XL Gearing – The XL gearing design found on both lever drag & star drag reels incorporates an oversized gear box that features an enlarged gearing system & enlarged drag system. The drag surface areas on this system are more than 50% larger than a standard gear-box design. For the gear system, the major advantage is that the gear teeth are substantially larger, allowing more strength & cranking power. This is how we are able to offer a high-speed gear ratio reel without sacrificing cranking power. Our XL gearing system essentially turns your reel into a winch.
Machined Rigid Frame – Okuma’s Machined Rigid Frame construction incorporates a one-piece fully-machined aluminum frame. These rigid bar-stock aluminum frames are the ultimate in precision alignment & tolerances withstanding more pressure & torque than any other material used in our industry for frame materials. Okuma features these anodized frames on fly reels, baitcast reels, lever drag reels & star drag trolling reels.
Body Armor – Okuma’s stainless steel Body Armor eliminates the frame flex commonly found in graphite framed trolling reels. This feature incorporates two large stainless steel rings that are mounted to both sides of the frame. The harness lugs are integrated into the body armor design & eliminate the pressure commonly placed on the harness lugs by redistributing the pressure to these large-diameter rings.
Dual Force Drag System – The specialized carbon DFD or Dual Force Drag system used on all Makaira reels was specifically engineered to be mounted in the right side of the spool in order to bring all the mechanical workings closer together to maximize alignment and durability. The farther mechanical parts are separated the more opportunity there is for tolerance error and flexing which causes parts alignment issues. The DFD principal was specifically designed around the “Pull Bar Drag System”. The major advantage to a “Pull Bar Drag System” is that the drag is being pulled rather than pushed. The most common type of lever drag in the industry is the “Push Bar Drag System”. The Push Bar System places heavy pressure on the left side plate and utilizes the frame for overall stability which is a fatal flaw in this type of design. This pressure creates frame flex, reducing drag pressure and causing tolerance alignment issues. This problem is further exaggerated on open top designs from other companies. One of the major benefits to the pull bar design is that there is no pressure placed on the frame. Therefore, our open top frame designs will not suffer frame flex found in our competitors reels.
This highly efficient drag system was designed and engineered by Tiburon Engineering USA to increase maximum drag pressure, reduce side load pressure on ball bearings and improve heat dissipation for long term smoothness over extended periods. This Okuma DFD is considered a wet drag system comprised of two carbon fiber drag washers that are sandwiched together and bonded with a fiber glass core. Pure carbon washers are coated with a thin layer of Cal Sheet’s Universal drag grease for virtually zero start up inertia. These washers are compressed by two precision ground 17-4 grade stainless steel drag plates that have been ground flat then polished for maximum smoothness. These stainless steel friction drag plates have a minimum 32 Rockwell hardness allowing for high-end drag settings and consistently smooth drag performance at all ranges. The drag system is secured to the right side of the spool by a 6061-T6 grade aluminum cover that features Type-II anodizing for maximum alignment, strength and corrosion resistance.
2-Speed Gearing – Okuma’s 2-speed technology incorporates two sets of stainless steel main & pinion gears, allowing anglers the option of a high-speed gear ratio or a powerful low-speed gear ratio for maximum power & torque. To shift gears it is as easy as pushing a button or popping a lever with Okuma’s unique shifting design to obtain the appropriate gear ratio you desire.
Speed Loc Pinion Gear System – The SLG technology incorporates a dual-step pinion gear system on star drag reels that allows positive engaging at extreme high speeds. The SLG system allows for instant gear engagement when engaging from freespool to strike at speeds in excess of 50 MPH.
MSS – Strong, Stable, Smooth – Okuma’s Mechanical Stabilizing System is a support system that ties the spool shaft, pinion gear, pinion gear bearing, drive shaft & main gear together with a single support system. While other reels on the market offer minimal or no gear stabilization, this patented Okuma design allows all of these critical parts to stay in precise alignment. Designed specifically to hold up to the demands of braided & wire line fishing, the MSS support system stabilizes the spool shaft at 3 key stress points to eliminate flex under pressure – which directly translates into a reel that is more durable, stronger & smoother than the competition.
MCS – Okuma’s Magnetic Control System is a fully-sealed, 100% waterproof cast control system that reduces backlash & improves casting distance by utilizing the magnetic field generated by the high RPM spinning of the spool during casting. The magnetic field is influenced by the adjustable cast control magnet which exerts an opposing force & allows for minute & accurate adjustments.
Wide Mouth Levelwind – This heavy-duty, stainless steel levelwind is Titanium coated & built to withstand the punishment of both braided & wire lines. The guide has been designed with an increased opening to insure proper knot clearance when fishing with double lines. This wide space allows for Albright or similar connection knots, as well as swivels & copper line to pass through the guide easier & be wound directly on the spool.
Strike Zone – Okuma’s Strike Zone linecounter system incorporates a mechanical counter that precisely measures line based on spool revolutions. These counters measure in feet & are calibrated at the factory to be most accurate with a full spool & monofilament lines.
T-Bar Handle – T-Bar Handle: The patented design of the T-Bar handle offers a true ergonomically correct angle to ensure an angler gets maximum power with minimum fatigue. The T-bar takes full advantage of the natural dynamics of the human hand, wrist & forearm to help sustain power & endurance for the angler.
Ergo Grip – The Ergo Grip handle knob is an extremely comfortable oversized handle-knob design for both speed & power. This soft-touch knob has been ergonomically designed to fit in the palm of your hand & will be found on certain Okuma lever drag reels, star drag reels & some spinning reel models.
Hippo Grip – The Hippo Grip is a unique reel-clamp design that serves triple duty when fishing offshore. This heavy-duty, forged aluminum reel clamp securely supports your reel to the rod for maximum safety. This clamp also incorporates a small hole that was designed to be used with a safety line for trolling. On the rear of the clamp is a large diameter hole that was designed to be used as a trigger. The large hole should be mounted facing the butt of the rod.
Okuma started with a simple goal – to revolutionize fishing, bringing innovative ideas to life through the power of cutting-edge technology.