Okuma Reels: I've been researching spinning reels for my website. Okuma is the only company that I'm aware of that still uses felt drag washers. Have any of you owned one for a long...

JackM Loc: North East Florida

I've been researching spinning reels for my website. Okuma is the only company that I'm aware of that still uses felt drag washers. Have any of you owned one for a long time a decade or more? If so how did the drag hold up?

Ben Bragg Loc: Dayton Ohio

I had an Okuma ultralite. Probly had it 8 or 9 years.
Held up surprisingly well
Gave it to my youngest son and it still functioned well
Had some putting on the handle

Gordon Loc: Charleston South Carolina

JackM wrote:

I've been researching spinning reels for my website. Okuma is the only company that I'm aware of that still uses felt drag washers. Have any of you owned one for a long time a decade or more? If so how did the drag hold up?

I just cleaned all my penn spinning reels and they all have felt drag washers.

JackM Loc: North East Florida

The newer Penns (Spinfisher V) have carbon fiber drags. I had a Penn reel from the late 1990s or early 2000s that had a felt drag but it got destroyed, not from fishing. Most of the "saltwater" reels made today have carbon fiber.

Pixiedog456005 Loc: Maryland

Okuma is a gear making company.
Shimano, Shywinn and others. You get top performance that is in the affordable price range and half the weight of other top reels. They seem like a piece of art to a picky machinist. They offer great warranty. I have only known of one reel going back for repair, and it was operator induced problem. They didn't just fix and repair but gave him a brand new reel!!
I have many reals and still go back and use Okuma.

justafishingguy Loc: Florida

Have an Okuma now that needs the felt drag washers. Worked fine until one day after casting and reeling in, the drag just stopped working. Even with the drag cranked down fully, I could not reel it in. Had to hand pull in the line and then reel it back on with no weight on it. Have the new washers on the way, hope they work!

harbor47 Loc: Malabar fl.

JackM wrote:

I've been researching spinning reels for my website. Okuma is the only company that I'm aware of that still uses felt drag washers. Have any of you owned one for a long time a decade or more? If so how did the drag hold up?

I have 3 of them I use them for bass and blues they are beat up pretty good, but they work like new. Wally

Gordon Loc: Charleston South Carolina

justafishingguy wrote:

Have an Okuma now that needs the felt drag washers. Worked fine until one day after casting and reeling in, the drag just stopped working. Even with the drag cranked down fully, I could not reel it in. Had to hand pull in the line and then reel it back on with no weight on it. Have the new washers on the way, hope they work!

Oil them once a year and they will last.

Big A Loc: Mesa, Arizona

Glad to hear (read ?) such positive reviews on the Okumas as I'm considering an Okuma Avenger in either the 30 or 40 size as my next upgrade (to a heavier rig), along
with an UglyStik 'Catfish' rod or
their GX2 in a 2-pc., medium-heavy
(7- to 8- ft.) !

Pixiedog456005 Loc: Maryland

Glad to hear it. I just bought 2 bait runner series spinner ceymar cbf-65 (6.5) + a small cbc- 3000 (3). These are good for salt and fresh water. Zero back stop travel distance as well. Silk smooth winding. Also bought their faster her for crank baits.
If you want a lighter rod go carbon. Stay away from fiber glass. FIBLANK makes great rods at a great price. It looks and performs like a high dollar rod. If you have the room to cast go at least 10ft-13ft rod. You would not be disappointed.
I personally use an 12ft. Most all the time to cover most bigger fish with confidence.
I use an Alvey rod and reel for really long cast out to 140 yards. Ceymar 6500 for long cast and a 5000 size for quick casting close.
When I find where the fish are I am covered and adjust accordingly.
Good luck and tight lines.

Johnston89 Loc: Eastern Oregon

JackM wrote:

I've been researching spinning reels for my website. Okuma is the only company that I'm aware of that still uses felt drag washers. Have any of you owned one for a long time a decade or more? If so how did the drag hold up?

I have an Okuma Metaloid bought in 2004, was my dads and now mine, I fish almost every single weekend and its never let me down. I've caught everything from steelhead, walleye, tiger muskies, smallmouth bass and quite a few other species, I have never replaced a single part on it, best reel I've ever owned

Marlin Fishing Loc: Lebanon Pennsylvania

I own an Okuma spinning reel and an 8'Okuma Fin Chaser rod since the late 1980's that I bought at Buxton Tackle Shop at the Outer Banks. Holds up unbelievably well, especially for the modest price that it was. I have only used it for salt water and still use it when I go to Florida in the winter. Never a problem, and I have latched onto some pretty decent sized fish. My maintenance has just been average, not stellar. I bought another 11' surf spinning reel and rod made by Okuma with the Cabelas name on it. I am sold on the brand as being a terrific value.
Pa. Dutchman

JackM Loc: North East Florida

This is exactly the kind of information that I was looking for. I definitely will put Okuma on the shortlist for my inshore new reel.
Thank you all.

Andy cacciatori Loc: Modesto cal.

I have a Okuma reel I've had for 15 years and have never had a problem with it.. I still use it and have caught a lot of Bass with it.
I also have the deep sea shining reel that is10 yrs old. It has the free spool drag for live bait ! Works great.
Hope that helps you out.
Good 🎣
Andy Cacciatori Bassman

Big A Loc: Mesa, Arizona

Andy cacciatori wrote:

I have a Okuma reel I've had for 15 years and have never had a problem with it.. I still use it and have caught a lot of Bass with it.
I also have the deep sea shining reel that is10 yrs old. It has the free spool drag for live bait ! Works great.
Hope that helps you out.
Good 🎣
Andy Cacciatori Bassman

Don't know which model reel you
have, but if it's a free-spooling reel,
it may be strongly similar to the
Okuma 'Avenger' I'm considering !
As stated in previous post; it's nice
to hear (read ?) so many good
reviews about Okuma reels !