Tokushima Spinning Reel - Improved Technology 2025
FloridaFishinFool reply :
I recently posted in another thread about how much I like and enjoy using my new Tokushima HK3000 spinning reel made in China.
I was immediately called into question as to how in the world can some cheap Chinese knock-off reel be any good, and that everyone should beware of buying one just because it is Chinese, but rather put your money down on a new Shimano stradic or similar. So I thought I would start a thread about why Tokushima is leaving Shimano in the dust.
First, take a look at the new Tokushima reel made in China. It is a work of art and one beautiful reel. But what is on the inside makes it even better!
This reel comes stock with 13 ball bearings + 1 AR bearing for a smooth, easy to operate reel.
HoosierHawgs reply :
That's a lot! I heard once that it is more important to have more bearings in a spinning vs casting reel because the way the washers are stacked... Is this true?
FloridaFishinFool reply :
First let's take a look inside a brand new nearly $400.00 dollar Shimano Stradic ST3000FI.
Shimano has not improved the rotor mount for some of their spinning reels in decades. It is the same old design you find in their cheaper reels, and you find it here in this nearly $400.00 stradic- only one ball bearing #10320 to support the rotor from wobbling when spinning. Closer to the rotor you will find a one-way AR bearing mounted inside the clutch assembly. These two bearings is all there is on a $400.00 Shimano stradic reel to prevent wobble in the spinning rotor:
Now take a look inside the all new Tokushima Chinese reel. Their engineers have improved upon the rotor mount by adding an extra ball bearing strategically placed even closer to the rotor. Now the AR bearing is sandwiched in between 2 ball bearings of the same size, so that when you are fighting a big fish and tighten down on the drag, the AR bearing is not taking any of the side pressure as you would experience with the old worn-out shimano design. With the way shimano designs this part of the reel, over time, the rotors get more and more loose and wobbly, but that can not happen with the new innovative Tokushima design:
The superior engineering in the Tokushima design should be quite obvious to all who see it. Those two ball bearings will now carry all of the weight of the rotor and maintain it far more rigidly than the shimano design. With the shimano design you will wear the AR bearing at angles under pressure of fighting fish, while the Tokushima design completely eliminates that problem and provides a far superior mount for rotor stability.
The new shimano stradic is priced at near $400.00, while the Tokushima reel shown above is only $40.00 with free shipping included. For me, it is a no brainer, and this is not the only improvement Tokushima designed into their reels! There is much more.
Tywithay reply :
Beautiful is subjective, reminds me of the ugly old Ardent elite. What quality materials are used to make this $40 knock off? What are the drag washers made of? If the bearings are of typical quality used in knock off reels, it just has 13 pieces of junk in it.
I've seen threads on this brand of reels while searching stuff in the past and read stories of AR bearings failing, bearings seizing up, handles breaking off, etc. In most instances, you get what you pay for.
FYI: The Stradic 3000FI retailed for $149.99, when it came out.
Tywithay reply :
On 1/6/2015 at 7:55 AM, jakob1010 said:That's a lot! I heard once that it is more important to have more bearings in a spinning vs casting reel because the way the washers are stacked... Is this true?
Not true at all.
ABW reply :
I mean you get what you pay for so there must be a catch to it...
and from what I see Stradic's don't cost 400 dollars.
Rather buy a well known, quality reel than waste your money trying to buy a bunch of cheap ones.
FloridaFishinFool reply :
Well the main frame is solid anodized aluminum. And the sides are cross-fiber molded carbon graphite. The drag washers are standard felt.
My reel is easier to turn than any of my 5 president reels also made in China, and it is extremely smooth. It is well built and I am now on season 2 with it and I love it!
FloridaFishinFool reply :
On 1/6/2015 at 8:03 AM, asianboywonder said:I mean you get what you pay for so there must be a catch to it...
and from what I see Stradic's don't cost 400 dollars.
Rather buy a well known, quality reel than waste your money trying to buy a bunch of cheap ones.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Shimano-Stradic-6000F-J-Spin-Reel-Tremendous-Amount-Of-Cranking-Power-/181585171324?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2a4751d37c
http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-2014-Shimano-Stradic-CI4-FA-2500-3000-4000-front-drag-reels-STCI4-/111326378086?pt=UK_BOI_Packing_Postal_Supplies_Labels_LE&var=&hash=item19eb91b866
I got my prices off ebay. my mistake. Price it how you want to.
A lot of people like the pflueger president reels. This one is superior- and cheaper too.
HoosierHawgs reply :
On 1/6/2015 at 8:01 AM, Tywithay said:Not true at all.
