Last updated on May 31st, 2024 at 05:51 pm
Okuma Surf Reels are designed for function and durability. Surf fishing, and saltwater fishing in general, can be rough on your gear. The constant exposure to saltwater can wreak havoc on rods, reels, vehicles and tackle. Surf fishing reels need to balance function, affordability, and durability and Okuma has been at the fore front of saltwater fishing tackle innovation since it’s founding in 1986.
QUICK LOOK:
Okuma Fishing makes a lot of great rods, reels, and fishing equipment. The following are my top 6 recommendations for Okuma surf fishing reels.
- Okuma Convector Baitcasting Reel – Combining the corrosion resistance you need with a ratcheting drag system for precise settings, which can be ideal when fighting big bull reds, jack crevalle, or large sharks in the surf. Making it one of the best value Okuma Surf reels.
- Okuma Classic Pro XP Baitcasting Reel – I currently own and use one of these reels and have found it to be durable, affordable, and very easy to cast with very little thumb pressure needed to avoid backlashes.
- Okuma CLX Baitcasting Reel – Okuma Surf Reels entry model surf casting reel equipped with a stainless steel reel foot for strength, an aluminum power handle with T-style knobs, and a stainless steel level wind line guide system insures proper knot clearance and corrosion resistance.
- Okuma Rockaway Surf Spinning Reels – advanced long cast capabilities at an incredible value. Okuma Rockaway Spinning Reels feature a small compact body, equipped with 4BB + 1RB stainless steel bearing, a 5.3:1 gear ratio, a rigid metal handle design to reduce flex, and cyclonic flow rotor technology.
- Okuma Surf 8K Spinning Reels – the Okuma SURF-8K Surf 8K Spinning Reel equips a worm shaft transmission system and super slow oscillation system that makes the line wind straight and tight, reducing friction when casting, and a tapered spool for a longer casting, ideal for surf casting.
- Okuma Trio Rex Surf Spinning Reels – A very affordable surf spinning reel option loaded with the latest features and technology. This is a great mid-priced Okuma surf reel that will handle the meanest fish in the surf zone.
While I love my Shimano reels, I have personally used and still use, several Okuma rods and reels. We will look at some of, what I consider, the best value options of Okuma reels for surf and saltwater fishing. I am a value driven angler. I am always looking for gear that will perform well, last a long time and not break the bank.
The saltwater environment is rough on equipment, the Okuma surf reels we will review here have proven themselves, to me personally, over many years of tough use. And, when paired with the Okuma surf rods we reviewed here, you have a great surf fishing combo.
Okuma Surf Reels
Established in 1986, OKUMA FISHING is a fishing tackle manufacturer based in Taiwan. OKUMA FISHING strives to deliver the ultimate fishing experience to everyone, as well as create the best fishing reels and rods for our fellow anglers, which are lightweight and precise, including surf rods.
OKUMA FISHING delivers quality and affordable fishing rods such as fly rods, float rods, spinning rods and surf rods; fishing reels including spinning, bait cast, trolling, and fly reels. They are all made with advanced materials with dynamic designs.
OKUMA fishing tackle is a great choice for freshwater or saltwater fishing. With advanced technology and over 31 years of fishing tackle manufacturing experience, OKUMA FISHING delivers excellent quality fishing rods and reels for any fishing environment.
Okuma Convector Surf Casting Reels
Originally designed as a high speed trolling reel, the Okuma Convector makes a very good surf casting reel. Combining the corrosion resistance you need with a ratcheting drag system for precise settings, which can be ideal when fighting big bull reds, jack crevalle or large sharks in the surf. Making it one of the best value Okuma Surf reels.
Built with durability and reliability in mind the Okuma Convector Levelwind Reel is top of the line when it comes to great lakes fishing! One of the most dependable reels on the market with corrosion resistant graphite frames and side plates, machined and anodized aluminum spools plus Ergo grip handle knobs.
