New Baitfeeder reel - Okuma vs Penn vs Shimano
Printed From: The Fishing Website
Category: Saltwater Fishing
Forum Name: The Briny Bar
Forum Description: The place for general chat on saltwater fishing!
URL: https://www.fishing.net.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=115494
Printed Date: 01 Jun 2026 at 6:00am
Topic: New Baitfeeder reel - Okuma vs Penn vs Shimano
Posted By: roryT90
Subject: New Baitfeeder reel - Okuma vs Penn vs Shimano
Date Posted: 21 Jan 2016 at 4:09pm
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I'm after a new baitfeeder rod/reel combo but want to get a reel sorted first. looking for something around the 10kg drag size and not too expensive. i have narrowed the list to the following: Okuma Avenger 80 Penn Fiece II 8000LL Penn Sportfisher 6500 Shimano Baitrunner 12000D does anyone have any opinions on these or any to avoid? i have heard the Okuma is pretty good value for money and the Sportfisher can be a but unreliable with the secondary drag malfunctioning. Cheers!!
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Replies:
Posted By: Lethal
Date Posted: 21 Jan 2016 at 4:37pm
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Hi roryT90, couple of things first you need to sort out, one drag 10kg means to me the line weight your about to use is 30kg, reason under normal usage its safer to run 1/3rd drag, the other is Rod definitely needs to match your line weight so your not likely to break it when under full load, "in shop" run line through the guides get someone to hold the end of it down on the floor or tie it down solid, now hold the rod bent for 1-2mins and think to yourself has it the power to lift a decent fish???, if this action is not your style then try a parabolic fish rod. or is it hurt me to much to hold it up??? then maybe a faster tip action which runs a little further down towards you hands this will be easier to hold up under weight, the reels operating system has a lot to maintenance you spend the money on a decent reel then maintenance is part and parcel of its life span. wish you luck RoryT90 and may the fish guides be with you. ------------- Thanks for everything you did for us Eric. may you rest in peace, You were one of the real legends of NZ recreational fishing |
Posted By: hookerpuka
Date Posted: 21 Jan 2016 at 5:48pm
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12000D good reel, If you can stretch the Thunnus is certainly worth the extra money from a longevity stand point... Paladin Gearing is certainly worth it's weight in good in the Shimano range. Avenger ABF 80 - for the buck is a good reel but is also not in the same price league as the others. to be fare the Coronado would have been apples with apples but they dont do them this season. Fierce Is again not in the same price league as the others. For the bucks is decent and lighter than it's SSV counter part. Penn SSV 6500.... Better sealing system on these than the others mentioned, Original ones had a few teething issue but the newer version is great. While not water proof the only place water can get down is the main shaft. Has a heavy HT-100 Carbon drag system and of the given choices has more drag than the others. More drag = not working as hard. Heavy bail wire and is built solid. Down side is it is heavier than the others... but these are a great reel. |
Posted By: Reel Deal
Date Posted: 21 Jan 2016 at 9:10pm
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Shimano baitrunner any class is the go - no hesitation. The things Ive hauled out over the year, even lately - 16KG GT on Sat morning was amazing. I regret when I get the fish aboard as the reels are so nice to use. ------------- The gods do not subtract from the allotted span of men's lives the hours spent on fishing - Assyrian Proverb |
Posted By: OneWayTraffic
Date Posted: 21 Jan 2016 at 9:59pm
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From Alan Hawk (Well known reel guru.) If you don't know who he is, Google it and have a look at some of his reviews. You will learn heaps. I have a Thunnus 8000 CI4. Caught a decent albacore on 8kg line without breaking a sweat last week. This is going to be a simple one; the best one available by a clear margin is the Thunnus CI4 which comes with tougher gearing than other mainstream free-lining reels, in addition to a highly reliable mechanism and excellent build quality. The second best would be Shimano's Baitrunner D, but I really recommend spending the extra and going for the Thunnus CI4. You don't need to look beyond those two reels. There are others that work fine, but there isn't a compelling reason to buy any unless you were after certain ergonomics specific to another reel. |
Posted By: smudge
Date Posted: 21 Jan 2016 at 10:12pm
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Yes the Thunnus is great but may well be outside Rory's price range. I got a 23kilo king on mine a couple of weeks ago but it was the line weight that worried me and not the reel, although line capacity isn't great. Not sure how that compares with its competitors. If the other reels fit the bill why not save a few bucks? As Lethal inferred, you don't really need all of that drag power. ------------- Best gurnard fisherman in my street |
Posted By: roryT90
Date Posted: 22 Jan 2016 at 8:42am
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Thanks guys for your thoughts! the main reason for the heavier drag was i wanted to be able to livebait and cast poppers for kings as well as straylining but if a Thunnus 8000 is capable it may be a better option
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Posted By: hookerpuka
Date Posted: 22 Jan 2016 at 9:01am
Isn't that an old article? |
OneWayTraffic wrote:Posted By: roryT90
Date Posted: 22 Jan 2016 at 11:15am
| looks like it was published in June 2015 so still pretty relevent |
Posted By: Brad76
Date Posted: 23 Jan 2016 at 9:51am
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Stay clear of the Okuma. I originally brought that one you are comparing because it was way cheaper than the other options. There is a reason it is cheap and that is the quality is rubbish. Ended up getting shimano 12000d and was so impressed I paid the higher price and now have one of each size for different fishing situations Can't compare the Penn one as have not used, but have used the no. Baitrunner penn and found it pretty decent |