Cedros 65 - Three #6-7000 and custom cut 34 X 57 mm carbon drags
Cedros 80 - Three #6-7000 and custom cut 40 X 63 mm carbon drags
VS30 - Drag rated 18# with felt washers. Max drag with carbon drags was 20# before my 8# spectra broke and the scale went flying. Could possibly get 22-24# max.
Three 6-113 for in the top stack
One #6-117 custom cut ID 24 mm for under the spool between the spool and drag plate
VS45 - Drag rated 20# with felt washers. Max drag with carbon drags was 25-28#s.
Three #6-309
24 X 45.9 mm (Custom Cut from TLD15 20 X 55 X 1.08 mm or Penn's HT-100 (#6-25) hex 22.9 X 54.3 X 1.3 mm) for under the spool between the spool and drag plate
VS55 - Drag rated 24# with felt washers. Max drag with carbon drags was between 28-30#. I'd never fish it that hard 'cause I'm not sure If I could stop a fish without being pulled overboard at those kind of drag pressure at the tip of my rod.
Three #6-309 HT-100
24 X 51 mm (Custom Cut from TLD15 20 X 55 X 1.08 mm or Penn's HT-100 (#6-25) hex 22.9 X 54.3 X 1.3 mm)for under the spool between the spool and drag plate
Axeon 65
Three #56-440 for the top stack
Under the spool, it's provided with 2 nylon spacer washers, 7.86 X 20 X 0.98 and 7.86 X 20 X 0.52 mm totalling 1.5 mm thick. Replaced the 7.86 X 20 X 0.98 with a #6-60 HT-100 washer that is closest to the spool.
See http://alantani.com/index.php?topic=175.0 for custom cutting the OD of the drag washer.
It appears that Okuma spinners uses standardized spool sizes and the washers currently identified would probably be the same size in other models of the same size, both single and dual drag models. I have yet to test the max drag, but will post when I do.
Hey Bryan,
I am glad to see your parents knew how to properly spell your first name.
Since you appear to use the vsystem okumas, do you have any thoughts on how they compare to shimano's Saragossa?
Bryan
I really love my Okumas. The VS is slightly smaller than the Saragosas and the Saragosas have slightly higher drag range.
I have never fished the Saragosas but have fished Shimano's Twin Drag Reels. I got these reels in Japan as a gift. There were, a the time, the top of the line (I think) as Stellas came out a year later. I just love my Twin Drags, but have not fished them since I got my VS series reels if that's any indication.
Price point can also be a major factor. For the small reels, you can get the VSystem reel and spool it up with good braid for the price of a Saragosa. For the larger V-80A versus the 18000, you can almost buy 2 reels for the price of the 18000. So if one breaks because it hits the deck, you can afford to bring a spare.
In the end, it's a matter of personal preference and economics. They are both excellent reels, but it comes down to what size, what you are fishing for, and what kind of drag range you really need. I just wish I also bought a pair of VS65s and VS80s. If anyone, who bought the VS65 adn VS80s and don't like them, you are more than welcome to donate them to me. In return, I'll provide a tutorial of these reels. Is that a good trade? ;D
I forgot to add, the Saragosa will probably be easier to service. The Vsystem has 15 or 16 bearings. What a pain in the butt to service. I sill have 4 more reels to go. Took me 3 hours to service the VS30. next time, it will probably take 2 hours since I know now how and what to take apart and what not to take apart.
Quote from: Bryan Young on March 05, 2011, 05:48:27 AM
I really love my Okumas. The VS is slightly smaller than the Saragosas and the Saragosas have slightly higher drag range.
I have never fished the Saragosas but have fished Shimano's Twin Drag Reels. I got these reels in Japan as a gift. There were, a the time, the top of the line (I think) as Stellas came out a year later. I just love my Twin Drags, but have not fished them since I got my VS series reels if that's any indication.
Price point can also be a major factor. For the small reels, you can get the VSystem reel and spool it up with good braid for the price of a Saragosa. For the larger V-80A versus the 18000, you can almost buy 2 reels for the price of the 18000. So if one breaks because it hits the deck, you can afford to bring a spare.
