Forums59
Topics1,039,704
Posts13,969,142
Members144,214
|
Most Online39,925 Dec 30th, 2023
|
|
Best Swimbait Reels
#10844954
05/14/15 11:05 PM
|
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 7,621
361V
OP
TFF Celebrity
|
OP
TFF Celebrity
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 7,621 |
Just started using some "medium sized" soft swimbaits. 2-4 ounce sizes like 3:16 Rising Suns... I have a Revo Winch. What have y'all found appropriate for these heavy baits?
|
|
Re: Best Swimbait Reels
[Re: 361V]
#10844992
05/14/15 11:30 PM
|
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 3,336
T54
TFF Team Angler
|
TFF Team Angler
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 3,336 |
|
|
Re: Best Swimbait Reels
[Re: 361V]
#10845020
05/14/15 11:43 PM
|
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 1,732
Paul - Lake Fork
Extreme Angler
|
Extreme Angler
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 1,732 |
Shimano Calcutta 200A Silver or 200B Gold 5.0:1 ..Just my
In order to catch Big Fish..Sometimes you gotta Suffer.
|
|
Re: Best Swimbait Reels
[Re: KC Injection Baits]
#10845125
05/15/15 12:46 AM
|
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 16,880
ezbassin
TFF Guru
|
TFF Guru
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 16,880 |
+1 for the smaller baits and or the Calcutta 200 Conquest. Daiwa Luna (5-1) gear ratio for the larger heavier ones. Daiwa Lexa 300 (6-1) gear ratio for top water glide baits.
Last edited by ezbassin; 05/15/15 01:32 PM.
|
|
Re: Best Swimbait Reels
[Re: 361V]
#10845163
05/15/15 01:03 AM
|
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 1,241
ETBA
Extreme Angler
|
Extreme Angler
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 1,241 |
I use the Lexa 300's and plan to add a Luna or two(I'm obviously a daiwa fan) Calcutta's and 300 series curados are also really Solid reels for the bigger baits.
Swimbaits Only.
|
|
Re: Best Swimbait Reels
[Re: 361V]
#10845277
05/15/15 01:46 AM
|
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 2,884
DKennimer
Extreme Angler
|
Extreme Angler
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 2,884 |
Don't know its the best, but I like my Shimano Calcutta TE DC100. Smooth and tough. I also use a Shimano Chronarch D5 for swimbaits up to 2 oz. it's the best reel ever made. IMO.
|
|
Re: Best Swimbait Reels
[Re: 361V]
#10845426
05/15/15 02:45 AM
|
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 1,081
Big Swimbait
Extreme Angler
|
Extreme Angler
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 1,081 |
All good choices. But I have really enjoyed my Lews BB2 Pro Wide.
Less gritchin', more fishin'
|
|
Re: Best Swimbait Reels
[Re: 361V]
#10845504
05/15/15 03:26 AM
|
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 72,561
Mark Perry
Super Freak
|
Super Freak
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 72,561 |
Daiwa Lexa 300 and Daiwa Tatula 200HD are tough to beat.
|
|
Re: Best Swimbait Reels
[Re: 361V]
#10845750
05/15/15 10:07 AM
|
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 4,724
Flippin-Out
TFF Team Angler
|
TFF Team Angler
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 4,724 |
I think the heavy baits will destroy a Revo Winch in time. (I have two of them and won't be throwing swimbaits with them.) The Lexa 300 isn't enough in my opinion, and the 400 is like mounting a brick on the rod. I'll be amazed if a Tatula will hold up over time with the 2+ oz. baits just as with the Winch, and especially with anything over 4. I agree on the Calcutta (but in 400 size) and Luna 300 as good choices. I've started using Quantum EXO 300SPT reels as a swimbait reel. That model weighs in at an amazing 7.5 ounces and holds 200 yards of 20# mono. The EXO 300 has more than just size. The main gear and shaft are brass in the 300, but lighter metal in other models. There is also a ratchet/pawl for anti-reverse in addition to the roller bearing.
