Bluewater Fishing Expedition

rascal · 25-09-2006, 11:47 PM

Howdy folks! Just saw this on Charkbait n thought it look very familiar. Anyway, the following is from Charkbait...

"The Oceanus is a leverdrag, with good freespool performance. It incorporates a one piece machined aluminum frame, seven stainless steel ball bearings, a stainless steel main and pinion gear, and large drag made from state of the art fibers. The drag is "wet" for added smoothness in operation. The reel features a 4.9:1 gear ratio, with a line capacity of 300 yards of 30# mono. (That spec was based upon spooling with Izor First String - which is not the skinniest line out there...just one of the toughest. So, that spec is VERY conservative.) The reel will produce a consistent 14#'s of drag and button down in the low 20's. The Oceanus 30 weighs 25 ounces, making it a relatively light reel capable of hefty performance."

MarkR · 26-09-2006, 12:03 AM

Thanks for the heads up bro! Been waiting for this reel

MarkR · 26-09-2006, 12:16 AM

Not bad looking and pretty attractive price, that Charkbait guy sure has a thing against Shimano!

rascal · 26-09-2006, 12:29 AM

Yah! He dropped Shimano or vice versa last year and has nothing good to say bout them since. I'm trying to find more info on this reel, maybe u can help here. Does this reel employ a ratchet/dog anti-reverse only or does it also have the anti-reverse bearing? Can't seem to find more info on the reel anywhere... It looks a little like the Ryobi/Studio OceanMark doesn't it?

MarkR · 26-09-2006, 12:39 AM

Hi Rascal,

From what I have heard the reel has 2 AR dogs and a 1-way bearing. Yes, very similar to the blue heaven in outward appearence but internally quite different. Line capacity is somewhere between that of a 665N and blue heaven. This must be the single drag plate design for the USA.

DaFrogman · 26-09-2006, 11:00 AM

Rascal,

Muchos Gracias for the info.

Just a quick heads up on a link to the Charkbait offer which is in their weekly specials section and not in the Pro Gear section....

http://www.charkbait.com/specials.htm

And yes, Mark the owner of Charkbait has a few "Issues" with Shimano....

Also pricing wise, it looks to be around US$230 or S$370....

I reckon that if it has both twin AR dogs and an AR bearing with a form factor like a 665, this will be a sweeeeettttt reel to have.... Sighhhh just when I said to myself last night that I have "enough" tackle.

Saimee

scarpie · 26-09-2006, 06:17 PM

Yeah looks neat! 20lb of drag is quite minimal, do i read it right that the USA version has only one drag washer (not to upset Accurate) and others will have twin drags? Twin drags will be sweet. Damn, another must-have reel!

stickbom! · 26-09-2006, 08:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaFrogman

Rascal,

Muchos Gracias for the info.

Just a quick heads up on a link to the Charkbait offer which is in their weekly specials section and not in the Pro Gear section....

http://www.charkbait.com/specials.htm

And yes, Mark the owner of Charkbait has a few "Issues" with Shimano....

Also pricing wise, it looks to be around US$230 or S$370....

I reckon that if it has both twin AR dogs and an AR bearing with a form factor like a 665, this will be a sweeeeettttt reel to have.... Sighhhh just when I said to myself last night that I have "enough" tackle.

Saimee

wow! S$370! thats really very affordable!!

Makaira · 28-09-2006, 09:56 AM

They should have given more thought to the name "Oce-anus". If this reel doesn't work out well ....... I see it being the "butt" of endless cruel jokes!!!

Jokes aside, at those prices, I see it as being a serious competitor to Avet. A fully CNC machined leverdrag reel, with or without AR bearing and at those prices, albeit without "super-human" drags, gets my vote anyday.

MarkR · 28-09-2006, 11:09 AM

A reliable source tells me to wait for the second production run and twin drag version of the Oceanus.

DaFrogman · 08-10-2006, 02:22 AM

Just read a very "interesting" thread relating to the Oceanus.

I will be watching this one closely to see how Progear handle it. I would not expect a manufacturer as established as Progear to handle this particular incident with anything less than a full explanation.