In the end, it's a matter of personal preference and economics. They are both excellent reels, but it comes down to what size, what you are fishing for, and what kind of drag range you really need. I just wish I also bought a pair of VS65s and VS80s. If anyone, who bought the VS65 adn VS80s and don't like them, you are more than welcome to donate them to me. In return, I'll provide a tutorial of these reels. Is that a good trade? ;D
I think I may go with the Vsystem. I will use it in the gulf of mexico to throw poppers at yft. in the GOM a big tuna weighs 100 lb and average is probably 50-70 lb. I have been looking at the VS65 at an advertised drag rating of 31 lbs it would seem the reel could be comfortably fished well within its limits at 15-20 lbs. I also believe it would hold 250 yards plus of hollow JB 60. Then of course it would need the drag upgrade to carbontex as it comes with felt.
I put my thoughts down here so you could tell me if something doesn't look right. Thanks for the help Bryan. There are not many of these reels in use here on the Texas coast and there seems to be a fairly large bias for shimano that prevents objective feedback.
I love this site...thanks for the help.
I believe Alan has the Cedros 65, and they have the same size spool as the V-65a. His reels are spooled with 50# spectra and the other with 65# spectra. It sounds like these reels will fit your needs.
If you do get the V-65a, I would recommend that you grease the spool bearings/bushings. My extra spool had bushings and the other had bearings. The bushing showed slight signs of corrosion (green). You will find one bearing on the bottom and 2 on the top (I think). I never knew that the spools had bushings or bearings. I would recommend taking apart the bail assembly and do the same with the anti-twist roller bearing as well.
Quote from: Bryan Young on March 06, 2011, 07:26:35 AM
I believe Alan has the Cedros 65, and they have the same size spool as the V-65a. His reels are spooled with 50# spectra and the other with 65# spectra. It sounds like these reels will fit your needs.
If you do get the V-65a, I would recommend that you grease the spool bearings/bushings. My extra spool had bushings and the other had bearings. The bushing showed slight signs of corrosion (green). You will find one bearing on the bottom and 2 on the top (I think). I never knew that the spools had bushings or bearings. I would recommend taking apart the bail assembly and do the same with the anti-twist roller bearing as well.
Is the Cedros pretty much the same reel with about 10 less ball bearings? I have looked at a Cedros 65 and the rotor is graphite/plastic and has a pretty good amount of flex, does the V65 move to a metal rotor?
That's a reel good question, reelgood. ;D
I would like to know if the rotor is metal or graphite, now we are waiting on the sun to come up in Hawaii and for Bryan to wake up. I am going to check out Okuma website and see if I can tell.
Edit, found it. the rotor is aluminum.
http://webapps.easy2.com/cm2/flash/generic_index.asp?page_id=35788515
Quote from: reelgood on March 06, 2011, 01:28:58 PMIs the Cedros pretty much the same reel with about 10 less ball bearings? I have looked at a Cedros 65 and the rotor is graphite/plastic and has a pretty good amount of flex, does the V65 move to a metal rotor?
Funny, Alan, another individual (I cannot remember who) were looking at the Cedros and could not tell if it the rotor was made out of metal or a composite. Now that you mentioned it, and reading the fine print, the rotor on the Cedros is made of Graphite composite and the Vsystem is made of aluminum.
Looks like the Vsystem spinners are the only ones available in the US with aluminum rotors. You may find a new, old stock Salina as another option. Looks like the Cedros replaced the Salina line.
Did you guys ever check out the Salina SA II reels?
Cedros 65 and Cedros 80 drag dimensions are added.
Alan, do you have an idea what drags washers that you custom cut for the lower drag located under the spool? I forgot to ask while I was there.
it's a shimano tld 20/30 two speed drag. not good because it is fiberglass on one side, but it works ok.
