well, although I really like my Fathom 40LD2 a close friend just bought it from me on my last fishing trip, he liked that much with the tani 4/0 grip and Tani treatment on the bearings that he just gave me the money of the reel, grip and line (400yds 80#), so, now Im in the market for a new reel on those specs or better but I would like to try Okuma this time, I have always have my eyes on the killing machine makaira reel.
what it would be the closest makaira model to a fathom/torque 40ld2 in line capacity?
seems like the mk15 is the really close to a 40LD2 but the line capacity is bit less and I was actually thinking to use 100# this time for grouper fishing so, Mak16 might be the ticket but it jumps from 26oz to 40oz and dont know if it would see much action other than grouper fishing or fishing on deep reefs.
I really like the mk10 but seems like a small overbuild tank for fish 50# braid specially on this rocky zones where you have to be give zero line to reef creatures or lose your fish and your $30 lure, but I read some guys pack their mak10 with 80#maxquatro line
having said that and since I dont have any fishing store that carry those reels to check them in person, can some one please post pics of a mak10, mak15 and mak16 along other reels like 113h, jigmaster, trinidad 20/40, torque 40, etc
The 10 is a 40-50# reel. The 15 is a wide 10 and works for 50-60#. The 16 is a beast for fishing 80-100#. I use mine for 80# bait or trolling.
Okuma doesn't have anything in the same capacity/form factor as the 40n. The Andros 16 comes closest but it is shorter and wider.
Really, it sounds like you should just get another 40nld2 and hang onto it this time!
Quote from: MarkT on October 10, 2017, 08:22:59 PM
Really, it sounds like you should just get another 40nld2 and hang onto it this time!
naah, not really, I will come back to the fathom lineup later but in the 25ld2 size.
so Mark, you're telling do you have a mak16, then.
would you mind posting some pics along with other well-known reels for size comparation?
The smaller ones I have are the 15II and 16II. The 15II is really too wide for my liking but my son loves it. I assume the 10II would be more narrow. The 16II is a square reel meaning its about the same width as it is tall. Its perfect. Its bigger and heavier than your 25N. Ive had that too.
Keith
Makaira 16 SEa, HX Raptor, JX Raptor.
i use the mak 16 for 80 pound and the mak 20 for 100.
I have been thinking about these smaller reels lately. That Mak16 seems like a good 80lb reel. There are so many different 2 speed lever drag reels available these days, it's tough to decide what the reel would work best, and be a good value for an all around live bait, chunking, deep jigging etc.. setup. I enjoy researching and thinking about it all, but I will likely start with the Fathom 40N2ld. Some of the reels thst were on the top of my list a year or 2 ago, have dropped down a bit. That new International would be a sweet reel, so would the torque. I liked the Fin nor Marquees, the Andros, and some of the JM, and Accurate reels seem pretty sweet as well.
It's really amazing how many choices are available now days.
Just some random thoughts.
John
I have an 80# leader on the 16 SEa over 600yds of 100# Threadlock spectra, 60# topshot on the HX over 500 yds of 80# spectra and 50# topshot on the JX over 400 yds of 65# spectra.
The Mak 20 is the same width as the 16 with a larger diameter.
Quote from: MarkT on October 11, 2017, 02:20:11 AM
Makaira 16 SEa, HX Raptor, JX Raptor.
You have really nice toys amigo, thanks for the pics
Why the Mak16 looks silver?
Isnt the colors are only gold and smoke on the SEA ?
@John, its amazing how many good options we have, right?
Fathom 40LD2 is a really nice reel if you for it you wont be disappointed
The standard Makaira's are gold. Gunsmoke and Silver are the standard colors on the SEa versions. Silver started as a limited run color but is now standard. They did a run in black and are currently doing them in blue with a silver spool.
I know your looking at the Okuma line of reels and IMO they are fine reels but like stated they don't really have a reel that matches closely in size to the Penn FTH 40NLD.
On the other hand a Avet Raptor HXJ does come very close on overall size, has more drag, very close gearing and cost a bit less than the Okuma reels your looking at. Their not Okuma but are fine reels also and will meet your size requirements well.
Quote from: SoCalAngler on October 11, 2017, 03:38:47 PM
I know your looking at the Okuma line of reels and IMO they are fine reels but like stated they don't really have a reel that matches closely in size to the Penn FTH 40NLD.
On the other hand a Avet Raptor HXJ does come very close on overall size, has more drag, very close gearing and cost a bit less than the Okuma reels your looking at. Their not Okuma but are fine reels also and will meet your size requirements well.
Im not really set on get me a "clone" in size and power of the FTH40ld2 on the okuma lineup really, its more like I accepted the offer from my friend looking to get me another reel one step up in power and quality, nothing wrong with the fathom, so, it could be the torque 40ld2 or an Avet raptor or a talica 16 or 20 or etc, etc.
not far from here there are some good deep reefs where friends are using their talicas 16 and 20 or even 25 with 80# or 100# braid, some are using a plain stock 114h and both get the job done, so at the end its a matter of preference, thanks for the avet raptor recomendation
The HXJ is the same capacity as the JX/Talica 12. It's a narrow HX Raptor. I told Lee that if he fell overboard on the Spirit of Adventure charter than his wife would never know he had one!
the raptor hxj is a great wahoo reel. the big selling point is the 47 inches per crank. that's hard to beat.
