I've been hearing so many things about the okuma baitcasting reels, and was wondering if their spinning reels perform just as well. I need a new spinning reel, and was wondering how the okumas stacked up against shimano reels. Here's some variables to help with my decision, any help would be greatly appreciated.
I use: 6-12 lb. test line, 1/16-1/4 ounce lures, and was looking for a setup to throw mostly Senkos, dartheads, and light texas rigs. I know the weights for lures and line are a little broad, but I can only afford 2 rods for right now (all my fishing tackle was stolen). If any more information would help you answer my question please ask away, Thank you.

I have a Shimano Sedona and an Okuma Avenger and find them pretty equal if not giving the advantage to the Okuma. It feels a little smoother than the Shimano.

Okuma was built around there spinning reels and make excellent high end ones with great value. The new alumilite reels like the 9 b.b. inspire or 10 b.b. aveon are excellent reels and for $85 and $110 respectively, are a great value compaired to 4 b.b. shimano for the same price. Shimano spinning reels are good but, for what you get, there not worth the price. I would suggest the okuma's above or a daiwa laguna or capricorn, better value, better drags, smoother than shimano. Dave.

Dave T

I think you will find they are both good companies,The Sustain from shimano is worth the dough as is the Stradic MGFA,You may even want to check into reels like the quantum p.t. catalyst.It boils down to really how much you want to pay and then compare what you get bearing ,etc wise.I cant vouch for Okumas customer service,or quantums,but I know Shimanos customer service has been great for me and has gone to extra lengths to help me with my reels.
tight lines,
brian

Thanks so much for the fast replies guys, this board is awesome. I forgot to mention the most important part, I can't afford over about 60 for the reel. Thanks for the replies

Okuma Epixor $50, Daiwa Samurai $30. The best quality and price for 10 b.b. and 7 b.b. spin reels under $60.

Dave T

Here is how the bearing count comes into play on most reels. You have to think where is the company making money with 10 bearings. I have opened almost all manufacturers reels and found bearings in odd spots that do almost nothing to enhance the performance of the reel. I think every manufacturer makes a decent reel or two in their line up. I see low quality bearings in a lot of reels out there. So where is your money going when you spend $60 for a reel with 9 bearings vs. a $60 reel with 5 bearings? Hmm maybe gearing, or better grade metal in the frame and spool...just a thought.

I was a tackle buyer for many years and have had the opportunity to test 100's of reels from many manufactures including Shimano, Daiwa, Okuma and Quantum. I'm quite aware of bearings vs. bearings, gearing vs. gearing and frame materials vs. frame materials. I recommend the Okuma because I've fished it. It's a quality reel and very smooth. It has quality SUS sealed ball bearings and a quality oil soaked felt and SS drag. It's the best reel I've fished under $60.

Dave T

Dave T,
Great response, thanks a bunch. Great to hear something besides a one word answer with no reasoning.
Thanks so much, Dustin

hate to butt in...
But I have fished a ton of Daiwa, and a ton of Okuma reels, and never liked one, from the high end, to the low.
As for what Magmaster said, he is 110% right, if you guys are looking at the amount of Ball bearings in a reel to make a decision, you WILL NOT get the best reel for the $$$, Ball Bearings are a selling point, and most of the "extra" bearings you guys see, in these fancy reels, really do nothing for the reel, except add another part to corode, or go bad.
I would concentrate more on frictioned parts, and most importantly, the way the reel stacks line.
I have fished a ton of the new Stella's, (1000's, 2500's) and needless to say, I was pretty dissapointed, not to say anything bad about Shimano, ofcourse!
I have an old Symetre 100 Rear drag, that I would fish over any Stella, Sustain etc... No worm gear = smooth as silk. :)
just my 2 cents.
D

That's what the message board is for, to express your opinion. Personally, there simply is a very noticeable difference in smoothness between a high quality 10 b.b. real and a 4 b.b. reel, regardless of manufacturer. And did I misunderstand your post, did you imply that the symetre is smoother than the stella. Granted most fisherman can't tell the difference between say, a 3 b.b. reel and 4 b.b. reel, but a stella and a symetre, come on! Anyway, you and magmaster didn't answer the mans question. What do you prefer, a $60 shimano or a $60 okuma, and why?

Dave T