Alan, only the Cedros 65 has the fiberglass backed carbon fiber drag. The Cedros 80 has Carbon/Carbon fiber drag.
Quote from: Bryan Young on March 06, 2011, 07:48:09 PM
Did you guys ever check out the Salina SA II reels?
I have 2 salina ii 3000's which i use for soft plastics here in nz, great little reels and i am keen to get a 16000 size for jigging.
hi guys and girls first post!!! :)
i have the okuma salinas SA80 and the newer sa16000. im in the process of upgrading drags to the carbotex as i just found a supplier here to get 1mm sheet as the felt ones have "melted" from long hard running tuna up to 106lbs. there filled with 50lb spectra. great reels, only downfall in my eyes so far are - bearings in spool and roller bearings don't last to long and the felt washers .i'm sure they could easily fit carbotex ffrom factory. i've filled the body of the reels with sewing machine oil, slight resistance in winding but now i don't notice and have no fear of internals corroding.
Hi all,
I've worked on a bunch of Salinas (SA30s, SA55s etc - though all first generation).
They all had a critical flaw in the quality of the alloy used for the transmission gear.
I assume it would've been less of an issue if the reels had been maintained (there's an access port beneath the rear cap for rinsing/lubrication), but every Salina I've worked on had a badly corroded transmission gear which had lost teeth and bound up against the drive gear.
I agree that they're otherwise great reels and have a nice design, but for those not so fussed about maintentance, maybe not the best.
I'd be interested to know if the alloy is better quality on the second generation.
Cheers, Justin
i did note this , thats why i filled with sewing machine oil ;)
Quote from: spearo776 on July 13, 2011, 06:55:49 AM
hi guys and girls first post!!! :)
i have the okuma salinas SA80 and the newer sa16000. im in the process of upgrading drags to the carbotex as i just found a supplier here to get 1mm sheet as the felt ones have "melted" from long hard running tuna up to 106lbs. there filled with 50lb spectra. great reels, only downfall in my eyes so far are - bearings in spool and roller bearings don't last to long and the felt washers .i'm sure they could easily fit carbotex ffrom factory. i've filled the body of the reels with sewing machine oil, slight resistance in winding but now i don't notice and have no fear of internals corroding.
I've packed both spool bearings and roller bearings with marine grease, and so far so good. It will slow the bearing down a bit, and though that this will be an issue espcially with the roller bearing, but when I thought about it more, I'm more concerned with heavy loads on the bearing, where greased bearings are effective.
Quote from: Bryan Young on January 29, 2011, 03:41:51 PM
Cedros 65 - Three #6-7000 and custom cut 34 X 57 mm carbon drags
VS30 - Drag rated 18# with felt washers. Three 6-113 for in the top stack
One #6-117 custom cut ID 24 mm for under the spool between the spool and drag plate
VS45 - Three #6-309
24 X 45.9 mm (Custom Cut from TLD15 20 X 55 X 1.08 mm or Penn's HT-100 (#6-25) hex 22.9 X 54.3 X 1.3 mm) for under the spool between the spool and drag plate
VS55 - Three #6-309 HT-100
24 X 51 mm (Custom Cut from TLD15 20 X 55 X 1.08 mm or Penn's HT-100 (#6-25) hex 22.9 X 54.3 X 1.3 mm)for under the spool between the spool and drag plate
Bryan, where did you get the material to custom cut your Cedros 65 34 x 57mm drag washer? I'd love to add carbon drags to my V-65sa but carbontex doesn't make one that big.
For my V-55 and V-45 reels I used carbontex #23 (24.63 x 5 x 1 mm) and #70 (49.15 x 20.35 x 1.16 mm). You could use the #71 and cut it down.
Dawn at Smoothdrag was able to get me the following to match my Okuma V-40's, V-30, and V-20:
V-40: 44mm OD, 16mm ID, .8 mm thick (x1), 22.5mm OD, 8mm ID, .8mm thick (x3)
V-30: 40.5mm OD 21mm ID, .8mm thick (x1), 22.5mm OD, 8mm ID, .8mm thick (x3)
V-20: 35mm OD, 20mm ID, .8mm thick (x1), 21mm OD, 9mm ID, .8mm thick (x3)
Carbontex washer sizes: http://www.smoothdrag.com/Carbontex_washer_sizes.pdf
The larger under the spool washer came from either Penn Parts or Dawn.
