Okuma v Ross? (at the low end)
I apologize in advance for yet another "I'm a beginner, what should I buy..." post. :) Yes, I'm a newbie and interested mainly in a fairly inexpensive freshwater outfit for panfish and small bass. After reading a bunch on this and other forums, I'm leaning towards a 5 or 6wt Cabelas Stowaway. As far as a reel, not sure whether to get the Okuma Sierra or Ross Flystart - but those seem like two solid choices for about $40 or less. Any opinions or suggestions? Does it even matter for this kind of fishing?
Thanks for the help!
Re: Okuma v Ross? (at the low end)
I don't know if the word "solid" is appropriate but...
I do know there is NO better customer service than at ROSS!
If you subscribe to the theory that the reel (for smaller trout & pan fish) is nothing more than a "line holder" than it wouldn't matter...
however, keep in mind, you will be buying another reel soon, if you stick with fly fishing.
Later,
an Oregonian
Re: Okuma v Ross? (at the low end)
Matty,
I have the Okuma Sierra. It's a good reel for trout. I also have the Ross Flywater. It too is a good trout reel. Both have adjustable drags and are more than adequate for most trout fishing. What I prefer about the Ross is the clicking sound when you reel in. This is absent on the Okuma. Does that matter? Not really. Just a personal preference. I haven't had to deal with either company's 'customer service' department. Heck, other than a manufacturer defect, I take care of my reels and accept personal responsibility for them. I'm not about to call the manufacturer if I fell and smashed the reel against a boulder.
Anyway, I think either reel will be a good decision.
Deezel
Re: Okuma v Ross? (at the low end)
I have a Ross Flycast and a Ross Flystart. They're both good reels. They're not the works of art that some of the high end reels represent but they are functional reels. The drag is the same on the Flycast and the Flystart. The method of adjusting the drag is a little different. The flystart's drag adjustment knob has no click detent it's just a screw. Turn one way, set heaver drag, turn the other way, set lighter drag. It's not as "sure" when you're fighting a fish and want to adjust the drag in the middle of the fight.
The Flycast's adjustment screw has "clicks" and it's easier to fine tune the drag during the fight.
Other than this and some minor cosmetic things, they're very similar reels.
I cannot comment on how they will hold up over the years. I've had mine for a year now and have fished it hard. I've been on the water at least 100 times this summer and the reel has not skipped a beat.
When I was taking the reel apart (don't ask, I"m a tinkerer) a screw head broke when I was loosening it. I called Ross and the replacement was in the my mailbox in about 4 days. I told the guy it was my fault and asked how much it's going to cost to get the part to me. He said not to worry about it. It was probably a three cent part (if that) but they had to pay that man to talk with me and to put it in the mail.
I will second their customer service and the next new reel I buy will be a Ross.
Jeff
Re: Okuma v Ross? (at the low end)
If you are looking at the Cabelas Stowaway, why wouldn't you just get the combo. There is an option to get the Ross Flystart reel, but not the Okuma. By getting the combo, you would get backing, an adequate fly line and carry case for essentially $0.
Re: Okuma v Ross? (at the low end)
Quote:
Originally Posted by Oregonian
I don't know if the word "solid" is appropriate but...
I do know there is NO better customer service than at ROSS!
If you subscribe to the theory that the reel (for smaller trout & pan fish) is nothing more than a "line holder" than it wouldn't matter...
however, keep in mind, you will be buying another reel soon, if you stick with fly fishing.
Later,
an Oregonian
Welcome to a fellow Oregonian :)
Re: Okuma v Ross? (at the low end)
I second ducksterman's welcome Oregonian !
Cheers,
MontanaMoose
Re: Okuma v Ross? (at the low end)
Quote:
Originally Posted by dunfly
If you are looking at the Cabelas Stowaway, why wouldn't you just get the combo. There is an option to get the Ross Flystart reel, but not the Okuma. By getting the combo, you would get backing, an adequate fly line and carry case for essentially $0.
I agree! And I would definitely do the combo. I remember reading that Cabela's Prestige reel is either a private label version of the Okuma Sierra or a really close knock-off. Has that ever been confirmed? They look identical.
Thanks for all the advice. This board rocks!
Re: Okuma v Ross? (at the low end)
i fish with the okuma seirra and my wife fishes with the ross. she loves the ross and i like my okuma. she doesn't like mine because it doesn't click. i dont like hers because it does click. does it matter for light fishing? probably not but its just a line holder at that point. both have great adjustable drags for when we both have gotten into bigger fish. they were more then addaquit (sp) to land the fish. i like the okuma because of the ease of changing the retrieve direction. both are good entry level reels and will last for a long time. i bought mine used and all are about 4 to 5 years old and still working good. and if not they are cheap to replace. hope this helps.
thanx roadhog :D
Re: Okuma v Ross? (at the low end)
Quote:
Originally Posted by MattyC
Quote:
Originally Posted by dunfly
If you are looking at the Cabelas Stowaway, why wouldn't you just get the combo. There is an option to get the Ross Flystart reel, but not the Okuma. By getting the combo, you would get backing, an adequate fly line and carry case for essentially $0.
I agree! And I would definitely do the combo. I remember reading that Cabela's Prestige reel is either a private label version of the Okuma Sierra or a really close knock-off. Has that ever been confirmed? They look identical.
Thanks for all the advice. This board rocks!
The Prestige reel does appear to be the same as the Okuma reel. I have one that I got with the Three Forks (3wt) combo. It has been a great reel on thousands of Gills and Crappie. It never even sneezed when the Bass took it for a ride, and a couple of those have pushed 20". The Prestige Plus is the same thing with a large arbor reel. (Read as; 'holds less line') They are both more than usable as a trout reel, unless you are dealing with big fish on big moving water. Then you will probably want something a little more robust.
Have fun choosing! That is all part and parcel for the game! :)