The TranX 500 HD is what I use for Wahoo. 43" per crank with a level wind that makes it easy to crank fast without worrying about the line. I got a Wahoo last week on my Lexa 400 HD hs-p with 37.7" per crank. It was my 3rd wahoo on a Lexa 400. My biggest YT as Guadalupe came on that same Lexa.
I am still looking forward to holding an Okuma makaira sea lol. The specs on the 15 look good but the 20 is definitely a work horse. Even though I'm not fond of them, I use Penn 113h on the boat I work on, they're winches and do what they're supposed to do. We started mixing in Shimano TLDs and put aftermarket handles on them and prefer them over the 113s, even caught a small 8' great white on one this past summer (accidentally hooked).
Quote from: Arthur1 on October 14, 2017, 05:26:52 AM
I am still looking forward to holding an Okuma makaira sea lol. The specs on the 15 look good but the 20 is definitely a work horse. Even though I'm not fond of them, I use Penn 113h on the boat I work on, they're winches and do what they're supposed to do. We started mixing in Shimano TLDs and put aftermarket handles on them and prefer them over the 113s, even caught a small 8' great white on one this past summer (accidentally hooked).
thanks for your comment, I was also looking the mak15, its hard to have an opinion of it because I really havent seen or touch any of those reels LOL, but some guys says is too wide (almost incomfortable wide), I read somewhere that is same size than the avet LX which is not too wide on my books but the okuma holds bit less line, on this zones I dont need 500yds of 80# braid most of the time the bottom half of that never see the light of the sun.
TLD are good reels too, I just sold two of them to fund me an old International 16s, so, I might left the penn 16s as dedicated trolling reel, Baja Special as bait reel and yoyo and get me a mak10 for YT and bigazz cabrillas (decisions, decisions!!)
I just need to find a way to convince tackle direct to make me an invoice of the mak10 in super special discount price for $195 (for the wife ).
It seems that your biggest dilemma may be getting it past your wife lol. If you look on youtube, J and H tackle may have videos that you can gauge the size of the reels by. The Makaira 15 Sea for instance looks to be a comfortable size reel to use, any wider and thumbing the line back and forth with my hands may become a nuisance. The "regular" Makairas, I haven't looked up on youtube yet. I used to sell fishing equipment and a lot of people still frown upon Okuma, (a friend even gave me a hard time about buying the Andros 5ll!) thus I haven't seen any of the Makaira models in person. If you do go the Makaira route, let me know what you think!
Quote from: alantani on October 11, 2017, 05:14:41 PM
the raptor hxj is a great wahoo reel. the big selling point is the 47 inches per crank. that's hard to beat.
I don't think Steelfish would be too concerned about wahoo unless he fishes south of where he lives. On the other hand the 47" per crank can pay off when fishing deep. Say you get picked clean at depth and need to change bait, you are fishing the yoyo iron over deep structure or need to make bait way down. These would be some areas where the 47 inch per crank can really help.
I fish south of where he lives and at times we must make bait at 250'-300' or even deeper. Yes I know a HXJ Raptor is way over kill to make bait with but the faster you can fill the bait tank the quicker you can hunt the fish you really want to catch.
I'm not knocking the Okuma Mikaira's in any way as I think their great reels and from his other posts about the 40NLD2 it didn't seem to be a great fit for him. Personally I don't feel the MK 15's are too wide but I do try to fish a reel as small/narrow as I can get away with. Those reels just feel better in my hands.
Here is the 15II and 16Ii.
Keith
One more..
Quote from: SoCalAngler on October 16, 2017, 04:26:38 PM
Quote from: alantani on October 11, 2017, 05:14:41 PM
the raptor hxj is a great wahoo reel. the big selling point is the 47 inches per crank. that's hard to beat.
I don't think Steelfish would be too concerned about wahoo unless he fishes south of where he lives. On the other hand the 47" per crank can pay off when fishing deep. Say you get picked clean at depth and need to change bait, you are fishing the yoyo iron over deep structure or need to make bait way down. These would be some areas where the 47 inch per crank can really help.
I fish south of where he lives and at times we must make bait at 250'-300' or even deeper. Yes I know a HXJ Raptor is way over kill to make bait with but the faster you can fill the bait tank the quicker you can hunt the fish you really want to catch.