I guess I'd been mistaken! Thanks for clearing it up!
adam32 reply :
I always get a kick out of people saying that shimanos bearings are so superior to the bearings in cheaper reels. So reels with a higher number count of bearings must use junk bearings. The ONLY bearings I've ever had fail were in shimano reels and a few daiwa line roller bearings.
Having said that I would rather have a one stradic over ten of those Tokushima reels.
Tywithay reply :
On 1/6/2015 at 8:05 AM, FloridaFishinFool said:Well the main frame is solid anodized aluminum. And the sides are cross-fiber molded carbon graphite. The drag washers are standard felt.
My reel is easier to turn than any of my 5 president reels also made in China, and it is extremely smooth. It is well built and I am now on season 2 with it and I love it!
After looking deeper into it, the side plate covers are nylon 6-6 and fiberglass, not graphite; they're just painted to look like carbon fiber. It doesn't have a thread-in handle, it has a shaft-through, which is an inferior design. The 3000 also weighs over 10oz, not really practical for most bass-sized rods. Cheap zinc alloy gears. Having a hard time deciphering some of the pictures, but it also has some kind of copper gear, which is unsuitable for most fishing, especially saltwater.
Tywithay reply :
On 1/6/2015 at 8:32 AM, adam32 said:I always get a kick out of people saying that shimanos bearings are so superior to the bearings in cheaper reels. So reels with a higher number count of bearings must use junk bearings. The ONLY bearings I've ever had fail were in shimano reels and a few daiwa roller bearings.
The bearings he's comparing to are in a Stradic and they're ARB. By most standards, they're pretty good bearings. Not all reels with a high bearing count are junk, but when you spend $40 for a reel with 13 bearings, it's not going to have even decent bearings.
FloridaFishinFool reply :
On 1/6/2015 at 8:33 AM, Tywithay said:After looking deeper into it, the side plate covers are nylon 6-6 and fiberglass, not graphite; they're just painted to look like carbon fiber. It doesn't have a thread-in handle, it has a shaft-through, which is an inferior design. The 3000 also weighs over 10oz, not really practical for most bass-sized rods. Cheap zinc alloy gears. Having a hard time deciphering some of the pictures, but it also has some kind of copper gear, which is unsuitable for most fishing, especially saltwater.
http://www.aliexpress.com/item/Spinning-reel-Fishing-reel-Tokushima-HK3000-Aluminium-alloy-folding-rocker-arm-14-precision-Ball-Bearing/2028736953.html
Well if they are "painted" that is one heck of a nice paint job and someone spent a lot of time getting that pattern to look just right without flaw.
I just did a search too and everything I keep finding is saying it is carbon graphite, not painted nylon but it could be a carbon graphite laminate over top of another material. Also, I am not planning on using it in salt water and I have not seen it advertised as a salt water tolerant reel, so that is irrelevant to me and does not diminish what I think of the reel. If it does for you, then OK, so be it. I have used this reel now for over a year for bass fishing and I love it! I have put some of my shimano and pflueger president reels away and use this one now, and I am about to buy some more of them to replace more of my shimano reels.
Category: Front Drag Spinning Reel Fishing Method: Spinning Brand Name: Tokushima Fishing Reels Type: Pre-Loading Spinning Wheel Model Number: HK3000 Brand : Tokushima: Models : HK3000 Bearing: 13 BB + 1RB: Precision forging anticorrosive aluminium alloy spool The metal body: CNC Aluminium alloy folding rocker arm Ultrathin carbon fiber fiber surface: Copper toothed bar double bearing system
Product description:
Alonerankin2 reply :
Why are you pushing this reel so hard? Just curious...
aavery2 reply :
Pflueger uses the same double bearing holding system, as do most of the ABU spinning reels.
J Francho reply :
Looks like screen printed carbon fiber. Could also be "dipped," like those college mascot reels Ardent was selling. I'm glad you like your reel, and it sounds like its held up. Comparisons to, and claims that its better than a Stradic is interesting, but debatable.
Tywithay reply :
The "pattern" of carbon fiber is largely imperfect. The fibers move around during layup, plus the resin is drawn to the surface under vacuum. It's nearly impossible to get a smooth finish, because sanding the resin results in exposed fibers. It's not difficult to put a carbon fiber-looking graphic on the reel. Several other reels, and other items, have a similar finish. It's probably a hydrographic. I'll have to look again for the site I looked at the reel, but it clearly said nylon 66 and fiberglass, which makes sense, given the weight.On 1/6/2015 at 9:07 AM, FloridaFishinFool said:http://www.aliexpress.com/item/Spinning-reel-Fishing-reel-Tokushima-HK3000-Aluminium-alloy-folding-rocker-arm-14-precision-Ball-Bearing/2028736953.html
Well if they are "painted" that is one heck of a nice paint job and someone spent a lot of time getting that pattern to look just right without flaw.
