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Okuma Trio Rex Reel

Posted by Steg <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/surfcasting/info/user=Steg' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on 26/11/2016, 7:36 pm

Hi,
What do you fellas think of this reel? It's hard to find a good review of it on the Internet; there's not a lot said about it. It looks very sturdy, but looks can be deceiving & sturdiness isn't everything. I'm looking at the most expensive version - has a strong, Meccano-looking handle. It's got a felt drag but I'm not sure that's so bad. Is it a good reel?

Re: Okuma Trio Rex Reel

Posted by pete88 <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/surfcasting/info/user=pete88' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on 27/11/2016, 12:23 pm, in reply to "Okuma Trio Rex Reel"

A few years back I bought,(sight unseen,a used Okuma surf reel, cant remember the designation but it was their top of the line model at the time. Reel was very "growly" in the bearings and when I pulled it apart found serious wear throughout the reel caused by the ingress of sand.OK the reel had been abused, but I havent had this problem with other reels since I started surfcasting in 1960 with old school reels like Penn, Mitchell and Zangi.
I sold the Okuma for bugger all, for parts

Just check out how well sealed the reel is for wind-blown sand and water ingress
Just a thought
cheers

Men and fish are alike. They both get into trouble when they open their mouths.

Re: Okuma Trio Rex Reel

Posted by geno <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/surfcasting/info/user=geno' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on 27/11/2016, 2:18 pm, in reply to "Okuma Trio Rex Reel"

I lost any respect I had for Okuma reels after using them in the Ninety Mile Snapper bonanza series of comps... (may have been the 1997 comp from memory) My Okumas each lasted exactly one day of dunking occasionally into the sea and because of the such close tolerances Okuma employ in their manufacture, the reels went rocksolid from the suspended sand in the waves on the 90.
Mine were CD90s.
And the Axeons also fell short when dunked, same problem.
Good luck with the Rex.
Okuma make great rods, but sad reels IMO.

***********************************************************************************

We do not stop playing because we grow OLD... we grow old because we stop PLAYING.'

Re: Okuma Trio Rex Reel

Aha, that was the one I had, an Axeon, cast well but was totally buggered inside and was not old.

Men and fish are alike. They both get into trouble when they open their mouths.

Re: Okuma Trio Rex Reel

Posted by Phill <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/surfcasting/info/user=Phill' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on 28/11/2016, 11:07 am, in reply to "Re: Okuma Trio Rex Reel"
Tackle Tactics

well I have used Okuma reels for a lot of years now and I have to say that I have not had to many issues. Composite Developments the Okuma wholesalers can not be faulted with their backup service.
The Trio Rex for the money in my opinion good value. the internal components are well machined with a brass pinion and a hightech alloy main gear the bearings are sealed and stainless steel.
like all reels they do not like being dragged around in the sand.The general sealing of these reels is quite good but how far do you go.
You may ask how I know what they look like inside, well we service a lot of reels but quite often we will open a new reel up just so we are happy in our own mind that the statements made by the manufacturer are true.
The Trio range are nice and light weight holding plenty of 6kg and 8kg line a thin 10kg line would also be ok.
The felt washers is something that I questioned also, so far they seem to be performing well.
I hope this helps.

Re: Okuma Trio Rex Reel

Posted by BobB <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/surfcasting/info/user=BobB' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on 28/11/2016, 3:08 pm, in reply to "Re: Okuma Trio Rex Reel"

Phil

Can you please tell me what is the difference between the Trio Rex Salt and the Trio rex Surf

Re: Okuma Trio Rex Reel

Posted by Phill <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/surfcasting/info/user=Phill' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on 29/11/2016, 9:24 am, in reply to "Re: Okuma Trio Rex Reel"
Tackle Tactics

Hi Bob, the Surf and the Salt hold the same amount of line. The Surf has 4BB+1RB and the Salt has 6BB+1RB. The Surf 580g, Salt 622g both have 9kg of drag. We have sold quite a few of them and we have not had any problems with them.
I hope this helps Phill

Re: Okuma Trio Rex Reel

Posted by Frosty <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/surfcasting/info/user=Frosty' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on 29/11/2016, 5:26 pm, in reply to "Re: Okuma Trio Rex Reel"

i have had an Axeon and found it to be a good reel but I must say i have never fished the west coast beachs with it.
For west coast beachs I use mitchell nautlus and given the revue these reel have had I have never had an issue with them. they are 10 years old now and I still use them with no issues. last year I bought a Treo rex, the bronze one and thought it would be a good replacement for my mitchells for west coast fishing. wow how wrong I was. with in weeks the reel crapped out and was sent back for fixing when it came back I used it on the first day of this years ninety mile comp. Didnt last 2 hours. was pissed off and gave it back to Mike. he sent it back to okuma and I still have not had it back, so for me okuma is not a reel or company I would deal with again. They dont stand by their product as far as im concerned. The problem for me is what am I going to replace my mitchells with when they finally go to the big fishing grave in the sky lol.I use Diawa for east coast fishing and you cant beat them, Saltiga's that is.
I would like to try Zeebass but they are way over priced. anyone got any ideas

Re: Okuma Trio Rex Reel

Posted by Rex HB <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/surfcasting/info/user=Rex+HB' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on 30/11/2016, 1:15 pm, in reply to "Re: Okuma Trio Rex Reel"

I'd look at the Daiwa range on this site as well. I've had a good run out of the windcasts which are priced similarly to the trio rex and on special here as well at a very good price. Like others, I have had issues with Okuma reels. No reel is bulletproof but some models/brands do seem to stand up better than others.

