On a positive note:
We often complain that various sellers are efficient when it comes to selling, but are difficult to reach when something goes wrong with the product.
I would like to recommend Okuma fishing products because of my personal experience: the importer is easy to reach and was very helpful and patient, although my technical knowledge is rather limited.
Glad to hear your report. Norbert works very hard in maintaining the brand locally and I pleased that he stuck with Okuma as their new 2010 products are fantastic. Forum member Jonathan has the Makaira MK30II which he loves and this is one of their new 2010 reels following their colloboration with Tiburon Engineering in the USA.
I've also had the chance to check out the new Okuma Solterra SLR-30 reel, a review will be online in due course. For the price this is a fantastic solid lever drag reel, competing with the Shimano Tyros 30 single speed and has one of the loudest clickers I've heard - something that previously Okuma had a big problem with (quiet clickers)
Their range of Solterra rods are also excellent, I have both the 20-30 and 30-50lbs that we took up with us to Porto Rotondo and these are excellent rods with a nice progressive action. The 20-30lbs has an amazing parabolic action but with a progressive blank that still has plenty of power towards the rod butt.
If anyone wishes to contact the local agent, they can find him online OKUMA-1976 or leave a message for him on his sponsor board.
Yep, I can confirm that I do have the Okuma Makaira 30II gold reel, and yep a perfect way of describing my opinion about this reel is that I love it.
I have used and owned several other reels which are supposed to be more premium brand (and more premium priced too) but I can easily say that the Okuma Makaira beats them flat out - very durable construction, loud clicker, very smooth operation and changing of gearing, very smooth engagement of drag with a steady buildup of pressure, etc. etc. .... I could go on and on but I think it would be superfluous at this stage.
I must say I was told I should compare it against the Shimano Tiagra and I must admit that I have not had the opportunity to try a Tiagra first hand yet. However seeing that there isn't one thing that I can fault with the Okuma Makaira, and seeing the hefty price of the Tiagra, I feel no urge at all to even consider moving away from the Okuma Makaira... actually there's a good chance that I'll shortly be getting another Makaira or 2 to add to my setup!
Hi Guys, I must add to your comments regarding the Okuma brand. First of all both my Okuma reels are really, really tough, and I spin so its non stop casting, retrieving and abuse when I go for a session. Spinning reels must be bullet proof and my Okumas are.
Secondly the after sale service is excellent.
I needed something for one of my reels and I was seen to in less then 24 hours.. AMAZING !
So in my opinion the two most important things are there... Good reliable reels at very reasonable prices, and excellent after sale service.
A great Christmas gift, or for anybody who wants to purchase a reel that is built to last...
Thanks Okuma !!!
the Okuma Cedros reel blasts ........
good for jigging, spinning and now also spooled for beachcasting .......... an all rounder
Jin is saragosa hekk nuzah ukoll uanke min fuq lirdum..Propjament beachcasting biss ma nuzahx ghax ir ramel + reel ma tantx taghmel xi ricceta tajba!
Thats the way I use my Saragossa even from the cliffside. But i dont use it on the beaches as Sand + reel dont make a good combination......(because its Xmas Mike LOL:)P {shanook})
ok mate, forgiven thanks, have a good one.
Okuma reels I have already used them on Albacore (Alungi) and they are quite liable, so as for me I highly recommend them.
Even my low entry (cheap) Okuma is reliable and takes abuse, let alone a more expensive one !!!
I bought the first Okuma multiplier reel in Malta about 12 years ago. I used to go fishing for Alungi 4/5 times a week for the whole season (diesel was cheap in those days). I caught Tuna, swordfish, pastardell, plamti, kubrit mind you once you say I caught tuna on it says it all.
Its still going strong. no sign of wear at all. I just wash it down release brake and thats it. I only greased it once so far. Well done Norbert
we at okuma take the opportunity to wish you and your loved ones a merry festive season and a wonderful 2011,
we're always here to help you with any problems you may encounter with the okuma products which as many of you said are built to last.
we also wish you tight lines
I bought my third Okuma this week. Now all 3 of my spinning rods have an Okuma stuck on. The first one I bought did so well although I was broke and I purchased the cheapest in the Okuma range, its still performing perfectly... like a swiss watch !! Now I trust them with my eyes closed.
First reel on my 3m Rod, Compressa CPR 50
Second reel on my 2.7 Rod, V-system - V40A
Third reel on my 2.5 telescopic travel rod, Secutor 40.
