MA-20DLXT New Magda Linecounter Reel

Got this reel to give as a Christmas gift. Opened reel to check it out for functionality. Appears to be working as advertised. More to follow. I was so impressed with the first I bought a 2nd. Reels to be spooled with 25lb test on 6’6” ugly stiks. 20lb fluorocarbon leaders then attached to the main line. More to follow. Loved the reels so much I bought a 3rd. I had a basspro depthmaster that I really like so I bought a 2nd to pair with it trolling. That new reel was redesigned from the first and was , in my opinion, 3 steps backwards from the original design. Was so bad thatI returned it a bought this 3rd Okumma. Bang for the buck, the Okumma is a great reel!

All of below

I've been using these Okuma counter reels, trolling our lakes for trout, for years. They work very well. Maybe this new one needs to be broken in, but the drag isn't as smooth as I expect. Overall a good reel to use, though.

When I received my 2 reels the drag on one did not work at all, it was like there was not one installed. Amazon immediately resent the order and I was able to get a good one and send the others back. I have fished several times with the reels and they work fine but the drag on both are not as smooth as I am use to and I'm not sure how they will work when I hang into a 10-20 fish. They are just $50 reels and maybe I got what I paid for, time will tell. I have caught many trout with them and the reels worked fine but they have all been under 3lbs. I will be steelhead fishing in a few weeks and if the reels hold up to a 10-12lbs steelhead these reels will be a great deal. Since my review I have had the opportunity to put these reels to the test and I have to say they passed with flying colors. I bought two 15 DXT's and have caught many 5-15 pound fish and the reel did it's job perfectly. I have to admit that I have been looking at other reels that cost more money because I want a couple more for salmon fishing the great lakes but I can't justify spending more money on reels when these Okuma reels do the same job for less than half the price. It is a great deal and I am going to order two DXT 20's. P.S. I have changed my rating from a 3 to a 5 stars.

Really nice reel for salmon

I have been using these reels as an affordable option on lake trolling setups for salmon and trout fishing for going on two decades. Bought these new ones to add a few more to my arsenal since I have now have a bigger boat. Overall I am satisfied but certainly not wowed. The older Magda Pro 20’s I have seem to be of better construction and operate more consistently. The aesthetics of the current model is more stylish and the handle fits better in my hand, but this is only better than the prior design if you consider more plastic to be an improvement. Operation has been compromised by what appear to be changes made to reduce manufacturing costs. The free spool lever jams frequently requiring the retrieve handle to be moved to reposition the spool to permit it to be engaged, which is a wicked PITA when letting out line. Also the drag adjustment is tight, even when adjusted all the way out there is considerable drag pressure on the spool such that it can’t be set to allow a fish to easily take line after a strike, and the two new reels don’t work the same in this regard, both are tight but one is worse than the other. Has me considering replacing them with something else but any reasonable alternative would cost two to three times more money, so I rate this good value for the $$$ but far from spectacular. Functional, barely, but that’s about it.

This reel works great and no issues with line counter

OKUMA gear is quality at a great price. From Trout to Sockeye. These reels are great for trolling.