Considering a new rod/reel setup - Okuma Reel

[flg2010]

 

 

I am currently fishing a Okuma/Ugly Stick and a Shimino/Abu Garcia setup.  Both are working ok.. however the bail failed on My Shimino Shara 4000...    I am looking for a rod/reel replacement.

 

I tested out a Ugly Stick Gx2 6.8 ft with a Okuma Trio 55s combo from my local tackle shop.  The reel is like 90 bucks the rot another 30.. with tax and line put on its $140.

 

I'm pretty cheap and hardly a tournament fisherman. I liked the way the combo felt in my hand.. Mostly Smallmouth.

 

With 2 times a week use 8 months out of the year.. will this combo hold up?  Shimino sorta did not for a reel.. and while its usable its not ideal.  I realize maybe spending 300 bucks on a reel will provide something more reliable.. but I am just cheap.

 

[dave]

According to reviews here on BR,  perhaps you should be looking at Kastking.

[d-camarena]

lews mach 1 combo will serve you well

[flg2010]

Great suggestions.  Might try them for backup rigs or primary.  I found a reccomendatuon for daiwa bg reels on these fourms.  Going to check them out at a sporting good store today.

 

sounds like the 3500 size would pair with my old ugly stick rod so no need for new rod.

 

amazon has the reel for 78 bucks.

 

great reviews 

[primetime]

IMO, I think you can buy a better spinning reel for roughly the same $ or a bit less in the Okuma Line of reels. I have a local tackle shop that carries mostly Okuma Reels, and I have several spinning reels, but also have seen which reels come back to the shop, tested many etc.

 

The Trio is a popular reel on the Saltwater scene, a few years ago it was not a "Higher End Okuma Reel" like it is now. I have always viewed the Trio as a Nicer looking Avenger (Which is a nice reel for the price.) If you like the Trio because of the rear drag, I would look at the Shimano versions instead. Shimano has a Blue spinning reel for $50 with the baitfeeder that is a fantastic deal, I have used many Shimano spinning reels under the $60 range and they are all durable with good drags.

 

With that said, If I were to spend $80 on a Trio for Salt/Fresh, I would spend the extra $10-$20 and buy the Helios RX, or the Inspira. The Next best Okuma option for the money imo is the new Ceymar. It has been rated on several reputable sites as a Best value, and I purchased one a few months ago for $55 and it can be found for less. It is an awesome reel for any price, plus Okuma has great customer service & make better reels every year.  

 

Obviously reels like the Pflueger President are often considered the best pound for pound reel and only cost $40 right now, but also take a look at many of the Daiwa reels online since you can find some great deals. The Ballistic is $110 on one site for auctions, but the Procyon can be found for under $100 and is awesome.

 

As for Kast King, I have been amazed at how many people fish them when I visit a pier, and the Mela? only costs $30 and is really light, smooth, and I have seen it handle fish over 30lbs with the drag working perfectly. 

 

I have no affiliation with any company, can't speak to the longevity of Kastking, but I can speak to the customer service of Kast King and the guys who own that company are all about doing the right thing. 

 

KastKing is no different than any other company who produces reels. In Fact they are based on Long Island, use the same factories, design their own reels, no different than buying a ***, Ducket, or any reel other than Shimano or Daiwa imo. Kast King has a $90 Spinning reel for saltwater that has nothing but great reviews. They can sell reels much less than other companies since they use Amazon and Ebay for Advertising, give out free reels to guides, and each year they make better products. They are made in the same place as many reels much more expensive. I realize that every comany has inexpensive reels, but the Kast King reels seem to fish 2-3x than what they sell for. The specs are legit if that means anything.

 

Hope that helps. The Trio is probably much better than it was several years ago. Okuma has really stepped up their spinning reels in the last few years at great prices.

 

sorry for the ramble. Do not hesitate to buy any Okuma Product, they honor warranties and will often go above and beyond from my experiences, so I stay loyal.