I'm not knocking the Okuma Mikaira's in any way as I think their great reels and from his other posts about the 40NLD2 it didn't seem to be a great fit for him. Personally I don't feel the MK 15's are too wide but I do try to fish a reel as small/narrow as I can get away with. Those reels just feel better in my hands.
thanks compadre, I think you have a good idea of what it works here, a year ago you where recomending me to get the FTH25nld2 over 40ld2 and I think it was a good advice that I didt followed, I didnt actually used too much the 40ld2 other than trolling and some bait fishing, (both task were speciallity of the Baja Special) but as you know trolling here is more a tug-of-war so, more than half of the line on the fth40 never got wet, so Im pretty sure I might do the same kind of trolling with a mak15, if I need anything smaller I might switch to the andros 12n and if I need something bigga I might get the mak16 in a future.
i have seem many pics and videos of the mk15 and it doesnt seem too wide like some guys say, maybe because of the overbuild thick alloy body, if the body was with 30% less material pretty sure it would look skinny and wider.
@Artur1, I was just j/k with the wife comment, I get sure she knows when Im selling a rod or reel, so she already knows that soon we will have the UPS guy knocking on the door with new toys for her hubby, but not a bad idea to wait for a special price day or event for this kind of high dollar reel buy.
Quote from: handi2 on October 16, 2017, 06:30:45 PM
One more..
this last picture put them both in different scenarios, two different animals.
now this puts everything more clear, looks like comparing a jigmaster 500L to a senator 113h, not the same intended use or specs.
I think I will stay on my last position of for all around reel the mk10/15 will do it, mk16 would be good for local Big Baja groupers or sharks, fish that I normally dont go after.
thanks Keith for the pics.
The 16 has a lot more cranking resistance than the 15. The 16 also has a trolling style alarm clicker while the 15 has a common click tongue.
Steelfish,
I think your on the right track when deciding on either the MK 10 or 15 both are robust/strong reels and should fit your needs good. Personally I think the 16 is way more reel in overall weight and power than your looking for. It is a very nice reel don't get me wrong but over kill IMO for your needs. There is no difference between the 10 and 15 other than yardage/meters the reels hold. So if going in that direction look at the total line you will need.
Now this is only a rough estimate of the braid that you can get on both reels because the braid/spectra manufactures vary on line diameter just like the mono manufactures do so don't take this as a perfect rating of how many yards of braid you can get on either reel.
With that said 80 lb braid is about the same diameter as 20 lb mono, around .42 mm. with those numbers on a MK 10 SEa that's around 380 yards full and a MK 15 SEa that's around 550 yards. Here is where the difference is between the two reels.
On these smaller reels the difference between the gold MK reels and the SEa'a as far as the amount of line goes there is no difference according to Okuma.
Quote from: handi2 on October 16, 2017, 06:26:40 PM
Here is the 15II and 16Ii.
Keith
keith
by chance do you have a 113h which you can take a picture along your mak15 and mak16?
I was about to click on the "send payment" buttom but its hard to make this kind of payment for a reel I havent even saw in real life :-\ :-\, I dont want a mayor surprise for the size when I get it on the mailbox.
this is my stack of penn reels
baja Special
113h
penn 16s
113hw CC sideplates
wondering if the mak16 would be that much bigger than the 113hw or as big as the penn 16s
then I would have a nice perception of the real size of the mak16 and the mak15
This is a really interesting thread - cheers lads.
I just saw this post so I will take a picture of the 3 tomorrow. I will throw in a Baja Special too.
Keith
Quote from: SoCalAngler on October 17, 2017, 05:45:58 AM
Steelfish,
I think your on the right track when deciding on either the MK 10 or 15 both are robust/strong reels and should fit your needs good. Personally I think the 16 is way more reel in overall weight and power than your looking for.
I think this is excellent advice.
Two reels I wouldnt be with out if I lived where you do, a Mak 10 & HX Raptor. Id get a new Penn VISX 12 before I purchased a Mak 16 if I were in your shoes. It's not jus the size but the weight of a reel in that class...Jeff
Quote from: Rivverrat
I think this is excellent advice.
Two reels I wouldnt be with out if I lived where you do, a Mak 10 & HX Raptor. Id get a new Penn VISX 12 before I purchased a Mak 16 if I were in your shoes. It's not jus the size but the weight of a reel in that class...Jeff
Glad to see you comenting here Jeff
I actually set my mind on a mak15, I really like the size of the mak10 but would like the extra Line capacity for some local deep reefs and would like to use the reel as goto reel on anything local.
Im having problems with my credit card to use it on-line since a week now and I havent gotten the reel yet for that reason, hopefully this week everything gets solved.
for reels, these are my recommendations, based on performance and price, ease of maintenance and the risk of potential problems down the line. while not perfect, the reels listed below minimally satisfy all four criteria. here goes......
