Company: Okuma Fishing Tackle · Country: Taiwan · US office: Okuma Fishing Tackle Corp., 2310 E. Locust Court, Ontario, CA 91761 · Category: Slow pitch jigging reels
Okuma now has a dedicated “Jigging & Slow Pitch” collection, and at its center is a reel launched in July 2025: the Tesoro Lever Drag Jigging (LDJ), built “for vertical and slow pitch jigging in deep saltwater.” Below it sits the long-running Cavalla, including the CAV-5NS-TB, a single-speed model Okuma labels a jigging reel. The Alijos lever drag rounds out the range.
This review covers each reel’s specs and prices, which suits Florida slow pitch, and where to buy.
Company overview
Okuma is a Taiwanese tackle maker with a US office in Ontario, California (1-800-GO-OKUMA; business hours Monday–Friday 8:30am–4:30pm Pacific). It’s known for strong value in saltwater reels. For Okuma’s slow pitch rods, see our Okuma Slow Pitch Rods review.
At a glance
| Flagship slow pitch reel | Tesoro LDJ (TLJ-2000NA right, TLJ-2000NLA left), $469.99 |
| Budget slow pitch reel | Cavalla CAV-5NS-TB, $269.99 |
| 2-speed options | Cavalla 5NII/5II/12NII/12II, Alijos |
| Warranty | Tiered 1/3/5-year limited; Tesoro LDJ 3-year per Okuma |
| Florida dealer | Johnny Jigs, Pompano Beach |
Tesoro Lever Drag Jigging (Tesoro LDJ)
Models: TLJ-2000NA (right hand), TLJ-2000NLA (left hand) · Price: $469.99 (launch MSRP $449.99) · Released: July 2025
Okuma’s Director of Product Development, John Bretza, said the Tesoro LDJ has the “finesse to work a jig just right through the column” and was “engineered for the demands of modern saltwater jigging.”
Specifications
| Gear ratio | 5.5:1 (retailers and Okuma global) |
| Retrieve per turn | about 39–40″ (100 cm) |
| Max drag | 46 lb at full, up to 26 lb at strike (Okuma USA) |
| Weight | about 21 oz (580 g) |
| Bearings | 9 + 2 |
| Handle | Machined aluminum power handle, EVA T-bar knob (130 mm, adjustable) |
| Drag settings | Free, M, Strike, Full |
Okuma’s global site lists max drag as 12 kg (about 26 lb). One Okuma USA product tag lists 6.2:1 gearing. We’ve used the figures most retailers quote.
Line capacity: Okuma global lists PE 2 / 1,200 m, PE 3 / 650 m, PE 4 / 450 m. That’s plenty for Florida slow pitch on PE 2–3.
Features
– One-piece 6061-T6 aluminum frame with forged side plates
– Carbonite Dual Force drag (washers on both sides of the spool) with Cal’s grease
– 303-grade stainless XL gears and Flite Drive, which Okuma says reduces rotational resistance by over 55%
– Triple anti-reverse: two one-way bearings plus a mechanical dog
– Spool lock for breaking off snags
– Spool cutout so you can feather line on the drop
– Cold-forged, Type-II anodized spool and CRC corrosion coating
Why it suits slow pitch: A lever drag with four settings lets you set a light strike drag for soft slow pitch rods, then push up when a fish is pulling. The spool cutout helps control the jig’s fall. The power handle gives leverage when lifting heavy jigs from depth.
Who it’s for: Anglers who want a full-featured lever drag slow pitch reel for less than most Japanese and American premium reels.
Cavalla lever drag and the CAV-5NS-TB slow pitch model
The Cavalla is Okuma’s long-running compact lever drag. The CAV-5NS-TB is the model for slow pitch: a single-speed reel that Okuma lists as its “Single Speed Jigging Model.” Okuma’s own slow pitch guide recommends it for “exceptional torque and durability in a compact package.”
