Review: Okuma Nomad NTC-663-M-MH Travel Rod

I bought this rod with the intent of having a 40# travel outfit.  It got called into duty on my recent La Paz trip.

It uses a "European Spigot Ferrule" system that are supposed to have a one piece feel to them.  It also comes with 2 interchangeable tips that allow you to fish 30-60 pound line.  I used the heavier MH tip for the 40# outfit.


The rod seemed to be nicely built and had a good feel to it.  The butt section seemed a bit overbuilt compared to the rest of the rod, which made it a little bit heavy for kayak fishing, but just about right for fishing off a boat.

I only got to use the rod for a couple of days.  In those couple of days, the rod got called into duty on the troll pulling a YoZuri Hydro Magnun (in fact, my LUCKY YoZuri Hydro Magnum!!!).  It performed admirably on the skippies that kept hitting this rod as well as a smaller wahoo.  But then IT happened.  We were on a long troll back from the offshore banks and the action was slowing.  In fact, the crew was starting to fall asleep on me. 

Out of the blue the rod goes off.  Paul yells "FISHON" with authority and yells it to again to make sure we heard.  Then the fish takes off ... zzzziiiinnngggg, straight into the backing.  At first we didn't think the fish was HUGE as Paul managed to get it back on the topshot (about 100 yards) in fairly short order.  But after an hour of tug-o-war, our thoughts were leaning towards Pesca Grande!!!  Two hours went by and we were at a stalemate.  At 2 hours I started worrying about gear failure.  That's a long time to be on a big fish and shit happens.  I mentioned this to the captain, and probably jinxed us right then and there.  At 3 hours Paul was tiring, and with good reason.

A little after 3 hours and Paul hands me the rod.  I started short stroking the fish and it was slowly coming in.  Then it took all that line back.   I knew then that it was a huge, powerful fish and we were way undergunned.  I continues short stroking when all of a sudden ... CCCRRRAAAACKKK!  The rod broke.  I immediately pointed the rod, what was left of it, down towards the fish.  Captain Raul runs down the the bridge and starts handlining the fish.  I hand off the broken rod to Paul and immediately grab one of the other troll rods and cut the line in preparation for tying onto it.   Raul and I switch off and I'm now handlining the beast.  Raul completes the splice and the new rod gets handed to me.  But not for long.  While we were handling the fish went under the boat and in hindsight, must have rubbed on the bottom.  The line just broke, and when inspected, was rough up and down that section.

Everyone on the boat just went silent ...

I just got off the phone with Okuma and they are replacing the rod.  The break point was right at the ferrule.  They said they've had very good luck with this system.  But as  you can see, I haven't.  What am I going to do with a rod that has shaken my trust?  Open to offers ...

-Allen

Wow! I don't want the rod, but that was a hell of an exciting story!!!

I am not a big fan of Okuma, as with their reels the guys at Outdoor Pro Shop talked me out of buying one and I went with a Daiwa Luna.  I don't trust their rods either.

I have also broken a lighter one. Sorry Allen, but how often are you going to hook something that big. Sounds like it worked fine for lighter fish.
  Randall

I have also broken a lighter one. Sorry Allen, but how often are you going to hook something that big. Sounds like it worked fine for lighter fish.
  Randall

We weren't pulling any harder on the big fish than we were on the little ones.  The drag was set the same.  The only difference was the time spent on the fish.   

-Allen

I would ask them to replace the rod with a different product of the same value and then choose if you want to keep it or sell it.

We weren't pulling any harder on the big fish than we were on the little ones.  The drag was set the same./

Thanks for the report Allen but something must have changed if Paul had it on for 3hs and you broke it right away was it sounding?
What line were you running. I sorta feel leary of Okuma's also but I have no reason too it's just a feeling.

We weren't pulling any harder on the big fish than we were on the little ones.  The drag was set the same./

Thanks for the report Allen but something must have changed if Paul had it on for 3hs and you broke it right away was it sounding?
What line were you running. I sorta feel leary of Okuma's also but I have no reason too it's just a feeling.

Yeah, I was short stroking the rod, working it a lot more.  I was fresh on the rod, compared to Paul after 3+ hours of grunting it out.  But the drag was set to the same setting.  I'd estimate the drag was in the 10-12 pound range.  40# mono.

-Allen

I would ask them to replace the rod with a different product of the same value and then choose if you want to keep it or sell it.

I tried.  No bueno.

-Allen