OTI 2nd Generation 600g

[MrBill]

I received my new OTI custom rod yesterday. I purchased a new 2nd generation OTI blank and had Txseadog build it for me. He's built me around a half dozen rods and I've be pleased every time. The new 2nd generation OTI blank is the same one used on their new production rods. I liked the first version, but this one is a vast improvement.

It made from prepreg fibers. Prepreg is short for pre-impregnated. It's already impregnated with a synthetic resin prior to fabrication.The prepreg sheets are a form of a weave or uni-directional pattern. They already contain an amount of the matrix material used to bond them together during the manufactureing process. Heat is required to make the sheets flexible before rolling them into fishing rods.

This blank is made in Japan where the jigging craze started. The Japanese are well ahead of the US in jigging rod designs and manufacturing processes. They love short, thin and light rods that bend and have a lot of power. There is a good reason for their obsession. Jigging works. These Japanese rod designers have come up with some great functional rods for their angler's.

These are the specs of the OTI I had fabricated for me. Same as their production rods.
Length: 5'6"
Line Weight: 60-80lb
Lure Weight: 600g
Max. Drag: 30lb
Action: Medium

Every quality jigging rod I see has a Fuji reel seat. They are light and most people love them. I'm a metal guy. Weight doesn't mean a whole lot to me. I normally have my rods built with Aftco reel seats. This time I decided to use the ALPS centra-lock aluminum reel seat. I'm glad I did. It's awesome. It has a design in the seat that accepts the shape of the reel foots found on most high end reel manufacturers. The round rod rings are easy to tighten up with their cog wheel design. I choose the silver mill finish because I will be parking an Accurate reel on this rod. The ALPS reel seats are available in different colors for you bling guys.

I am very familiar with these high tech jigging rods as I own Jigging Master's, Tuna Max, OTI, Zenaq, Carpenter, Genesis and others. I probably have at least a dozen of these new style high quality rods. These are all great rods. I nothing bad to say about any of them. In fact, I've had great experiences with all the dealers that carry these rods. Anglers Pro Shop, OTI dealers, or Kilsongs Jigging World. They have all been first class. I've never met any of these guys, but maybe someday I will be able to fish with them.


This rod has a 14" rear grip and a 10" hypalon fore grip. Guides are Fuji MNSG's. The gimbal is ALPS. I normally use a gold over black wrap. This time I wanted a silver accent over the black. Txseadog surprised me with a black over silver tiger wrap between the 1st and 2nd guide. Very nice. Not gaudy and this conservative guy likes it.

I love the way the Accurate B2-30 mounts on the ALPS reel seat. Tight as a drum. No wiggle or play. The machine-ing of the reel seat and reel seat foot was perfect. Here's some picture of this new rod made from the new 2nd generation OTI 600g blank.

[MrBill]

More pics.

[MrBill]

More Pics

[STx Fisherman]

Great setup.....I bet that will be one heck of a jigging machine.

[feeder]

That is a nice looking rod there Mr Bill. I'm with you on the metal reel seats.

Great work on the tiger wraps Txseadog.

[MrBill]

These are some stress test of the rod. I use iron window sash weights for my lifting test. I placed a rod huki on the gimbal and parked it in my hip.

[paul708]

nice rod,
thanks for the pics

[rtran]

nice rod mrbill

[Bellyups]

Looks great!!! Kevin does awesome work.

[BretABaker]

very nice rod.....the bend at 20lbs looks very good. though i'm actually in favor of graphite real seats. it hsa nothing to do with weight for me. i have a metal seat on my OTI and yes it works great...no problems.

however, i just don't think it's as comfortable to have your hand holding the metal all day long and jigging, at least on a spinner. this is the same reason i dont use a reel clamp on jigging rods.