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Baitfeeders For Spring Trout and Catfish

Tuesday, April 26th, 2011

Dave Brown is the Western Regional Sales Manager at Okuma Fishing Tackle.  Enjoying a wide range of fishing that most definitely includes a relaxing day of bait fishing, Dave shares his top technique for using baitfeeder functionality on spinning reels to advance his success.

Still fishing gear for trout

Still fishing for trout and catfish is a great way to get out and enjoy fishing with minimal expense.

It’s a beautiful spring morning with dew on the lawn. The kids have been itching to get out of the house for months. Finally there is a window of opportunity to hit the local water and soak a line. You’ve heard of an early season bite and it’s time to get out and see for yourself. The lake is full after all of the early season rain and snow melt and primed for some fishing.

Avenger Baitfeeder Trout Rig

The typical rig consists of mainline running through a sliding egg sinker to a swivel. To the other side of the swivel a light leader, hook and bait.

With costs rising, sometimes it is difficult to find an inexpensive activity. Why not get out and plunk some bait? Be it a dough bait for trout or a nice chicken liver for a catfish or two, there are many options and methods to this relatively simple form of fishing. I’m a Southern California born and raised fisherman, and one very common method for our trout fishing is soaking some dough bait.

Spring conditions typically include some wind. When we fish in windy conditions we normally struggle for a way to get the slack out of our line. A common solution to this is to attach something weighted to your line to remove the slack. A bobber with a sinker, or a lure, is what I see most often.

Removing slack from still fishing line with a lure.

Lures and weighted bobbers are often used to keep the slack out of line when still fishing, but these solutions create their own problems.

This isn’t the most convenient way to fish as once you do get a bite, the fish can feel the resistance of your weighted bobber or lure and spit the bait. Also, if you do manage to hook your fish, you must now remove your bobber or lure without fraying your line.

Okuma has come up with a solution to this type of fishing. The Okuma Avenger Baitfeeder 20a (ABF-20a)  is the perfect reel for this type of fishing. This is the smallest baitfeeder in the market and ideal for the bait plunker or still fisherman that wants fish to be able to eat a bait and move away while feeling little to no resistance.

Baitfeeder reels were designed for live bait anglers in order to let their bait run freely and still have their reel engaged. For the still fisherman, you can utilize the baitfeeder function to let fish bite, then turn and run with your bait with little to no resistance. The Avenger Baitfeeder has a secondary drag system that allows your reel to be engaged, but let’s your line run freely out of the spool. You can control the tension of the line leaving your spool by the secondary drag knob on the bottom of the reel. Once you do get a bite and you hear the clicking of your spool, all you have to do is turn the handle to engage the primary drag system and you are fighting your fish with regular drag pressure. It’s just that simple. In windy conditions, you can tighten the tension on your baitfeeder drag to get enough tension to take the slack out of your line, but still let a fish bite and run freely. There’s no need for a weighted bobber, lure, or anything that will cause interference when using the baitfeeder.

The Avenger Baitfeeder reels contain a full lineup of sizes. You can find everything from the size 20 to a size 90 for big offshore applications. Baitfeeders are also available in Epixor, Coronado and Cedros spinning reel line-ups!

For more information please visit www.okumafishing.com.

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$20,000 For Steve Schmidt & Rick Newton!

Tuesday, April 26th, 2011
Steve Schmidt of Schmidt’s Big Bass Guide Service in Mansfield, TX has been fishing Okuma since 2007.  You won’t meet a more straight-up guy.  He buys his gear like everyone else and is never the guy looking for freebies at every corner. That’s what made it so exciting when his email came through and we saw his post on our Facebook page.  He posted simply, “The products that Okuma puts out are the BEST. I used the Citrx and Serrano reels and AL-20 helped me win Bass Champs North Div.”

In looking at the Bass Champs website, http://www.basschamps.com/basschamps/index.cfm, not only Steve and his partner win the tournament at Ray Roberts on April 16th, they took home $20,000 to boot! Knocking down that kind of money on a Saturday has got to be one of life’s great moments, so we took the opportunity to catch up with Steve for an overview.

Steve Schmidt & Rick Newton Top 199 teams to Win $20,000 on Ray Roberts

Steve Schmidt and Rick Newton took home $20,000 for their win on Ray Roberts

“The weather down here has been windy and crazy,” he began, “we missed our pre-fishing the week before because it was too windy.” So they just had to go fishing.

