NZ Fishing World

Feeding the bait - Okuma Coronado 40 BF

Reels with a baitfeeder mode give anglers a huge advantage, particularly when targeting snapper. The new Coronado range of spin reels from Okuma fills this niche beautifully. With solid construction without being too heavy, they do the job well. Okuma has patented the baitfeeder system which is smooth and complements the most important function – the drag. Dual felt washers deliver a silky drag which can put serious grunt onto the biggest of fish. For example, the three sizes can apply drag up to 9kg for the Coronado 40, 11kg for the Coronado 55 and 15kg on the biggest model, the Coronado 80.

While baitfeeder reels are commonly used for casting floating baits when straylining in shallow water, they can also be employed when bottom dunking, like in the Rangitoto Channel. It is always a good idea to cast a tough bait like fresh yellowtail well down current away from the boat, and leave it in baitfeeder mode so a fish can swim away with the bait. This usually produces the biggest snapper of the day. We found the Coronado 40 ideal for this – you simply start winding to flick the drag on, keep winding until you feel the weight of the fish, and you are in business.

Key features: Patented on/off auto trip bait feeder system, Precision Dual Force Drag System, multi-disk Japanese oiled felt drag washers, 5 corrosion resistant stainless bearings, one Quick-Set Anti-Reverse Roller Bearing, precision machine cut pinion gear, CRC corrosion resistant coating process, ADC Aluminium Drag Chamber precision spool system, Patented Elliptical Oscillation System, rigid forged aluminium screw-in handle design, Hydro Block water tight drag seal, oversized aluminium bail wire, narrow blade body design, RES II computer balanced rotor equalising system.

Okuma Coronado 40 BF

Speed: 4.5:1

Capacity: 170m / 0.30mm

Ball Bearings: 4+1

Max Drag: 9kg

RRP $149.00

Photographed by Mat Hewetson