Does anyone still fish an Akios?

[latenight58]

I have the Akios 656CTM and am very happy with it.  On a good day, I can totally empty the overfilled spool on a cast.  [Photo attached: My Akios 656CTM in use at Island Beach State Park, New Jersey on June 3, 2017]

[archer292]

+1 on the omoto chief extreme....Customer service from the dealer I used was second to none. Akios not so much.

[Mike S123]

Where are you guys purchasing the Omoto reels? 

[Anchorite]

For the USA, their site shows they have a dealer in Hawaii and in CA. I've never been one to knock something before I try it, but someone is certainly doing some knocking (off) and it's a few ounces lighter with a weaker drag. I'll pay the extra 50 bucks...learned that lesson a few times over.

[Don B]

+1 on the omoto chief extreme....Customer service from the dealer I used was second to none. Akios not so much.

 

I am glad to hear the positive comment regarding Bob's Bait and Tackle. 

 

Thank you,

Don

[Don B]

Where are you guys purchasing the Omoto reels? 

 

As mentioned, there is a dealer in CA. They are limited to the Talos model reels.

 

For all other models of Omoto, we have an East Coast sales representative in New York, a performance person in San Antonio, Texas, and myself for Hawaii.

 

If available, we will try to put purchases through a dealer in the buyer's area.

 

There are several models of Omoto reels. Our warehouse in Hawaii stocks mainly Chief reels and a limited supply fly reels, jigging reels, and spinning reels.

 

Don

 

I should have mentioned, our performance person is concerned with distance casting reels and enhancements.

Edited June 6, 2017 by Don B

[caster1990]

For the USA, their site shows they have a dealer in Hawaii and in CA. I've never been one to knock something before I try it, but someone is certainly doing some knocking (off) and it's a few ounces lighter with a weaker drag. I'll pay the extra 50 bucks...learned that lesson a few times over.

Anchorite,

I hear you, and I think there is wisdom in not knocking something until I try it as well. I have learned my lesson a few times in the past like you. As mentioned earlier in the post Omoto is the OEM of several reels to include Akios, so view that as you may.

I'm careful not to label things as knock offs because 9 times out of 10 reinventing the wheel isn't what makes a product or business successful. Success usually comes from taking something that's already being done and doing it better with the end user in mind. After useing both products this is what I feel Omoto is doing.

With the mention that Omoto is lighter than Akios. To me this is another example of Omoto having the end user in mind. In a market where most end users and manufacturers both acknowledge the benefits of weight reduction. Akios went the other direction on lower end models, but will give you these benefits at a premium price.

The drags. I didn't want to comment on this until I had a chance to pull some reels apart, and as far as I can tell they are the same. Why would Akios claim a small advantage? I have no idea. I personally never lock my drags down on these reels, but if I did the range difference listed by these reels wouldn't make the difference between me catching or not catching a fish. I took some pics of the parts layout when I inspected the drags, But they dont want to post. I'll try to get them up later.