Bargain, that's what these reels are! Much as I'd like to be able to
afford expensive kit, my lady wife would prefer that we continue to
pay the mortgage. This year I set my sights on catching a catfish,
having never caught one before. Though my carp rods were up to the
job, my reels were certainly not suitable. So when I spied these
Okumas brand new including postage for just £35 a pair, they looked
just the job.

Okuma have made quite a name for themselves these days for quality
reels, but even so I was concerned that perhaps a reel costing just
£17.50 would lack quality. I've been burnt before by shiny-but-cheap
tackle. I needn't have worried – they really are a class item at
this price point.

Compared to the more expensive reels, it's clear where the money has
been saved, and that's mostly inside the reel. A single ball bearing
isn't much in this age of multi-bearings and roller bearing reels, yet
the reel is smooth turning all the same. There is no one-way-clutch
so there is slight backwind play when you put the ratchet on, but I
don't see this as a problem.

The handle is the now common double-type which some like and some
don't. I'm not fussed either way.

A graphite body construction suits me – light and corrosion resistant.
Each reel comes supplied with one metal and one graphite spool, both
with line clips. Incredibly even at this price, the metal spool comes
fully pre-loaded with 210 yards of 15lb mono!

The reel has a bait feeder (aka baitrunner) system which I shouldn't
need to describe the function of, except to say that as you'd expect
the sensitivity of this can be adjusted at the back of the reel, with
the drag adjustment at the front of the spool.

As I wasn't sure quite what mono was pre-loaded on the spool, I did
consider removing and replacing it with my usual Daiwa Sensor Clear,
but as it was I left it on. Having fished with the reels a number of
times now I can say the line is absolutely fine. It's caught a few
double figure carp and a good catfish of near 19lbs and performed
flawlessly when playing those fish without any hint of weakness.

If I was to make one minor criticism of the reel, I've noticed that
even though the bait feeder is switched on, occasionally the spool
doesn't want to give line. Turning the feeder off, giving the handle
a slight turn and turning the feeder back on again seems to sort that
out but it's something to watch out for.

I'm delighted with these reels for the money they cost. Ideally we'd
all be able to spend a fortune on tackle but even so these days I find
that exceptional tackle can be found for very little money. They are
ideal for the beginner and more experienced angler alike. They are
old-school reels – simple dependable mechanics that do the job. And
if they do fail, there is always the 5 year Okuma warranty to fall
back on!

20 years ago they would have sold for an awful lot more than they do
now. Perhaps over time they will wear out quicker than today's more
expensive reels – but then again, perhaps they won't. At this price,
who can complain anyway?

Glenn Smith

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