Max Drag Settings for Okuma Reels

Wow tighten down on a spinning reel and watch your rod blow.


Maximum Drag Pressure Ratings
Vsystem and Salina Maximum Drag Ratings with DFD
Size Max Drag (LBS)
Size-15 25-lbs
Size-20 25-lbs
Size-30 45-lbs      Does this mean I can use 125lb test?
Size-40 45-lbs
Size-45 65-lbs
Size-55 70-lbs
Size-65 99-lbs
Size-80 99-lbs

Aveon, Inspira, Alumina, Epixor, Stinson Maximum Drag Ratings
Size Max Drag (LBS)
Size-10 12-lbs
Size-15 15-lbs
Size-20 15-lbs
Size-30 35-lbs
Size-40 35-lbs
Size-45 55-lbs
Size-55 55-lbs
Size-65 75-lbs
Size-80 75-lbs

Catalina and Convector Maximum Drag Ratings
Size Max Drag (LBS)
Size-15 17-lbs
Size-20 17-lbs
Size-25 20-lbs
Size-30 20-lbs
Size-45 20-lbs
Size-55 22-lbs
Size-55W 22-lbs

Titus Gold Drag Ratings
Size Max Drag @ Strike in Freespool
Size-10 23-lbs @ Strike
Size-15 23-lbs @ Strike
Size-20 27-lbs @ Strike
Size-30 27-lbs @ Strike
Size-55 35-lbs @ Strike
Size-55W 35-lbs @ Strike

Baitcast Drag Ratings
Size Max Drag @ Strike
IDx-150a 9-lbs
IDx-250a 9-lbs
IDx-400a 9-lbs
V-100a 6.5-lbs
V-200a 9-lbs

Mick,

You usually go by the line.  1/3 of the line test.  So, if it 30 lb. test you go 10 lbs. of drag.  Does not seem like much.  But, when you are big game tuna fishing and using 60 lbs. to 150 lbs. test.  Try pulling 1/3 of that test off you reel.  Only, time you go "Full (Lock Down)" is when the fish is at color and you are horsing him to the gaff.

Spinning reels are not built the same as convention reel.  Drags are not built the same.  Even on the $750 to $1000 spinning reels.

A good angler should be able to land a 30 lb. fish by using 10 lb. test.  An expert will land a 40 lb. fish on 10 lb. test. They use to have a 4 lb. test club for Salmon Mooching.  Don't know if they are still around.

Ken kickfish

So Ken what kind of drag pressure should I expect to get out of my Plastic Snoopy Spincaster.

Mick,

I think enough to land that 1,000 lb. squid they landed a short while ago. 

Ken kickfish

I don't think you got the point Ken. By your reasoning I have a VS 30 45lb max drag that's means i could use 135lb test and I am an expert angler so I could land a 540lb fish on a light spinning outfit. I know I'm sounding like JM but I think I would be left with cork and a reel stem and that's it.

Mick,

Not a spinner.  Maybe, a 50w, 80 size conventional reel.  You need the line strength, right drags and a reel & rod made to be used for that size of fish.

Don't think you get my point.  First to get a fish to bite that heavy of line.  It would have to be a kite fish.  Also, your spinner would not hold that much line.

If you ever take a "Long Range Trip" this is what they teach you.   1/3 the drag of the test lbs of your line you are using.  We set this up using 100 lb scales.  The same brass ones you would use for weighing fish.  And, you will not see any spinners on a 17 to 21 days trip.

My opinion is that Okuma are not that good. The manufactures can say what they want.  When, I have a big fish on I want a good reel and a good drag system. Gold Penns (you pay around $500 to $600 for these reel and then get $300 to $500 in up grades), Accurates, Shimanos and Tiburons are better. 

