Good economical spinning reel
 

One of my favorite things to do is take inexperienced people on my boat for their first bass or bluefish, especially kids. I have a number of low end rods that I make available and don't mind too much if they get banged up, but my reels are decent - Penn SS and Shimano Baitrunners mostly.

I am interested in buying a couple of cheaper spinning reels for these situations that won't upset me if someone inadvertantly abuses them. At the RISAA and MSBA shows I saw a number of Okuma reels that looked good and were in the $50 or less price range. However, I have noticed on this forum some folks have been less than satisfied with Okuma.

As for size - something similar to the Penn and Shimano 4500 or 5500.

Two questions - what is it about the Okuma's that people don't like? Any recommendations on something you do like?

I have a Penn Powergraph 4000 for my schoolie setup. I think I paid 55$, IMO it is a good quality reel for the price.

Cheep Reels
 

I used Tica and Okuma on charters last year. I liked the $90-$110 Okumas better. The Tica's had corrusion problems but I sent them back to the factory and they replaced all parts and serviced them at no charge with no questions asked. There Gold colored baitcaster reel looks and works great!

I use an Okuma on my Freshwater setup and love it. The biggest knock I had on them was they weren't durable for fishing off the rocks. they didn't take a beating well. They would probably work good from a boat.

Penn 360
light line
7'

:)

She is SO ready to roll.........:(

They are not that heavy duty. They have lots of bearings because it is cheaper to put in bearings to hold alignment then to machine a quality rigid frame. They will work fine for a few seasons and are worth the $ IMO for the budget minded angler who is not hard core or the kid who fishes infrequently. The drags are surprising smooth and they have a nice smooth feel to them. They won't stand up to a lot of heavy use but they are not a bad reel. I have won a few cheap okuma's have bought a couple inspria's and one large spinner baitrunner). In fact my kid won another one at the SB show as a door prize. IMO the inspria model is a nice light duty spinning real. I caught some screaming bonito last fall on one in the surf and the drag held up great. (10# test on a small spinner)
I had a bail flipping problem on the big baitrunner spinner (corranado?) which cost me more in Habs needles then the reel was worth but it is now a manual bail (which is now in the backup bin) but the others reels work fine. I also have some higher end gear to compare it against and there is a big difference between the better Penns, stella, VS and the okuma but for 50-70 bucks, it is hard to beat. Keep in mind a new spool for the stella sells for 150 alone.
My kids have okuma rods/reel combo packages they won in past derbys and have used them to catch countless bluefish and even a few bass and bonito. For the young or inexperience I would say go for it. For the guy who is used to higher end gear it might feel a little plastic to him.
I have one okuma that is looking tired but still functions after 3 years of boat fishing and never seeing a service other then a hose and a spray of WD40 from time to time. It will probably see the backup bin and join countless others and never been fished again but it did its duty.
I have never used their convential gear but again the price is appealing and they look nice from outside. When I am seriously fishing...the good stuff comes out though, new high end gear with fresh line. But for blues on the surface in August..they are fine.
One other thing that might be an issue. You can get a part of most any Penn locally when you need it, not so for okuma. (or stella or vs either I might add) I know several guys who ONLY use penn products for this reason alone. They can get a part at the shop today when they pick up bait.
I would get a pair of reels and some Tica or Tusunami rods and give them a try for a season...it is not like you can make a costly decsion here and the package feels nice and the price is fantastic.
It is not the same feel as a cape fear rod with a stella reel but you have some $ left in your checking account when your done.

Get a couple of Penn 704Z's from Mike CC. Not only will you not mind if they get abused, the reels won't mind it, either. ;)

They're not much more expensive than those cheap-assed Okumas.

I second Mike's opinion on the Penn Z's great reels for the money.probably the most economical approach in the long run since they will last almost forever and parts are available.

I third mike opinion- Great Reel-- Buy any size penn that you feel your freinds will be comfortable with- Last longest- easy to get parts - good prices. ;)

I have a 704z thats been used close to 10 years, and I havent repaired it yet:p