I just did a search too and everything I keep finding is saying it is carbon graphite, not painted nylon but it could be a carbon graphite laminate over top of another material. Also, I am not planning on using it in salt water and I have not seen it advertised as a salt water tolerant reel, so that is irrelevant to me and does not diminish what I think of the reel. If it does for you, then OK, so be it. I have used this reel now for over a year for bass fishing and I love it! I have put some of my shimano and pflueger president reels away and use this one now, and I am about to buy some more of them to replace more of my shimano reels.
Category: Front Drag Spinning Reel Fishing Method: Spinning Brand Name: Tokushima Fishing Reels Type: Pre-Loading Spinning Wheel Model Number: HK3000 Brand : Tokushima: Models : HK3000 Bearing: 13 BB + 1RB: Precision forging anticorrosive aluminium alloy spool The metal body: CNC Aluminium alloy folding rocker arm Ultrathin carbon fiber fiber surface: Copper toothed bar double bearing system
Product description:
1. 14 high quality bearings
2. Slim body design, aviation composite materials
3. The computer automation line shell balance design, aviation composite materials
4. Precision forging anticorrosive aluminium alloy Spool
5. Spring casting structure
6. Line anti-wind design of casting wheel
7. Stainless steel casting
8. CNC Aluminium alloy folding rocker arm
9. High quality one-way bearing, no clearance reactionary structure
Line
10. Stype wiring system, level off, smooth
11. Stainless steel shaft, anti-corrosion excellent impact resistance
Can you post some in hand pictures? I'd be curious how it looks in person, compared to the stock photos.
S Hovanec reply :
More bearings mean a better reel. I read that on the internet, so it had to be true.
FloridaFishinFool reply :
FloridaFishinFool reply :
I just thought some of you might like to enjoy a nice quality reel for a decent price. What is wrong with that?
When you come across something that is decent and at a decent price why not share?
Truth is, someone on another forum shared this one with me. That is how I found out about it and I am just passing it on.
No agenda. Just sharing a nice product is all.
Alonerankin2 reply :
Which Shimano reels are you going to sideline in favor of this exceptional Chinese reel?
FloridaFishinFool reply :
On 1/6/2015 at 9:36 AM, Alonerankin2 said:Which Shimano reels are you going to sideline in favor of this exceptional Chinese reel?
So far just the presidents have been put away. I have not replaced the shimano reels yet, but working on it.
This reel has me sold on it. I like the president reels too, but this one is better and costs less. I like it more and just wanted to share.
For the price you can't go wrong is all I am saying.
Alonerankin2 reply :
Had two okuma trios 30 & 30S... Those above pics look pretty similar to me, gave those reels a fair shot, traded them off pretty quickly.
MarkH024 reply :
On 1/6/2015 at 9:36 AM, FloridaFishinFool said:I just thought some of you might like to enjoy a nice quality reel for a decent price. What is wrong with that?
When you come across something that is decent and at a decent price why not share?
Truth is, someone on another forum shared this one with me. That is how I found out about it and I am just passing it on.
No agenda. Just sharing a nice product is all.
Have you handled and fished with one in person?
buzzed bait reply :
and i'm sorry, but with as many spelling and grammar errors as they've displayed on those pages it's hard to believe they have much of a quality control process.
kickerfish1 reply :
It is an attractive reel for the money but I would compare it to other cheap reels under $60 and not to reels costing 4-6x the cost of this one new.
The biggest turnoff as Ty noted is the weight. Not many guys would want a 10.5 oz reel and this is the smallest size model. It would take a longer and more powerful spinning rod to make it balance. Most guys that use spinning gear for finesse fishing would have a hard time accepting the weight of the reel compared to what can be had from the major manufacturers.
Alonerankin2 reply :
Come on now, you stated you were going and had, sidelined/ replaced/ going to replace, your shimanos, I simply asked which shimanos were you/ have you, sidelined/ replaced with this Chinese reel. It's a fair question.
J Francho reply :
How about a pic of the one you own. You own one, correct?
FloridaFishinFool reply :
On 1/6/2015 at 9:41 AM, MarkH024 said:Have you handled and fished with one in person?
Yes sir. That is the only reason I started this thread to share my like for this reel with others who might enjoy it too. Isn't that what this is all about? Sharing the love of fishing with enjoyable equipment?