Ken kickfish

What Okulma Reels have you used and what happened to them?

just finished working on a catalina 25 line counter.  very nice reel, but the line counter and drags were sticking.  i noticed that okuma is still using a composite drag washer in this series of reels.  i changed out the drag washers for greased carbon fiber and the reel absolutely sings!  don't know about the okuma spinners, but i do not think they have greased carbon fiber.  i do know that greased carbon fiber is found in the okuma two speed lever drag reels, maybe single speed as well. 

just so that we're all on the same page, here is how i define a functioning drag washer.  you pick a line weight that gives you a desired line capacity for your desired application.  find a lead weight that matches your desired drag setting.  let's say 20# mono and a 5# lead weight for a 25% drag setting.  load up the reel with 20# mono, put the reel on the rod, run the line through the guides, tie the line off to a pair of 2.5 pound salmon trolling weights or a 5# downrigger weight, tighten down the drags, reel down to the weights, lift the rod butt until it is at a 45 degree angle, and back off the drag until the weight drops one foot every 5 seconds. 

that's right, the weight has to drop 1 foot every 5 seconds.  if your drag system can do that, then i say it is functioning properly.  ok, now we're all on the same page.  here's the problem with the okuma star drag and spinning reels.  many start out sticky.  even the ones that start out smooth get sticky quick.  so what i'm saying is that the okuma star drag and spinning reels have a 100% failure rate rate.  i define failure as not being able to do "the drop."  but okuma should not feel to bad about this, because any reel that does not use a greased carbon fiber drag washer will eventually suffer the same fate.  any reel.

so yes, you can tighten down on an okuma spinning reel and watch your rod (or reel) blow.  but not for the reasons you might think.  i don't think i know either of you two gentlemen.  would you indulge an old man and introduce yourselves?  in particular, i was wondering if either of you had industry affilliations. i am actually looking for someone that could help me talk to someone with okuma.  thanks.  alan

Alan:

Thanks as always for your info.  Not affiliated with anyone, but I know Ric at Okuma pretty well.

And, you will not see any spinners on a 17 to 21 days trip.

I am not sure this is out of function as much as it is out of dogma.  If you fish on the west coast for pelagics it all conventional, but on the east coast they use a lot of spinning reels for the same species.

Thanks for the info Alan, I posted that in hope of your response. Not affiliated with anyone either. Where can I buy the drag washers for the Okulma reels. I was kidding around about the VS30. Would the Catalina 15 stay together at 17lbs? What did you do to the linecounter to smooth it out. As Sean said contact Rik here is a link to Rik (Rikshaw).http://okumafishingforums.com/private.php?do=newpm&u=2

First to get a fish to bite that heavy of line.  It would have to be a kite fish.  Also, your spinner would not hold that much line.

I don't think the problem is getting a fish to bite that line.  I've had plenty of fish hit 130 line on the troll.  It's what happens after the bite that I worry about.  That would be kind of funny ... come on Mick, let's leash your snoopy rod in and see what happens.

I think spinning reels would be fine for smaller pelagics (defined as 50-60 pounds).  As Sean says, it's done elsewhere in the world with some success.

-Allen

-Allen

Mick, let's leash your snoopy rod

Only need enough drag to get the kayak moving 

Alan any opinion on the top and bottom drags on the VS spinners, are both available in carbon fibre?

Mick,

I have own the 20 & 30 Convectors.  Did not like the drags.  I gave them to my neighbor son.  He is going to college down south.

Allen, 50 to 60 lb. tuna are not what these boats are fishing for. That size fish are used for chuck bait. At the end of a trip they are releasing any thing under 100 lbs.

Ken kickfish

I have own the 20 & 30 Convectors.  Did not like the drags.

What reel in that price range ($60) do you like the drag on?

Allen, 50 to 60 lb. tuna are not what these boats are fishing for. That size fish are used for chuck bait. At the end of a trip they are releasing any thing under 100 lbs.

Ken, I know exactly what you are talking about.  But I don't recall this topic being focused solely on 100+ pounds long range tuna fishing.

-Allen