Only One Reel

Rivverrat · January 13, 2015, 12:07:03 AM

I will soon have the opportunity because of my work to fish some places people dream about.

I am allowing my self 2 reels because of lack of space & the the need to pack or carry.

I am wanting one reel that I will use 90% of the time. I have an Andros but I'm beginning to have my doubts about this reel because of some very annoying habits. The biggest of which is it is not consistent.

I am looking for suggestions. I need a reel that can produce 20-25 lbs. of drag, lightweight & cast 1/4 -1/2 oz. bait well when needed. I will not need this much drag all the time. But want to have it available when a bigger fish is hooked.

My Andros is going back to Okuma for inspection. This will probably be the reel if it can start acting appropriately.

I there a reel I'm missing that competes with the Andros. Ive seen none that produce its level of drag & cast as well.

wallacewt · January 13, 2015, 12:16:53 AM

hi riverrat
would you let us know what okuma does and says
they are such good reels you must have just got a lemon
is it the original one or something newer
good luck with it
cheers

basto · January 13, 2015, 01:10:58 AM

You need a spin reel.

Newell Nut · January 13, 2015, 01:16:54 AM

A penn torque 7 or 9 would work just fine.

Rivverrat · January 13, 2015, 01:18:44 AM

My Andros is not the newer A series. I have used 2 other pre A series Andros reels that had the same issue as mine. Neither individual seemed bothered by it. The issue, when retrieving the resistance in the handle is not consistent through out the day. This is with the drag below 15 lbs. at strike. Set at 12 - 13 going to 15 on my scales only when pulled HARD.

I do not care for the cast control on the Andros at all. But hey, there is no perfect reel. Ive yet to own a reel where I used it much at all. If the issue can be resolved it would be my favorite. I've had the reel apart I can see nothing that stands out that would cause the issue.

Okuma is known to have outstanding customer service. That shouldn't be an issue. For curiosities sake it would be nice to know what the issue is. I will post when I hear back from Okuma.

Rivverrat · January 13, 2015, 01:57:20 AM

A SPINNING REEL? You cant be serious?

I am kidding. The torque spinner is one I've been slobbering over for some time. But what knocks it out of running now is it's weight & space it takes up. I've also spent a butt load on 2 packable take down casting rods.

fIsHsTiiCkS · January 13, 2015, 02:01:07 AM

Having such high drag and casting such light lures is a hard combo. If your are looking conventional then I would go for a Penn Fathom. If spinning I would go to maybe a penn Battle. And if baitcaster a Lexa 400. Hope this helps

maxpowers · January 13, 2015, 03:28:38 AM

are you casting live baits? If so have you thought about using a casting bubble to enhance the total casting weight?

Rivverrat · January 13, 2015, 04:47:16 AM

In some cases adding weight isn't going to be an issue. I can cast 1/2 oz. with my Andros as far as needed, accurately no problem. When doing this I'm not needing to make an extremely long cast. The problem as stated is the slight but noticeable resistance in the handle during retrieve that comes & goes.

maxpower, when you say "casting bubble" are speaking of the see through balls you fill with water? Or a regular float or bobber? I make use of these. Its just some times its best just to live line.

I am able to cast this Andros as far as needed. The issue I've stated is why I'm wondering about another reel.

Fishsticks, you are thinking what Ive been. I'm thinking a little 15 Fathom will do it wth out the issues that come with a lever drag. I've yet to have one in hand so I dont know exactly how much smaller they are compared to my 25n's

maxpowers · January 13, 2015, 05:23:38 AM

I think you are asking too much of the original Andros which is what the Metaloid is now. Both of them really have their upper limit at strike t 15 lbs and 24 lbs full using the stock configuration. In your previous post you stated that you fished it about 12-15 lbs of drag at strike which is pretty much the upper limit for the Andros. If you have the new Andros then it would be a different story. The reason I asked if you have use the cast a bubble because now you can go to a more robust reel that may not cast the lighter weights well. With the added mass of the cast a bubble you should be able to cast your bait with the more robust reel. You should still be able to live line since the cast a bubble can continue to slide up your line as the bait is swimming around.

Rivverrat · January 13, 2015, 08:44:15 AM

I should also add here this is my first lever drag. I have wondered if being close to max is what is causing the issue I describe. It is not constant like using it with drag set obviously high. But never the less its some thing I wont tolerate fishing all day.

SoCalAngler · January 13, 2015, 04:35:18 PM

Check out the Penn Torque LD reels. The 25N is larger than the Andros but will offer what your looking for. Maybe a 15 would work? It's closer in size to the Andros, still bigger though, but this reel maxes out at 20 lbs of drag. To get to the 20-25lb drag range a bigger reel offering more drag surface is what your going to need IMO.

Rivverrat · January 13, 2015, 10:18:37 PM

SoCalAngler, the more I look at the situation & the criteria I'm putting forth....the truth of the matter which you state, becomes apparent. My original hopes were to use an Andros 5 as my primary reel when the small boat is available. Then a hopped up Senator from the bank of the river.

But the feedback on the Andros during retrieve is unacceptable to me. The torque & also the fathom lever drags are an option. The torque 30 while wider, is not that much heavier than the 25n. I have also been told this reel cast well enough to work with in the spectrum I want. I could use the Torque LD 30 pitching or flipping the lighter baits while also filling any role I would use a Senator for.

SoCalAngler · January 14, 2015, 03:31:03 AM

Aggreed Rivverrat but I assumed you were using a two speed Andros, so I mentioned a two speed reel as well. The Torque 25N will have a more narrow spool, but taller than the 30 making casting the lighter stuff easier/better.

For less cost the Fathom star drags (of course not a two speed) max out at around 25lbs of drag in all their sizes, 12 through 40. I thought you were looking for a lever drag and in the upper drag range you stated a Fathom 25N LD either single or two speed should hit around 23 lbs at strike and more going to full. Set the drags at say 20 lbs at strike and I'm sure your going to get close if not over the 25 lbs at full while staying with in the reels design.

Rivverrat · January 14, 2015, 07:45:02 AM

SoCal, you are correct I am wanting a lever drag. Thanks for reminding me about the benefit of the taller narrower spool on the 25n. I have 3 Fathom star star drag 25n's. But the lever drag would be a pretty good option to have in S. America for my purpose. A reel thats built to fish 20 lbs. of drag will work. Especially from the little boat where the fish can wear himself down pulling it around. I dont have to have a 2 speed but it would make some of the fishing more productive.

Also regrading my Andros, I spoke with Okuma today they want me to send my reel in. I did ask about upgrading my reel to the A Series. The person in customer service spoke with a reel tech the reel tech said the older & newer Andros where the same internally, just different cosmetically. I informed him that this was not the case at all. That I based this on the A series reels I've had in hand, also on a tear down & reports from this sight & what John B. Okuma's Product Manager had said at ICAST about the A Series.

After a pause he said they did not have many A series come through there. Which is probable since they could go directly to the retail shops or they may never unbox them when they come through the California warehouse I don't know. In short order some one else came to the phone I wish I'd got their name, he knew exactly what I was talking about regarding the upgraded drag but was not certain if the upgrade could be done to an older Andros & I was asked to fill out the proper info ON Okumas sight then send it in & they would have a look & see what could be done....I will keep those interested up to date....Jeff