I would like to thank Okuma Fishing Tackle Corporation for giving me the opportunity to field test product for review.

As many companies do, Okuma had its humble beginnings as an OEM manufacturer in 1987. The founders came with decades of fishing tackle manufacturing experience, and although small, Okuma has always been a unique kind of company.

The Okuma focus is a pure a total dedication to development and raising the standards of production, with an eye always to value. Destined to become one of the premier tackle companies in the new millennium, Okuma does not look for inspiration from other manufacturers.Instead, they find inspiration in fishermen and their needs.

To open let me say in my limited exposure to using a float fishing reel, the Okuma Aventa performed beyond my expectations. For the last five years I have been a spinning rod and reel kind of guy when it came to Steelhead fishing. While standing side by side with Jay, my friend of many years, I just knew at some point I would be trying this style of fishing. So, this season my time came and I was going to give it a shot.

This year was my second, and now to be annual, Steelhead fishing trip up Minnesota's North Shore of Lake Superior, and on into Canada - where I was able to put the Okuma Aventa center pin reel through its paces.

I had the opportunity to be introduced to the awesome Steelhead by my friend Jay who will be providing the OAM publication with in depth articles on Steelhead fishing. You won't want to miss them. In future articles, Jay will share his more then 20 years of experience with Steelhead fishing in a easy to understand and enjoyable way.

Float fishing is a unique and specific technique not uncommon to British Columbia Canada. However here in the States it just hasn't caught on yet except by the diehard Steelhead fishing community. For me, this reel was a whole new level of excitement and love for Steelhead fishing. For the next decades I will make this my preferred method to catch these freight trains of the fighting stream trout.

The Okuma Aventa center pin reel is known throughout this very dedicated and knowledgeable crowd of Steelhead fisherman who are just as passionate about their tackle as any other fishermen.

The VT-1002 is a 2 ball bearing joy to use made from solid aluminum bar stock for precision spool alignment and maximum freespool. This truly adds a whole different level of smoothness and durability that you can depend on, and at times I can be pretty tuff on the equipment.

This model is available for a fraction of the cost of the typical float reel - in my opinion for a product that is very affordable as far as center pin reels at a MRSP of $149.99. You really can jump right into this most exciting and enjoyable style of fishing!

While in Canada, we had the opportunity to fish some large pools. Where I became amazed very quickly at just how I was able to drift a float easily, out 40 yards or more while still maintaining good control over the speed of drift, and the ability to keep the line tight from too much slack. Which led to quick hook sets. I found this precision reel is excellent for casting directly from the reel or for drag free drifts.

For the need to knows:

Aventa Features:

· Precision machined stainless steel spool shafts
· 1-piece Machined Rigid Frame construction
· On/Of click ratchet for added spool tension
· Machined aluminum anodized spools
· Ported spool with exposed rim for easy control
· 2 stainless steel German ball bearings
· 4.5 Diameter
· Body aluminum
· Spool Material
· Capacity 275/8

My only comment would be that you thoroughly get used to this style of fishing before, you take your next extended trip. So like me, you don't launch that brand new hot looking lure that your fishing buddy's been hooken' all the fish with into a tree on the other side of a deep icy cold stream…. and you only have hip boots…..

With time on the water it's really no more of a challenge then whipping a fly out on a fly rod or tossing your first bait caster…. some of you know what I mean - It just takes practice. But hey… more practice means more time on the water… so you just can't loose out because this is a blast once you start to get it..

For the novice looking for their fist center pin reel or even the seasoned float fishermen, with the Okuma Aventa VT-1002 and its unbeatable price, you can't go wrong.

On this trip, I was incredibly blessed to fish with a friend who has chest waters and would retrieved my snags, not once but several times. Thanks Jay. God has truly blessed me with a great friend. You have on many of our trips over the last five years been a true blessing and steelhead mentor to me. Any time on the water with the ones God has truly blessed you with, be they family… (as for me, my son who's been my fishing partner for twenty years now), or awesome friends is really what its all about anyway, ain't it ?

Just in time for this falls Steelhead run! We are pleased to offer this reel through our new online web store. So be sure to check back.

Good Hook Sets!

Mike Schultz
Outdoor Adventures Magazine