The team stared the day fishing 4″ Senko-type baits rigged wacky style.  Schmidt fished braid on an Alumina 20 spinning reel to a fluorocarbon leader.  ”Right off the bat, Rick caught a 14-incher on the outside of some grass, so it was like okay, the fish are here.”  They worked the bank for a bit with no more bites.  Moving to the next ditch, Schmidt switched to a chatterbait fished on a Citrix 7.3:1 baitcast reel.  An immediate 5-pounder raised the team’s spirits substantially.

Working other spots to no avail and always coming back to the same general area, the duo picked up a 6-pounder next, then another 5-pounder. Slowly, they picked off a quality limit with the exception of the 14-incher they never were able to cull. “The fish were on windy secondary points, ambushing bait in dirty water,” said Schmidt.

The team felt good, feeling a check of some sort, as they headed to the weigh-in.  With 199 teams out there though, anything could happen.  They were in the first wave, weighing their sack in the first group of 15 or so teams.  Up goes their solid weight of 21.56-pounds, with some Ray Roberts experts still to come.

“We had to wait for more than an hour,” Schmidt said.  We can only imagine the nerves involved as team after team carries sacks of fish to the scales.  When it was all said and done, Schmidt and Newton had come out on top.

“Everything lined up,” he began.  ”I lost my hat running across the lake and had to turn around to pick it up. If that didn’t happen, maybe the day would have been different.”

Congratulations on the victory Steve and thanks a million for a great story! Interested in fishing with a tournament-winning bass guide?  Catch up with Steve at: http://www.schmidtsbigbass.com/

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Microsoft Tags: Scan It, View It

Monday, March 7th, 2011

If you’ve wondered what the graphic below is that’s suddenly appearing throughout our print ads (with more to come), it’s a Microsoft Tag, and it makes new levels of content immediately available on your smart phone.

Okuma Citrix Video Tag

Scanning this tag on your smart phone will run our new Citrix baitcast reel product video.

Tags are two dimensional bar codes that allow an enormous amount of information to be stored in a compact format.  Their design is meant to be scanned by the camera on smart phones including  iPhones, Androids, Blackberrys and Windows Mobile among the group.  Before you can have fun with them, however, you need to know how to use them.

To get started, simply go to http://gettag.mobi on your web-enabled smart phone and download the Tag Reader.  Then when you see a tag, simply scan it to unlock content that allows you to interact with Okuma materials in new and exciting ways.  For example, most of our tags in print advertising will connect you to new product videos.  Rather than wait to get to a store to inquire about the features and specifications of a reel you’ve seen in an ad… just scan the tag and take a quick video tour!

Microsoft Tags are still in their infancy, with uses growing quickly in numerous and fascinating ways.  As we progress, we’ll continually look for new ways to allow you to get more from your experience with Okuma Fishing Tackle, with a goal of better fishing experiences every trip out.

Andros Video Microsoft Tag

This tag for the new Andros product video is rendered with what Microsoft calls their helper text.

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Mark Romanack’s Fishing 411 Now National

Monday, March 7th, 2011

The Midwest is a sportsman’s paradise.

Mark Romanack with Largemouth Bass

Fishing 411 host Mark Romanack with a largemouth bass.

Through all four seasons of the year, anglers in the Upper Midwest  have the ability to chase a wide variety of game fish from small farm ponds to the big water of the Great Lakes.  For years now, we’ve sponsored Mark Romanack’s Fishing 411 television with the goal of increasing angler success and enjoyment within the local markets of the Upper Midwest.

As it happens when you have a host that cares about the viewers and delivering information that will positively impact their fishing, Mark Romanack’s Fishing 411 has gone national!  The show is now available on the Sportsman Channel at 8:30pm Saturday nights as part of the network’s Strike & Set Saturdays.  We’re excited for Mark and very happy to have another avenue for customers of Okuma Fishing Tackle to connect with the fisheries we all enjoy so much.

Fishing 411 centers on the bread basket fisheries of the Upper Midwest:  walleye, panfish, bass, trout, salmon, pike and musky.  The show provides the perfect platform to showcase the broad breadth of the Okuma product line from Trio spinning reels, to linecounters, to Citrix rods and reels and the technique-specific EVx rods.

Romanack’s format is educational, delivering not only the “where,” but the “how,” interspersed with helpful tips that will serve anglers well as they pursue similar opportunities in the fisheries local to them.