Images: Okuma
Okuma USA prices
| Model | Type | Price |
|---|---|---|
| CAV-5NS-TB | Single speed, jigging | $269.99 |
| CAV-5NII / CAV-5II | 2-speed | $289.99 |
| CAV-5IILX | 2-speed, left hand | $299.99 |
| CAV-12NII / CAV-12II | 2-speed | $379.99 |
| CAV-12IILX | 2-speed, left hand | $389.99 |
A 2026 Limited Edition Midnight Blue version is listed from $289.99.
Specs (CharkBait)
| Model | Gear ratio | Retrieve | Drag strike/full | Weight | Braid capacity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CAV-5NS-TB | 6.4:1 | 42.1″ | 15 / 24 lb | 16.4 oz | 425/40, 350/50 |
| CAV-5NII | 6.4 & 3.8:1 | 42.1″ / 24.8″ | 15 / 24 lb | 16.2 oz | 425/40, 350/50 |
| CAV-5II | 6.4 & 3.8:1 | 42.1″ / 24.8″ | 15 / 24 lb | 17.1 oz | 475/50, 310/65 |
| CAV-12NII | 4.7 & 2.1:1 | 35.4″ / 15.7″ | 27 / 34 lb | 23.8 oz | 525/50, 345/65 |
| CAV-12II | 4.7 & 2.1:1 | 35.4″ / 15.7″ | 27 / 34 lb | 24.9 oz | 460/65, 400/80 |
Shared features: 6061-T6 machined aluminum frame and side plates, cold-forged anodized spool, 17-4 stainless main and pinion gears, carbonite drag with Cal’s grease, 4 stainless bearings, bait clicker, and left- and right-hand versions (the 5NS-TB is right hand only). Johnny Jigs lists the 5NS with a factory power handle.
Who it’s for: A first slow pitch reel, or a compact, affordable reel for guest rods. The CAV-5NS-TB is light at about 16.4 oz, fast at 42″ per turn and simple. The 2-speed Cavallas add a low gear for winding big fish up from deep water.
Alijos lever drag
The Alijos sits in Okuma’s Jigging & Slow Pitch collection, though it’s more of a general offshore reel. It has Dual Force Drag with 100% larger drag plates, a 1-piece 6061-T6 frame and a 90 mm handle with a large T-bar knob.
| Model | Gear ratio | Drag | Weight | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AJ-5NII | 6.4 & 3.8:1 | 15 / 24 lb | 19.4 oz | $399.99 |
| AJ-5II | 6.4 & 3.8:1 | 19.8 oz | $429.99 | |
| AJ-12NSII | 6.4 & 2.1:1 | 27 / 34 lb | 27.5 oz | $469.99 |
| AJ-12II | 4.7 & 2.1:1 | 28.6 oz | $499.99 |
Specs from Tackle World; prices from Okuma USA.
Who it’s for: Anglers who want a stronger 2-speed lever drag for heavier jigging and bottom fishing. For dedicated slow pitch, the lighter Tesoro LDJ or Cavalla usually makes more sense.
Choosing an Okuma slow pitch reel
| Your fishing | Best Okuma reel |
|---|---|
| First slow pitch outfit, 150–250 g jigs | Cavalla CAV-5NS-TB |
| Full-featured slow pitch, 200–400 g jigs, deep ledges | Tesoro LDJ |
| Slow pitch plus winding big fish up from deep water | Cavalla CAV-5NII (2-speed) |
| Heavier jigging and bottom fishing | Alijos AJ-12NSII or Cavalla 12NII |
Complete Okuma outfits
– Budget: Tesoro slow pitch rod (from $195.49) + Cavalla CAV-5NS-TB ($269.99), under $500
– Premium: Tesoro slow pitch rod + Tesoro LDJ ($469.99), about $665
Setting up for slow pitch
- Spool thin braid. PE 2–3 gives the best jig action and cuts current drag.
