Okuma Cavalla 5 as beginner Reel for Mechanical j

Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote Pannie_Dropper Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: Okuma Cavalla 5 as beginner Reel for Mechanical j
    Posted: 17 Dec 2024 at 1:43pm
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Basically what are peoples thoughts - It would only be for occasional use, mainly on the west coats (80m max depth) but sometimes for use up in BOI or Coromandel.
I can't really afford the Maxels or Jig Stars, and have to get a leftie handle option due to shoulder issues.
This is also on the radar.
TIA
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote Pannie_Dropper Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 21 Dec 2024 at 2:11pm
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I guess I'll find out for myself then
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote smudge Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 21 Dec 2024 at 7:28pm
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I guess so. Can anyone help the pannie dropper with this? I have no knowledge on this gear
Best gurnard fisherman in my street
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote Fish Addict Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 21 Dec 2024 at 7:57pm
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Like you smudge I have no hands-on experience with Okuma tackle.  The reel specs say the right things and the price would suggest it's a solid reel.
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote jpfishingnz Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 22 Dec 2024 at 8:55am
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If you can extend the budget a bit the Shimano Ocea 2500 LD is really good.
Its a small, light reel, but we used it up at the kings and had no trouble at all on fish up to 30kg

NZ Fishing Media
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote Pannie_Dropper Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 22 Dec 2024 at 1:38pm
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They definitely look the business, all the right numbers, but I can't find one in lefty format unfortunately. 
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (1) Likes(1)   Quote Mc Tool Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 22 Dec 2024 at 5:43pm
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If your not hung up on the bearing count  or gold plating  that Okuma  looks pretty good . 
I have had a few Okuma reels , mostly overheads  and I never had a problem with them , I did  keep them lubed and  rinsed and dried them after use ( it aint hard .........specially if ya can get to do it while the Mrs unloads the boat , very technical them reels Big smile ......gotta know what your doing LOL
I wish I was young again .... Id be heaps smarter than this time
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote Kandrew Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 22 Dec 2024 at 8:06pm
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There’s a few good reels around, I like these new one from shimano

https://www.marine-deals.co.nz/jigging-reels/shimano-speedmaster-ld-ii-12-2-speed-overhead-reel

Penn Fathom is worth a look at and if you’re looking at a rod as well, there are plenty of good spin reels that are fit for purpose.
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote LongFin Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 13 Jan 2025 at 9:39am
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Hi Pannie,

I have been running an Okuma Metaloid 5NS since 2016.

The Cavalla is the newer model - with generally all the same guts but a different colour. I have serviced myself every year until end of last year - when I needed a few additional parts replaced. I rung up (Composite Developments) requesting a price for the parts and was advised they now do flat rate servicing including any and all parts required. Their new initiative for trying to get people on-board for regular servicing. Cost me $55 all up.

Overall very happy and looking to also buy a cavalla soon for a newer set-up and have my old one as a spare.

Cheers!
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote MB Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 13 Jan 2025 at 10:19am
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It's easier to jig with spin reels and there are so many good options now. Most are ambidextrous. 
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote Pannie_Dropper Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 11 Feb 2025 at 6:12pm
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Thanks for all the input everyone. Yeah, I get that spin reels are probably a better option, but the arm positions kinda wreck my shoulders, and I’m never sure about something that can breathe air and water 😜
I was using a spin setup in Coromandel recently and just not comfy.
I’m looking at the Catch JGX5000 combo, looks like it’s got plenty of drag. Another learning was more drag the better. I got on to something good and got spanked. With maxed out 13kg of drag. I’d prefer to pull hooks rather than get reefed. It get pricey replacing those heavy lures!
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote BotStomper Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 12 Feb 2025 at 2:15pm
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None of the 5-sized Okuma reels will reliably produce enough drag for heavy-duty mechanical jigging. The drag itself is capable of producing that much pressure, but the pinion and left side spool bearings will suffer and make the reel feel yuck, if not initially but after some use. You can modify the reels to reliably produce more drag, but they are much much better suited to a combination of light or slowpitch jigging, which they do very well, and have some capacity in reserve if you do hook a Kingfish.

The only small overhead reel that has the grunt for mechanical jigging is the Maxel, in my opinion, or maybe the Jigging Masters as they are virtually identical, but I don't have first hand experience of them. The small Catch reels, Shimano, Daiwa are all light/slowpitch reels. The Catch reels make ****loads of  very competent drag but IMO they're not structurally up to the level of drag they can produce and can't run the top end of the numbers reliably. Been a couple of years since I've tinkered with one so that may have changed, perhaps with the JGXs, but I remain slightly skeptical.

The best budget overhead mechanical jig reel by a country mile is the Shimano Torium 16PG, but they don't do it in left handed.
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote Pannie_Dropper Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 14 Feb 2025 at 3:24pm
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Thanks - it's a shame about that with the Shimano.
I have a Catch 2000 lefty and after a couple of 1m(ish) kingies it's definitely no the same. I may need just to service it. It does get a wash and a tackle guard spray after trips, but kinda sounds like a coffee grinder now.
I might be able to get my hands on a Cavalla 12 in backwards. They do those in Europe. They go to around 15kg drag too. The Shimano Torium would be the answer but I've had too many shoulder ops that right handles just get too uncomfortable too quickly.
The Maxels look the job though!
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote Mattolsen6991 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 15 Feb 2025 at 7:24am
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All the mechanical jigging work is with the arm lifting the rod not the one winding up the slack. Get a low geared spin reel and then you can easily swap the handles over to give yourself a break if you need it. Saragosa, twin power or stella depending on budget
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote EmilioAntonuccio7318 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 17 Feb 2025 at 4:10am
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The Okuma Cavalla reels should be used with no more than 4.5 kg of drag on the strike. I abused it heavily for about 15 months, using 6 kg of drag on the strike. I had to replace the central axis bearings. If you use it within these ranges it will not give you problems.
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