I have nearly 20 magda pros and 2 new coldwaters. After my most recent experience w/ Okuma I will NEVER buy another Okuma product period!!! First every reel you can buy is made in china, korea etc. I cannot find an American made line counter from anyone. Second off Okuma is a Chinese owned company. They also use the "pro" to promote thier "entry line" reel (okuma magda pro).
The cold waters have had many problems. 1st it was the line counter then they found out they had clutch issues. Both of my new coldwaters broke one of them made it out twice before the line counter broke. the 2nd made 4-5 trips before the clutch broke. When I called Okuma they were very familiar with the problems and even told me what was wrong after I stated that I have coldwaters. I didn't have to tell them what was wrong. That tells me that they have chronic problems. Yes they will fix them but be assured they will break. The cold water is the coolest looking reel on the market because the R&D money into the reels design to catch fisherman not quality to catch fish. For $90bucks a piece you should not have chronic problems. The convectors from what I hear are decent reels. Because of my most recent okuma issues I recently bought the Diawa accudepths and so far I really like them. the shimano tekots are great reels as well.

Worst thing about Okuma is that when you call them their voice recording answers says something like "thank you for calling okuma proud makers of high quality fishing tackle". How can a company that makes their products in China claim to be that??? I seriuosly question the intregrity of the company just based on that alone.

I know there are fisherman out there who use thier products and like them. I am sure somwhere along the way they did something right. However at the present time the coldwater is junk and the company is misleading.

If I cannot buy an American made product I will certainly be buying from an American Company who pays taxes to my country.

 

I have a bunch of okuma reels magda's are entry level and I would never buy another convectors are great i have a couple cold water so far I like them but there was issues with early models, I just got some clarions with line counters on e bay this year for about 80 a piece and love them ( wish I would of got more) and I have a few Catalina's that to me seem bulletproof. Just my 2 cents

 

I've got a couple magda pros and would not buy another one. The catalinas, on the other hand, are superb. I have 6 and they have performed flawlessly for me in every aspect. Of course, they're in the same price range as a Shimano Tekota so it all depends on what you like. I ended up with the catalinas because I got two of them on an insanely good sale, they worked out so well I picked up 4 more because I wanted all the reels in my set to be the same.

 

I ordered two cold water reels in march to phase out my cabelas line counters. One functioned how it should but the other would only count 1 foot per handle rotation (should be 26 inches per crank if I remember correctly). It also would not disengage the free spool all the way it would get stuck half way and I had to use my hand to release it. I sent both back and was not impressed.

 

Magdas all break when you push them beyond the couple trips a year type deal...Friend of mine has a box of destroyed ones...lol

I think they have made the Convector model for enough years that they have them figured out pretty good...Not the best reel, but solid..

If youre serious about this you need to look at the Convectors or Daiwa Accudepth Plus, or Daiwa SG lines reels as I think they both get much better reviews than bottom end stuff...

Catalinas, Clarions, Dawia Saltists, Shimano Tekotas are all really great reels that are designed to work day in and day out...You pay for em though...

Personally I've used Okuma long before becoming a charter capt...Very little issues with my Convectors & Catalinas...Is it the best reel? Prob Not...But we've reeled in thousands of fish on em...I have the service done on em when they start to get rough by an OKUMA USA Tech rather than replace with another Chinese reel...

If I were to do it again (and may start swapping em out slowly) Id go the Shimano route...

 

I appreciate evryones input. ihave 6 convectors. left handed.They work great. I just looked at the cold water, and thought they look cool. catalinas, little pricer. But i want to get 2 more reels. Im thinking, not going coldwater. maybe the convectors, ill stay with. NEVER AGAIN MAGDA PRO. They are JUNK! Thanks for repsonse carpetbagger. My buddy sonny of hynoon caters uese convector at conneaut. I copied his rods, and reels years ago.

