Okuma X Series

[Bluebasser86]

When I got back from Lake Fork this weekend, I had a rod tube and box waiting for me 😍 I’m a big Okuma fan, I have several of their bait casters and a few rods, they’re a very under appreciated brand in the bass fishing work I feel like. I don’t understand why when they make gear that looks and feels like this thing does. It looks sharp and is incredibly light. I got the 7’ 3” H/F and the 8.1 reel to put braid and use it for straight braid applications only.

 

I got to take it for a test spin Sunday. I was just blown away how light it was. I expected a little weight for a rod with those specs, but I didn’t feel it at all. It fished as nice as it looked too. Can’t wait for the grass to grow so I can really test it.

 

[MiceNReets]

I fish with the plastic wrap and tags on as well too

 

great looking combo.   I really want to try the rod.  Not sure what one to get 

[Bluebasser86]

5 minutes ago, MiceNReets said:

I fish with the plastic wrap and tags on as well too

 

great looking combo.   I really want to try the rod.  Not sure what one to get 

I usually keep it on until it starts to crack or something, then I peel it off. I don’t know why I do it, just always have.

[MiceNReets]

1 minute ago, Bluebasser86 said:

I usually keep it on until it starts to crack or something, then I peel it off. I don’t know why I do it, just always have.

LoL.   I’m the same.  I don’t know why.   
 

how’s the series x reel?

[Bluebasser86]

39 minutes ago, MiceNReets said:

LoL.   I’m the same.  I don’t know why.   
 

how’s the series x reel?

It’s extremely light, only 5.6oz. It doesn’t feel “cheap”, like some lightweight reels I’ve used. Everything feels very connected and sturdy. There’s no play or movement anywhere in the reel. I really like the clicking drag and spool tension adjustments also. It’s centrifugal brakes also, which is one of my only complaints with my Daiwa reels, I’m always accidentally hitting the magnetic brakes and having to readjust them.

[woolleyfooley]

Do you have any experience with the Dobyn’s champion extreme? I’m really curious how the sensitivity on the Okuma x compares to the Dobyn’s champion extreme.

[Bluebasser86]

46 minutes ago, woolleyfooley said:

Do you have any experience with the Dobyn’s champion extreme? I’m really curious how the sensitivity on the Okuma x compares to the Dobyn’s champion extreme.

I don’t, most of my experience has been with St Croix LTB or Kistler rods.

[woolleyfooley]

43 minutes ago, Bluebasser86 said:

I don’t, most of my experience has been with St Croix LTB or Kistler rods.

Darn. I’m really interested in these rods but I’m having a hard time finding anyone who has experience with the okuma and the Dobyn’s. I just want to make sure the okuma isn’t a downgrade compared to the Dobyn’s champ extreme.

[GetFishorDieTryin]

I keep the plastic on my new rods too for a little while, lol.  The X series rods went on sale not last Xmas but the previous for 180$, If I wasn't stuck in the hospital with a dubious prognosis, I would have bought one.  Was hoping to see it go on sale this Xmas, but no such luck, so I settled for an M1, which I actually really like, but it not on the level of an X.  They look as good as good as any MB IMO with a hook hanger below the reel seat just how I like them and a lifetime warranty.  I'm sure if they marketed them better they would sell because it seems like everyone who has one has nothing but praise for them.

[NorthernBasser]

5 hours ago, woolleyfooley said:

Darn. I’m really interested in these rods but I’m having a hard time finding anyone who has experience with the okuma and the Dobyn’s. I just want to make sure the okuma isn’t a downgrade compared to the Dobyn’s champ extreme.

 

I have both and I'd easily put the X-Series up against my Extreme. 

[woolleyfooley]

17 hours ago, NorthernBasser said:

 

I have both and I'd easily put the X-Series up against my Extreme. 

Really! So are you saying they’re roughly equal? Or is the X-series more sensitive?
 

Are you talking about the champion extreme HP or the older champion extreme? 
 

Oh and what models of each are you comparing? 
 

Thank you so much! 

On 3/25/2025 at 6:15 PM, Bluebasser86 said:

I don’t, most of my experience has been with St Croix LTB or Kistler rods.

How does the X series compare to various st Croix and kistler rods?

[Bluebasser86]

13 minutes ago, woolleyfooley said:

How does the X series compare to various st Croix and kistler rods?

It’s lighter and feels more balanced and sensitive than the LTB rods I’ve had, especially with specs similar to this one.

 

I'd say it even feels a little lighter than my Kistler Heliums, and sensitivity is really similar.

[NorthernBasser]

1 hour ago, woolleyfooley said:

Really! So are you saying they’re roughly equal? Or is the X-series more sensitive?

 

Are you talking about the champion extreme HP or the older champion extreme? 
 

 

I have the current Extreme HP (DX745). The Okuma X-Series I have are the 7'3 MH/XF and 7'6 H/F.

 

I have more time on the water with the Dobyns. I got the Okuma's towards the end of summer last year. I would definitely put them up there with the Extreme as far as sensitivity. Fishing jigs, I can feel every little pebble. They are very crisp.

 

And like @Bluebasser86 said, they're very light. Way lighter than the Extreme (5.09 oz). Tho we all know how well Dobyns rods balance.  

 

The 7'3 MH weighs only 4.05 oz. The 7'6 H weighs only 4.37 oz. Crazy. For comparison, my 7'2 MH Expride B weighs 4.28 oz. 7'1 MH Helium, 4.11 oz. 

 

And to top it off they are GORGOUS rods. Fit and finish are A-1. 

[woolleyfooley]

22 hours ago, NorthernBasser said:

 

I have the current Extreme HP (DX745). The Okuma X-Series I have are the 7'3 MH/XF and 7'6 H/F.

 

I have more time on the water with the Dobyns. I got the Okuma's towards the end of summer last year. I would definitely put them up there with the Extreme as far as sensitivity. Fishing jigs, I can feel every little pebble. They are very crisp.

 

And like @Bluebasser86 said, they're very light. Way lighter than the Extreme (5.09 oz). Tho we all know how well Dobyns rods balance.  

 

The 7'3 MH weighs only 4.05 oz. The 7'6 H weighs only 4.37 oz. Crazy. For comparison, my 7'2 MH Expride B weighs 4.28 oz. 7'1 MH Helium, 4.11 oz. 

 

And to top it off they are GORGOUS rods. Fit and finish are A-1. 

Thank you! Would you say the okuma is more sensitive/crisper than the champion extreme? I’m thinking of getting a new senko rod and was planning on getting a champion extreme 743, but if the okuma x is more sensitive than it seems like a no brainer. 
 

How’s the balance on the okuma compared to Dobyn’s?