Company: Ocean Tackle International (OTI) · Founded: 2006 · Location: Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey · Category: Offshore jigging, popping and stand-up rods
Ocean Tackle International is a New Jersey brand known for jigging and popping gear. It doesn’t make a rod labelled “deep drop”, and its current catalog has no electric reel rods. What it does make are short, stout offshore rods that deep droppers use: the End Game Standup in line classes up to 50–80 lb, and the heavy Fathom Blade jigging rods rated for jigs up to 500 g. These suit hand-cranked deep dropping, lighter electric setups and heavy vertical jigging over deep structure.
This review covers which OTI rods work for deep dropping, their specs and prices, and where they fit against dedicated deep drop rods.
Company overview
OTI says it was founded in 2006 by three experienced anglers with “over five decades” of combined offshore experience, and describes itself as “the premier brand based in the United States for advanced performance saltwater tackle.” The company started with high-performance jigging and popping equipment and now sells rods, jigs and poppers, terminal tackle and apparel.
Address: 6825 Tilton Rd, Bldg C, Egg Harbor Township, NJ 08234 · [email protected] · Monday–Friday 9am–5pm ET
At a glance
| Founded | 2006 |
| Location | Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey |
| Dedicated deep drop rod | None |
| Rods that suit deep dropping | End Game Standup (20–80 lb) · Fathom Blade (up to 60–100 lb, 400–500 g) |
| Other rod series | Pitch Black Slow Pitch, Pitch Black Inshore, TS2 Popping, Fluke Master |
| Price range | $219.99–$299.99 for the rods covered here |
| Blank | Toray carbon |
End Game Standup rods
OTI built the End Game for offshore trolling and stand-up fighting. It uses a Toray carbon blank that OTI says “delivers superior strength, sensitivity, and responsiveness.”
| Model | Length | Power | Line class | Action | Guides |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| OTI-EGS62040M | 6’0″ | Medium | 20–40 lb | Mod-Fast | 6 + tip |
| OTI-EGS63050MH | 6’0″ | Medium-Heavy | 30–50 lb | Mod-Fast | 6 + tip |
| OTI-EGS65080H | 6’0″ | Heavy | 50–80 lb | Mod-Fast | 6 + tip |
Price: $299.99, all models (oceantackle.net, September 2026)
Features
- Alps HXN guides for smooth line flow
- X-Wrap foregrip for grip when wet
- Alps CAH aluminum reel seat
- Alps aluminum gimbal
- 10″ slick butt rear grip that slides easily into a rod holder
For deep dropping: The EGS65080H (50–80 lb) is the OTI rod that comes closest to a deep drop rod. It’s short and stout, with ring guides rather than rollers and a straight gimbal butt, not a bent butt. That makes it a good match for a two-speed lever drag or a compact electric on tilefish and snapper grounds. For big commercial-style electrics and heavy swordfish leads, choose a rod rated 80 lb and up with a roller top.
Fathom Blade jigging rods
The Fathom Blade is OTI’s heavy vertical jigging rod. The two heaviest models overlap with deep drop territory when you’re jigging deep structure or dropping heavy baits by hand.
| Model | Length | Power | Line class | Jig weight | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| OTI-FB56500 | 5’6″ | XX-Heavy | 60–100 lb | 400–500 g | $279.99 |
| OTI-FB58400 | 5’8″ | X-Heavy | 50–80 lb | 300–400 g | $249.99 |
| OTI-FB510300 | 5’10” | Heavy | 40–60 lb | 200–300 g | $234.99 |
| OTI-FB60200 | 6’0″ | Medium-Heavy | 30–50 lb | 100–200 g | $219.99 |
Features: Toray carbon blank, Fuji K-series Alconite guides, Fuji DPS reel seat with locking nut, shaped EVA grips, and a Fuji aluminum gimbal on the 300–500 g models. All are one piece, sold in spinning, conventional and acid-wrap versions.
For deep dropping: The 5’6″ FB56500 (60–100 lb) is the heaviest rod OTI makes. It’s a jigging rod first, but its short length and 100 lb rating let it handle heavy bottom fishing and big amberjack on deep wrecks.
