Need advice, I have a Okuma Titus Gold 20S that is 30 size and its design for wahoo and kingfish. Its brand new and I am thinking about selling it to get a Penn torque 300 instead. Should I keep it or not?
Okuma does not build robust, long lived, good performing conventional reels at the present time, and historically they've had many issues from corrosion to drag inconsistency and failure. There are some things happening that will likely change that situation, no info I can present yet - but some things are in the works that will become news probably at ICAST in July.
So, to answer your question, if I were in your situation I'd be inclined to do the same thing you're thinking.
Thanks guys, Here is my take or twist on the whole thing. The reel looks great and all, I was given this as a trade for some equipment I purchased through my company for my friend who does work in a fishing company (reels and rods, one of the big ones). He has been with them for 8+, so he knows his stuff, He said Okuma golds are good reels! I trust him! But the word online has been mixed, so I have to say that I will ebay the reel and get a TRQ300 instead with my corp discount! I have no issue with any brands, but I have no tolerance for faulty equipment, this Okuma could be better than Shimano or Penn, but for now I probably not going to take the chance!
But I did hear that their customer service is great, I had to call in and get a rod clamp, no problems, so if things do fail I'm sure they will stand behind their product, so that is nice to know.
I have heard the same, that Okuma has taken steps to improve customer service. That's a positive for 'em. I expect further improvement in design to come (goes along with what I teased you with earlier).
Originally posted by seant: Need advice, I have a Okuma Titus Gold 20S that is 30 size and its design for wahoo and kingfish. Its brand new and I am thinking about selling it to get a Penn torque 300 instead. Should I keep it or not?
Think of the TQ300 as a gun, the Okuma as a knife and sportfishing as a gunfight. Don't take a knife to a gunfight.
As I sit here I am in Cabo Sab Lucas, Have been on two day charters, in the last 2 days and have scoped out many of the other charter boats. I would have to say that 80% + of all the charters use the Penn Reels. The first charter had 50's 12's and 30T's. These reels get used every day probably 200 days a year. Now the Penn reels I used were beat up BAD and abused to the max. The reels squeeeeek badly from lake of maintance and looked like they were stored in a trash bin in the back of the boat but........ they work flawlessly, the drags were smooth, the gear train had no slack and the bearings did not grind. The better charters ($1000+ per day) maintain their reels but most of the other operators are not too maintance minded. But they have the Penn Reels. Its quite a striking contrast to see this old junk beat up Panga with an arsenal of of top dollar Penn's in the rocket launchers. The Penn's just "take a lickin and keep on tickin".
I know Okuma in on the up swing as improvement is being seen in products offered. The Penn Torque though a bit heavy for the class has vary nice design engineering. I especially like the new Torque Lever drag which has the star type drags incorporated into the lever drage design. A benefit for casting efficiency.
