Okura 20 Line Counting Reel ??

[Tarp]

Is anyone using these reels? How would they compare to the Diawa LC 47 reels for planner board and Dipsy use? Any other recomendations?
Tarp

[ninetoes]

Ihave been trying this reel last few months for the price it works great. I also have the bigger one. Plan to buy more. Lost a part called,importers they sent a new part in 3 days. no charge. Very happy with Okura reels.

[ETT]

I assume you mean Okuma reels. We've found them to be a terrific value. Lost of power,great for Dipsys

[SeaCat]

I assume you are talking about Okuma reels. Purchased 2 of their 30DX reels early last spring and used them for dipsy divers on salmon -- did great, real smooth drag. Mid summer 1999, purchased a pair of 20DX for inline planner boards on steelhead and walleye. Again no complaints for last summer.

When I got them out this spring, the drags on the 20DX reels seemed pretty sticky -- I had backed off the drag for winter storage, but did not do this during the season. Went out in the front yard and "excercised" the reels and all seems okay. The 30DX's were fine.

Found a good buy on Diawa SG27W reels this spring at the Grand Rapids Michigan fishing show (only $10 more than the Okuma) and decided to get four more line counter walleye and steelhead reels for 6 total. In comparing the two in use this year, I think the Diawa is a better reel hands-down. Now are they a better reel for the money ???? Still have not decided. Normally the Diawa is in the $90 range while the Okuma 20DX is in the $60 ball park. For the $10 difference that I found, I would buy the Diawa every time.

I still use 6 Diawa Silver Series 4000 spinning reels that are pushing 20 years old and have never needed any more than oiling. There is no doubt in my mind that Diawa builds quality stuff in their mid to upper range items. I have every expectation that the SG27's will still be running in 10 years. At this point I don't have the same optimizm for the Okuma -- but, if they last 5 years I will be happy.

Couple more notes on the Okuma -- they offer 3 different models the 20D, the 20DX, and a new one for this year, the 20 Contender (or something like that). This year's new model is more expensive but is also a higher quality reel -- maybe up in the Diawa class. The 20DX offers ballberrings instead of bushings on the 20D and consequently is smoother and costs about $10 more.

Ryan

[Eyez]

I bought 2 this spring, I think they're a great price, but the reliability isn't great. I had to return one right away because it made a grinding noise when you cranked it. Now both of them have trouble with the counter not working, or sometimes resetting itself at random. I think they're great for the occasional troller, but don't recommend them for the person who trolls alot. I know that I'll replace mine with LC27's next spring.


Eyez

[Jimmy]

I'm glad you asked this question I am going to order 2 today unless I hear of some bad experiences with them. Can anyone tell me how durable these reels are? I'd rather not spend another $60 for two Diawa's.

[Jimmy]

Where did you get the Diawa's for that price do you have an address or phone number where you got them at?

[ETT]

Several of the captains out of Lorain use them on a daily basis. If they take that for 1 year it's like 5 or 10 years for the sportsman. Good luck.

[EyeBoy]

If you mean Okuma; I have a 20 & 30 line counters.
I love em. very smooth drag. Tom
FISH-ON!!!

[Gray Ghost]

I have 4 Okuma 30DX reels (the big kind) and 2 Okuma 20DX reels (the small kind). I use the big ones for trout and salmon (Dipsy Divers) and the small ones for walleye. I also own 4 Diawa SG27LC's which I use for walleye. I also have an older model Diawa 47 (not a line counter) which is the nicest reel I own.

I have had the Okumas for over a year and the Diawas for 9 months. In my opinion, the Diawas are worth the extra money.

The Okumas developed a sticky drag after the first season. Also, the line counters are sticky and sometimes reset themselves for no reason. I have had none of these problems with the Diawas.

I will be selling my Okumas and buying all Diawas, as soon as I can afford to.

GG

[Zach]

They are ok. The one drawback is the poor positioning of the counter reset button. The couter becomes accidentally reset all the time. Other than that they work fine.

Zach

[Jim Carroll]

Skip the "Okinawas". Let out 150' - reel in 170'. Buy Diawa and be done with it. Worth every penny!

[SeaCat]

Sorry, I don't know which dealer it was. I paid cash and asked no questions :-). Pretty sure they were closing out the previuos year's stock -- don't know why as I don't know of any changes in the reels.

I was at the show early in the first day and they maybe had a dozen or so. When some friends stopped by the same booth later that night, all were gone.

Ryan

[Tarp]

Thanx for your responses!When you are talking about somthing as important as one's fishing time, the extra cost can be justified. I'm going with the Diawa.
Thanx Again.
Tarp

[jeff reed]

Back in 1991-1992 when Diawa had the only line counting reel out, the price was close to 100 bucks. They had no competition and forced dealers and wholesalers to buy in dozens Their attitude overall was "this is your price pay it or else" because we got the "ONLY" game in town. Now that there are a ton of line counting reels for the fisherman to select from, the price is as low as 60 to 70 bucks.
I have 6 Diawa 27LCs and 2 Okuma line counters. I paid 50 bucks for the Okumas 20 and have yet to see a difference. Actually, 3 of the Diawas I had to epoxy the ceramic line guide back in because they came out of the level wind bracket (cheap adhesive on a 100 buck reel). If I had to do it all over again, I would have bought all Okumas and told Diawa to to stick it. Isn't it funny when a company has a hot product and no competition what the price and attitude can be?????