opinions on reels

[jayrbee]

I'm wanting to get a surf reel........realistically, I probably won't use it more then a couple times a month. Coupled with being on fixed income I don't see the wisdom of investing in a HIGH end reel.

3 reels I'm looking at:

Shimano 6500B
Okuma Coronado CD90
Okuma Avenger ABF90

Does the disparity in price also equate to disparity in quality.
any comments or reccomendations?
Thanks,
John

[tarponman62]

I can share my point of view on the shimano bait runner. I own both the 6500 and the 4500. I like the bait runner feature. The 6500 is a beast and both of them are low maintenance reels rinse them and oil them and you are ready to go. They have anti –rust bearings , fluid driver , instant anti –reverse & power roller. The 6500 weighs in at , 26.2 oz. 20lb/270yds & 3BB, 4:2:1 gear ratio. Shimano is a good name, I can’t comment on their warranty because both my reels are in great shape after 3yrs..

Okuma CDO 90 appears like a nice looking bait runner one oz heavier than shimano . The line capacity is more generous than Shimano 20lb/390yds. You can save $45 with this one, but I haven’t heard much commentary on them.

Okuma Avenger ABF 90 again generous with the line capacity 20lbs/590 yds but it weighs 31oz. 4:5:1 gear ratio, 6 BB + 1RB . You can save $59 with this.

I can’t vouch on the Okuma reels workmanship/warranty maybe some of the guys on the board can. I can definitely understand factoring in the economics, because the saving are hard to overlook.

Good luck in your decision.

Tightlines TM62

[nomadfl]

John, You have mentioned 3 different spinning reels, but you didn't mention what length, or type of rod you were going to use with this choice of reels. Many times people go for the largest reel, which mostly is the heaviest reel, and then the rod gets too much reel.

Also, what type of fishing are you going to be doing, off the beach, or off the pier.

If you are going to be just casting lures, you would mainly be using braid, then you would probably need a reel in the 3500 to 4500 size.

It;s best to let us know what the rod is going to be, so we can give you different opinions on what to use, and then you can take your choice.

I hope this helps

I'm wanting to get a surf reel........realistically, I probably won't use it more then a couple times a month. Coupled with being on fixed income I don't see the wisdom of investing in a HIGH end reel.

3 reels I'm looking at:

Shimano 6500B
Okuma Coronado CD90
Okuma Avenger ABF90

Does the disparity in price also equate to disparity in quality.
any comments or reccomendations?
Thanks,
John

[jayrbee]

Thanks for responding,Tarponman and Nomadfl .

I'm a transplanted Illinoisian and have NO experience with saltwater fishing.
I like the line capacity of the Okumas ......and the price......
I have an 8' H one piece conventional w/Shimano TR 200G and 9' MH twopiece spinning rod (no reel) I will use for piers.
I'm Considering a 10-11 ft rod for surf.
Being of small stature and older age, I'm inclined to think I need a bit of leverage the 10-11 foot would afford.
Being a surf newbie........I'm thinking I will need a rod that will handle 2-5oz.
As far as targeted species........I have none; other then table fare.

Thanks again, you have no idea how much you input is appreciated........keep it flowing !


John

[John81]

I would look at a stradic fh 5000-8000 on ebay under $100 and i swear by them great reels for the price i own 2 and havent had a problem with any of them yet going on 3 years now

[fender346]

I have the Okuma Coronado CD90 paired with an 11' rod.
I fish exclusively with 5oz or more lead and the reel handles it very nicely.
Also I've dunked this rod in the salt many a times and it still casts great and works like new.

nice rod for your buck

[jayrbee]

Here's a thanks from John to John......
regarding the ST 8000FH

12/325, 16/250, 20/185

should one want/need more line capacity then the 185 yds? I've read where 200 yds have been spooled off in a heartbeat..?????????
would one want to go any lower then 20# test when surf fishing?

as I said, I'm a newbie.

[jayrbee]

Fender............
"I fish exclusively with 5oz or more lead and the reel handles it very nicely."

are there situtations where one would use less then 5oz?

is 5oz a general allaround weight to use?
what dictates the size weight to use?

I'm old but not too old to learn.
Thanks,
john

[Carolina Rebel]

If you're mainly targeting table fare, to be perfectly honest your 8-9' rods should work fine. You can't go wrong with the Shimano, its literally a lifetime reel. I can't comment on the Okumas except to say that in general I've heard mixed reviews about them, which leaves me leery of them. Shimano is 99% rock-solid.
Again, you mentioned you're only hunting table fare. I presume you'd be fishing with shrimp, bloodworms, maybe cut bait on occasion, and as such you probably won't happen upon anything much bigger than the occasional pup (juvenile red drum), jack, or big skate or ray. A 4000-sized reel spooled with 15lb line would be fine for your situation. As you mentioned that you're older and of smaller stature, this reel on an 8-9' rod would provide a very manageable combo capable of handing just about anything you might come across. As far as getting spooled, spend enough time fishing the ocean and you're going to get into a fish that you can't turn, almost regardless of your line capacity. It wouldn't be in a heartbeat--you'd have time to grab the spool and stop the run--but there's alot of big, strong fish out there. If you're really worried about it, you could spool the reel with braided line and get alot more line on the reel per line strength class.

