Okuma Custom Blue 2-Speed Lever Drag Reels

The Custom Blue reels from Okuma are based on the Cavalla series, with the same internals and externals but featuring a different color scheme. The limited run of these reels are sold at a great discount which makes them by far the best lever drag reel in this price range. All reels feature a 6061-T6 machined aluminum frame and sideplate and a cold forged machined aluminum spool which is something you don’t even see on the highest end of reels from the domestic manufacturers. The cold forged spool is stronger than a regular machined billet piece which prevents it from deforming or warping under high drag load and high tension line winding which can be an issue with other reels. Along with that all of these reels are two speeds giving you a lot of bang for your buck and making them more usable in many different situations.

The 5N and 5’s are perfect light flyline reels, they cast great and have plenty of drag capacity to fish heavier depending on application. 5N’s also make great jigging reels since they all come with longer handles compared to previous generation Okuma’s, this makes it a lot easier to turn the handle with the load of a 200-400g jig on the other end. 5’s are probably the best local all around reel, they will fish down to 20lb and up to 50lb making them very versatile. Pair that with great line capacity (about 475 yards of 50lb) and you have a great starter reel for SoCal, it will cover anything from barracuda to the schoolie bluefin and yellowfin with some big seabass and yellows mixed in.

The 12N is a unique size due to the narrow spool, this makes it a bit less versatile but great for the application is was made for which is jigging. It also makes a great heavy dropper loop reel when you’re trying to pull fish away from structure, so they’re particularly great for big yellowtail on the long range trips as well as grouper or any other bottom fishing. They have up to 27lbs of drag at strike which is plenty for stopping just about any fish. When you bump up to the 12 standard size you get a lot more line capacity and paired with the high drag and lower gear ratios you get a great tuna reel that will make it easy to catch anything in the 100lb range.