Tackle Tactics » LATEST-NEWZ » AFTA Trade Show 2018 Pt.2
AFTA Trade Show 2018 Pt.2
AFTA 2018 saw the release of a truckload of new products from Okuma Australia, from the 5'6" and 6'6" Steeler kids' combos through to the soon to be released Makaira 10000 spinning reel with its 25kg of drag! Let's have a quick look at a few of the new Okuma products that were released at the show.
Baitfeeder Reels
The popular and proven Okuma Ceymar Baitfeeder reel is now available in a 30 size, which will be perfect for anglers chasing whiting, bream and other species that like to run with the bait. Baitfeeder reels have two drag systems, one that can be set to allow fish to freely run with the bait and then with a turn of the handle you can engage the fighting drag and set the hook. Fish on! If your budget is tight you can now still add a baitfeeder to your arsenal with the release of the Okuma Barbarian in a 30, 40 and 55 size, with a SRP of just $69.95, offering anglers awesome value for money!
Spinning Reels
Some quality entry level reels have been added to the range, including the Fin Chaser ball bearing reel, with a graphite spool loaded with line and the Competition ball bearing reel with allow spool. These reels are available in sizes - 25, 30, 40, 55, 65 and 80, starting from around $19.95 through to around $54.95 for the big Competition 80.
Other new additions include a 55 and 65 size in the popular Aria and Alaris range, which are due to drop around November, just in time for Christmas. The award winning Epixor XT has a big brother to the 20, 30 and 40 size, with the 50 dropping in August. This reel has become a favourite for anglers, ranging in price from $99.90 to around $119.90, with an impressive feature list well above its price point, including 8BB, TCA: Torsion Control Armor, Slow oscillation for improved line lay, CFR: Cyclonic Flow Rotor and more in a classy package that is super-smooth to fish.
Another August release is the Okuma Surf 8K spinning reel, a reel that will have surf fishos buzzing. For starters there's 18kg of drag, Hydro Block drag seal and a long cast spool. Combine this with 6BB stainless steel bearings, corrosion resistant graphite body, precision worm shaft transmission system and slow oscillation for improved line lay and you have a cool piece of kit for around $149.90. A couple of other neat features include the two small brushes on the rotor designed to stop line slipping down under the spool and also when you open the bail arm the handle is locked in place, so there's no handle wanting to rotate and cause your bail arm to close min-cast, in turn causing your big bait or lure to snap off and head to the horizon.
There is a lot of anticipation building for the release of the Makaira 10000 spinning reel, with the Makaira spinning reel proclaimed by many to be the strongest spinning reel in the world. The specs list on the Makaira is mind blowing, including forged aluminium, machine cut body, sideplate and rotor, forged stainless steel main gear for the ultimate power and strength, stainless steel pinion gear and spool shaft, Hyrdro Sealed Body, Dual Force Drag, Carbonite High Output Drag and a customised pre-set drag system, that works like a lever drag, just for starters. The 10000 boasts 25kg of drag and the 20000 and 30000 an incredible 30kg of drag. These are genuine GT and billfish stoppers.
Baitcast Reels
Left hand models have been added in the Ceymar and Cerros models, while the new Helios TCS model has received the thumbs up from guides, tournament anglers and social fishos, with its super-smooth and long casting precision Japanese ABEC-5 spool bearings, multi-disc carbonite drag system, 7BB+1RB bearing drive system, synchronised levelwind optimised for braided line, easy access palm side plate access port, ALC: Rigid Diecast Aluminium Frame and Handle Side plate, micro-click drag star for precise drag settings and more. Okuma is also pretty pumped for the release of the Helios SX baitcast reel later in the year. Game on!
Another exciting release and one that the barra and Murray cod anglers are already hanging out for is the world renowned Komodo SS reel in a 273 in both right and left hand. For starters this reel is all about power, with its stainless steel main gear, pinion gear, drive and spool shafts. It is renowned as a black bass and even offshore jigging reel in the larger size and we are looking at around November for this pint sized giant killer to arrive.
