I recently bought a couple of Okuma reels (spinning reels) at Howard's Tackle in Nampa. They were on clearance, but seemed like nice reels. The first time out, I found that the bail on one of them wouldn't close when you started to reel after casting. I wasn't please, but what do you do? You keep fishing.... I forgot about the issue on the ride home. The next time out, the reel broke in a place that explains why the bail wouldn't close. I still had the receipt and it is under warranty, so I sent the reel back to Okuma. I don't anticipate any problems, but I was thinking about the last time I bought an Okuma reel several years ago. It also didn't last me very long.
So now for my question..... Are Okuma reels substandard? Or is it a stroke of bad luck on my part? I intentionally didn't mention model numbers because all 3 are different models. I like the one I have that still works, but I've only had it a few months and I've only used it a few times. Am I going to continue to have problems?
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[cool][#0000ff]I started using Okuma reels about 5 years ago. I got three Epixor 10s on a special buy also. Liked them after several trips so I bought a couple more. Since then I have bought Avengers, Hardstones and a couple of other models...usually one at a time, on sale...just to test them. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Okuma reels seem to be a verification of the old saying..."You get what you pay for". There are some very good ones and there are some poor (cheap) ones. Ditto for Shimano, Daiwa, Quantum, Shakespeare and other brands. And it is always possible to just get a lemon of any make.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I will say that I am still using the Epixors on a regular basis...and they perform well. Some of the others...not so much. I repair my own reels so I can make minor adjustments and repairs...no big deal. One thing I have found is that the lube in some of the new Okumas is bad stuff...stiff and only in small amounts. I usually take the new ones apart and clean out the stiff stuff and juice it up with Quantum Hot Sauce or similar. It makes a big difference...especially when fishing in cold conditions.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I like the small size 10 reels for most light action fishing...jigs, spinners, etc...and for ice fishing. I use the larger size 20 reels for heavier lines and bigger fish.[/#0000ff]
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My experience with reels is you really get what you pay for. If you buy a 30 dollar reel you shouldn't expect much. If it did fail you shouldn't have a problem with them fixing it, if they don't I wouldn't go back to them. The best inexpensive reel I have is a micro pflueger president, the thing has took a pounding and still works great. I do recommend cleaning and rebuilding reels pretty often though. I use hot sauce on the bearings, shimano drag grease on the washers/drag(get directly from shimano), and slick honey (bicycle shop) on the gears and things that need to be coated in grease.
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i have 4 or 5?.... i think of their fly reels in different sizes. all on clearance at sportsmans the Exchange on base, etc. i use them as back up reels and for rods i lend out to people. my overall general impression is.... not bad for the price. they seem pretty well built, can take a ton of abuse, and always work when they need to. i dont like their size, weight, drag, but for being backup reels i cant complain. again this only has to do with fly reels i have never used one of their spinning reels. i hopoe this sheds a little light on the name brand itself
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Mine is with their fly reels. I have two of their bottom line larger arbor models and they are pretty good reels for the 50$ that they cost. On the other hand my ole man has a different one that isnt a large arbor and the metal on it is really soft, spools have dented fairly easy with it and makes flat spot that catch while reeling in line or peeling it off.
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I have a couple of their cheap Sierra fly reels. They've actually been pretty good to me for $30. I mostly use them on my small stream rods so the drag isn't really a factor, but I've also used one on my 6wt in lakes, and it's held up pretty well even on some of those long Kamloops runs.
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I also can't comment on the spinning reels but I really like their large arbor fly reels, like Bmarsh said. I have two Okuma SLV reels. They are pretty light weight and the drags work great. They also have been really durable. I have caught a lot of big carp and some pretty nice trout with the Okuma reel on my 8 wt. The drag still works like new. I also like how much line the large arbor reels bring in while reeling. For $50 they are pretty hard to beat in my opinion.
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The only okuma reels i have are classic pro level winds. so far no complaints at all they have performed great and have decent line capacity.
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Oh boy what a hot potato this could be so at the risk of inciting everyone I'll give you my opinion (a cheapskate's view) . I agree with the " you get what you pay" for concept but at this stage in life expensive reels are not in my grasp, so I'v gone another way. Cabelas sells a series of reels called the fish eagle in 3 sizes they are made by Diwa I think . They sell them on sale couple times a year for 19.95 normally 29.95 . I was pretty skeptical but the guy at the counter told me the best thing about cabelas named stuff is that they dont fix anything if breaks they just give you a new one, no discussion just a new one. I liked that idea. I've had those reels for a number of years and only returned one. Just my opinion. I'm not knocking the high quality stuff I know some people demand that level of perfection. I'm just a regular fisherman and for the price it works. Thanks for listening.
