Okuma Reels

Has anyone fished with teh newer Okuma Magnatex Reels.  Specifically the 45 class?  Whats teh pulling power like.  They are cheap reels but I have heard a lot of storys that Okuma has come on in leaps & bounds on teh deveplopement of the equipment.

Hey there Mark,

I spoke to the guys here at Western Accessories (Boksburg), and it seems those reels are definitely strong. I was told it is stronger than the Torium 30?:doh

And that was AFTER i got my T30

I have an Okuma Catalina & the reel is extremely fast.
I haven't hooked into anything big yet with that reel, so I can't comment on how strong the reel will handle up to a BUS.
The builds of the new Okuma reels are good.

I have no first-hand experience with Okuma multipliers, but by all accounts those who use them, the Magnetix range, say they cast beautifully and represent good value for money (do a search for Okuma Magnetix) on this and other forums ...

Apparently a newer "upgrade", the Contoura, also with magnetic cast control, is already available in the USA and will be released in SA in a couple of months! Also do a search for Okuma Contoura on this and other forums ... The Contoura will be available in a wide range of sizes (line capacities) too to cater for eds and non-eds... It would be great if Okuma could sponsor certain SEALINERS such as Noweeds to test out their reels on the big False Bay Bronzies! Then we'll know for sure how they shape up !

So far, I am very satisfied with my Okuma spinning reel - an Epixor baitfeeder model. It has a great drag (very smooth over a wide usable range) and has even subdued a lively Blackfin shark in the surf! Only downside so far is that the "mock chrome" finish on the drag adjuster knob has worn off to reveal that its not really metal, but plastic:shock:! I'll have to see how the reel holds up in the long term in the salt ... In the same general price range, the Daiwa BG series or the newer Rovex Big Boss series spinning reels may be better and more rugged than the Epixor in the surf  ...

As far as reels go, apart from the Epixor, one Shimano Castaic for Bass, and an Alvey, ALL my other reels, both multipliers and spinning for salt and freshwater are ABUs!

Thanks everyone! I havent hooked into anything big yet but am off to the Tanskei in 2 weeks. Am sure will hit a couple of BUS's there.

Okuma dont really need to sponsor anybody the reels. At a cost R450.oo it not bad, even if teh bronzie's hammer it. Maybe only sponsor of some braid & mono to fill it up.

[color=#006600]poseidon5gp[/color] wrote:

Hey there Mark,

I spoke to the guys here at Western Accessories (Boksburg), and it seems those reels are definitely strong. I was told it is stronger than the Torium 30?:doh

And that was AFTER i got my T30

Click to expand...

I feel that hard to believe. My bother-in-law had a Okuma and after 6 grey sharks (all in the 8 - 12kg) the drag gave (no drag at all). I hooked (on my Torium  30) a +50kg honeycomb and I stopped it before he even took me into my braid.

Anyway, it's only my thoughts.

Good luck with the Okuma.

What are the price differences between the Okuma reels and Daiwa/Shimano equivalent reels?

EG the daiwa SL30 and the okuma equivalent?

Does anyone know?

The Diawa Sl30 are about R850.00 compared to the Okuma at R450.00. Its quiet a difference at the end of teh day. I think the reel is more suited tothe edible angler more than the shark angler. Still Okuma equipment has come on in leas and bounds!

Stay away from the bottom end, cheaper Okuma's. They're a waste of time and money. That said, the higher end Okuma reels are without a doubt in a league of their own.
When it comes to bang for buck, I have yet to come across anything that compares to them.
Check out this link on drag pressures generated on various okuma reels..

http://okumafishingforums.com/showthread.php?t=445&highlight=drag

Search the Okuma forum for more info on the magnatex.

hin will advise u to spend a bit more on the okuma magsystem 45cs or 30cs it is far better than the magnetex in durability and composite.As BigBass has said in the thread that okuma countura will be in SA soon it is very popular in the US and in the EUROPEAN countries and it has great reviews.So rather buy somthing that will last ie magsystem or go for another brand daiwa or shimano,penn also good prices and good reels.nb the mag is only there to prevent u from overwinds.
thx imie

Hi guys

my two cents.

been fishing with diawa reels for over ten years and compared to the old penn 500 i really thought they were it.

