Okuma Reels

[AlpineAngler]

Okay, I know they're a sponsor on this site so I'll keep it respectful....but I'm pretty frustrated with this company right now, wanted to see what others on here think. I bought 2 new Okuma reels last year...a 5/6 for trout and a 7/8 for steelies. I'm pretty careful with my equipment; my previous trout reel lasted me 7 or 8 years, and I just finally decided to upgrade. I got the $70 model for each reel, so I didn't go with the bottom-tiered product.

The trout reel broke within 3 months of purchase. I don't even know how to explain what happened, but the casing that holds the spool cracked somehow. It is still usable, but it catches from time to time when reeling and is a royal pain. So I was frustrated with that, but s**t happens, so what can you do.

Then a couple weeks ago I'm on the Sandy with a buddy for the first time this season. I probably used the steelhead reel 8-10 times last year. I hook into a nice ~30" chrome fish and fight for a good 5 or 6 minutes. I'm getting close to pulling the fish in, when of all things, the handle breaks off the damn reel! I'm not talking about the handle coming unscrewed and falling off. It BROKE right off the spool! There is a hole where it used to be screwed into the reel. I've never heard of anything like that happening. I haven't dropped the reel or done anything that is out of the ordinary...just normal use. For less than 1 year, only been used max 12 or 13 times.

Anyhow, just wanted to vent about it. Losing 2 reels from the same company within a year of purchase seems odd to me. Anybody else have experiences with them? Positive or negative.

[Johnandhis4x4]

I own a cheapie 5/6wt for trout. It has seved me well. I am a "seasonal" or as some would put it a "Fake" fly fisher, i only really fly fish in the spring.

I use it about 5-6 times a year, i have owned it for two years now with no problems. But like with anything there are bound to be a few bad ones. Hope its just a fluke and they get you new ones or somehow make it right. :twocents::twocents::)

[backeddy]

I have nothing but terrible results from the nitryx 250 reels. I had two of them stop ingaging after letting plugs free spool from the boat on the same day! I was very frustrated and contacted them directly. The CR was very friendly and suggested that I ship them back with a check for $30 per reel along with a shipping charge!!!!!!! Keep in mind I only used these reels for about half a dozen trips. There was no possibility of investing more money into them so I politely declined the option. I can say that GI Joe's,(point of purchase of the said reels) was kind enough to give me 25% credit towards the purchase of two new reels of another brand. They didn't have to do this but I took them up on the offer and laid the Okuma's on the tackle counter and left with two new Abu's. I have been a longtime Joe's patron and will continue because of the terrific customer service they have always extended me. Thank you Joe's and Curtis!!!!:applause:

[Pelhament]

I got rid of both my Integrity's that I used on my spey rod. Spey reels are nearly impossible to keep dry, and as soon as these become wet, they are completely useless... Drag starts slipping, and soon after, you have no drag at all. Replaced them with Albright reels.

However I have never had a problem with the spinning reel I have on my ultralight bass setup... (Only spin rod/reel I own, and I only use it once a year)

Chris Pelham

[AlpineAngler]

Glad that Joe's helped you out....I wish I could say the same about Sportsmans. The guy there was super cool and tried to fix the problem (until he realized it broke, rather than unscrewed)...but no go on a trade-in unless I still had the box and everything that it came in. So I bought a new one from Albright last night. Waiting for the mail....

[grsteelies]

Whats good for the goose....... Thought I'd chime in on this one. I can only advise on their Integrity and Helios Fly reels. I have two Integity 7/8 that have logged hundreds of trips the last 5 plus years. I have never had ONE issue with either of them. Drags work great, even for hard chasing steelies. They get banged around on rocks, water drops, and anything else you think a client my do to a reel during a day of guided fishing. That being said, these are my "work" tools and they get regular cleaning and maintanence. The two helios 5/6 are my trout and smallmouth workers and have been in service for only one season and have not failed in any way either. I do know of some of the cheaper sierras series they sell that are not worth the $30 they sell for IMHO.:twocents:

Rick Hedding

[FlieFreak]

I have an Okuma reel on my spinning rod..not a low end one either. I have not been happy with the performance of it either. it seems to tighten up every now and then when you are reeling in. I am not sure what that is about. I have never had that happen. I don't have an okuma reel on my fly rods.

[Kevin2023]

Sorry your having these issues. I own 3 okuma reels (Helios 7/8, Integrity 10/11, spinning reel) and have never had an issue with any of them. Hope you find a product that serves you well.

[mkwerx]

I've been using the Okuma Sierra reels for many seasons now, and have never had an issue with any of the ones I've owned or currently own. I have also used the Integrity 7/8 without problems. All reel makers will have issues from time to time, but the Okumas seem to be quite rugged and very much worth the price paid. I would venture to say that Okuma is my favorite maker of flyreels, and they're definately my favorite maker of spinning and baitcasting rods right now. For gear reels - spin and baitcasting, it's either Abu Garcia or Shimano. Won't buy anything else. I can't say anything bad about Okuma flyreels because I haven't experienced anything bad. YMMV. I hope you're taken care of.