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[quote idahomike]Oh boy what a hot potato this could be so at the risk of inciting everyone I'll give you my opinion (a cheapskate's view) . I agree with the " you get what you pay" for concept but at this stage in life expensive reels are not in my grasp, so I'v gone another way. Cabelas sells a series of reels called the fish eagle in 3 sizes they are made by Diwa I think . They sell them on sale couple times a year for 19.95 normally 29.95 . I was pretty skeptical but the guy at the counter told me the best thing about cabelas named stuff is that they dont fix anything if breaks they just give you a new one, no discussion just a new one. I liked that idea. I've had those reels for a number of years and only returned one. Just my opinion. I'm not knocking the high quality stuff I know some people demand that level of perfection. I'm just a regular fisherman and for the price it works. Thanks for listening.[/quote]
Mike, I have two Cabelas "Classic" Spinning reals that are even cheaper than than your "Fish Eagle" that I have been using for smallmouth for the last 5 years and they are still going strong, never had a lick of trouble with them. They came in a combo with the "Classic" rod. Failrly sensitibeve rod but they would break if you looked at them wrong.
I just bought 2 Pfluger President spinning reels that I like really well so far. They are the new "Braid Ready" models and dont have the rosewood handle. VERY, VERY smooth, lightweight, great reviews... 59.95 list (I don't usually pay list! I am cheap too!) I think you would have to pay at least twice that to get a much better reel.
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I love Okuma rods. Specifically their reflexion series, but I haven't had very good experience with their reels. Only have two of the Cayenne baitcaster reels. Already had to send one back after one trip and I'm not impressed with the other. For a $150 reel I'm glad I only paid $60 ea...or I would be VERY disappointed.
For low end spinning reels I go with Shimano Sedona's all the way.
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I have only had direct experience with the Avenger. I owned three of them, one of which I still have. At about $30 I guess it is what you would consider a mid priced reel in the Okuma range.
One I lost to a catfish when I set the rod down for (literally) five seconds to untie a stringer. It went shooting off into the lake and that was the last I saw of it.
The second one I lost the lock nut/cap that holds the reel handle on. It came off somehow when the rig was in storage and I couldn't find it. I just said screw it and replaced the reel with the third Avenger.
The last one is still going strong about six years later, except the bail sometimes gets stuck at the halfway point. I suspect the problem would go away if I took the time to disassemble and clean it. Since I have better reels now, I use it on a backup/loaner rod and have just been closing the bail manually.
There are definitely smoother, lighter reels out there, but for the price you can definitely do worse. I like them better than the comparably priced low end Shimanos and Quantums I've seen.
I wouldn't hesitate to put one on a kid's rod, since you wouldn't be out much when they drop it overboard or let a catfish drag it off. [
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Here's a different take: Cannot beat a vintage Mitchell Garcia, or a vintage Zebco ABU Cardinal. Best reels ever made. Still available online for under $50.00. Trick is to get the never used or lightly used examples with a returnable agreement. I've got over 30 of them. My favorites are the Mitchell 308, the 302, and the Cardinal 3. for ultra light. The Mitchell 300 or the Cardinal 4. for everything up to about 10 lbs..
Of course the rare minty Cardinal 3 can go up to $500. or more new in the box... I found my last Cardinal 3, lightly used at the flea market for $20.00. Parts are fairly easy if you do have a problem.
IMHO, those two vintage reels are still unbeatable by anything new in the last 40 years. There are so many Mitchell Garcia 300's still around that finding unused examples for $45 or $50.00 is not that hard. Only thing I find with unused reels from the 60's and 70's is they require a good cleaning. The lubricant is often packed and hardened up in the gearbox.
Trolling, I have Shimano's with Lamiglas kokanee rods. Fly fishing I like the Lawson Konica for price point and quality on my custom 5 weight. Then again, I'm primarily vintage in that area as well. Can't beat a Shakespeare Wonderod fly combination. Nothing like fiberglass and an automatic fly reel... You might have guessed; I don't drive a Range Rover...
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Ive had a lightweight avenger for maybe 4 years now, I have used it all over the place (to include bead drifting for bull trout in alaska). I never really lubed it or cleaned it and it has worked fine for me. I just bought a little higher end okuma, i think it was 70 bucks but i have yet to really fish with it. so far im satisfied with my okuma stuff
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I've got several Okuma Metaloids. I got no complaints. Not sure if they still make 'em but I bought one and liked it so much I bought like three more brand new on ebay. Pretty dang good reel if you ask me.
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Thanks for all the feedback on the reels. Sounds like I've just had bad luck so far.
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Man are you bringing back memories. Mitchell 308 and 300's great stuff. Had a 308 that I gave to my wifes uncle. I fish with him a lot got tired of listening to him whineing. He's older than me. (which is saying something) I felt sorry for him.[
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They do in fact bring back good memories of bygone days.
I still prefer them to newer reels although I've got more than a few new ones in the "inventory"...
Can't have too many reels; or rods; or lures; or...
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So, It's been 11 days since I posted originally, which means it's been about 12 days since I sent the reel in (give or take a bit). I got the reel back today and it appears to be functioning perfectly. I'm happy to say they took care of the issue. Just thought you might want to know.[
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I have had pretty good luck with my 3 fly reels as well only issue was with a 32 inch steelhead on the other end burned up the drag on the one reel but it was an epic battle and rekindled my passion for fishing. I also have a trolling reel line counter that I really like so far but it's only my second season with it. Later J
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