Overhead Reels
Overhead additions include the Cortez star drag overhead in a 5 and 10 size. This reel will be right at home bait fishing the depths, vertical jigging, trolling and also has applications for beach casting. The fully-sealed, 100% waterproof, magnetic control system reduces backlash and improves casting distance.
The Okuma Solterra SLX lever drag overhead is a high speed workhorse, retrieving up to over a metre of line with each turn of the handle. This retrieve speed is backed up with the strength of stainless steel main gears, pinion gears, shafts and reinforcing side plate rings. Other features include Carbonite Drag System with Cal's Universal Drag Grease, 2 thrust bearings to reduce handle turning force by over 50%, 5BB+2TB+RB stainless steel shielded bearings, double dog, silent anti-reverse and more. A true workhorse that is built for big fish.
Last but definitely not least in the overhead additions is the Makaira SEa Special Edition in the Gun Smoke colour, with a pretty impressive yellowfin tuna etched in the side plate. All of the features of the world class Makaira game reels, with a lower speed 1.3:1 gear ration in the 20/30 sizes and 1.0:1 gear ratio in the 50 size, when dropping down to low gear to fight oceanic giants from down deep. Open spool bearings with TSI-301 oil increase freespool 2 ? times and the MK-20/30 feature the larger MK-50 handle arms and knobs. Built for billfish, sharks and big tuna, the Makaira is designed from the ground up to tame these apex predators.
Rods
The Okuma Australia AFTA stand was a sea of rods, with Ceymar and Competition rods offering anglers quality at and entry level price. The Ceymar range features Okuma's patented UFR technology in the tip blank; UFR: Unidirectional Fiber Reinforcement technology is a breakthrough design in rod strength and sensitivity. This patented manufacturing process utilises an outer layer of longitudinal fibres around the rod blank to significantly increase the rods strength and power in the tip section. These fibres increase the rod's lifting power and maximum strength of the rod by up to three times that of a standard rod blank.
The Flexi-tipz series is available in a comprehensive range of models from baitcast and spin, to boat, general purpose, nibble tip and surf. These rods take the solid glass tip style of rod to the next level with the patented UFR technology reducing weight and increasing maximum strength and lifting power. Due: September.
Cerros baitcast and spin rods feature quality blanks, Seaguide guides and are available in a range of light, crips and powerful models, to suit everything from bream to barra and pelagic species. There is also a range of quality travel spin models available that many at AFTA remarked felt more like one piece rods... don't be disappointed or feel like you're compromising when travelling. Cerros rods are due in August, with the travel models due around October.
One for the squid fishos, the Inked Egi Special is due in August, while the dynamite little Metaloid 5'3" jigging rod created a stack of interest at the show and is due as an August release. It has an impressive action and folds away beautifully to take the leverage advantage away from the fish, rated PE 1.5-4.0, with a jig weight of 100-200g. Perfect for jigging and plastics work.
Pressure Point rods are a series of stickbait and popping rods that have been designed in conjunction with experienced anglers and guides from Australia's premier Sportfishing charters. Toray blanks, Fiju components and proven actions, without the insane price tag that often pushes these rods beyond the reach of most anglers. Okuma are looking forward to seeing this series of five rods put to work on whatever the ocean can throw at them. Due for October release.
Trio Rex and X-Factor surf rods are in production and due for October release, in both 12' 2-piece and 13' 3-piece models. These proven surf casting rods will team up nicely with the newly released Surf 8K spin reel.
Solterra SLX overhead rods offer anglers' insane value for money, with e-glass construction for maximum durability, heavy duty double foot guide frames, machined aluminium gimbal and more for around SRP $119 in a 10, 15 or 24kg model. Due to drop in August and a perfect partner for the Okuma Solterra SLX overhead reel.
Not to forget the kids, the 5'6" and 6'6" Steeler combos are available now in Black, Blue, Green and Pink models. These offer excellent value for money and are perfect to get the kids started.
That's a quick wrap of the exciting upcoming releases that we saw at AFTA 2018, stay tuned to Okuma Australia FB page and www.okuma.com.au for more info and release dates. All the best with the fishing.
Game on!