Hey guys, i'm looking to buy a new heavy duty spinning reel and would like some input from the experts. I want a good one, it will be going on a medium heavy tiger rod. Right now i'm leaning towards Okuma. Do any of you have an Okuma, and what can you tall me about em. I'm gonna need a new one to show Arlington how to catch a big blue down at watts bar in march  :thumbsup

I will second that Okuma ABF series also I have 2 of the 50's that hasnt let me down yet

Heres some specs

The Avenger ABF uses Okuma's live bait feeding system. The easy-to-reach lever (located on the body behind the handle) disengages the spool to allow the line to run freely. The tension of the free spool can be adjusted with the rear adjustment (which looks and works like a rear drag). The bait feeding system allows a fish to pick up the bait and run without feeling the drag of the reel. When you are ready to set the hook, you flip down the baitfeeder lever to engage the drag, and the conventional front drag takes over.
The Quick Set anti-reverse system guarantees rock solid hook sets and eliminates handle play. The Avenger will easily gain a position in the arsenal of the most discerning of tournament pros.
•   Multi-disk Japanese oiled felt drag washers
•   6 ball bearings for ultimate smoothness
•   1 Quick Set Anti-Reverse roller bearing
•   Precision machine-cut brass pinion gear
•   Rigid diecast aluminum handle design
•   Hydro Block water tight drag seal
•   Patented On/Off auto trip bait feeding function
•   Model ABF-30 has grey knob - ABF-40+ has silver knob
Specifications
Model   Gear Ratio   Capacity
(yds./lbs.)   Weight      
ABF-30   5.0:1   250/6 260/8 170/10   11.8 oz.      
ABF-40   4.5:1   330/8 290/10 210/12   16.3 oz.      
ABF-50   4.5:1   440/10 390/12 280/15   17.3 oz.      
ABF-65   4.5:1   540/12 320/15 250/20   27.4 oz.

My son uses a Shimano 4500 Baitrunner. He really likes it. I think they run about a 100 bucks.

I have the Okuma baitfeeders and the shimano baitrunners..Both are good, the shimano a little better, but cost more.

I have the Okuma  Epixor EB 65's  that I bought for a partner of mine.  They really are not a bad real for the price.  Shimano Baitrunner 4500 and 6500 is the way to go as they easily handle Power Pro 80 pound and up for the heavy rods.  
For my various Medium action rods currently I am using Tica Spinfocus GK 4000 and 6000's with 17 to 30 mono test on them.   I use the 3000 Tica series for my lighter dip bait and skipjack rods that work well.  
The Shimano Baitrunners are the better reels that have held up.  The secondary baitrunner feature can be used in many ways from holding in a current to letting the fish run is what I like about them.
You need various rods and reels inorder to target the various catfish and weights that you are going after.  

Vince Copple
TeamWhiskers

Welcome to the Sport of Catfishing!

Hold on now---got another for ya to look into

http://cgi.ebay.com/Jarvis-Walker-8500-Integra-Gold-Series-II-New_W0QQitemZ280064175869QQihZ018QQcategoryZ36164QQtcZphotoQQcmdZViewItem

I've got one---its a real powerhouse of a spinning reel,,I've also got an Okuma about the same size and the Jarvis is very comparable in quality and everything---hey for $20 bucks including the shipping you can buy a couple of em for the price of one Okuma

Harleerods on Ebay has always done me good, and never a minutes problem

Nope---not to my knowledge---you might want to look around on harlees store and see what he has in bait runners

Vince, back a couple years were you and Rodney using the shimano baitrunners at henderson in the high water at the championship. I am really thinking about the shimano 6500 but really want to know if they will handle 40-80lb cats??? I noticed you guys boated some nice cats that weekend. THanks.