Check it out at;

http://www.westcoastangler.com/phpbb...pic.php?t=1850

It looks like the press fit for the threaded studs on the reel foot failed completely... first time I have seen this. Note that the reel looks to be mounted in a heavy duty Fuji GRAPHITE Reel Seat and yet the reel seat survived the force.

I really hope that this is a one off factory defect and if it isn't, that Progear figures out and rapidly rectifies the screwup on an otherwise really nice looking reel.

Saimee

Makaira · 08-10-2006, 09:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaFrogman

I really hope that this is a one off factory defect and if it isn't, that Progear figures out and rapidly rectifies the screwup on an otherwise really nice looking reel.

Saimee

I certainly hope so because the jiggers in this part of the world use considerably higher drag settings. IMHO, I suspect it is a design flaw. Granted, the screws or studs holding down the reel seat should be much stronger, but I think this is the result of a complete failure of the reel clamping system. I am still trying to figure out what those two perfect round holes are ...... did the frame totally fail at those two points & the reel studs simply gave way?? Pretty scary. It will be very interesting to see how Pro Gear handles this situation.

Is it only me or does that reel seat look like a piece of stamped metal and not a piece of machined aluminium? If it is the former, other than possibly introductory pricing, it certainly goes towards explaining how they can price the reel relatively lower than the competition.

Having said that, the picture posted there certainly shows that this reel is well thought out. The frame struts or crossbars are convex to take care of improper line lay when fighting the biggies -- less chances of the "mountain" jamming on the frame when the shock leader comes into the spool. The only other reel I know of that has this feature is the ultra-expensive Daiwa game reel.

stickbom! · 08-10-2006, 10:10 AM

Heeeeeeeeeng ah! was trying to decide between the 113HN and the Ocea-anus

Well I think if PG is smart, they'll remedy the fault right away... remember the 1st generation Avet SXs? It's reel foot had the habit of coming loose too. After a while Avet sorted out the bug and the SX is now still one of the hottest selling pocket rockets

Daveirving · 09-10-2006, 12:08 PM

Damn not a good start!

I will email this link to Randy at PG....hope he can sort the problem out!

The Asian version will be ready in a few months, had a play with one the other night, but they are still testing it. It will be a 4:1 retrieve rather than 4.9:1 and the cost will be slightly (not much) higher than the US model.

I guess AG's testing will be a bit more thorough as these guys certainly abuse their reels!

Hope they sort out this problem

Cheers

Dave

Makaira · 09-10-2006, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Makaira

I am still trying to figure out what those two perfect round holes are ...... did the frame totally fail at those two points & the reel studs simply gave way??

Had a closer look at the closeup photo again. It appears that the two reel studs are fastened to the reel seat and not the reel frame!!! Not exactly the strongest connection for a reel that is meant for high drag fishing.

rascal · 09-10-2006, 07:59 PM

Interesting observation guys. It'll be interesting to see how ProGear rectifies this.
BTW Dave, besides the gear ratio and price, are there any other differences between the Asian and the American version?

Cheers!

DaFrogman · 10-10-2006, 01:58 AM

Mak,

Thats a real good observation on the reel clamp studs. The absence of the seat rivets and spacers on the two other holes also leads me to think that those two missing rivets may have given way first, leading to the other two to be sheared off and left on the seat as shown in the picture.

I just had a look at my OJ4K reel seat and it seems to use a similar rivet + spacer mounting for the reel seat whereas the reel clamp studs mount direct to the reel frame.

After looking at the OJ, something else came to mind. The PG rivet spacers look have a countersunk machined position that fits the spacers. Could it be that the countersinking process left that section of the frame a bit thin to accomodate the rivets, causing the rivet heads to be pulled through the frame?....

Ahhh well much better minds than mine will solve this one and I'm sure that Randy at PG will work fast to fix whatever the problem is and if there is a problem, the Taiwan boys will replicate it in short order.

Saimee

Daveirving · 10-10-2006, 10:19 AM

Hi Rascal

Think the Asian version will have a much more powerful drag to suit any "super human" water-skier, but apart from that nothing different to what has already been said on here.

