Reviews

Previously at Total Carp we’ve hyped up the Okuma reels for standing out in the more budget friendly market; with a lot of the reels having sea fishing heritage you just know they are going to be robust!

The Obsidian 12000 is Okuma’s flagship big-pit reel – lightweight, clean in design and packed with spec. Built around a C-40X carbon frame and rotor, it keeps the weight down to just 520g, the same as a 20 Tournament Basia! This is impressive given the size of it and its line capacity. It balances well on 12 and 13ft rods and has the refined feel you want when spending close to £600 for three.

The spool stroke lands at 35mm rather than the somewhat standard 45mm these days with super-slow oscillation, laying line in clean parallel wraps for better distance and less friction. Inside, the wormshaft transmission system and Flite Drive tech combine to keep rotation smooth and efficient. A 4.3:1 gear ratio retrieves you a modest 103cm of line per turn, which is plenty of pace to aid you when you are fishing at range.

Drag is handled by Okuma’s Carbonite system, delivering up to 18kg of smooth, progressive resistance that’s easy to control mid-fight or when setting your clutch after sitting your rods on the rests. There’s a one-piece bail and a DLC-coated line roller to help reduce twist and wear across the board.

Each reel comes with a spare spool and two reducers. Out of the box, the standard spool will hold up to 680m of 0.33mm, 600m of 0.35mm or 500m of 0.38mm mono. With the 8000 reducer fitted, that drops to 440m of 0.33mm, 385m of 0.35mm or 320m of 0.38mm. The 1500 reducer is ideal for braid or finer lines, holding 330m of 0.16mm, 260m of 0.18mm or 210m of 0.20mm. No more wasted backing line and a spool size to cover literally every situation, all included in the price. 

Visually, it’s all blacked out with subtle branding, a machined handle and a clean, low-glare finish. It looks right on modern setups and feels tight and reliable straight off the reel seat.

For anglers wanting a super-light big-pit reel, fully loaded in the spec department, the Obsidian 12000 is a strong option. Built to cast, built to last, and up there with the best in its class.

RRP: £185.99
WEBSITE: www.okumafishing.com