Swimbait reels

Need suggestions on a solid swimbait reel.

Looking at the

Abu Garcia Toro S

13 Fishing Concept A3

Shimano Curado 300 series

Dang, hit the wrong button and deleted a dissertation before I got it posted!.....

For classic "large" swimbaits, I don't care for any of your choices for several reasons. If you're talking under 4 ounces, then you could use any of the 3, but I wouldn't. Note that the Toro S is like a small brick at 14 ounces! The other two are better at 10.5 ounces. Spool volume isn't really there for any of the models in my opinion. Those who cast heavy (a relative term) swimbaits much find out just how important spool volume can be, regardless of pound test or line technology used.

Any reel you use for heavy lures should have an old school mechanical anti-reverse pawl in addition to the anti-reverse roller bearing. The reason for this is that the roller bearing can't withstand the constant abuse of heavier lures. Several manufacturers acknowledge this and do include the belt & suspenders approach in their reel designs. I believe the Toro models have this, but I don't like them for the other complaints stated.

The defacto standard for big baits is the older Calcutta 400. Today's CT400b isn't bad at 11.7 ounces with 160 yds. spec'ed for 20# mono.

The Daiwa Luna 300 is a very solid reel in use by quite a few in the big bait crowd, though a bit heavy at 12.9 ounces. I have one, and am impressed with it's quality, just not its' weight. Spool capacity is excellent at 190 yds/20# mono.

The Cardiff 400 isn't a bad price conscious reel to try if you want to sample the feel of classic round durable swimbait reels. It's at 11.9 ounces, and holds 165 yds./20# mono but the inch-per-turn is a bit light for me at 22 IPT. (Most benefit from low gearing to force us to slow down the retrieve, but that makes it tough to catch up to a fish running at you.)

If I had to switch to a current production low-profile reel today for large swimbaits, my first choice to try out would actually be the Okuma Komodo SS (KDS-364). It's a big-fish saltwater approved reel built rather solid to hold up to true big fish abuse. It's at 10.9 ounces, 170 yds./20# mono, and has a 31 IPT 6.4:1 gear set. I have two of these in the original 10 bearing version, and like them quite well so far. MSRP is $220, so they are economical in comparison.

Thank you for the info. Greatly appreciate it

Maybe some others will chime in. My view is only one opinion... of my experiences and what I learned from one of the recognized CA big-bait pioneers.

I use the Okuma Citrix A 350 and it's a solid beginner reel. You can get it really cheap on eBay too.

I would second the opinion above about the Diawa Luna 300. I have the entire Luna series and the 300 is a beast of a reel. It's a little more expensive but worth it. If On a budget then the Cardiff would not be a bad choice either.

Gotcha, so I guess another question

What rod would pair up with the above mentioned reels?

If you want the classic go-to for (larger) swimbaits, that would be the Dobyn's Champion Series 806 HSB (Heavy Swim Bait) rod, rated for 2-8 oz. lures. It is THE rod to have in the opinion of many diehard big bait guys in California. I have two and love them, but they are pricey (which is why I don't have all Dobyns swimbait rods).

Several of my other rods are Okuma Guide Select Swimbait rods. The model most like the Dobyns 806 HSB is the Okuma GS-C-7111Ha, which is economical with a $125 MSRP. I actually like this one too. The Guide Select rods are light in hand as well. Okuma has a "better" swimbait rod series now (the GBX). I own one, but won't buy any more of them because they are very HEAVY in hand - as heavy as two 806 HSBs together.

Please note that a flippin' stick is not applicable as a swimbait rod. Good swimbait rods have a moderate action, not extra fast. Think of them as classic crankbait rods ramped up to handle heavier lure weights.

Shimano Tranx

Daiwa Lexa 300 Winn - got it for my birthday this year & have not had a single issue.