*THE HULL TRUTH is the world's largest FREE network for the discussion of Boating & Fishing. Whether you're researching a new boat, or are a seasoned Captain, you'll find The Hull Truth Boating & Fishing Message Forum contains a wealth of information from Boaters and Sportfishermen around the world.
Welcome to the updated THT!
If you are having trouble signing in, please email feedback@thehulltruth.com with your username and we will help you. We thank you for your patience as we help you access the new site!
Random Quote: If anything is going to happen...It will happen out there. Captain Ron Ricco
Is this a decent low cost lever drag for the occasional trip offshore. I like all the expensive shiny reels but for only a couple of trips to true bluewater in my own boat a year are these O.K.
I have a couple of TLD 25's and the graphite frame seems to hold up OK so I would think the Okuma's would to. Any comments.
I agree on the TLD's. I have those Okuma's and while they're adequate, their drags tend to get sticky. The single speed 50W's are much better than the 2-speeds.
I think they work great!!!!! Great value for an all aluminum frame, very strong!) We use them for grouper, sharks, heavy trolling.... and for 3 season's worth of use off the NC coast... I've never had a problem with them. You do have to clean them annually (internally), but big deal...
I've got two Titus Silver 50W's (Paid $199 each for them), 2 Okuma TG-15's on Chaos Rods.... We hardly touch the Penn Senator stuff....
I have the following Okuma's
(4) 50 2-speeds
(2) 30 2-speeds
4 years worth of shark and tuna fishing with zero issues to date. A very good value and hard to beat at 1/2 of the cost of Penn.
Very smooth drags, have had penn die hard users tell me this when they were battling sharks on my reels.
__________________ Thousands on the boat.
Hundreds on equipment.
Time away from the wife, priceless!
I bought 4 50W single speed graphite framed Okumas a few years back. It was all I could afford at the time. I paid 125 bucks a piece for them new from FISHBUZ in Toms River NJ. I have fought and landed Bluefin Tuna to 125 pounds, lots of Yellowfins and Albacore around 40-60 pounds, dozens of Makos and Blue sharks up to 200 pounds and even a Thresher that weighed out at 387 pounds at the scale at Hoffman's. I have never cleaned them internally, and the drags are original. they are loaded with 80# Ande clear.
Don't misunderstand me, I have no doubt that they will eventually fail and not last nearly as long as Penns or Shimanos. Actually last year I purchase a Tiagra 50 2 speed and love it. I did however pay more for it that all 4 Okumas.. Eventually I will switch over to all Shimanos for my off shore use like I did for my inshore use. (TLD 25s) When I can afford to....
If you are on a budget.....get the Okumas........if you have an open checkbook go with the Tiagras.......PERIOD
The Gold's are decent, the Silver's had alot of frame corrosion issues but they seem to have that straighten out now, the graphites are marginal. OK if you don't use them too much and want to save some money. Considering the money I'd rather have a TLD 25 or Daiwa SLD 30. Spool them with spectra backing and a mono topshot and you'll have a reel that can handle more the the Okuma T50W.
I had a Graphite 50w and an their Azul spinning reel a few years ago. Biggest pieces of junk I ever had. Both lasted a couple of trips. Drags were the major problems. I have not heard much bad luck on the silver and gold reels. Most be put together better. I do have an Okuma Epixor Spinning reel. I really like it and have not had a prolbem. The shimano TLD's are great reels. I would buy the TLD over the Okuma AND they are cheap right now. There are people all over the net selling the TLD 25 combo with a Shimano 7' rod for less than the reel sold for last year.
I have heard things like they are crap, and that they are great for the money. I have not had experience with one, but I would definetley go for the TLD25. If you want to make a TLD even better, talk to alantani. Heck even some Penn senators would do the job. Senator has stood the test of time, Okuma has yet to prove itself.
one guy called and said, my wife got me this gold 2 speed okuma. i HAVE to catch a fish with it. what can you do? well, he shipped it down, i went through it, made a few small changes, and it's now his favorite reel. the best part, he said, is that he fished this reel with confidence!
i had an interesting talk with an okuma rep one day. i would love to get one of their big two speed reels, go through it, give it back to the rep and let him take it on a fishing trip to see how it holds up against stock okumas straight out of the box. these reels have serious potential. i have seen a few failures. so have others. but they have serious potential.
okuma is the company to watch. if they can build more reliability into their reel AND keep the price down, they will have a winner.
__________________ eddie's brother, grady white 258 journey
I own 3 50w gold and 2 silver, I agree with the corrosion issue with the silver, but other than that, Ive had zero problems with em! great reel for the price....im buying 3 more gold 50w's at either the AC boat show next week, or from my rep, in the spring....watch out BFT"S im a commin!
Im going Sat 2/4/06 to the AC boat show, is see what kind of deals are floating around, if not I usally buy from my local guy (not sure if im supposed to post names), pm me, i think i paid like 275 each for the 3 golds i bought last summer, but dont quote me, ill look into it.
Okuma Titus 50 W ? 