I think certainly worth waiting for the Asian version as it will also give them time to sort out this problem.

Have a chat with the guys from Fishing Buddy if you need to know more, as they will be the agent for these in Singapore.

Will let you guys know when/if I get a reply from PG.

Cheers

Dave

rascal · 11-10-2006, 07:20 PM

Thanks for the info Dave.
I've just visited the West Coast Angler site. Pro Gear has a fix for the problem, it's in the form of an upgrade kit and will be available next month. The upgrade consists of a new spool, new cam and a new frame. Though there are no pictures of the upgrades I think the observations u guys made are pretty much spot on since a new frame is needed.

Anyway here's the link again http://www.westcoastangler.com/phpbb...pic.php?t=1850.

jerk · 06-12-2006, 09:32 AM

any update?

scarpie · 21-12-2006, 04:04 PM

I know that Fishing Buddy has stock now. I spoke to Danny at PG and he was very vague & uncertain about the twin drag Asian version coming out. The drags are very modest around 15lb, they use their own priority carbonfibre drag material. I can see some AG modifications coming along because 15 - 20lb drag is simply not enough & the handle is too short.

Anybody had a chance to fondle one yet?

MarkR · 21-12-2006, 05:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scarpie

I know that Fishing Buddy has stock now. I spoke to Danny at PG and he was very vague & uncertain about the twin drag Asian version coming out. The drags are very modest around 15lb, they use their own priority carbonfibre drag material. I can see some AG modifications coming along because 15 - 20lb drag is simply not enough & the handle is too short.

Anybody had a chance to fondle one yet?

Hi Chris,

Fishing Buddy has ran out of stock of the Oceanus. The reels they brought in are now in Fremantle undergoing the gruelling Samson test

The lot they brought in is apparently the "final" non-Asian version with upgraded drag cam, thrust bearing, frame etc. Think this version is capable of 23lb of max drag.

Best regards,

Mark

scarpie · 21-12-2006, 05:39 PM

Now I remember, William is jigging with AG and hopefully testing that reel to the extreme. Hope they get all the bugs out of it before I make my order! Yup, 23lb max drag is a trifle light. I wonder if carbontex might make any difference and also if there is a stock drag washer from Smooth drag that will improve things further? Expecting my sample soon - before Xmas perhaps?

jerk · 21-12-2006, 10:16 PM

it better be before xmas! neck very long already!

MarkR · 22-12-2006, 10:04 AM

Hi Chris,

Yes, hope they get all the bugs straightened out and increase the max drag as well. Think they have an upgrade kit in the pipeline for this existing version to turn it into a twin drag Asian model with hopefully higher max drag...don't know when that will be though! Will be waiting anxiously for William's report.

Have a great X'mas

Mark

26-09-2006, 12:29 AM	#4
rascal Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: SG Posts: 87 My Mood: Rep Power: 4	Yah! He dropped Shimano or vice versa last year and has nothing good to say bout them since. I'm trying to find more info on this reel, maybe u can help here. Does this reel employ a ratchet/dog anti-reverse only or does it also have the anti-reverse bearing? Can't seem to find more info on the reel anywhere... It looks a little like the Ryobi/Studio OceanMark doesn't it? __________________ May your rods outnumber her shoes!

26-09-2006, 11:00 AM	#6
DaFrogman Moderator Join Date: May 2005 Location: Brunei Posts: 759 My Mood: Rep Power: 4	Rascal, Muchos Gracias for the info. Just a quick heads up on a link to the Charkbait offer which is in their weekly specials section and not in the Pro Gear section.... http://www.charkbait.com/specials.htm And yes, Mark the owner of Charkbait has a few "Issues" with Shimano.... Also pricing wise, it looks to be around US$230 or S$370.... I reckon that if it has both twin AR dogs and an AR bearing with a form factor like a 665, this will be a sweeeeettttt reel to have.... Sighhhh just when I said to myself last night that I have "enough" tackle. Saimee __________________ "...a man only hears what he wants to hear and disregards the rest..." Simon & Garfunkel "The Boxer"