Be wary of the Lexa "300" that really isn't a 300 size in my opinion. It weighs 10.5 oz. but holds only 120 yards of 20# mono! (Yet, the Daiwa Luna 300 holds 190 yards of 20# mono.) To be on par with the EXO 300, one must choose the Lexa 400 reel that holds 190 yards of 20# mono. That beast weighs 15.3 ounces! That Lexa "300" seems more like a 200 size; I guess that's one way to make a "300" labeled reel seem better on some specs than a REAL 300 reel.
Will you actually need 200 yards of line to cast? Of course not. But, the casts are long, and with 20# or higher test line, the spool diameter gets small very fast. Keeping the measured line-on-spool diameter as large as possible through-out the cast is desired when casting swimbaits, hence the slant toward reels that will hold a LOT of 20 or 25# test line. Something that only holds 120 yards 0f 20# typically spells trouble, or at least dissatisfaction.
If you want a budget swimbait reel, try a Shimano Cardiff 400A. It's the popular value priced swimbait reel in the west. I have and use two; they are actually decent.
|
|
Re: Best Swimbait Reels
[Re: 361V]
#10845824
05/15/15 11:56 AM
|
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 52
reedaggie10
Outdoorsman
|
Outdoorsman
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 52 |
Ive been throwing big swimbaits (up to 7-8 oz.) for several years and now have three Lexa 300's. While I haven't fished any of the other high dollar reels on the market, I find it hard to believe that you can find a better reel, for the price, on the market. I have not had one single problem (other than user error) with any of them. If you want to spend the money on a more expensive reel, go for it, but I think your best bet is a Lexa 300.
|
|
Re: Best Swimbait Reels
[Re: 361V]
#10846008
05/15/15 01:15 PM
|
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 822
Viper Rods
Pro Angler
|
Pro Angler
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 822 |
Shimano Calcutta 200b gets my vote
|
|
Re: Best Swimbait Reels
[Re: Flippin-Out]
#10846092
05/15/15 01:38 PM
|
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 172
BigTex9
Outdoorsman
|
Outdoorsman
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 172 |
I think the heavy baits will destroy a Revo Winch in time. (I have two of them and won't be throwing swimbaits with them.) The Lexa 300 isn't enough in my opinion, and the 400 is like mounting a brick on the rod. I'll be amazed if a Tatula will hold up over time with the 2+ oz. baits just as with the Winch, and especially with anything over 4. I agree on the Calcutta (but in 400 size) and Luna 300 as good choices. I've started using Quantum EXO 300SPT reels as a swimbait reel. That model weighs in at an amazing 7.5 ounces and holds 200 yards of 20# mono. The EXO 300 has more than just size. The main gear and shaft are brass in the 300, but lighter metal in other models. There is also a ratchet/pawl for anti-reverse in addition to the roller bearing.
Be wary of the Lexa "300" that really isn't a 300 size in my opinion. It weighs 10.5 oz. but holds only 120 yards of 20# mono! (Yet, the Daiwa Luna 300 holds 190 yards of 20# mono.) To be on par with the EXO 300, one must choose the Lexa 400 reel that holds 190 yards of 20# mono. That beast weighs 15.3 ounces! That Lexa "300" seems more like a 200 size; I guess that's one way to make a "300" labeled reel seem better on some specs than a REAL 300 reel.
Will you actually need 200 yards of line to cast? Of course not. But, the casts are long, and with 20# or higher test line, the spool diameter gets small very fast. Keeping the measured line-on-spool diameter as large as possible through-out the cast is desired when casting swimbaits, hence the slant toward reels that will hold a LOT of 20 or 25# test line. Something that only holds 120 yards 0f 20# typically spells trouble, or at least dissatisfaction.