All I am trying to do is share what was shared with me and passing it on.
SirSnookalot reply :
I appreciate the information, I wouldn't bad rap that $40 reel until I owned one and was able to make my own determination. I'm not overly interested in buying buy that reel because don't care for the weight and the handle is a turn off to me. My Supremes are serving me quite well.
Any time someone is anti Shimano on this site they're going to get a hard time. From personal experience as well reading numerous internet postings regarding stradics, they do have problems in saltwater. The biggest problem is line roller bearings and bails. I have replaced the bearings at least 2 times in both of mine as well as the entire bail assembly which is still is floppy. The spheros uses the same parts, yet that reel is way more solid, I have 2 of them. Despite the problems the stradic is a pretty decent reel, although for saltwater use the spheros fares better IMO but not quite as smooth, I think Shimano has discontinued the 3-4000 sizes. The stradic is a nice freshwater reel, approved for saltwater but doubt I'd buy another for specific saltwater use.
Tywithay reply :
I don't believe it's backlash towards an anti Shimano thing. The hard time is because of posts on a forum that a $40 Chinese knock off reel is superior, better engineered, and more durable than time tested reels simply because "it has more bearings." To me, it's an obvious troll post just to stir things up. There's yet to be any valid review and not a single real life photo on this or any other forum. Just blanket statements about how great the reel is and how it's better than anything else because it has bearings. If someone provided real life evidence that the reel is a great value, it'd be worth looking at; as of right now, there's nothing to support that claim.On 1/6/2015 at 5:06 PM, SirSnookalot said:I appreciate the information, I wouldn't bad rap that $40 reel until I owned one and was able to make my own determination. I'm not overly interested in buying buy that reel because don't care for the weight and the handle is a turn off to me. My Supremes are serving me quite well.
Any time someone is anti Shimano on this site they're going to get a hard time. From personal experience as well reading numerous internet postings regarding stradics, they do have problems in saltwater. The biggest problem is line roller bearings and bails. I have replaced the bearings at least 2 times in both of mine as well as the entire bail assembly which is still is floppy. The spheros uses the same parts, yet that reel is way more solid, I have 2 of them. Despite the problems the stradic is a pretty decent reel, although for saltwater use the spheros fares better IMO but not quite as smooth, I think Shimano has discontinued the 3-4000 sizes. The stradic is a nice freshwater reel, approved for saltwater but doubt I'd buy another for specific saltwater use.
powerduster reply :
you're talking about the FI when the FJ is the latest model, which has two bearing on the pinion gear. and then you post links to two different stradics.
BrianinMD reply :
Nice troll....but I do find it funny how everyone always compares their greatest product to Shimano.
Would be more believable if there was not the over the top boast about how much greater it is than anything. A simple review of the product would go over better.
FloridaFishinFool reply :
Yes, I do own one and more are on the way. This reel is now on season two and like new.
This is one of the shimano's I will be replacing with several more of these Tokushima reels:
FloridaFishinFool reply :
Another interesting innovation with this reel is the oscillation gear.
Tokushima has designed a gear that is a gear within a gear. In some of my shimano reels all you will find is one solid piece oscillation gear. Not in this reel.
On shimano reels, when you turn the handle the spool moves in and out faster that the HK3000. The HK3000 reel's spool moves in and out very slowly and the manufacturer calls it parallel line lay. I was surprised when I first put line on the spool at how perfectly level it was- even and level.
Only time will tell if this is truly an "innovation" that will stick around and stand the test of time, but it is different and takes some getting used to.
In regards to this just being a $40.00 reel, when it was recommended to me to try it out I was told that Cabela's had sold these same reels for $125.00 several years ago. It is kind of cool getting them for under $40.00. And to find out I like it better than my president reels and shimano reels is a bonus.
FloridaFishinFool reply :
On 1/6/2015 at 6:32 PM, powerduster said:you're talking about the FI when the FJ is the latest model, which has two bearing on the pinion gear. and then you post links to two different stradics.
I went to the shimano website and looked up "current" models on their website and picked one randomly to look inside.
OK, I see what I did. I misread the "J" on the current models page as an "I" because of how the line underneath hid some of the bottom of the "J" and I missed that. So the schematic of the stradic I used was actually the current model ST3000FJ.
http://fish.shimano.com/content/dam/shimanoweb/fish/sac-fish/en/techdocs/current-models--2-/STRADIC/ST3000FJ
Alonerankin2 reply :
It's nothing more than a re- named Trio's..
Glenn reply :
And scene.
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