08-10-2006, 02:22 AM	#11
DaFrogman Moderator Join Date: May 2005 Location: Brunei Posts: 759 My Mood: Rep Power: 4	Just read a very "interesting" thread relating to the Oceanus. I will be watching this one closely to see how Progear handle it. I would not expect a manufacturer as established as Progear to handle this particular incident with anything less than a full explanation. Check it out at; http://www.westcoastangler.com/phpbb...pic.php?t=1850 It looks like the press fit for the threaded studs on the reel foot failed completely... first time I have seen this. Note that the reel looks to be mounted in a heavy duty Fuji GRAPHITE Reel Seat and yet the reel seat survived the force. I really hope that this is a one off factory defect and if it isn't, that Progear figures out and rapidly rectifies the screwup on an otherwise really nice looking reel. Saimee __________________ "...a man only hears what he wants to hear and disregards the rest..." Simon & Garfunkel "The Boxer"

09-10-2006, 07:59 PM	#16
rascal Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: SG Posts: 87 My Mood: Rep Power: 4	Interesting observation guys. It'll be interesting to see how ProGear rectifies this. BTW Dave, besides the gear ratio and price, are there any other differences between the Asian and the American version? Cheers! __________________ May your rods outnumber her shoes!

10-10-2006, 01:58 AM	#17
DaFrogman Moderator Join Date: May 2005 Location: Brunei Posts: 759 My Mood: Rep Power: 4	Mak, Thats a real good observation on the reel clamp studs. The absence of the seat rivets and spacers on the two other holes also leads me to think that those two missing rivets may have given way first, leading to the other two to be sheared off and left on the seat as shown in the picture. I just had a look at my OJ4K reel seat and it seems to use a similar rivet + spacer mounting for the reel seat whereas the reel clamp studs mount direct to the reel frame. After looking at the OJ, something else came to mind. The PG rivet spacers look have a countersunk machined position that fits the spacers. Could it be that the countersinking process left that section of the frame a bit thin to accomodate the rivets, causing the rivet heads to be pulled through the frame?.... Ahhh well much better minds than mine will solve this one and I'm sure that Randy at PG will work fast to fix whatever the problem is and if there is a problem, the Taiwan boys will replicate it in short order. Saimee __________________ "...a man only hears what he wants to hear and disregards the rest..." Simon & Garfunkel "The Boxer"

Bluewater Fishing Expedition

Pro Gear Oceanus 30

Pro Gear Oceanus 30

26-09-2006, 12:03 AM	#2
MarkR Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Singapore Posts: 1,074 My Mood: Rep Power: 6	Thanks for the heads up bro! Been waiting for this reel

26-09-2006, 12:16 AM	#3
MarkR Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Singapore Posts: 1,074 My Mood: Rep Power: 6	Not bad looking and pretty attractive price, that Charkbait guy sure has a thing against Shimano!

26-09-2006, 12:39 AM	#5
MarkR Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Singapore Posts: 1,074 My Mood: Rep Power: 6	Hi Rascal, From what I have heard the reel has 2 AR dogs and a 1-way bearing. Yes, very similar to the blue heaven in outward appearence but internally quite different. Line capacity is somewhere between that of a 665N and blue heaven. This must be the single drag plate design for the USA.

26-09-2006, 06:17 PM	#7
scarpie Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: scarieville Posts: 52 Rep Power: 4	Yeah looks neat! 20lb of drag is quite minimal, do i read it right that the USA version has only one drag washer (not to upset Accurate) and others will have twin drags? Twin drags will be sweet. Damn, another must-have reel!

28-09-2006, 09:56 AM	#9
Makaira Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Singapore Posts: 739 Rep Power: 5	They should have given more thought to the name "Oce-anus". If this reel doesn't work out well ....... I see it being the "butt" of endless cruel jokes!!! Jokes aside, at those prices, I see it as being a serious competitor to Avet. A fully CNC machined leverdrag reel, with or without AR bearing and at those prices, albeit without "super-human" drags, gets my vote anyday.

