Amelia Island Fishing Product Reviews

First Impressions - Three days later, my new Okuma EB-80 arrived in the mail. I unpacked it, and my first impression was: It's BIG. Okuma makes the bait feeding system reel in several sizes, the EB-80 being the biggest of the series. Now that I actually had one in my hands, I realized it was maybe a bit bigger than what I needed for surf fishing, both from physical size and line capacity standpoints. If I had seen the reels in the store, I probably would have picked the EB-65, or maybe even the EB-50 for every day surf fishing, but what the heck. Now I have a reel that holds twice the amount of line that I usually use, so I can surf fish for Tarpon!

The next thing I noticed was the nice cloth reel storage bag that Okuma included with the reel. Impressive. Gives you the feeling that they want you to realize that you've bought a "high end" reel. And I also noticed the extra spool that was included with the reel. Impressive. Not the same spool that was on the reel, a lesser version, but an extra spool is a very handy thing to have around at times. Also in the box I found a an extra set of reel body gaskets.

I also noticed there was a definite lack of paperwork included with the reel. The normal warranty card was there, and a tiny brochure telling me how to set the drag and maintain the reel, but missing was the parts list and exploded view drawing of the reel I'd need later, when it was time for yearly maintenance or time to replace drag washers. Actually, there was a parts list and explode view drawing of the reel printed on the flap of the box, but unfortunately I don't have an electron microscope, so I couldn't read either one.

The good news is that Okuma has the reel drawings and parts list available on their web site - go to http://www.okumafishing.com/parts/parts_schematics.htm if you need a parts list or reel schematic for any of their reels. You'll need the Adobe Reader as the files are in PDF format. I'd rather have them in PDF format than on paper in the box anyway, good move Okuma.

Okuma recommends that you wash the reel with fresh water after each use, and spray it with "water displacing lubricant" (CRC or WD-40), and I agree totally. This simple maintenance will keep any quality saltwater reel looking like new for years.

Let's Go Fishing - I spooled the larger spool with 20 lb test mono, and the smaller one with 15 lb test mono, and added 40 lb test shock leaders to both, so let's go fishing. Okuma recommends filling the spools "using a commercial line winder" but since I don't have one, I used the old fashioned method, I cranked it on by hand. Reel loaded very nicely, no lumps or more line on the top/bottom of the spool.

The EB-80 isn't billed as a "long cast" reel, and it's not, but it casts as good as other spinning reels I've used to using for surf fishing. With the 15 lb test spool on, I think I get a few more yards of line out than I'm used to. No vibrations, nothing unusual noticed when I let it rip with five ounces of lead and a couple chunks of bait. When you bring the lead back is when you'll notice something different; the reel is smooth. Silky smooth. Okuma says they used nine stainless steel ball bearings in the reel, and the first time you crank your tackle or a fish back in, you'll appreciate every one of them. Probably the smoothest feeling reel I've ever used. It's very quiet too, the reel seems to make no noise at all when fish or rigs are being retrieved.

Bail action is smooth and positive, the main drag is also very smooth, and the range of the "live bait feeding system" drag was fine for my use and easily adjusted from the very loose walking back up the beach setting to the normal setting with the rod in a sand spike.