[Z. Kodaly]

I also have no complaints about the Okuma Sierra. Worlds better than the competition in the same price range (Pfluegers, Martins etc.).

I've used two different ones for about three years (maybe 100 total trips each) and they've never failed. That includes getting a few 10+ pound steelhead on the 5/6.

[salmonfisher77]

OKUMA reels= problems:twocents:

[Iceman]

Are there any local shops that service them or sell parts. I have a couple of Okuma spinning reels that have broken handles. They did a handle replacement a few years ago on these but I didn't get in on that.

[FearNoFishy]

Ive had a 5/6 weight Okuma for probaly 4 years now and have had no problems with it so overall I think they are good fly real especially for the price. Hopefully your next purchase will be better. :twocents:

[Outdoorbnd]

I have a 8/9 wt Helios and have battled Chinook without any problems. It's been a great reel.

[Salmon Chaser]

I used to have 1. Gave it to Goodwill.

[veilside180sx]

I have an SLV 7/8, but I have not used it enough to properly review. FWIW it's no where near as nice as my Orvis Battenkill on my 5 weight.

[hooksetter1]

Based upon my own experience and what I see here, Okuma is capable of making a quality product but quality control is suspect. Take your chances I guess... :twocents:

[TheWaker]

The first spey sized reel I got was an Integrity 10-11. It has landed a bunch of fish, many steelhead as well as chinook to 40lbs. Works great, DRY! Get it wet and she goes Free Willy every time! Drove me nuts so I don't fish it anymore.

Its all click,pawl and palming reels now.

Mark

[Pelhament]

The first spey sized reel I got was an Integrity 10-11. It has landed a bunch of fish, many steelhead as well as chinook to 40lbs. Works great, DRY! Get it wet and she goes Free Willy every time! Drove me nuts so I don't fish it anymore.

Its all click,pawl and palming reels now.

Mark

Exact reason I got rid of mine.

[Ryan Pultz]

I have had an Okuma Sierra for three years now with countless trips over to the Big D and lots of late trips. Hooking everything from summer runs to large trout and never had a problem with it. rp

[sarg88]

hate my okuma sturgeon reel with counter. never use it again

[money2182]

wow wouldnt expect that stuff from okuma i have a helios reel that i bought last spring and i have put through a massive amount of abuse cuz im pretty rough on everything and it barely has a scratch and has caught me hundreds of trought since ive had it

[nb_ken]

Based upon my own experience and what I see here, Okuma is capable of making a quality product but quality control is suspect. Take your chances I guess... :twocents:

I've found that to be the case with a lot of imported fly fishing stuff. If you asked 10 people with the same reel, 8 would say theirs were wonderful with no problems at all and 2 would say they were junk. An 80/20 fine to junk ratio isn't that good. I've seen that with rods as well.

It kinda makes sense, though. The folks building and checking this gear have probably never even seen it being used much less used it themselves.

[Nicechromer]

I guess it's a matter of hit or miss. I have had a couple of Okuma's. I think it also depends on the model you get. I bought the SLV and find that it has a great drag and is VERY light. As light as the Helios, but I have heard bad things about the Helios with breaking the nob that releases the spool.. It is a nice reel, but the drag and the price of the SLV seem to be a lot better. The rest of the Okuma line doesn't look all that great. My preference is also large arbor, so I might be subjective.. Just my 2 Cents

[M'kay13]

I also have an Integrity reel floating around in my tackle room. The reel went to free spool when it would get wet. I put it on a beater TFO 4 weight that I took to Alaska for grayling and smaller trout and ended up never having a problem with it.

I never made any adjustments to the reel, or even took it apart to see what the problem may be, but it works fine now.

[saltchucker]

I bought a mid range okuma fly reel for my nephew, he did not want graphite/plastic. They looked like cast pot metal to me - nuff said. I have some of the cheapos with the same drag, I love em - I don't use em for big stuff just bass trout and light saltwater. They are light pick up line fast and the plastic is tough stuff....I would not touch the pot metal jobbers with a long pole....IF you want a cheap reel go with the plastic in this case

WR

[sherretb]

Both of my Fly fishing reels are Okuma (one the sierra 7/8 and the other the slv 4/5) . I know there has been hate on here, but I do like my Okuma reals and think they work well for me in my stituation.

The sierra, very cheap, has been my steelhead reel for the past 5 years and has done well. I dont use it a tone but it has landed about 10 or so steelhead (all nymphing) and have had no problems other than one freeze up (i think that expensive reels have the same problem).
The drag is definitely the weak link (it is not very sensitive and is controlled by a cheasy little plastic nob) That being said, the drag has not caused me to lose any fish.

The slv is built much better and looks a lot nicer as well. the drag is more sensitive and the control nob is better built. HOWEVER, the nob does occasionaly loosen by itself (has happened twice to me, once all the way until it fell off)

I think that Okuma reels work very well for the 10-20 times a year angler on a bundget.

They probably arent for you if you are on the water a whole bunch landing tons of fish or if you really appreciate owning high quality expensive equipment.

Hope this helps.