According to Okuma’s product engineers, the Azores family of spinning reels was designed to flourish in saltwater and offer special proprietary construction features that allow these reels to fulfill that destiny. All of the Azores are sturdily built, with frames, side plates and rotors that are manufactured from machined and anodized aluminum and coated with a durable corrosion resistant coating (CRC) process. While that works on the outside, where many competitive reels can make similar claims, it’s what’s on the inside where the Okuma Azores really shine. Dissimilar metals can wreak havoc on a reel’s internals, especially when you can have aluminum, brass, bronze and stainless steel components packed together inside of an aluminum housing. Introduce some heat, humidity and a dash of saltwater and you have the potential for a total disaster. Okuma engineers have designed these new saltwater spinners with a Mechanical Stabilization System (MSS) that minimizes the possibility of lesser metals inside of the gearbox falling prey to the effects of electrolysis and corrosion. The MSS features a three-piece carbon fiber construction process that stops electrolysis in its tracks. Other notable features on the Azores include a dual anti-reverse system, massive oversized spool shaft and a six-pack of stainless steel bearings that deliver both incredible strength and smoothness when turning the crank handle, which is reversible for both right-handed and southpaw anglers.
The Force Is with You
The Azores lineup includes a quintet of models that should cover all of the bases, no matter what your favorite gamefish or style of fishing. The smaller Z-40S and Z-55S both feature a high speed retrieve ratio of 5.8:1, with the three larger models offering 5.4:1 gearing. Translated, these reels can really make a lure or jig dance through the water table or skitter across the surface, with line retrieval rates that vary from 35 to 46 inches for every turn of the crank handle.
One of the other compelling reasons to consider an Okuma Azores spinning reel is the amount of drag force that you can dial in via its Dual Function Drag (DFD) with precision rotary adjustment control. According to Okuma, anglers can achieve some gamefish-stopping drag levels with these Azores, with the smallest Z-40S featuring a max drag level of 28 pounds; the Z-55S at 29 pounds; and the larger Z-65S, Z-80S and Z-90S reels all maxing out at an impressive 44 pounds of drag! I was able to get my hands on a Z-55S to get a feel for how this DFD drag system really works, and the first thing I did was take it apart to learn more.
What I ascertained from this physical inspection was that the Azores reels have a wider spool center space compared to similarly sized competitive reels, which allows them to feature larger drag and disc plates for more drag surface, hence the elevated levels of drag that are attainable across the lineup. To support this thesis, the spool diameter on my Z-55S product sample reel measured 2-1/4 inches in diameter. However, the six-pack of alternating carbonite and felt fiber discs and stainless steel drag washers measured 1-inch in diameter, which is larger than the norm for a reel of this size, but that’s not all. The Dual Force Drag system also features a super-sized 2-inch diameter carbonite fiber drag disc at the bottom of the spool under the initial drag materials that sits on an oversized spool shaft with four additional washers underneath. The DFD system allows the max drag levels (28 to 44 pounds, depending on the model) to distribute the pressure evenly over the entire length of the spool shaft for enhanced reliability during a prolonged rod and reel battle. The DFD system also allows each angler to dial in the precise amount of drag needed for that particular engagement via a positive rotary click drag adjustment knob for more exact drag settings. Saltwater is kept outside of the drag’s internals via a special Hydro Block water tight drag system.
Yet another positive feature on the Azores spinning reels is the knurled aluminum spool that allows you to direct-connect slippery super-braid fishing line without a layer of backing down under, which increases your overall line capacity. The fear of having your line spin around the spool while fighting a fish is now a distant memory, since the super-braid will dig into the raised edges of the spool. Other notable features on the entire lineup of Azores are a Quick-Set anti-reverse roller bearing plus ratchet system; dual anti-reverse systems for maximum security for sizes 55 to 90; a precision machine cut brass pinion gear; and HDGII corrosion-resistant, high density gearing.
I was able to match up my sample Azores Z-55S spinning reel to an Okuma Albacore SCT-AS-701MH rod, which is a 7-foot, medium heavy, 20- to 50-pound class carbon fiber composite rod that is a perfect match for this reel (MSRP $109.99) and is sure to find its way onto my MarCeeJay charter boat this summer as the guest rod for pitching SPRO bucktails to mahi-mahi under the lobster pot buoys.
Okuma’s new Azores spinning reels are an affordable choice for anglers looking to up their game on saltwater gamefish and there’s a size that’s perfect for all brands of fishing.
Azores Spinning Reel Specifications:
Azores Model Gear Ratio # of Bearings Weight Line Retrieve Per Turn Max Drag Mono Line Capacity MSRP
Z-40S 5.8:1 6BB; 1RB 12-oz 34.8” 28-lb 170/12-lb $109.99
Z-55S 5.8:1 6BB; 1RB 18.6-oz 39” 29-lb 240/15-lb $119.99
Z-65S 5.4:1 6BB; 1RB 24.7-oz 42” 44-lb 310/15-lb $129.99
Z-80S 5.4:1 6BB; 1RB 25.5-oz 46” 44-lb 420/15-lb $129.99
Z-90S 5.4:1 6BB; 1RB 25.5-oz 46” 44-lb 550/15-lb $129.99
