What reel would you use for a swimbait reel?

[mlakrid]

Hey guys,

This past summer after using the Sebile 125 and some other swimbaits I decided I would get a few more, I fell in love with the action of both the BBZ-a and the Tru-tungsten bluegill...

Anyway, because I did not have anything heavy enough with a moderate enough flex, I went out and purchased a Powell 3-5oz swimbait rod...

Now I need a reel to pair it up with... I was thinking the Revo Toro or perhaps another round reel from Abu Garcia... because this is a VERY specific rod/reel combo this is ALL it will be used for...

SO... using something other than the Revo is fine... Im open to all options, I would like to keep it below $200 for the reel... Im all ears...

Thanks!

Mike A!

[coldfront]

Mike,
I've been using Ambassador RCN50's for this application...because I like the round reel for bigger/heavier stuff like this...and, I found a couple of them for $99/each...   good reels...easy to take down/clean...(as they all are)...centrifugal brake system...20+ pound drag settings...

Had been looking hard at the Curado 300...but just couldn't drop the 'almost' $300...

A lot of the guys out on the Left Coast use Shimano Cardiffs or more predominantly, Calcuttas.  Still, a bit over where you want to be...

I've been very happy with my Ambassadors...also, know a bunch of muskie guys that use them (hard!) and they're pretty much trouble free and work well with a fish that's potentiall a lot bigger and more capable of wrecking tackle...plus they are throwing those 1/2-1 pound baits...

That's all I got...next?

[Dug]

I read this and thought to myself, wow there are a LOT of great choices for a swimbait reel.  The Toro is a great choice as is the Shimano Calcutta.  Personally I use the Daiwa 153 HSTA and am happy with that, but I don't throw very large swimbaits.  Though I have a 12 incher I want a reason to throw some day.

Dug

[gofish1]

I am using a Curado 300e because it has a smaller profile but holds allot of line. I been throwing 3oz or better baits and the reel is smooth and casts a mile without giving up half the spool. I looked at the Revo Toro but I wanted that smaller profile that makes tossing the heavier baits all day less of a workout. I got my Curado on sale back in December for $265.00 and it was worth every penny.

[mlakrid]

I have an old Abu Round reel widespool which I was using for inshore flats fishing...

It has not been used for the better part of two seasons...

I may strip the line off of it, and put my 20# CX-premium on it...

$265 is too much.... and I have big hands to I am not sure I would like just how small the new Curado is, plus I can get the Toro for $215 shipped...

I may have to look at the cardiff, but more than likely it will have to be used...

I also like the look and the reviews on the Daiwa Luna reels...

Thanks for the inputs so far keep'em coming...

Mike A!

[smokey5186]

Think this is going to be a prefferance thing,But I use a Kistler 7'6" MH and a Quantum 500 spooled with 65lb braid and a 20lb flouro leader, It'll cast a mile and the reel bought new for $49.oo on e-bay. And down here in the great country of Texas we use alot of swim baits!!!!

[flippinjigs]

All of reels mentioned are grate choices. However I would buy A Shimano Curado CU200/201DHSV because it's a 7.0:1 high speed reel which gives you fast line recovery should you have to take up the slack in your line to catch up to a big fish. It's has 12 pounds of drag power to help manage that Big Bass you will catch on that type of lure. The reel is high speed (nice to have), however you can slow the lure down by using a slower retrieve (Da). It's in your price range. If you shop ebay you can sometimes get more for your money.

I guess we are all kind of bias about our own personal fishing equipment.

I use to use my CU201DHSV (yes I'm a lefty) for frogin. Now I'm trying a high speed Daiwa for that. So my curado CU201DHSV is now my swim bait reel. Cast great with large wake baits such as a Black Dog 9" Lunker Punker, 8" Huddelston, Triple Trout, and also that BBZ1. As you know most major brands have a reel with the same specifications as the CU201DHSV and some are lower in price, BUT YOU GET WHAT PAY FOR, and the Curados are classics, I own several even in the Scorpion series. The hard to get CU200/201B green reel they are kind of like a Ranger Boat legendary. But what ever brand you buy I feel you would be better served with a high speed reel and a good powerful drag system. And Hang on, Swim Baits catch some big pigs. 


Good Fishin
Flippinjigs
On the California Delta



     

[v1per]

This is what I use for my bigger swim baits....Cardiff A Series Casting Reel 300     Right     5.8:1(gear ratio)     8.9(ounces)     109.99     It's a nice reel and in your price range and I have it loaded with 65# Power Pro. My smaller hard swim baits I use either a heavy or med/heavy rod depending on how big they are. I have no problems throwing them on my bass reels(especially with my new Curado 200 E7) and Power Pro lines. Hope this helps in your choice and good luck.

[mlakrid]

Thanks for the responses guys...

I have a Curado DHSV, it is not what I would want for Heavy lures... it requires constant adjustment on the centrifigul brakes, and I didnt want to have to do that every time I changed a bait...

I went with a reel I had laying around... my Abu Garcia 6500 Wide spool...

Spooled it up with 20# P-line Cx-Premium and put it on my new Powel MH swimbait rod... it is like they are made for each other...

LOVE this combo...

I will be throwing big swimbaits much more often...

Mike A!