Product Review: Okuma Voyager Spinning Travel Kit

Company Description:  The Okuma Voyager Spinning Travel Kit is the perfect companion when traveling to new fishing destinations. This combo easily fits behind the seat of a car or truck and will also fit in the overhead compartments on airplanes. The Okuma Voyager Spinning Travel Kit, model VS-605-20, features a 5-piece, 6' 0" medium-light rod and matching reel size 20 spinning reel rated for 4 to 8 pound test line. The graphite rod breaks down into 16" sections and features a quality cork handle for comfort and aluminum oxide guides. The lure weight recommendations are 1/16-3/8 oz. The reel features aluminum and graphite construction, a front disc drag and a single ball bearing drive. Also included is a soft-sided padded travel case which features interior compartments for the rod, reel and included tackle box and includes a handle and adjustable shoulder strap. This combo is great for panfish, bass and trout.

• Convenient nylon travel bag
• Shock-resistant foam insert
• Adjustable shoulder strap
• Stainless steel hooded reel seat
• Machined aluminum, anodized spinning spool

Specs: Fishing Rod
Length: 6.0'
Weight: 5.0 oz.
Pieces: 5 16inch pieces
Power: Medium / Light
Action: Moderate Action

Specs: Fishing Reel
Size: 20
Weight: 8.9 oz.
Line Capacity: LBS/YDS 4/155, 6/110, 8/80
Ball bearings: 1 BB
Gear Ratio: 5.0:1
Max Drag:
Lure Weight: 1/16 to 3/8 oz.

Review:  First, let me say what led me to purchase the Okuma travel rod and reel kit is the fact that the majority of the comments on Amazon were extremely positive.  However when I purchased the Voyager Spinning Travel Kit I didn't have very high expectations based on what I've seen in the past with other travel rods. However the Voyager travel kit turned out to be a pleasant surprise. The rod which is a medium to medium/light power moderate action rod has performed amazingly over the last couple of months. It has held up against everything from tiny creek chubs to big spotted gar that don't like to give up without a fight.  In fact I'm sure it can hold up to fish that are much larger than the ones I've caught with it thus far.

It's moderate action helps in making the voyager rod a good choice for throwing crankbaits, bucktail jigs or jigs with twister tail grubs. It is also a great rod for bottom fishing with live bait. Overall the rod is very versatile and can be used in multiple ways.

I'm very pleased with the fact that it breaks down to only 18 inches, which makes it a perfect stowaway when I'm at work or traveling. The case it comes in is convenient and the foam cutouts will definitely keep the rod and reel safe under most circumstances.  However the foam is soft and will not protect the rod very will from anything heavy that has been placed or dropped on top of it.  So beware of this fact.  I personally plan on cutting some more dense inserts to replace the one that came with the kit in order to add to the cases protective ability.

The reel that comes with the kit is a size 20 reel made more for an light power fishing rod rather than this medium power rod. As a result it's not capable of holding a sufficient amount of heavier line in case you're planning on using lines ranging from 8 lbs to 12 lbs.

Despite the fact that the reel a size smaller than the rod can actually handle, it is a very smooth reel with a smooth drag that is not choppy.  Despite this being an inexpensive reel designed for use with low pound test line it is very stout and well made.  However if you're gonna be using the voyager rod and reel for multi-species fishing or largemouth bass make sure you have the drag set to compensate for the smaller reel and lower pound test lines.

In all honesty I have every intention of replacing the voyager reel with that has a larger spool and using braided line paired with a flourocarbon leader in the near future.  However I want to see how much this reel can take for a more accurate review in the near future.

Overall the Okuma Voyager spinning travel kit is a great choice for anyone looking to have a rod and reel combo that is always ready to go.  It breaks down small enough to stow practically anywhere, is of high quality and even comes with a small tackle box to hold the bare necessities for a lunchtime fishing trip.

Pros: Inexpensive, good overall quality, compact, the rod is pretty strong

Cons: eyelets are cheaply made, the reel has a small spool made more for a light action fishing rod, plastic anti-reverse

Price: $39.99

Quick Tip: If you're gonna purchase the Voyager travel kit, spool the reel with braided line with a flourocarbon leader to get more line and casting distance.

Product Review: KastKing Mela 4000 Spinning Reel

Company Description:  The KastKing Mela Spinning Reel is light, smooth, powerful, and comes with a free spool! When other brands charge premium price for the so called fame, we cut our price to give more value back to our customers!

You will love the features of the Mela Spinning Reel that includes: 10 + 1 shielded stainless steel bearings, instant stop anti-reverse, CNC machined aluminum handle and exquisite aluminum spool, plus a spre graphite spool and most of all the up to 20lb max drag power.

