I still haven't tried it out yet. First i broke my toe in a storm. Then car broke down but it's fixed now. Then my Mac broke but got a replacement. This was followed by the water heater & washer breaking down. Now i'm babysitting my wife as she's out from her 2nd operation. As much as i like playing around with this new rig my responsibilities will always come first before my fishing activities. Always.
Congratulations Chris, I've been coveting that reel ever since I read Alan Hawk's review well over three years ago it's a BEAST! I can't wait to watch you use it! Have fun and enjoy!
I want to use it but i try not to get too excited. I'm finally getting in last years to this years equipment all at once so i'm taking in everything slowly instead of jumping in head first. I just finished my revue of the new Rockaway SP Surf Rod today. The Makaira was announced at iCast 2016 & started trickling out in 2017. The SP Rod is starting to be seen so i'm prioritizing the products that need to be recognized first. But thanks Jim! I've been expecting this last year. It's in my bedside now so i can study the lever drag style drag system. I need to understand everything front & back before i educate others.
@@ScubaChris Your enthusiasm & excitement for the reel jumps off the page! I'll enjoy watching you put that reel through it's paces but ONLY after you educate yourself on it's many features! I'm curious to know just how much different the performance of the Makaira is to a Stella...that's a self protective comment by the way considering I own three of them and just can't see myself needing another high end reel. I'll enjoy it vicariously thru You!
@@jamesw337 Was i that obvious? Lol! I'm not going to rush it. There's no info out on how to take off the spool cap to pull the spool off. As you know the spool knob can't be simply "turned off or on" as that knob is part of the lever wind drag system & only moves back & forth. Normally you'd have to drop it off to a tackle store to get line spooled. I figured out how to do it by looking at it for a bit. And i'll be spooling my own line as well. Next will be how to adjust the lever drag action. I watch the Okuma vid but it wasn't a close-up and you can't see the finger action. Dial goes from 0-20. The vid shows what to do with line. But you can finger the lip instead. It'll be easier to play around with the line on. So do i put on 290yd of 65lb braid, 420yd of 50lb braid, or 245yd of 30lb monofilament? Do i need more lighter line to play the fish? Or less much stronger line to force it in? I kinda know where i'm going. Thinking of using 50lb braid. But i ordered an extra spool so will have another option as well.
@@ScubaChris My friend, I think you're being way to cerebral about the lever drag, I just watched John's vid on it and it seems to me that the process for setting it on the Spinning reel is the same as a conventional lever drag reel, which I've always adjusted to match the species I was targeting that day. Just like you always point out, match the rod to the reel and the rig to the fish you are targeting. He used 10 as his base point and tightened the drag screw on top and then pointed out how he could "incrementally" increase the drag as needed and NOT just crank it all the way to the right causing line to snap. Ok, I think 50lb braid is a great way to go, I don't know how you plan to fish with it...Shore or Boat fishing or what species you are targeting, so as good of a fisherman as you are the 50lb braid should be enough to handle almost anything you hook up with if you need to increase the drag or enjoy the fight at a lighter setting. Geeze with a 66lb drag coefficient Moby Dick is fair game. Ok, I have to ask this...Since you're now behind the wheel of a Grand Prix Formula One Ferrari arguably the finest engineered machine in the world, why would you think about using your feet as a brake? Or have I missed your meaning of fingering the lip? Anyhow as you get to play with all your new toys I'm waiting for my packages to arrive from Okuma, I got to stop watching your Vids Dude, You're costing me a small fortune! Just kidding.
@@jamesw337 Hi Jim, It's that smaller tightening knob w/the red dot atop of the drag knob i'm fuzzy about. It just keeps on spinning. Right now there's no line on the spool to pull. It's STORMING outside so i don't want to go out to connect my line spooler in my open garage. I think once i have line to pull to get that exact drag pull i'm looking for it'll click upstairs. I could bring it in to a local tackle shop but they don't spool on line that's not purchased through the shop. Very understandable in house rule. I'm going to use Soft Steel line that's under Okuma. I'm taking my time choosing everything on my dream project. I knew what reel to get. I worked on researching the right rod. The best type of line. For casting braid i'll use a side mounted casting cannon. I also will use my "secret" system on doctoring the guides for distance casting (can't give all my secrets away). I ordered around several dozen lures from FishLab Lures, another Okuma company for this combo. I can wait until all the pieces are placed together. My new ultra-lite rig is now ready so might spend the week whipping for bait. Still have other half finished projects i'm still working on. Now i have to look at wireless mic systems for SLR's & iPhones.
