Okuma Cavalla 5 as beginner Reel for Mechanical j
Printed From: The Fishing Website
Category: Saltwater Fishing
Forum Name: Heavy Metal - Jig fishing
Forum Description: Anything related to jig fishing here
URL: https://www.fishing.net.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=138945
Printed Date: 28 Jan 2026 at 4:02am
Topic: Okuma Cavalla 5 as beginner Reel for Mechanical j
Posted By: Pannie_Dropper
Subject: Okuma Cavalla 5 as beginner Reel for Mechanical j
Date 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. https://www.smartmarine.co.nz/product/34896/wiki-devil-star-4000h-turbo-overhead-lever-drag-reel-black-red" rel="nofollow - https://www.smartmarine.co.nz/product/34896/wiki-devil-star-4000h-turbo-overhead-lever-drag-reel-black-red TIA
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Replies:
Posted By: Pannie_Dropper
Date Posted: 21 Dec 2024 at 2:11pm
| I guess I'll find out for myself then |
Posted By: smudge
Date 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 |
Posted By: Fish Addict
Date Posted: 21 Dec 2024 at 7:57pm
| 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. |
Posted By: jpfishingnz
Date 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 http://www.fishing.net.nz/fishing-advice/product-news-and-reviews/shimano-ocea-jigger-ld-2500mg-game-type-j/" rel="nofollow - http://www.fishing.net.nz/fishing-advice/product-news-and-reviews/shimano-ocea-jigger-ld-2500mg-game-type-j/ ------------- NZ Fishing Media |
Posted By: Pannie_Dropper
Date Posted: 22 Dec 2024 at 1:38pm
| They definitely look the business, all the right numbers, but I can't find one in lefty format unfortunately. |
Posted By: Mc Tool
Date 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  ......gotta know what your doing  ------------- I wish I was young again .... Id be heaps smarter than this time |
Posted By: Kandrew
Date 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" rel="nofollow - 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. |
Posted By: LongFin
Date 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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Posted By: MB
Date Posted: 13 Jan 2025 at 10:19am
| It's easier to jig with spin reels and there are so many good options now. Most are ambidextrous. |
Posted By: Pannie_Dropper
Date 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! |
Posted By: BotStomper
Date 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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Posted By: Pannie_Dropper
Date 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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Posted By: Mattolsen6991
Date Posted: 15 Feb 2025 at 7:24am
| 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 |
Posted By: EmilioAntonuccio7318
Date Posted: 17 Feb 2025 at 4:10am
| 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. |