[lineblaster]

Hi, guys I'm new here and was wondering if you could help me out. I'm looking for a good rod to match with my Stella 20k. I fish mainly for cobia, tarpon, grouper, kingfish and other species in the Gulf. I generally fish from a boat, but I do also fish from bridges for big tarpon without my boat.

I saw the oti popping rod here on this site and it looks pretty sweet. Would that rod be suitable for my needs? I'm looking to spend between 200-300$. Thanks in advance.

 

[hstsw]

I use OTI spinning rod with my Shimano Stella 20K
360Tackle :: Rods :: Ocean-X-treme 5'6" Jigging Rod with rod sock - Casting

Mike Gulf Coast Tackle also sell that rod

 

[DeepBlueGulf]

LIneblaster,

Welcome to the 360 Tuna board.

To get a good idea of which rod would be best, it would be helpful to know how you will be fishing. Are you casting plugs and poppers, or are you jigging, or will you be throwing live baits. Let us know more about how you plan to fish, including what pound test line you will be using.

The OTI rods are great and I'm sure Ragman or Minnow will give you a great suggestion.

Tom - DBG

 

[lineblaster]

Hey thanks for the replies. I will mostly be using live bait. And will occasionally cast a plug.

I will also be using 50-65lb power pro.

Everything I fish for is from a boat. Except the tarpon. I fish for them from a bridge.

 

[Bret]

Hey thanks for the replies. I will mostly be using live bait. And will occasionally cast a plug.

I will also be using 50-65lb power pro.

Everything I fish for is from a boat. Except the tarpon. I fish for them from a bridge.

I think that the oti popper rod would be good for your application. I use mine to throw poppers and pitch baits at fish.. The rod loads well and will cast much better than the other spinners that I have used. we caught a couple of yft to 50lbs on it with no issues....

 

[lineblaster]

Well thats good. Do you think it could handle a 150lb tarpon?

 

[Bret]

Well thats good. Do you think it could handle a 150lb tarpon?

Thats a good question.. the tip loads well for casting and the rod has enough backbone to put some pretty good pressure on a fish.. I think it could handle it.....

 

[gman]

I havent used the rods but i saw them in person and got to play with them, I dont think you will have an issue with tarpon. The rods are top quality including the grip and action.

I was with someone last year who had a 100lb tarpon on an inshore spinning rod with a cabo 60 spinning reel.

 

[lineblaster]

I'm glad to hear it. Because I'm not looking to lock the drag down and try to winch the fish in. Just looking to put some good pressure on and eventually tire out whatever is on the line.

 

[lineblaster]

Couple more questions. What do these rods weigh? And lastly are they beefy rods or are they a more slender design?

 

[SkeeterRonnie]

slender design, super lightweight, would handle a 200# Tarpon!! backbone to handle 20# of consistent drag, and the tip to lob a livie without harm....

You could also use it for the cobia, and kingfish if needed. I dont think I would use it for grouper... I prefer 35# of drag fishing for grouper.

 

[Ragman]

Hey lineblaster!

I can't see where you live, but check out our Dealer link on Ocean Tackle International to for one near you.

You could go pull on one if you need.

If you're going to fish 50#-65# spectra on that reel, the OTI 7' will do very well.

 

[lineblaster]

I live on the west coast of Florida. Tampa Area. I'm glad to hear that its a slender and lightweight design. It sounds just like the perfect rod for what I want it for. Thanks again for all the help.

 

[Uncle Russ]

I have not fished for tarpon nor used the 7 foot spinner, but I have seen it and put a bend in it and watched Fred (gimmedeal) land 60 pound tuna with it like it was a crappie, and from the tackle I have known others to use on tarpon, it would indeed handle a 200 pounder, at least from a movable boat. On the other hand, I am somewhat more familiar with the 7 1/2 foot prototypes, and you might want to consider one of those--just on the off chance a 400 pound tarpon shows up. You never know.

Russ