Okuma Fly Reels

[kurtisjohnthomas]

Just been trolling some of the overseas tackle shops and came across some of the Okuma fly reels. I am a big fan of Okuma but have never seen them in Australia.

The Okuma Helios looks the best.

While the Okuma SLV doesn't look too bad either.

Just wondering if anyone has seen or used them and any feedback?

[luderick -angler]

Kurt big sellers in NZ have fished both if you have the money get the Helios whilst for value and quality the SLV is great good kit for the price but no Able I personally would look at a Lamson Konic or Guru whats it for fresh or salt?

[kurtisjohnthomas]

Salt.

I am an Okuma guy through and through. never had problems with any of their stuff and the lifetime warranty makes it more and more attractive.

I have heard of people blowing up their gear. But I haven't had such problems.

I can't justify spending big bucks on a fly reel considering how little work it does, so the Herios looks like a good option.

[jimmy72]

Hi Kurt,

I have researched them as best you can from your desk top... lol ... i found the the hellios reels have a very good reputation for value for money, smooth drag and standing up to beating ( as told mainly by americans using them on stripers, mack tuna and bones fish and small tarpon ) , The hellios is not yet distributed by okuma in australia for some reason ( my mate is a rep for them via an agency here in aust and i pestered him for the last year about the hellios and the cedros.. get me a tester please .. but never happened).

they only started selling the SLV in Aust. in early July, hopefully they start selling the hellios here soon too... our fly reel market needs some of these good value reels to shake up companies who think its OK to price reels at $1000 just for use in the harbour....if you know what i mean (but those reels are pretty i do admit)

From what i have found the SLV have a cork drag as does the hellios but it’s not water proof... ( is water proof a good or bad thing.. i dunno if something does get in..how do you get it out ?? can you fix it of it breaks??)

the SLV is cast rather than machined alloy like the hellios is ...so would likely not stand up to same sort of punishment.. especially if like me you might be in the blue water and use it on something far to large or more likely step on it . but you could get 3 SLV's for the price of one hellios

the okuma cedros looks good for the Bluewater- a bit heavier and more solid drag

a few months back i narrowed down my choice of new 9wt reel to the hellios 8/9 and the Colton CRG11 8/10, both machined and cork drags, the Colton is Teflon impregnated .. dunno if that good but it sounds cool ( though okuma is water proof sealed drag the Colton not) i ended up with a Colton as its usa made and its possible to get to the drag should something get in there and had a better backing capacity in case i did throw a fly at a decent YFT.. ... but the other thing that motivated me was the Colton was initially more expensive but became cheaper with the aus dollar going up where for some reason the Okuma did not (both on fleabay)

in any case i think either of the SLV or the hellios would do you fine fishing Sydney inshore

hope that helps

cheers

gm

Edited August 23, 2011 by jimmy72

[kurtisjohnthomas]

I tried the SLV the other day, it was ok, but obviously a cheap alternative. I have ordered a Helios from the states at a 6# so I'll let you know.

Just picked up a Stalker 8# as well.

[taloyoak]

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