28-09-2006, 11:09 AM	#10
MarkR Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Singapore Posts: 1,074 My Mood: Rep Power: 6	A reliable source tells me to wait for the second production run and twin drag version of the Oceanus.

08-10-2006, 10:10 AM	#13
stickbom! Super Moderator Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Eastern Sider Posts: 2,028 My Mood: Rep Power: 7	Heeeeeeeeeng ah! was trying to decide between the 113HN and the Ocea-anus Well I think if PG is smart, they'll remedy the fault right away... remember the 1st generation Avet SXs? It's reel foot had the habit of coming loose too. After a while Avet sorted out the bug and the SX is now still one of the hottest selling pocket rockets

09-10-2006, 12:08 PM	#14
Daveirving Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Yokohama Posts: 53 Rep Power: 4	Damn not a good start! I will email this link to Randy at PG....hope he can sort the problem out! The Asian version will be ready in a few months, had a play with one the other night, but they are still testing it. It will be a 4:1 retrieve rather than 4.9:1 and the cost will be slightly (not much) higher than the US model. I guess AG's testing will be a bit more thorough as these guys certainly abuse their reels! Hope they sort out this problem Cheers Dave

10-10-2006, 10:19 AM	#18
Daveirving Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Yokohama Posts: 53 Rep Power: 4	Hi Rascal Think the Asian version will have a much more powerful drag to suit any "super human" water-skier, but apart from that nothing different to what has already been said on here. I think certainly worth waiting for the Asian version as it will also give them time to sort out this problem. Have a chat with the guys from Fishing Buddy if you need to know more, as they will be the agent for these in Singapore. Will let you guys know when/if I get a reply from PG. Cheers Dave

11-10-2006, 07:20 PM	#19
rascal Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: SG Posts: 87 My Mood: Rep Power: 4	Thanks for the info Dave. I've just visited the West Coast Angler site. Pro Gear has a fix for the problem, it's in the form of an upgrade kit and will be available next month. The upgrade consists of a new spool, new cam and a new frame. Though there are no pictures of the upgrades I think the observations u guys made are pretty much spot on since a new frame is needed. Anyway here's the link again http://www.westcoastangler.com/phpbb...pic.php?t=1850. __________________ May your rods outnumber her shoes!

06-12-2006, 09:32 AM	#20
jerk Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: ??? Posts: 149 Rep Power: 4	Re: Pro Gear Oceanus 30 any update?

21-12-2006, 04:04 PM	#21
scarpie Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: scarieville Posts: 52 Rep Power: 4	Re: Pro Gear Oceanus 30 I know that Fishing Buddy has stock now. I spoke to Danny at PG and he was very vague & uncertain about the twin drag Asian version coming out. The drags are very modest around 15lb, they use their own priority carbonfibre drag material. I can see some AG modifications coming along because 15 - 20lb drag is simply not enough & the handle is too short. Anybody had a chance to fondle one yet?

21-12-2006, 05:39 PM	#23
scarpie Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: scarieville Posts: 52 Rep Power: 4	Re: Pro Gear Oceanus 30 Now I remember, William is jigging with AG and hopefully testing that reel to the extreme. Hope they get all the bugs out of it before I make my order! Yup, 23lb max drag is a trifle light. I wonder if carbontex might make any difference and also if there is a stock drag washer from Smooth drag that will improve things further? Expecting my sample soon - before Xmas perhaps?

21-12-2006, 10:16 PM	#24
jerk Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: ??? Posts: 149 Rep Power: 4	Re: Pro Gear Oceanus 30 it better be before xmas! neck very long already!

22-12-2006, 10:04 AM	#25
MarkR Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Singapore Posts: 1,074 My Mood: Rep Power: 6	Re: Pro Gear Oceanus 30 Hi Chris, Yes, hope they get all the bugs straightened out and increase the max drag as well. Think they have an upgrade kit in the pipeline for this existing version to turn it into a twin drag Asian model with hopefully higher max drag...don't know when that will be though! Will be waiting anxiously for William's report. Have a great X'mas Mark