I think fish chris uses okuma?  But I was wondering if anyone else in here did also.  I have one reel from them and love it, looking to make another purchase, and am thinking okuma.

Any comments on their brand would be great!

Also, is there a big difference in getting the Dick's Sports line of reels vs getting it straight from Okuma, or a dealer?

I have four Okuma spinning reels and I am not looking for anything else. I love them. The most I payed for one was $80. And that was one of their high end ones.

I think Okuma makes a great reel for the price.  Their customer service is excellent, also.  I don't think that I've paid for a single part yet.  And that includes shipping.

Okuma makes some great baitrunners in the medium price range (say under $100).

Their spinning reel drag system is one of the best in the industry (ask the carp and salt water fishermen), and they are very reliable. Their spool diameter could be increased a little bit ,in my opinion.

I don't know about their baitcasters, but I think Okuma used to make some of the Cabelas brand reels.

Hope it helps...

Thanks guys,

What are your favorite reels from okuma?  Fluke, you said you paid $80 for one, was that the salina, or alumina?

Anyone used the dicks sports made okumas?

Hey Mackkie, Yes ! I love my Okuma's :-) With my spinning reels (which is most of them) I typically use Inspira IA's. But if you want a little less expensive reel, which is almost as good, go with the Epixors.

As it has been mentioned, Okumas have an absolutely awesome drag system ! Here's a little proof;

Last year I was messing around with my micro-light and an Inspira IA 15, trying to catch a big Striper. Now granted, a 30 lb Striper on this gear would have been challenging enough, but little did I expect to hook into, and do battle with, a 6ft, 100 lb Sturgeon ! Anyway, after the most extreme 2 hr and 10 min workout of that tiny little drag system, I landed the fish :-)

I'd have to say, that if Okuma's little micro-light reel could handle a fish like this, then slightly larger gear, for way smaller fish (Largemouth Bass) should never, ever be a problem :-)

Peace,

Fish

That is simply amazing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I bought an inspira IA 30 two yrs. ago to replace a symetre 2500. Been happy with that switch. Then, recently I picked up a new epixor 20 for 39.99. The epixor is not quite as smooth as the inspira, but is close.

Their SB rods are excellent so is the warranty, new x 14.95 to your door, no questions asked.

I picked up one of their guide select swimbait rods last month

I haven't even used it yet, but I was so pleased with its feel and look I just ordered one of their guide select 6'6" MF rods.

Last month I also got their Salina baitfeeder surf reel w/ a cabelas combo. I can't wait to use it.

Let me know how you like the 6'6 guide select, I was thinking of picking one up too, thanks for the feedback!

some of you guys might know that I'm not much of a baitcasting guy.... which is why most of my reels are spinning.

Now I had been hearing lots of good things about the Okuma Guide Select Swimbait rods, but I have been throwing my swimbaits on a suitable Guide Select heavy action spinning rod.

So anyway, last year I decided to get a Guide Select swimbait rod.... but not for swimbaits :-) Instead, I took it out and stuck a 72", 35" girth, Sturgeon (approx 150 lbs) and a medium build 82 incher (approx 165 lbs) Whooped em' both in just less than a 1 hour battle :-)

Again, if those rods could handle fish like that, no Largemouth on the planet stands a chance :-)

Fish