If you want a budget swimbait reel, try a Shimano Cardiff 400A. It's the popular value priced swimbait reel in the west. I have and use two; they are actually decent. Really good input here! Adding to this, another critical piece to this is whether you see yourself throwing 3-10oz baits occasionally when the bite is "right", or if you see yourself committing to them and throwing them all day every trip for many years to come. Many people think they will commit until they get a good dose of a 7-8 trip skunk and they just want a bite of any kind. A 400 class Calcutta is going to hold up to the abuse over that kind of timeframe, but you pay for it. I personally have two Curado 300E's, but they seem a little light in the seat for my liking. They've been workhorses so far with alot of hours chunking big baits, but time will be the true test over the next several years.
|
|
Re: Best Swimbait Reels
[Re: 361V]
#10846118
05/15/15 01:43 PM
|
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 5,746
JPeel
TFF Celebrity
|
TFF Celebrity
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 5,746 |
A line thru like the rising son, osprey, etc.. doesn't put much stress on a reel so using your normal gear reel isn't going to be an issue. If a revo winch will wear out throwing those baits, it's gonna wear out with anything else. You really have no need for a large 300 or 400 series reel either. That's overkill for the line thru's you're talking about.
My personal preference is the Revo inshore for lighter baits and Revo Toro's for the bigger soft plastic and hard baits. I would recommend that you get away from the winch-slow retrieve speed and use a 5.4 or 6:1 ratio. Slow retrieves are good but being able to catch up to a fast running big fish is a good thing.
the fisherman formerly known as Blu-Ranger....
|
|
Re: Best Swimbait Reels
[Re: Flippin-Out]
#10846224
05/15/15 02:15 PM
|
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 72,561
Mark Perry
Super Freak
|
Super Freak
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 72,561 |
I think the heavy baits will destroy a Revo Winch in time. (I have two of them and won't be throwing swimbaits with them.) The Lexa 300 isn't enough in my opinion, and the 400 is like mounting a brick on the rod. I'll be amazed if a Tatula will hold up over time with the 2+ oz. baits just as with the Winch, and especially with anything over 4. I agree on the Calcutta (but in 400 size) and Luna 300 as good choices. I've started using Quantum EXO 300SPT reels as a swimbait reel. That model weighs in at an amazing 7.5 ounces and holds 200 yards of 20# mono. The EXO 300 has more than just size. The main gear and shaft are brass in the 300, but lighter metal in other models. There is also a ratchet/pawl for anti-reverse in addition to the roller bearing.
Be wary of the Lexa "300" that really isn't a 300 size in my opinion. It weighs 10.5 oz. but holds only 120 yards of 20# mono! (Yet, the Daiwa Luna 300 holds 190 yards of 20# mono.) To be on par with the EXO 300, one must choose the Lexa 400 reel that holds 190 yards of 20# mono. That beast weighs 15.3 ounces! That Lexa "300" seems more like a 200 size; I guess that's one way to make a "300" labeled reel seem better on some specs than a REAL 300 reel.
Will you actually need 200 yards of line to cast? Of course not. But, the casts are long, and with 20# or higher test line, the spool diameter gets small very fast. Keeping the measured line-on-spool diameter as large as possible through-out the cast is desired when casting swimbaits, hence the slant toward reels that will hold a LOT of 20 or 25# test line. Something that only holds 120 yards 0f 20# typically spells trouble, or at least dissatisfaction.
If you want a budget swimbait reel, try a Shimano Cardiff 400A. It's the popular value priced swimbait reel in the west. I have and use two; they are actually decent. The Tatula HD has beefier gearing than regular Tatula. It is designed for larger baits. The bonus is its in a 200 sized reel. That being said you mentioned some great choices so hopefully any prospective customer will research and buy what is best for them.
|
|
Moderated by banker-always fishing, chickenman, Derek 🐝, Duck_Hunter, Fish Killer, J-2, Jacob, Jons3825, JustWingem, Nocona Brian, Toon-Troller, Uncle Zeek, Weekender1
|