[John81]

Here's a thanks from John to John......
regarding the ST 8000FH

12/325, 16/250, 20/185

should one want/need more line capacity then the 185 yds? I've read where 200 yds have been spooled off in a heartbeat..?????????
would one want to go any lower then 20# test when surf fishing?

as I said, I'm a newbie.

i would do this in your situation you get 2 spools usualy with this reel pack one with 15-17# mono then the other with 20-40# braid the braid spool will easilier give you atleast 300 yards of line.

[jayrbee]

Thanks Rebel !

my shotgunning mind brings up another question.....


What happens if one spools up, say 40 lb braid on a reel that is rated for 20 lb like the FH8000.

........OR .......... is the # rating only an example to give the capacity?

can a reel be overpowered by using too heavy test line?

[John81]

Thanks Rebel !

my shotgunning mind brings up another question.....


What happens if one spools up, say 40 lb braid on a reel that is rated for 20 lb like the FH8000.

........OR .......... is the # rating only an example to give the capacity?

can a reel be overpowered by using too heavy test line?

the rating is just for the amount of line it can hold on the reel, but most rods have a line limit. Say you use 40lb braid rod is rated for 15-30lb you keep the drag below the rod limit and your good to go

[chump]

I've got the 3500 Baitrunner, and it's as big as I want it to be. Maybe go up toe 4500 for heavy duty surf, but 6500 would be a beast to cast and hold. Nice, dependable, and smooth reels. Not the best caster out there, but reliable when you need it.

[fender346]

are there situtations where one would use less then 5oz?

is 5oz a general allaround weight to use?
what dictates the size weight to use?

Its hard to say that there is a general all around weight to use cause there are so many variables to consider....

Do you want your bait to HOLD BOTTEM IN THE CURRENT?
How are factors such as the INCOMING/OUTGOING TIDE, WIND etc. affecting the OCEANS CURRENT? Is it heavy current (incoming/outgoing tide) ?

Do you need to CAST OUT FAR to reach the fish?

Those are examples where you might want to consider using a decent amount of weight, lets say 5oz for example..

I just generally use it to add some EXTRA DISTANCE on my cast because I like to fish well BEYOND the breakers. Also I want to hold bottem because Im drowning clams using a fish-finder rig, and depending on the time of day the CURRENT CAN BE STRONG ..So for all these things into consideration 5oz pyramid sinker is generally a good in my situation.

There are a whole different set of variables to consider where you DONT need to go heavy..

Is the species you are targeting in CLOSE TO SHORE? Do you want your bait MOVING/BOUNCING with the current? Is there very little current (peak high/low tide)? Are you using LIGHT TACKLE? etc...
For these applications you might only need to use an OUNCE OR TWO.

P.S.
not to stray to far from the thread, I still like my Okuma Coronado CD90

[HellRhaY]

you want table fare.
you are fishing florida. probably the east coast o0f florida.

here's what i recommend:

a shimano baitrunner is a good bang for the buck. you can't go wrong with it.
90% of the year here in the east central, you only need a 4 ounces sputnik to hold bottom. sometimes i often go to 2 ounces sputnik.



here's a list of what we often caught for table fare, by the surf or by the inlet.


redfish= you don't really need more than 150yards of 20# line on this fishes, the largest you'll probably get is around 30-40#
spanish mackerel= 50 yards is more than enough for this fish
bluefish= see spanish mackerel
sheepshead= 10 yards is more than enough
pompano= these guys pull hard but they don't run far, in fact, when they run, they head towards you
snook= hard pulling, hard fighting fish. 50 yards is sufficient enough.
whiting= these guys pull but they're too small you can just rip them out of the water.
black drum= they pull hard but they don't run more than 50 yrads.
permit= once in a blue moon, runs a 100 yards or more




there are a couple of hard fighting long running fishes but theya re not table fare, sometimes during the mullet run you hook unto them:


tarpon= you need 50-100 yards
jack=50 yards

150-200yards of 20# line is more than enough.
as you learn and get used to the capacity/strength of your reel and rod, you'll learn to fight a fish with it's potential. Using some leverage (i.e. cupping the spool, using your rod) to fight a fish. I'll tell you this, i've hooked and landed a 7ft tarpon on a shimano twinpower 5000, using 17# momoi, with only around 140yards of line, that tarpon never spooled me.

