The fishery in the Southern California Bight is one that’s constantly challenging and testing our gear. From tackle-busting bluefin, yellowfin, and yellowtail to oversized brutes like marlin and swordfish, there’s no shortage of opponents. To tackle this long list of gamefish there is a small list of brands that we trust to get the job done, Okuma is one of those brands. For years their Makaira reels have led the charge as a top-tier option for our big-game fishery, and if you’ve ever had the pleasure of playing around or owning one, you’d see that every detail has been accounted for from the precision lever drag, oversized T-bar handle to the packaging.
Recently, Okuma has come out with the newest installment to their line, the Alijos 2-Speed Lever Drag Reel. This reel takes big power and performance and puts it into a much smaller package than we’ve been used to without diminishing quality. The result in their words is a “compact bodied, big fish stopping machine”, and we agree. This compact reel addresses many of the asks that consumers have had across the board regarding reels for our offshore fishery.
There’s a long list of features that make this reel great, let’s discuss a few that we’re noticing and our favorites right out of the box.
Size: The ability to use a smaller reel is extremely beneficial when you consider late-night bites on vertical jigs, extended hours at the rail, and the ability of bait to pull the line off a smaller spool. The biggest benefit in our eyes is the improvement in technology along with comfortability and the use of a less cumbersome reel.
Drag: Okuma has been able to revamp the drag system so that it now mirrors the Makaira, as well as implement a huge upgrade of the Thrust Bearing. To top that off it features a new drag cam that matches the drag curve of the Makaira. Fundamentally, the Alijos contains all of the components of Okuma’s flagship reel, but in a smaller and more compact package. We’ve come to see it as the mini Makaira!
T-handle: This is a great feature that allows for more cranking and pulling power. Not having to go through the hassle of finding and paying for an after-market T-handle is something that brings a lot of value to this reel. The amount of cranking power that you get from an enlarged T-handle is just incomparable to the common smaller-sized knob handle.
Clicker: The clicker has been made louder. If you’re a fisherman that fishes a bait on a clicker, this improvement in sound will let you know your bit regardless of the loudness of your engine, and wake you up from the most somber sleep you might be in.
Below is a list of additional features and improvements but overall, the proof is in putting your hands on this reel and fishing it. We recommend you check them out at your local Okuma dealer.
FEATURES
- 17-4 grade stainless steel main and pinion gears
- Carbonite Dual Force Drag system with Cal’s drag grease
- 6-NMB corrosion-resistant stainless-steel bearings
- Spool bearings feature TSI-301 oil for unmatched free spool
- Rigid 1-pcs frame and left side plate construction
- 6061-T6 machined aluminum frame and side plates
- Cold forged, Type II anodized, machined aluminum spool
- Custom-designed thrust bearing alleviates side load on heavy drag settings
- Silent retrieve system for ultimate cranking smoothness
- 90mm handle arm, increases cranking leverage/ power
- Oversized T-Bar handle on all models, for cranking power
- Lug and plug harness system featured on 12 and 16 sizes
- External adjustable cast control system on the left side plate
- CRC: Corrosion Resistant Coating process
TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS REEL VISIT: ALIJOS 2 SPEED LEVER DRAG REEL
