Faith,
I am normally just a lurker and know who Mike is. He wouldn’t remember me but I have met him at the Angler several times. I really love his flies…and he needs to tie more!!! j/k I definitely respect his opinion and my post is not meant to sound negative. Just wanted to know if he has used the Okuma. I know what it is and what it isn’t. It is not meant for albies or tarpon, but it does have a use. Mainly for people do not want to spend $500 for a reel.
I think a lot of fly fisherman dismiss anything not a name brand or cost a lot. Okuma is a “cheap” name. I understand that, but not everyone needs or can afford a Tibor. The tibor doesn’t make you a better fisherman. I just gave an option for a reel that fits his price range that I have knowlege about. If he said he didn’t want to spend more thank $500, I wouldn’t have suggested the Okuma.
Not trying to start a fight. Just wanted to know why it was dismissed so quickly. I like mine…would I trade it straight up for a tibor…absolutely…but it is a good reel for a good price.
Tight Lines,
Chris
whaler,
The comment wasn’t only directed towards you or Okuma… I fully understood the price game he was trying to reach, and yes the Okuma does fall in there nicely. My comment was on the fact that when asked about a fly reel we litterally had every major manufaturer from Tibor to Okuma listed… most of which were not even relevent to what this guy was probably willing to pay.
As for Okuma reels… I have no problem with them aside from longevity. Ive had way too many in my hands that basically fell apart. Most of this comes down to user error or negligence… but even with proper care, the way they are built you are gonna have some problems after a few years… thats just what my experience has shown me.
my opinion… (and its not worth as much as faith would lead you to believe) is that Lamson, particualrly the Radius would be your best bet if you wanted “bang for the buck”. They are constructed from aircraft grade aluminum, and machined out of one solid block, as opposed to bar stock aluminum, or even cast aluminum for most other reels in this price point. Add in an anodized finish and this makes them lighter and stronger than anything else in their price range. The biggest problems with lower end fly reels is that they all use the same type of drag… an exposed one way bearing. Though these bearings are stainless and “corrosion resistant” they are EXPOSED which allows dirt, grim, sand, and salt to penitrate them eventually leading to failure. Lamson also uses a one way bearing but it is completly seald within the reel not exposed. you could litterally go to IOP bury this reel in the sand… leave it for a month, come back, and assuming the surf hasn’t claimed it or some Ohio kid hasn’t dug it up you could slap it on a rod and never think twice about if it would work… they are TOUGH!.. Ive owned one for 4 years now and never have I had a problem… ive upgraded since but I still take this reel everywhere I go as a backup. oh and it retails for $189.00
Do your research and shop within
nothing wrong with an okuma reel.
especially for this area.
xHCFKx
7wt Icthy-Assassin
look on ebay. I was wanting to buy a Tibor and it was much much less than what it would cost retail.
“Plan like you will live forever but live like you will die tomorrow.”
I cannot debate with any of the fly masters because I am not as passionate about the sport nor experienced enough, but i would like to clarify a few things about the materials amd manufacturing of the products. Aircraft grade materials is mainly a selling ploy. The only differance one should even take into consideration is the differance between casting and billet/barstock…
I apologize for the interruption and would be more than glad to discuss this in depth if any body has questions.
you won’t get an argument from me… im not a machinist… the point I was stabbin’ at was that this reel is lighter than most of the other reels in its price group.
Aircraft grade my be a marketing ploy… I wouldn’t be surprised it wouldn’t be the first time a company tried to sell more reels by making them sound more “advanced”… but thats how its listed in their specs on the reels… so thats how I list it when I post…
Mad Mike
100 Feet away… ready to strike!
Listen to Stetch and Mad Mike.
“Plan like you will live forever but live like you will die tomorrow.”
I have a Penn Intl. 2.5 that I love. It has a bullet proof drag and it is trouble free. The only complaint would be that changing spools can be a pain in the butt. I don’t think they are still in production, but look on ebay and you can find them.
OC
I didn’t mean to start a argument or offend. I like the nautilus and think they are great reels. I went with the Okuma b/c it is has a larger arbor and that was important to me.
Chris
you hit a good point whaler… look for whats important to “you” in a reel… there are a few universal things everyone should look for… durability, smooth drag, etc… but in the end you will be fishing it…so find the reel you like, period.
no argument or offense here… im just trying to lay out facts… Ive spent alot of time now in shops, and ive seen literally thousands of reels come through my hands of every make and model you can imagine… ive had to work on many of them, or attempt to trouble shoot them… some I can help, others are just scrap metal… I hate saying things like this because I feel like a cocky ass… but if I say a reel has a tendency to corrode, or has certain failures, its not because i just don’t like it… its because ive seen it. Im not out to hurt feelings on here, im just here to help… I hope that is case in this instance.
Mad Mike
100 Feet away… ready to strike!!
Mike,
I was completely offended and I think the only way to make up for it is to save me a spot the next time you go albie fishing!!!..j/k
I appreciate you insight and look forward to your post.
Thanks,
Chris
well it will be next year on the albies… but if I can ever get my dang boat to stop messin’ with me your always welcome to come chase some reds with me…
Mad Mike
100 Feet away… ready to strike!!