I am looking at getting a 300 size reel for my larger swimbaits.

Originally, I was looking at a Shimano Cardiff 301A, but I saw that Sportsman's Outfitters has the Lew's Super Duty 300 for $135. How does the Super Duty 300 compare in terms of refinement and durability? I have exclusively used Shimano reels up until now and have heard varying opinions on Lew's quality (i.e. being made in the same factory as Abu, BPS, etc.).

Any opinions are welcomed. Thanks in advance.

Super Duty 300 is a nice reel for the money. I use it on my A-rig rod. How big of swimbait? The 300 is more of a deeper spool. The Super Duty Wide is a wider spool. Both have the same line capacity. The 300 has 6+1 bearings while the wide has 10+1 and little lighter. I have the 300's too. I'd probably recommend the wide if you are willing/able to spend a little more. You can get the wide on Amazon from $135-$165 depending on gear ratio.

Super Duty is a good choice for swimbaits weighing less than 5oz or so.

I'll be throwing baits between 3-5.5 oz. I like that the Super Duty Wide is lighter, but the 300 looks like it has a larger main gear and 2 anti-reverse clutches, both of which are common durability concerns for swimbait reels.

Daiwa Tatula 300

Most of the swimbaits we use are around the same size and we throw them on a Shimano Tranx 400. Might be a little overkill sometimes. I would look at the 300.

The Tranx 300 is a bit more than I am willing to spend at the moment, but I hope I will be able to upgrade to it in the next few years.

Stupid question...and im barely getting into throwing big swimbaits so apologies in advance lol

What is the purpose of the big reels? Im using an old curado greenie....and it chucks the baits out there pretty good. I dont backlash either. I cant imagine being able to cast any further with another reel.

So im kinda wondering why people use the big reels? I kinda started assuming that those big reels are for striper fishing...but seems like everyone uses them when throwing big swims. I was gonna buy a super duty for swims too...but after a whole day of chucking it, im wondering if the BB1 (I love this reel) would be just as good a move.

Im planning to throw stuff around 4 oz and under....if that makes a difference.

I found one of these at a tackle store in south florida ... he said it had been in the display window for years and no one was interested in bait casters in that area. I snapped it up, brand new with box. Wished I could find another one just like it. I use it for salt and fresh water.. Like the wider spools, and fighting reel handle.

https://thebbz.com/casting-reels/shimano-curado-300-ej-casting-reels

I have a 100 Shimano Cardif... good looking reel that has held up in the salt. That 300 would be my choice if that's the price range you're looking at. Lots of good reels, I just prefer shimano and don't experiment much with different brands any more.

I use a Curado 300DSV because it's not so heavy it back loads my rod wearing out my wrist. I can multi task it depending on the bait I'm going to use. A 7" soft plastic SB weighs appx 2 oz I can go up to 4 with the same line.

Many years ago I started out with a Shimano Cardiff as my dedicated swimbait reel. From there I went to Curado 301 DSV, Curado 301E, Curado 301 EJ, Calcutta 401 TE, Calcutta 401 D and a handful of others. I sold or gifted all of those reels and now I only own Tranx HG 301's. If someone builds a reel that I feel fits my needs/preferences better I'll buy it...but I'm not holding my breath.
PS...I can easily answer bockstars question but there's not a doubt in my mind he'll want to argue about it so I'm going to ignore him like everyone else.

I use a Diawa Luna 253(smaller round baitcaster) on a Dobyns Fury 795sb rod. Really works well, didn’t break the bank and can double as an A-rig rod too. I’ll answer bockstars question. While this is certainly not a finesse setup it’s really not that big or cumbersome. Not big enough to wear you out but what WILL wear you out is throwing a large 4-10oz swimbait on the same rod/reel you worm fish with. Not saying it’s undoable. Just saying if you’re going to spend some time with these baits it’s nice to have the “right” equipment.....real nice.

Not a stupid question. The old green Curados are fine reels but they are not designed for throwing baits over 1 oz or so.

The 300 series reels are designed with beefier anti-reverse bearings & freespool release pawls. Think about this. When you have a 4 oz bait on your line, it puts a lot more wear on your anti-reverse pawl in the reel. An extreme example of this would be to load up your rod with a 1# weight and try to press the free spool.

It is also about line capacity. If you load an old Curado with 25# fluoro or mono it will greatly limit your casting distance. A 300 Curado holds a lot more line so when you make a long cast you still have some reserve on the spool.

I use a new Curado 300 with a 4.7:1 ratio. I throw baits up to 6.5 oz with it and it works very well.

Great answer, Ken...and I'll add that with larger reels with wider/deeper spools the retrieve speed/cadence is less affected on long casts because you are not reeling an almost-empty spool.

Precisely