Ergonomics: Most of the time when we talk about rod ergonomics we focus on how the rod feels in hand, how comfortable the reel seat is, the grip design, and just how well the rod balances overall. In all of these categories both Nomad rods exhibit the level of ergonomics that you would expect in this price range, which in itself is pretty spectacular considering this is a four piece rod.

This rod is ideal for bank anglers that are hiking from one spot to the next

Putting this rod together is fast and easy, and when it comes to ergonomics we have the extra subject of the travel case to consider. The Okuma travel case is accessed through a single zipper that flips the entire case open and makes it easy to stow and remove each of the four sections which are held in place with Velcro straps. The case is semi-rigid, so you still have to be careful if you are packing the rod for travel not to put too much pressure on the case and risk breaking the sections or guides. Okuma calls the case “waterproof” but our tests found water would enter the zipper in a deluge, which doesn’t have an effect on the rod, but we would consider the case “water resistant.”

The included travel bag helps protect the rod and shields out the elements but is not completely rigid so you still need to be careful when traveling, especially if you are checking in the rod with luggage

On the plus side the case is actually large enough that you can also fit a reel into the end of it, and even a swimbait or two so that you have everything that you need to go fishing at all times. The Nomad Xpress rods are great setups for bank warriors that are hiking from one honey hole to the next as they hunt for giants.

Price & Applications: Most of the time when you think about travel rods you think about lightweight or ultralight rods designed to target trout and panfish. The Nomad Xpress Travel Rods play on the opposite end of the freshwater spectrum, and are designed to give big bait anglers more freedom to take their swimbait pursuits with them when they travel, or simply make it easier to always be ready for that next big bite.

Two options, and both $119 dollars each. It just doesn’t get much simpler than that, and when you consider just how much rod you are getting, and consider how portable these rods are it becomes obvious what a great value they represent.

The butt section of the rods is made of EVA and composite cork and I found was comfortable when launching baits with two hands

With both of these rods anglers are able to cover the complete spectrum of swimbait applications and at such an affordable price why not? Just because they are designed to be travel rods doesn’t mean that anglers are not able to use them as their everyday swimbait rods, and they aren't just for bass either. Anglers can utilize these powerful travel rods for targeting calicos, pike, tarpon, snook, roosters and even small tuna, the list goes on and on.  

There are more refined rods out there but in terms of what you get for the money these rods are hard to beat in terms of price and range of application. If I could only have one of these two rods it would have to be the lighter 7’11” Heavy powered rod, which I felt was the more fun and crisp feeling rod to fish, and also more versatile for tossing smaller and mid-sized swimbaits that I am more likely to employ when traveling.

Having a swimbait rod with you at all times gives anglers more freedom in which to explore and target fish when opportunities present themselves

Ratings:

Pluses and Minuses:

Conclusion: Okuma is known for delivering a lot of products that are a strong value, and while many of these products may not be considered the most refined when compared to some of the reel and rod competition, they have still found a large following among anglers looking for products that offer a lot of performance for the money. These two Nomad Xpress rods continue that tradition but go a step further, and not only do they check the value and performance boxes, but also fill the application box with their exceptional portability.

The Okuma Nomad Xpress rods check all the right boxes, and while they may not be the most refined rods, they do offer anglers a whole lot of rod for the money and represent an exceptional value for big bait anglers on the go

These Okuma rods fish way above their price point, and as far as portable swimbait sticks go the Nomads are an absolutely exceptional value when you consider just how much rod you are getting for the low price of only $119 dollars each, and is the reason why they are also the first casting travel rods in our nineteen year history to take home an Editor’s Choice Award!

There are a lot of good swimbait rods out there, but there are very few quality four piece travel swimbait rods, and especially those priced as aggressively as these two sticks. Even anglers that have a primary swimbait rod can benefit from one of these travel rods. Like the name implies, these Nomad rods are all about freedom, and at this aggressive price anglers can feel better about putting the rod in harm’s way, and really taking their swimbait fishing to another level by being armed and dangerous whenever, and wherever, they find themselves around big fish water.

Looking for the Okuma Nomad Xpress Travel Swimbait Rods?
Try Tackle Warehouse