Wonderful reels, glad we're meeting expectations in the shipping side of things. Thanks for the feedback. You'll enjoy the reel!

Jeeze I am getting old, despite my immaturity and affinity for upsetting an apple cart or two... Thank you sir!

Thanks Frank, appreciated, and easy to be enthusiastic about good stuff!

Thank you.

Thanks for the visit Deano!

We'll be here (Tues-Sat for the shop, with folks in shipping and office on Mondays).

Plenty of glitches by me Sunday morning. But, no glitches on the reels. These things are very nice.

@@CharkBaitUSA I can honestly say this is by far one of the best releases made by Okuma. I was one of the testers. For over 3-weeks i would fish by night to day casting. Everyday to see if there were any issues. John wanted to be sure that these units were SOLID. Caught Jacks to sharks & horsed in a ray on the 12. I spooled mine with 65lb braid. I can cast farther with this conventional using a 7oz bank then any other reel that i own. This is a BEAST of a reel. I'm saving up to get another 12 so i'll have a pair for GT casting at night to trolling on my friend's Whaler by day. Anyone getting this reel won't be happy, unless you have a pair of them.

@@ScubaChris Thanks Chris, good feedback. They even put the thrust bearing back in like the Makaira series. I think this was the reason for the hold up in supplying and the reason why there were some issues with the initial production. EXCELLENT!

@@CharkBaitUSA Correct, i tried it with the thrust bearing. Very smooth transition with it installed & very easy to install as well. I always look forward to your presentations. Thanks for your review:)

Interesting comparison. All three reels are NARROW. In terms of size the 5N is smaller, perhaps more like a 10XNLD size. The 15XNLD is just a skinnier 25N. Call it a 25NN instead of 15NLD. 25 size more like a 12N Okuma in terms of size, but the Okuma far more robust given production materials. The 15XNLD is a tad smaller in width than the 12N, fractional difference.

@@CharkBaitUSA Good to know! Total weight and stated braid capacity (not always reliable) of the 5N and 15XN are actually pretty similar so surprised that the 5N size is closer to a 10XNLD. That is amazing, I am sold!

Alijos 5N is Smaller compared to Fathom 15N….I have both.

Like Mark said Alijos 5N size is comparable to Fathom 10NXLD2

Easy enough, just visit our website: www.charkbait.com

Good question, both would work fine in that application. That 12NS would be very nice, but in all honesty the Tesoro is probably the best casting reel on the market now and Accurate's Tern II is also a very good distance caster. It's not an easy pick. The only other pertinent advice I can give is based on my earlier days prior to marriage...: When in doubt, buy 'em both. That doesn't work so well for me now, the wife works here too and watches my like a hawk.

@@CharkBaitUSA buying both while I can might be the move! Thanks!

I use my Tesoro12's for inshore bait casting. And my Alijos12 for serious surf casting. Both are long distance casters.

Good question, one I should know but don't and one I hope someone else can chime in on. I haven’t opened one up yet, I’m thinking single dog w/1 way bearing, but need to check. The biggest improvement to me was incorporating the thrust bearing. That was the weak point previously, and now very nicely addressed like a Makaira.

@@CharkBaitUSA I found a recently posted service video. It has 2 pawls. Really just need to get my hands on one and get a feel for it. I was looking at the 12 for a light jigging and all purpose reel. Would like to see it side by side by a mak 15T m.kzfaq.info/get/bejne/g8Bgn8ycrNGWk3U.html

The anti-reverse in alijos has double dogs and is the silent "ambassadeur" style. This is Okuma Global's alijos maintenance/teardown video kzfaq.info/get/bejne/g8Bgn8ycrNGWk3U.html @ 0:42 you will see the anti-reverse system.

@@junz7452 Thanks for the followup reply, appreciated.

You’re right with respect to our website saying we’re out, but we’re not out. We’re waiting for an invoice from Okuma, no invoice no receiving, so site says not available, our inventory is tied to site. BUT, we do have stock on all models except low geared 12. You can order from the website and we do have 'em in stock. One of the reasons I did not want to tie inventory to the website...creates this sort of problem that's due to paperwork rather than actual inventory. We have good stock now

The reels have been rock solid. Okuma did the right thing by coming out with new models and not releasing them until much time was spent testing, fishing, evaluating and enhancing. Excellent reels.

Yes, that is a significant part of the upgrades offered with the new Alijos. That improvement was based upon testing/evaluation and as a consequence the delay in bringing the series back to market. The time was very well spent. Powerful reels that will prove very reliable partners for many, many years.

So glad they finally listen on this feature! Kudos Okuma.

The Alijos is the replacement for Andros series. Backplay no issue.

They're dandy reels but not up to the Alijos level. By feel you'll note the Alijos come off more robust, drag can be a bit higher, longer handle arm, different knob, TSI bearing oil for greater freespool, better and a couple additional bearings, improved drag system...different level of performance. Both series quite good, but the Alijos have more in common with Makaira series in my estimation, by feel and capability. Not light by any means, Tesoro star drags hit that mark, but the Alijos are tank-like. The Cavalla series perform VERY well, punch above their price point very well, but different class of gear.

Good to hear, but sorry to see her go bye bye. We have more... Seriously, heard some positives on these and the Ocean Legacy Sling Shot. Looking forward to fishing 'em both when I get out on our 8 day late this month. charkbait.com/product/oceans-legacy-sling-shot-surface-iron-jigs/

Dig deeper Tim, might enjoy checking July 4th Rant and others... GS< MS

Trying to be somewhat apolitical, but not so easy given circumstances. I’m old enough, successful enough, to not fear loosing business or viewers by expressing my opinion, whether that be gear, fishing… I don’t charge a fee for viewing, don’t monetize this channel. Some of the people I respected most in my life have been guys who had the strength to express their well considered opinion regardless of the damaged feathers of others, especially as time became more finite. Time proves truth. Russ Izor was a guy like that (skipper, founder Izorline, the guy who brought Spectra to saltwater fishing - Allied Chemical days). When political environment negatively impacts our fishing, our life in general, a grumpy old guy can’t help but express sentiments. Russ did not fear controversy, more often than not proved right. Many of us find a sense of freedom getting away from land, on the water, away from political BS. I’m there too. We escape reality and refocus ourselves, charge up the “batteries” with time fishing. A great diversion! But when gas and diesel reach $10/gallon, when inflation rate reaches 10%+ maybe we’ll both be on the same page. Until then good fishing to you .