130# - Okuma makaira 50 or penn international 50
100# - Okuma makaira 20 or penn international 30
80# - okuma makaira 16 or penn international 16
60# bait - penn international 12
60# jig - penn torque 40N
50# bait - penn torque 30 two speed
50# jig - avet hxj two speed
40# - okuma makaira 10, penn torque 25N or avet jx two speed
30# - okuma makaira 8 two speed, okuma andros 5 two speed, penn torque 15 two speed, or avet mx raptor two speed
my personal reel/rod set ups are as follows:
30# bait - penn torque 15 two speed and phenix black diamond hybrid 838mh
40# bait - penn torque 25N two speed and phenix black diamond hybrid 760H
50# bait - penn torque 30 two speed and phenix black diamond hybrid 700xh
60# jig - penn torque 40N and phenix black diamond hybrid 869xh cut down to 8 feet
60# bait - penn 12 vsx and united composites raptor
80# bait - makaira 16 and united composites centaur
100# bait - makaira 20 and united composites viper
130# bait - makaira 50 and united composites invictus
you didn't mention rods, but they are 50% of the equation, both in terms of performance and price. as a general rule, i would expect to spend as much on the rod as the reel. yes, these rod/reel combos average $1000 each. still, matching a new reel with an old school rod would be, well, less than optimal. good luck! alan
Quote from: alantani on November 21, 2017, 05:05:56 PM
you didn't mention rods, but they are 50% of the equation, both in terms of performance and price. matching a new reel with an old school rod would be, well, less than optimal. good luck! alan
thanks Alan, always nice to see your personal recommendations and combos, so we dont have to spend tons of money for the best reel or rod outhere.
I have 3 nice rods as options (my others are old school).
- Phenix 820H 30-60 which have been really good using 80# braid and 25# drag on a Baja Special
- Phenix Black Diamond 700H 20-60, which I normally use on a Trinidad 16, 65#braid and 20# drag
- Super Seeker 6460XH 50-80, I plan to use it with the penn 16s and 100# braid, but I find that like the blank more than current configuration with the All-rollers, so, my winter project is to change the rollers for some XHN Alps guides which I already have.
for the Mak15 I plan to use the Phenix axis 820H which is a nice composite rod, plenty of backbone and still light, I recently used it with the Baja Special and gave a nice fight to a 20# YT, while not a monster YT its a nice sized fish for this latitudes and would be an average fish for the Mak15, that or a big Cabrilla 20-25# who figh like no tomorrow.
Those that I know who have purchased this reel that like it & use it often have come up with their own technique for cranking it while using at a heavy drag setting.
Had a 15 until a friend loaned me his Andros 12. His Andros was as close to my dream reel as I had come across. It held as much line as my 15 with plenty of drag.
I hope this reel works out for you.... If it doesnt... well...all is not lost. The fix will be easy. Its why we all come here.... Jeff
Quote from: Rivverrat on November 22, 2017, 02:29:42 AM
I hope this reel works out for you.... If it doesnt... well...all is not lost. The fix will be easy. Its why we all come here.... Jeff
If by chance I dont like it, then to the trash, I mean to the classified section it goes, not big deal, where is the fun if Im now allowed to keep buying and testing different reels?
at the end even if I find it as good as everybody say, a stronger and better reel might appear next year and I will want it too ;D ;D
Quote from: steelfish on November 21, 2017, 06:24:40 AM
I actually set my mind on a mak15, I really like the size of the mak10 but would like the extra Line capacity for some local deep reefs and would like to use the reel as goto reel on anything local.
well, finally I didnt get a mk-10 or a Mk-16, I ended up getting the size between, the Makaira 15 SEa on my hands, Im really happy that it also ended up been a bit smaller in size than I though it would be, I wont have any problem to use it with any fish that swims in the northern Sea of Cortez.
it will be used for big Sierras macks, big cabrilla groupers, YT, other groupers and reef critters, it feels perfect in my hands, I have small hands and it still feels small, I also dont find it too much wide as some guys said, line capacity is perfect and the reel is as strong as it everybody knows in a small package, it will be fished with 100# braid as main line, I just got some JB 130# hollow from Lee and I will see if I can learn to splice it and add a long section at the end of the main line and use mono or floro 60/80 mono loop to loop leaders depeding the targeted fish.
thanks to SocalAngler, johndtuttle and other guys that point me up to this direction on getting a smaller reel than a Mak16
Im still on how you can feel a quality engineering work on the reel, Now I cant wait to try it on a nice fish
Later I will post some pictures to compare the size to other known reels in case someone wants to see some comparative pics as reference in a future.
Sweet!! Congrats!
I think you'll be much happier with this reel for the use you describe than you would have been with a 16.
The Andros 12 & Mak 15 hold about the same amount of line which is a lot. I could throw my Mak 15 noticeably farther than either of my standard sized Andros 12's. Which didn't make much sense to me. Can't see the slightly wider spool making that big a difference. This was with a 2 oz. sinker.
