Okuma reels

[sturdavj]

Re: Okuma reels

August 2002?

I wasn?t ?snowed-in? 2002, but I am snowed in December 2008 and thinking about a new reel and?.no I didn?t catch the original post date. LOL

 

[dingbat]

Re: Okuma reels

I learned long ago:

1. The least expensive usually ends up being the most expensive in the end.

2. If you use things now and then and failure is acceptable then cost becomes a consideration.

3. If you use your stuff day in and day out under the most challenging circumstances and failure isn?t an option then you have to pay for it.

 

[Mark_VTfisherman]

Re: Okuma reels

I learned long ago:
1. The least expensive usually ends up being the most expensive in the end.
2. If you use things now and then and failure is acceptable then cost becomes a consideration.
3. If you use your stuff day in and day out under the most challenging circumstances and failure isn?t an option then you have to pay for it.

I agree with all of the above, but I have found the Okuma to be acceptable to me.

Yes, someday point 2 may come into play, but the Okuma lets me do things I really want to that I would not be able to do if the price of entry was up where some of the very excellent equipment mentioned above starts out. Haven't had any drag problems other than occasionally when the reel makes a lot of noise. But after I get the pesky fish off that made it happen it quiets right back down

Yes, I missed that this was an old thread! But I have enjoyed the reads of recent posters.

 

[Ross J]

Re: Okuma reels

OK guys, I wrote on this thread in "02" and want to add that it's been 8 years since I got the big gear.
I still have the same set-up and it's working just fine. It's scored up to 37kg Bass from 200+metres water and 25kg+Kingi at 200metres +.
No problems at all even given that I snagged the bottom in 400metres and had to stretch the heck out of the line before it let go, the rood and reel just put up with it all and just keep going.
Of course it gets well looked after in the cleaning and oiling department.
I've had well known brands break down on me since then..............
Ross

 

[Mark_VTfisherman]

Re: Okuma reels

...reel just put up with it all and just keep going...

Thanks for the comment. That is what I have experienced, but not for 8 years yet

 

[mphy98]

Re: Okuma reels

i have 2 of the alumina and couldn't be happier with the ultra lite reals, 8 bearing reals for 50.00 each. they are great, even my fish elite buddies are now buying them.

 

[xxturbowesxx]

Re: Okuma reels

I have one on my heavy rod and ive had it for about 7-10 years and its my go to rig to this day..Not sure what model it is but it has 100lb test braided line.

 

[Mark_VTfisherman]

Re: Okuma reels

...had it for about 7-10 years and its my go to rig to this day..Not sure what model it is but it has 100lb test braided line.

You use that for smelt fishing, right?

I like the Okuma trolling reels a lot, but I have had some issues with the bails on the spinning reels I bought. Contacted the factory and they sent an email that said they cared and would get to me soon... a long time now and several more emails to them and I have not heard back about the warranty issue!

They seem to be GREAT reels (8 bearings) but I guess they don't have a good customer service mechanism.

 

[xxturbowesxx]

Re: Okuma reels

You use that for smelt fishing, right?

I like the Okuma trolling reels a lot, but I have had some issues with the bails on the spinning reels I bought. Contacted the factory and they sent an email that said they cared and would get to me soon... a long time now and several more emails to them and I have not heard back about the warranty issue!

They seem to be GREAT reels (8 bearings) but I guess they don't have a good customer service mechanism.

Mostly for sharks

 

[Mark_VTfisherman]

Re: Okuma reels

I like the Okuma trolling reels a lot, but I have had some issues with the bails on the spinning reels I bought. Contacted the factory and they sent an email that said they cared and would get to me soon... a long time now and several more emails to them and I have not heard back about the warranty issue!

Update on the warranty issue; I emailed a "management" address that I found and got a response...

I will post an update on how this pans out...

 

[WELLSLEY]

Re: Okuma reels

I have an Okuma Catalina line counter reel. I like the way the Okuma bolts onto the rod. No chance of it coming off while fighting a fish. I've only had it for a year I've trolled for lakers on a downrigger and pike straight line trolling and I liked the way it worked. I just bought a new rod the one I had it on was an 8' 6" and the new one is a 7' easier to use with a downrigger.