It's way cheaper than a Stella or Saltist. Way cheaper! Some are still stuck on their Stellas & message me that i'm wrong. So i message back & asked when Alan Hawk was saying the Stellas are the best that it was around 2017? They said yeah. That's when the Makairas started to become available to the public. And when Hawk tested the Makairas it had minor issues in the structure that was taken care of but Hawk started to change his research results by saying that the new Makaira was the best spinning reel in the World for the criteria he was using. So i told the anglers messaging me today (quite a few) that you guys had no problems agreeing with Hawk's findings that the Stella was the toughest spinner in the World, until the Makaira was unveiled. Then the Makaira became the toughest when compared to the Stella & Saltist. So why only agree that the Stella was #1 but not accept the new results from the same source that the Makaira is #1 now? Most said they felt betrayed because they spent big bucks to use what Hawk said was #1, & now it isn't. WAKE UP PEOPLE! As long as you're happy with your reel what's the problem? As long as your reel does what you need out of it that doesn't take anything away from it? But if you just want the new #1 spinning reel, no problem. Stellas are overpriced anyways. If you spent around $1,600 on yours just sell it used for 1/2 that price on eBay and purchase a BRAND NEW MAKAIRA instead. For the price of a new Stella you can purchase 2 Makairas. I just shake my head at some of you Stella owners. You're stuck on Allan Hawk saying your Stella used to be #1. Well, it isn't now. It's only #1 in price. A low price & value is on the side of the Makaira. I had several Stellas. One was a JDM. I had sold all of them years ago at the price i bought them for. I'd rather own a Makaira w/it's 5yr Limited Lifetime Warranty. So if you want a Stella, np. I'm just reporting what is already fact & accepted in the fishing community. But if you want to see Hawk's last review of a Stella here's the link at- A problem with 2019 Shimano Stella SW (SWC) - Alan Hawk #4 ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-ahKP9_b6HfQ.html
It is. I'm limited on the rod though. It's a PCH 7'6" XH 1pc rod. I want to go back to Maui where i livd before to target GT's. I found caves that housed quite a few because i brought my boat over. Dove Lanai & Molokini as well. I do have some stout travel rods that might work. Gotta get my COVID shots first. The J&J shot is only 1x, no 2X. But i'm not high on that list (+75yr). I want to do UW vids & C&R surface releases.
Makaira 20000 has 30 kg max drag pressure, not sure for Makaira 10000. I had one Palegic 18000 brand reel, with 30 kg max drag pressure for less than $300 AUD, very satisfied, have landed 50 kg stingray with it. Stingray released. May get one more Palegic 18000.
I think i'll like it. A lot! Lol! You see some of the remarks i'm getting that if Alan Hawk says it's #1 that i'm falling for it? These remarks are coming from salty Shimano users that hate that Hawk no longer puts their Stella on a pedestal. These anglers only like & agree with Hawk if he endorses Shimano products. He's an independent, not a Shimano paid employee. He's printing his results of using a Stella off a boat that gave Stella's #1 ratings for years. Now that his reports puts the Makaira as #1 some Shimano anglers are telling me i'm a puppet for believing his reports. Talk about 2-faced! They believed Hawk when he put Stella as #1 for years. I've started a "copy & paste" folder on these same anglers. Seems they are always the same ones creating issues & problems with others in certain groups. Though a decent percentage are smart enough to read the results on their own & accepts the results. It's always the head strong trouble makers that stand out. Hey, i saw your latest vid release. At least you got out. I'm still fighting for anglers rights to fishing areas like Ala Moana to Military access. Just like i did for Chocolate Beach w/the mayor years back. Funny i never see the trouble makers putting in the time to do something for others.
@@ScubaChris ahhh I agree there are a lot of arm chairs quarterbacks but I try no to listen. If I ever get a chance to try one o will make my own opinions. As for fishing yes and still had a blast even with the two Karen’s lol. And let me know what I can do to help for the alamoana beach thing as well.
