In reply to Post #7
I have the original Penns and they are still running great. Had the Daiwa, lasted less than a season before I sold them and got the Shimano XTE which I think is a much bettwr reel. If I was buying now I would go for the Okuma Obsidians, having had a play with them they feel top draw at a ridiculous price point
I have the original Penns and they are still running great. Had the Daiwa, lasted less than a season before I sold them and got the Shimano XTE which I think is a much bettwr reel. If I was buying now I would go for the Okuma Obsidians, having had a play with them they feel top draw at a ridiculous price point
Whilst I haven't heard about any specific issues with the Okuma Obsidians, there's always that nagging doubt at the back of my mind about the well publicised issue with their INC 6000 reels. My initial 3 reels which I use on my 10ft set up were sent back and replaced. And now one of the 3 new ones has the same issue.
I'm also led to believe that getting spares for them is a bit of a mare, but this may be an old problem which is now sorted?
I'm also led to believe that getting spares for them is a bit of a mare, but this may be an old problem which is now sorted?
In reply to Post #1
My advice would be to do exactly what I did, find yourself some good secondhand Daiwa Tournament 5000T. They should last for many many years and if needed, spares are going to be available long-term. Unlike any of the Shimano offerings.
My advice would be to do exactly what I did, find yourself some good secondhand Daiwa Tournament 5000T. They should last for many many years and if needed, spares are going to be available long-term. Unlike any of the Shimano offerings.
In reply to Post #18
Another vote for used Tournament 5000T's you can upgrade them as much as you want. They will last forever.
Another vote for used Tournament 5000T's you can upgrade them as much as you want. They will last forever.
In reply to Post #17
Fair point but you’re comparing a £60 reel to a £150 one.
I’ve heard of lots of faults with cheaper Daiwas, i.e. Windcast / Crosscast / Black Widow & plenty with earlier Shimano Ultegra XTC/XTEs.
Fair point but you’re comparing a £60 reel to a £150 one.
I’ve heard of lots of faults with cheaper Daiwas, i.e. Windcast / Crosscast / Black Widow & plenty with earlier Shimano Ultegra XTC/XTEs.
I’ve still a set of Daiwa Emblem Z 5000As on my distance setup and Shimano ultegra xtbs I bought around 2006 (medium distance) there is nothing worthy of replacing them today imho.
The older reels were much better built.
The older reels were much better built.
In reply to Post #21
The za's are a very underrated reel and very reliable. I still have a set that i kept in france for years i can remember initially getting 2 for spod and marker use but found them far nicer and smoother to use than the tournys and infinity's id been using as main reels so got a full set of the za's and moved infinitys on
My friend has lived in france for over 20 years doing a lot of public lake fishing with his set of za's and never had a problem with any of them.
The older reels were imo better built my main reels here are xt techs which have also been faultless and which i would never get shut of.
I also have a set of ci4 5500 xtb's for small water use although they feel smooth i dont think they are built as well as the za's
The za's are a very underrated reel and very reliable. I still have a set that i kept in france for years i can remember initially getting 2 for spod and marker use but found them far nicer and smoother to use than the tournys and infinity's id been using as main reels so got a full set of the za's and moved infinitys on
My friend has lived in france for over 20 years doing a lot of public lake fishing with his set of za's and never had a problem with any of them.
The older reels were imo better built my main reels here are xt techs which have also been faultless and which i would never get shut of.
I also have a set of ci4 5500 xtb's for small water use although they feel smooth i dont think they are built as well as the za's
Thanks guys! A lot to go through. I'm a bit gutted I missed the Daiwa's at around £144 the other day. I think that's nearly as cheap as they were on release by all accounts.
I'll have a look at some of the suggestions in town at next weekend.
I'll have a look at some of the suggestions in town at next weekend.
In reply to Post #23
I have seen and used the penn affinity and thought they were a really good reel for the money and the vantage and tidal xt's also look very good and worth a look
The okuma obsidian does look good and is getting a lot of good reviews although i dont like the idea of an aluminium reel shaft but to counter that there are a lot of them in use so must be doing ok
I have seen and used the penn affinity and thought they were a really good reel for the money and the vantage and tidal xt's also look very good and worth a look
The okuma obsidian does look good and is getting a lot of good reviews although i dont like the idea of an aluminium reel shaft but to counter that there are a lot of them in use so must be doing ok
Looking at new reels I would look no further than the Penn Tidal XT 7000 between £130 & £160 a bargain!
Okuma Obsidian. Amazing reels for the money.
In reply to Post #26
Can you get spares for the Okumas?
Can you get spares for the Okumas?
In reply to Post #27
Not tried but I’m sure you can. Okuma is a big company.
Not tried but I’m sure you can. Okuma is a big company.
In reply to Post #28
Isn't Okuma the same company as Dynamite and Rapala?
Isn't Okuma the same company as Dynamite and Rapala?
In reply to Post #29
Yep, Rapala own both Okuma and Dynamite Baits
Okuma Obsidians do look great for sure, i was torn between them and the Shimano 14000 XTE but ultimately went with Shimano as my 5500's have done me well for a long time.
I don't like the line guard thing on the XTE's to be honest, on more than one occasion i've had to take the spool off to put the line guard back into it's slot
Yep, Rapala own both Okuma and Dynamite Baits
Okuma Obsidians do look great for sure, i was torn between them and the Shimano 14000 XTE but ultimately went with Shimano as my 5500's have done me well for a long time.
I don't like the line guard thing on the XTE's to be honest, on more than one occasion i've had to take the spool off to put the line guard back into it's slot