Marck Romanack with Great Lakes Salmon

Viewers of Fishing 411 will enjoy a wide range of the Upper Midwest's best fishing opportunities.

For news on upcoming shows, or to view past episodes, visit the Fishing 411 website at http://www.fishing411.net.

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What Is Dual Force Drag?

Monday, March 7th, 2011

Spinning reels are being reborn.  From delicate drop shot presentations for bass, to float fishing for river steelhead, to speed jigging powerful offshore species… the spinning reel is climbing to new heights of performance and popularity.

Easy to own and simple to operate, the single weakness in all spinning reel designs is the fact that the line must make a 90-degree transition coming off of the spool and going around the line roller before heading to the first rod guide. Where conventional reels efficiently pull straight from the spool, this 90-degree angle on a spinning reel  introduces a pressure point on line that’s capable of taking knots and weak spots past their breaking point if not backed by a super smooth drag system.

Exploded image of Trio spool and Dual Force Drag system

Components of Dual Force Drag include the traditional top drag stack as well as the oversized drag washer located beneath the spool.

Enter Dual Force Drag, with far-reaching benefits that turn spinning reels into precision big fish and light line performers. First the easy part:  Dual Force Drag is an Okuma drag system that utilizes the spacious underside of the spinning reel spool to provide a large secondary drag surface that operates in concert with the traditional top drag stack.  Moving into direct benefits, Dual Force Drag delivers better heat dissipation, greater longevity, even pressure on the reel spool and higher available drag ranges.

Heat, in any drag system, is the enemy.  Heat swells internal reel parts, and when it comes to drag systems, heat creates wildly fluctuating pressures and deteriorates components.  By dramatically increasing the surface area of the drag system, Dual Force Drag dissipates heats much better than a traditional top stack.  Lack of heat means start-up pressures remain smooth and even, as do pressures when big fast fish make smoking hot runs.

When under the pressure of running fish, Dual Force Drag offers greater balance.  If you’ve ever used the brakes on a car where one side is worn, the remaining side pulls very hard when braking pressure is applied.  Same on a reel.  As drag pressure ramps up, a traditional top stack brakes only from the top of the spool.  The internal components receive the wrath of the one-sided load and are forced to carry the strain.  With Dual Force Drag, top and bottom of the spool receive the load evenly, and like your car, brake with even pressure that protects the alignment of all the other components.

Wahoo taken on a Cedros spinning reel.

Wahoo are known as some of the fastest fish in the ocean. Cedros spinning reels proved the right choice for Into the Blue hosts Scott Walker and Steve Roger.

And here’s the kicker: since Dual Force Drag delivers a massive increase in surface area, maximum drag outputs increase big time too.  Our 40-size spinning reels with standard top stack drag systems will output 13-pounds of maximum drag pressure.  The same 40-size spinning reel with Dual Force Drag, including Trio, Cedros, VSystem and Coronado series, will output 20-pounds of drag… an increase of more than 50%.  Even if you do not currently push your drag system to its’ limit, there’s good reason to enjoy the increase.  Most importantly is wear.  By operating in the low to mid-range of the drag’s capacity, the washers will last longer, heat disappears as an issue and buttery-smooth is operational norm.  And in the age of braided lines, should you want to put that 40-size through its’ paces, by all means, buckle down and drop the hammer.

As mentioned, Dual Force Drag is a feature on Trio, Cedros, VSystem and Coronado series spinning reels.  It’s also a feature on Makaira and Cedros lever drag offshore reels, but that as they say, is another story!

In all cases, the best thing you can do to extend the life of all your spinning reel drag systems, regardless of type, is to back the pressure off them completely after each use.  Finish the day, back off the drag.  Make it a habit and all your drag systems will operate better over the long term.

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Operation Catch Fish

Monday, January 17th, 2011

Here in the United States, we fish for many reasons: relaxation, competition, to share time with family and friends, or simply to become closer to our environment by actively participating in it.

For the members of our Armed Forces in Iraq, motivations for fishing certainly include all of same reasons, but perhaps a few more: to let their guard down if only for a short time, to connect with a passion enjoyed back home, to create an experience that is easily shared with loved ones and to truly find the “relaxation” in R&R.

In the Spring of 2010, Okuma was approached by Operation Catch Fish, a program put together by Joe Mercurio, host of the Professional Tarpon Tournament Series. In conjunction with Armed Forces Entertainment and the Bagdad Anglers Club, Operation Catch Fish III was headed to Bagdad to put on a weeklong series of base visits, casting competitions and clinics, culminating in the Bagdad Fishing Derby held at Camp Victory in a lake formerly reserved for use only by Saddam and his guests.