With live bait not so noticeable. As is the case most times when comparing reels in the same class or close to the same size.... Jeff
It should serve you well. I used a Mak 15 bottom fishing at the Tres Maria's out of a Puerto Vallarta last week and didn't find it to be too wide. I have big hands and had no problem keeping the line level with my left thumb. Would be fine for live bait too. Would probably wobble uncomfortably if yoyoing or any other things that have to have a fast retrieve.
well, finally got the mk-15 wet, I found it perfect for my needs, Im a happy camper
not a single wobble problem while reeling on a fish with 20# drag at strike, surprised that there is almost not noticiable resistance on the handle.
got a nice cabrilla grouper on it and decent yellowtail on a last fishing trip of 2017, I've found the high speed perfect to fight the fish without the need to switch to the low speed gears, I just activated the low speed on the YT to check how it works and ooh buy the low speed just kill the fish, its a true winch with 15" per turn.
call me Mr. Happy ;D ;D, not often I made good desitions but this one was perfect, more details and pictures soon on another thread
Nice work mate - a successful conclusion to a very interesting thread!
Very glad trhis reel is working out for you. I know a little bit about the time & money it can take finding the best reel for use.... Jeff
Quote from: Rivverrat on December 19, 2017, 05:37:01 PM
Very glad trhis reel is working out for you. I know a little bit about the time & money it can take finding the best reel for use.... Jeff
talk me about it Jeff, as for now this reel came to stay, same deal with the Baja Special, the make a perfect pair.
I liked the power and size of the mk16 since the beginning but not the weight and bulky reel for the kind of fisheries we have locally, if only okuma ever think to make a mk-16n then I will buy it without hesitation but as of today its only a dream.
Quote from: steelfish on November 23, 2017, 02:35:20 AM
Quote from: Rivverrat on November 22, 2017, 02:29:42 AM
I hope this reel works out for you.... If it doesnt... well...all is not lost. The fix will be easy. Its why we all come here.... Jeff
If by chance I dont like it, then to the trash, I mean to the classified section it goes, not big deal, where is the fun if Im now allowed to keep buying and testing different reels?
at the end even if I find it as good as everybody say, a stronger and better reel might appear next year and I will want it too ;D ;D
Yep next year came up too soon with new reels LOL, soooo, I keep hearing things about a new makaira reel coming up.
a Mak15T (mak15 Tall and narrow)
danm!!! did you guys remember that I sold my fathom 40LD2 and wanted to find a reel similar on the makaira lineup, it didnt existed back them so I got the mak15, rumor says that it might be show up at Icast 2018.
expect so see me selling some gear in a near future, cuz I will need space and $$$ for that mak15T
Alex, you know there will always be better reels than what we have ;D I'm really surprised you havent given the Avet HX Raptor a try. It's the one reel I wish I'd not let go. I"ll get another one at some point.
Over all I'm pretty happy & content with the reels I have for my most favored fish. Took me a while to get at this place.
If you would, describe for me the perfect reel that would fill this hole in your reel arsenal ? How much line capacity & what weight lines would you want ?
Alex, also I'm wondering what the weight of this new Mak will be ? The Penn 12 has always been a great size reel & weighs 32 oz. thats pretty close to Baja / US113 with well over twice the strength with much better over all performance & durability.
When I think about it this will more than likely be the reel I will get for some of my fishing vs the HX Raptor. The 12 or 16 VISX... Jeff
The future is tall and narrows. The only thing you need width for is capacity, which braid makes irrelevant, and arguably a wide reel casts a little better.
Tall reel = big drags, big gears, more power, and self-managing line lay. What's not to love?
Quote from: boon on July 02, 2018, 05:12:24 AM
The future is tall and narrows. The only thing you need width for is capacity, which braid makes irrelevant, and arguably a wide reel casts a little better.
Tall reel = big drags, big gears, more power, and self-managing line lay. What's not to love?
you know, couldn't have said it any better.
Boon, well said. I still believe & desire at times a high capacity reel that cast well, with a side plate that can be
palmed comfortably.
However regarding the size reel Alex is wanting, I believe what you said is not only true but very desirable in this case... Jeff
Quote from: Rivverrat on June 30, 2018, 03:51:27 AM
Alex, you know there will always be better reels than what we have ;D I'm really surprised you havent given the Avet HX Raptor a try.
If you would, describe for me the perfect reel that would fill this hole in your reel arsenal ? How much line capacity & what weight lines would you want ?
Jeff, somehow I forgot about this question, but the reality is that I have no answer for that, Im pretty sure you know about the search for the "perfect reel", I will try to do my best, but forgive my english, when I write a long explanation I tend to mix some things ;D
I think I mentioned at some point in this thread, I was looking for a reel capable to handle those big fish that from time to time bite your offering in this zones, I talking about groupers or big sharks of 60-100#, but the average nice/trophy fishes here are in the range of 20-30# while the mayority of groupers and YT are between 15-20#, so I didnt wanted to carry a big heavy fish for tunas like the mak16, penn Int 30II for fishing 15# fish most of the times and waiting for the monster fish fight that could never happen.
