Some fellow told me he thinks Okuma rods and reels are pretty decent given their low price. Another guy tells me to forget it because anything they sell for that cheap must be crap and that it comes from China. I know "Made in China" and "Made in Taiwan" used to be synonymous for "crap", but in the last two decades many people argue that the quality of such products has greatly improved. My buddy bought an Okuma rod, 8'6", supposedly fishes 8-20 pound test and is a good starter salmon/steelhead rod. He says he likes it and says I ought to get a couple for back-up rods. Anyone have any serious, constructive comments on Okuma rods and reels? I would be interested in hearing opinions as long as they are backed up by experience or some sort of evidence. Brass

I have been using the Okuma Avenger series reels for a couple of years now. I can tell you after a couple seasons of wrestling with chums Okumas are not junk. Probably the best reel on the market for the money.

I've got an UL trout reel and a steelhead reel made by Okuma. I think for the price they are a pretty darn good reel. I bought both mine from ebay,and got them for about 25% less than in the stores.

in my point of veiw okuma's reels are great my, friend has a combo and the reel runs as smoothly as can be, but the rod is very sketchy, its stiff for its size and feels like it is made with cheap material, my friend says it even makes noise sometimes as it bends

Like most reel manufacturers, the quality and performance of Okuma are not always uniform across the models they sell. I have a few of their spinning and fly fishing reels (Epixor spinning reel and Sierra fly reels, to be specific) which are their mid-grade stuff, and I think they're very good value. But I do think that their low-priced rods and reels are of poor quality, which is no different than virtually any other manufacturer.

One thing I find is that well known manufacturers such as Shimano and Daiwa offer better engineered reels, even their cheap ones. This becomes quite evident when you take the reel apart.

I don't like Okuma rods, and I have not seen one I like, at any price.

I like the Okuma Epix reel. I use it for floats.
Never used any of there rods.

I've had an Inspira spinning reel for 2 seasons and am quite happy with it. Float fishing in both fresh and salt, plus I throw a lot of spoons wiith it. Wasn't cheap but compares well to Shimano's & Daiwa's that cost $40 more.

I have 2 of the Epix 30 spinning reels and must say that they are a very smooth reel with a great drag system. The handle on one of them finally blew up on me the last time out but a trip to Sportco will fix that (warranty). I was kind of wondering about the Nitryx reel baitcast reel that is on sale at GI Joes this week for $60 and how it would compare to a ambassaduer. Anubody ever use this reel??
Good luck and tight lines, Jeff

I have several Okuma (Fina and Epixor) that I couldn't be more pleased with. I also have several Calcutta's and have fished with Shimanos for 20 years. They are made in Japan, and very high quality. The Okumas are smooth as silk and for the money quite a good deal. Made in China for the most part anymore means an American company that has their stuff built in China to avoid taxes and expensive labor. The goods though are built under the same QA that they would be if built in this country. Have to say that I believe that Asians tend to have more pride in their work than a lot of American workers. I believe that is why Japan is so well known for their fine quality of everything any more......

Buy the Okumas and you wont be disapointed, but I would by the upper-end of their product line.... Gotta love the solid anti-reverse of their reels and the 5 to 7 ballbearings make for VERY smooth retrieves! Cannot speak for the rod's though, as I have never purchased those.

MC

Quite a few fishermen equate quality with high price. Waders, rods , reels etc all have brand awareness that is usually built from smart marketing. There is always a justification that can be found for the more expensive products. I sell things for a living and can make a case for anything. There are products that don't cost a ton and are quite good. I think Okuma qualifies for that category. There are testimonials and horror stories for all things. Especially if it is a boat, motor, fishing rod or reel. I use mostly Shimano reels from the Bantam 100, Bantam 50 to the Calcutta and TLD 25s for tuna and halibut...the 200gs for salmon. The Shimano line is broad from cheap to really expensive. I think Okuma has to offer a better value to break into this competitive market. Maybe when some guides or fishing gurus get some free ones and start writing about them they will be accepted.

I can't rate there rods as I have never fished one, but the reels are VERY GOOD for the $$. I use Okuma for all my fly reels the Sierra 5-6(drag is a little weak on this one, but its only for trout to 18") on my 6wt. and the Integrity large-arbor reels on my 7wt. & 9wt (for the $$ don't think they can be beat, used on really big trout and some steelhead & salmon). The Epix 30(running 8-12 lb. mono.) is a great spinning reel for working over steelhead & and coho and I have others costing twice as much to compare it to(read; Shimano Stradic)........

Pure JUNK !!!!!!!!!
I had to deal with them when I worked at Sportco and I think we took more back then we sold. Stick with the Name brands in the rods and reels, Shimano on reels and Allstar, Rainshadow and Lamiglas in rods and you won't go wrong.

Peace
Superfly

I have a very Proven Okuma Metaloid, it is BY Far!! the best spinning reel I have owned!

The Rods, never owned one, but heard bad and good about em'

The Okuma name from what I have heard and know is a good bang for the buck!!

I have a Shimano Spheros which is a good reel, more expensive, and not as good as my Okuma

WW

I have a avenger 30 that I've used for 3 years now on silvers and chums. It has been seriously abused and has given me no problems at all. Also have 2 fly reels ( sierra and integrity). Both have performed flawlessly.

I am very happy with my mettaloid, once you get past the pastel purple color anyway.

I take kids and newbies out fishing fairly often, so I bought some Okuma rods as beater boat rods for them. I have to say that they have fished and held up quite well. I've got my "snooty" favorites, but the truth be told, I've found myself picking up the Okumas more often myself. Pretty decent. My all time favorite rod for steelhead (may it rest in peace) was a similar kind of a product in it's day, made by LCI. So IMHO, price doesn't always tell the whole story. I say fish the "value" product till you KNOW specifically what you want, then pay whatever it takes to get it.

Haven't tried the reels. I might just have to give one a whirl. Anti-reverse feature, you say? Hummm.

I have never used an Okuma but I did sale quite a few of them, as far as I can remember only 1 was returned and it was obviously abused (I hate it when the customer is always right, we never should have returned it but we did)
If I didn't already have upwards of 30 reels I would probably buy 1, doubt I could get another 1 past the wife though.

Mooch, I've got an old LCI rod in my "stack o rods" that I'm not using. Answer my question and throw in a clue or 2 on your other post and I might make you a deal..... <img border="0" alt="[wall]" title="" src="graemlins/wall.gif" />

I have been beating on an evenger for the summer and now through the fall,no problems.

I have a granit 20 which I use for trout and 2 classic okumas that I use for down rigger reels, I have had no probles with any of them....DJ