Okuma Ceymar Graphite Lightweight All Purpose 8BB Spinning Reel

This reel is an absolute gem, especially when you consider the price. I've got a bunch of spinning reels to stack this against, and let me tell you, it holds its own just as well as ones that cost twice as much. Now, there's just this one teeny-tiny thing - the red color scheme. I love it. Fish probably couldn't care less about colors, but I'm all about those stylish rod and reel combos. Seriously though, this reel is a jackpot of value. You'll save some serious bucks by steering clear of the mainstream options. So, picture this: I'm moving on up from a beginner's spin caster combo to my first "real" reel. I wanted something that screams reliability and solidity, and the Ceymar didn't let me down. From the moment I cast it, I felt like a pro. The drag? Oh, it works like a charm. Okay, so yes, there was this tiny hiccup when it tangled up on my first go (probably a bit too much line, my bad). But since then? Smooth sailing, my friend. I've taken it out for some bank and boat fishing, and let me tell you, it casts like a dream. I even gave it a little dip in freshwater a couple of times – and it still spins and reels like it's covered in butter. Now, if I really had to find something to nitpick about, it'd be that the handle knob can sometimes loosen a smidge. But come on, that's like finding a sprinkle in a scoop of ice cream – it doesn't even count. Overall, I'm beyond pleased with this reel!

I have a lot of reels from all the "big" name companies; Penn, Diawa, Shimano, Abu Garcia, etc. This is my 2nd Okuma. I am seriously impressed with the quality of this reel. It's smooth, the bail closes with a nice "chunk" sound with minimal effort and the drag is nice and smooth. I can't help but wonder how Okuma makes such a nice competitive reel at this price point. I think this reel performs as well as reels costing twice as much from the "big" names in the industry. I also bought an Okuma Epixor rod and Okuma Cedros reel. All I can say is WOW!!! Okuma makes really nice equipment.

I recently got my hands on the Okuma Ceymar Graphite Lightweight All Purpose 8BB Spinning Reel, and it has quickly become my go-to reel for all my fishing adventures! So much so, that I ordered two. This reel offers an impressive combination of features that make it stand out in the market. First and foremost, the felt drag system provides incredibly smooth and consistent drag, allowing for better control and handling of fish. Paired with the Quick-Set anti-reverse roller bearing, I’ve experienced instant and reliable hook sets every time, ensuring no missed opportunities. The precision machine cut brass pinion gear adds a level of durability and smoothness that I truly appreciate. It feels solid and operates seamlessly, giving me the confidence that this reel will perform exceptionally over the long haul. The corrosion-resistant graphite body is another excellent feature, especially for someone like me who often fishes in various environments. It ensures that the reel remains in top condition despite exposure to the elements. The rigid, forged zinc, black anodized handle design not only looks sleek but also offers a sturdy and comfortable grip. This makes it easier to handle during those extended fishing sessions. Overall, the Okuma Ceymar Graphite Lightweight All Purpose 8BB Spinning Reel is a fantastic investment for any angler. It combines durability, precision, and smooth performance, making it a versatile and reliable choice for all fishing needs. Highly recommended!

Just spent the past 2 weeks fishing in Nags Head, NC and the Chesapeake Bay in MD and this reel did a very good job. Out of the box, the reel was light, much smoother than my Penn Fierce 2 and Penn Battle 2, looked great, and overall just as impressive as advertised . This was mostly paired with a Fiblink 2 piece 10 foot surf rod (Available on Amazon, great rod for the money) and spooled with 25 lb Kast King braid. Even though this was a "surf setup," I mostly ended up pier fishing, and because both the rod and reel were so light, it was very comfortable to fish with. I caught over 50 pan sized spot, croaker, white perch, striper, and shad and overall the reel performed admirably. Now for the flaws- The 5.0 to 1 gear ratio is slower than comparable reels of this size- with the Penn Fierce 2 being a 5.6:1 and Kast King Sharky 2 being at 5.2:1 for their 5000 size models. It was definitely noticeable when retrieving 50-75 yards of line as it did become tiring pulling in all those fish when the bite got hot. If it were just this, I would have given a 5 star review considering the price, however the main thing I didn't like was the reel foot. I noticed considerable flexing when paired to several different rods. It wasn't noticeable when reeling in the smaller fish, but I hooked into a skate and when fighting it the flex was very evident. The drag performed great, and the reel had enough power to muscle the skate in close enough to the pier to cut my line, but all of the flexing was a turnoff. I have hooked into skates many times before with reels of lesser quality and I don't remember the flex being so noticeable. Overall, I do enjoy using this reel and would give it 5 stars for catching any medium to smaller species of fish. An all aluminum body ( or at least a more solid reel foot) and faster gear ratio would make this an absolute stud that would rival the likes of the Penn Fierce 2 (which IMO, is currently a better purchase for the extra $15- $20). It's probably a tie when compared to the Kast King Sharky 2 as far as smoothness, construction, and price.

I have been using this reel for almost 2 years now. I have it spooled with 6lb test braid and a fluorocarbon leader. I've used spinning reels from just about every manufacturer over the past 60 years of both fresh and salt water fishing. This is an impressive reel. Great drag, very smooth and a delight to use. I've used it to catch bluegills, red ear, crappie, bass and even a few 5lb channel catfish. It never disappoints. Every part of this reel, including cosmetic appearance has held up well through 22 months of frequent fresh water use. Since I purchased my first one, I bought a second for a friend and he has been equally satisfied.

Great reel for the price. It has lasted longer than the Penn reels I have, not as fast to reel in, but has definitely exceed my expectations. Plenty of king, coho salmon and steelhead landed and no signs of failure. The real test came pulling chum salmon against the river current, and those thing can feel like a truck with flat tires. Definitely adding two more to of those C40

I used this reel heavily this fishing season and am well pleased with its performance. It is a solid, well-built reel with an excellent drag. I plan on buying another.

I got this reel to replace an old Shimano for trout fishing. The Shimano finally gave out after about a decade of use, and I decided to give Okuma a try since I’ve been pretty satisfied with one of their of their baitfeeders that I recently purchased for catfish, and this reel is no different. The Ceymar reels run a little smaller than some other brands, so I got a slightly larger size and it suits my purposes well. It’s lightweight, the bail arm doesn’t click down mid-cast, and the retrieve is pretty smooth. The drag system is responsive enough that even a small turn will switch you from peeling drag to retrieving, even while you have a fish on. That said, the reel doesn’t seem like it will last nearly as long as a higher end product. I’m partial to Shimano reels for their durability, but they also come with a price tag to match. For the cost of this reel, I have to say that Okuma has surprised me for a company that has had a spotty reputation in the past. I’m optimistic that with semi-regular maintenance I’ll be able to get at least a few years out of this product, and if I do, I might just be a new Okuma convert. If you’re looking to make an upgrade from that Walmart combo that you learned to fish on, I would think twice before shelling out the money for one of the more major brands and give these guys a shot! At this price point, even an experienced angler will be impressed with the quality you’ll get for the money.