Baja Special it a nice reel that could handle most of the normal fish here, its narrow, big drags, not that heavy and its achilles tendon was fixed and upgraded by Tom, so it now boom proof but I still got spooled by big groupers and lost them on their caves, so or do I need a bigger reel or that fish wasnt mean to be stopped by its size, same deal when I upgraded to a better reel like the fathom40LD2, after 5 uses I liked it for everyday use but I didnt feel it rought enough to handle panga fishing enviroment treatment that well, so I sold it.
also, I have another nice fishing zone that is really deep min 350ft max 700ft, you can fish heavy jigs for big yellows but mostly is a zone for bait fishing for whitefish, spotted groupers, rays, etc but the odds to find a monster grouper or shark there is bigger, so, its recommended to use a fish capable to fish 30# drag minimun like a locked penn 6/0 and not anything smaller in power.
so, there you have, a quest to find a reel capable of 30# drag min without locking or maxing the reel, with at least 300/400yds of 80 or 100# braid but not heavy or cumbersone, light and small enough to use it for everyday fishing with my average fisheries but strong enough to stop a freight train if needed.
I know there are some nice options out there, I made my homework before spending $500 dlls on a reel.
my options where:
talica 12 or 16 $459
penn international 12Visx $550
okuma mak15 $499
okuma mak16, discarted it when I saw it in person, too big and heavy for everyday fishing.
avet HX raptor $500
and few more reels like alutecnos, accurates, small everolls, etc (all these ones were too expensive)
waaaay too many specs to check and too many different opinions on each reel and since I dont have the oportunity to check any of them in person I must read the most I can on each reel to deside, so, at the end I found out the battle for the best reels is like "coke vs pepsi", "ford vs chevy", "honda vs nissan", all reels on that price range and with all the bells and bells and whistles from their brand were good enough for what I was looking for, so I just decided to give a try and put my faith on Okuma this time.
I still havent found a monster fish yet so, I havent been spooled on the mak15, I actually not looking or shooting for monster fish, I found some stories of guys catching 140-160# tunas on mak10 so, that should be enough for a big grouper on a mak15 with more like capacity , so far I found the mak15 to be rough enough for panga fishing, its small for everyday fishing, you can palm the reel and lay down the line easy, with a modern graphite or composite rod the combo its really light so, its good for light trolling, live bait, cut bait fishing and you dont feel overgunned if you keep catching 15# fish, at this moment is a keeper reel.
Im expecting to see the specs offerings of the Mak15T, so far I know it will have the same line capacity, but I havent heard anything about speed, weight, upgrades if any, etc., this time I will wait until checking it in person before buying it, if I get the mak15T I wouldnt sell the mak15 right away but use both for some time and decide if both are on the same league and toss one, I like tall and narrow reels, but I starting to like the low profile of the mak15.
I have a penn international 50S II if I ever want to go for a big grouper or big shark trip.
The Penn 12 VISX is going to be the most likely comparable reel if your looking for a reel that can fish 30 lbs. of drag... Jeff
In my mind, use gear for 95% of fish you will catch, not speculative gear for the 5% or less.
If I was fishing mostly for 15-20# YT and Grouper in up to 700ft I would be fishing a 40# braid setup on an Andros 5N-IIa, probably on a modern mechanical jig rod like a Jigstar Ninja.
With a bit of luck it will still stop those larger fish and just be much nicer to fish with the rest of the time. 30lb is a lot of drag; I fish that kind of drag for 50lb+ Yellowtail.
EDIT: Big fish, light gear:
(https://scontent.fakl6-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/33097353_1758887070868917_2815085023663751168_n.jpg?_nc_cat=0&oh=8b6bce5a7cf5d7d2909a28dd748eb917&oe=5BA88DC9)
Quote from: boon on July 04, 2018, 09:34:01 PM
In my mind, use gear for 95% of fish you will catch, not speculative gear for the 5% or less.
If I was fishing mostly for 15-20# YT and Grouper in up to 700ft I would be fishing a 40# braid setup on an Andros 5N-IIa, probably on a modern mechanical jig rod like a Jigstar Ninja.
totally agree with you about chosing a gear for 90% of your fisheries, but dont you hate when a big fish take your offering and you cannot do anything but hear the reel screaming?
for mechanical jigging and casting irons I have my mind set on a andros 12n-IIa on a ligth rod like those blackhole rods, but for now Im using a musky rod on a okuma solterra 10 and a trevala with a gold trinidad 16 reel with 50# braid and as you said, either combo is more than enough for 20# YT and groupers.
the makaira reel was chosen as small package powerful reel for light trolling and bait fishing for big guys but light enough for everyday use, I was actually about to buy the mak10 but it was too small for 700ft reefs.
Quote from: boon on July 04, 2018, 09:34:01 PM
.....................30lb is a lot of drag; I fish that kind of drag for 50lb+ Yellowtail.
that 50# YT is really a great fish, what reel did you used with 30# drag for that YT?
30# drag and no less is needed to catch these next groupers, not my main goal so, I didnt wanted a dedicated reel for that, but its nice to have that kind of drag available if ever needed.(this guy is a good friend of mine, he actually helped to test the Tom upgraded bridge and sleeve for the Baja Special for few weeks he didnt caugh anything like that when testing it but use the upgraded part everyday for a month on fish half the size of those)
Not my fish above, that one was more like 75# and was landed on a Daiwa BG4000 with about 12lb of drag.