Amazing Aerospace- grade aluminum honeycomb design spool gives you a fishing reel with strength and light weight. Mela spinning reels are equipped with: precision brass gears, hardened megal main shaft, 10 shielded stainless steel bearings, clutch roller bearing, and interchangeable right or left hand CNC machined handle.

Flawless light weight graphite spinning reel body with carbon black finish is corrosion proof. The best thng about a Mela Spinning REel is its great features at an affordable price. Compare a KastKing Mela spinning reel to a similar size fishing reel that costs much more, such as a reel from Shimano, Penn, Daiwa, Okuma, Lew's or other fishing reel brands. KastKing is an ICAST 2015 award winning brand.

Specs:
Bearings: 10+1
Gear Ratio: 4.8:1
Line Capacity: 10LB/195Yds, 12/140yds, 15/110
Max Drag: 20LB
Weight: 12 oz.

Review:  I got the KastKing Mela 4000 as a birthday gift this year from my wife and kids.  A welcome gift that was right on time since I had broken one of my reels last fishing season.

On first view I couldn't be happier with the Mela 4000 spinning reel.  It's a stout real that comes with an additional spool, which not many companies provide any more.  While the second spool is simply a plastic spool, the main spool is made of high quality aluminum and helps balance out the reel perfectly.

The main spool I have spooled with 20lb braided line with a 6lb flourocarbon leader.  The spare spool is spooled with 8lb monofilament designed for spinning reels. I went with these combinations because using this reel for casting hair jigs ranging from 1/8oz. to 1/4oz which are ideal baits for this spinning reel.

On top of good the quality is of the reel, the price point is something that is affordable for any angler no matter what their budget is.  A price point thats achieved by selling straight to anglers rather than to retailers then anglers.  The fact that Eposeidon has taken a couple of players out of he supply chain has taken quite a bit of cost of the marketing of the reel which normally would've been passed down to the consumer

So far I've had all good experience with the Mela 4000 with the exception of one thing.  The first time I fished with it the reel was noisey due to a lack of lubrication on the shaft. However once lubed it worked absolutely great.  I'll definitely be purchasing another and possibly giving one away on my youtube channel as well.

Price: $35.98

How to Make Your Own Spinning Reel Spooling Station By: Tackle Junky81

Understanding the Different Types of Fishing Reels

SpinCast Reel:  The spincasting reel is also known as a closed face reel because the spool and line are beneath the spool cover.  A simple press of the line release button and a flick of the wrist is pretty much all it takes to cast with this type of reel.  This is why spincast reel is probably the reel you started with as a kid.  I personally remember having a zebco rod and reel combo that I inevitably caught my first  of many different species of fish on.  I caught everything from sunfish to catfish on that little rod and reel combo eventually burning it out after a few white bass runs.

Which brings me to the pros and cons of the spincasting reel.
Pros: This reel is a great teaching tool for anyone learning how to fish as it is by far the easiest reel to use.  As well the fact that it's inexpensive gives you the flexibility of starting a kid out in fishing without breaking the bank on a hobby they may eventually cast aside.

Cons: Unfortunately because spincasting reels tend to be considered entry level reels they're often not made for high intensity usage.  As a result many, not all, spincasting reels are not very durable as they are made of inferior materials.  As well this type of fishing reel is often not the best at long distance casting and suffers from a low hauling power which is needed for hauling big fish out of heavy cover like lilly pads and submerged vegetation.

Spinning Reel:  Spinning reels are probably the more widely used reels due to the relative ease of use as well as there moderate expense.  Spinning reels are also known as open faced reels because the spool and majority of the moving parts are located externally rather than behind a spool cover.  This makes the spinning reel ideal for surf fishing where there is a high likelihood of the reel getting wet with either fresh or saltwater.  The "open face" makes most parts of cleaning much easier than with other reel types.

Most of my reels are spinning reels just because I'm a bit more comfortable using them and the fact that I can get a decent quality reel for a reasonable price.  In addition I like the fact that reel maintenance is relatively simple for those times when I'm being my usual clumsy self and I drop a rod into the water while wading or on my float tube.

Quick Tip: When picking spinning reels I tend to opt for reels with front drag systems rather than rear drags.  As the front drag has large washers that exert force on a flat surface which makes the front drag system smoother than the rear.  Where as the rear drag pushes against the drive shaft of the reel which has a smaller surface area.

