By Okuma® Staff

When you’re fishing the Columbia River’s legendary Buoy 10 fishery for King Salmon, the difference between a good day and a great day often comes down to having the right trolling rod in your hands. This is a fishery where currents are strong, the fish are powerful, and the techniques are varied. Your trolling rod needs to be purpose-built to handle it all.

That’s exactly the philosophy behind the Okuma X-Troll Rods, designed by salmon and steelhead specialist Josh Cooper. With decades of guiding and gear design under his belt, Josh knows the demands Buoy 10 puts on both anglers and equipment — and he built the X-Troll to meet those challenges head-on.

Built for Power and Precision

At the heart of the X-Troll is a Toray Carbon Fiber blank, a premium material that blends incredible sensitivity with the backbone and lifting power needed for hard-charging kings. The sensitivity ensures you feel every subtle bite or change in lure action, while the strength gives you the confidence to apply maximum pressure when it’s time to bring a fish to the net.

The rod’s moderate actions are dialed for trolling applications, absorbing headshakes and sudden surges while keeping hooks pinned. That means fewer lost fish and more high-fives at the end of the day.

Premium Components for Serious Anglers

Every detail on the X-Troll has a purpose:

• Stainless steel deep-press guide frames with zirconium inserts for maximum durability and smooth line management.

• High-quality reel seats that lock down your trolling reels securely, even under heavy load.

• Comfort-grip EVA foregrips for all-day control in wet or cold conditions.

• Trolling-specific lengths and powers matched to Buoy 10 techniques.

These features don’t just add up to a nicer rod, they mean better performance when it counts.

Versatility on the Water

The Buoy 10 fishery demands flexibility, and the X-Troll was designed to handle multiple trolling techniques:

• Downrigger Trolling – Smooth bend and recovery keep your presentation steady while cushioning the fight.

• Bounce Ball Trolling – The backbone drives hooks home even at depth, while the sensitivity lets you feel bottom contact.

• Flasher or Dodger Setups – The rod’s action works perfectly to keep flashers rotating without overworking your bait.

• Heavy Current Anchor Fishing – Enough power to control large fish in fast water.

No matter how you choose to target kings, the X-Troll gives you the tool for the job.

Why the X-Troll Excels at Buoy 10

When you hook into a Columbia River king, you’re not just fighting the fish, you’re fighting the tide, the current, and sometimes even the boat traffic. The Okuma X-Troll’s combination of sensitivity, backbone, and refined components makes it the ideal rod to stack the odds in your favor.

Whether you’re a seasoned Buoy 10 veteran or making your first trip to this iconic fishery, investing in the right trolling rod can mean the difference between heartbreak and hero shots.

The Okuma X-Troll Rods are proof that when design, materials, and experience come together, you get a rod built not just to fish, but to win!

In this video, Rod Designer Jeff Cooper sits down and discusses why the X-Troll should be in your salmon fishing lineup.