Help Needed on Okuma Spinning Reels

[skiptomylu]

I have been a Shimano guy for so long I don't know a darn thing about any others now so looking for a couple things from anyone that knows.

First I don't know how to tell what size by their numbers, I would like a 500 or 1000 size, but don't seep anything like that on the ones I have looked at.

Then I have no clue what is their line up as far as quality. I would love to get a little info about which spinning reels are in what order. I am used to some of the nicer reels from Shimano like I have a few Sustains, but that is getting expensive!

I would love love to get one of the Okuma Spinning reels to see what they are like and Hopfully they have the back reel stop.

thanks in advance,

Skip

[chaunc]

Skip, seriously, stay with the Shimanos. Okumas don't stand up to heavy usage. I was lucky to get over two seasons with their UL's.

[skiptomylu]

Oh my goodness, some of my reels I bought over 15 years ago, but most newer than that, but point is my old Shimano's are still great!

Thank you so much!

Skip

[Crestliner08]

When I think about considering a different brand of reel, I usually go to their web site and make specification comparisons, between those that I know and the one I'm thinking about. I still have 4 Shimanos that going strong after many, many years, but I do add rods/reels occasionally as well. The new Shimanos are way over priced these days, as far as I'm concerned. Last spring I picked up a Pflueger President 6920. Perfect UL and what a beaut. Way smoother than any Shimano I have ever had - more bearings to boot. You might want to take a look at these and do some comparisons. I think you will be surprised, especially cost wise.

[Cardsfan55]

I agree the Pflueger President is a sweet reel. .

[lowe175]

Skip stay with Shimano they are worth the money.

[gillchaser999]

Although I'm also a Shimano fan , I occasionally try something different if I can get a deal . The only thing that's come close to my Shimanos has been a Daiwa Fuego 1000 , I picked up on sale a while back . The Daiwa actually is the smoothest " out of the Box" reel I've ever owned . Light weight too .
I noticed Cabelas has the Quantum Smoke Pti on sale for $99 . It's been tempting me . Gillchaser

[skeetbum]

I also have some old shimano's, not anywhere close to high end, that refuse to give up. Also have a couple of Presidents, 67 series which are now 69 series. I like mine a little bigger but the quality is the same. Nothing but good to say about them. The best reel I have, bar none, is a Diawa Capricorn. Liked it so much I bought another on fleabay as they are out of production. With no line on the reel the weight of the handle makes the reel rotate. NEVER found any reel for any price that would do that. Point being to look at what you aren't used to looking at, I found a dandy doing just that. The prices for a good reel, IMHO, start about where a President begins and goes up from there. Heck, just go grab a Stella or two and be done with it. Good luck Buddy.

[skiptomylu]

Thanks guys I realkly appreciate the feedback! I started off with the Shimano Stradic which was a lot less money than they are now as all of these were bought before 2000. Then I got hooked on Sustains because they are so smooth and I mean really hooked me. I was able to buy some a few years ago on EBay for a reasonable price for them, but then now all they have is the ones that are like $300 and only one spool which ever real I ever bought before that last one had 2 spools. I did puke up $275 for that last one, but only one spool didn't set well with me!

However I don't really need a new reel, but thought about just trying something different to see if they could possibly satisified my taste. I am still peeved about the difference in a FB and a FE, LOL!

Not sure what I will do now either!

Thanks again guys,

Skip