I purchased the reel without ever getting the opportunity to play with one or feel it for myself, but I read many positive reviews, and heard great things about the reel around the internet. Okuma has a history of providing good gear at affordable prices. My first 8 weight reel was an Okuma Sierra that has no bells and whistles, but is tough, holds a lot of line, has a solid drag, and is a reel that I still use regularly today.
When I opened the box to my new Okuma Helios 7/8 the first thing I noticed was how light the reel was. I was also impressed with the aesthetics of the reel. A large arbor, made of machined bar stock aluminum, the Helios is light and precise. The Helios has two ball bearings plus one roller bearing on a stainless steel shaft to make it strong and smooth. A major selling point for me was the sealed drag. The sealed drag will protect it from the elements, taking away any worries I may have had about using the reel in saltwater (which I have already). The drag is easily adjustable and super smooth just like the rest of the reel. Me, being a southpaw, the reel also offers and easy conversion from right to left.
There is no shortage of reels on the market that will break the bank above $300, but the Okuma Helios is half that, coming in around $150. The Helios is a great reel for the price, and can easily compete with $700 bank breakers out
there.
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