this 7' M/F rod last week and got to try it out a little. I was throwing fat ikas with it and it did well with those. Who says lightweight rods cant have good balance as well. Here is my core50 on it feels great in hand. Best part walmart has them $112 Quote
Retired@176 Posted July 27, 2016 Posted July 27, 2016 Think Okuma flies under the radar, I have their C340x rod and an Inspira reel, never been disappointed, great gear will buy more 3 Quote
Super User new2BC4bass Posted July 27, 2016 Super User Posted July 27, 2016 4 hours ago, QUAKEnSHAKE said: I ordered this 7' M/F rod last week and got to try it out a little. I was throwing fat ikas with it and it did well with those. Who says lightweight rods cant have good balance as well. Here is my core50 on it feels great in hand. Best part walmart has them $112 Thanks. Broke down and ordered one. Been putting it off long enough. Quote
Penguino Posted July 27, 2016 Posted July 27, 2016 1 hour ago, Retired@176 said: Think Okuma flies under the radar, I have their C340x rod and an Inspira reel, never been disappointed, great gear will buy more Agreed. Their C340X should seriously get much more credit then it does.. it fishes extremely well and can be had for bargain prices. Quote
Super User QUAKEnSHAKE Posted July 27, 2016 Super User Posted July 27, 2016 1 hour ago, Retired@176 said: Think Okuma flies under the radar, I have their C340x rod and an Inspira reel, never been disappointed, great gear will buy more This is my second Helios rod, I have 7' MH/F as well, it was an easy decision to get another. Quote
The Pond King Posted July 27, 2016 Posted July 27, 2016 I have a 7' 6" H Okuma Helios rod. This rod is extremely light weight for it's power rating and length. I've tested it against other rods in the tackle shop including brands and models with the similar specs such as the Dobyns Champion and Powell Max. It was the lightest most and most sensitive rod out of all of them, and that's why I decided to buy an Okuma rod. Despite Okuma being known as a budget brand that provided a lot bang for the buck but sometimes had dubious quality, I don't believe that really is the case anymore. The quality of Okuma products are very good now. The sensitivity on these rods are remarkable. It feels like a mini-explosion when you feel a fish hit it. I can fish all day with it and not be fatigued. Fighting fish on these rods are very fun too. There have been some reviewers that complained that this rod is prone to breaking, but I haven't had any issues with it and brought in fish 10+lb fish without any problems. The only thing I didn't like was the removable hook keeper. It fell off and it's gone now. I would've rather wished that Okuma just installed a normal hook keeper that's permanently attached to the rod. Using the guides as a hook keeper isn't an option either because they have mini guides on them. Speaking of mini guides, I'm not that big of a fan of them either. I suppose they increase the sensitivity, make the rod a bit lighter, and makes casts more accurate, but the line doesn't free flow out of the guides as easily. It's harder to create slack after the initial cast when you need to fish semi-slack line for weightless plastics. Although I personally don't tie uni to uni knot for making leaders when fishing braid, if you like tying leaders, the mini guides would definitely hamper the cast because the knot would get hung up in the guides. I also have the Okuma Helios baitcasting reel. Unfortunately with the reel, I have been less than impressed. I don't think it's worth it's price. This reel's performance level is on the caliber of a cheapo $75 dollar reel. It's fairly light reel, and it's ergonomic which I like. However, the "power" knobs on the reels are too big, so it's not very comfortable to grip. As for the retrieve, it's relatively smooth, but not buttery smooth. It'll backlash every now and then even with the proper brake settings which annoys the crap outta me. Although, I have to say, I can bomb some really far casts with the reel. Although, the Tackle Tour review said it could be used for inshore saltwater fishing, I found it to be not saltwater friendly. I've read many great reviews on the Helios baitcasting reel before purchasing it but have ended up regretting my purchase. I don't think all Okuma reels are bad. I've used their Avenger baitfeeder spinning reels and they performed just fine, but the Helios baitcaster is not all that good in my opinion. When it comes to baitcasting reels for bass fishing, I am a diehard Shimano fan. I've tried other brands, but Shimano is the best. 1 Quote
Super User kickerfish1 Posted July 27, 2016 Super User Posted July 27, 2016 1 hour ago, new2BC4bass said: Thanks. Broke down and ordered one. Been putting it off long enough. That should help balance out all the reels you have been buying lately. Gotta have a mate for everyone! 1 Quote
Global Moderator Bluebasser86 Posted July 27, 2016 Global Moderator Posted July 27, 2016 4 hours ago, Retired@176 said: Think Okuma flies under the radar, I really agree with this sentiment. After getting the chance to test some of their gear I've been impressed enough to go out and buy some of my own. I have not been disappointed by any of it yet. I got the chance to fish a Helios micro rod and reel a bit when roadwarrior was in the boat with me a few weeks ago. Completely blown away by how light it was. I've been shopping for which one I'd like to get since then. Quote
Super User new2BC4bass Posted July 27, 2016 Super User Posted July 27, 2016 7 hours ago, kickerfish1 said: That should help balance out all the reels you have been buying lately. Gotta have a mate for everyone! I'm still a few rods short. Quote
tholmes Posted July 27, 2016 Posted July 27, 2016 8 hours ago, kickerfish1 said: That should help balance out all the reels you have been buying lately. Gotta have a mate for everyone! Wait a minute! You mean I have to have a rod for every reel that I own?!?! The spousal unit is NOT going to be happy with that. Tom Quote
Global Moderator Bluebasser86 Posted July 27, 2016 Global Moderator Posted July 27, 2016 Just now, tholmes said: Wait a minute! You mean I have to have a rod for every reel that I own?!?! The spousal unit is NOT going to be happy with that. Tom She doesn't have to know! It makes them much easier to hide when they have reels on them. It's the unmatched rods or reels laying around that get the suspicious glares. Quote
Super User new2BC4bass Posted July 27, 2016 Super User Posted July 27, 2016 1 hour ago, tholmes said: Wait a minute! You mean I have to have a rod for every reel that I own?!?! The spousal unit is NOT going to be happy with that. Tom Absolutely unless you enjoy stringing rods. If you have a happy wife, please let me know what I need to do to get the same results. Quote
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