Lever drag vs Star Drag - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

parkermann · 07-12-2015, 12:03 PM

Check out some okuma reels. They now make some top of the line stuff. And they have a good amount a reels that are decently priced. The okuma Cedros and Cortez are great star drag reels and metaloid and andros are great lever drag.

And if you or someone you know is a first responder(cop, fireman, military, emt, ect) the okuma warehouse in Ontario gives you a 40% discount. My brother is a cop so he has been getting okuma gear at great prices

Gunner58 · 07-12-2015, 12:19 PM

Ya I am military so that would be great. Do you just call them direct?

HobieScot · 07-12-2015, 02:07 PM

It does sound like you may be experiencing multiple problems as mentioned above. I would check your connections first then your drag second. Make sure the connections are not failing and that your drag is smooth and not grabbing as it lets line is out. Easy to tell as it will be jerky when a fish pulls line.

If you check both and determine you need to upgrade your gear I have nothing but great things to say about the gear I have been using.

I have been fishing strictly Diawa for inshore and Avet for offshore for years. I swear by my Avets. I have not had one let me down or not be able to stop a fish yet.

With that being said on my last trip to Mexico I had a chance to try out a small Okuma lever drag (wish I knew which model it was) and I must say I was extremely impressed. The next time I want a new set up I will be looking into the Okumas.

taggermike · 07-12-2015, 02:36 PM

I started using a lever drag a few years ago. I went to a lever to control big macks on the slow troll. Like Fish11 said. I got tired of hearing the clicker all the time. Lever drags tend to be smoother and stronger. I've never used an Avet but my old Shimano TLD 15 works great. I'll second what others said about line and connections. Pulling hooks happens some times. Using the biggest hook that suits the bait can help. Breaking line or connections can come from sticky drags bit usually from old line or poor knots. Maybe practice your knots. Or try different knots to see how they work for you. YouTube is full of good tutorials for every knot. Mike

parkermann · 07-12-2015, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gunner58

Ya I am military so that would be great. Do you just call them direct?

Call them to confirm the days but I think it's every Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday from 1-4.

Silbaugh4liberty · 07-13-2015, 08:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by parkermann

Call them to confirm the days but I think it's every Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday from 1-4.

Do they did that for veterans too? I could bring my dd214.

parkermann · 07-13-2015, 11:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Silbaugh4liberty

Do they did that for veterans too? I could bring my dd214.

Give them a call and ask them

Silbaugh4liberty · 07-12-2015, 03:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by parkermann

Check out some okuma reels. They now make some top of the line stuff. And they have a good amount a reels that are decently priced. The okuma Cedros and Cortez are great star drag reels and metaloid and andros are great lever drag.

And if you or someone you know is a first responder(cop, fireman, military, emt, ect) the okuma warehouse in Ontario gives you a 40% discount. My brother is a cop so he has been getting okuma gear at great prices

Just got my cedros for father's day, I think Charkbait still has them for $80 off retail. I want the same size Cortez for surface iron since it has cast control, but I'm gonna wait for the 2016 version to come out (grey and black rather than hey and red).

I don't have any lever drags yet, but my first one will either be an okuma Metalloid or a Release SG (soon to be named Truth Reels). The Metalloid is basically in the Avet Raptor class at half the price. And the Release SG, is a single speed lever drag, 30lbs of drag, all machine aluminium, holds like 500 yards of 50lb braid. About $250 for those and Jim Sammons swears by them.

Gunner58 · 07-12-2015, 03:38 PM

Thanks for all the info guys. If the okuma wear house is still doing that I just may have to replace more than one reel and rod.

HobieScot · 07-12-2015, 04:33 PM

If you pick up the Okumas let us know what you think of them after a couple of fish. I'd love to hear your review

ful-rac · 07-12-2015, 04:43 PM

I definitely reccomend the avet MXJ, sweet reel perfect size, plenty of power and Made in the USA.

Also pretty easy to maintain and service.

Gunner58 · 07-12-2015, 05:16 PM

I was thinking Avet but if I can get a high end Okuma for 40% off than it looks like I might be making a trip to Ontario. When and if I do get one I will do a full review of it

FlyFishinYakr · 07-12-2015, 05:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ful-rac

I definitely reccomend the avet MXJ, sweet reel perfect size, plenty of power and Made in the USA.

