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entry level swimbait reel? #12350503 07/20/17 11:32 PM
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basshunter2000 Offline OP
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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

Moritz Chevrolet - 9101 Camp Bowie W Blvd, Fort Worth, TX - Monte Coon (817) 696-2003
Re: entry level swimbait reel? [Re: basshunter2000] #12350519 07/20/17 11:42 PM
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Diezel_Rocker Offline
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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.

Re: entry level swimbait reel? [Re: basshunter2000] #12350520 07/20/17 11:42 PM
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Douglas J Offline
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That is what I started with, the 300 Cardiff and I have fished with it for several years now...


#MFGA
Re: entry level swimbait reel? [Re: basshunter2000] #12350557 07/21/17 12:05 AM
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Flippin-Out Offline
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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.....

Re: entry level swimbait reel? [Re: basshunter2000] #12350666 07/21/17 01:06 AM
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mudd Offline
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I'm throwing a Deps 250 on a Ardent Mag reel. Seems be holding up


93 Ranger 482vs
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Re: entry level swimbait reel? [Re: basshunter2000] #12350877 07/21/17 03:04 AM
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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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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.
Re: entry level swimbait reel? [Re: basshunter2000] #12350935 07/21/17 03:45 AM
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Bryanmc57 Offline
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Originally Posted By: basshunter2000
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.


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Re: entry level swimbait reel? [Re: basshunter2000] #12350952 07/21/17 04:14 AM
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Re: entry level swimbait reel? [Re: basshunter2000] #12351327 07/21/17 02:18 PM
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I got a diawa Luna 300. Throw up to 8" glides and stuff that weigh around 4oz and it works good.

Re: entry level swimbait reel? [Re: basshunter2000] #12351376 07/21/17 02:41 PM
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ko bass attack 27 Offline
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I use a Lews Super Duty Wide Spool.

Re: entry level swimbait reel? [Re: basshunter2000] #12351494 07/21/17 03:35 PM
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I got a Shimano TranX and its been very good for a 8" Huddleston.

Last edited by Titleist77; 07/21/17 04:11 PM.
Re: entry level swimbait reel? [Re: basshunter2000] #12351595 07/21/17 04:29 PM
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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...

Re: entry level swimbait reel? [Re: basshunter2000] #12351834 07/21/17 06:35 PM
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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

Re: entry level swimbait reel? [Re: basshunter2000] #12351970 07/21/17 08:10 PM
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redskeeter190 Offline
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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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