The goals of Operation Catch Fish are simple: boost troop morale, create a fun event to serve as a momentary diversion and to offer a gift to every service member met as a symbol, however small, of our appreciation and support for the sacrifices they make every day.

Joining a group of sponsors that included Mustad, Costa, Reactor Sport Watches, Yamaha, Skeeter, Bullet Weights and Guy Harvey from the fishing community, Okuma donated 500 rod and reel combinations to the event that would stay with the troops.

We just received some photos back, and it’s with tremendous pride that we share them with you. It’s your support of Okuma Fishing Tackle that made this donation possible and we thank you with our deepest respect and gratitude.

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The Love of the Game. Winter Tactics by Joel St. Germain

Monday, January 17th, 2011

Ever wonder what a tournament angler with over 50 career wins thinks about when not under the pressure of competitive fishing? For Okuma Pro-Staff member Joel St. Germain, it’s still fishing. Always looking to learn and to glean new information for sure, his approach shifts and focus widens, taking in many more of the simple pleasures fishing offers. We loved this article and wanted to pass it on. To judge a day simply by numbers of fish is to miss out on much of the available experience. Please enjoy!

Everyone says they love to go fishing, right? For most of us, there’s not much we’d rather do than launch boat and spend a day or part of a day with our friends, chunkin’ and windin’.

But there’s another breed, another level, of fisherman. These are the folks who go fishing whenever they can, and I mean whenever. The only reason these people look at the weather report is to just make sure it’s physically possible to launch the boat. Wind, rain, cold, ice – these are just variables, not obstacles to going fishing.

Joel St. Germain with winter bass

There's a solitude and peace to winter bass fishing. And the rewards ain't to bad either!

I can tell you, I have had some of my best days fishing in the winter. Being from New England, we’re used to bad weather. In New England, the winters are bone-chilling cold. By late November, most of the days are in the 20’s overnight, with daytime highs in the 40’s. We get a lot of wind, and the wind chill factor brings it down to the teens some days.

As a result, around here, tournaments end in late October. After that, the weather is just too unpredictable. On the other hand, for me I’m just settling into my next season and keeping my Okuma gear in my hands! I’m a firm believer the time I spend on the water in the winter will really help me hone my skills. Plus, it’s a lot of fun.

My favorite style of fishing is for deep smallmouth that pile up on humps and points in 30 feet of water. When we do this, I throw a drop shot or spoon. Both work, and both will catch fish after fish even when the water is in the low 40’s.

Many people ask….How do you catch them when the air is in the 20’s and 30’s and the water is around 42 or 44 degrees? I’m a firm believer… the key is finding the bait. You have to find the schools of white or yellow perch. The fish won’t be too far away. The water down at 30 feet is cold, probably even colder than the surface, but it’s always cold down there. Even in the summer, the water down there is in the mid-60’s, so for the fish, it’s not a huge change.

You have to fish slowly too. I spent many hours over the years working on mastering the art of spoon jigging, working it in small, tiny hops. Most guys yank on it like they’re jigging Cod. You have to just move it in tiny twitches, letting it flutter down. The fish usually grab it on the drop. Sharp hooks are a key too. You need to have the best hooks you can for this kind of fishing.

When fishing with a close friend “Jim”, we always have our rituals – we tell stories of the year past, talk about what trails we’re going to be fishing in the upcoming year, and exchange holiday greetings to pass on to each others families.

This past year I’ve had some fun memories fishing with Jim. For me, last year I caught my biggest smallmouth ever on December 20th and on the same day caught almost 50 fish in a half day, literally one after the other. At times, we had doubles and triples. Some were small, some were big, and some were just yellow perch. But it was fishing, and laughing, and a break from work, family, and responsibilities.

We learn a lot doing this, but there’s more to it than just putting in “time on the water.” For me, I just enjoy the fishing, with no pressure to find fish for a tournament, or put together a pattern. All too soon another tournament year will begin and I’ll be fishing my way back to the Bassmasters classic, looking for one more bite to seal a solid finish.

But for now, I’m just fishing… this is the way I like to think of it…..

“We are one day closer to spring!”

