Gearing up for summer-runs and it's time for a new spinning reel. I'm eyeballing this reel pretty hard but my biggest question is drag quality. Does it hold up over time?

Any insight would be appreciated.

Thanks.

Eric I own a 200 series Spirex,not bad ,check out the Okuma's they offer a 7 and 10 ball bearing models for under 60 bucks ver smooth and the drags seam to be quality,I will be upgrading soon...Os

I have a 2000 stratic and love it! Use it for about 4 years and have had zero problems-great drag but I must admit I have used it only for steelhead and havent really pounded on it. Mostly jig fishing or float and bait. It's probably got about 30 fish or so on it but has worked great

Crayfin

Osprey,

tell me more about the Okuma. My fishing buddy made mention of a new spinning reel he bought that had "a funny, japanese-sounding name". He bought it at Bob's in longview and was sold on it for the reel's smoothness. The guys at Bob's(according to my friend) said it is a top-notch reel comparable to shimano in quality and that this is the time to get one because the company is selling them cheap to get ther name out in the fishing community. I'm not sure it's an Okuma but the name rings a bell.

Anyone besides Bob's in longview carrying them?

I'm sold on Shimano for their long history of quality and smoothness but I'd be interested in looking at these Okumas too.

The shimano stradic is the only thing I use for a spinning reel. I have 3 2000's and 1 4000. I have had the one 2000 for about 4 years and have landed 100 steelhead and 3-400 silvers, and probably 20-25 chinook on it. The drag still works like it did the day I bought it. It's hard to tell it is a stradic now for all the egg caked all over the spool and handle over the years. The only issue I have had with the reel is where the line comes off of the roller bearing, once in a great while it will slip off the side of the roller bearing and rub on the plastic where it has worn a slight mark on the plastic. Other than that I have never used any of the competitors when the way I see it Shimano is the best!!
Keith

Don't get me wrong I love all my Shimanos,but this Okuma has got my attention
For a Shimano with the same features is 400 hundred bucks... I don't understand the cost diff ,but I'll be getting mine as soon as they restock......Os

R.O. I believe the difference in prices is from the country of manufacturing. I think they all differ in the quality program and specification standards. That is why the Japaness made Shimano reels cost alot more than their twins made from other countries. Check this out for yourself, you can almost feel the differences in your hands.

I just baught an Okuma Avenger 20 (7 Ball Berring). So far it has worked great. It was the Okuma vs the Stradic. The Okuma was twice as smooth as the stradic for 1/3 the price.

The only downfall of the Okuma is that it dosent hold as much line as the Shimano in the same size.

Eric, I'm in a unique position to help you. Have a older stradic 2000 a brand new one, and an Okuma epix ef-30 too! The older stradic has 1 problem, the line tends to jump out of the roller bail-guide during a fishfight. Burning the line and marking-up the reel. Looks like Shimano has addressed this with the new model, replacing the plastic with an improved metal part. As for the Okuma it's 1/2 the $$ and in my view is an ok reel, compared with the stradic it feels a little heavy with a smooth but thicker rewind. Almost as if the stradic has a lighter oil in the crankcase. If $$ is not an issue, I whould go with the new model Shimano it's very sweet!

Thanks for the input fellas!