Best Conventional Reel for Surf Fishing

This is the ultimate budget Surf Fishing reel. There are only 2 magged surf fishing reels under $200, most magged surf fishing reels are over $250, some are even hard to find. Here is the Okuma Cortez 5 through 12, $180 gets you one of the best surf fishing reels you can get.

[@OkumaFishingUSA]

Awesome Carlos! Glad you are liking the Cortez reels. They are phenomenal little reels. And thank you for all the kind comments eveyrone!

[@WydJaxxy]

lower yo damn prices

[@jamesleadbeatter3632]

​@@WydJaxxy why do people say that and then get disappointed when the quality drops okuma are already not too bad

[@randystone4903]

Got me a Cortez 5 and had a little backlash with mono about every cast first time trying it out. Decades ago I used Ambassador's 6.5 magged and rarely had a backlash. From seeing this again I'll crank down the spool tensioner until I get fewer backlashes. The spool spins so fast out of the box I have no need to remove the grease it came with yet. Practice, practice, practice until I have fewer backlashes that aren't hard to repair. Like another commentor said, there's nothing sweeter than the sound of a conventional reel on a perfect cast showing your skill from practicing has paid off. I like this little tank and look forward to landing a red fish or blue cat as long as my leg. There's some hundred pound cats in my local lake I'm going to challege this summer.

[@shinestar2912]

When I get that perfect cast off a conventional reel it's like pure magic hearing that sound and getting that distance. But, when I cast and something sticks and I break off, it makes me never want to use a conventional reel again. Also When, I'm having to reel in and cast out catfish after catfish with a conventional it makes me question why I use one.

[@BeachBomberFishing]

Lmfao same here. With conventional, you either love them or hate them.

[@dunerinaz]

I have the original version of the Cortez 5CS with the red spool and handle. The reel as been fished hard and caught a lot of big fish and it has never failed me. Biggest fish was a 72 lb yellowfin tuna. Had it full of 65 lb braid and a short 40 lb mono topshot. Had to button down the drag pretty hard and it survived like a champ. I've replaced a couple bearings and replaced the drag washers but that is it. Casts like a dream too.

[@wormway_69]

Nice looking reel. I like the loud clicker!

[@Clambelly]

Another great video ! Love your reviews.

[@BasicFishingNZ]

seen this reel a few times before over the past couple of years. i would have to say its a best budget reel with a mag control although i did enjoy the penn squall

[@JEM133]

Thanks Carlos, I'm gonna be buying that #5.Maybe two. You can hear when you're experiencing professional overrun.Great vid. No matter how long you been throwing revolving spool reels,you will still nest it up.

[@BeachBomberFishing]

Exactly, it happens to us all no matter the experience. I nest at least 3 times a trip lol. I try to be as genuine as possible.

[@JEM133]

@@BeachBomberFishing Those don't make it out of the edit bay.Tight lines to you sir!

[@serpentrae]

what reel does and what do you recommend @@JEM133

[@cobio51]

Hey that's a cool reel Thanx for sharing your experience with us...

[@BeachBomberFishing]

Thanks for watching! I really appreciate it.

[@joseparras1899]

I have the older version, the red and gray, I love it. I've caught bull reds big black drums and 3 shark biggest 5 1/2 black tip it's a tank of a real..... have the size 12 reel

[@BeachBomberFishing]

Man, I love the red accent on the old one. Wish I could find one.

[@JD.California_monkey_mackerel]

Happy fishing Friday 🎣 happy new year 👍🏼 that's a big fish can you use metal Jiggs on this get up for jigging

[@JamaicanSureFishing]

Blessings Happy New Year Bud tight lines

[@BeachBomberFishing]

Thank you, same to you!

[@henrygarrison1613]

Noice advice and reel! Thanks for info, I'm with ya on reel size and drag, people are crazy on buying a reel for max drag, 15lb is crazy strong drag😅

[@jimpresley-oldfishingfool261]

I have 3 of these a 12 and two 10s. The 12 and one 10 are on 12 ft rods and the other 10 is on a 16 ft rod. 170 to 200 yards are easy with the 12 ft rods. 200 plus is possible on the 16 ft. The cast control works great and the reel gets faster the more you use it. Easily handled a 4 ft redfish and a 5 ft bull shark. Generally I try and avoid catching sharks by keeping my bait smaller 4 to 6 inch mullet max or a 1/2 crab. Trick is having the bait large enough the pin fish and hard heads leave it alone but not too big to catch a shark. I also brought in a big ass stingray. Not to fond of catching them either.

[@dennismazurek961]

Beautiful Drum

[@BeachBomberFishing]

Thanks!!

[@user-dv7hb2sc9m]

There are so many decent reels available nowadays so take your time to research them well & buy as good a quality reel as you are comfortable buying? I love spinning reels so I get a decent reel that takes care of most my fishing styles & then I make sure to grab an extra spool for it. A good balanced rod -n- reel & the reel can be with us a long time UNless you are the Beach Bomber who helps us to determine the newest stuff. Good all around family show here..... peace & GB ALL

[@freshandsaltyjohnny]

Shoot i still have mine from like 2010. Mine has anodized red parts on grey body. You want to buy it? I've used it like twice... I've converted to left hand reels and i never use it. I also have a shimano torium 14 that i would part with as well both are right hand reels with under 3 uses each. The reel i agree with you is an awesome reel for the money and loaded with features.