Peace
Joel

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Why We’re So Excited About Citrix

Monday, January 17th, 2011

Citrix is more than a new line of reels and rods. Citrix is a representation of a new direction in fishing tackle: a higher level of performance, brought within reach of more anglers than ever before. From a company 100% driven to create, construct and deliver equipment so good it becomes part of your motivation to go fishing… suffice it to say, we’re just a little bit excited.

Citrix low-profile baitcast reels lead an all-new extended family of baitcasters. The same ergonomic body design is found in the Alumina, Calera and Tormenta low-profiles also. As a group, these reels offer the largest selection of casting reels Okuma has ever offered in both right hand AND left hand retrieve. Citrix and family serve every casting preference, where ultra-premium Serrano and Cayenne bait cast reels are only available in right hand at this time.

Citrix low profile bait cast reel

Featuring a monster drop down gear case and 7.3:1 gear ratio, Citrix leads an all-new family of Okuma low-profile baitcast reels that includes the Alumina, Calera and Tormenta. (click image to enlarge)

Citrix low-profiles begin with Okuma’s ALC or AlumiLite Frame Construction, featuring a rigid die cast aluminum frame and machined and anodized Hi-Rise spool cut from A6061-T6 aircraft aluminum. This powerful center of strength prepares Citrix for the most demanding freshwater and inshore salt water fisheries. The drive system, including precision spool shaft, pinion shaft and machine cut brass gears come together in Citrix’s massive drop down gear box. Critical components are sized to their maximum within the housing, adding strength and greater surface area for long-wearing durability.

El Salto lake bass fishing with Citrix baitcast reel.

Citrix's 7.3:1 gear ratio comes in handy when trying to extract El Salto lake pigs from the timber.

The gear system is a point of separation that makes Citrix low-profile bait cast reels unique in the Okuma lineup. Available models include two options in gear ratios. The first is a blazing fast 7.3:1 that’s available in both right and left hand retrieve. Picking up nearly 32-inches of line with every turn of the handle, this incredible speed pushes the limit of what’s available in the market today. Whether burning rip baits across a flat or extracting fish forcefully from heavy cover, the high-speed Citrix is a bass angler’s ally. Steelhead fishermen who drift fish or cast floats, where time between casts is time lost forever, will appreciate Citrix’s speed between presentations as well as its’ ability to keep pace with the fastest running fish. Top competitive products offering this gear ratio are priced at $179.99, $219.99, $299.99 and even $399.99. At an MSRP of $119.99, Citrix provides the avid recreational and aspiring tournament angler unhindered access to the latest professional performance features.

Citrix is the only Okuma low-profile to feature an externally adjustable centrifugal cast control system. (click image to enlarge)

At 5.4:1, the low-speed Citrix, available in right hand retrieve, offers the most powerful gearing in the Okuma low-profile selection. Working even the slowest moving crank bait and spinner bait presentations with precision and accuracy, the standard speed Citrix does battle with steady, consistent pressure and a relentless attitude.

In either high-speed or standard gear ratios, Citrix casting reels are fluid performers. Featuring 8 bearings (7 ball-bearings plus one roller bearing), both casting and retrieves are set free from the feel of the internal mechanics, allowing anglers to focus on the presentation at all times.

With incredible available freespool, Citrix addresses the needs of casters with Okuma’s most desirable Velocity Control System: a patented, externally adjustable centrifugal cast control system. All other Okuma baitcast reels feature an internally-adjustable centrifugal system or an externally-adjustable magnetic cast control system (or a combination of both). Citrix is the only bait cast reel in the Okuma lineup to feature the centrifugal system with external adjustment. With total control available on-the-fly through the external dial, spool velocity is easily and quickly managed under ever-changing conditions and changes to casting weights.

Brandon with a toad on El Salto lake Mexico.

Brandon Cotton pulls a quality fish on a Citrix/C3 combo.

Lightweight and corrosion proof graphite side plates seal Citrix’s internal components with outstanding ergonomics that comfortably work with the hand. The smooth and powerful oversized disk drag system is dialed-in through the aluminum star that’s micro-click adjustable for precise drag settings. The handle is stamped from aluminum for strength. Cut slightly longer than traditional cranking handles, the increased throw is more natural, incredibly comfortable and provides for increased leverage when cranking big baits and fighting large fish. Outfitted with knobs suitable for adult hands, the ergonomics incorporated are well appreciated over a long day on the water.

Ready for braided superlines, Citrix’s Zirconium line guide insert is impervious to braid’s abrasive effects.

