ICAST 2016 Product Introductions – New Saltwater Oriented Low Profile Baitcast Reels – with a new model added in 2018, the KDS 273
The new Komodo reels take off where the previous series left off, and takes these wonderful reels to a new level of performance, as well as a new size! There are some big improvements over other manufacturers designs, no aluminum gears here, the Komodo SS series offers stainless steel main and pinion gears! BIG, STRONG and durable gears unlike some other non-mentionable competitor, and the drive and spool shafts are made from stainless steel, too! The frame is made from diecast aluminum, as are the sideplates. The new reels have a corrosion resistant finish, machined aluminum, anodized spool with multi disc high output Carbonite drag washers. The star has a multi click feature for precise drag settings. Two basic sizes, 350 and 450, with 6 1 corrosion resistant stainless steel bearings on the smaller model and 7 1 on the big brother. At ICAST 2018 Okuma showed off their newest smaller sized KDS 273. The spool bearings are Japanese ABEC 5’s, dual anti-reverse for maximum reliability. You have a 6 pin velocity control casting system (brake), synchronized levelwind which is optimized for braided line, Zirconium line guide inserts for added security and long term performance with braided lines. And, the reels have CLICKERS! Oh, did I mention the warranty? THREE YEARS PARTS AND LABOR! The new Komodo’s are well built, and the manufacturer knows it – and backs it up with the best warranty in the business. Priced from $219 to $269, Okuma has another pair of winners for your fishing enjoyment!
| MODEL | HANDLE | GEAR RATIO | BEARINGS | WEIGHT | RETRIEVE RATE | MAX DRAG | MONO | BRAID |
| KDS-273 | twin paddle | 7.3:1 | 6 1 | 10.9 OZ | 21.5″ | 20 LBS | 160 YDS 12# | 280-30# |
| KDS-364 | twin paddle | 7.1:1 | 6 1 | 10.9 OZ | 34.3″ | 25 LBS | 250 YDS 12# | 230-50# |
| KDS-371 | twin paddle | 6.4:1 | 6 1 | 10.9 OZ | 31″ | 25 LBS | 250 YDS 12# | 230-50# |
| KDS-463 | twin paddle | 6.3:1 | 7 1 | 15.9 | 33.5″ | 30 | 220 YDS 20# | 300-50# |
| KDS-471 | twin paddle | 7.1:1 | 7 1 | 15.9 | 37.7″ | 30 | 220 YDS 20# | 300-50# |
| KDS-364P | single power | 6.4:1 | 6 1 | 11.6 | 31″ | 25 LBS | 250 YDS 12# | 230-50# |
| KDS-463P | single power | 6.3:1 | 7 1 | 16.5 | 33.5″ | 30 | 220 YDS 20# | 300-50# |
| KDS-471P | single power | 7.1:1 | 7 1 | 16.5 | 37.7″ | 30 | 220 YDS 20# | 300-50# |
| KDS-364LX | twin paddle | 6.4:1 | 6 1 | 10.9 OZ | 31″ | 25 LBS | 250 YDS 12# | 230-50# |
| KDS-371LX | twin paddle | 7.1:1 | 6 1 | 10.9 OZ | 34.3″ | 25 LBS | 250 YDS 12# | 230-50# |
| KDS-463LX | twin paddle | 6.3:1 | 7 1 | 15.9 | 33.5″ | 30 | 220 YDS 20# | 300-50# |
| KDS-364P-LX | single power | 6.4:1 | 6 1 | 11.6 | 31″ | 25 LBS | 250 YDS 12# | 230-50# |
| KDS-463P-LX | single power | 6.3:1 | 7 1 | 16.5 | 33.5″ | 30 | 220 YDS 20# | 300-50# |
You might be asking, how are the new reels are performing?
Picture above provides a good answer with this lucky angler taking a very nice wahoo
on a new 400 series Komodo and United Composites Swimbait Finatic rod. Congrats Sonny!
