Got this reel for Christmas and not impressed. I have another 40 dollar Okuma reel and it knocks this over priced Cedros out of the water. Dont know if i got a bad one or something but I'm done trying to baby this reel to keep it working. Trading up for a Penn Battle 3000.

What is it doing? I have had mine since Christmas as well and it has been a great! The drag is super smooth and I paired it with a St. Croix rod and it has been the lightest setup I have ever owned. It looks great too!

_________________
Wilderness Systems Ride 13.5 angler

It keeps freezing up on me. I think it holds water if you spray it off too much after use, then if you want to use it the next day and its got water in it, it does not even want to turn. I have owned the Penn Fierce for about a year and literally never cleaned it and it preforms better than the day i purchased it. I like the idea of just picking up your gear and going fishing and not having to wory about it. I would like to know what kind of maintenance you keep up if you dont mind me asking? But in all honesty i prefer no maintenance vs cleaning my reels every couple months. I have heard the Battle is virtually maintenance free and judging by my step down by penn (the Fierce), I am already sold.

I would still like to know what you do to keep it running?

Thanks,

Chippy D

I will agree that when this reel worked, it worked great! Drag felt awesome. I never could get used to the handle tho because all of my other reels have much more conventional handles. Its a beaute, but the fish give 0 craps what my gear looks like.

I just spray it down real well after saltwater use. I havent noticed it holding water so maybe you have a defective reel. I would contact Okuma.

_________________
Wilderness Systems Ride 13.5 angler

Rule one about spraying down reels after use in the salt. "Don't do that" The reel itself might have issues if water is being held inside. That being said most reels don't like a hard spray of water at all since it pushes salt dried on the body throughout the day into small crevices and openings. I've opened many a reel for friends including some high priced Shimanos over the years and found the guts just locked up and ruined. In those cases they would line the reels up against their boats or the side fo the truck and blast them off as they rinsed the boat. One buddy of mine years ago just thought of reels as a disposeable item. I have one of his older green Shimano Curados he threw away in disgust that only needed TLC and a few new bearings to get back to life. In case anyone asks I did try and return it to him all cleaned up and functional but he refused saying it should have held up and must be junk.

http://www.jeffstacklebox.com

lately I oil my roller bearing after every use or two and oil the whole reel about every fifth use.

_________________
"Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in
a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside,
thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming...
"Wow! What a ride!"

Im banking on a defective reel/part. I was tempted to send it into Okuma because I am extremely happy with my 40 dollar Avenger 30-A, but opted for a return to the retailer for a new Penn Battle 3000. Hopefully it was a good move, I wanted something a little smaller than a 4000 series anyway.

i have a pen battle 4000 and its the best reel i have well atleast my most favorite. i use it for my arties and as far as okuma goes i have the solterra that i use for grouper and snapper and i love it. it is smooth and it holds up pretty well. i caught a 28 pound cobia off the bottom and the okuma did its job

_________________
Field and stream eagle talon 12

These are most of my fishing reels. Some are fairly new. Some are very old. The two on the left are on homemade calcutta bamboo rods. They are from the late 1950s. The third from the left is from 1962. These reels have two things in common. They all work properly. And they All have been thoroughly washed with the hose after every use. None of the Shimano spinning reels have had roller bearing problems. There is no corrosion on the reel bodies. The thought that it is a good idea to leave salt on a reel in storage is ridiculous. Salt is very soluble in fresh water. Wash it off.

_________________
Thanks for taking me fishing Dad

I think they were just saying not to spray the shit out of em' because it gets the salt/grit on the inside. Nice collection you have there Clark.

That's a fine collection you got there Clark!

_________________
"For when sleeping I dream of big fish and strong fights."