Pitch Black Slow Pitch rods
If you fish the same ledges with slow pitch jigs, OTI’s Pitch Black Slow Pitch rods cost $169.99. They come in 6’3″ (80–400 g) and 6’6″ (60–350 g), in conventional, spinning and acid-wrap versions. They use a graphite core wrapped in Toray carbon, Fuji Alconite K guides and weigh 5.6–5.9 oz. See our Slow Pitch Rods directory for more options.
Choosing an OTI rod for deep water
| Your fishing | OTI rod |
|---|---|
| Hand-cranked or compact electric deep dropping, 50–80 lb | End Game EGS65080H |
| Heavy jigging over deep wrecks, 400–500 g | Fathom Blade FB56500 |
| Mid-depth jigging, 300–400 g | Fathom Blade FB58400 |
| Slow pitch on the same ledges | Pitch Black Slow Pitch |
| Big electrics, heavy leads, daytime swordfish | A dedicated deep drop rod from Crowder, Blackfin or Star |
What a dedicated deep drop rod adds
OTI’s rods are strong and well made, but dedicated deep drop rods usually add features for electric reels:
- Bent butts that drop the reel low in the rod holder and cut leverage on the gunwale
- Roller or swivel tops that cut friction under constant electric-reel load
- 80–130 lb ratings for heavy leads and swordfish
- E-Glass or composite blanks with a softer, more forgiving bend
If you fish mostly with a big electric, those features matter. If you hand-crank, run a compact electric or jig as much as you drop, an OTI rod can do both jobs.
Pros and cons
Pros
- US brand with a strong offshore jigging background
- Toray carbon blanks with Alps (End Game) or Fuji (Fathom Blade) components
- Short, stout rods up to 50–80 lb (End Game) and 60–100 lb (Fathom Blade)
- Slick butt and aluminum gimbal for rod holders
- Rods that double for jigging and bottom fishing
Cons
- No dedicated deep drop or electric reel rod
- No bent butt or roller top options
- Ratings top out below the 80–130 lb many deep droppers want for big electrics
- OTI’s site no longer lists reels
OTI vs. dedicated deep drop rods
| Rod | Rating | Butt / top | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| OTI End Game EGS65080H | 50–80 lb | Straight gimbal / ring guides | $299.99 |
| OTI Fathom Blade FB56500 | 60–100 lb, 400–500 g | Straight gimbal / ring guides | $279.99 |
| Star Rods B80DDHC | 80 lb | Curved butt / roller top | $458.95 |
| PENN Ally II Electric H | 40–80 lb (roller-top model) | Bent butt / roller or swivel | $229.95 |
Where to buy OTI rods
- Ocean Tackle International · End Game · Fathom Blade · Pitch Black Slow Pitch
- TackleDirect · 888-354-7335 · tackledirect.com: OTI rods and combos
- Dogfish Tackle & Marine: Pitch Black Slow Pitch
- Rok Max (UK): OTI range
Verdict
Ocean Tackle International doesn’t build a true deep drop rod, but its End Game Standup 50–80 lb and heavy Fathom Blade rods are short, stout, well-made rods that handle deep bottom fishing, compact electrics and heavy jigging over deep structure. They’re a good choice if you want one rod that jigs and drops. If you mainly fish a big electric with heavy leads, a dedicated bent-butt, roller-top deep drop rod is the better tool.
Deep-Drop.com rating: Build quality 4.5/5 · Versatility 4.5/5 · Deep drop fit 3/5 · Value 4/5
FAQ
Does OTI make a deep drop rod?
Not one labelled for deep drop. The End Game Standup (50–80 lb) and Fathom Blade (up to 60–100 lb) are the OTI rods best suited to deep bottom fishing.
Where is Ocean Tackle International based?
Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey. OTI was founded in 2006.
How much is the OTI End Game Standup rod?
$299.99 for all three models at oceantackle.net, September 2026.
Can I use an OTI rod with an electric reel?
Yes, with a compact electric and a line class that matches the rod. OTI rods have straight gimbal butts and ring guides, so a bent-butt, roller-top rod suits big electrics better.
Specifications and prices were checked against oceantackle.net and US retailer listings on September 28, 2026.