Okuma Ceymar Graphite Lightweight All Purpose 8BB Spinning Reel

I have a lot of reels from all the "big" name companies; Penn, Diawa, Shimano, Abu Garcia, etc. This is my 2nd Okuma. I am seriously impressed with the quality of this reel. It's smooth, the bail closes with a nice "chunk" sound with minimal effort and the drag is nice and smooth. I can't help but wonder how Okuma makes such a nice competitive reel at this price point. I think this reel performs as well as reels costing twice as much from the "big" names in the industry. I also bought an Okuma Epixor rod and Okuma Cedros reel. All I can say is WOW!!! Okuma makes really nice equipment.

I recently got my hands on the Okuma Ceymar Graphite Lightweight All Purpose 8BB Spinning Reel, and it has quickly become my go-to reel for all my fishing adventures! So much so, that I ordered two. This reel offers an impressive combination of features that make it stand out in the market.First and foremost, the felt drag system provides incredibly smooth and consistent drag, allowing for better control and handling of fish. Paired with the Quick-Set anti-reverse roller bearing, I’ve experienced instant and reliable hook sets every time, ensuring no missed opportunities.The precision machine cut brass pinion gear adds a level of durability and smoothness that I truly appreciate. It feels solid and operates seamlessly, giving me the confidence that this reel will perform exceptionally over the long haul. The corrosion-resistant graphite body is another excellent feature, especially for someone like me who often fishes in various environments. It ensures that the reel remains in top condition despite exposure to the elements.The rigid, forged zinc, black anodized handle design not only looks sleek but also offers a sturdy and comfortable grip. This makes it easier to handle during those extended fishing sessions.Overall, the Okuma Ceymar Graphite Lightweight All Purpose 8BB Spinning Reel is a fantastic investment for any angler. It combines durability, precision, and smooth performance, making it a versatile and reliable choice for all fishing needs. Highly recommended!

I have been using this reel for almost 2 years now. I have it spooled with 6lb test braid and a fluorocarbon leader. I've used spinning reels from just about every manufacturer over the past 60 years of both fresh and salt water fishing. This is an impressive reel. Great drag, very smooth and a delight to use. I've used it to catch bluegills, red ear, crappie, bass and even a few 5lb channel catfish. It never disappoints. Every part of this reel, including cosmetic appearance has held up well through 22 months of frequent fresh water use. Since I purchased my first one, I bought a second for a friend and he has been equally satisfied.

Just spent the past 2 weeks fishing in Nags Head, NC and the Chesapeake Bay in MD and this reel did a very good job. Out of the box, the reel was light, much smoother than my Penn Fierce 2 and Penn Battle 2, looked great, and overall just as impressive as advertised . This was mostly paired with a Fiblink 2 piece 10 foot surf rod (Available on Amazon, great rod for the money) and spooled with 25 lb Kast King braid. Even though this was a "surf setup," I mostly ended up pier fishing, and because both the rod and reel were so light, it was very comfortable to fish with. I caught over 50 pan sized spot, croaker, white perch, striper, and shad and overall the reel performed admirably.Now for the flaws-The 5.0 to 1 gear ratio is slower than comparable reels of this size- with the Penn Fierce 2 being a 5.6:1 and Kast King Sharky 2 being at 5.2:1 for their 5000 size models. It was definitely noticeable when retrieving 50-75 yards of line as it did become tiring pulling in all those fish when the bite got hot.If it were just this, I would have given a 5 star review considering the price, however the main thing I didn't like was the reel foot. I noticed considerable flexing when paired to several different rods. It wasn't noticeable when reeling in the smaller fish, but I hooked into a skate and when fighting it the flex was very evident. The drag performed great, and the reel had enough power to muscle the skate in close enough to the pier to cut my line, but all of the flexing was a turnoff. I have hooked into skates many times before with reels of lesser quality and I don't remember the flex being so noticeable.Overall, I do enjoy using this reel and would give it 5 stars for catching any medium to smaller species of fish. An all aluminum body ( or at least a more solid reel foot) and faster gear ratio would make this an absolute stud that would rival the likes of the Penn Fierce 2 (which IMO, is currently a better purchase for the extra $15- $20). It's probably a tie when compared to the Kast King Sharky 2 as far as smoothness, construction, and price.