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Hey all I bought 4 Cabela's depthmaster trolling combos per some advice I was given. Reels are not bad but I hate the rods for kokanee way to stiff.
My question is those of you with experience do you like the eagleclaw feather light rods or the okuma SST rods more?
I don't use those brand rods you mention but have heard good about the Okuma rods. Mine consist of a pair of Vance's spiral wrap, a pair of Rocky Mountain Tackle Jerod Johnson signature rods, a pair of Velocity rods sold by Rocky Mountain Tackle. All of which is sold in the $70-80 range. The Velocity's come in a couple of different lengths and colors. My preference in rod length ranges from 7-7 1/2' for kokanee. I use a couple of low profile cold water 354D Okuma reels, Okuma Convector reels and very happy with those. Its all based on your budget as well.
Are you a noodle rod guy or a rod with back bone guy? I've owned the Okuma SST rods and they have a very sensitive tip but a little stiffer in the butt section than the Eagle Claw rod. Personally, I like a limber rod tip to handle. I don't own that rod but have felt it a few times at Sportsman's Warehouse. Matter of fact, both rods that you have mentioned are in stock at Sportsman's Warehouse so you can get a feel for them. If I was forced to pick between the 2, I'd pick the Eagle Claw. However, if you can make it to a SW, try the Tica Kokanee rod as well. My Koke rod combination is 2 of the Tica rods and 2 of the blue Velocity rods.
I would take the SST rods over the Eagle claw rods. I think they have I bit more back bone . I have been running the Ninja rods made by Velocity for last few year. They have a soft tip but also have a good back bone that will let you move a crazy koke that is heading in to the prop.
Thanks for the reply guys. I think I'll go with the eagle claws due to the $30 price point. I landed plenty of fish on the depth masters when I used them but would like more of a noodle that I can really load up. If I ever end up targeting those 20" kokes I'll bring the depthmasters.
I've never seen a Depthmaster that would remotely be a Kokanee rod. I was using the lightest one I could find for ocean King salmon. For the price, I think that you will be happy with the Eagle Claw rods. Put a decent reel on them as that is one area that I don't try to go cheap.
I use the eagle claws and they work pretty good for me! The wife likes a little more back bone on hers so she likes the sst also. I have the depth masters that I will use for kingfish or hoos in the gulf and they do well. You have to find what works for you. Everyone has a different fell in there hands. Good luck
I have enjoyed my okuma kokanee rods. I've never tried the eagle claw brand.
I am very happy with my 7 1/2' Lamiglass rod. It makes fighting the fish fun. Only time I regretted having it was the time I hooked a big lake trout on it. I could feel him shaking his head, but did not have the leverage to move him. He eventually broke off. I also got good service from Lamiglass. We had a little accident and I broke the tip off the rod. It was my fault, so I paid for a new tip, but they sent it out the same day I called them! Best part is that I kept the broken tip and put a new guide on the end. Now I have 2 rods, a 7 1/2' limber one for kokanee and a 6' 9" stiffer one for big lake trout.
i had one okumakoke rods ,it was a ok rod but unfortunately it broke imeditly after i got it i returned it and paid 10 more buck and got another velocity blue rod , which in my opinion is the best koke rod out there .
I prefer my 7 1/2’ Lamiglass kok rod but I also have a couple of eagle law which also work well.