#9-117 and #6-25 came from Penn Parts.
TLD15 came from SmoothDrag
Okuma is going to come out with a new reel soon that I think will compete with the Saragosa and it has carbon fiber drags. The RawII spinning reels.
I am looking forward to them.
conchy, the Raw II will still be a step below the VSystem, apart from the carbon fiber drags. It will still have Okuma's high density gearing and brass pinion gear, just less bearings. I called the guys at Okuma parts and asked them about the Raw and he looked at the schematic and was able to tell me where there were fewer bearings (like one less bearing on the line roller [VSystem uses two there] and on the nut that tightens down the rotor making it a floating shaft [one thing among others that makes the VSystem smoother than the Cedros]). The good thing about it is that Okuma will still use interchangeable parts as they do on most of their reels of the same sizes so that you can probably buy the carbon fiber drags from the Raw II and place in your VSsystem reels. :)
Okuma Status STX - OD = 22 mm, ID = 4 mm, thickness is near about 1mm I did not measure, eye balled it.
Okuma Avenger AV 30a - OD = 20 mm, ID = 4 mm, thickness is near about 1 mm, I did not measure, eye balled it.
Okuma Avenger AV 90a - OD = 20.2 mm, ID = 5.2 mm, thickness is near about 1 mm
Quote from: Gobi King on February 05, 2018, 05:01:04 PM
Okuma Status STX - OD = 22 mm, ID = 4 mm, thickness is near about 1mm I did not measure, eye balled it.
Okuma Avenger AV 30a - OD = 20 mm, ID = 4 mm, thickness is near about 1 mm, I did not measure, eye balled it.
Thank you.
Quote from: Bryan Young on March 05, 2011, 06:23:00 AM
...Vsystem has 15 or 16 bearings. What a pain in the butt to service. I sill have 4 more reels to go. Took me 3 hours to service the VS30. next time, it will probably take 2 hours since I know now how and what to take apart and what not to take apart.
1) keep an eye out for original Aveon:
- all-metal flagship model before VS came out;
- fat, roomy gearbox pre-dates the "blade" body -- not as light/pretty, but more robust & easier to work
- both spools are ported; spare has tall brass bush -- no BB; original has BB & skinny brass bush, which may fit the line roller(?) if so, you could bring the BB count down (to 9?), by eliminating 2 of the smallest, most susceptible bearings
- VS spools are fully compatible, if you like DFD
2) some older Okuma's are definitely NOT standard-sized. my AE-20 w/ VS-20 spool is tiny compared to 20-size original Inspira, Stratus, (Alumina?) -- they're HUGE almost-30's; the drag well & 6-stack may actually be BIGGER than later 30's (hence, the 20/25-size line capacity)
FYI all Okuma drag washers are 1mm thick so replace felt with cf ;). Virtually every similar size Okuma reel uses the same size drag washers. Most bearings/bushings are similarly interchangeable on similar size reels. Thaey are cheap and easy to work on :) I luv em!
Quote from: Tiddlerbasher on February 05, 2018, 09:33:48 PM
FYI all Okuma drag washers are 1mm thick so replace felt with cf ;). Virtually every similar size Okuma reel uses the same size drag washers. Most bearings/bushings are similarly interchangeable on similar size reels. Thaey are cheap and easy to work on :) I luv em!
Hmm, so if I put a 20 mm wide cf washer instead of a 22 mm one, I will be fine? the washer will not wander around. I spend sometime matching up to the closet HT-100 drags sizes. I must say it was fun.
You will be fine. Once compressed it will not go anywhere.