[@JessieR-mo5sz]

What model do you prefer out of the 5 through 12? I want to get one but unsure what model I don't want it to be to heavy I want to be able to bring in sharks and rays and occasional big fish eat.

[@castclubmike]

Always check you spool play in free spool not engaged. Not a bad reel for the price point.

[@philipsnyman1407]

Braid on a conventional reel is a brave choice. I've heard and seen to many fingers loosing some length when shit goes wrong

[@The_Ortiz]

“Well you’re not casting hard enough” 😂

[@muayadalmoosa3651]

Niice No I am tempted to get this reel and pair it with a 10ft OM for a budget rock fishing setup.

[@freshandsaltyjohnny]

I got an older red and grey one that's been sitting collecting dust, right hand retrieve that's been used maybe 5 times if you are interested.

[@AlbertThePlatypus]

SOLD! Is there any special maintenance required for a mag reel like this?

[@juanbecerril2689]

Me gusta tu estilo de pezca en que parte es yo vivo en houston que pier es disculpa

[@user-lb9pp1py7n]

Can this okuma Cortez be used for some yellowfin tuna ?

[@Nics.fishing]

Hey what rod are you using?

[@jaaron2834]

I have Okuma reels…,overall well made reels for the price point… I have the Okuma Tesoro 12S…,it’s quite unruly without a mag…..! But it can cast a country mile when my thumb is in tune with my reel… but when it’s not… it’s quite the fucking mess.. lol 😂 So I’ve decided to get a mag installed on the Tesoro 12 S…..then going back on one of the 12’ St. Croix Avid Surf ( got 2 of these) Also have an old school vintage ABU Garcia 10000C … never been used…. Swapped out the factory bearings for a set of ABEC 7 bearings….,,this is going to be interesting to say the least…🤙🤗😊😎👍

[@BeachBomberFishing]

You sent it to get magged? I was just taking apart my Tesoro 12s to static mag it myself. I was gonna make a video on how to static mag a reel.

[@jaaron2834]

@@BeachBomberFishing I haven’t done anything yet but been thinking about it ever since I got it 3 years ago and it still looks brand new … I clean my gear after every use … anyway,….about the mag video… that’s a video I will definitely watch … Been watching your videos for sometime now …. Cool stuff….😎 You know as well I do,… how to cast large distances… because we know that pulling the butt section and not so much pushing… people look at me like I have 2 heads and say,… WTF are talking about…? Funny thing is … these individuals never even come close to the distances I cast… and they also say… how do you cast so far..? My response is as always… I told you and I showed you … but you don’t listen… lmao 🤣

[@joshuafigueroa6]

Nice!

[@Clambelly]

What rods are you casting ?

[@RManuel4]

What rod would you recommend for it

[@jimcallaham1392]

picked up the 5 size, man is this thing fast. I think the mag set up is not so good. working on adding a few more mags to slow it down

[@patricksilver978]

Nice bro

[@12askalHarry]

I just bought my Cortez 5 having trouble adjusting my magnetic keep getting bird nest have it loaded with 14lb suffix

[@BeachBomberFishing]

How loose is the spool?

[@12askalHarry]

I tried everything casting with 4oz sputnik on a 12ft rod for pompano been using the Penn squall 15 for 4yrs never had an issue wanted to try the okuma cortez 5 watching your video had to pick up 1

[@texasfortytwo]

try increasing to 17 lb or 20 lb mono on the cortez 5. It should make things more controllable . Also play with spool tension. I have noticed that these reels get more controllable after some use (maybe more consistent spin ?). I degreased/lubes the bearings on the cortez 5 and get over 30 seconds spin time For what it's worth, I have the cortez 5 and the 10 . The 5 is faster and easier to control . Also easier to stop the spool for the 5. My cortez 10 was unmanageable with 14 lb mono but much easier to manage with 20 lb mono . I'm still on the fence about narrow spools (line level depletes much faster than wide spools requiring a bit of thumb work in flight to prevent line lift. On the other hand, the narrow spool with a shoulder makes it easier to thumb the spool and also easier to lay line and lighter than the larger cortez 12 spool)

[@Jp___]

wheres the pro discount code so i can order one

[@92greenebeen]

Man what rod is that?? Whats the length??

[@magicworldbyjorg]

[@rogerarmendariz7633]

In today’s economy, budget is high on list. Tks.

[@gunnerroy1]

Penn fathoms all day best for casting and magged to the hilt

[@yunghanhuang8188]

From my country Taiwan, but people here love Shimano and Daiwa only

[@566Theawesomeone]

🔥🔥

[@BeachBomberFishing]

Thanks man!

[@Moondog-vc5hr]

I have been watching your videos for a few years now any reels to give away I am into long distance casting

[@captrockh2055]

For 120 bucks, i like my old school Slosh 20, on a 12 foot penn prevail.

[@BeachBomberFishing]

Thats a good reel, but it is not magged, which is why I didn't bring it up. I have a few, I also have a sealine SHA 20.

[@brentnanita3939]

I am too rough on my gear. I would break those in a less than 10 trips to the beach. Lmao But they are great for a budget set up no doubt.

[@deejayskip4089]

Jack em up !

[@jesusisgreat58]

U using mono

[@fivepointbuddah6295]

Im guilty of buying reels that are way overkill for what i need

[@BeachBomberFishing]

Like buying an Avet Lx for bull reds lmao?