|
The Bear brings the Heat, Okuma's Helios Baitcaster
| Date: |
5/20/11 |
| Tackle type: |
Reels |
| Manufacturer: |
Okuma |
| Reviewer: |
Zander |
Total Score: 8.58 -
GREAT
Introduction:
The low profile baitcasting
market continues to heat up with quality offerings coming from new upstarts to
challenge the old guard. Okuma continues to introduce higher end offerings and
the Helios is now the flagship within the company’s freshwater baitcasting line.
Making use of a familiar profile the Helios ups the ante for Okuma yet again
with improved performance, refinement and lighter ergonomics.
|
Okuma
Helios LP
Casting Reel
Specifications |
| Line
Capacity (lb/yds) |
10/160,
12/130, 14/95 |
| Gear
Ratio |
6.2:1 |
| Line
retrieve per crank |
26.8
inches |
|
Weight |
6.3
oz |
|
Bearings |
8BB,
1RB |
|
Additional Features |
ALC: Rigid diecast aluminum frame, CRC:
Corrosion Resistant Coating process, Aluminum right side plate, A6061-T6 machined aluminum, anodized spool, Multi-disc Carbonite drag system, Micro-click drag star for
precise drag settings, Precision Japanese ABEC-5 spool bearings, Quick-Set
anti-reverse roller bearing, 6-position Velocity Control System, Easy change
left side plate access port, Zirconium line guide insert, 3-year warranty |
|
Origin |
Manufactured in Korea |
| MSRP |
$219.99 |
Okuma's new
flagship freshwater baitcaster, the Helios, looks familiar
Just over a decade ago Okuma
was just starting to make a name for itself by branching out from building reels
for other brands and creating a line of branded reels of their own. They started
with what they knew best, spinning and saltwater conventional reels, and
proceeded to offer a lineup that delivered plenty of features and performance,
and at very reasonable prices. It wasn’t long before the company started having
aspirations of competing in the low-profile baitcaster market as well and
introduced their V System Series. These reels continued to deliver plenty of
value but lacked the refinement of competing offerings and were large to palm
and quite heavy at 9.5oz. each.
That is
because it shares the same basic profile as the Serrano
Over the years Okuma refined
their offering and created what we believe was a major leap forward with the
introduction of the Serrano baitcaster. This recognizable reel features a
striking lime green finish and much smaller profile than their previous reels,
upgraded internals with a 10BB+1RB count and a weight of only 7.2oz.
Taking a
closer look at what makes the Helios so light
The Serrano received praise
from anglers and media for the reel’s quality ergonomics and reasonable $169
dollar price point. The biggest gripe was that the reel was not available in a
left hand retrieve. Enter the Helios, a new reel introduced at last year’s ICAST
2011 show which clearly leverages the Serrano’s basic profile. Some anglers will
notice that this is not the first Okuma reel to bear the “Helios” name as the
company utilizes the same moniker for their lightweight fly reel series.
The reel makes
use of hardened aluminum gearing
Okuma most likely named the
reel series “Helios” as a play on the element helium which is known for being
extremely lightweight. The name also is the personification of the sun in Greek
mythology, a Titan that drove the chariot in the heavens each day, bringing both
the light and heat of the sun to the earth. In stark contrast the Okuma Helios
features a stealthy dark black and grey two-tone finish and while this new reel
has the same basic form factor as the Serrano it is made much more aggressive
looking with a carbon fiber handle that is swept towards the body of the reel.
Even the drag
star is ported
When we first played with the
new reel at the ICAST 2011 show we observed how light the reel felt in hand as
well as how smooth the reel felt when cranking. Though sharing the same profile
as the Serrano the Helios weighs in at only 6.3oz., which is nearly an ounce
lighter than the older Serrano.
The multi-disc
Carbonite drag system opened up
Next Section: Spooled up and ready to go |