When we're fishing for big YT, the three reels I use are a Talica 25, Saltiga LD60 (livebait) and a Makaira Spin 20000 (jig or livebait); not that I really need the full drag output of any of them but we also use the same setups to fish for wreckfish in over 1000ft of water so I need the capacity.
Quote from: steelfish on July 04, 2018, 05:42:22 PM
more line per turn, more drag.. and narrow
........salivating
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j4fzeMKmCfk
If the 15t were out now it would've been the answer to your 15 vs 16 question!
Quote from: MarkT on July 26, 2018, 01:00:18 AM
If the 15t were out now it would've been the answer to your 15 vs 16 question!
well, actually I wouldnt have even asked in the first place ;D ;D
ooh well, now the hard part is how to convice the wifey that I NEED another $550 reel.
Yes, you need it. Tell her I said so.
right! and tell her i said it was ok....". ;D
anyone else?
before I go to have a serious talk with my better half !!
I will wait 3 more days.. :D
That looks like it may be a great 4/0 size reel. definitely competing with Penn's VISX 12 & 16. Between the new Okuma 15 & the Penn VISX 12 or 16 it would come down to weight, Retrieve rate of both high & low & which cast best because I would be casting baits. Durability should not be an issue with either of them. I'm leaning toward the Penn 16 for my medium heavy surf reel.
Yes Alex you need one of these reels for where you fish. World peace lays in wait for the day you receive it... Jeff
"it will pay for itself in less than a year!" One of my favorites, hardly ever works though
a friend just brought by a penn 12 visx. we loaded the reel with 500 yards of 80 pound braid. he wanted to add an 80 pound fluoro topshot, but a 40 pound (50%) drag setting at full was not workable. i dialed it back to 30 pounds and was still not happy. i set the dra to 18 pound at the "3" setting and got 26 pounds at full. i was hoping the reel would deliver much more, but it did not. we'll see what the new okuma makaira 15T delivers.
Alan, that sounds like a messed up drag cam that may not have received a final grind ?
I have no real clue. I havent even held any VISX reel yet...jeff
Quote from: alantani on July 30, 2018, 04:59:04 AM
a friend just brought by a penn 12 visx. we loaded the reel with 500 yards of 80 pound braid. .......... i dialed it back to 30 pounds and was still not happy.
30# and still not happy?
Alan, have you test the mak10 to check how it feels with 30# at full?
my mak15 is set at 24# strike and 30# full (average) and it feels really nice, handle pretty smooth and not a single sign of binding.
I normally fish it with the lever before the strike mark, then if its a nice fish pull line I move the lever to strike, just few times I have moved the lever pass the bump after strike mark (+- "3" mark), I have never have the need to push it to full yet, not a single complaint.
not a rush to get the mak15T but its like a magnet and Im steelfish, sooo... LOL
sorry, made a mistake above. the 12 visx was 18 pounds at strike and 26 pounds at full. i was hoping for 30 pounds at full with an 18 pound strike setting.
Quote from: steelfish on October 10, 2017, 06:41:10 PM
well, although I really like my Fathom 40LD2 a close friend just bought it from me on my last fishing trip, he liked that much with the tani 4/0 grip and Tani treatment on the bearings that he just gave me the money of the reel, grip and line (400yds 80#), so, now Im in the market for a new reel on those specs or better but I would like to try Okuma this time, I have always have my eyes on the killing machine makaira reel.
what it would be the closest makaira model to a fathom/torque 40ld2 in line capacity?
seems like the mk15 is the really close to a 40LD2 but the line capacity is bit less and I was actually thinking to use 100# this time for grouper fishing so, Mak16 might be the ticket but it jumps from 26oz to 40oz and dont know if it would see much action other than grouper fishing or fishing on deep reefs.
I remember this question like if was made yesterday, I ended up getting a Mak15 SEA and love it.... but, well this is not fair, 2 years later Okuma launch the reel I was looking for.. the Mak15T (mak15 Tall) that fill the gat between the mak15 and the mak16.
in size and line capacity its really comparable to the Fathom 40LD2 I had and torque 40LD2, in fact the makaira line up is more comparable with the international 12 and 16 VISX and 16.
ooh well, I dont see me getting another $500 reel soon but I least I know I can get it when I wanted aka after my kids finish the school or win the lotto ;D
I have a silver 15T SEa on order!
Alex, more than likely another year if not longer before I purchase another reel of this level. I was hoping for a 30 - 50 size reel for fishing from the shore in Texas. Oh well I have plenty of reels that work well enough for most of my fishing... Jeff
Quote from: Rivverrat on April 11, 2019, 11:17:09 PM
Alex, more than likely another year if not longer before I purchase another reel of this level. I was hoping for a 30 - 50 size reel for fishing from the shore in Texas. Oh well I have plenty of reels that work well enough for most of my fishing... Jeff
I know what you mean compadre.