I just bought an okuma cedros setup and after using it realised that the reel handle had some sort of kinks on it which must have been a manufacturing fault. Needless to say it was immediately replaced with a new one by the local agent - Excellent service from Buona Pesca :)
What a fantastic page, nothing but praise for the Okuma agent - Please keep in mind the Norbert is an Official Partner for this years Oris Big game Tournament. Indeed, we must support all those who support us!!
I had a malfunction on one of my Okumas.. When the malfunction occurred I didn't worry at all.. The Okuma agent is well renowned for offering great after sale service and availability of spare parts.
I was right a 100%, fixed the same day.... Okuma for me = Peace of mind.
Thanks Okuma :)
Well done Okuma
I have a problem with Okuma.......see i was brought up with the saying '' if it is too good to be true than it isnt''
But Okuma has proved this saying wrong ''he is too good to be true and he is''
WELL DONE NORBERT KEEP IT UP
Where can I find OKUMA agent?
http://maltafishingforum.com/talk/index.php?action=profile;u=913
OKUMA-1976 – Your after sales service is always impeccable. Keep it up.
Prosit Norbert.
A Very Nice Person indeed.
Question Six Okuma reels and one other well known brand which one breaks down ?????
Answer The other well know brand and no problem with the OKUMA
Good to hear. I have two okuma reels and never any problems. Probably my next reel will also be an okuma.
you're all very welcome guys
the way okuma reels are designed and built makes them probably the strongest reels
enjoy fishing with okuma products..
i have to add another good comment for after sales service from OKUMA - 1976.
my friend has a Banax electric reel bought from OKUMA and he had a problem with the line counter as it was only showing 0.0 even if the line goes out. we read the instructions but couldnt figure out what it could be. we went with it at OKUMA-1976 and in 2 days he contacted the suppliers abroad and fixed the problem. the reel needed only a resetting. Well done Norbert.
its a very different experience that this same guy is having with another local agent. he has another electric reel of a different brand bought from the local agent. it is still under guarantee and the level winder is not working. The reel has been at the local agent already 3 months and he keeps coming up with a lot of excuses.
First he told him that he has to pay the postage to get the reel abroad and get it fixed. than he told him that he will bring the parts to fix the reel. than that the parts has to arrive with the next stock. than about 2 weeks ago he told him that the mother company in Japan have spent 1 month preparing for the fishing fair so the export manager was not at the company and so he couldn't send the parts. Can you believe this he is saying that a big Japan brand in fishing equipment only have 1 export manager for all the world and so when he was preparing for the fair (one month) there are no exports from their factory to the world. and the last good excuse that he came up with last Saturday is when he told my friend " Are you not living in this World don't you know what happened in Japan they had the earthquake, how could they send the parts with all that happened"
He is still waiting for the reel to be fixed after 3 months and during all this time the local agent never phoned him to keep him updated. my friend had to go at the shop to see what was happening
anyone can sell a product we try to sell brands with full backing from the mother company,
thanks guys
Hi Guys
l have 6 Okuma reels 2 for Alungi which are great and 4 smaller with counters which l use for smaller fish and also l have a Okuma reel that l won with a rod last year in the Alongi competition for largest Fish (and placed 4th), they are great reels and as for Norbert what can l say he is a great guy and honest which is hard to find in a person, Buy Okuma and win because they will not let you down when you need them most ,l would like to Thank Norbert because with his help and his reels l caught 9 Alungi and a 6ft Pastardela and lost another 4 in this years competition again ThankYou Norbert and well done .
Joe (Farfett)
That's why I only buy Okuma, cos I had a problem with another brand over a part that is worth cents (but enough to make my reel unusable). 3 weeks passed then I decided to take the matter in my own hands. I collected it from the shop, and I got the part from abroad and fixed it within 4 days.
What the local agent of the OTHER BRAND didn't manage to do in 3 weeks, I did in 4 days (incl postage). And im not an agent with contacts. Just a normal person with internet.
After sale service is so important, especially on a small island like ours.
On the other hand, with Okuma these are problems that do not exist. The local agent goes out of his way to repair a reel ASAP and he always has parts available.
For me its pretty straight forward.. ALWAYS OKUMA..
thanks again guys
and Joe well done and i am glad the okuma reels worked when you needed them most.
I would like to add to this post that I've just had a broken part on one of my XL410 and Norbert of Buona Pesca Trading together with the Kristal Fishing Export manager managed to deal together and had my part shipped in less than 24hrs for free. All sorts of Local agents should learn from Norbert as he gives perfect service and good care to his clients and that's a good reason to be a loyal customer to Norbert and Kristal Fishing.
Thanks Again OKUMA-1976
even I ha a part replaced for free. Excellent service (ahna ta norbert ;))