- Set strike drag light. Soft slow pitch rods pull hooks if the drag is too tight. About 25–30% of your line’s breaking strength is a common starting point.
- Use the spool lock or strike stop so you return to the same drag setting after a fight.
- Rinse and dry after each trip, and service the drag washers each season.
Warranty and service
Okuma uses 5-year, 3-year and 1-year limited warranty tiers. Okuma’s launch post says the Tesoro LDJ carries a 3-year limited warranty. Warranties cover the original owner only, and disassembly voids them. Claims go through service.okumafishingusa.com with a Return Authorization number, and there’s a $7.95 US return shipping charge. Parts are sold at okumafishingpartsusa.com.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Dedicated slow pitch reel (Tesoro LDJ) with lever drag, spool lock and spool cutout
- Strong value: Tesoro LDJ $469.99, Cavalla 5NS-TB $269.99
- Compact, light Cavalla with 42″ per turn
- 2-speed options for big fish
- Left-hand versions available
- Stocked by Johnny Jigs in Pompano Beach
Cons
- Published Tesoro LDJ specs vary between sources (drag, gearing, capacity)
- The Tesoro LDJ can’t be bought online directly from Okuma USA
- CAV-5NS-TB is right hand only
- Cavalla has only 4 bearings
- Not the refinement of premium Japanese slow pitch reels
Okuma vs. other slow pitch reels
| Reel | Drag type | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Okuma Tesoro LDJ | Lever | $469.99 |
| Okuma Cavalla CAV-5NS-TB | Lever | $269.99 |
| Accurate BV-300-SPJ | Lever (TwinDrag) | $509.99 |
| Shimano Ocea Jigger 2000NR HG | Star | $539.99–$569.99 |
| Daiwa Saltiga 300 | Star | $699.99 |
| Studio Ocean Mark Blue Heaven L50 | Lever | $819.99 |
Where to buy Okuma slow pitch reels
Florida
– Johnny Jigs Tackle, 709 South Federal Highway, Pompano Beach, FL 33062 · (954) 889-4915 · johnnyjigs.com: Tesoro LDJ ($472.99) and Cavalla 5NS ($275.61)
Online and national
– Okuma USA · okumafishingusa.com
– CharkBait, Huntington Beach, CA · (714) 846-6452: Cavalla and Alijos
– TackleDirect · 888-354-7335: Cavalla CAV-5NII ($277.99)
– Tackle World, Paramus, NJ · (201) 587-0011: Tesoro LDJ ($469.99) and Alijos
Verdict
Okuma now covers slow pitch properly. The Tesoro LDJ is a well-equipped lever drag jigging reel, with a four-setting drag, spool lock, spool cutout and power handle, for $469.99. The Cavalla CAV-5NS-TB is one of the best-value ways into slow pitch at $269.99. Paired with a Tesoro slow pitch rod, either gives you a capable Florida slow pitch outfit for much less than Japanese premium gear.
Deep-Drop.com rating: Value 5/5 · Features 4.5/5 · Build quality 4/5 · Spec clarity 3/5 · Florida availability 4/5
FAQ
What is Okuma’s slow pitch reel?
The Tesoro Lever Drag Jigging reel (TLJ-2000NA), launched July 2025 at $469.99. The Cavalla CAV-5NS-TB ($269.99) is Okuma’s budget single-speed jigging model.
Is the Okuma Cavalla good for slow pitch?
Yes. Okuma recommends the CAV-5NS-TB for slow pitch, and it’s compact (about 16.4 oz) with 42.1″ per turn.
Does the Tesoro LDJ come in left hand?
Yes, the TLJ-2000NLA.
What warranty does the Okuma Tesoro LDJ have?
Okuma’s launch post states a 3-year limited warranty.
Specifications and prices were checked against okumafishingusa.com, okumafishing.com, The Fisherman and retailer listings (Johnny Jigs, CharkBait, Tackle World, TackleDirect) on September 26, 2026.