Using a 20mm, instead of 22mm, you will lose a tiny amount of drag. But the majority of Okuma's range have more than enough drag to start off with. Only once have I ever needed more drag than was available - I let the fish take line (and burn out the felt drag washers) when I should have buttoned down and bullied the beast :( Lesson learnt. The felt was subsequently replace with cf.
If you want an exact fit cut your own. A while back I bought myself a set of wadcutter punches - they paid for themselves very quickly. Those were metric cutters and now I going to buy an imperial set.
Bryan, You are welcome,
Tiddler, What brand of wadcutter punches you have?
I spent sometime find matches to penn parts HT-100s and Smoothdrags CFs to my okumas, and smooth has the best matches but are bit pricey. I have a lot of reels.
I did few more okumas and OD = 20 mm (ish) seems to the standard and ID = 4 mm ish
I am going with a 6-60 for my okumas (with 20 mm OD), I will do a before and after drag and report back as to results with 6 mm gap in the middle of drag washer.
few more:
Okuma Avenger Abf 50 - OD = 24.5 ID = 4.5
Okuma Ceymar 10 - OD = 20 ID = 4.2
Okuma Inspira 20 - OD = 19.5 ID = 4
Gobi - I bought a set of these:
https://www.maunindustries.com/wad-punch-kit/
But there are some sets that cut inner and outer dimensions at the same time - but extra $ :(
Thanks a bunch, I saw a cheapo set at harborfright, not sure if it is metric or sae but anything to get a somewhat close fit will be fine for me.
You guys are correct, I went though some of my baitcasters and measured the drag washer sized. To experiment I replaced a baitcaster and a spinning reel with a small sized cf drag washer greased with Cal's
Very impressed with the results. For my fishing needs on fresh water, I rarely tighten the drag down all the way, I mean in MI the cow perches are not anywhere close to their Egyptian cousins on the Nile River where the perches are big (70 lber) ;-).
On an okuma 20 sized reel, I replaced the factory felt drag washers with much smaller cf drag I had on hand and I think I have more drag with smaller grease cf washers :-)
Properly sized drag washers (with full area contact with the metal washers) will dissipate heat better than undersize washers - and more drag :)
oh boy, time to play the Devil's Advocate:
I'm sorry, I just don't understand why people are doing this -- getting all exuberant over an expensive technological innovation, that they will NEVER REAP THE BENEFITS, THEREOF ???
Of course, CF has vastly superior longevity/durability & higher MAX -- HOW DOES THAT HELP SMALL SPINNERS used w/ light line, that hardly ever approach a mid-range drag setting & never-ever see the MAX ???
How much of an issue is durability or heat dissipation w/ <30 sec. runs, under <3 lbs. of drag ???
if anything, felt's smoother, faster start-up at lowest drag settings, is the desired attribute for F/W L/UL
w/ smaller, older Okuma's, especially, do the CF upgrade on your 30's & 40's, where it counts
& get a FREE lifetime supply of Japanese felt for your 20's, where it's optimal
I agree, being an accountant and an engineer I am always questioning ROI before I undertake any project, ROI in terms $$$ and my time.
I love small reels, size 10s, I spool them with 6 lb braid, I use them to jig for any species in heavy current etc, I love light stuff, my right hand hurts less end of the day.
I don't fish everyday, even with my low frequency fishing the felt drags on some of my small reels failed. Hence the cf upgrade.
In MI when I out say in Muskegon Lake, I am casting for bass, I might hook a pike or even a salmon/asian carp.
FYI: I put in 3 ht-100 6-60 washer in one reel and it cost me less then $3 to switch the reel from felt to cf washer.
On every reel I've tried greased cf is smoother, with less start up inertia, than oiled felt. I even use it on my fly reels where smoothness is everything with light tippets. In the past I've destroyed felt washers in a season - I have yet to replace any cf washers.
Some time ago, it may have been Bryan, mentioned that only the Cedros 80 came with cf washers. Both the 65 and 80 are supplied with oiled felt. The more upmarket RawII spinners come with cf. I have and use both of them. The washers are interchangeable between the similar size models e.g. RawII 80 cf washers will fit the Cedros 80 etc. The Raw series have aluminium rotors the Cedros are graphite.
