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Event Article: 2007 ICAST Reel
Coverage |
ICAST Coverage Day 1 (Reels) - Better, Lighter, Faster, Cheaper (continued)
 Okuma:
As usual Okuma had a large
presence on the show floor and the booth was bustling with life, fueled mostly
by interest in their newest baitcasters rather than their bread and butter....
spinning reels. The king of spinning reels has put a lot of resources into
developing both round and low profile baitcasters and this year the company
unveiled a number of new offerings that build upon the success of their current
VS reels. The new baitcasters range from the refined Red Isis, to mainstream
models which any angler can afford.
Okuma had a large presence on the
show floor full of new offerings on both the fresh and saltwater side
Red Isis: Before we get to those low
profile baitcasters lets take a look at Okuma's answer to the Shimano Calcutta
and Daiwa Luna....the Red Isis. The Red Isis is a feature packed casting reel
with an all aluminum frame and sideplate design, 5BB + 1RB, a carbonite drag
washer system, and machine cut brass gearing.
I think we all know why this reel
is named the Red Isis
The reel is available in both right and left hand
versions and two sizes, 250 and 400. The reels come in two configurations, one
with a machined aluminum power handle, and another with a twin carbon fiber
paddle handle.
The Red Isis comes in two
versions, one of which has a enthusiast carbon handle!
These enthusiast looking handles themselves could
easily cost over 100 dollars on the enthusiast tackle market, which makes it
even more impressive that the entire Red Isis, in all sizes and configurations,
will only retail for $159.99.
The Virage is an affordably priced
reel for all anglers
Virage: Okuma knows they need to expand
their baitcasting lineup in both directions, and for mainstream anglers they
present the Virage. The Virage is available in two colors, red and blue, and is
very affordable at only $44.99. How did Okuma build a baitcaster for under 50
dollars?
The Virage has a hi-rise spool
Start with a graphite frame and sideplate and
implement a 1BB + 1RB design. Though the reel makes use of only one ball
bearing, it does feel pretty smooth actually, certainly more than the bearing
count would indicate. The reel does have a carbonite drag system, and a machined
aluminum spool. The Virage may not be the most refined reel, but it certainly is
a whole lot of reel for the money, and should be an attractive solution for
anglers just starting to get into baitcasting.
...also available in blue
Tycir: One step above the Virage is the
similarly styled Tycir. This reel has an interesting "unfinished" look to it,
and while we are still trying to get used to it, we did find the reel's
smoothness surprising considering this reel only has 3 ball bearings. The Tycir
will retail for $59.99 and fill the gap between the Virage and the Alumina.
One step above the Virage is the
Tycir which features a bearing upgrade
As you probably guessed the Tycir also
makes use of a graphite frame and sideplate. For the money we would
personally go for the Virage over the Tycir, but it makes sense for Okuma to
introduce this reel to fill out their low profile lineup.
The Contoura is a graphite framed
conventional with serious guts
Contoura: Okuma already has a wide
range of saltwater offerings and the new Contoura simply put is a conventional
reel with beefed up stainless steel gears. The reel makes use of a graphite
frame and sideplate and pairs up a machined aluminum anodized spool and magnetic
cast control system.
The reel does feature metal
components
This no nonsense reel makes use of 2BB + 1RB and
is available in a wide range of ratios from 4.2:1 to 6.2:1, and even one smaller
7.1:1 for speed applications. The reel will retail from $89.99 to $124.99
depending on size.
Want a levelwind? The Clarion is
basically the Contoura plus a levelwind
Clarion: The Clarion is for those anglers
that prefer a levelwind, and sports all of the features of the Contoura plus
Okuma's "Strong Arm" levelwind system which makes use of all metal
reinforcement. The best thing about the Clarion is it is actually priced just
about the same as the Contoura at only $99.99-$129.99 depending on size.
The Clarion makes use of machined
aluminum and anodized spool
The Salina comes in both standard
and baitfeeder versions
Salina: Many anglers may not even realize
that when they are buying some of the popular branded baitfeeders they are in
fact investing in a Okuma reel. Okuma has a long history of delivering quality
baitfeeders and this year they are introducing their most refined one yet. The
Salina will be available in both standard and baitfeeder versions and features
the company's patented On/Off auto trip bait feeding function.
The Salina Baitfeeder has a beefed
up dual force drag housed under it's spool
To cope with big saltwater fish and the extra
stress of braid the reel makes use of high density gearing which is forged. Also
very interesting is the dual force drag system which incorporates both surfaces
of the spool to put the stop on hard running fish that have run away with the
bait.
The baitfeeder has a patented
on/off auto trip bait feeding function
These drags are mounted on the top and bottom of
the spool and even pressure is applied to both surfaces of the spool for maximum
stability. The reel is all aluminum and has 4 specially treated bearings coupled
with 1 roller bearing. The Salina Baitfeeder retails for $129.99 to $139.99
depending on size.
The Avenger is a lot of reel for
very little money
Avenger: Okuma may already have a lot of
spinning reels but they felt like they still needed another mainstream reel
inserted right in the middle of their lineup to offer a optimal balance of
features versus price.
Okuma packs a new Japanese oiled
felt drag under a hydro block water tight drag seal
This reel is the new Avenger which is a graphite
reel with 6BB + 1RB and newly upgrade Japanese oiled felt drag washers and a
hydro block drag seal. The reel is made smoother with Okuma's patented
elliptical oscillation system and machine cut brass pinion gear. Like all of
Okuma's offerings the reel is a whole lot of product for not a whole lot of
money, and each Avenger will set you back only $34.99-$49.99 depending on size.
The Avenger fills into the middle
of Okuma's already mammoth spinning reel lineup
Next Section:
Penn does more than just heavy salt
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