@@ScubaChris it’s not that serious lol. We all use what works for us. Plain and simple. I’d rather put my money somewhere else. Something that I know has worked for me for years and years. Shimano is not a new company lol. They’ve been around for a very long time. Not saying okuma is junk by any means. Just saying some people know what works for them. If okuma works for you, that’s great. Alan Hawk is just a guy to me. I don’t really care what he says lol. It all come down to what I like or you like.
@@the_average_fisherman_hawaii That's always the final word. But at one time i was like all these guys. Didn't have the funds but trying to see what'll fit my style (still short on funds-lol). So i used to watch how that person fishes, the types of areas they frequent to casting styles & the types of fish they're targeting. I've found matching some of these reviewers to myself is a good way for me to find that "right" equipment for myself. Like i would never match-up a rig that a 20yr in shape rock hopping youth would use targeting sharks off the boulders. That WAS me centuries ago but not anymore:)
It's a beautiful reel outside and inside. Is it a reel that can be used for surf fishing, get hit by waves, and get dunked? I have this reel on my list and a Van Staal reel.
@@thedetective8150 I don't think so. If you're looking for a smaller yet powerful smooth spinner look at the new Cedros. There's a 8K/10K/14K. The 4K & 6K are coming out this year.
Isn't most good reels have interchangeable reel for both left or right handed persons? I am right handed too, and I hold the rod with my master hand, and reel in using my left.
You order the reel for left or right handed. Makaira Spinning Reels - Superior Handle Strength ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-Y3r6KCAmWcM.html
Haven't tried it yet. Car broke down. Then the water heater & washing machine. Going back tomorrow to see if my Mac can be saved. And my wife got out of the hospital today. Hasn't been a good month.
@@hownowbrowntrouttasmania7389 The Makaira has been rated as the best spinner by several reports, the most notable by Alan Hawk. Before the Makaira Mr Hawk rated the Stella as #1. If you look at the MSRP's a comparable sized Stella retails for almost 2x as much as a Makaira. If you take the 3 top rated spinners in the World per Mr Hawk The Makaira has the best rating & is also the cheapest of the 3. But it's up to the angler as there may be other factors that some anglers look for. (There's a 5yr limited Warranty. You can send your Makaira in one time in that 5yr for a free cleaning & lubing providing that you pay for your own postage to send it in).
I have the 20000 size makaira and used it a bunch of times and it is my favorite reel I’ve ever owned. It’s an absolute BEAST! It has the power to bring in anything you hook into. I could have got any reel I wanted but I mainly surf fish and this was better because of the sealing and the drag is the best for surf fishing. Biggest fish I caught so far is a 60+ pound spinner shark with ease.
I called my friends at Okuma. They're sending me a 2nd spool. They don't list it, but you can special order one. I'm doing one all braid & the other all mono.
From the net- "The Makaira is constructed of machine cut aluminum. This includes the body, sideplate, rotor and spool. The main gear, pinion gear and oversized spool shaft are constructed of machine cut stainless steel. Using twenty-three o-rings and gaskets, the Makaira is fully sealed so water, sand and salt cannot penetrate it". This was echoed by many established fishing businesses such as Chartbait. Also verified by the World's expert that every fishing company accepts- "Okuma Makaira - AlanHawk.comwww.alanhawk.com › reviews › mks are makaira spinning reels completely water sealed? from www.alanhawk.com Jun 15, 2017 - The company is now offering a flagship spinning reel bearing the ... The Makaira is a fully machined and fully sealed reel that comes in ..."
You can do a Google/Yahoo search to surfing RU-vid. But on paper you can do your own study by looking up stats. The final choice is always yours. Just have to pick the attributes you're looking for. For myself i had 3 Stellas. Then i tried my friends Makaira jigging & plugging for tunas at the buoys years back. I was hooked. It was slightly heavier then my Shimanos but it was the most powerful spinner i'ver ever used when i was hauling in +30lb Yellowfin Tunas. So for me it was the sheer power at my disposal that convinced me. Also the rod is as important. I used the same rod my friend used. A 1pc PCH rod. This is a popular choice of rail rods for bottom jigging charters for a reason.