I really dont need (did I said that?) anothe $550 reel for the 80-90% of my fishing other than my mak15, even the Baja Special covers the same percentage, same deal with the penn 113HXN and for the Sierras, corvinas, triggers, well you can catch those fish even with low profile reels or my Abu Garcia round reels.
when looking for bigger fish which I dont normally do, I have the sealine 900h with new dragstack from the Boss and currently working on the penn 116L 12/0 reel for the monsta' of the deep.
having said this... still want the mak15T ;D ;D
Right I'd like two Avet HX Raptors. Wish I'd never sold the one I had. The new Mak 15T is interesting. I'm sure it will make more fishable drag than the HX but I doubt it will cast as well.
Dont need any more drag than the HX Raptor can make in this size reel. I will be waiting to get my hands on a 15T to see how it casts... Jeff
Quote from: Rivverrat on April 12, 2019, 12:41:53 AM
Right I'd like two Avet HX Raptors. Wish I'd never sold the one I had. The new Mak 15T is interesting. I'm sure it will make more fishable drag than the HX but I doubt it will cast as well.
Dont need any more drag than the HX Raptor can make in this size reel. I will be waiting to get my hands on a 15T to see how it casts... Jeff
The 15T will be to supplement my HX Raptor. The Mak for live bait and dropper loop and the HXR for casting and yoyo.
What do you guys think you will fish on the 15T, 50 lb toppers? I guess you could do 60 lb topshots but going to like 80 lb braid to 60 lb even with a short topshot will that leave enough yardage on the reel to catch fish here on the left coast? For the type of fishing I do with a 60 lb topshot I would feel safer with more backing. For me 60 lb toppers usually means larger fish like mid sized tuna, say 80 to 100 lbs, which could mean a 150 lber or larger could bite. Threasher's, Mako's and billfish will also fall into this sized reel given its drag and power but IMO will need heavier topshots.
Don't get me wrong the 15T does fill a niche but I'm still trying to wrap my head around how one would set it up here on the west coast?
Edit: I just checked the specs so 300 or more yds of 80 lb braid will do for those 60 lb toppers.
I'll probably go with 400-500 yds of 80# Powerpro with a 60# leader.
I set mine up with 500 yards of 100# MC.
Plan is to use it on my UC76 Raptor and move the Mak16 to the Centaur.
May also use it for yoyo since it's a bit smaller than the 40N which I never liked. Just too tall for me.
50-80# leaders.
As much as I hate to say this having been a legit Penn fan for a bit now... The Mak 15t has only one true competitor, Penn VISX 12. The Penn 12 has been the only reel of this size in this class for some time. I dont really consider the HX while a great reel, lacks the over build quality in certain areas that reels in this class have.
Any way I cant wait until my buddy gets his so I can take it apart & see how they go about one upping Penn or if they even succeed in doing so. I really enjoy this stuff... Jeff
Quote from: Rivverrat on April 13, 2019, 12:57:23 AM
As much as I hate to say this having been a legit Penn fan for a bit now... The Mak 15t has only one true competitor, Penn VISX 12. The Penn 12 has been the only reel of this size in this class for some time. I dont really consider the HX while a great reel, lacks the over build quality in certain areas that reels in this class have.
Shimano Talica 12/16II. Same drag output, Talica is slightly faster and lighter but they are definitely in the ballpark.
I do really like the look of the 15T though. It is what the original 15 always should have been, a proper middle ground between the 10 and the 16, where the original 15 was just a wide 10 (admittedly this does have its applications but I've always preferred a taller, narrow reel).
Quote from: boon on April 15, 2019, 04:06:49 AM
Quote from: Rivverrat on April 13, 2019, 12:57:23 AM
As much as I hate to say this having been a legit Penn fan for a bit now... The Mak 15t has only one true competitor, Penn VISX 12. The Penn 12 has been the only reel of this size in this class for some time. I dont really consider the HX while a great reel, lacks the over build quality in certain areas that reels in this class have.
Shimano Talica 12/16II. Same drag output, Talica is slightly faster and lighter but they are definitely in the ballpark.
I do really like the look of the 15T though. It is what the original 15 always should have been, a proper middle ground between the 10 and the 16, where the original 15 was just a wide 10 (admittedly this does have its applications but I've always preferred a taller, narrow reel).
Ballpark? Yeah, I guess, but the 40N is much closer.
I thought the Talicas would be close as well, but looking at them side by side, they are not.
I got a 500 yard spool of 80# MC on my Talica 12ii and on my 15T, I got 500 yards of 100# MC.
Boon, to a degree I stand corrected by the points you bring about the Talica 12. Yes most definitely in the same ballpark. At this point I need to apologize for my bias against Shimano. My experience with a couple of Stellas years ago & some other things Shimano does just rubs me wrong. However with that said many people find them to be wonderful reels for their use. I can appreciate that... Jeff