Also pretty easy to maintain and service.

X2
Sweet reel, I haven't used it yet but after looking at the specs and giving the reel a good looking over I know I'll like it, I just wish I had bought the "Raptor" in case I want to use braid!

FFY

Nic D · 07-12-2015, 06:21 PM

I have several Okuma's and I think the world of them. I have the komodo 364 and the bay sized komodo. I also have the Cedros 15, 10 and the Metaloid 12 (2speed) they are all top of the line.

parkermann · 07-12-2015, 07:03 PM

Okuma's makiara rods are great too if you were looking for a rod

I would have them as my whole arsenal but I wrap my own rods now

07-12-2015, 04:43 PM	#11
ful-rac Emperor Join Date: May 2009 Location: Buena Park Posts: 3,649	I definitely reccomend the avet MXJ, sweet reel perfect size, plenty of power and Made in the USA. Also pretty easy to maintain and service. __________________ There's nothing colder than yesterday's hotdog.

07-12-2015, 06:21 PM	#14
Nic D Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Clairemont Posts: 813	I have several Okuma's and I think the world of them. I have the komodo 364 and the bay sized komodo. I also have the Cedros 15, 10 and the Metaloid 12 (2speed) they are all top of the line. __________________ instagram - @DRAGO619

07-12-2015, 12:03 PM	#1
parkermann Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Posts: 63	Check out some okuma reels. They now make some top of the line stuff. And they have a good amount a reels that are decently priced. The okuma Cedros and Cortez are great star drag reels and metaloid and andros are great lever drag. And if you or someone you know is a first responder(cop, fireman, military, emt, ect) the okuma warehouse in Ontario gives you a 40% discount. My brother is a cop so he has been getting okuma gear at great prices

07-12-2015, 12:19 PM	#2
Gunner58 Member Join Date: May 2015 Posts: 81	Ya I am military so that would be great. Do you just call them direct?

07-12-2015, 02:07 PM	#3
HobieScot Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Posts: 370	It does sound like you may be experiencing multiple problems as mentioned above. I would check your connections first then your drag second. Make sure the connections are not failing and that your drag is smooth and not grabbing as it lets line is out. Easy to tell as it will be jerky when a fish pulls line. If you check both and determine you need to upgrade your gear I have nothing but great things to say about the gear I have been using. I have been fishing strictly Diawa for inshore and Avet for offshore for years. I swear by my Avets. I have not had one let me down or not be able to stop a fish yet. With that being said on my last trip to Mexico I had a chance to try out a small Okuma lever drag (wish I knew which model it was) and I must say I was extremely impressed. The next time I want a new set up I will be looking into the Okumas.

07-12-2015, 02:36 PM	#4
taggermike Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Chula Vista Posts: 1,589	I started using a lever drag a few years ago. I went to a lever to control big macks on the slow troll. Like Fish11 said. I got tired of hearing the clicker all the time. Lever drags tend to be smoother and stronger. I've never used an Avet but my old Shimano TLD 15 works great. I'll second what others said about line and connections. Pulling hooks happens some times. Using the biggest hook that suits the bait can help. Breaking line or connections can come from sticky drags bit usually from old line or poor knots. Maybe practice your knots. Or try different knots to see how they work for you. YouTube is full of good tutorials for every knot. Mike

07-12-2015, 03:38 PM	#9
Gunner58 Member Join Date: May 2015 Posts: 81	Thanks for all the info guys. If the okuma wear house is still doing that I just may have to replace more than one reel and rod.

07-12-2015, 04:33 PM	#10
HobieScot Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Posts: 370	If you pick up the Okumas let us know what you think of them after a couple of fish. I'd love to hear your review

07-12-2015, 05:16 PM	#12
Gunner58 Member Join Date: May 2015 Posts: 81	I was thinking Avet but if I can get a high end Okuma for 40% off than it looks like I might be making a trip to Ontario. When and if I do get one I will do a full review of it

07-12-2015, 07:03 PM	#15
parkermann Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Posts: 63	Okuma's makiara rods are great too if you were looking for a rod I would have them as my whole arsenal but I wrap my own rods now