Okuma Reels --- Is There Really A Free Lunch?

[Thumper]

I am flabbergasted by the quality of my new Okuma Epix 30 spinning reel, and even more surprised by the smoothness of the drag. The price was half of what I would have paid for a comparable quality spinning reel (top of the line Penn, Fin-Nor, Shimano, Daiwa, etc.). I can't believe that for $60 there is a 10 ball-bearing spinning reel on the market that performs like this. Is it gonna fall apart on the next steelie? Are their other reels, which seem to be similarly inexpensive, this good? Daddy always said there ain't no free lunch. What is going on?

[Deleted User]

Jack, I bought a $65 Tica brand Camry GP3500 from Pritchard's tackle shop up on the Kalama last summer. It has 7 ball bearings and the look and feel of quality exude from it. After a few uses the drag became less smooth. Recently it fell off the roof of my truck and the handle broke clean off. Would the handle of a Shimano have broken off? Maybe, but maybe not. I have to send in for a new handle - probably weeks away from the factory in China (where they are built)? However, I tried Stew's new Okuma on the Wilson river along with his TH Custom rod, and I was very impressed with it; even more so than the Tica - and the rod too. I just ordered a TH Custom spinning rod and I plan on buying an Okuma to use on it - 4000 series capacity. Enough of us will have them that we will know soon enough how well they hold up. They sure are an impressive looking and feeling reel for the money - and 10 ball bearings! How do they do that for the price? Maybe I don't want to know images/icons/wink.gif .

RT

[Crusin]

I too have added an Okuma Epix ef 30 and a 20
to my gear, my twins and my boy all have av series reels, the tricky part of the epix was getting use to no click when you flip the bail. If you should have a problem with your Okuma let me know, I can get it fixed..

[Jim]

If there are any problems let me know also...I am on Pro staff with them.