I "serviced" nearly half a dozen Okuma reels and I found that 2 models had felt drag washer with some type of clear "grease", not sure what it is but I thought I would share, here is a pic of one.
Okuma felt washers come from the factory with some type of oil on them not usually grease. It works but the oil does need 'topping up' fairly frequently compared to greased cf.
I'm guessing that's Chinese felt, from later and/or cheaper models
older, premium Okuma's boasted "Japanese oiled felt"
it looks much more substantial/dense & holds the thick oil better/longer
Which begs the question is it Japanese felt that's been oiled - or felt (from where ever) with Japanese oil - and does it really matter? Use greased cf instead - it's a better product imho.
Quote from: Tiddlerbasher on February 25, 2018, 08:56:24 PM
Which begs the question is it Japanese felt that's been oiled - or felt (from where ever) with Japanese oil - and does it really matter? Use greased cf instead - it's a better product imho.
I will most certainly do that... for my bigger spools that will derive max. benefit
what am I going to do w/ a pile of perfectly good high-quality felt which was a significant fraction of the cost/value of those spools? no, wait, don't tell me, I already know -- I'll keep my little 20-size spools going, FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE :) ...heck, I'll be able to replace the stuff just 'cause it's a little dirty -- not even worn or crushed
;D
To me the smoothness of a drag is everything. Most spinners, even the smallest ones, already produce more drag than one can use (RawII 30 size 25lb drag :o). On my mid/large sized spinners I've even had some custom .5mm stainless washers cut so I could fit a 5 stack instead of 3 stack. I didn't do it to increase the drag it just produces a smoother drag for an equivalent setting. My 10 and 20 sized spinners would probably benefit from a 5 stack as well, but I haven't measured them yet so I don't know how practical it would be.
I have learned a lot of drags here in the last few months.
My previous strategy for reels was, buy a reel and when the drag gets jerky, chuck it and buy a new one.
I fish for species with very soft mouths and any jerkiness in the drag results in ripped lips.
Max drag is unimportant for me. CF drag concept is new to me, I did not realize most of my trolling gear already had CF drags in them.
I have a few cheapo single drag washer size 10 reels made by south bend, when I am back home next week I will do a side by side analysis ;D
Many of the inshore saltwater charter captains use the Shimano Ci4 reel because of its better corrosion protection. They come with felt drag washers.
I had one captain come to me by boat after his clients had landed a few Jack Cravale. The felt drag were gone.
He grabbed 6 sets from me and went back fishing. The felt drags in the Shimano reels turns to mush and disappears.
Keith I think that criticism could be aimed at most felt washers - not just Shimano
Quote from: handi2 on February 26, 2018, 04:52:52 PM
Many of the inshore saltwater charter captains use the Shimano Ci4 reel because of its better corrosion protection. They come with felt drag washers.
I had one captain come to me by boat after his clients had landed a few Jack Cravale. The felt drag were gone.
He grabbed 6 sets from me and went back fishing. The felt drags in the Shimano reels turns to mush and disappears.
how does that relate to "Okuma Spinner Drag Sizes" or my original point about
SMALL SPINNERS used w/ light line at lowest drag settings (basically, F/W UL)? ...ya know what? I have a great deal more to say, but refuse to engage in any more hijacking
Bryan,
being a Mod/Admin, could you please cut out this whole debate & move it to a separate Topic, as was done w/ the "Super Lube thang"
************************
getting back to
"Okuma Spinner Drag Sizes" from one whole page, ago:
my old Inspira IS-20 spools are HUGE -- almost 30-size -- WAY bigger than VS-20 & AV-20. over the many, many years, Okuma has come out w/ different versions of Inspira (ISX & IA?)... maybe the only dif. is 6-stack VS. 2-stack of same-size washers, but why take a chance? ...might be helpful to mention exact models, esp. for Okuma models that have been around for decade(s)