Live Baiting Okuma's NEW 14ft Surf Rod!

[ScubaChris]

I Was Using Live Flagtails “Aholehole” For Surf Casting For GT’s!

Over 2yrs ago executives of Okuma arrived for the Izuo Brothers New Product Show in Honolulu, HI. This was my first expo show as Okuma’s Pro-Staffer & Product Tester. So we all went whipping (spin casting). Waves up North was 12-15ft that morning so we headed to Keehi Lagoon from Waimea Bay. That’s when i had the chance to get to know John Bretza, Okuma’s Director of Product Development.

We compared notes and got along fine. John wanted to know what i thought Hawaii needed. A product that can be used Worldwide. These rods were the result. John sent me several prototypes & after a few modifications it’s ready for Worldwide use. One of the strongpoints about Okuma is John’s drive & dedication to listen to & fill the regional needs of commercial & recreational anglers alike. This is one of the reasons why Okuma grew from a OEM company to the World’s 3rd largest fishing manufacturer (per Alan Hawk’s reviews).

The first shipment of these long awaited rods recently arrived at Okuma’s USA factory. At that time i’ll give a full review on these beauties. I was hoping today i could bag myself another GT from shore. Moon phase to tides were all wrong, but hey it’s fishing. Anything can happen.

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[gofish435]

I didn’t fish there but I drove by there on Saturday on our way to Jordanelle and there were a lot of folks fishing on the ice at rainbow bay and out toward the middle of the reservoir.  There was still some open water west of the island.  The state parks had not plowed the main boat ramp area and that area recently capped so I’m not sure how thick the ice might be there.

[WingNutt]

@gofish435

I didn’t fish there but I drove by there on Saturday on our way to Jordanelle and there were a lot of folks fishing on the ice at rainbow bay and out toward the middle of the reservoir.  There was still some open water west of the island.  The state parks had not plowed the main boat ramp area and that area recently capped so I’m not sure how thick the ice might be there.

Thanks for the update!

[SkinnyLynnie]

Thanks. Very helpful!

[danell]

Got out for a couple hours this afternoon. Edges were soft, but was able to get on relatively easy. Ice was about 6", but 3-4 of which was cloudy. This was just south west of the island. Couldn’t keep the bows off.

[wiperhunter2]

@danell

Got out for a couple hours this afternoon. Edges were soft, but was able to get on relatively easy. Ice was about 6", but 3-4 of which was cloudy. This was just south west of the island. Couldn’t keep the bows off.

Thanks for the report Danell, was there any size to the bows or were they planters?

[danell]

@wiperhunter2

@danell

Got out for a couple hours this afternoon. Edges were soft, but was able to get on relatively easy. Ice was about 6", but 3-4 of which was cloudy. This was just south west of the island. Couldn’t keep the bows off.

Thanks for the report Danell, was there any size to the bows or were they planters?

Several planters, but more quality bows in the 18-21" range

[system]

@danell

Got out for a couple hours this afternoon. Edges were soft, but was able to get on relatively easy. Ice was about 6", but 3-4 of which was cloudy. This was just south west of the island. Couldn’t keep the bows off.

Anyone have any luck catching crappie through the ice?

[wiperhunter2]

@danell

@wiperhunter2

@danell

Got out for a couple hours this afternoon. Edges were soft, but was able to get on relatively easy. Ice was about 6", but 3-4 of which was cloudy. This was just south west of the island. Couldn’t keep the bows off.

Thanks for the report Danell, was there any size to the bows or were they planters?

Several planters, but more quality bows in the 18-21" range

That’s a great size, bet those bigger bow gave you a good fight.

[SkinnyLynnie]

Sounds like it is time for me to get my auger out. Thanks for the information!

[bowhunter3]

@danell

Got out for a couple hours this afternoon. Edges were soft, but was able to get on relatively easy. Ice was about 6", but 3-4 of which was cloudy. This was just south west of the island. Couldn’t keep the bows off.

How was the slush?

[PMacattack]

Got out yesterday with the boys. It was a little busier than expected, but with school out should have expected it. Still has soft edges, about 2-3’. Went in up to just below the top of my Muck boots.

Fished in 20’ of water. Ice was good at 7" or so, no slush and 4" of fresh snow. The bite was best early, but we still caught fish until we left around 1:00. All rainbows today. Most in the 12-14" range, a few larger including one plump 19"er.

[wiperhunter2]

@PMacattack

Got out yesterday with the boys. It was a little busier than expected, but with school out should have expected it. Still has soft edges, about 2-3’. Went in up to just below the top of my Muck boots.

Fished in 20’ of water. Ice was good at 7" or so, no slush and 4" of fresh snow. The bite was best early, but we still caught fish until we left around 1:00. All rainbows today. Most in the 12-14" range, a few larger including one plump 19"er.

Thanks for the report, sounds like you did good, sounds like the water level is coming up there. What color jigs worked best for you?

[PMacattack]

@wiperhunter2

@PMacattack

Got out yesterday with the boys. It was a little busier than expected, but with school out should have expected it. Still has soft edges, about 2-3’. Went in up to just below the top of my Muck boots.

Fished in 20’ of water. Ice was good at 7" or so, no slush and 4" of fresh snow. The bite was best early, but we still caught fish until we left around 1:00. All rainbows today. Most in the 12-14" range, a few larger including one plump 19"er.

Thanks for the report, sounds like you did good, sounds like the water level is coming up there. What color jigs worked best for you?

White, white pearl, glow and chartreuse tipped with wax worms. Didn’t seem too picky, but at times the bite was lite. Only one I recall catching higher in the water column, the rest came off the bottom.

](DC Fish — Postimages)

[SkinnyLynnie]

Can anyone tell me the ice conditions at Deer Creek?