Magdas all break when you push them beyond the couple trips a year type deal...Friend of mine has a box of destroyed ones...lol

I think they have made the Convector model for enough years that they have them figured out pretty good...Not the best reel, but solid..

If youre serious about this you need to look at the Convectors or Daiwa Accudepth Plus, or Daiwa SG lines reels as I think they both get much better reviews than bottom end stuff...

Catalinas, Clarions, Dawia Saltists, Shimano Tekotas are all really great reels that are designed to work day in and day out...You pay for em though...

Personally I've used Okuma long before becoming a charter capt...Very little issues with my Convectors & Catalinas...Is it the best reel? Prob Not...But we've reeled in thousands of fish on em...I have the service done on em when they start to get rough by an OKUMA USA Tech rather than replace with another Chinese reel...

If I were to do it again (and may start swapping em out slowly) Id go the Shimano route...

 

I'm just getting into trolling up on Erie and need to invest in some rods and reels.

Does Erie Outfitters carry all the different brands you guys have mentioned in these comments?

 

They do. And they are good guys. Don't hesitate to call Darrin at ClearH2O tackle in Michigan. He sells everything and his prices and knowledge are GREAT! He will put a package together for whatever you are trying to accomplish!

 

I have 6 of the coldwaters, 2 or 3 came off ebay and I think they were the models from the beginning when they had issues with the linecounters and drags. The ones that work all the time are a decent reel, they make a clicking sound even when the clicker is off which gets annoying, but overall they have been good to me. I have a few magdas which got worn out in a couple of years. The convectors are a great reel for the money. If I had to do it all over again on a budget it would be all convectors. The daiwa accudepth and sealines are pretty bulletproof, but I think they are uncomfortable to use. Many people on my boat have made comments about liking the okumas more for reeling in fish. I went with the shimano tekotas for my salmon reels and they are great. Will probably be switching all my walleye gear to tekotas as soon as possible.

 

CVD30's are fantastic walleye trolling reels. Tekotas are just too damn expensive IMO. Yes, they are nice, but damn...

 

ive had magna 30s for yrs, im a weekend worrior. and they do fine for me! id love to have to respool to tekotas or coldwaters but way to much for me.. but the magnas do fine for my boat, some ive had for 10 plus yrs AND WE CATCH FISH. its all what you want to spend.. but I do every yr is take apart and do maintence!!

 

I laugh because a guy spends forty dollars for a reel like the magda pros and except them to work flawlessly you get what you pay for!call okuma tell them you fish three times a week and what reel you should get I am betting a higher end /higher price point reel okuma has been very helpful with a issue I had with a reel

 

I have about 10 Coldwater 303Ds. My opinion is they are a decent real BUT not an excellent reel. Drag and line counter Ok... Could be better though. Cranking power with oversized handle.. Awesome. Convectors are a great reel for the money. I guess what it comes down to is what you pay for them. Sure Tekotas are nice but your talking way more money... they should be!!! For your purpose stay with the Convectors unless you can get a great deal on the Cold waters. Pretty much the same reel IMOP. Like I said... Not the best out there but they work well enough for me.

 

Oh... I should have mentioned I have 4 Clarions. Awesome reel with better drag. Smooth line counters. Guess they don't make them anymore though? Very good reel.

 

The newer Convectors aren't perfect either. Had to shim my counters to get them to count while reeling back in. Worked fine on way out. Happy with them now, but irritating to have to work on a brand new reel. Not sure why Okuma messed with design. My older ones never gave me any trouble. I'd buy Daiwa Sealines if they made a left hand model.

 

I have cold waters,convectors and 6 diawa 27 lcx reels. The diawa work great. The convectors are good and not happy w the cold waters all all.

 

Daiwa 47lc Great Lakes Edition. Absolutely bulletproof. OOP. eBay 55-65$. RH -I'm left handed, never think about it with Mr Hog Tooth on the line lol. Old school for sure but all around smooth and stout enough for anything including kings. Got 8 of 'em now, and calibrated at Erie Outfitters [emoji16]