[rattler]

you've gotten great advice...only things I would add, Baitrunner is the way to go...up here we get big rays/sea turtles, etc...I never spool up with the highest test the reel says it will take...it seems I should have gotton a bigger reel(lol)...I get a reel that that fits what I need and the line rec. is in the middle...nothing you can do with #20 that you can't do with 15-17 or even #12 with practice...liter line will give a little more distance...good luck and have FUN...

[Rockstar]

Shimano

[jayrbee]

I'm amazed at all the responses....Thanks to each of you. Your opinions have given me a clearer understanding of the various conditions one must consider when choosing a surf setup.

Here is my game plan...........The reel I choose will be put on the 9' MH rod.
I'll test it with 5oz and less weight and see how it performs. This should give me an idea of what my rod requirements might be.

Having used braid a number of years bassin, I am a big fan. At this point I will go with braid.

When I receive the reel and have put it through some tests I will post my findings.
A trip is planed for March 7th to Sebastian Inlet,
hopefull the setup will be tested under fire.

Again, I can't express my gratitude to all that have contributed so much to this phase of my learning.

THANK YOU !!!

John

[John81]

I would recommend suffix braid over the other brands and dont go crazy with it and get the super test, i would say no more than 40#

[jayrbee]

have never used suffix.
Started out with Fireline, then Spider wire.
Have used PowerPro for last few years.

why do you suggest suffix?

thanks,
John

[chump]

have never used suffix.
Started out with Fireline, then Spider wire.
Have used PowerPro for last few years.

why do you suggest suffix?

thanks,
John

Smoother and rounder and fewer wind knots. YMMV, but that's the way it's been working for me. I do, however, still use Fireline on a lot of reels and still love it.

[StormCaster]

The 4500B is a great match on the 10 foot rod. Overall I had them all and prefer the Shimano over the Okuma baitfeeders.

[RuddeDogg]

Both are great reels. BUT........like anything else as long as you take care of it it will last. If you want to more money go with the Shimano. If ya want two reels for the price of one Shimano go with Okuma. I have had both and I like the Okumas.

[John81]

have never used suffix.
Started out with Fireline, then Spider wire.
Have used PowerPro for last few years.

why do you suggest suffix?

thanks,
John

What chump said :)
I like powerpro also but would choose suffix over it if i had a choice imho

[jayrbee]

best prices I have found, shipping included.

6500B = 105.00
CD 90 = 75.00
ABF 90 = 59.00

[John81]

best prices I have found, shipping included.

6500B = 105.00
CD 90 = 75.00
ABF 90 = 59.00

get the stradic off ebay!!!!

[jayrbee]

Thanks to all who offered advice,opinions etc.
I made my decision yesterday. I ordered an Okuma CD90 and an Emcast 11' MH.
With cost of less then $150.00 this fit into my budget quite well.
I plan on acquiring another outfit in a couple months. If the CD90 is not what I think I want I will go with the 6500B.

First test will be March 7th at SI.

Again, Thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts.
John

[lil red jeep]

here's a list of what we often caught for table fare, by the surf or by the inlet.


redfish= you don't really need more than 150yards of 20# line on this fishes, the largest you'll probably get is around 30-40#
spanish mackerel= 50 yards is more than enough for this fish
bluefish= see spanish mackerel
sheepshead= 10 yards is more than enough
pompano= these guys pull hard but they don't run far, in fact, when they run, they head towards you
snook= hard pulling, hard fighting fish. 50 yards is sufficient enough.
whiting= these guys pull but they're too small you can just rip them out of the water.
black drum= they pull hard but they don't run more than 50 yrads.
permit= once in a blue moon, runs a 100 yards or more

[/LIST]


there are a couple of hard fighting long running fishes but theya re not table fare, sometimes during the mullet run you hook unto them:


tarpon= you need 50-100 yards
jack=50 yards

150-200yards of 20# line is more than enough.
as you learn and get used to the capacity/strength of your reel and rod, you'll learn to fight a fish with it's potential. Using some leverage (i.e. cupping the spool, using your rod) to fight a fish. I'll tell you this, i've hooked and landed a 7ft tarpon on a shimano twinpower 5000, using 17# momoi, with only around 140yards of line, that tarpon never spooled me.

:eek:My gosh, All this available in one place off the surf or piers? I want to MOVE!

I have fished both Okuma and Shimano. Like them both. Pick them up and hold them. See what feels the best in your hands, because after all is said and done, you're the one that has to set the hooks and reel them in (luck duck), and if you like the way one feels over the other, I would think you would have a little more confidence in that reel. Lots to choose from, but the brands you are looking at are both good and it is ultimately a matter of what you like most. Both will catch fish and it appears you have many to chose from there! Good luck!