In reply to Post #39
His main site covers quite a bit, and very detailed.
https://www.alanhawk.com/
His main site covers quite a bit, and very detailed.
https://www.alanhawk.com/
In reply to Post #45
Have you done a straight comparison between the reels as far as distance casting. I.e with all other things being the same, how much difference in distance is there between them?
Have you done a straight comparison between the reels as far as distance casting. I.e with all other things being the same, how much difference in distance is there between them?
In reply to Post #47
Most carp fishing reels spend the VAST majority of their lives sat on buzzer bars, not being used, and yet some folk seem to think they take as much hammer as working poppers for GT's... 🤣. Even on a runs water, they'll be wound in maybe 15-20 times per day, including a few mis-casts. Spod and marker reels are a different ball game, they take far more hammer, and the same is true for regular, sustained range fishing or perhaps in weed. Think about it, in most general use, carp fishing reels simply don't take that much grief, and a lot of people are over-gunned in price, perhaps so they can wave their (obviously small) willy at the next man... 🤣🤣🤣👍
Most carp fishing reels spend the VAST majority of their lives sat on buzzer bars, not being used, and yet some folk seem to think they take as much hammer as working poppers for GT's... 🤣. Even on a runs water, they'll be wound in maybe 15-20 times per day, including a few mis-casts. Spod and marker reels are a different ball game, they take far more hammer, and the same is true for regular, sustained range fishing or perhaps in weed. Think about it, in most general use, carp fishing reels simply don't take that much grief, and a lot of people are over-gunned in price, perhaps so they can wave their (obviously small) willy at the next man... 🤣🤣🤣👍
In reply to Post #48
I agree, but given the choice I'd prefer anything made the best it can be in my budget.
I agree, but given the choice I'd prefer anything made the best it can be in my budget.
My thoughts are similar to the earlier posts, consumer rip off but the same could be said for most big brand names. You want quality, it comes at a cost.
The thing that is questionable is the quality. I used Daiwa reels for near on 30 years with a few shimano in between, 6000 bait runners etc. Over the last few years I have used mainly Shimano, just because I spent so much time on Diawa's and I can.
Most of the modern reels don't appeal to me, far too much cheap plastic bling, and I am guessing that is for a few reasons, they can charge a premium to replace them and they can soon make them obsolete so you will need to upgrade?
Some of the worst shimanos I bought were 4 x XTC 14000 for a distance set up, the only way I could describe them is cheap crap with an aluminium spool. The line guards failed on 3 of them in no time at all and in use they just felt cheap and nasty to me
I have an Okuma EPIX as a floater reel for around 15 years plus, cracking little reel, never let me down. They make quality reels.
I have just bought a stradic 4000FL for spinning, Shimano again with the thinking of a quality reel that will stand the test of time, time will tell though
Ultimately its about catching fish not what looks nice on a pod for me
The thing that is questionable is the quality. I used Daiwa reels for near on 30 years with a few shimano in between, 6000 bait runners etc. Over the last few years I have used mainly Shimano, just because I spent so much time on Diawa's and I can.
Most of the modern reels don't appeal to me, far too much cheap plastic bling, and I am guessing that is for a few reasons, they can charge a premium to replace them and they can soon make them obsolete so you will need to upgrade?
Some of the worst shimanos I bought were 4 x XTC 14000 for a distance set up, the only way I could describe them is cheap crap with an aluminium spool. The line guards failed on 3 of them in no time at all and in use they just felt cheap and nasty to me
I have an Okuma EPIX as a floater reel for around 15 years plus, cracking little reel, never let me down. They make quality reels.
I have just bought a stradic 4000FL for spinning, Shimano again with the thinking of a quality reel that will stand the test of time, time will tell though
Ultimately its about catching fish not what looks nice on a pod for me
In reply to Post #47
Mark, being a tart ive owned several versions of Basiz, Techniums, XTBs. TBH ive had most. My fav was the GS9000/TS6000. Superb, bombproof and slow but its was great fro casting. Heavy beast as well but, to answer your question, Ive found no difference between all those high end shimanos and daiwas compared too the Okuma. I can fish 'long' as eaily with the 8k as I could with all those other reels as it has ALL the same features.
Apart from price. I paid £62 for a 8k. The features it has are only available on the higher end shimano and daiwa and 4x the price.
The gears are brass. they will last as long as I need them. People laugh at Okuma but they have the pedigree. Theyve been designing and selling reels for other companies for years.
In reality, the 8k can compete against all the others, easily.
Mark, being a tart ive owned several versions of Basiz, Techniums, XTBs. TBH ive had most. My fav was the GS9000/TS6000. Superb, bombproof and slow but its was great fro casting. Heavy beast as well but, to answer your question, Ive found no difference between all those high end shimanos and daiwas compared too the Okuma. I can fish 'long' as eaily with the 8k as I could with all those other reels as it has ALL the same features.
Apart from price. I paid £62 for a 8k. The features it has are only available on the higher end shimano and daiwa and 4x the price.
