Pro Gear Oceanus 30

[stickbom!]

Thanks for the input MarkR

[tmlim]

The Pro Gear Oceanus 30 is a nicely machined reel. But I wish it had used a lesser number of countersunk screws to fasten the parts together. By any standards, this number is excessive and may need constant care to ensure that they are faithfully fastened to avoid reel failure during harsh trips.

Best Regards and Happy 2007

[Makaira]

Another thing to add about countersunk screws -- they are like magnets to salt deposits. Always remember to run these areas under warm water at the end of every trip & dab a smidgen of corrosion X on them once in a while. As an added precaution, after every servicing, I insist that all screws that do not require a fastening agent like loctite, are coated with some grease before being being put back in place.

The area that is another source of corrosion many may not aware of that is under the reel foot. Whenever I get a new reel that has a reel foot that is held on by screws, I will unscrew the reel foot, apply a healthy coat of Corrosion X on the frame & underside ot the reel foot.
After every few trips, I will repeat the process. I never fail to find salt deposits under it.

[DaFrogman]

Mak,

Hehehehe.... Yeah I know that the Torque is a star drag, but I was kinda looking at comparable sized reels in a specific application, in this case that would be jigging... I reckon that the competing reels regardless of the drag system will be the usual players i.e the OJs, Saltiga Crew, baby Avets and of course the ABM gang.

I spoke to a mutual friend recently who told me that the internals are somewhat similar to a Torsa... interesting observation that. Am also somewhat impressed to hear from MarkR that the AR system is purely dog based and that he didn't feel any backplay.

I also do exactly what you do with removable reel feet and I just realised that I could try coating the suspect area with Liquid Rubber (Neuroprene) like the stuff I use to coat the electrical contact screws and bolts on the boat engine and battery termnals... That might hold up better over a longer period of time than the Reel-X and would not allow saltwater in as long as its coated right to the edges of the reel foot. The dried rubber is easily removed any way and has low adhesive qualities.... Always on the search for a better anticorrosion mousetrap...

MarkR, I'll join others in saying congrats on getting the reel and thanks very much for the writeup. We wait with baited (pun intended) breath for your findings. Hope you get another mucho doggy on the reel.

Y'all hang tight now and Mak it was good to finally put a face to a name.

Saimee

[scarpie]

Well written Mark, answered a few brewing questions of mine.
I lent my PG Oc30 to Jimi The Fish - my field tester who put it thru its paces with kingies to 18kg. He found the reel to jig flawlessly except the max drag (standard) is insufficient as we all know. Jimi thought that the drag lever too easily slipped from strike position to zero and there was little drag graduation between the two positions, seems like drag cam tweaking needed eh? Jimi uses a Torsa 20.

Someone mentioned the lack of a strike button - I think that if a strike button (like Boss) were used, then it would be awkward to activate it whilst wearing gloves. I quite like the current drag setup, a little like the Blue Heaven.

Overall I am getting very keen on this reel and hope my delivery eventuates soon, also the drag enhancements before my 3 Kings trip. Mark you will met Jimi on your Kings trip.

[MarkR]

Hi Chris,

Will try to gather more information on the drag upgrades/tweaks and keep you updated.

Cheers,

Mark