Okuma Cedros

Okuma has gone one notch up the conventional saltwater reel "cool"ness scale with their next generation line up of jigging & lever drag reels. I have fished with the older generation Okumas and though they were value for money, the X-factor was not exactly there, if in comparison with the bigger boys such as Daiwa or Shimano in terms of features, cranking power, smoothness & overall design.

Not anymore.

Taking a closer look at the Cedros series at the Rapala Seminar in KL 2 weeks back, I found these were serious cranking machines. Not to mention the eye-catching electric blue anodizing that seemed to beg for attention when I layed my eyes on it from afar.

Eye candy! Eye candy!

Cedros Star Drag (bottom) & the Cedros Lever Drag (top)

Side profile

Cedros Star Drag features:

A6061-T6 extruded aluminum, blue anodized frame

Frame cross bars are ported to reduce weight

Machined aluminum, blue anodized side plates

Machined aluminum, gun smoke anodized spool

Multi-disc Carbonite caged drag system

Ratcheting drag star for precise drag settings

5BB+1RB Japanese stainless steel bearings

Quick-Set anti-reverse roller bearing

Dual anti-reverse system. (Mechanical & roller bearing)

Oversized machine cut brass gearing

XL gearing: Drop down gear box for increased power

Self lubricating gear system, all models

MSS: Mechanical Stabilizing System for increased durability

Ergo grip handle knobs featured on all models

High Speed 6.2:1 gear ratios for increased line pickup

Cedros Star Drag CSD10S weighing in at 535grams

Narrow spool. Perfect for jigging

A 6.1:1 ratio retrieves up to 101.6cm per crank. No wonder the oversized gearbox.

Cedros Lever Drag CLD10S

Front view

Lever Drag model features Okuma's Dual Force Drag system

Cedros Lever Drag features:
6061-T6 Machined aluminum frame with forged side plates
17-4 grade precision helical cut stainless steel gearing
Cedros reels all feature single speed, High-speed gearing systems
Type-III hard anodized spool for maximum corrosion resistance
CRC: Corrosion Resistant Coating process
Carbonite Dual Force drag system featuring Cal’s universal drag grease
Custom designed thrust bearing: Alleviates side load on heavy drag settings
4-pcs ABEC-5 precision Sapporo stainless steel rubber sealed ball bearings
Double dog, proprietary silent anti-reverse system
Ratcheting drag lever and drag cam for precise drag setting
Ergo grip handle knob: Perfect for jigging and live baiting
Heavy duty stainless steel ratcheting clicker system CE-20S
Low-profile clicker system with stainless wishbone CE-10S, 15S
Heavy duty, precision stainless steel drive and spool shafts
Type-II blue anodized frame, side plates, drag lever and handle
Lug and plug system on all models for use with or without harness lugs
Forged aluminum Type-III hard anodized reel foot and reel clamp
Special screw ports around side plate screws reduces water/corrosion buildup

More details & specs from Okuma's website