A while back there was post about the Okuma RTX S series spinning reels,asking if any one has had a chance to use one yet.
I couldn’t find any in our local sporting goods stores,so I ordered form a supplier 2 of them and put them,place them on 2 of my custom made 6’10” MLXF and put them to the test.
They are being compared to a Shimano Ci4 2500 reel on the internet,the closest they come to a Ci4 reel is the color and weight of the reel. Ci4 comes in at 7 oz’s and the RTX 30 comes in at 6.6 oz’s, If I remember right they both have a max drag of 13lbs and both have a 6.0:1 ratio and have a nice feel to the handle.
The RTX cast 1/8 jigs very well with hard line,very smooth reeling once I used it for a while, I did notice if you try to close the bail using the handle it didnt always want to close but if you closed it by hand it would Always CLOSE, which I do anyways.
The RTX didnt free spin (spin handle to take up line)like the CI4 does nor did I expect it to for its NOT a Ci4.
After giving the RTX a good test I took it apart,clean it up and re-oiled it with my own oil and it spun alot easier, but then again it still didnt feel like a Ci4 nor did I expect to.
If the Ci4 reel was a 10 on the scale I would give the RTX 30S a 6.5-7 on the scale.
If your in the market for a tight and light weight for around a $100 spinning reel I would recommend looking at this reel.
Any one interested in these reels can test drive mine any time I am up @ Everts and see for themselves.
Keep in mind the RTX is NO Shimano Ci4 reel,so if you already own a Ci4 you may not like this reel!
Any questions just ask, I will be as honest as I can on them.
Thanks for your time, Jeff