19 minutes ago, flg2010 said:

Great suggestions.  Might try them for backup rigs or primary.  I found a reccomendatuon for daiwa bg reels on these fourms.  Going to check them out at a sporting good store today.

 

sounds like the 3500 size would pair with my old ugly stick rod so no need for new rod.

 

amazon has the reel for 78 bucks.

 

great reviews 

The Daiwa BG is one of the best Saltwater reels, for the price not sure how Daiwa is selling it so inexpensive.Can't go wrong with the BG. I would buy the BG over the Penn Battle and both are work horse reels. Check out the Quantum Cabo or try to find an Okuma Raw if still around, both awesome "Heavy Saltwater reels" that you can obviously use in Freshwater. Cabo and Raw both have silly drag power, the Raw has 30lbs of drag for their 3000 series which is crazy.

[Bluebasser86]

I'd suggest checking out the Okuma RTX. I have one in the 25 size on my dropshot rod. It's a really solid feeling reel with a faster retrieve speed than a lot of spinning reels. The retrieve speed in combination with the light weight is why I bought it and I'm glad I did. They sell for retail at $100, but you can find them around 75 if you look around a little. 

 

I just bought a KastKing Sharky II and have been happy with it so far. Like my other KastKing reels, it's not the quietest reel, but performance has been everything I've hoped for. 

[flg2010]

 

I just spent 2 hours taking apart my Sahara 4000 XG, I managed to get the bail to close automatically for now and just spooled new Cajun 10 lb test mono on it.  This should work until I make a decision on replacement.  Hopefully.  

 

Now I have a ton of possible options and reviews on all of these are solid.

 

I think the massive snapping turtles I have been catching accidentally could have killed the Sahara.. these suckers are at least 20lb..

 

 

 

 

 

[Attila]

I'd do yourself a favour and pick up a couple of Daiwa's, you won't regret it.

 

I personally use a lot of Daiwa products including a Fuego and a Procyon and they both operate perfectly for the conditions I use them in which comprises a lot of smallmouth fishing scenarios both in open water and around cover.  Very smooth drag systems go a long way towards landing big fish.

 

Cheers.

[flg2010]

On 8/13/2017 at 0:42 PM, Attila said:

I'd do yourself a favour and pick up a couple of Daiwa's, you won't regret it.

 

I personally use a lot of Daiwa products including a Fuego and a Procyon and they both operate perfectly for the conditions I use them in which comprises a lot of smallmouth fishing scenarios both in open water and around cover.  Very smooth drag systems go a long way towards landing big fish.

 

Cheers.

 

 

I did this.. wow.. the 3500 BG is so d**n smooth.. I caught my recent 16 inch Smallmouth on it.. paired this reel with my 6 foot 8 inch ugly stik gx2 and 12 lb cajun mono.  Worked so well.. and the reel was around 80 bucks online.. local fishing place has it for over 100.  Its the best reel I have ever used...

 

Thanks!!!!!

 

 

[Attila]

2 hours ago, flg2010 said:

 

 

I did this.. wow.. the 3500 BG is so d**n smooth.. I caught my recent 16 inch Smallmouth on it.. paired this reel with my 6 foot 8 inch ugly stik gx2 and 12 lb cajun mono.  Worked so well.. and the reel was around 80 bucks online.. local fishing place has it for over 100.  Its the best reel I have ever used...

 

Thanks!!!!!

 

 

Glad and happy to help.

[islandbass]

On 8/12/2017 at 9:09 PM, flg2010 said:

 

I just spent 2 hours taking apart my Sahara 4000 XG, I managed to get the bail to close automatically for now and just spooled new Cajun 10 lb test mono on it.

 

 

 

 

Just curious about the automatic closing of the bail.  Are you closing bail by cranking the handle or manually?  Also, your reel might still be under warranty.  It's not my intent to take away an excuse to get new gear because I know how the bait monkey rolls, lol. But if it's still under warranty, Shimano should take care of you. Instead of replacing a set up, you'd be adding to your arsenal with a new setup.