OTI 7'6" 80# 2pc Popping Rod

MrBill

The below rod is a custom made popping rod made from an OTI 7'6" 80 pound blank. It is a 2 piece model. That makes it real nice for transporting on land and air. The rod has an aluminum aftco black/gold reel seat and gold aluminum gimbal. Guides are Fuji mnsg. Wrapping is traditional black/gold.

The length of 7'6" should make it nice for tossing big swimbaits and poppers to fish far from the boat. I like aluminum reel seats. Some people think they add to the weight of the rod, but what's one ounce? I just got it and have not fished it yet. Here are some pics.

MrBill · 11-11-2007, 10:23 PM

Here are some lift test. The blank is rated for 80 pounds. I tested it to 1/3 of the rating which is around 27 pounds. There was more room for extra weight as I felt it didn't bottom out. I probably could have gone to 35 pounds. Fishing this rod with 25 pounds of drag shouldn't be a problem.

SkeeterRonnie · 11-11-2007, 10:24 PM

very nice!! I am with you on the aluminum reel seats... I dont trust graphite/plastic...

ksong · 11-11-2007, 10:41 PM

MrBill, looks great.
I got two OTi 7'6" 80# blanks and I'll have one custom popping rod and one jigging rod made from the blanks. Those rods will be tested when I go to Fiji for GT popping and dogtooth jigging.
As MrBill said, I don't see any problem to use 25 lbs drag with the rods.
I am going to experiment the popping rod with 28 - 30 lbs drag for GT.
When compared with Smith 80P/35 blank, OTI 80 # blanks looks stiffer and stronger. I felt OTI's blanks is much heavier than 80P/35, but there is only one ounce difference.

Both rods have Fuji DPSH - 22 reel seats.

ichibahn · 11-12-2007, 02:26 AM

Where you guys get the OTI blank rod ?
they don't have it at 360 tackle store....

paul708 · 11-12-2007, 09:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SkeeterRonnie

very nice!! I am with you on the aluminum reel seats... I dont trust graphite/plastic...

have you broken any graphite seats? i am putting a demo together,about "breaking graphit reelseats" and i am looking for info..thanks for any help..you can PM me as not to hijack this thread

Minnow · 11-12-2007, 10:13 AM

Ichibahn,

Those rod blanks was a limited productions so we didn't list it on our online store.

SkeeterRonnie · 11-12-2007, 10:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by paul708

have you broken any graphite seats? i am putting a demo together,about "breaking graphit reelseats" and i am looking for info..thanks for any help..you can PM me as not to hijack this thread

not me personally... but I have seen enough pics to not use graphite reels..

DeepBlueGulf · 11-12-2007, 10:37 AM

Sweet!!! Thanks for all the pictures MrBill. I can't wait to get my 50lb blank wrapped!!

Have you tried casting anything with it yet? Just curious about that aspect of it.

Tom - DBG

paul708 · 11-12-2007, 10:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SkeeterRonnie

not me personally... but I have seen enough pics to not use graphite reels..

ANY PICS AROUND?

11-11-2007, 10:24 PM	#3 (permalink)
SkeeterRonnie Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 1,288	very nice!! I am with you on the aluminum reel seats... I dont trust graphite/plastic... __________________ www.ronniemanningfishing.weebly.com

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11-11-2007, 10:41 PM	#4 (permalink)
ksong Senior Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 1,416	MrBill, looks great. I got two OTi 7'6" 80# blanks and I'll have one custom popping rod and one jigging rod made from the blanks. Those rods will be tested when I go to Fiji for GT popping and dogtooth jigging. As MrBill said, I don't see any problem to use 25 lbs drag with the rods. I am going to experiment the popping rod with 28 - 30 lbs drag for GT. When compared with Smith 80P/35 blank, OTI 80 # blanks looks stiffer and stronger. I felt OTI's blanks is much heavier than 80P/35, but there is only one ounce difference. Both rods have Fuji DPSH - 22 reel seats.

11-12-2007, 02:26 AM	#5 (permalink)
ichibahn Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Atlanta,GA. Posts: 184	Where you guys get the OTI blank rod ? they don't have it at 360 tackle store....

11-12-2007, 10:13 AM	#7 (permalink)
Minnow Administrator Join Date: May 2006 Location: Richardson Posts: 1,200	Ichibahn, Those rod blanks was a limited productions so we didn't list it on our online store.

11-12-2007, 10:37 AM	#9 (permalink)
DeepBlueGulf Senior Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 623	Sweet!!! Thanks for all the pictures MrBill. I can't wait to get my 50lb blank wrapped!! Have you tried casting anything with it yet? Just curious about that aspect of it. Tom - DBG

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