Pros:  Overall the pros of using spinning reels are as follows.
1. You can get a decent spinning reel for a moderate price.
2.  Due to their open spool design spinning reels tend to hold more line that the other reel types.
3.  Spinning reels are relatively easy to use and are easy to learn to use.
4.  They are great for casting long distances and are very accurate with practice.
5.  Spinning reels are great reels when using light baits.
6.  Not prone to birds nest.

Cons:  The cons of spinning reels are as follows.
1.  Spinning reels are prone to line twist unlike baitcasters which are prone to birds nest.
2.  Spinning reels come in very limited gear ratios which limits your options for reel speeds.
3.  Unfortunately spinning reels are not powerhouses like their baitcasting cousins.  Because spinning reels actually wrap line on the stationary spool upon retrieval rather than the spool spinning hauling the line on like a wench, spinning reels are limited when it comes to hauling power.

Baitcasting Reel
Baitcasting reels are quickly becoming just as widely used as spinning reels.  Where in the past you mostly saw more experienced and pro anglers using baitcasting reels now there isn't a day that I'm out on my local pond harrassing the bass and there isn't at least one other person out there using a baitcaster.

This is because more and more people are recognizing the benefits of using a baitcaster.


Pros: The pros and cons of using baitcasting reels are as follows.
1.  Baitcasting reels are wenches, of the different types of reels baitcasters have the most hauling power.
2.  Baitcasters work very well with heavier baits.
3.  Baitcasting reels offer many more gear ratios (retrieval speeds) so choosing the gear ratio that's more fitting for specific baits is far easier.
4.  Baitcasting reels also have very smooth drag systems.
5.  Baitcasting reels work great with heavier lines and super lines like braid.

Cons:  The cons of using baitcasting reels are as follows.
1.   Baitcasters are the most difficult reels to use easily getting birds nest on bad cast.
2.  Because of the steep learning curve with baitcasters it takes a bit more practice to be able to make longer cast.
3.  Baitcasters are not the best choice for lighter baits.
4.  As said before baitcasters are prone to getting birds nests in the line upon casting if not thumbed correctly
5.  Prices of bait casters can easily surpass a budget friendly place for the average person who doesn't fish that often.

Overall the different types of fishing reels are then to aid in different ways.  No one reel type is better than the other however they all just have different purposes.  As well with the technological progressions being made fishing reels are all being made with lighter and stronger materials as technology improves.  So choose wisely when choosing your next fishing reel and enjoy it for all it's worth. Thanks for reading.

Product Review: Quantum Optix 30 Spinning Reel

Company Description:  Reel in your next great catch with the Quantum Optix Size 3o Spinning Reel Convertible.  The spinning reel features graphite frame construction and smooth, adjustable front drag.  The aluminum spool is strong and offers smooth casting, and the reel features selectable continuous anti-reverse for reliable line payout.  Two ball bearings and 1 roller bearing provide smooth line movement.  Collapsible single handle.  Internal bail trip.  195 yards/8 lb.

Features and Benefits:

• Graphite frame Construction for light weight
• 2 ball bearings and 1 roller bearing provide for smooth line movement
• 5.3:1 gear ratio for high-speed retrieves
• Reels 27 inches per revolution
• Aluminum spool offers durability and smooth casting
• Single collapsible handle
• Selectable continuous anti-reverse for reliable line payout
• Internal Bail Trip

Review:  I bought the Quantum Optix 30 early last year as a quick replacement for a cheap reel that came on a rod & reel combo set I purchased.  However when I got it home I realized that my ultralight reel was in poor condition so I slapped the Optix 30 on my ultralight.  Overall the reel is very nice it's pretty smooth for an inexpensive reel with only 3 ball bearings.  As well it's a pretty sturdy reel which has taken a beating from me over the past year. 

So far I've caught everything ranging from bluegill just large enough to be considered bait to a 12lb brown trout using the Optix 30.  The only problems I had with the reel is that the screws that hold in the reel handle and the wire bail work loose with normal usage.  This got to be extremely annoying, especially when chasing white bass, so I'll be figuring out some way to fix these issues before the ice thaws this coming spring.  Even with those two issues the reel will stay in my arsenal this coming spring.  However It'll be getting pushed over to a bit heavier rod. 
Overall the reel gets 4 stars from me. 

How I Used:  I have the Quantum Optix 30 paired up with a Berkley Cherrywood ultralight rod.  The reel is spooled with 6lb flourocarbon P-line. 

Pros:  The Optix 30 is very economical in price.  The reel has a reasonably smooth drag and is pretty light weight.

Cons:  The screw that holds in the bail wire consistently comes loose.  As well the screw that holds in the reel handle in place comes loose with normal use which can be annoying. 

Price: $19.99