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entry level swimbait reel?
#12350503
07/20/17 11:32 PM
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Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 94
basshunter2000
OP
Outdoorsman
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OP
Outdoorsman
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 94 |
looking at a shimano Cardiff, wondering if it's a good first swimbait reel and if there is any learning curve to casting the round reels vs low profile, thanks in advance
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Re: entry level swimbait reel?
[Re: basshunter2000]
#12350519
07/20/17 11:42 PM
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Joined: May 2006
Posts: 611
Diezel_Rocker
Pro Angler
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Pro Angler
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 611 |
Depends how big of swimbaits you are talking about. Cardiff is a great reel and can handle the big boys- 11" Huds, big 5-8oz baits, etc. For more moderate swimbaits almost any reel will do. I don't use super beefy gear when throwing 7" Basstrix hollow body baits and 6" Huds.
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Re: entry level swimbait reel?
[Re: basshunter2000]
#12350520
07/20/17 11:42 PM
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Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 20,698
Douglas J
TFF Guru
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TFF Guru
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 20,698 |
That is what I started with, the 300 Cardiff and I have fished with it for several years now...
#MFGA
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Re: entry level swimbait reel?
[Re: basshunter2000]
#12350557
07/21/17 12:05 AM
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Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 4,724
Flippin-Out
TFF Team Angler
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TFF Team Angler
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 4,724 |
I have a number of dedicated swimbait rods (where I mean for baits with generous weight such as 4+ ounce). I have a Cardiff 300 and a couple of 400s that were my starter reels. To me, the 300 needs to be restricted to lighter baits (under 3 ounce) because of the general match of line size to bait size.
For larger baits, above 3 ounces or so, you'd be well advised to use 25/30# mono, or if brave, heavy braid with 25/30# leader. That doesn't work on a 300 due to spool capacity. The 400 does this quite well. My 300 is now generally used for overgrown topwater baits such as Lunker Plunkers, etc.
The round reels are still baitcasters, and every model has it's own personality. I never found my Cardiffs to be a casting challenge. Remember that casting swimbaits is a different technique with a lot of forces involved. Techie features such as magnetic braking are no match for a 4 ounce bait sailing to splashdown, so the reels are basic in nature. The difference is mostly in the weight of the bait rather than the reel technology. Opinions will vary, that's just mine.....
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Re: entry level swimbait reel?
[Re: basshunter2000]
#12350666
07/21/17 01:06 AM
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Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 4,293
mudd
TFF Team Angler
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TFF Team Angler
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 4,293 |
I'm throwing a Deps 250 on a Ardent Mag reel. Seems be holding up
93 Ranger 482vs 95 Bullet 20cc
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Re: entry level swimbait reel?
[Re: basshunter2000]
#12350877
07/21/17 03:04 AM
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Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 40,797
CCTX
mapquest
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mapquest
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 40,797 |
Abu Orra Winch for up to about 4oz
The Cardiff could handle bigger/heavier swimbaits
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Re: entry level swimbait reel?
[Re: basshunter2000]
#12350925
07/21/17 03:33 AM
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Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 4,724
Flippin-Out
TFF Team Angler
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TFF Team Angler
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 4,724 |
One of the major keys to handling heavy baits is whether or not the reel has an old-school anti-reverse pawl in addition to today's typical anti-reverse roller bearing. (The Cardiff 300 & 400 do.) Several companies have stated that the roller anti-reverse bearings get subjected to a lot of stress by heavy lures. They've said the likely point of failure on a reel without a mechanical anti-reverse pawl will be the roller bearing (which will get trashed/fail). If the Ardent doesn't have one, you can already predict what will give when it no longer workie......
Last edited by Flippin-Out; 07/21/17 03:34 AM.
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Re: entry level swimbait reel?
[Re: basshunter2000]
#12350935
07/21/17 03:45 AM
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Joined: May 2012
Posts: 905
Bryanmc57
Pro Angler
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Pro Angler
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 905 |
looking at a shimano Cardiff, wondering if it's a good first swimbait reel and if there is any learning curve to casting the round reels vs low profile, thanks in advance If you're going to get serious about throwing swimbaits 4oz and bigger, save yourself some aggravation and buy a Calcutta 400b on ebay. They can be found used in good shape for around $150.
Honora Primum Vel Nullum Omnin Honorem
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Re: entry level swimbait reel?
[Re: basshunter2000]
#12351327
07/21/17 02:18 PM
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Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 9,198
the skipper
TFF Celebrity
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TFF Celebrity
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 9,198 |
I got a diawa Luna 300. Throw up to 8" glides and stuff that weigh around 4oz and it works good.
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Re: entry level swimbait reel?
[Re: basshunter2000]
#12351494
07/21/17 03:35 PM
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Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 725
Titleist77
Pro Angler
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Pro Angler
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 725 |
I got a Shimano TranX and its been very good for a 8" Huddleston.
Last edited by Titleist77; 07/21/17 04:11 PM.
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Re: entry level swimbait reel?
[Re: basshunter2000]
#12351595
07/21/17 04:29 PM
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Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 1,617
NickHasty
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 1,617 |
Buy quality first and skip trashing a cheap reel. I believe the abu Garcia toro beast is the way to go. I have 2, they have survived throwing 16 oz muskie lures daily...
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Re: entry level swimbait reel?
[Re: basshunter2000]
#12351834
07/21/17 06:35 PM
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Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 4,724
Flippin-Out
TFF Team Angler
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TFF Team Angler
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 4,724 |
The Toro is like holding a brick (weight wise) - check the weight on them. The earlier recommended Cardiff is built with the double anti-reverse, a key feature for a reel to hold up casting heavier baits. I agree the Cardiff 300 has limits due to line capacity. That gets corrected when using the 400A
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Re: entry level swimbait reel?
[Re: basshunter2000]
#12351970
07/21/17 08:10 PM
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Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,812
redskeeter190
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,812 |
There's a guy on the trading post, here, that is selling an Abu Garcia C3..$50...those things are awesome for swimbaits....
Last edited by redskeeter190; 07/21/17 08:12 PM.
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