Re: Okuma

[mcdaib]

I'm not sure if this is the right forum to post this, but I have something to say about Okuma. They are one of the site sponsors, and that says something. I tried my first Okuma today.

I've never before owned an Okuma reel, rod or lure. I've pretty much been happy with the tried and true: Abu, lamilglas, shimano, fenwick,Garcia Mitchell, etc, etc. I purchased an Okuma Chaser Rod and Reel at an estate sale about 2 weeks ago. It was about the right size for large trout or small steelhead. It hadn't hardly been used so I thought it was a good deal.

I took it fishing today for the first time. Didn't catch any steelhead but did catch a few native trout, which were released unharmed. I like the action of the reel. The one I got was 5 to 1 and pretty darn smooth . The rod was good for what I was doing. Had good strength and sensitivity for the drift. I had 10# test on with 8# leader.

Maybe these Okuma's have something going on, even for an old coot like me. I test and release lots of rods and reels and think I'll keep this one

[KeyWest]

Sounds like they work well for trout (reels). I've had lots of issues with the reels in offshore service. Probably my lack of judgment in trying to use reels too light for the fish I was after.

[Fshklr]

Congrats on your new rod

[JustCallMeDave]

I Okuma reels. My first was an EF-30 which was ultra smooth, and now I have a small one for trout. Great quality reels.

[got chrome?]

Not only are their reels awesome, But their customer service are great too. I have had an Epixor spin reel for a year and love the drag. Recently the anti-reverse switch on the back somehow broke off so I returned it. Less than a month later it came back not only fixed, but a whole new reel! They back up a good product .