By Okuma® Staff

When Okuma joined the Addicted Fishing crew for three days in the Pacific Northwest, it wasn’t just about catching fish. It was about testing gear, swapping knowledge, and celebrating the kind of fishing that keeps people hooked for life. From Columbia River salmon to prehistoric sturgeon and elusive musky, the team put Okuma’s newest rods and reels to the test in real conditions.

The first day started strong on the Columbia, with rods bending and flashers spinning before sunrise. Okuma’s Director of Product Development, John Bretza, joined the crew to share insights on design and durability while getting a firsthand feel for hard-pulling PNW fish. The highlight came when the crew hooked into multiple sturgeon at once, creating pure chaos on deck.

Marlin talked through the importance of rod flex when trolling for salmon, pointing out how the X-Troll rod allows flashers to move naturally, capable of keeping fish pinned through long battles.  As Marlin put it, “You can catch salmon, chase sturgeon, even get into bass, all in one day out here. Fall in the Pacific Northwest is tough to beat.”

For anglers planning a visit to the PNW, fall brings prime conditions across multiple species. Cooler mornings, active salmon runs, and catch-and-release sturgeon opportunities that make it one of the most exciting times of year. It’s a season where you can truly experience everything the region has to offer.

The second morning brought calm water. The crew spent the early hours fine-tuning every detail from trolling speed, leader length, and running depth. Curious to experiment, Marlin quietly ran one side of the boat ten feet shallower to see how depth shifts affected the bite. The difference was immediate. The shallow rods lit up first, proving how small changes in depth can completely alter a morning.

Throughout the day, the team relied on Okuma’s X-Troll rods to handle Columbia’s heavy current and quality salmon. Paired with Okuma reels, the setups delivered steady drag, quick recovery, and the kind of control that builds confidence fish after fish.

As the day wore on, the talk naturally drifted toward design and how rod flex, guide spacing, and reel balance shapes the way an angler connects to the water. Each hook-up was a reminder that that well-designed gear doesn’t just help you catch fish. It helps you feel them.

For the third and final day, the Addicted team switched gears and headed to a quiet Northwest lake to target tiger musky, known as the “fish of 10,000 casts.” Okuma brought along prototype reels and new X-series rods to test. The bite was slow, but the gear testing delivered valuable feedback: smooth reeling, solid backbone, and excellent casting distance.

Marlin explained that these apex predators were introduced here to help control invasive pike minnow populations that threaten salmon and kokanee fry. Even without a hookup, the day reinforced why testing in real conditions matters. Every cast helps fine-tune the next generation of gear. The day wrapped with Michelle releasing a wild Coho, a reminder of the importance of conservation and responsible catch-and-release practices.

Back on the Columbia, guide Cameron Black took on his own Okuma x Addicted challenge: limit the boat before 7:30 p.m., land a salmon solo, and fillet it in under 45 seconds. Cameron nailed all three, finishing his fillet in an unbelievable 27.24 seconds, a new Addicted record. His win earned him $500 from Addicted Fishing and three Okuma rod-and-reel combos for his son, Leaden, who’s already following in his dad’s footsteps.

Across all three days, one thing became clear: Okuma’s commitment to testing their gear in real-world conditions sets them apart. Every rod bend, drag pull, and line break adds to the data that shapes their future designs. The Addicted Fishing partnership continues to highlight what makes this community special - sharing knowledge, celebrating great gear, and respecting the water that brings it all together.

Watch the video below:

Overall, it was an incredible trip for the Okuma crew.  Be sure to check out the full lineup of Okuma gear designed for the Pacific Northwest here at Okuma Fishing.