Re: Okuma Trio Rex Reel

Posted by Frosty <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/surfcasting/info/user=Frosty' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on 1/12/2016, 3:12 pm, in reply to "Re: Okuma Trio Rex Reel"

Hi Rex, I have a windcast and it is a great reel but doesnt stand up to the harsh conditions of the Ninety Mile lol.

Re: Okuma Trio Rex Reel

Posted by Rod Walloper <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/surfcasting/info/user=Rod+Walloper' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on 1/12/2016, 9:09 pm, in reply to "Re: Okuma Trio Rex Reel"

Get a 9500 Penn Spinfisher and a spare spool while you are at it(they don't cost an arm and a leg). They are reasonable weight but that's because they are solid. Solid gears, solid spindle thingie that the spool sits on - not the thickness of a strand of spaghetti like a Daiwa Emblem Pro - so its not going bend out of alignment on a couple of big rays.

The spools are not real longcast but I compared my cast distance (about 120 meters with a dummy bait) with a longcast Emblem Pro spool and the Penn 9500 spool (on identical rods) and on average the cast with the Penn was about 2 meters less - about the margin of error??? So I don't get hung up on not using longcast spools for my fishing.

Shimano reels tend to have multiple delicate components. OK for freshwater and boat fishing but not a sandy windy surfcasting beach. Accidently drop a Shimano reel in the sand or have you rod pulled out your beach spike or have a big gust of wind blow sand or gravel over it and its off home and out with the jeweler's magnifying eye piece and the tweezers to disassemble the line roller, clean it and hopefully get the half dozen tiny components back together in order. I have a couple of Shimano 14000 Ultegra cI4. Lovely and light, smooth as, longcast spools etc, but they are not practical in crap Wellington/Wairarapa weather.

My go to reels for years now have been Penn Spinfishers and the latest version with instant anti reverse and more attention given to water sealing is tough as and good value. They are easy to service too which is important in a tough surfcasting environment. Having said that in the last couple of years I have only had to look at the line rollers. (I have taken the side plates off and its like the earlier versions - uncomplicated and solid but I would leave the anti reverse well alone)

Re: Okuma Trio Rex Reel

Posted by Rex HB <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/surfcasting/info/user=Rex+HB' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on 4/12/2016, 7:23 pm, in reply to "Re: Okuma Trio Rex Reel"

I have to admit I don't frequent those big tough beaches Frosty does. A lot of Hawkes bay Beaches are quite easy compared to a place like the 90. as the previous post says not all beaches are equal some are tough on any reel, I imagine. So saying I've dunked the wind cast a couple of times and they're still going, but I'm not sure if would withstand a regular thumping on a open coast windswept beach . I guess that's the other part of the equation. Where will you fish and how often. And how much do you want to pay. Hope your getting soe idea of whether your choice is for you

Re: Okuma Trio Rex Reel

Posted by pete88 <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/surfcasting/info/user=pete88' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on 8/12/2016, 6:37 pm, in reply to "Okuma Trio Rex Reel"

I must agree with Rod Walloper.
Despite my wary nature I purchased a Chinese Made Penn 950 SSM a couple of years ago.
Reel is smooth and although I own long cast reels my limited casting ability means I can cast just as far with this one.
More importantly the reel has withstood the desert sandstorms of Lake Ferry and landed a massive ray at Pauatahanui since I've had it.
One thing that pisses me off is that the reel has permanent anti reverse, no disengagement lever, but you have to live with that.
I also have a Shimano Ultegra 14000, long cast spool, a surfeit of bearings, but as above, a thin, wobbly looking main shaft that I could imagine bending quite easily and the retarded design of the drag adjuster lets sand and debris straight through onto the top of the spool/drag.
The Penns are cheap, you can pick them up for NZ$125 so good value. I dont expect it to last as long as my USA made old 850 SS but seeing as spavined USA 850's sell for up to $200 on Trade Me the Chinese rendition is surely worth a look.

Men and fish are alike. They both get into trouble when they open their mouths.

Re: Okuma Trio Rex Reel

Posted by Steg <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/surfcasting/info/user=Steg' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on 17/12/2016, 7:14 pm, in reply to "Re: Okuma Trio Rex Reel"

Thanks for the replies. I bought a Trio Rex (in truth I bought it nearly a year ago, from Phill). Haven't given it much of a go yet, but I like it so far. I think it casts well and manages line well (compared with older reels I'm used to using). It's light weight and seems robust. Have caught only kahawai with it. I'll keep on fishing with it, of course, and might try to write a little review of it later on.
My latest interest is the new Penn Slammer 3...

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