Okuma reels
 

I was wondering if anybody has had any experience with them.I have always used old mitchells for surf fishing, diawa levelwinds for bottom fishing, and penn spinning reels for trout and flounder. *I *was looking at one in a catalog and wondered if anybody has used one?

Re: Ohkuma reels
 

I sold em at a store I worked at and only got complaints from customers. They just arent the qaulity of Penn/Sheaman reels. Stick with one of those and you cant go wrong.

I have also used a couple that belong to a buddy and I dont like em. They feel cheap and the drags are nowhere NEAR as smooth as the afore mentioned reels. He has also had a couple break and has since stopped buying them...that and me doggin him everytime he tries to bring one on my boat. ;D

Re: Ohkuma reels
 

My buddy in /Charleston that I run offshore with has had a pair of Okumas for about a year or less...last time I went out w/him he said they were comin' apart...won't buy 'em again...

Shimanos got the market cornered on quality right now for my money... ;) ;D...

Re: Ohkuma reels
 

I am, for the most part, strictly a Penn man. I do have a Shimano Calcutta 400s, smooth as the day I bought it... six years ago, never had to open it up.

Re: Ohkuma reels
 

Good info, sounds like I need to stick to the reels I know. Every now and then I like to try something new. I even bought a tohatsu outboard.

Re: Ohkuma reels
 

Those T-outboards are good motors. How do you like it?

Yeah stick with Penn or Shemano. ;)

Re: Ohkuma reels
 

I have 4 Okuma AV-80 Avengers on Penn 7 ft heavy stand-up spinner rods, 2 Okuma Titus Silver 50W's on Sea Striker 50-130 class stand up shorties, one old school Okuma T-50 graphite on a Star custom stand up rod and 2 Okuma TG-15's on 7 ft. Chaos King Mac series rods.

I've had this gear for 3 season's fishin off the NC coast and aint never had a problem. Like any other reel, you have to maintain them and take them apart annually to ensure everything's greased and workin right.

I dig the drag's on the lever drag reels (Silver and Golds), the wet drag system on the AV's are very good as well, especially for them large mahi runs.

I also have Penn Senators both black face and reds, Penn 320 LD, SS series spinners and a mix of Shimano spinners... I will honestly tell you we fish more with the Okuma gear with less problems than messin with the Penn star drag reels. My Penns have been almost a constant pain in the butt.

The TG's do really well for light grouper, mahi and king mac fishin where you need a tough but lighter line reel in the 20-30 lb class, they do a great job especially when matched up to my Chaos rods.

The TS-50W's are excellent for tuna, grouper, large barracuda and of course large grouper. We've landed a 300 lb hammerhead on the TS50W and a 8 ft thresher shark, 5 ft. barracuda and ALOT of groupah's from deep water. We spool them up with 500 yards of 50 lb. Ande Back Country line then top shot them with Suffix 80 lb.

The AV-80's are all spooled with Yozuri smoke color'd hybrid line in 20 lb test.

Yeah, old Okuma gear was kinda flaky and crappy, new stuff is definately improved.

FYI, Okuma folks are old Shimano TLD guys.....

I will note, the silvers in my opinion hold up better finish wise over the golds... no need to buy gold unless ya just want to blow a few extra $$'s for looks.

Some photo's for ya
 

http://www.ncangler.com/photopost/da...head_fight.jpg
[img]http://www.ncangler.com/photopost/data/500/capt_on_vacation.jpg
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[img]http://www.ncangler.com/photopost/data/500/papaw_with_barracuda.jpg
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Re: Ohkuma reels
 

Wellcraft_Dave, Welcome to the site. Nice pics and nice boat! ;) 8)

Re: Ohkuma reels
 

Welcome Dave! Hey, what was on the other end of the line in the first pic? Enquiring minds want to know :D

Got er bowed up perty good!