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 The Ocean Master 2000 casting reel, a smaller verson of its cousin, the Ocean Master 4000, has turned out to be just the right size.
I always found the Ocean Master 4000 to be it a bit too large for some of the inshore casting I do for red drum, flounder and sea trout. It was simply too much reel.
The OM 2000 model fills a void for those of us who want to fish with lighter line, yet it has the guts to horse even very large red drum. The one piece machined frame is made from anodized aluminum, and the one I fished has held up to all kinds of weather and saltwater conditions.
Built with four ball-bearings, this reel is easy to cast and has a superb, smooth retrieve. The PowerLock instant anti-reverse means that hook sets are instantaneous, and the beefed-up drag washers can handle any situation. This is not a flimsy rebuilt freshwater reel.
Many casting reels have line guides that can wear over time, cutting a groove in the guide and causing the line to fray. This is particularly true with braided line because braid has an abrasive quality that monofilament lacks. To prevent problems, Bass Pro Shops designed this reel with a titanium line guide that makes it perfect for braided line.
I spooled my 2000 with 20-pound test Bass Pro Premium Excel Braid. This line is the best I have found in braid and it fits the 2000 perfectly. The 6-pound equivalent line diameter casts smoothly, and the 2000's adjustable braking system keeps backlashes to a minimum.
 I was fishing with the OM 2000 on one trip in 20-knot winds, casting directly into the wind. Knowing what I was up against, I adjusted the six braking pins for maximum control, and was able to cast into the wind with almost no problem.
I like the large handle grips on the OM 2000. They give me more control over the reel, allowing me to work heavy fish back to the boat. On one trip to Georgia in driving rain, I boated several sharks in the 20- to 30-pound range, and was able to crank the drag down and horse them. The 2000 performed flawlessly. The drag did not hang or chatter on long runs, which is something that other reels I have owned did when the drag heated up.
On another trip, we fished some back creeks and caught southern flounder on jigs and swim tail grubs. I had paired my reel with a 7-foot Inshore Extreme casting rod. I was able to cast 3/8 ounce jigs to the creek mouths and work them back with ease. While I needed only minimal drag for these flatfish, the drag once again worked smoothly with no surges and the reel cast just as smoothly as it did with a heavier weighted terminal rig.
Over all I am very pleased with this reel. Coupled with the Inshore Extreme rod and Excel Braid, it can fit the needs of inshore and light offshore anglers for a smaller, lighter casting reel that has the guts to stand up to the pressure of bigger fish when required. I take it with me on all my saltwater trips, along with its bigger cousin the OM 4000. The two of these give me what I need in almost any saltwater fishing situation short of offshore trolling. They both perform extremely well.
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