Citrix low-profile casting reels are a performance-driven package on all levels of speed, handling, performance, comfort and durability. To advance angler experience completely and in total, Citrix rods were developed as the ultimate compliment to the reels.

With strikingly beautiful design elements, Citrix rods are the lightest, most responsive rods we've ever constructed. (click image to enlarge)

Put simply, Citrix rods are the lightest, most responsive rods we’ve ever constructed. And if that’s not enough, they’re also the hottest looking sticks on the water. To deliver the total package, every feature was scrutinized and optimized to deliver total performance.

Citrix rods are constructed of Okuma IM8 graphite to deliver the desired fast actions and incredible strength with minimal weight. The guides feature ALPS ultra-light stainless steel frames for strength with braid-ready Zirconium inserts.

The handle assembly continues Citrix weight loss program while also retaining a total commitment to strength. The rear split grip features comfortable and supremely light EVA grips. The fore grip has been completely eliminated, again to reduce weight, but also to allow for direct finger contact with the rod blank to maximize sensitivity.

The rear of the reel seat is Pac Bay’s MINIMA design. The reel hood, however, operates on custom built machined aluminum and two tone anodized seat threads. Custom made in Okuma facilities, the reel seat threads are the single area where some weight was retained as a function of superior strength. Going even lighter was an option, but the ultimate fishing rod should also include ultimate security of the reel mounted upon it.

Independently of one another, Citrix rods and Citrix casting reels clearly and recognizably advance angler performance on the water. In combination, the pair will raise your performance and excite your senses with every cast and every fish.

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Okuma Goes “Into the Blue”

Monday, January 17th, 2011

Makaira and Cedros products have been building small, dedicated fan bases in some of the premiere sport fishing locations in the world.  Secret no more, it’s time to go mainstream.  Showcasing the advanced designs and performance of Makaira and Cedros families of product, it’s our pleasure to have sponsored Into the Blue television for 2011.

For us, it all comes down to the hosts.  Captains Scott Walker and Steve Roger are each incredible anglers with experience second to none, and even more importantly perhaps, they like to have a good time on the water.

There are a lot anglers out there with premium skills, but to be able to deliver a first rate experience while keeping it fun and enjoying the comaraderie… that’s worth watching.  Of course, rich HD filming on some of the earth’s most beautiful waters doesn’t hurt either.

Based out of the Florida Keys, the show is spoiled with world-class fisheries immediately available at a moment’s notice.  And if you’ve ever wondered just how good the fishing is there… it’s all you’ve heard and more.

Into the Blue airs on the Versus network Saturdays at 1pm est, 10am pst.  If you miss the Saturday air time, catch it on Tuesday at 10:30am est (7:30am pst), Wednesdays at 3pm est (12pm pst) and Thursdays at 11:30am est (8:30am pst).

We’ve asked them to put Makaira, Cedros spinning, Cedros lever drags and Cedros Coastal rods through a torture test captured on film… and from the looks of the recently received photos taken during filming, they’re doing a heck of a job!

Here’s just a quick sneak peak of what the season has to offer.  Catch up with missed episodes at:  http://www.intotheblue.tv/

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Introducing the Andros 5II, Multi-Disciplined Two-Speed

Monday, November 29th, 2010

In 2010, the introduction of Makaira two-speed and Cedros single-speed offshore reels demonstrated Okuma’s commitment to wholesale advancement of the offshore reel category.   In 2011, one example of this continued commitment goes by the name Andros.

Completely new, from concept to completion, the Andros 5II lever drag reel showcases what’s become possible with 50- to 80-pound Spectra fiber lines.  Andros delivers incredible strength, handling and capability from… get this… only 15.2-ounces of refined excellence with a capacity of 430 yards of 50-pound braided Spectra.  At less than a pound and fitting in the palm of your hand, Andros houses a ton of ambition to take on larger challenges with a smaller reel than ever before possible.

Okuma Andros design prototype

Every aspect of Andros went through thorough prototyping for design, fit and function.

At the heart and soul of Andros capability is its’ unique and advanced frame design.  Andros’ frame and left side plate are precision-machined as a single continuous piece from bar stock aluminum. Additionally, the reel foot is machined as an integral part of the frame support.  The design eliminates wasted space and redundant structural elements while allowing for the largest possible spool diameter and Andros’ low profile mounting position in reel seats.