Okuma Convector Reels equip speed LOC pinion gear system allows positive engaging at extreme high speed. The Okuma’s patented mechanical stabilizing system let the reels stay in precise alignment, strong, stable and smooth.
Features
- Lightweight corrosion resistant frame and side plates
- Machined aluminum, gun smoke anodized spool
- Stainless steel reinforcing side plate rings
- Multi-disc Carbonite drag system
- Ratcheting drag star for precise drag settings
- 2BB+1RB Stainless steel bearing drive system
- Quick-Set anti-reverse roller bearing
- Dual anti-reverse system. (Mechanical & roller bearing)
- Speed Lock pinion gear system
- Durable high-grade brass main and pinion gear system
- XL gearing: Drop down gear box 20, 30, 45 sizes
- Self-lubricating gear system, all models
- Wide Mouth level wind (“L” models): Clearance for copper line
- Ergo grip handle knobs featured on all models
- Stainless steel Body Armor on CV-55L
- MSS: Mechanical Stabilizing System for increased durability
Okuma CLX and Classic Pro XP Surf Casting Reels
Okuma Classic Pro XP Levelwind Reels include Okuma’s dependable multi-disc drag system, self lubricating gear system, stainless steel level wind line guide system, 2 ball bearings, and a machined aluminum, anodized spool. I currently own and use one of these reels and have found it to be durable, affordable and very easy to cast with very little thumb pressure needed to avoid backlashes.
Okuma Classic Pro XP / CLX reels equip with stainless steel reel foot for strength, aluminum power handle with T-style knobs, stainless steel levelwind line guide system insures proper knot clearance when fishing with double lines. Okuma Surf Reels entry model surf casting reel.
Okuma Classic Pro XP Features:
- Lightweight corrosion resistant frame and side plates
- Machined aluminum, anodized spool
- Ported graphite frame design
- Stainless steel reel foot for strength
- Dependable multi-disc Rulidium drag system
- Classic Pro XP features 2 ball bearings
- Machine cut brass and stainless steel gearing
- Aluminum power handle with T-style knobs
- Self lubricating gear system
- Stainless steel level wind line guide system
Okuma CLX features:
- Lightweight corrosion resistant frame and side plates
- Corrosion resistant graphite spools
- Ported graphite frame design
- Stainless steel reel foot for strength
- Dependable multi-disc Rulidium drag system
- CLX features a bushing drive
- Self lubricating gear system
- Stainless steel level wind line guide system
Okuma Rockaway Surf Spinning Reels
I use several Okuma spinning reels for fishing the beach front. They hold up very well in the saltwater environment and have yet to let me down over years of continued use. The Okuma Rockaway Surf Spinning Reel is designed to provide surf anglers with advanced long cast capabilities at an incredible value. Okuma Rockaway Spinning Reel features small compact body, equipping with 4BB + 1RB stainless steel bearing, 5.3:1 gear ratio with 104cm of line pickup, rigid metal handle design to reduce flex, and cyclonic flow rotor technology. Okuma Surf Reels answer to the long distance casting that is sometimes needed when fishing the beach.
- 4BB + 1RB stainless steel bearing system
- Quick-Set anti-reverse roller bearing
- 5.3:1 gear ratio with 104cm of line pickup
- Precision machine cut brass pinion gear
- CFR: Cyclonic Flow Rotor technology
- Corrosion resistant frame, side plate and rotor
- Rigid metal handle design to reduce flex
- Long cast, 2-tone anodized aluminum spool
Okuma Surf 8K Spinning Reels
One of Okuma’s newest and most innovative, the Okuma SURF-8K Surf 8K Spinning Reel equips a worm shaft transmission system and super slow oscillation system that makes the line wind straight and tight, reducing the friction when casting. This reel utilizes a taper spool for longer casting distance, making it ideal for wide water.
