Okuma Komodo 364 364L Product Review

Reel Review

Okuma's Big Bait Slayer, the Komodo

Date:	4/16/14
Tackle Type:	Reel
Manufacturer:	Okuma
Reviewer:	Cal

Total Score: 7.49 - GOOD

Introduction: Low profile reels have long dominated the freshwater fishing marketplace in applications that call for line rated roughly twenty pounds and less. As a result, the majority of these reels are sized right around the "100" and "200" sizes. They're characterized by being a size that's easy to hold and palm while fishing. But with the number of oversized baits hitting the market, what's growing in demand are larger sized low profile reels with greater line capacity that can be used not only for black bass, but other species as well like striped bass, musky, and more. In response to the demand, we are seeing more and more "300" sized low profile baitcasters.

Introducing Okuma's other 300 size lowprofile baitcaster - the Komodo

Earlier this year, we touched upon one option from Okuma, the Citrix which is available in both a 200 and 300 size option. Today we look at another option from this same manufacturer and one that is priced one tier up from the Citrix. Introducing our look at Okuma Fishing's Komodo low profile baitcaster.

Okuma Komodo 364/364L Specifications
Line Capacity - Rated	14/230 : 20/150
Line Capacity - Spool Volume	30.8 cubic centimeters
Retrieve Ratio	6.4:1
Inches Per Turn (IPT) - calculated	9 - 31
Weight	10.6 oz
Spool Weight	31 grams
Handle Length	100 mm
Bearings	10 + 1
Bearings per Knob	2 bearings
Levelwind Bearings	2
Tested Max Drag	~14.5 lbs
Origin	Made in China
MSRP	219.99

We fished the Komodo while in Arkansas with Okuma.

Quality/Construction: The Komodo is the same size as its sibling Citrix 300. In fact, compared side by side the shape of the two reels appear to have an identical profile. The finish on the Komodo is upgraded with a refined grey paint. Tolerances in the frame and sideplate are very tight, but the handle and knob tolerances could use a little more refinement.

Quality Ratings for Okuma Komodo 364/364L
Finish (1-5)	Frame & Sideplate Tolerance (1-5)	Handle Tolerance (1-5)	Knob Tolerance (1-5)	Total	Possible	Rating (= Tot/Pos * 10)
5	5	3	4	17	20	8.5

Performance: Zander and I both fished this reel spooled with 30 pound Sunline SuperNatural Nylon Monofilament while out on a week long trip with Okuma in Arkansas chasing after big striper.

We spooled the Komodo with 30lb Sunline Supernatural Mono.

Retrieve: The Komodo is noticeably more refined than its sibling the Citrix, but shares a similar connected feel between the gears and handle just slightly more insulated. The retrieve on the Komodo is smooth yet a little loose because of the backplay in its handle

Performance Ratings for Okuma Komodo 364/364L
Retrieve (1-5)	Drag (1-5)	Power (1-5)	Casting Range (1-5)	Brakes (1-5)	Total	Possible	Rating (= Tot/Pos * 10)
3	3	4	4	3	17	25	7.2

Fig 1 : Our Sweet Drag Performance chart, above, illustrates the Komodo's performance when subjected to The Machine's drag test.

Drag: The Komodo's drag is very smooth and consistent at lower settings, but when we got into the reel's upper range on The Machine, we charted a bit more inconsistency. We expect this on finger tight lockdown, but not at settings a few pushes of the drag star shy of max settings. It should be noted we didn't feel any of this inconsistent behavior out on the water.

A look at the Komodo's extensive drag stack.

Sweet Drag Performance for Okuma Komodo 364/364L (#.# Turns to Lockdown)
	Full Turn	Full + 2	Full + 4	Full + 6	Lockdown	Avg % Change
Start Up	1.28	1.64	2.9	7.97	12.01
Sustained	1.27	1.65	2.9	7.58	12.93
Biggest Drop	0.64	1.4	2.58	5.88	8.93
Change in Startup vs Sustained	1.1%	0.7%	0.2%	4.9%	7.6%	2.9%
Biggest Drop from Sustained	49.4%	15.2%	10.9%	22.5%	30.9%	25.8%

Power: There's a lot of leverage while cranking the long, 100 millimeter handle of this reel and the gears inside respond quite readily to the task. We fished a lot of big baits with the Komodo including the Deps Slideswimmer and Roman Made Mother, and this reel had no difficultly whatsoever with these baits. Zander caught the largest fish between the two of us on this reel in a chunky striper with its weight in the high teens and while the fish battled, there was never a doubt the Komodo would hold up and handle the fish.

This reel comes stock with a 100 millimeter handle.

Next Section: Big bait casting range