richiefig

does anybody know the quality of the okuma 50 reel?iwas in a tackle shop and they have a rod and reel for $250.iam just starting to buy offshore gear so iam on a budget.just wondering if it was worth getting?

chainsaw42

i don't know which okuma reel you're referring to, but in my opinion they are not worth the savings. there will be some guys that will tell you they are a good value, and that's their opinion, mine's different. i think you're a lot better off spending the extra money on shimano or avet. in the long run you're going to get your money's worth. and, if you decide in a year that you're not as interested in it as you thought you would be, the resale on the penn, shimano, and avet reels is incredible (especially the machined reels like an international/tiagra).

so, like you said, you're on a budget, so the $650 shimano 50wlrs tiagra is out of the question, so what do you do other than getting a low quality reel (my opinion)? you have a couple options:
1. buy graphite instead of machined aluminum. you can save a lot of money, and while they will not put up to the daily abuse a machined reel will, they are fine for recreational use.
2. forget the two speed
3. go with one of the 'new' 30's w/higher drag capabilities and load it with braid. it will be smaller and lighter but have the same fish stopping abilities (drag level & amt of line) as a 50.

i would rather have a graphite shimano TLD25 for less than $200 than the okuma for $250 (and there are some great deals on TLD25's right now--$145!). if you are really going after fish requiring something bigger than that, then i would spend another $100 and get an avet exw4/02. they are closing out last year's model so these can be had for around $350 right now. load that reel with braid and there will be no comparison between it and the okuma.

richiefig

thanks for the info. the salesman said prettymuch the samething but i wasnt sure if all he wanted to do is make a sale

Mikecc

Don't believe ANY mfg rep. they all say their products are the best.
After 25 years in the business I would say their is about 2 reps that I would trust their word for product. Most plain and simple just suck and should not be in this type business.
On offshore reels stay with the shimano or penn they will not let you down when you get a good fish on .

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Abouttime

richiefig, Is the 50 single or 2 speed and how old. I too was budget minded. Back when I picked these 30's up I did my home work to find the Single speed 30's (not the 50's) had the same gears as the 2 speed 30 & 50's (SS) Why ??. This I'm shure must of changed that was now 5 Years Ago but my 2 30's I have been been flawless for 4 seasons. Do your homework and it will pay off. The Shimano, Penn, Avet are great reels Do not get me wrong. I own Penn, Shimano, Fin'nor and Okuma (Conv. & Spin) so I would not be afraid to buy the new Okuma products.. Mitch