 

[Mark_VTfisherman]

Re: Okuma reels

OK - so I have been fishing ALOT this year for it being so early (a lot of cold water in Vermont still...) and I got sick of the bail issues on my two remaining OKuma spinning reels. Still love the Magda Pro with the line counter.
So I FINALLY mailed off the spinning reels to Okuma Warranty. Will let you know how it goes.

 

[FishyFish]

Re: Okuma reels

I love my Okuma Bait caster, (reel, rightside) as my everyday set-up. It was a gift given to me at my retirement from the guys and gals at work. It's very smooth, fast retrieve and ez to operate, (Drag control functions).

 

[Mark_VTfisherman]

Re: Okuma reels

That is a spinning reel on the right. Just so as ya know...

 

[FishyFish]

Re: Okuma reels

That is a spinning reel on the right. Just so as ya know...

No kidding?

 

[Mark_VTfisherman]

Re: Okuma reels

No kidding. both reals pictured are referred to as "spinning reels."

There are five basic types of reels: spinning, spincasters, baitcasters, trolling reels, and fly reels. Yours are spinning reels. Baitcaster reels are the ones which have the winding spool rotating 90 degrees to the rod itself and usually feature a "level wind" mechanism. The reel is on top of the rod in opereation. Spincasters are the closed-faced reels with the thumb-button casting release. Trolling reels are like baitcasters but much heavier and usually with much more line capacity. (I was going to show you with links on Okuma's website but after mulitiple attemps it appears that they are rebuilding the site and it is very broken.)

 

[FishyFish]

Re: Okuma reels

I Graciously accept your correction, I miss-spoked when calling it a Bait-caster, I had intended to say Bait-feeder, but the words, picture and the typing collided and created a misunderstanding. You are Correct, those are Spinning Reels. the one on the right is a Okuma Epixor Baitfeeder Reel, EB 80.

Fish :redface:

 

[Mark_VTfisherman]

Re: Okuma reels

....So I FINALLY mailed off the spinning reels to Okuma Warranty. Will let you know how it goes.

I was thinking about these spinning reels the other day and it occurred to me I never posted an update. I did get them back quickly - and with a list of parts that were replaced. They replaced almost every moving internal part and all the bearings on both reels! The repair order also listed "cleaned and lubricated." Impressive! The disappointing part, however, is that they did not fix or replace the defective bails.

When I got the reels new I had disassembled them and greased them myself, so the cleaning and lubing was nice but not really needed. The fact is that I had included printed copies of the emails from Okuma and my original email relating the bail issue. I can only conclude that no one read them since the bails still malfunction when casting, are visually the same as when they were sent, are not on the list of parts replaced, AND the fact they rebuilt both reels completely when all I had asked to be fixed were the bails. I could somewhat understand had they replaced the bail, but WOW I can't believe they took the time to clean and rebuild them and never address the reason they came back!

The okuma stuff is nicely built, but Okuma needs to step up to the plate a little better if they want to be a well-accepted better tackle manufacturer. IMHO

I like the Okuma quality of my Magda Pro line counter trolling reel- in fact I am buying another. I may not buy another spinning reel from them, and if I do I am going to study the bail pretty closely.

 

[jt57]

Re: Okuma reels

I run four of the Okuma magna 15's off my boat. For the money ,I don't think you can go wrong. My Tica reels are easier to use,but they are more expensive then the okuma's also. My Okuma's get fished hard during the Kokanee season,and have never let me down.

 

[HappierWet]

Re: Okuma reels

While they're not in the saltwater category....I have several OKUMA fly reels, from say 4/5 weight to 8/9 and they are ( so far ) dependable reels, having used them for trout, panfish, bass, walleye, pike, and carp.

For the record, I think there's too much plastic and there are other reels that look better or are more " acceptable " in some flyfishing circles but I'm not keeping up with the jones'