Okuma Helios SX

[roadwarrior]

Let's talk about value. The next generation Helios by Okuma expands on the reputation of the original reel

that I reviewed for BassResource several years ago. Great right out of the box, but even better after years

of hard fishing. My expectations for the Helios SX HSX-273V are very high indeed.

https://www.bassresource.com/fishing_lures/okuma-helios-reel-rod.html 

 

With a gear ratio of 7.3:1, line retrieve is 31.5 IPT and line capacity is 130 yards with standard fluorocarbon,

monofilament or copolymer.  Weighing in at only 6.1 ounces, the Helios offers a maximum drag of 14 pounds

which is about 10 pounds more than I would ever use! The engineering has produced a reel that qualifies for 

a variety of applications. I have mine saddled up to Batson Immortal custom build by ghoti.  This particular rig

is a dedicated jerkbait set-up, but on another rod the Helios would be ideal for jigs and soft plastics, too.

 

I am heading to Pickwick Lake for three days on the river with my brother. We will be targeting smallmouth

exclusively. I hope to follow up this little piece with a picture of a monster that my brother is going to catch!

It's PrimeTime in this neck of the woods so I plan to give my new reel a work out.

 

[LegendaryBassin]

On ‎11‎/‎6‎/‎2018 at 9:57 AM, roadwarrior said:

Let's talk about value. The next generation Helios by Okuma expands on the reputation of the original reel

that I reviewed for BassResource several years ago. Great right out of the box, but even better after years

of hard fishing. My expectations for the Helios SX HSX-273V are very high indeed.

https://www.bassresource.com/fishing_lures/okuma-helios-reel-rod.html 

 

With a gear ratio of 7.3:1, line retrieve is 31.5 IPT and line capacity is 130 yards with standard fluorocarbon,

monofilament or copolymer.  Weighing in at only 6.1 ounces, the Helios offers a maximum drag of 14 pounds

which is about 10 pounds more than I would ever use! The engineering has produced a reel that qualifies for 

a variety of applications. I have mine saddled up to Batson Immortal custom build by ghoti.  This particular rig

is a dedicated jerkbait set-up, but on another rod the Helios would be ideal for jigs and soft plastics, too.

 

I am heading to Pickwick Lake for three days on the river with my brother. We will be targeting smallmouth

exclusively. I hope to follow up this little piece with a picture of a monster that my brother is going to catch!

It's PrimeTime in this neck of the woods so I plan to give my new reel a work out.

 

Look forward to hearing how the fishing trip went and how the reel performed. 

[roadwarrior]

Well, we got into some numbers. My brother caught a 7 lb largemouth on his second cast!  We caught 

42 smallmouth, but failed to land three MONSTERS. Several jumps including one right next to the boat

for my brother. 

 

The Helios performed flawlessly. I am VERY impressed.

 

[roadwarrior]

Fished Tuesday and Wednesday. Started off with my buddy landing a Personal Best late Tuesday.

The next morning he upped his PB with a 6 1/2-7 lb piggy!  We caught 22 fish in total, 6 over 5 lbs.

A bonus fish was a 10 lb+ buffalo.

 

I fished a Rage Tail Menace on the Helios/ G.Loomis MBR 842C and 10lb Tatsu.  That's the Dream Team.

 

 

[roadwarrior]

Rigged and ready, but we are having a bout with weather like much of the rest of 

the country. Has anyone else tried out this reel?

 

[new2BC4bass]

Not yet, but I picked up one before Christmas after reading your initial post.  I have a Helios LP and two Helios Air reels.  Like you mentioned in the above review link I find them to be among my group of reels that have excellent casting distance.  Important to me since I fish from shore.

[J Francho]

Mine is on moth balls until spring thaw, but from just handling it, it's really light, and smooth.  I dig the form factor as well.  Reminds me of an Alphas/Sol.