Okuma brand new concept of long casting spinning reel in 2018, Surf 8K, not only remains Okuma’s patent designs such as rotor brake system, rotor with brush guards, quick-set anti-reverse system…… but also upgrades all functions and parts. Surf 8K equips worm shaft transmission system and super slow oscillation system make the line wind more straight and tight, reduce the friction when casting. The taper spool for longer casting distance, it’s perfect for long casting use at wide water. Making this an ideal Okuma surf reel.
Okuma SURF-8K Surf 8K Spinning Reel Features:
- Super Slow Oscillation
- Worm shaft transmission system
- CFR: cyclonic flow rotor
- Rotor with brush guards – prevent line twist effectively
- Taper aluminum spool
- 5BB+1RB stainless steel bearings
- Quick set anti reverse roller bearing
- Machine cut brass pinion gear
- FPD : Fast Progressive Drag front drag System
- Two stainless steel round line clips
- Rotor brake system
- Hydro block water tight drag seal
- Rigid thicker even flow rotor system
- Carbonite washers drag system
- Rigid Zinc handle arm
- TPE ergo grip
- Corrosion Resistant Graphite Body
Cyclonic Flow Rotor (CFR) was designed to create “cyclonic” airflow, which significantly increases air around the rotor, beneath and around the spool, with every turn of the handle. This thoroughly tested design allows for a much faster drying time if the reel becomes wet, minimizing corrosion and extending longevity of the reel.
Slow Oscillation System Makes the line wind more straight and tight, reduce the friction when casting. Super Long Stroke Spool 45mm. Surf 8K upgraded worm shaft transmission system, strengthens the construction, let the reel more rigid, makes the line wind more straight and tight, working more smoothly.
This fast progressive drag allows a setting from low drag power to almost full drag power in less than 360° rotation. Rotor With Brush Guards Prevent line twist between rotor and main shaft effectively. Rotor Brake System Prevent rotor to turn around and reverse when casting.
Okuma Trio Rex Surf Spinning Reels
Okuma TRIO REX SURF spinning reels feature revolutionary Crossover Construction – core strength from aluminum and integrating graphite for lightweight handling and the line control spool for longer casting distance with less line trouble. A very affordable surf spinning reel option loaded with the latest features and technology. This is a great mid priced Okuma surf reel that will handle the meanest fish in the surf zone.
Features
- SRS solid reel stem
- Multi disc, Japanese oiled felt drag system
- Aluminum spool
- 4 stainless steel ball bearings for ultimate smoothness
- Quick-Set anti-reverse roller bearing
- Precision machine cut brass pinion gear
- Precision worm shaft transmission system
- Crossover Construction design
- LCS: Line Control Spool for longer casting distance with less line trouble
- Rigid, machine-cut aluminum handle design with ergo grip knob
- Hydro Block water tight drag seal
- RESII: Computer balanced Rotor Equalizing System
- Extra shallow taper spool
Okuma Reels Comparison
The chart below will give you a side by side comparison of the Okuma surf reels we have reviewed here. These are my evaluations and opinions based on five plus decades of saltwater and surf fishing. Ultimately though, you will need to do your own analysis as only you know what is best for you and your fishing style.
Grab an Okuma Reel and Go Fishing
Any of these Okuma surf reels would make a great choice for surf fishing. They will give you many years of care free service and can handle most any fish you can catch from the beach front. I have used and continue to use several Okuma surf reels and find that they function extremely well in the saltwater environment and, compared to some, are very affordable. Check them for yourself. I am sure you won’t be disappointed.
As always, stay safe, enjoy the journey and please try to leave it cleaner than you found it. If you have any comments, questions, ideas or suggestions please leave them in the comment section below and I’ll get back to you asap. You can follow us on Facebook: Rex The Beach Angler, Instagram: thebeachangler7, Twitter: @AnglerBeach, YouTube: Man Art Creations and Pinterest: rtmc1982.
A life long surf fisherman with 50+ years of experience, I am also an avid hunter and outdoorsman. I will be sharing my passion for the outdoors with you so be prepared for hunting, fishing, camping, hiking and more. Along with gear reviews and the latest trends and innovations in the outdoor industry.