Well until a year ago when, i bought me a 20 and recently 30 okuma magSystem. damm chalk and cheese. the reels are great. the aluminium and stainless steel still looks like the day i bought them. an im not of the guys who wash thier reels after every trip. and no gold stuff that come off in a week and the reel looks like crap.

they  cast great with 6.2:1 retrieve and  they  reel in a 10 kg spotty like its a harder. lol

so for about approx. R 900 an excellent buy.

How can you even mention okuma and shimano in the same sentence? There is only one reel in the world thats worth it.................. SHIMANO!!! The person that told you that an okuma has more pulling power than a shimano ,is smoking his socks!!!!

I own 7 shimanos and is yet to have one problem with any of them! I rinse my reels of after every use and have them serviced once a year. I havent chanched bearings only washers , and only because the dartanium dragwashers broke and I wasnt going to pay R90 each and had leather washers put in. Buy a decent reel once and you will never have problems , why would you want to buy a reel that has only been around for not even 10 years? (okuma)

When I started fishing it was Penn, nothing else.    Then In 1990 it was Shimano or Diawa and little else, besides a few other lesser know or “exotic” reels, Period.   I decided on Diawa and have about 7 and one Shimano.   Now, 2008, we have a huge choice of reels and we need to keep an open mind to other makes, & take off the blinkers.

 

We now have a pretty huge choice of reels and I can NOT except that only the known makes can produce good reels.   I have just bought a Chinese bait casting reel and am most impressed, considering the price.

 

The known makes are monopolizing the market and charge huge prices.   Daiwa was taking the SL50SH off the market, anyone want to guess why?  Despite the fact that it is hugely successful here.  You can be damn sure that a large portion of the components in the Shimano's are sourced in other eastern counties, including China.

 

I am all for trying something new, we have the benefit of information and if they sell a lousy product we will all know very quickly, manufactures can not get away with selling rubbish any more!

 

 

Internationally I have heard only good reports about Ohkuma and I am seriously considering buying a cheaper reel as I believe other manufacturers need our support if they sell a good product a t a fair price.   Keeps the others on their toes, like the SL50SH witch is still available here.

 

I use reel, and wear them out quickly, but my next reel is going to be a cheepie.........:dban:

hey there wp34

no prob with shimano dont get us wrong. had my fair share of the old speedmaster and also the fact that i had to replace bearings every year. had like a standing order for bearings. not to mention the puter handle which eventually just broke off.

the new shimano reels are great, but at R4500 for thier flagship. i dont think so. so dude rands an sense.

in any case its guys like shimano and diawa that have monopolised the market that make us so short sited.

i know back in the day the guys sneered at shimano and diawa and just went on fishing with thier old penn 500 jigmaster and believe me i still c big fish coming out wit dat same reels.

in any case if those shimano's are so great why do you need 7 reels.

one is good enough for me.
so its not the reel its the man behind the reel. lol

[color=#006600]BigT[/color] wrote:

hey there wp34

no prob with shimano dont get us wrong. had my fair share of the old speedmaster and also the fact that i had to replace bearings every year. had like a standing order for bearings. not to mention the puter handle which eventually just broke off. ....................................

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Bearings can't last.   I replace bearings more then twice per year, regardless of the make of reel.   Diawa handles ar'nt the best either, but it just depends how much you fish and how well you look after the stuff.

 



 

look out for the okuma contura will be in SA soon excellent reviews on it overseas i think okuma is a german product if im not mistaken..
imie

i feel u polycheate

some time or other they all break no matter what make. but what lasts for ever. well at least it gives you an opportunity to max your credit card on some new fishing toys.

i just feel and that was the purpose of my response. dont limit yourself by whats become popular. in any case popular is not always better. all for the underdog. and sometimes i feel in SA okuma so underrated. not bad stuff and well priced.

thanks im hooked will be lookin out for that okuma contura.

 

cheers guys

stuiwe lyne

@Polychaete, please inform us about the SL50SH, the reasons behind it being discontinued. They can rather drop the Grandwave as far as Im concerned

The Okuma Catalina 45 is an excellent reel for it's price. Just keep it maintained according to use and bobs your uncle. I use one for heavy fishing, a Torium for Medium Surf fishing and an Okuma Inspira Coffee grinder for fun light fishing and drop shot. I don't feel the need to replace the Catalina with a Shimano (or Daiwa) at this point!

I'm not too keen on new-fangled gizmos like magnetic and electronic brakes etc. Probably just more that can go wrong! And the more basic your tackle, the better the sport of catching fish!

 

Does anyone have pricing on the new okuma reel?^^..