The gears are brass. they will last as long as I need them. People laugh at Okuma but they have the pedigree. Theyve been designing and selling reels for other companies for years.
In reality, the 8k can compete against all the others, easily.
In reply to Post #51
It may have a brass pinion gear but their site mentions nothing of the main gear. Except a cgi of a silver one.
Bargain still though regardless of that. A replacement brass or stainless main gear for a high end reel would probably buy a set of 3 of these
It may have a brass pinion gear but their site mentions nothing of the main gear. Except a cgi of a silver one.
Bargain still though regardless of that. A replacement brass or stainless main gear for a high end reel would probably buy a set of 3 of these
In reply to Post #52
Noj, correct....they aint no Saltiga or Makira but, i am serious impressed by the whole Okuma range, especially the 8k. Really impressed and Ive not found fault with it after long term use. I even managed to buy the shallow spools from Slovakia for £14 each. Bargin
Noj, correct....they aint no Saltiga or Makira but, i am serious impressed by the whole Okuma range, especially the 8k. Really impressed and Ive not found fault with it after long term use. I even managed to buy the shallow spools from Slovakia for £14 each. Bargin
In reply to Post #51
And a bargain price
And a bargain price
In reply to Post #52
maybe brass pinion but cheap metal for gear and drive
maybe brass pinion but cheap metal for gear and drive
I honestly believe that Shimano build quality has gone far downhill.
I had the original 3500 Baitrunners, then the Aero 4000 GTE's, onto 6010's and up to Aerlex 8000's. All of these reels took the serious abuse I threw at them, (except the theft of the 4000's...)
I still use a grey/bronze Aerlex for spodding even now, or at least until last winter.
I got DL10000's for Brackens, and while not bad reels, they just did not feel top notch, little bit shabby, and I managed to bend the reel handles slightly, followed by bending the central spool rotapin and breaking a reel handle totally.
To upgrade for long casting in a weedy water I got 'budget' Beastmaster 7000's, (around £60), and they felt a whole lot higher quality, I'm still using them now, and in weedy water.
One is used on the Marker/Spod rod, so that gets some abuse.
A mate had some Okuma reels, and yuck. Within a year they simply packed in, as he reeled the spool turned, the clutch failed and the spools turned with the bail and rota.
Bear in mind over the years I gave worked in tackle shops so had a choice of reels to play with, I found the Shimano models of 6/7 years ago you either had to buy top dollar or absolute budget range. The mid price £100-150 reels were naff.
As for Daiwa, again I found the original Emblems (blue and red backside baboons?) were the nicest.
Seriously if I was looking out for reels now I probably think Penn would be on the list.
I had the original 3500 Baitrunners, then the Aero 4000 GTE's, onto 6010's and up to Aerlex 8000's. All of these reels took the serious abuse I threw at them, (except the theft of the 4000's...)
I still use a grey/bronze Aerlex for spodding even now, or at least until last winter.
I got DL10000's for Brackens, and while not bad reels, they just did not feel top notch, little bit shabby, and I managed to bend the reel handles slightly, followed by bending the central spool rotapin and breaking a reel handle totally.
To upgrade for long casting in a weedy water I got 'budget' Beastmaster 7000's, (around £60), and they felt a whole lot higher quality, I'm still using them now, and in weedy water.
One is used on the Marker/Spod rod, so that gets some abuse.
A mate had some Okuma reels, and yuck. Within a year they simply packed in, as he reeled the spool turned, the clutch failed and the spools turned with the bail and rota.
Bear in mind over the years I gave worked in tackle shops so had a choice of reels to play with, I found the Shimano models of 6/7 years ago you either had to buy top dollar or absolute budget range. The mid price £100-150 reels were naff.
As for Daiwa, again I found the original Emblems (blue and red backside baboons?) were the nicest.
Seriously if I was looking out for reels now I probably think Penn would be on the list.
In reply to Post #56
Vintage shimano or daiwa for me.
Recently changed to shimano ultegra xt 10000 from daiwa emblem x 5000a, both jap built when quality and robustness was king.
Vintage shimano or daiwa for me.
Recently changed to shimano ultegra xt 10000 from daiwa emblem x 5000a, both jap built when quality and robustness was king.
In reply to Post #57
Similar thoughts to me
It's a tarts game now all about the look, bling, bling and more bling
Fishing reels have one major purpose for me other than the obvious, to take some proper kosh, not to think where you must lay your posh reel so it doesn't get marked up whilst you then contemplate where you will unhook your fish
Still, if they were churning out Tournies and infinity's that last 20 year they wouldn't be selling much. I bet they make loads now with after sales, bits of plastic crap to replace etc
Similar thoughts to me
It's a tarts game now all about the look, bling, bling and more bling
Fishing reels have one major purpose for me other than the obvious, to take some proper kosh, not to think where you must lay your posh reel so it doesn't get marked up whilst you then contemplate where you will unhook your fish
Still, if they were churning out Tournies and infinity's that last 20 year they wouldn't be selling much. I bet they make loads now with after sales, bits of plastic crap to replace etc