Okuma’s Greatest Spinning Reel Yet!

Okuma’s Greatest Spinning Reel Yet!

I’ve tested 100’s of spinning reels for this column, including lots from the Okuma Range, and I’m happy to say they have raised the bar significantly with the new RTX pro.

First impressions are…well…impressive, the reel is extremely silky smooth to wind and is so light yet solid feeling and comfortable to hold.

But for me it is the extended test in a wide variety of elements that separates the show ponies from the thoroughbreds.  The RTX series has proved to be the later: 8 months of testing from freezing nights on the Snowy Lakes, to extreme heat, humidity and salt spray in the tropics the reel hasn’t faltered.  Basic cleaning and maintenance is all that has been required….

The RTX pros in their various sizes have pulled in everything from humungous brown trout and golden perch in the fresh, to snapper XL jewfish and barra in the salt.

The reel has even handled some punishment from my dad Tony: an old school handliner who is un intentionally rough on gear.  He has big beat up welders hands and can’t feel as well as many of us, and is a harsher critic than me, but even he loves these reels…

Predominately constructed of Okuma’s C-40X elongated carbon fibre material, Okuma’s RTX Pro delivers a 25% reduction in weight and 50% increase in strength over traditional graphite reels of a comparable class, drastically reducing body flex commonly found in lesser reels.

Internally the RTX Pro features Okuma’s custom multi-disc carbonite drag stack with Hydro Bloc watertight seal; and a 7HP bearing system with quick-set anti-reverse. Okuma’s EOS aluminum gearing is incorporated to increase smoothness, longevity; and to assist in achieving additional weight reduction on top of the impressive C-40X construction.

Additionally these reels have a one-piece aluminum bail wire; a machined two-tone aluminum spool; and a practical lightweight EVA handle knob.

The RTX Pro comes complete with a Lifetime Guarantee.

Highly recommended; get in a tackle store and have a feel for yourself.

Whaler shark study to help inform management arrangements

A study investigating ways to reduce unwanted catch and any environmental impacts of the large shark fishery in NSW is continuing with a number of tagged sharks being monitored in ocean waters.

The study will be led by NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) shark scientists, Dr Vic Peddemors, and Dr. Paul Butcher. 
“The Shark Futures: sustainable management of the NSW whaler shark fishery project is taking a deeper look at the ecology, population, movements and distribution of Sandbar and Dusky Whaler sharks and how best to manage whaler shark stocks in NSW waters,” Dr Butcher said.
“The two-year project, based out of Coffs Harbour in NSW, also aims to develop a fishing technique that will decrease mortality of unwanted species, particularly threatened and protected species and to minimise the environmental impact of the fishery.
“So far, we have been able to obtain an extensive set of samples to evaluate, with 50 Sandbar and Dusky Whaler sharks tagged with acoustic transmitters and 16 sharks fitted with satellite tags. A further eleven species of sharks have been tagged with external dart tags.
“The use of acoustic and satellite telemetry will assist in the development of potential spatial management options.” 

The project builds on ongoing research investigating the biology of the shark species targeted by NSW commercial fisheries and aims to enhance the sustainability of the fishery to ensure ongoing livelihoods. Dr Vic Peddemors said the study will also try to determine whether Sandbar and Dusky Whaler sharks found in NSW are part of the same stock that occur in Queensland and whether an effective population size can be calculated using modern genetic techniques.

“This information will help in determining whether these sharks should be managed separately by each state or collaboratively and whether independent estimates of biomass can be made,” Dr Peddemors said. 
“It is the last piece in the puzzle to help manage on-going, long-term sustainable shark fishing in NSW waters.”

The project is set to be completed later this year.

Funding for the Shark Futures: sustainable management of the NSW whaler shark fishery project, is provided by NSW DPI and the Fisheries Research & Development Corporation on behalf of the Australian government, with support from the University of Queensland and the Australian Animal Tagging & Monitoring System.

Rob Paxevanos,
Author Australian Fishing Basics