Hey everyone just got a vary unexpected Christmas bonus, and was thinking about treating myself to a new reel. There are two that I have been looking at for a little bit. I wanted to see what your input was on them.  The first one is the is the “okuma trio 40 high speed’

http://www.okumafishingteam.com/dyn_family.php?k=284019

The second is the “Quantum kvd signature series spinning reel”

http://www.basspro.com/Quantumreg;-Kevin-VanDam-Signature-Series-Spinning-Reels/product/10210408/57283?cmCat=CROSSSELL_PRODUCT

So let me know what you think.

Thanks and happy fishing

They are very similar when it comes to price and specs...both very nice reels. If you're interested in more speed and better specs...for the same price...check out the BPS Johnny Morris spinning reels. Any one of these will make you happy!
                                                                                                                                                      

personally i would go for the quantom for a couple of reasons, One i read the specs and it has awesome drag system on it and two i have heard very highly of them from some of my older dishing buddies.

Off topic: Hey mo remember that guide series rod i had, It was a IM-* 6'6 Graphite, Well apperanlty a shark wont break it but a 5 pound salt cat will -.-


Any recommendations on a bat caster rod under 30$?

I personally don't own either reel, however, I am a fan of Quantum. I have 7 Quantum reels, 6 beings Cabos. Hopefully KVD didn't just throw his name on a reel that doesn't perform well such as the Quantum Bill Dance signature series reels (bad reviews). I would go with the Quantum reel or give some serious thought to the BPS Johnny Morris reel as Mo had stated. I hear only good things about those reels, with great reviews. Good luck, let us know what u chose!

Posted By RRichards151 on 22 Dec 2011 05:26 PM
personally i would go for the quantom for a couple of reasons, One i read the specs and it has awesome drag system on it and two i have heard very highly of them from some of my older dishing buddies.

Off topic: Hey mo remember that guide series rod i had, It was a IM-* 6'6 Graphite, Well apperanlty a shark wont break it but a 5 pound salt cat will -.-


Any recommendations on a bat caster rod under 30$?

Ray, sorry to hear about your rod. Just off the top of my head, you can get a Shakespeare Ugly Stik or a Berkley Lightning Rod for $30, both are excellent rods and available just about everywhere.
                                                                                       

Can't beat an Ugly Stik....There indestructible! That better be a real bad ass salt cat to break an Ugly Stik!

ok thanks for the feedback everyone. i think im going to head up to BPS this weekend and check them out.

thanks and happy fishing

I received the Okuma Trio 30 as a field test item about a year ago. I was skeptical as I have never been pleased with any of the composite reels I have fished before due to too much flex. The trio is the most solid composite reel I have ever fished and I have no complaints. On the other hand, it cost me far less than any other reel in my inventory! I believe that there is a big difference between a $50 reel and a $80 reel, and with baitcasters you need to spend a bit more, say $100 or so.

I have to agree with mo65 about the Berkley Lightning Rods. They are very light, strong and sensitive. Not sure of the price nowadays but I have two that I bought about 7-8 years ago. Never tried an Ugly Stik since I'm already a bit ugly and didn't need anymore to rub off on me. Never stop learning.

I have a uglystcik that i got that came with a shakesphere reel, But it serves as my salt water rod at the moment

I got a Quantum optix cp-40 for xmas from my daughter.looks good ,have to wait a couple months to try it out. I think the O kuma might be the way to go

so i ended up getting the trio. it feels nice and well made. but is nowhere as smooth as my Pflueger President. so that was a bit of a let down. havent' gotten a chance to try it out yet being winter and all. even know the lakes arnt all frozen yet. weard winter but ill post back on here when i do get a chance to try it out.

It doesn't surprise me that the Pflueger feels smoother than the Okuma...even though they have the same bearing count. Pfleugers are great reels, made from quality parts, maybe it has higher quality bearings. The part that does surprise me is the price, the Okuma is $15 higher than the Pflueger!
                                    

Yeah I'm definitely going back to pflueger after this one

I wonder if something is wrong with the Trio that Bassman got. The Trio I have is every bit as smooth as my Shimano Stradic.

Hmm...If that Trio is as smooth as a Stradic, something must be wrong Bassman. I would check for a dry bearing, or since you just bought it, take it back and compare to a few other Trios if they have more.
                                                                         
                                                                                                 

My Pflueger I can almost just blow on the handle and it will spin. But I mean the trio is nice and all. Just not as smooth as I expected. Im going to check out all the bearings tonight

Yeah mo I ended up oiling & greasing it up a little bit it seems to be running smoother now

Well I went to the ultimate fishing show last weekend. I was able to try out some other trio’s that they had there. They felt like the one I got. So all is well. Actually after putting a little hot sauce on it. I think mine runs a little smother then the other ones that they had there. i also got the kvd signature series rod. This thing feels great, as far as just casting it in the back yard. But it’s real sensitive I could almost feel the blades of grass. I got it in medium and it seems like it will be a good pare

Happy Fishing

-Bassman

Good to hear! Maybe it doesn't spin as free as your Pflueger because its so new...the Pflueger is broke in already. But I know what you mean about that Pflueger...they are SWEET.