Competitive reels utilize a reel foot that’s separate from frame elements.  Within this design both the frame and reel foot require independent structure to deliver strength.  The result is that the main frame sits elevated over the reel foot, which introduces wobble under high stress and necessitates a reduction in spool diameter in order to maintain a compact overall size.

The centerline runs across the center of spool locations. Notice the lower position of the Andros reel seat. The Andros sits lower, yet carries more line capacity.

In all offshore applications, spool diameter and the resulting line pick-up is of critical importance.  Thanks to the frame design, Andros delivers a spool diameter of 54.5mm while top competitors deliver spool diameters of only 46mm and 47mm.  The bottom line here is that Andros, whether in high or low gear, can pick up as much as 30% more line per turn of the handle.  This massive point of separation is where Andros confirms itself as a true big game performer.  When on big fish, the ability to gain line is an absolute necessity.  It’s the difference between performance and punishment.

The right-side side plate finishes Andros framing structure.  Again precision-machined from bar stock aluminum, the mounting system continues Andros superiority.  Utilizing male and female aluminum connection points and just a single screw, Andros eliminates even more corrosion points and allows for simplified maintenance access.  Where it’s common to find five or six screws on competitors, each a potential point for electrolysis to take place, Andros single screw frame design represents long-term thinking and respect for the investment in a reel designed for life.

Andros’ commitment to excellence touches each and every interior component.  The drive shaft, spool shaft, main gear and pinion gear are all cut from 17-4 stainless steel.  Strong, rigid, durable and highly corrosion resistant, this high-grade stainless allows for the reduction in parts size without compromising structural integrity.  The gears are helical cut (cut at an angle) to provide progressive meshing instead of the noticeable hard slap you can feel in straight-cut gears.  While obviously smoother, helical cut gears are also more durable over the long-term.

Okuma Andros perspective photo in hand.

It takes perspective to appreciate Andros compact design and capacity. This two-speed can fit in your pocket!

Andros features six EZO bearings from Sapporro Precision Incorporated of Japan.  Andros’ two spool bearings are ABEC-5 rated, delivering ultimate freespool performance.  As an industry first, Andros non-spool bearings are fully grease-packed from the factory.  While this does introduce slight handle resistance, it minimizes water intrusion and ensures long-life durability.  The spool bearings feature a 30% grease pack with respect for freespool.  The right-side spool bearing is unshielded and immediately available when the right side plate is removed.  This allows anglers looking to maximize freespool performance to easily remove the grease and replace with oil.  If this is done, please incorporate a rigorous maintenance schedule to protect the bearing.  The left spool bearing is shielded, but only because its’ size is not available from Sapporro without the shield.

Andros drag system is Carbonite, greased with Cal’s drag grease.  The system delivers 15-pounds of drag at strike, 24-pound at full, each while maintaining complete freespool.  In front of the drag are Andros’ two-speeds:  6.4:1 on high, dropping to 3.8:1 at low.  Andros’ high speed keeps pace with sailfish, wahoo and other speedsters while delivering exceptional action from vertical jigs.  In low, Andros bears down on tuna, jacks and other powerhouses.  The 3.8:1 ratio assures that even in low gear and with half a spool of line in the water, sufficient line is being retrieved to bring large fish to the boat.

Hero shot of Andros 5II offshore fishing reel

In addition to Andros stunning good looks, notice the minimal frame rise above the spool. Exceptional materials and tight tolerances are the secret to the Andros 5II's superior line capacity.

Mounted on a rod, Andros sits low and stable thanks to the reel foot’s inclusion as part of the frame structure.  Its’ drop down gear case places the machined aluminum handle nearly in line with the rod blank for superior power and balance while nearly eliminating wobble when cranking under pressure.

With a ratcheting lever drag, 16-point double dog anti-reverse system, large and accessible shift button, oversized Ergo grip and Okuma’s Corrosion Resistant Coating process throughout, Andros completes itself as a premium performer.  Designed to showcase braided line, its’ performance is nothing short of exhilarating, connecting angler and fish with less interference than ever before.

Andros’ multi-discipline design elements refuse to be categorized as simply a jig reel, casting reel or live bait reel.  Combining forward-thinking design with the best materials available, Andros does it all with no-excuses performance.  Excelling with fish up to 100 pounds, quickly Andros will become your most often used and most enjoyed piece of premium fishing equipment.

For a full list of specifications, click here:
http://okumafishingteam.com/family/395262

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